The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that the 4WD warning light was illuminated. There was an abnormal clunking sound coming from the vehicle while driving approximately 55-60 MPH and shifting gears. Upon research, the contact associated the failure with the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 25V011000 (Power Train). The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who confirmed that the VIN was not associated with the recall. The vehicle was diagnosed, and it was determined that the failure was with the power train. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 180,000.
2018 Jeep Cherokee: harsh or hard shifting
6 of the 692 complaints about the 2018 Jeep Cherokee describe harsh or hard shifting.
- owner complaints
- 6
- of this car's complaints
- 1%
- typical mileage
- 53,000
- recalls
- 2
Is there a fix? There are 2 recalls and 31 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below
Harsh or hard shifting by model year
What owners say
The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Cherokee. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 25V011000 (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 contact stated that the “Service 4-WD” warning light was illuminated. While driving at various speeds and accelerating, there was a clunking sound coming from underneath the vehicle. Additionally, the mileage was flashing while the instrument panel was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but was not diagnosed. The dealer informed the contact that the remedy was not available and referred the contact tothe the federal safety agency Hotline to report the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 131,021.
SVC 4WD light and clunking noises code C14A7-97-Rear differential and ptu spline failure and replaced at 34,870 miles. Now 71,060 miles SVC 4WD light on and code is again C14A7 rear differential and spline failure. And was told this time the 48 month warranty on the parts has expired. Its been 52 months. I purchased this 2018 in 2017. Why is this not recalled like the 2017 for the ptu and differential?
My jeeps service shifter light comes on every few hundred miles and always when I'm driving it's comes on during my trips to georgia and just driving around the city. I constantly complained to the dealership about it and they told me to bring it in and they'll look at it but if you turn the vehicle off the lights turn themselves back off and you have to wait for it to happen again. Well this happened almost every time I took the car in and so they never took me seriously and would turn me away saying nothing looked wrong with the car. Well the last time the light came on a clicking sound followed when accelerating and soon after my rear driveshaft fell out while driving down the road. I took it to my dealership as I have a warranty with them and I told them about everything, including the lights and the clicking noise. They finally returned the car to me 'fixed' after having it for over a month. They claimed that they had fixed everything I told them about but the lights came right back on three days later and now the things basically fights any form of acceleration and it aggressively jerks every time it downshifts and it makes a small clunk noise when reversing.
Bought jeep had it for approx. 7 months (october 2019) and it would shift really hard, then one day driving from home to store, the jeep just stalled on street, turned off engine, restarted and drove to destination. I brought my jeep in 4x before they had replaced a whole new engine due to it burning oil. Roughly 3 months later (january), jeep was in driveway, drove to work and twice the same day slammed into gears, took it back to jeep, they said gears needed to be reset. It seems when I use 4x4 to snow, its fine, when I turn it off a couple days later it slams into gears. Yesterday (march 2020) vehicle was parked in driveway, reversed to leave and lights came on dash for shifter needs repair, turned off engine, restarted, resumed driving and lights were off. Parked jeep in drive way, next morning reversed and drove to work, reversed into space and lights came on again that shifter needed maint repair. I have now 53,000 miles. I take jeep in again to be looked at for shifter. I have taken this vehicle in at least 11 times so far for engine, gears slamming, shift saying needs maint repair. Since june 2019
While driving and stationary the service shifter light illuminates on the dash and all the lights on the floor shifter illuminate all gear positions. Also, at low speed, when adding power, the transmission has a "bump" as it tries to shift into the next gear. Makes it jerk/clunk into gear.
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: axle assembly: axle shaft
- What is wrong
- Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Jeep Cherokee all-wheel-drive vehicles. The bearing cage for the right front halfshaft assembly may not have been properly heat treated, possibly resulting in the bearing cage breaking and a potential halfshaft assembly failure.
- Risk
- If the halfshaft bearing cage breaks, the halfshaft may not be able to transmit engine power, causing a loss of drive or it can allow the vehicle to move while in the "Park" position. Either condition may increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front right halfshaft assemblies, free of charge. The recall began September 20, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1‑800‑853‑1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U78.
Recall number 18V494000 · Recall details
Questions about the 2018 Jeep Cherokee harsh shifting
Is harsh or hard shifting a common problem on the 2018 Jeep Cherokee?
6 of 692 owner complaints about the 2018 Jeep Cherokee (1%) 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 2018 Jeep Cherokee?
There are 2 recalls and 31 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2018 Jeep Cherokee
Warning lights 91Stalling 83Oil consumption 33Loss of power 28Check engine light 27Jerking 24Engine failure 11Won't start 11Grinding brakes 10Transmission failure 10Adaptive cruise 8Hesitation 7Overheating 7Power steering loss 7Fire or smoke 5Misfire 5
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