2015 Jeep Cherokee: sudden loss of power

Filed Aug 20, 2026 · NV

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request?The Power Transfer Unit (PTU) / all-wheel-drive transfer case assembly failed internally. Yes, the vehicle and the defective component are physically located at an authorized dealership facility and are available for federal or manufacturer inspection upon request.How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk?The sudden internal mechanical failure of the PTU stripped the drive splines while operating the vehicle. This caused an immediate loss of power and four-wheel-drive engagement, creating a severe road hazard and an unexpected safety risk to myself and surrounding traffic.Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center?Yes. The failure was formally diagnosed, reproduced, and confirmed by certified technicians at the authorized factory dealership, Lithia Chrysler Jeep of Reno.Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others?Yes. The vehicle and failed component have been inspected and verified by the authorized manufacturer dealership representing Jeep/Stellantis.Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear?Yes. The "Service 4WD" warning lamp and dashboard messages illuminated immediately when the failure occurred. Symptoms included total loss of rear-wheel torque engagement and mechanical grinding noises originating from the front drivetrain.

Filed Apr 13, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · CA

The Vehicle suddenly stopped and I was unable to brake or steer the wheel while driving (loss of power/limp mode). I took it to a shop who ran a diagnostic and it came back as DTC code. I now had to tow it out of pocket to the nearest dealership.

Filed Jun 9, 2025 · Brakes, Engine · TX

This vehicle is not safe to drive because it doesn't brake, it takes several seconds to reduce speed after hitting the brakes, and at high speeds it takes longer, which can put anyone's life at risk. The engine is damaged, it releases smoke and is leaking oil, and it heats up when you're moving on the freeway, which can be dangerous. The car loses power while moving. They told me that it was in perfect condition, which they lied to me, putting the lives of many people at risk. The second day after I took it out of the dealership, I realized that the engine was damaged. It started to smoke and lose power. On the road, I almost had an accident because the car didn't brake well. They sold it to me like that. They didn't want to give me the carfax and it hasn't been inspected. They told me that it was in perfect condition, which they lied to me, putting the lives of many people at risk. The second day after I took it out of the dealership, I realized that the engine was damaged. It started to smoke and lose power. On the road, I almost had an accident because the car didn't brake well. They sold it to me like that. They didn't want to give me the carfax I took it to a workshop that they had and the car continued to have the same problems. I would like provide you the video I have it’s the test the engine of the car it’s in really bad condition releasing smoke Please observe the black part of the engine cover. The upper part, if you look closely, you can see the smoke coming out. It is a less visible photo. It has the problem

Filed Apr 9, 2025 · Transmission · FL

I am filing this complaint to report a seemingly common ongoing and worsening transmission issues in my 2015 Jeep Cherokee, which persist and have become significantly worse after receiving the U90 recall update and a subsequent TCM/PCM software update offered by Jeep. My vehicle shifted regular before the update After the update, the vehicle began exhibiting: •Harsh and delayed shifting •Sudden jerks and gear hunting during low-speed driving •Uncommanded downshifts •Severe hesitation from a stop, especially at intersections or in traffic •Loss of power under throttle, with unpredictable shifts These symptoms make the vehicle unsafe in daily driving — especially in traffic or at intersections — as it often fails to respond predictably when attempting to accelerate or shift gears. The transmission behavior feels erratic, and software updates have not resolved the issue. Despite the U90 recall and repeated visits to the dealer, the transmission continues to perform poorly and poses a safety concern. Other owners have reported similar issues post-recall. Jeep has not issued a full recall for these problems beyond software updates, which clearly do not solve the underlying mechanical or calibration issues Resolution Sought: I urge the federal safety agency to: •Investigate post-U90 transmission behavior in the 2015 Jeep Cherokee •Consider a formal recall or service campaign for the ZF 9-speed transmission (9HP) due to persistent performance and safety problems •Require Jeep to provide a permanent fix for affected owners

