2015 Jeep Cherokee: jerking or lurching

Filed Dec 15, 2025 · Engine, Fuel system · GA

The car has been suddenly lurching backward and forward in traffic/ while driving, moving forward and backwards unexpectantly and not accelerating at an expected rate, causing other vehicles almost to hit me about 4 times within 1 week starting last week around 12/8/25, because my vehicle is not moving at the expected rate during yielding, changing lanes, etc. I took it to the shop and reported this issue, and they informed me that this vehicle has serious oil leaks and multiple parts that have failed involving the oil filter housing, engine valve cover, engine intake manifold gasket, etc. I have attached a list of parts that have failed in this vehicle from the repair shop for your records and can make available the parts upon request. My repair shop has told me that they have had to repair MULTIPLE other cars of this make and model for the same reason/ failed parts across multiple years up to until about 2021, but that the company repaired it on more current models, which clearly indicates that this is a KNOWN issue for prior models. This company has an obligation to protect its customers and conduct a full recall on prior models to correct this issue, in order to prevent serious injury or death of the public! I trust you will investigate this matter thoroughly.

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 Jan 21, 2025 · Airbags, Engine · 85,000 miles · NJ

The contact owns a 2015 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated while driving 20 MPH, the vehicle made an abnormal grinding sound coming from the engine. The contact stated that the Service 4WD message was displayed and remained displayed. The contact stated the vehicle jerked while driving at slow speeds. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with engine cooling, engine, and electrical system failures. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact researched online and related the failures to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 15V676000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING), 15V041000 (AIR BAGS), and 20V343000 (POWER TRAIN); however, the VIN was not included in the recalls. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that he would be receiving an email. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.

Filed Dec 30, 2024 · Transmission · CA

On several occasions, I have been driving the vehicle when it suddenly shifted gears and lurched forward unexpectedly. This action is so powerful it feels like another car has hit me from behind. This was a transmission failure and is available for inspection. Both myself and my family members have suffered whiplash-like neck injuries from these repeated incidents. The automobile puts us at risk of colliding with another vehicle, shifting out of gear, and stopping in the middle of the road or highway while driving. The dealer checked the vehicle, and they could not reproduce the problem. The dealer has inspected the vehicle. There were no warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms of the problem prior to failure. The problem began in 2020 and has gotten worse over time. Best, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Dec 7, 2024 · Brakes, Electrical · WA

Driving through [XXX] in Belfair, WA my 2015 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk with the 2.4L started running rough and was jerking. As I entered the turn lane the Service Park Brake light flashed, my Jeep jerked to a stop and the emergency brake was turned on while I was still in Drive. I could not get the Emergency Brake to release even after putting my vehicle into park and pressing the brake pedal. I turned the Jeep off then back on but the Emergency Brake was still stuck on. I had to shut the Jeep off and get out of my vehicle on a very busy Highway to get my tools from the spare tire cargo. Upon retrieving my tools I noticed several inches of standing water in the spare tire area. I then popped my hood, disconnected the battery then reconnected the battery. This allowed the Emergency Brake to release so I could drive to the nearest parking lot. I was along an extremely busy State Highway for almost 10 minutes and nearly got hit by other vehicles including school busses and big rigs! My Jeep was towed to my home in Shelton, WA where further inspection showed water had been leaking from the lift gate. I removed all panels and found almost 4 inches of water where my spare sits, mold, water and moisture on and around the ECU and the Automatic Braking System and rust. The seals are good but when it rains the water finds its way in! These pictures are from after when I used my shop vac to get the water out. I found there is a recall for the exact same thing but only for Power Lift Gates. I do not have a Power Lift Gate but this is a major safety issue and should be recalled whether the 2015 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk has a power lift gate or manual lift gate! A quick internet search shows so many other Jeep Owners without the Power Lift Gate have the same issue and complaints! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Aug 1, 2024 · Acceleration · FL

Once I stop my vehicle doesn’t accelerate normally and jerks right after. Also the service shifter light came on and won’t go off.

Filed Jul 24, 2024 · Body, Brakes · VA

My 2015 Jeep Cherokee started having strange electrical issues. Sometimes the automatic lift gate would not open or close. Sometimes the parking brake would engage and not release. At times the parking brake would engage and I would not be able to drive the car. It would engage within seconds of starting to drive the car, leaving the car lurching forward or unable to move (in the middle of the street). I noticed there seemed to be water leaking into the car around the back right near the power lift gate. I managed to disengage the emergency brake to drive the car to the mechanic. The mechanic could not get the brake released and had to tow the car to an electrical specialist. I paid around $2000 for a new harness for the park break as well as other issues related to the water damage corroding the electrical equipment at the power lift gate. 16 months later and I am having the same issue again. I brought the Jeep to the dealer and they told me the brakes are corroded in addition to the recall on the power lift gate. I believe this (corroded brakes) may also be from the lift gate water leak issue. The recall repair will take months I am told. In the meantime I cannot open the lift gate and so cannot have a diagnostic done on the water leak at the lift gate that continues to enter into the electrical system at the back of the car (liftgate area), likely doing more damage again to the other electrical components such as brake release and brakes. I called the recall line at Chrysler to ask for an expedited recall service and they declined, saying the vehicle is safe to drive. Please there must be a recall on the water leaks causing all of these electrical safety issues.

Filed Jul 22, 2024 · Transmission · 160,403 miles · OK

The contact owns a 2015 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact noticed a failure with the transmission. The contact stated the vehicle jerked abnormally. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was able to restart; however, the failure recurred. The dealer was not contacted, and the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHSTA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 160,403.

Filed Jul 10, 2023 · Brakes, Engine · FL

My 2015 Jeep haslocked up on me twice now. The power brake system comes on automatic and I cannot accelerate. The first time it happened it about threw me into the windshield. This second time it jerked me forward. It has been in the dealership once to fix the problem. Now it has done it again. The warning lights come on the dash as power brake system malfunction, check engine soon, do not engage and put vehicle in park and several other warnings.

Filed May 31, 2023 · Engine, Fuel system · MA

A couple of issues are occurring and this is all over the internet as well and I have decided to file a complaint as this vehicle should be recalled. Most recently the car shuts off while driving and need to coast into the breakdown lane. The transmission shifts very rough as well as this model in addition the engine seems to eat the oil as well. I purchased the vehicle brand new and have consistently gotten oil changes, but a year ago when I brought this vehicle in the dealer advised I had no oil, but I got oil changes every 4-5K miles. I should not need to be pouring oil into the car. This is well known issue all over the internet with this engine. What happens is the car will shut off randomly when driving as a fail sale. In addition most recently the will shut off and there is oil in the engine, but it starts jerking the engine as if it is trying to change gears and then the car loses the ability to accelerate and actually deaccelerate. I have to pull over and the car will not drive. I have to turn the car off and let it sit for a minute or two and then turn it back on. This is highly dangerous as someone can smash into the back of the car while i am driving since the car loses power. I have brought the car in numerous times to the shop over the years due to the transmission/engine failures. This engine/transmission needs to be recalled as these cars should not be on the road. Most recently I brought it back to the dealer and they advised they could not replicate the problem. It is back in the shop today as well 5/31/23 as the incident occurred again 3 days after. I have some video I can email as well.

Filed Apr 13, 2023 · Electrical, Transmission · MD

Jeep transmission jerks, doesn't shift when its supposed to, and when I give it regular pressure gas, and I drive slow, it will not shift and then suddenly shift causing a jerk. I never can depend on the vehicle and even don't make left hand turns unless there is a traffic light because I'm afraid the Jeep won't pull out in time and I'll get hit by another car.