2015 Jeep Cherokee transmission & drivetrain problems

Related recalls

• Recall 20V343000Jun 11, 202067,248 vehicles
  POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION · POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT

  Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2017 Jeep Cherokee vehicles equipped with a two-speed Power Transfer Unit (PTU). Relative movement in the Power Transfer Unit (PTU) between the differential input splines and the transmission output shaft may cause some input spline teeth to wear off, which may eventually cause a loss of engagement between the transmission and the differential inside the PTU. If this occurs, power cannot be transferred between the front wheels and the transmission which results in a loss of drive while the vehicle is in motion and a loss of the Park function while stationary.

  Risk: A loss of drive can cause a vehicle crash without prior warning. A loss of the Park function can cause unintended vehicle rollaway which can increase the risk of a crash or injury.

  Remedy: FCA US LLC will notify owners, and dealers will perform a software update that will maintain vehicle propulsion by engaging rear wheel drive and prevent rolling in Park by activating the electronic parking brake if a failed input spline occurs. This recall began July 14, 2020. Owners may contact FCA USA LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recall is W47.

• Recall 16V529000Jul 12, 2016329,540 vehicles
  POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

  Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Jeep Cherokee and 2015 Chrysler 200, Jeep Renegade, RAM ProMaster, and 2016 Fiat 500X vehicles equipped with 9-speed automatic transmissions. The transmission sensor clusters may have insufficient crimps in the transmission wire harness, and as a result, the transmission may unexpectedly shift to neutral. On August 29, 2016 Chrysler added the 2016 Fiat 500X vehicles to this recall.

  Risk: If the vehicle unexpectedly shifts to neutral, there is an increased risk of a crash.

  Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, dealers will reprogram the Powertrain Control Module and the Transmission Control Module and if necessary replace the transaxle range sensor wire harness, free of charge. The recall began on November 7, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S55.

What owners say

1. Filed Oct 2, 2026DETransmission & Drivetrain

   My jeep has the PTU with the extended warranty due to known failure. Wednesday September 30th I was driving on a highway. I heard a loud bang and my vehicle slowed and stopped moving. My dash lights lit up and told me to put the vehicle in park and turn the vehicle off. The problem was it didn't want to move off the highway! If someone had been behind me I would have been rear ended with my child in the car. This is unsafe. I had the software update from the recall for this.…

   NHTSA complaint #11768550 · source
2. Filed Oct 1, 2026MDTransmission & Drivetrain

   The component involved is the Power Transfer Unit (PTU) / four-wheel-drive system on my 2015 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk. The vehicle has experienced four PTU-related failures. The most recent replacement was a brand-new genuine Mopar PTU professionally installed in October 2025. The vehicle and repair records are available for inspection upon request. The failures created a safety concern because the PTU is part of the drivetrain and four-wheel-drive system, and the repeated…

   NHTSA complaint #11768245 · source
3. Filed Sep 14, 2026132,000 miFLTransmission & Drivetrain

   The contact owns a 2015 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving 45 MPH, the transmission independently shifted to neutral(N). The power train warning light was illuminated. The dealer was contacted by phone and made aware of the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with range sensor failure. The contact was informed that the range sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced an unknown recall;…

   NHTSA complaint #11764170 · source
4. Filed Aug 28, 2026144,233 miTXTransmission & Drivetrain

   The contact owns a 2015 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that there was an abnormal burning odor coming from the A/C unit while in operation. The contact also stated that after starting the vehicle, the vehicle hesitated upon depression of the accelerator pedal. Additionally, the vehicle shifted into neutral(N) without warning and rolled backward. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V529000 (Power Train)…

   NHTSA complaint #11760251 · source
5. Filed Aug 19, 2026NCTransmission & Drivetrain

   While driving my 2015 Jeep Cherokee on an interstate trip, we began noticing a strong unusual odor inside the vehicle. At first, we thought we were simply driving past a paper mill or another external source of the smell. A short time later, we noticed other vehicles beginning to merge out of our lane and realized something might be wrong with our vehicle. We exited the highway and pulled over as soon as we could safely do so. We did not see any smoke or steam while the…

   NHTSA complaint #11757963 · source
6. Filed Jul 23, 2026INTransmission & Drivetrain

   The power transfer unit (transfer case) went out as I was driving. I wasn't able to drive it and had to towed it to a mechanic. We found that later, the transfer case actuator and seals also needed replaced. Because this went out on a whim while I was driving, I had to continue through stop lights and traffic through downtown without a way to fully stop, control my speed, and was starting and restarting my car to get to where I needed to be. From what I've found, there are…

   NHTSA complaint #11752486 · source
7. Filed Jun 15, 2026IATransmission & Drivetrain

   There has been multiple issues with the PTUs on these jeeps. Mine does not fall under the recall if there was one. I’m battling with the place I bought the jeep from for warranty and they are not covering it. I’ve talked to hundreds of people about it and they said this jeep should have been recalled for this PTU issue but it’s not. Not sure what to do or where to go from here.

   NHTSA complaint #11744270 · source
8. Filed May 22, 2026ARTransmission & Drivetrain

   2 speed transaxle harsh/slam engagement. When vehicle is in normal drive mode transaxle will engage/disengage depending on input from driving conditions (turns, slippery roads, heavy throttle input). This engagement is so harsh the vehicle will jump and surge. Condition does not occur if transaxle is fully engaged under "sport, snow, mud, rock modes" where transaxle is always locked in. Vehicle does not show and fault code during this harsh engagement. Conditions are…

   NHTSA complaint #11739587 · source
9. Filed May 8, 2026139,000 miOHTransmission & Drivetrain

   The contact owns a 2015 Jeep Cherokee. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25E003000 (POWERTRAIN). The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal and went into limp mode. Multiple warning lights were illuminated. In addition, the power steering seized. The contact's wife was able to cruise into a dealer. The vehicle was inspected and…

   NHTSA complaint #11736617 · source
10. Filed May 4, 2026154,000 miFLTransmission & Drivetrain

    The contact owns a 2019 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving the vehicle the warning message "Service Four Wheel Drive" had displayed. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who performed a software update but the warning light remailed illuminated. The contact retrieved the vehicle and later experienced transmission gear slippage and grinding. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer was not yet contacted. The failure mileage was…

    NHTSA complaint #11735459 · source
11. Filed Apr 30, 2026COTransmission & Drivetrain

    I am writing to formally raise a concern regarding the Power Transfer Unit (PTU) on my Jeep Cherokee, which currently has approximately 123,000 miles and has been driven fewer than 10,000 miles per year. Despite what I would consider normal usage, the PTU appears to be failing—an issue I understand is not uncommon for this vehicle. I have been informed that replacement PTU units are currently on extended backorder, with dealerships reportedly facing a backlog of hundreds of…

    NHTSA complaint #11734892 · source
12. Filed Mar 28, 2026PATransmission & Drivetrain

    Car is in great shape, however, recently the Service AWD has popped up. brought it to the Reedman JEEP Dealership - they say its a bad PTU. Now I see a bunch of people have the bad PTU. Now I have a car in great shape minus the fact I won't be able to sell it or trade it in for full value and it cots thousands to fix.

    NHTSA complaint #11727686 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology