I was stopped at a red light. When the light turned green, I took my foot off the brake and pressed the accelerator. bI heard a loud cracking/crushing noise coming from underneath the vehicle. When I tried to accelerate, the Jeep would not shift properly into gear. The engine revved, but the vehicle did not accelerate normally / did not move as it should. The Jeep was essentially no longer able to transmit power normally, so I stopped driving it. The important sequence is: red light-green light-released brake-pressed accelerator-loud cracking/crushing noise underneath-Jeep wouldn't properly engage/shift- engine revved- vehicle accelerated normally.
2017 Jeep Cherokee: stuck in gear or won't shift
22 of the 1,342 complaints about the 2017 Jeep Cherokee describe stuck in gear or won't shift.
- owner complaints
- 22
- of this car's complaints
- 2%
- typical mileage
- 55,000
- recalls
- 3
Is there a fix? There are 3 recalls and 51 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below
Stuck in gear or won't shift by model year
What owners say
PER DIAGNOSTICS, PTU HAS BEEN COMPROMISED. I was driving on the highway and the car started to shake and make a loud, grinding noise and seemed to be stuck in gear. When I stopped it wouldn't go into park or go into drive.
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 have received numerous "Service 4WD" and "Shifter Service" messages, since 2020 and replaced the shifter module twice. I frequently have difficulty shifting in and out of 4WD mode and other 4WD modes - The vehicle will not shift or shifts at an unusual time. January 2025. Transmission (or transfer case unexpectedly completely disengaged and rolled several feet before I could apply brake. Mcpeek’s Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM of Anaheim has done prior service. When will a remedy be available? My wife and I don't feel safe driving this vehicle but our ability to sell it is held up by the unresolved recall. Thank you.
The contact owns a 2017 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while his son was reversing out of a driveway, the vehicle shuddered and lost power with the check engine warning light illuminated, and the "Service 4WD" message was displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle entered LIMP Mode and failed to accelerate above 20 MPH. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic, who showed a defect with the PTU. The contact was notified of the failure, and upon investigation, it was discovered that the vehicle was included in the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 25V011000(Power Train). The vehicle was then taken to a dealer, where the contact was informed that parts for the recall repair were not yet available. The contact was then informed by the dealer that the vehicle could be repaired out of pocket; however, the contact denied the offer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 91,000.
I had received the recall notice 01C about the PTU; however, it was noted that parts were not available and no action could be taken at that time. On April 30, I heard a very loud noise as if I had hit something, but nothing was in my way. The car would not go into gear or park. Fortunately this happened on my property and my husband was able to use his truck to pull my car out of the way and no one was injured and no other vehicle damage was incurred. The car was towed to a repair facility and confirmed that the transfer case had failed.
The contact owns a 2017 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that it had snowed, and the transmission mode was shifted to "Snow”. The contact stated while driving approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle was losing forward momentum and there was an abnormal sound coming from underneath the vehicle. The contact depressed the accelerator pedal and the vehicle revved but lost motive power. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact pulled over and stopped the vehicle and turned off the vehicle. The contact restarted the vehicle and returned to regular drive mode however, the vehicle would not shift into drive (D). The contact had the vehicle towed to the residence. The vehicle was not taken to a local dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle had not been diagnosed and was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 83,000.
UNKNOWN Vehicle does not shift into gears correctly and can sometimes have unwanted acceleration or has loss of power at inopportune times.
I was driving down the road and several lights in the dash popped on. The check engine light and a few others that I was not familiar with. Everything started blinking and it said "service shifter" and "service airbag system ". I put it in park and tried to put it back in drive and it would not go into drive and started rolling backwards. I had to push it into a parking lot and have it towed.
Service shifter, service 4wd, shifter gets put into gear in any weather under 32 degrees f and the shifter will not shift into a particular gear. All lights on the shifter will light up. The car will free rev. If you leave the car running for 15 to 30 minutes. The engine/trans/servos warm up, and the car is now able to shift into gear. This issue only happens in cold weather. We have lost all convidence in driving our car in the pacific northwest. We've brought the car to jeep, they replaced parts, replaced shifter wiring, its been back to jeep dealer 3 times. They cannot fix the issue. There should be a electrical shifter or wiring harness recall of some kind.
Vehicle would not shift into drive after backing out of driveway. Had to stop after rolling down hill and shift to park, then back to drive again to get the vehicle in gear. Service shifter light was repaired at the dealership 6 or 7 months ago. That problem has returned as well.
While sitting stopped at a traffic light in drive the vehicle shifted to neutral and wouldn't shift back to drive. Had to turn the vehicle off to get it to go back to drive.
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 won't shift
Is stuck in gear or won't shift a common problem on the 2017 Jeep Cherokee?
22 of 1,342 owner complaints about the 2017 Jeep Cherokee (2%) mention stuck in gear or won't shift. 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 73Jerking 42Oil consumption 36Won't start 33Grinding brakes 26Adaptive cruise 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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