Jeep Cherokee Power Train Problems
Owners have filed 5,516 complaints with NHTSA about power train problems on the Jeep Cherokee across 19 model years. The 2014 model year has the most (1,471). The words owners use most often: “service shifter” (12% of reports).
- 5,516power train complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 123mention a crash
- 56mention an injury
- 12related recalls
- $3,400typical repair cost reported by owners
- 31%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Service shifter: mentioned in 688 of 5,516 complaints (12%)
- Power transfer: mentioned in 443 of 5,516 complaints (8%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical power train repair on the Jeep Cherokee at $3,400, and half of them between $1,900 and $4,250.
Based on 183 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (1999–2026), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do power train problems happen?
Based on 3,206 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 5,516 complaints, 123 mention a crash, 21 a fire, 56 an injury.
Jeep Cherokee power train complaints by model year
| Model year | Power Train complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Cherokee | 3 | 38% | — |
| 2023 Cherokee | 2 | 67% | 11,500 |
| 2022 Cherokee | 28 | 55% | 63,000 |
| 2021 Cherokee | 100 | 58% | 70,000 |
| 2020 Cherokee | 189 | 58% | 64,000 |
| 2019 Cherokee | 821 | 49% | 50,000 |
| 2018 Cherokee | 295 | 43% | 40,500 |
| 2017 Cherokee | 648 | 49% | 46,638 |
| 2016 Cherokee | 632 | 45% | 48,079 |
| 2015 Cherokee | 1,004 | 56% | 24,000 |
| 2014 Cherokee | 1,471 | 56% | 34,000 |
| 2006 Cherokee | 2 | 12% | 26,689 |
| 2001 Cherokee | 24 | 10% | 33,000 |
| 2000 Cherokee | 29 | 8% | 65,325 |
| 1999 Cherokee | 53 | 14% | 70,000 |
| 1998 Cherokee | 65 | 16% | 121,000 |
| 1997 Cherokee | 47 | 12% | 164,000 |
| 1996 Cherokee | 60 | 13% | 112,673 |
| 1995 Cherokee | 43 | 7% | 14,600 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (12)
Power train
Model years: 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.
Power train
Model years: 2017, 2018, 2019
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.
Power train:automatic transmission
Model years: 2016, 2017
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.
Power train:automatic transmission:cooler/radiator:hoses and fittings
Model years: 2021
Problem: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2021 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. The transmission oil cooler hose may have been incorrectly cured, allowing transmission fluid to leak.
Risk: A transmission fluid leak increases the risk of a fire.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the hose, free of charge. Owners notification letters were mailed May 18, 2021. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is Y18.
Power train:driveline:differential unit; power train:automatic transmission
Model years: 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.
Power train:automatic transmission
Model years: 2014
Problem: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014 Jeep Cherokee vehicles equipped with 3.2L engines. In the event that a clutch becomes stuck in the transmission, the transmission software may shift the transmission to neutral.
Risk: An unexpected shift to neutral would result in a loss of drive, increasing the risk of crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update the transmission software, free of charge. The recall began August 8, 2019. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is V69.
Power train:automatic transmission
Model years: 2019
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.
Power train:axle assembly:axle shaft
Model years: 2018
Problem: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Jeep Cherokee all-wheel-drive vehicles. The bearing cage for the right front halfshaft assembly may not have been properly heat treated, possibly resulting in the bearing cage breaking and a potential halfshaft assembly failure.
Risk: If the halfshaft bearing cage breaks, the halfshaft may not be able to transmit engine power, causing a loss of drive or it can allow the vehicle to move while in the "Park" position. Either condition may increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front right halfshaft assemblies, free of charge. The recall began September 20, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U78.
Power train:automatic transmission
Model years: 2019
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.
Power train:automatic transmission
Model years: 2014, 2015
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.
Power train:axle assembly:axle shaft
Model years: 2016
Problem: Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2016 Jeep Cherokee vehicles manufactured September 30, 2015, to October 2, 2015. The left halfshaft may have been incorrectly manufactured causing it to fracture without warning.
Risk: A fractured halfshaft may disconnect from the drive axle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the left halfshaft, free of charge. The recall began on June 30, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler's customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's recall number is S38.
Power train:axle assembly:axle shaft
Model years: 2016
Problem: Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2016 Jeep Cherokee vehicles manufactured October 3, 2015, to March 22, 2016. The right halfshaft may have been incorrectly manufactured causing it to fracture without warning.
Risk: A fractured halfshaft may disconnect from the drive axle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the right halfshaft, free of charge. The recall began on June 30, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler's customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's recall number is S39.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
I took my car for inspection and would not pass due to the rear shift differential where the seal that connects to the cylinder is away from the cylinder and a crack is now there. Crack is at least three inches long. As the crack continues to widen, I will lose control of my rear end. Mechanic…
I was coming out of a gas station and the battery light came on/ stayed on and the car just stopped. I couldnât shut it off, put it in drive, put it in parkâ¦â¦.The car still seemed to be running⦠I had to wait about 10 mins before I could do anything I.e. start it up again. This was very…
So I was driving down the road doing 60 miles an hour and I have lost power total drive power while driving doing 60 miles an hour with a car just goes into a neutral rubs up and I have to pull on side of the road and turn off the car wait like 10 to 15 minutes and then the car resets itself I…
SERVICE AWD light came on, took to a mechanic and he stated the PTU failed causing the AWD to be shut off. He said this is a known issue and gave me the FCA's number 40D for this issue.
Jeep Cherokee suffered the exact PTU failure detailed in NHTSA Campaign 26V290, and it has been sitting at a dealership since August 17 because the manufacturer has failed to provide a remedy. Dealership confirmed the issue is a PTU failure. Has been almost 2 months since the PTU failed and there…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Jeep Cherokees have power train problems?
No. NHTSA has 5,516 owner complaints about power train for the Jeep Cherokee. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Jeep Cherokee power train?
Yes: 12 safety recalls list power train. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
How much does it cost to fix power train problems on the Jeep Cherokee?
Owners report a typical cost of $3,400 (half paid between $1,900 and $4,250), from 183 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about power train problems on the Jeep Cherokee?
The most frequent phrase is “service shifter”, in 688 of 5,516 complaints, followed by “power transfer” (443).
Other Jeep Cherokee problems
- Electrical System problems (2,257)
- Engine problems (2,186)
- Vehicle Speed Control problems (691)
- Service Brakes problems (647)
- Steering problems (598)
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic problems (574)
- Structure problems (522)
- Air Bags problems (457)
See all Jeep Cherokee problems.