2017 Jeep Cherokee transmission & drivetrain problems

Related recalls

• Recall 25V011000Apr 29, 202563,130 vehicles
  POWER TRAIN

  Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. The power transfer unit (PTU) may become damaged and disengage the transmission and differential, resulting in a loss of drive power and/or loss of park function.

  Risk: A loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash. A loss of park function can cause an unintended vehicle rollaway, which can increase the risk of a crash or injury.

  Remedy: Dealers will update the drivetrain control module and PTU software and replace the PTU, as necessary free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning February 19, 2026. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recall is 01C.

• Recall 23V302000Apr 27, 202325,980 vehicles
  POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

  Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. The power transfer unit (PTU) may become damaged and disengage the transmission and differential, resulting in a loss of drive power or loss of park function.

  Risk: A loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash. A loss of park function can cause an 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, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 11, 2023. Owners may contact FCA USA LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recall is 45A. This recall expands previous recall number 20V-343.

• 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.

What owners say

1. Filed Oct 1, 2026MAEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

   I was stopped at a red light. When the light turned green, I took my foot off the brake and pressed the accelerator. bI heard a loud cracking/crushing noise coming from underneath the vehicle. When I tried to accelerate, the Jeep would not shift properly into gear. The engine revved, but the vehicle did not accelerate normally / did not move as it should. The Jeep was essentially no longer able to transmit power normally, so I stopped driving it. The important sequence is:…

   NHTSA complaint #11768278 · source
2. Filed Sep 21, 2026PATransmission & Drivetrain

   PTU failed on my 2017 Cherokee Jeep. It should be involved in a recall BUT it is not and I’m paying out of pocket to this repair.

   NHTSA complaint #11765803 · source
3. Filed Aug 24, 202689,117 miILTransmission & Drivetrain

   The contact's mother owns a 2017 Jeep Cherokee. While the owner was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle vibrated, and the vehicle was shaking erratically. The “Service 4WD” message was displayed. The contact stated that the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to exceed 30 MPH. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with PTU failure. The contact was informed that the PTU needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not…

   NHTSA complaint #11759147 · source
4. Filed Aug 21, 2026204,000 miNYEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

   The contact owns a 2017 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. There was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle and the contact pulled over to the side of the road. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who discovered that the skid plate was cracked, and after further inspection, the contact was informed about the PTU recall and referred…

   NHTSA complaint #11758423 · source
5. Filed Aug 18, 202670,801 miNDEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

   The contact owns 2017 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at 70 MPH the vehicle lost automotive power, and the transmission shifted into a lower gear. No warning lights were illuminated, however a message appeared on the instrument panel "Service Shifter". The contact veered off onto the side of the road in order to restart the vehicle. The contact continued to drive the vehicle when shortly after the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken to a local…

   NHTSA complaint #11757770 · source
6. Filed Aug 17, 2026CATransmission & Drivetrain

   The vehicle unprompted shifted into 4wd and lost all propulsion. Revved high, but didn’t move. There is a recall that outlines the exact issues I experienced, but my VIN is not covered for a free fix. The recall is NHTSA Recall Campain 25V-011 (jeep campaing 01C) I have a child and the fact that my car broke down with her in it is terrifying. I purchased 4 new tires because I was told it was the tread on the tires was uneven. That wasn’t it. Took it to a transmission shop…

   NHTSA complaint #11757501 · source
7. Filed Aug 14, 2026107,952 miIDTransmission & Drivetrain

   The contact owns a 2017 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal whining sound coming from the vehicle. Additionally, the “Service 4-WD” warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and it was determined that the PTU was failing. The contact was informed that the PTU needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was informed of an unknown recall with a similar description;…

   NHTSA complaint #11757025 · source
8. Filed Jul 17, 2026144,131 miMATransmission & Drivetrain

   The contact owns a 2017 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to respond as needed, and the vehicle shut off unexpectedly. The contact pulled over to the right side of the road, turned off, restarted the vehicle, and the vehicle operated as intended. No warning light was illuminated. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed, and determined that the power…

   NHTSA complaint #11751107 · source
9. Filed Jul 8, 2026MITransmission & Drivetrain

   An authorized dealership performed the federal safety (Safety Recall 01C) software update on my 2017 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk. Two days and 160 miles later, the vehicle suffered a dangerous highway loss of propulsion. This software update failed to protect the physical drivetrain components from catastrophic failure.

   NHTSA complaint #11749112 · source
10. Filed Jul 3, 2026ILTransmission & Drivetrain

    The 4WD warning light illuminated on the dashboard of this 2017 Jeep Cherokee (only 67,000 miles). The vehicle was taken to an authorized Jeep dealership, where a technician officially diagnosed a complete mechanical failure of the Power Transfer Unit (PTU). The estimated cost to replace the failed component is approximately $4,000 out of pocket. This vehicle is experiencing the exact same mechanical PTU failure, dashboard warnings, and safety hazards outlined in the…

    NHTSA complaint #11748216 · source
11. Filed Jun 30, 2026ILTransmission & Drivetrain

    I am having a issue with my ptu on my vehicle unfortunately it’s not under the recall but I reach out to jeep customer service they were no help to get this issue and concern resolved I paid for a diagnostic from a jeep dealership and have it stating the ptu is malfunctioning and called back jeep and they said their nothing they can do I will have to pay for it to get repaired since it not under the recall which is not fair due to they knowing their this issue with these…

    NHTSA complaint #11747328 · source
12. Filed Jun 18, 2026150,000 miAZTowedTransmission & Drivetrain

    The contact owns a 2017 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed uphill with a grandchild in the vehicle, the vehicle lost drive power and rolled backwards. It was unknown whether a warning light was illuminated. The driver panicked, depressed the brake pedal and shifted into park(P), but the vehicle failed to stop. The driver engaged the parking brake, and the vehicle came to a stop crossway on two opposite lanes. The vehicle was…

    NHTSA complaint #11745084 · 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