2019 Jeep Cherokee transmission & drivetrain problems

Related recalls

• Recall 26V290000May 7, 202661,711 vehicles
  POWER TRAIN

  Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2023 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. The power transfer unit (PTU) may fail.

  Risk: A failed PTU may result in a loss of drive power or vehicle rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.

  Remedy: Dealers will update the Drivetrain Control Drivetrain Control Module, PTU, and Electronic Park Brake software, and replace the PTU, as necessary, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters explaining the safety risk were mailed June 25, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy becomes available. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recall is 40D. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning May 14, 2026.

• 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 18V739000Oct 19, 201886,053 vehicles
  POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

  Chrysler(FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019 Jeep Cherokee vehicles equipped with 2.4L engines. Improper transmission calibration may result in a stall.

  Risk: A vehicle stall can increase the risk of crash.

  Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will re-flash the transmission controller with a new calibration, free of charge. The recall began November 2, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is UA9.

• Recall 18V492000Jul 26, 20185 vehicles
  POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

  Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019 Jeep Cherokee vehicles and 2018 Chrysler Pacifica non-hybrid vehicles. A component in the transmission may not have been welded properly, possibly causing the transmission to not transmit engine power to the wheels.

  Risk: If the transmission weld fails, the vehicle will stop moving, increasing the risk of a crash.

  Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the transmission, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin September 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U85.

What owners say

1. Filed Oct 7, 2026SDOther / UnknownAcceleration & Cruise ControlTransmission & Drivetrain

   The PTU was fixed due to a recall but I bought this vehicle in August and started complaining before leaving the parking lot of the dealership ship, there is a winding noise as I drive that will go away occasionally but when it's around it causes vibrations in the steering wheel and in the peddles, it has also caused a hard gear shift in the transmission. The dealership mechanic tried to tell me that it's normal by design.

   NHTSA complaint #11769656 · source
2. Filed Oct 6, 2026GAOther / UnknownTransmission & Drivetrain

   My 4wheel drive is no longer working. There is a recall on this issue stating I could lose power causing an accident. My vin number does not show to be defective but the problem is there and needs to be repaired.

   NHTSA complaint #11769424 · source
3. Filed Oct 5, 202688,000 miINTransmission & Drivetrain

   The contact owns a 2019 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH, the “Service 4WD” warning light illuminated with an audible alert. The vehicle hesitated while accelerating and rolled after shifting to park(P). The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the cause of the failure could not be determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure by phone. The failure mileage was approximately 88,000.

   NHTSA complaint #11769123 · source
4. Filed Oct 5, 2026FLTransmission & Drivetrain

   The contact owns a 2019 Jeep Cherokee. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V290000 (POWER TRAIN); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue.

   NHTSA complaint #11769078 · source
5. Filed Oct 4, 2026NETransmission & Drivetrain

   My 2019 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk has developed a severe internal defect in the two-speed Power Transfer Unit (PTU), putting me at imminent risk of the exact safety hazard—unexpected loss of drive power—detailed in NHTSA Recall 26V-290 (FCA Recall 40D). ​On 09/09/2026, Woodhouse Bellevue Jeep officially diagnosed the failure under Repair Order 185030843/2. The dealership's technician explicitly documented that the PTU "has internal damage causing gears to grind and making…

   NHTSA complaint #11768841 · source
6. Filed Sep 30, 2026CATransmission & Drivetrain

   The PTU - received message on dash SVC 4WD - lose of power - grinding noises when speedometer reached 35mph Took to the dealer they confirmed the PTU needed to be replaced immediately but because of demand of this part with other recalls it was back-ordered for at least a month. The SVC 4WD message came on one other time about two years ago but immediately disappeared. Costs out of pocket total $4149.57 for repairs and at this point $2200 in rental car fees

   NHTSA complaint #11768197 · source
7. Filed Sep 30, 2026COTransmission & Drivetrain

   PTU failure which has been confirmed by Jeep Dealership. Stellantis is actively withholding out-of-pocket reimbursements for an acknowledged safety risk because they have failed to release a timely remedy. Issue was identified due to a leak/metal shavings from the PTU

   NHTSA complaint #11768134 · source
8. Filed Sep 29, 2026FLTransmission & Drivetrain

   Owner is an [XXX] senior. Vehicle is 2019 Jeep Cherokee with only 27k miles which suffered significant drivetrain problems. [XXX] dealership disabled the 4WD safety features months ago because they had no recall parts, leaving an elderly driver with a compromised drivetrain. Car is at risk of rolling away or losing total power on the highway. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

   NHTSA complaint #11767914 · source
9. Filed Sep 28, 2026105,000 miMITransmission & Drivetrain

   The contact owns a 2019 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that the VIN was included in a recall associated with the power transfer unit and the recall repair was performed. The vehicle was retrieved and the contact became aware that the drive train was making a clunking noise and that carbon monoxide was coming from a fractured exhaust pipe due to rust. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the contact was informed that when the PTU was replaced the slip note was not…

   NHTSA complaint #11767359 · source
10. Filed Sep 25, 202656,000 miMITransmission & Drivetrain

    The contact owns a 2019 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving, the vehicle unintendedly accelerated. There was no warning light illuminated; however, the message "4WD Unavailable - Service Required" was displayed. The vehicle was taken to a dealer to be diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the PTU was not operating as intended and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 56,000.

    NHTSA complaint #11767011 · source
11. Filed Sep 21, 202676,300 miNYTransmission & Drivetrain

    The contact owns a 2019 Jeep Cherokee. While driving approximately 30-55 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power. The contact pulled over and turned off the vehicle. The vehicle was able to be restarted, but the failure persisted. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V290000 (Power Train); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure by phone. The failure mileage was approximately 76,300.

    NHTSA complaint #11765768 · source
12. Filed Sep 19, 2026PATransmission & Drivetrain

    My 2019 Jeep Cherokee experienced a Power Transfer Unit (PTU) failure that matches the known PTU recall defect, even though my VIN is not currently listed. The first code that appeared was C1494‑07, which is the recall‑related DTC. Cochran Jeep in Natrona Heights performed the recall software update and cleared the code. They told us that if the code returned, initial diagnostics would then cost a minimum of $190. The code did not initially return after the software upgrade.…

    NHTSA complaint #11765485 · 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