Transmission was replaced at 20k miles it has still continue to stall while driving causing hard shift and stalling in the middle of the road almost causing accidents.
2016 Jeep Cherokee: harsh or hard shifting
23 of the 1,415 complaints about the 2016 Jeep Cherokee describe harsh or hard shifting.
- owner complaints
- 23
- of this car's complaints
- 2%
- typical mileage
- 38,500
- recalls
- 4
Is there a fix? There are 4 recalls and 79 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below
Harsh or hard shifting by model year
What owners say
The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission experienced a hard shift while shifting from first gear to second gear. The contact stated that the vehicle felt like it had been rear-ended while shifting into 2nd gear. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure recurred intermittently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed, but the cause of the failure could not be determined. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V302000 (Power Train); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
Since having the vehicle in for recall 45A/the federal safety agency 23V‑302, there is a loss of drive and a clunking sound when accelerating from approximately 25-30 mph. This does not occur all the time, however when it does and there is traffic behind me, the vehicle behind me will close up quickly almost hitting me.
Transmission is slamming into gear aswell as loss of all power to the wheels
The PTU in our Jeep, was replaced once in 2021. In February of this year I go a notice from Chrysler extending my warranty on my 2016 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk 4WD to 15 years/unlimited miles. It also mentioned some of the failure indicators were sudden power decrease and a banging noise, which we were experiencing, and instructed contact your dealer for a get a diagnosis regarding the issue. We took the vehicle to the dealer and they said they couldn't find the problem. [XXX], my wife was driving when she heard a clunk and grinding noise, we immediately to the vehicle to the dealer where it was determined that the PTU failed and resulted in a Transmission failure. We were told the warranty didn't cover the mating flanges between the PTU and the Transmission, where the bolts broke. Chrysler Customer Care agreed with them and would not cover the cost of the repairs. It is my contention that either Chrysler is continuing to out a defective product, or the dealer failed to properly torque the flange bolts when the PTU was replaced in 2021. Not sure if it is possible for the federal safety agency to inspect my vehicle for possible defects and a cause as to why the flange bolts would break. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact heard a loud clunking sound while turning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and was diagnosed with PTU failure. The contact was advised to take the vehicle to the dealer. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with PTU failure. The contact was informed that the PTU needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was informed that the parts were on back order. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V302000 (Power Train); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was 110,000.
Since owning the vehicle the transmission has been an issue. From disengaging gears, to hard shifting, to Rear PTU fluid seeping from the driver's side rear axle due to a design flaw; this truck has been an absolute nightmare. The dealer has stated multiple times that the transmission is not faulty and performing as expected. 2014-2016 Jeep Cherokee's with the same rear PTU and transmissions have had recalls and PTU replaced, etc. but yet my VIN does not have any recall yet. I have video evidence of the transmission performing erratically and not as intended from just about 50,000 miles. Yet, Jeep would not do anything to remedy the situation. They have flashed the software, performed a rear differential service (which I had to pay for, wasn't free), and done everything to avoid taking accountability for their design flaw and product failures.
The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, a message displayed on the instrument panel “4wheel drive unavailable service required”. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the PTU failed, and the contact was informed that the vehicle was included in the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V302000 (Power Train). Additionally, the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, she heard a clunking sound at an undisclosed location of the vehicle then the vehicle decelerated while the accelerator pedal was depressed. The dealer was notified of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not included in a recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 95,000.
When I am driving ( mainly around 40 mph ) my vehicles automatic transmission will out of the clear blue SLAM into gear. This does not happen all the time but many times. I have taken it to the dealership on numerous occasions but because they cannot get the vehicle to do it while they are driving it and it does not throw a code they are unable to find or fix the problem . I have called the Chrysler customer service number many times and have been told the supervisor will call me back but never does. This has been going on for the last 4 years.
I was sitting at a red light when the light turned green I hit the gas and I heard clunk truck put it on park got out to check andy car rolled backwards into a man's car then wouldn't go forward or reverse and then after awhile mechanic got there and said the right front axle came undone from the ptu some how
At approx. 49,000 miles I brought my Jeep to an authorized dealership to inspect hard shifts/skips in the transmission shifting. Dealership was unable to reproduce issue. At approx. 59,000 my vehicle was fully repaired and guaranteed from an authorized collision center (passenger side impact) when the transmission light began to illuminate. The same dealership cleared these codes without diagnosis for the issue. At approx. 71,000 the 4WD light illuminated and the dealership replaced the PTU, indicating it was "unresponsive" yet not due to collision. Days after this repair the module that communicates connection between my vehicle and the starter/alternator has gone out "inexplicably" I believe my model has faulty electrical components similar to the recalled models and I would like to raise complaints everywhere and anywhere that my issue is relevant.