Filed Sep 12, 2024 · Transmission · OR

We bought the car brand new at Lithia Motors in Roseburg Oregon. After just a few months of driving, there was a noticeable clunk in the transmission at approximately 30-40 mph that occurred at random and included a shudder. The problem seemed to occur about every 3 or 4 days. We took the car to Lithia and they could not replicate the problem. Lithia did do some software updates. We were advised of a class action suit regarding the transmission. We made a claim and we were denied because they said we did not report the issues enough to Lithia. We appealed that because we told Lithia about the problem every time we took the car to their facility for oil changes. In December of 23 we had an issue with the car missing and took it to Lithia. The replaced injector one and advised there was minimal seepage from the oil filter. It was not explained that it was a transmission oil cooler. In [XXX] there was a code to service transmission. Minutes later the car was losing power and barely made it up the hill to our house. A return trip to Lithia and they said replacing the transmission cooler might resolve the problem but maybe not. A second opinion AAMCO said the same thing. The AAMCO mechanic showed me the transmission cooler and a puddle of oil that had settled below the leak in between the manifold. I told him I though that was the motor oil filter. On the way back home, the car again failed going up hill to our residence. The car is not safe to drive. There is potential for engine fire. I think a transmission oil cooler in the center of the engine near the manifold does not make a lot of sense. This car has 104,000 miles. I think there should be a safety recall on these cars to include full repair of the drive train. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Mar 12, 2024 · Transmission · VA

•What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? A. The drive train PTU and it is available for inspection upon request. •How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? A. According to FCA this problem could cause an accident as I could lose all power while driving if it fails completely while in motion and I have not been able to use my 4WD drive reliably when needed. •Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? A. The problem is a known issue by FCA. At Safford Chrysler Jeep Dodge of Warrenton the service writer told me that my vehicle was not throwing out the right code for the work to be covered by warranty, however now Chrysler is saying that because my code C14A7-97 does not align with the codes under this "warranty" they will not cover this replacement. The codes that are under this warranty are P1720-00 and P215C-00. Chrysler is aware that this part is faulty and should be held responsible for fixing this as it could be deadly. •Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? A. Yes, I took my vehicle to Safford Chrysler Jeep Dodge of Warrenton on [XXX] to have a problem with the service 4x4 dash light continuously coming on diagnosed and repaired. •Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? A. Yes, the Service 4x4 MIL light started coming on almost daily. I first noticed the problem about 3 years after purchasing the vehicle and mentioned it to the dealer and they applied the [XXX] software patch. This did not fix the issue. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Mar 1, 2024 · Transmission · PA

We were informed by our dealership, Kaiser Bros in Muncy PA (Jeff Lee; Service Advisor) that our power transfer unit is faulty in our 2015 Jeep Latitude which doesn't even have 100,000 miles on it. There are metal flakes in the power transfer units fluid, this could cause an accident as I could lose all power while driving. I initially reached out to Chrysler Jeep on 2/28/23 and was told that there was an extended warranty on this part JX1 until 2030 and to take it to the dealership to be fixed. The person at Chrysler did not ask for a code of any sort, however now Chrysler is saying that because my code C14A7-97 does not align with the codes under this "warranty" they will not cover this to be replaced. The codes that are under this warranty are P1720-00 and P215C-00. Chrysler is aware that this part is faulty and should be held responsible for fixing this as it could be deadly. Schenice, at Chrysler Jeep informed today there was a "warranty" for this specific code but that it expired on January 22nd 2023, we were never made aware of this or it would have been fixed as I have children I drive around with. Something that could be deadly should never have an expiration date on the warranty. We take our vehicle to Kaiser Bros. for all repairs and maintenance and this was never once brought to our attention.

Filed Nov 30, 2023 · Electrical, Transmission · CA

Loss of power while driving

Filed Aug 7, 2023 · Transmission · CO

PTU motor component issue. Jeep will not fix they state I’m out of warranty period. This was recalled for over 70k jeeps but not my vin and now jeep has over 700 on back order in Colorado alone. No one from jeep will assist me with fixing it or a car. They say it could be months! I need help and assistance as I can’t fix it or get the part to fix it. Can’t drive it and there is a safety issue with it on park even and lose power.

Filed Jul 2, 2023 · Transmission · NY

Yesterday, I began experiencing transmission-related issues: rough, delayed or sudden shifting; grinding noise during shifting; harsh engagement of gears; and reduced power when shifting. The ‘Service Shifter’ indicator came on while driving. This is an ongoing transmission issue I have experienced with my 2015 Jeep Cherokee and I believe that this persistent problem is compromising the safety of myself and my passengers.

Filed Feb 28, 2023 · Transmission · FL

Power transfer unit failure. Very common and very expensive fix on 2015 Cherokee’s. This caused my vehicle to lose all power on the highway almost resulting in me being rear ended. With what seemed like divine intervention I made it safely to the shoulder with almost no steering capabilities and zero power.

Filed Oct 3, 2022 · Transmission · OH

The Transmission blew on the vehicle. I was driving on the freeway with my wife and son in the vehicle, attempting to overtake another vehicle, and the vehicle lost power. I put on my hazzards, and pulled over. Luckily I was able to maintain control. Found out the transmission was blown.