2019 Jeep Cherokee: sudden loss of power

Filed Oct 30, 2026 · Electrical, Suspension · NY

The PTU has shown a code of failure to communicate. My 4WD light was on stating Ned’s to be serviced. While driving and excellerating I would hear and feel a clunk. There was a whooping sound while driving, at first when turning and then increasing to more and louder. At 57,000. Miles when getting an oil change told the mechanic of the service light and asked if it could be on due to having changed a flat tire? He said my 4WD was working fine and not to worry about it. When I lost power at 30 miles an hour and it started to shudder I took it in to the dealership and they produced an inspection of problems neededing to be fixed costing approximately 10,000. Including the PTU failure. The vehicle was at 90,000. Now and no longer out of warranty. I was told they could get a PTU unit for at least 4 months if even then. That was leaving me without a vehicle. I took the vehicle (which I was told was safe to drive) to another private service station. They diagnosed more to me show pictures of a cracked differential and the seal to it warped and half off. They said this condition was a catastrophic accident waiting to happen. I have been put off ignored and told I have no proof that this was an issue under warranty.

Filed Oct 18, 2026 · Transmission · IL

Loss of power between 15-20 mph and causes the gears to “jump”. This sometimes happens between 7-10 mph. Loss of 4 wheel drive also.

Filed Oct 16, 2026 · Transmission · MO

power train, it is available for inspection, recall information states the power train unit could fail causing loss of power and possible accident. I had the car checked at an independent shop and their test equipment said it was a recall item and to take it to a dealership. I took it to a jeep dealership and they said there is no fix available nothing they could do unless I paid for the repair. I could then send the repair invoice to Jeep and they "might" reimburse me, but they (Jeep) in there letter on the recall says there is no fix. The message on my console states, " 4 wheel drive unavailable" and in the lower right hand corner of the display it reads "svc 4 wheel drive,". I can't understand why there would be "no fix available" and where does that leave me and my vehicle? It has not failed so far but I am concerned it will. I was told not to drive it any long distance?

Filed Oct 12, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · IA

So I was driving down the road doing 60 miles an hour and I have lost power total drive power while driving doing 60 miles an hour with a car just goes into a neutral rubs up and I have to pull on side of the road and turn off the car wait like 10 to 15 minutes and then the car resets itself I believe my car has a recall for the PTU and I believe that’s what’s wrong with it. It’s a recall so it needs looked at and I took it to the dealership saying my concerns and they have told me that there is no fix available yet for it which that cannot be true because I got something in the mail saying that there is a fix available so I’m not sure if they just don’t wanna do it cause it’s gonna be a hard job to do but it needs done ASAP because that’s putting my life in danger just having total loss drive power while driving down the highway doing 65 to 70 miles an hour it has happened three total times now.

Filed Oct 6, 2026 · Transmission · GA

My 4wheel drive is no longer working. There is a recall on this issue stating I could lose power causing an accident. My vin number does not show to be defective but the problem is there and needs to be repaired.

Filed Sep 30, 2026 · Transmission · CA

The PTU - received message on dash SVC 4WD - lose of power - grinding noises when speedometer reached 35mph Took to the dealer they confirmed the PTU needed to be replaced immediately but because of demand of this part with other recalls it was back-ordered for at least a month. The SVC 4WD message came on one other time about two years ago but immediately disappeared. Costs out of pocket total $4149.57 for repairs and at this point $2200 in rental car fees

Filed Sep 15, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · MA

On September 14, 2025, while driving on the highway, the vehicle began shaking violently, the check engine light illuminated and began flashing, and the vehicle progressively lost power and became undriveable. The vehicle had to be towed. No warning lights appeared prior to the incident. This failure follows a documented history of Power Transfer Unit (PTU) issues. In May 2024 at approximately 88,000 miles, diagnostic codes including C14A7-97 (PTU Motor - Component/System Blocked) were retrieved at an independent service center. The 4-wheel drive system was found to be stuck engaged. The transfer case actuator motor was replaced in December 2024 at approximately 93,000 miles by the same shop at my expense. The vehicle is a single-speed PTU configuration and was excluded from Equipment Safety Recall 02C (Two Speed PTU Failure), despite experiencing substantially similar symptoms: loss of drive power, vibration, and drivetrain malfunction. The PTU and transfer case are available for inspection. The failure has been confirmed by an independent service center. Prior to the highway failure, the vehicle exhibited difficulty accelerating, particularly at highway speeds, and an audible whirring sound from the drivetrain. It also jerked forward when shifting into Park. Safety was put at risk due to sudden loss of motive power at highway speed.

