Car has been broken down since May 2025. My car started jerking forcefully with my child in the car. Brought it in to be assessed. They could not figure it out. After two more times bringing it back in due to the jerking worsening, the car completely broke down in the middle of the road. Apparently recall has been active since January 2025. I was never notified that there even was a safety recall on my vehicle. Vehicle still does not have a recall remedy and I have been carless for 10 months. Not drivable. Has been sitting for a long time. Very frustrating and upsetting. Need my vehicle back. Have been making car payments on a car I don’t even have. Want reimbursement/ my car back.
2017 Jeep Cherokee: jerking or lurching
42 of the 1,342 complaints about the 2017 Jeep Cherokee describe jerking or lurching.
- owner complaints
- 42
- of this car's complaints
- 3%
- typical mileage
- 49,000
- recalls
- 3
Is there a fix? There are 3 recalls and 51 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below
Jerking or lurching by model year
What owners say
Gear shift dash error. Getting all led lights let on my shift gear led indication. Car will run jumping or jerking movement. Then experiencing power loss when acceleration.
Shifter module problems.. the car jerks hard between shifts. The car reversing on it own and wont stop. Warning light in dash "service shifter soon"
My car is jerking when driven and enabling the park brake while driving. There is a recall on other similar models. I purchased this vehicle brand new and within the same year, had the engine replaced by the manufacturer due to mechanical issues. Please assist in getting this PTU fixed not at my expense. The dealership is telling me $3k but I feel this should be covered due to other recalls and the fact that this motor was replaced shortly after purchasing the car.
The contact owns a 2017 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, the vehicle jerked and stalled while stopped at a traffic light. No warning light was illuminated. After several attempts the vehicle restarted; however, the vehicle drove in LIMP Mode. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but no cause for the failure was found. The contact stated that fifteen days before the failure, the vehicle had been repaired under Customer Satisfaction Notification: W84 for excessive oil consumption. The Powertrain Control Module (PCM) was reprogrammed. The contact stated that the dealer did not add the quart of oil as instructed as part of the remedy. Most recently, the contact noticed that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of oil. The vehicle remained at the dealer unrepaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and advised the contact that a representative would be reaching out; however, the contact had not yet received a call back. The failure mileage was approximately 67,000.
I drive a 2017 Jeep Cherokee and have experienced repeated instances of power loss while driving. The vehicle will suddenly jerk, hesitate, or feel like its struggling to maintain momentum, especially at lower speeds or when turning. On one occasion, it felt like the transmission slipped and I briefly lost acceleration, which was very alarming and could have caused a crash if I been merging or crossing traffic. I've also had the "Service 4WD" warning light appear intermittently. I took the vehicle to both a jeep dealership and an independent shop for diagnostics, but neither was able to find an active trouble code. However, the symptoms have continued and are getting worse. After reading about the recent recall (the federal safety agency Campaign 25V011) involving the Power Transfer Unit (PTU) in 2017-2019 Jeep Cherokees, I believe this may be an issue I am experiencing. At this time, Jeep has not released a fix, and I'm concerned that the vehicle is unsafe to drive until the PTU can be inspected and repaired. This seems to be a known and widespread issue that puts drivers at risk, and I'm hoping this report helps move the investigation forward.
I believe the PTU is malfunctioning and causing the transmission to slip or jerk. I am experiencing uncontrolled movement while driving. The vehicle is available at any time for inspection upon request. This puts myself and 2 small children at risk while driving, therefore my ability to use this vehicle is extremely limited and high risk. I have taken it to a jeep dealership in porterville ca who stated my transmission needed replacement. they verbally stated my ptu was ok but never confirmed it with documentation. i have taken it to private mechanics who could not find any issues saying that the problem is internal. the mechanics i have taken it to in the past year have not come to a solution other than to suggest i wait for a resolution to the recall. The service all wheel drive light came on/off about a year ago and was consistant for several months but has turned off for awhile now.
The contact owns a 2017 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while attempting to drive from a complete stop and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to respond immediately, but responded after several attempts. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving at various speeds and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle jerked and shuddered, and there was an abnormal grinding sound coming from underneath the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to JMB Automotive, where the diagnostic trouble code C14A7-97 was retrieved. The mechanic informed the contact that the VIN was included in the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 25V011000 (Power Train) and determined that the failure was related to the recall. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the same assessment was made; however, the dealer informed the contact that the part to repair the vehicle was not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was referred to the manufacturer. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was contacted and informed the contact that the dealer would be contacted and would be advised to add the vehicle to the recall waiting list. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
"Service Shifter" appeared on the dash and the lights "P", "R", "N", "D", and the one between "-" and "+" were all lit up, as if the electronics did not know which gear the car was in. Car would then not go above 50 mph while on the interstate and shifting was slow and jerky. When you're unable to control elements of your driving, you are unable to ensure a safe experience. This shifter issue is directly correlated. The problem is widespread in online forums and seems to be predictable with this model and line of cars. The car is available for inspection upon request. It's common for this to be an issue with cars less than 50000 miles which is a clear sign that this is a manufacturer's fault that needs to be corrected.
The vehicle jerks or jumps while driving on the highway. I took the dealership twice to get it fixed and paid out of my pocket but problem is not resolved. Now the issue leads to the power transfer case (PTU) failure. I went to the dealership for diagnosis and they told it will cost me $3900 out of pocket to fixed the vehicle.
transmission slips to the point it jerks my car when it down shifts and going down a hill it will rev up over 3 rpm
There was no accident but I would like to prevent one. I believe there should be a recall on my vehicle regarding the service shifter. This defect could potentially result in power loss to the front wheels and the transmission being impossible to put into park. My vehicle service shifter light is on and my car jerks while driving. Is this not a problem with many Jeeps?
Service bulletins that may apply
- D-26-20
- ID-26-40
- D-26-10 (XX1)
- ID-26-19 (XX1)
- (XX1) Two Speed Power Transfer Unit (PTU)
- Unable to Complete 01C Recall Drive Cycle C14A7-97 Active Technicians may experience the following:...
- Two Speed Power Transfer Unit Customers must experience a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illumination...
- Service 4wd Light On, AWD System Service Required Message Illuminated
Related recalls
Power train
- What is wrong
- Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. The power transfer unit (PTU) may become damaged and disengage the transmission and differential, resulting in a loss of drive power and/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
- Dealers will update the drivetrain control module and PTU software and replace the PTU, as necessary free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning February 19, 2026. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1‑800‑853‑1403. FCA's number for this recall is 01C.
Recall number 25V011000 · Recall details
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
Questions about the 2017 Jeep Cherokee jerking
Is jerking or lurching a common problem on the 2017 Jeep Cherokee?
42 of 1,342 owner complaints about the 2017 Jeep Cherokee (3%) mention jerking or lurching. The model year with the most reports is 2014.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2017 Jeep Cherokee?
There are 3 recalls and 51 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2017 Jeep Cherokee
Warning lights 171Stalling 109Check engine light 75Loss of power 73Oil consumption 36Won't start 33Grinding brakes 26Adaptive cruise 22Won't shift 22Engine failure 17Harsh shifting 15Slipping 15Power steering loss 11Fire or smoke 10No deployment 9Hesitation 9Misfire 9Brake failure 8Overheating 8Start-stop 7Water leak 7ABS 6Airbag light 6Backup camera 5Rollaway 5Seat belt 5Steering lock-up 5Transmission failure 5
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