2014 Jeep Cherokee: hesitation when accelerating

Filed Dec 17, 2025 · Transmission · 106,038 miles · DE

The Jeep has a drivetrain defect involving the transmission and power transfer unit (PTU) that has existed since purchase and has progressively worsened over the years. From early on, the vehicle intermittently hesitated when accelerating from a complete stop, followed by sudden surging or lunging forward. Symptoms were reported to a Jeep dealership early after purchase while under warranty. Their inspections did not identify a defect at that time. Over time, the condition worsened and became more frequent, including hesitation on takeoff, bucking, and abnormal behavior when maneuvering at low speeds or turning the steering wheel to full lock in parking lot. This occurs unpredictably and creates a dangerous situation when entering intersections, making left turns across traffic, or merging, because the vehicle does not accelerate when expected and then suddenly surges. The Jeep was taken to an independent mechanic. After inspection and a test drive, the mechanic stated the condition was unsafe and suspected a transfer case issue, recommending that the vehicle be taken to an authorized dealership for further evaluation. After this referral, the Jeep dealership was able to reproduce the problem during a test drive and confirmed hesitation on acceleration, transmission shift issues, and PTU malfunction. The dealership documented that the transmission and PTU require replacement. The vehicle had previously received the manufacturer’s required powertrain recall software update. The dealership stated they could attempt another software relearn or update, but no guarantee it would resolve the issue. No warning lights or dashboard messages prior to or during these events. MOPAR says that the PTU is on national backorder with no ETA. The cost of repair exceeds the value of the vehicle and would be entirely out-of-pocket since the warranty is up, making repair financially impossible. As a result, the owner is left with an unsafe vehicle that cannot be reasonably repaired.

Filed Dec 2, 2025 · Transmission · OH

I have reported this before and I am reporting once again as it is a very serious safety hazard. Vehicle: 2014 Jeep Cherokee Limited Component/System: Power Train – Transfer Case / Drivetrain (4WD/AWD System) I am submitting this complaint to report a recurring and potentially hazardous malfunction involving the transfer case on my 2014 Jeep Cherokee Limited. The vehicle exhibits multiple symptoms consistent with transfer case failure, including intermittent grinding and clunking noises from the drivetrain, jerking and binding during acceleration or low-speed turns, and difficulty engaging or maintaining 4WD/AWD modes. The vehicle has also displayed dashboard warnings such as “Service 4WD” and “4WD Temporarily Unavailable.” At times, vibration can be felt through the floorboard at highway speeds, and the vehicle has intermittently lost power to either the front or rear wheels. These issues pose a significant safety concern. The inconsistent torque delivery causes unpredictable handling, including sudden hesitation, surging, or traction loss during normal driving. The vehicle has also exhibited momentary drivetrain binding that feels similar to braking or wheel lockup, creating a risk of loss of control—particularly when turning, merging, or driving in adverse weather. There is concern that the transfer case could suffer sudden internal failure, potentially resulting in immediate power loss, immobilization, or inability to maneuver out of traffic. Given the frequency of transfer case and power transfer unit failures reported by other Jeep Cherokee owners of this model year, I believe this issue may represent a broader safety defect. The malfunction directly affects vehicle stability, traction control function, and the ability to safely accelerate or maintain speed. I request that the federal safety agency investigate this matter for a safety recall as soon as possible due to the potential for loss of vehicle control and the risk of a crash or injury.

Filed Jun 21, 2025 · Transmission · CA

Submission to the federal safety agency Regarding Transmission Issues in 2014 Jeep Cherokee Latitude Summary of Concerns I purchased a 2014 Jeep Cherokee Latitude in November 2024, and the transmission issues began approximately six months later. The vehicle exhibits the following problems: •Harsh and delayed shifting •Sudden jerks and gear hunting during low-speed driving •Severe hesitation from a stop, especially at intersections or in traffic •Loss of power under throttle, with unpredictable shifts These issues make the vehicle unsafe for daily driving, particularly in traffic or at intersections where a lack of predictable acceleration increases the risk of accidents. Despite a visit to the Midas dealer, where these issues were reproduced and linked to multiple Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs), the problems persist. The transmission's erratic behavior, even after software updates, remains unresolved and poses a significant safety concern for both the driver and others on the road. Resolution Sought I respectfully urge the federal safety agency to: •Investigate the transmission behavior in the 2014 Jeep Cherokee Latitude •Consider initiating a full recall or service campaign to address these persistent transmission issues •Demand that Jeep implement a permanent solution to ensure the safety and reliability of affected vehicles The ongoing transmission problems in this vehicle, as reported by myself and other owners, necessitate immediate action to prevent potential accidents or injuries. A comprehensive and effective resolution is essential to address this critical safety concern.

Filed Mar 5, 2025 · Transmission · 140,000 miles · OH

The contact owns a 2014 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that after Chrysler Campaign Number U90 was performed on the vehicle, the message "4WD unavailable - Service 4WD" was displayed. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle failed to shift as intended and was jerking. The contact stated that the vehicle would downshift and upshift unintendedly while driving. The contact stated that while at a complete stop and depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle surged. Additionally, the contact stated while driving from a complete stop, the vehicle hesitated to respond. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the computer was flashed, and the dealer diagnosed the vehicle with PTU motor position performance malfunction. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.