I have owned my 2016 cherokke since jan 2020 in april it began to run funny thats when I discovered the vehicle suffering from excessive oil consumption. I have been to multiple dealerships doing oil consumption test just to be told I went over the mileage a new test has to be started. Now here I am with the same issue just the run around. I also have a trans that clunks and bangs into gear. Sometimes it will hang before shifting or gear hunt and try to shift into two gears at once. I told the dealer this to be told that was normal or that my brakes were the problem. It still hasnt been resolved im stuck paying on this junk I owe more than its worth so I cant get rid of it. I just want jeep to take accountablity and fix it or replace it. All of these issues happend in city driving on busy roads and interstates as well as country areas with traffic.
Service bulletins that may apply
- D-26-20
- ID-26-40
- Service 4wd Light On, AWD System Service Required Message Illuminated
- MIL/check engine lamp comes on after performing U90 recall PCM software update.
- FCA Caribbean Warranty Bulletin ID-23-11 (XJ1) Power Transfer Unit (PTU)
- Customer Satisfaction Notification W20 Reprogram Powertrain Control Module
- Powertrain Control Module.
- Customer Satisfaction Notification W84 Powertrain Software Update
Related recalls
Power train: automatic transmission
- What is wrong
- Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. The power transfer unit (PTU) may become damaged and disengage the transmission and differential, resulting in a loss of drive power or loss of park function.
- Risk
- A loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash. A loss of park function can cause an unintended vehicle rollaway which can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
- Remedy
- FCA US LLC will notify owners, and dealers will perform a software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 11, 2023. Owners may contact FCA USA LLC customer service at 1‑800‑853‑1403. FCA's number for this recall is 45A. This recall expands previous recall number 20V‑343.
Recall number 23V302000 · Recall details
Power train: driveline: differential unit
- What is wrong
- Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2017 Jeep Cherokee vehicles equipped with a two-speed Power Transfer Unit (PTU). Relative movement in the Power Transfer Unit (PTU) between the differential input splines and the transmission output shaft may cause some input spline teeth to wear off, which may eventually cause a loss of engagement between the transmission and the differential inside the PTU. If this occurs, power cannot be transferred between the front wheels and the transmission which results in a loss of drive while the vehicle is in motion and a loss of the Park function while stationary.
- Risk
- A loss of drive can cause a vehicle crash without prior warning. A loss of the Park function can cause unintended vehicle rollaway which can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
- Remedy
- FCA US LLC will notify owners, and dealers will perform a software update that will maintain vehicle propulsion by engaging rear wheel drive and prevent rolling in Park by activating the electronic parking brake if a failed input spline occurs. This recall began July 14, 2020. Owners may contact FCA USA LLC customer service at 1‑800‑853‑1403. FCA's number for this recall is W47.
Recall number 20V343000 · Recall details
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft
- What is wrong
- Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2016 Jeep Cherokee vehicles manufactured October 3, 2015, to March 22, 2016. The right halfshaft may have been incorrectly manufactured causing it to fracture without warning.
- Risk
- A fractured halfshaft may disconnect from the drive axle, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the right halfshaft, free of charge. The recall began on June 30, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler's customer service at 1‑800‑853‑1403. Chrysler's recall number is S39.
Recall number 16V284000 · Recall details
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft
- What is wrong
- Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2016 Jeep Cherokee vehicles manufactured September 30, 2015, to October 2, 2015. The left halfshaft may have been incorrectly manufactured causing it to fracture without warning.
- Risk
- A fractured halfshaft may disconnect from the drive axle, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the left halfshaft, free of charge. The recall began on June 30, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler's customer service at 1‑800‑853‑1403. Chrysler's recall number is S38.
Recall number 16V287000 · Recall details
Questions about the 2016 Jeep Cherokee harsh shifting
Is harsh or hard shifting a common problem on the 2016 Jeep Cherokee?
23 of 1,415 owner complaints about the 2016 Jeep Cherokee (2%) mention harsh or hard shifting. The model year with the most reports is 2014.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2016 Jeep Cherokee?
There are 4 recalls and 79 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2016 Jeep Cherokee
Stalling 148Check engine light 125Loss of power 90Warning lights 90Jerking 59Oil consumption 50Won't shift 42Hesitation 33Grinding brakes 30Won't start 24Adaptive cruise 20Engine failure 20Slipping 20Transmission failure 20Headlights 18Overheating 17No deployment 16Fire or smoke 16Misfire 15Water leak 15Steering lock-up 13Knocking 12Power steering loss 12Wipers 12Key fob 11Rollaway 8Brake failure 7Start-stop 7Fuel pump 6ABS 5Airbag light 5Screen failure 5Sudden acceleration 5
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