Filed Sep 11, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · IL

I am filing this safety complaint regarding my 2019 Jeep Cherokee Latitude Plus 2.4L AWD. This vehicle is experiencing severe, life-threatening safety hazards involving sudden engine stalling and a complete loss of motive power while in motion. Despite my vehicle exhibiting the exact failure symptoms of multiple major FCA/Stellantis safety recalls for this model year, my specific VIN is currently showing as excluded from the recall database, leaving me with a highly dangerous vehicle and no dealership remedy.The vehicle is suffering from two distinct, interrelated defects that have recently caused terrifying incidents in heavy traffic. First, while driving, the dashboard suddenly illuminated both the "SVC 4WD" (Service 4WD) and the "Auto Start-Stop" warning lights simultaneously. Immediately following these warnings, the vehicle lost forward power and unexpectedly rolled forward while I was fully stopped at a red light, failing to hold its position. This mirrors the exact mechanical behavior of the known Jeep PTU spline-wear defects that cause sudden rollaways and a loss of drive power.Second, the vehicle completely stalled out and shut down while I was driving on a highway exit ramp. The engine lost all power without warning, forcing me to coast through traffic, shift into park, and completely cycle the ignition to restart it. This engine shutdown creates an imminent risk of a rear-end collision on high-speed roads. The vehicle has a severe issue with oil consumption, which I suspect is dropping hydraulic pressure and forcing the engine to shut off while the car is shifted into drive.The manufacturer’s current recall parameters for the PTU failures and engine stalling issues on 2019 Cherokees are clearly too narrow. My vehicle is dealing with identical, dangerous safety failures as the units already recalled, but I am being denied a safe, free repair due to a VIN exclusion. I request that the federal safety agency investigate this specific batch of 2019 VINs and force a recall.

Filed Aug 23, 2026 · Transmission · TN

I am submitting this complaint regarding my 2019 Jeep Cherokee Limited with approximately 89,000 miles. On two separate occasions, while driving at approximately 20 miles per hour and before I had applied the brakes, the vehicle unexpectedly stalled without warning. These incidents both occurred during the second or third week after I purchased the vehicle in February. A dashboard message instructed me to put the vehicle in park and restart it. The sudden loss of power while the vehicle was in motion created a serious safety hazard. Both a Jeep dealership and an independent mechanic diagnosed a failed power transfer unit requiring replacement. Although my VIN is not currently covered by a recall, I am concerned this may represent a safety-related defect. I respectfully request that the federal safety agency review this complaint, investigate whether similar incidents are occurring, and determine whether further action is warranted.

Filed Aug 21, 2026 · Transmission · IA

Service 4WD warning light came on in May and comes on every time the vehicle is driven, almost immediately. My vehicle's VIN is not included in the current recall campaign for the Jeep PTU even though the exact same issue is occurring and has been diagnoses by the dealership as the same issue for the Jeep recall that is affecting 2019-2023 Jeeps Cherokees. This is a safety issue which could cause sudden loss of power or allow the Jeep to roll away in park. I contacted Jeep who provided a case number (97672488) and referred us to the dealership to be diagnosed. The dealership has diagnosed the issue to be the same as the recall; however, when submitted to Jeep for a Goodwill repair (06943), Jeep will only cover 30% of the cost to repair. I disagree with the response from Jeep and feel this safety issue recall should include my VIN and be repaired properly at no cost to myself.

Filed Jul 17, 2026 · Engine, Fuel system · TX

My 2019 jeep Cherokee limited suffered a complete loss of power while driving down the highway and now has a service 4wd light on as well.

Filed Jun 28, 2026 · Transmission · OH

The power transfer unit (PTU) has failed at 68,000 miles. "Service FWD" light is illuminated on the dash. Review/inspection of vehicle by original car dealer could not resolve the issue. Provided a quotation for $3,640.70 to repair. Although the part did not completely fail, it is uncertain how it might fail and in what condition the failure will leave the vehicle but could lose power or motion as a result.