Filed Dec 1, 2024 · Transmission · OH

When starting to accelerate the the transmission hesitates to shift, then up to 30 mph or so it the car will stutter / miss fire causing a jerking motion of the car. It will accelerate to a steady speed abourn 55 mph.

Filed Jul 22, 2024 · Transmission · 115,000 miles · WA

The contact owns a 2014 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated while driving from a complete stop uphill, the accelerator pedal was depressed, but the vehicle hesitated to respond and lunged forward while responding. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring while driving from a complete stop uphill. Additionally, the contact stated while driving and coming to a complete stop, the vehicle made an abnormal clunking sound while the transmission shifted to the intended gear. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the PTU had failed and needed to be replaced. The dealer informed the contact that the vehicle was previously repaired under the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 20V343000 (Power Train) in 2023. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 115,000.

Filed Apr 1, 2024 · Electrical · MI

I start my car up and try to drive off and it would say shift gear into something then won’t let me leave the car is jerking hard or hesitation I get up to a certain speed it would just shut off or if I stop at a stop light it will shut off the engine but still have the acc on

Filed Jan 29, 2024 · Acceleration, Engine · 200,000 miles · NY

The contact owns a 2014 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated while driving at approximately 50–60 MPH, the vehicle hesitated and stalled. While driving 75 MPH and decelerating to 55 MPH, there was a thumping sound detected, and the vehicle started shuddering. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified about the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 200,000. The VIN was not available.

Filed Oct 18, 2023 · Fuel system · 145,000 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2014 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while refueling the vehicle, the pump nozzle continuously shut off. The contact stated that he drove to several gas stations, where the failure recurred while refueling the vehicle. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle was running rough and hesitated to respond while driving and depressing the accelerator pedal. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where several fuel lines were replaced, and other fuel lines were blown out, and the charcoal canister was replaced; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic, where the fuel tank and the fuel neck were replaced; however, the failure recurred intermittently. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in a recall. The manufacturer referred the contact to the federal safety agency hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 145,000.

Filed Dec 6, 2022 · Engine, Transmission · 116,245 miles · TX

The contact owns 2014 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that after refueling, while driving 5-10 MPH, the vehicle shut off inadvertently. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and continued driving. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred several times while driving after refueling the vehicle. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the powertrain control module indicated a catalytic convertor failure due to the inner part of the catalytic converter being missing. The catalytic converter was replaced; however, while driving after refueling, the accelerator pedal was depressed but the vehicle hesitated to respond and made an abnormally loud sound. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle. The contact was able to continue driving. The contact became aware of Chrysler Campaign Number (Powertrain Control Module). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the dealer for a software update. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who completed the software update; however, the check engine warning light illuminated a year and three months later. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 116,245.

Filed Dec 2, 2022 · Fuel system, Transmission · MO

We purchased this vehicle in 6/2020. Last year had to replace the fuel system because of the vehicle randomly stalling after filling up the tank. This happened randomly so it could have caused a life threatening situation. The cause of this stalling is fuel getting into the EVAP system, and requires replacing the fuel pump and evaporative charcoal canister to rectify. No recall on this even though numerous complaints, it costed us $1700. We now have been having issues of the vehicle hesitating when pulling into traffic and issues with the automatic gear shifting randomly since about 70,000 miles on the car. Recently it got so bad the vehicle would slow down while pressing on the accelerator. We took it into the dealership and they were able to uncover a transmission issue even though there were no warning lights or system warnings. If we didn’t take it in it could have caused a serious injury and accident. There are recalls on more expensive and newer models of this same model 9 speed transmissions but all Chrysler is doing for this model is doing a cheap software update that has NOTHING to do with the issue many cars are having. The below article explains the issues that Chrysler is not helping customers out at all, just putting peoples life’s in jeopardy to avoid paying for the transmission recall on all 2014 Jeep Cherokee vehicles even though it is a MAJOR safety risk. https://www.vehiclehistory.com/articles/2014-jeep-cherokees-problems-and-recalls-cover-powertrain-failures-cruise-control-malfunctions-and-faulty-airbags I am attaching their response which basically says sorry, Chrysler doesn’t care if the vehicle is unsafe and we don’t care how much money it is costing our customers to make it safe because Chrysler is making money off those repairs.

Filed Sep 19, 2022 · Transmission · UT

Service 4 wheel drive light was coming on intermittently. Had been for just a few days. Driving in a parking lot and all of a sudden the car slips into neutral. Dash board indicated car must be in park to change gears. So I pressed break moved gear shifter to park then drive and continued on my way. It did this several more times before I was able to get it to the transmission shop. I am just glad I wasn’t driving 75 on the freeway and it slips into neutral. There I was told it was the transfer case and would cost 4,000. The consumer stated the vehicle would hesitate after stopping when the vehicle was originally purchased and feels she needs to be reimbursed for the repairs.