2015 Jeep Cherokee: harsh or hard shifting

Filed Oct 25, 2026 · Transmission · NJ · fire

Whilst driving on the highway at approx 65mph there was a clunk from under the car, followed by lack of acceleration, smoke was coming out from under the hood. We were unable to pull onto the shoulder immediately due to highway construction. We eventually pulled over and stopped the vehicle. We immediately popped the hood to check the source of the smoke and there was a fire coming from behind the engine with visible flames. The flames were burning and we could smell a strong chemical / oil burning smell. Fortunately we had a fire extinguisher and extinguished the flames quite quickly. We were towed off the highway and our insurance then towed us home. On inspection it was determined that the transfer case (PTU) had failed causing a catastrophic failure and a fluid thermal event caused by pressurized, superheated oil directly spraying onto the scorching exhaust pipe sitting right behind the engine block, triggering the immediate underhood fire. There were no warning lights on the dashboard and the car had been meticulously maintained. As serious PTU failures are common in 2015 Jeep Cherokees, I reported this immediately to Jeep, they sent a technician to inspect and he confirmed that the transfer case had failed, causing a fluid leak ignited by the hot exhaust. There are no recalls attached to my VIN and I am fighting with Jeep/Stellantis for a repair since this is a known and acknowledged issue across this model. I had the vehicle towed to the Jeep dealership on instruction of the Jeep call center and am waiting for Jeep to inform the dealer what to do. The dealer is angry to receive my damaged car and hold it. I am extremely angry with the lack of clarity from Jeep on next steps. We could have been seriously injured / died in this incident, if there was a car behind us when this failure occurred it would have hit us.

Filed Feb 17, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · 72,000 miles · IL

The contact owns a 2015 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while in a drive-thru line, the front driver's side window started smoking. The contact disconnected the wiring to the door. The vehicle was taken to O'Reilly, where it was diagnosed with an internal door electrical failure. The contact personally replaced the power window motor. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing hard shifts while driving. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was previously taken to O'Reilly’s, where it was diagnosed that the failure was related to the alternator and low battery voltage. The alternator was taken to two technicians for testing, and the contact was informed that the alternator was in good condition. The vehicle was not repaired. Additionally, the contact stated that the ABS warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was recently taken to O'Reilly’s and AutoZone for diagnostic testing and the contact was provided fault codes for EVAP system leak detected, 1,2,3 Active Grille Shutter (AGS), throttle pedal position sensor switch A circuit high, System Voltage below and above Threshold, denied torque request signal, ECU configuration mismatch, ECU vehicle option mismatch, output speed sensor, input speed sensor/Correlation, fan 1 control circuit, throttle pedal position sensor switches D and B circuit low, and DTC U0402-00 for TCM immediate repair. The dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 72,000.

Filed Jul 30, 2025 · Transmission · KY

Continual problems with Power train led to replacement of the Power Transfer Unit at 94,910 miles [ under warranty ] The vehicle is not usable when the PTU fails. The vehicle will slam into gear hard, or fail to move for a few seconds when trying to take off from a stop sign and then slam into gear. Very dangerous when pulling into traffic. Now after experiencing the same erratic behavior at 123000 miles , i took the jeep back to the same dealer only to find the Power transfer unit again must be replaced. The replacement only lasted about 28,000 miles. I am retired, this jeep has not been abused nor driven off road. This could cause an accident or strand me somewhere making me afraid to drive it. This problem seems to occur often with this model and also has reduced the value of this vehicle .

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 Feb 27, 2025 · Transmission · MO

The transmission has had issues since we purchased the vehicle. The issues sometimes makes you feel unsafe when accelerating. Issues include hard shifting in lower gears, jerking, lurching, and sudden surges when accelerating. I have complained multiple times to the dealership during routine maintenance visits. They have performed several software updates but does not seem to help.

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 Sep 2, 2024 · Transmission · FL

Hard shifting and jump forward while in low speeds

Filed Jul 10, 2024 · Transmission · PA

After the recall was completed on the drive spline and the software was updated the transmission started to hold gears, miss gears, and hard shift so badly at times where I almost was rear ended getting onto the highway numerous times.

Filed May 18, 2024 · Brakes, Engine · ND

Vehicle alerts to ‘service parking brake’ and engages parking parking brake without warning. Shifter has gotten stuck in N, unable to shift out for some time. Shifting in secondary incident resulted in a clunking when shifted to Drive as well as vehicle deceleration after driving for one minute. Safety is affected for all as the vehicle coasts to a stop in traffic. Towing to repair shop required twice, where no issue was found by service technicians either time.

Filed May 10, 2024 · Transmission · 115,000 miles · MI

The contact owns a 2015 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, she noticed fluid leaking underneath the rear end of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the rear differential had fractured internally and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. Additionally, the contact stated while driving 45-50 MPH, the vehicle experienced hard shifting. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the Power Transfer Unit (PTU) needed to be replaced; however, the part to repair the vehicle was not available. The vehicle was taken back to the residence. 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 Sep 8, 2023 · Transmission · 116,000 miles · PA

The contact owns a 2015 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, there was an abnormally loud clunking sound coming from the rear of the vehicle. The contact veered to the side of the roadway. The contact stated that he turned off the AWD mode and the traction control, and the sound went away while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the Power Transfer Unit (PTU) had failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 20V343000 (Power Train); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 116,000.

Filed Aug 26, 2023 · Transmission · CO

While driving moderately at about 45 miles per hour I heard a clunk in the drivetrain and the vehicle would no longer propel itself and I was in the middle lane in traffic during rush hour. I nearly got hit three times attempting to get out of the middle lane. Once I got to the right lane I managed to coast up a driveway and coast backwards into a parking spot. My spouse is handicapped and the reason I keep a very good vehicle to transport her for Medical Appointments, especially. I contend that Jeep, Chrysler, Daimler, Fiat and all the others involved in the reason for this recall, knowingly and without regard for safety of their consumers assembled the transmission with the defectively machined transfer case for MONETARY reasons. I want my car repaired as a defective vehicle under the LEMON LAW act.