2015 Jeep Cherokee: hesitation when accelerating

Filed Aug 28, 2026 · Transmission · 144,233 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2015 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that there was an abnormal burning odor coming from the A/C unit while in operation. The contact also stated that after starting the vehicle, the vehicle hesitated upon depression of the accelerator pedal. Additionally, the vehicle shifted into neutral(N) without warning and rolled backward. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who associated the failure with the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 16V529000 (Power Train) and referred the contact to the manufacturer. The manufacturer initially informed the contact that the vehicle was included in the recall; however, the contact was later informed that the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 144,233.

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 7, 2025 · Transmission · WI

Since I bought the car Periodic here and there hesitation when going from complete stop to pressing gas to go . Traffic coming towards us and still hesitant to go (sometimes had to pull to the side and other times finally caught on and went) so took it in for tune up had spark plugs replaced and over time periodic hesitation happening again. . Didn’t think much of it then maybe it’s the car (it was so infrequent) until the SVC 4WD light came abt a week n half ago and now the car has been in the shop since waiting to have the PTU replaced. Why was my car not recalled? And others have been. It only has Just under 100,000 miles on it. Currently at Lynch Chrysler Jeep in Mukwonago being worked on! Also just 4 weeks prior to that it was in for the standard ignition engine oil cooler .. (receipt attached) cracked so bad leaking oil every where. Repair shop said they’ve seen of half dozen of these in the shop in the past few weeks. . Part is made cheap and is plastic. Common prob why isn’t that recalled ? But better yet after that was replaced within 24 hours check engine light came back on for a defaulty oil pressure sensor that was part of the standard ignition engine oil cooler - at least was part under warranty due to it was just replaced. Then the SVC 4WD which is mentioned above, this is still being repaired (so no receipt yet just estimate) I guess there was a hold on ordering parts but now has been lifted and they got the part and started working on my car! Not sure if my car qualifies for a lemon or not .. but if this is how a jeep is made I will never buy another .. I’ve been without a car for over a month due to sitting in shops!!

Filed Jan 20, 2025 · Brakes, Engine · TN

I was driving down the highway and my car just shut off and came to a complete stop in the middle of the road. It happened twice. Both times the emergency brake light came on but at no time was the emergency brake engaged by me. I was lucky that I wasn’t on a busy road and the care behind me had time to react or it could have been fatal. After trying to restart the car it took some tinkering with the ebrake and after a slight hesitation of the engine, it started. That happened twice in one day and once on another. This is a huge issue that can cause loss of life.

Filed Oct 30, 2023 · Transmission · 100,000 miles · MI

The contact owns a 2015 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated upon depression of the accelerator pedal with the check engine warning light illuminated. In addition, the vehicle would intermittently fail to start up after multiple attempts. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the contact was informed that the failure was likely related to the transmission. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

Filed Sep 26, 2023 · Transmission · 99,490 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2015 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle started shaking abnormally. The vehicle hesitated while accelerating with an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle. The Service 4WD warning light was illuminated. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 99,490.

Filed Jul 29, 2022 · Acceleration · 103,000 miles · GA

The contact owned a 2015 Jeep Cherokee. The contact that while driving at various speeds, the accelerator pedal was depressed but the vehicle hesitated to respond. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the failure was associated with the fuel system. The vehicle was repaired under an unknown recall. However, the failure reoccurred while driving. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The message "Repair Parking Brake" was displayed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the parking brake module, the front driver's side axle, the CV joint, and other unknown repairs needed to be completed. The vehicle was repaired. However, the failures reoccurred and the engine was emitting abnormal rumbling sounds while driving. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that water had leaked through the liftgate, which damaged the parking brake module. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact sold the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 103,000.

Filed Nov 30, 2021 · Engine, Suspension · LA

Car has been jerking almost immediately after buying it brand new. They supposedly "fixed" the problem but jerking has not stopped. it hesitates when trying to accelerate most times and when it shifts into gear it thrusts/jerks so hard. Vehicle has stalled on me numerous times in traffic while coming to a stop. very afraid to even drive it. It shifts into neutral while driving or turning. it completely shuts off sometimes while in traffic or turning. cars had to slam on brakes to prevent from hitting me. this happened on several occasions. had to get the motor mounds and transmissions mounds replaced. Driving down the highway changing lanes wheel felt like it locked up. getting off the interstate was very hard and scary. steering wheel would not let me turn completely. get it home after wrestling with it. turn it off, to see what the problem was thinking I need power steering. tried turning it bac on NOTHING! get it towed, needed a water pump, but found that my motor and transmission mounds needed replaced. after complaining about the jerking movement for so long dealership said it wasn't the transmission and it wasn't going to be covered under warranty. I put too much money into this what supposed to been a new car to have so many problems from the jump. why is their not a recall on this whole vehicle????? Have all these issues but no recalls but 1 has been made. or I should say campaign. all these complaints about this particular car but no remedies for it. not even when they "update" "fix" it. too may problems. this is the worst car I've had. used cars didn't give me this much trouble. I need to be reimbursed for all the problems i should not have had from a new car. and not covered under warranty at all. clearly it has transmissions issues and engine issues. just wasting my time going to get these "fixes" for it not to be fixed not once. the date below is not the first time. it's only the most recent that my car has stalled, jerked and shut down. horrible car

Filed Sep 16, 2021 · Transmission · NJ

The automatic 9 sped transmission has not been hesitating after backing up and then putting it in drive to move forward. Also when driving up hill the transmission fails to shift into another gear and the RPMS increases. While stopped at a traffic light the transmission hesitates causing me to be concerned with being hit from behind. Then when accelerating the transmission does not shift and the again the RPMS stay at a high rate. I feel the with the erratic behavior of the transmission is puts and an other at a safety risk. The problem has not ben confirmed by the dealer and has not been inspected. There have been not warning lights or messages to indicate a problem.

Filed Aug 1, 2021 · Engine, Transmission · KY

I have had my vehicle checked out several times over the malfunction of the stop and start system. Several times it has been worked on and looked at. Once they claimed they replaced a part under the hood in Richmond, kentucky. This issue has been going on for over two years. It had been cutting off and not starting back. Now its advanced into a jerking from a hesitation to switch between gears. The malfunction light keeps coming back on. And sometimes it has to be restarted several times just to reset it. It was on 7/30/2021 when someone besides me noticed this issue. But its been doing me this way for last three months.

Filed Mar 11, 2021 · Transmission · 47,300 miles · IL

Attempting to make a left turn onto roadway across traffic traveling at approx 45 MPH. There was a break in traffic. I accelerated. The car moved forward, but wouldn't accelerate. Would only do about 3 MPH no matter what I did with the gas pedal. I nearly caused a serious accident. The dealer claims that is normal for that car if you don't allow it to warm up. There are many reported problems with the 9 speed transmission, but it could also be the control module. This problem can be reproduced, but is more pronounced when the weather is cold. The hesitation is less in warmer weather. Once the engine warms up, there is still a hesitation, but it is not as severe.

Filed Jan 25, 2021 · Transmission · 35,000 miles · MO

Tl* the contact owns a 2015 jeep cherokee. The vehicle failed to shift correctly between 1st and 2nd gears and between 2nd and 3rd gears. The contact had to release the accelerator pedal and the vehicle would hesitate before properly shifting. The failure occurred at the initial start-up of the vehicle. The contact stated the failure occurred more consistently over time. The contact stated that the failure was related to the federal safety agency campaign number: 20v343000 (power train). The contact had not taken the vehicle to the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and informed the contact that the vehicle was not included in the recall campaign. The approximate failure mileage was 35,000.