2019 Jeep Cherokee: stuck in gear or won't shift

Filed Aug 11, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · 82,000 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2019 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the messages "Reset - Start Unavailable" and "START/STOP System Unavailable" were displayed. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving on another occasion, the vehicle inadvertently stalled. The contact was unable to pull over, and the vehicle was pushed to the side of the road with assistance. The vehicle was restarted after a while and was driven to the residence; however, the failure reoccurred. The battery was disconnected and taken to an Auto Zone Store, where it was determined that the battery voltage was low. The contact replaced the battery; however, the new battery drained prematurely. An independent mechanic diagnosed the vehicle at the residence, and the throttle body was replaced, but the vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to a dealer, where it was determined that the PCM and TCM needed to be reprogrammed to restart the vehicle; however, the repair could not be completed due to a loss of communication, and the vehicle went into LIMP Mode. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but declined to assist. The failure mileage was approximately 82,000.

Filed Mar 27, 2026 · Transmission · WI

Sometimes after starting the vehicle, The transmission will not shift into reverse and the vehicle must be turned off and restarted. Occasionally when the vehicle is shifting from 1st to 2nd gear, it shifts very hard, like a kick.

Filed Oct 15, 2025 · PA

My 2019 Jeep Cherokee Latitude Plus is currently inoperable due to a failed Power Transfer Unit (PTU). The local authorized Jeep dealership confirmed that the PTU has failed and that the replacement part is no longer being manufactured or available anywhere in the U.S. This is a well known defect for this type of vehicle. The dealership informed me that there is no repair option at this time and that there is no timeline for when my vehicle may eventually be added to the recall batch list. Stellantis Customer Care has acknowledged the problem but denied my request for a buyback, citing vehicle mileage and age, even though the defect renders the car unsafe and undrivable. The PTU failure can cause a sudden and total loss of power to the wheels while driving, which poses a significant safety risk to the driver and others on the road. Before the complete failure, I noticed grinding noises, steering wheel jerking during acceleration, and the vehicle would not shift gears. The failure was confirmed by the dealer, and the vehicle remains at their facility. I am requesting that Jeep or Stellantis provide a dealer-assisted trade credit (trade assist or goodwill adjustment) to help me transition into a functional vehicle. I continue to make loan payments on a vehicle that cannot be driven or repaired through no fault of my own. This situation leaves me stranded with a financed vehicle that is unsafe, unrepairable, and unsupported by the manufacturer.

Filed Oct 8, 2025 · Acceleration, Engine · NC

1. The Power Transfer Unit (PTU) failed, which also caused damage to the transmission and rear drive system. The PTU is part of Recall 25V‑011 / Jeep Campaign 01C. The failed components and all related service documentation are available for inspection upon request from Boone Jeep (July 8, 2025) and Randy Marion Jeep (September 10, 2025). No, PTU part was available. 2. While driving on the highway, the vehicle suddenly jerked hard, lost all power, and became inoperable, putting me and other motorists at immediate risk of collision. The vehicle also would not go into Park, creating a rollaway hazard once stopped. These incidents occurred with my grandchildren in the vehicle, making it a severe safety concern. Despite confirming the PTU recall diagnosis, Jeep returned the vehicle to me with no repair available or timeline for a fix, forcing me to continue driving an unsafe vehicle. 3. Yes. Boone Jeep confirmed the PTU failure on July 8, 2025, after diagnosing major jerking, grinding, and loss of power. Later, Randy Marion Jeep also confirmed on September 10, 2025, that the PTU had failed again and that the rear drive and transmission were also damaged due to the same issue. The September 10th one was after I had the transmission replaced. 4. Yes. The vehicle has been inspected by two authorized Jeep dealerships (Boone Jeep and Randy Marion Jeep), acting as manufacturer representatives. Both confirmed the PTU failure and associated damage. No police or insurance inspections have been conducted. 5. Yes, warning light Service 4WD first appeared around springtime this year. This PTU defect has now caused multiple drivetrain failures, including the transmission and rear drive, and continues to pose a serious safety risk. The vehicle remains unsafe to drive, and Jeep has no available remedy for Recall 25V‑011 / 01C. Immediate manufacturer action is needed to provide a repair or reimbursement.

Filed Jun 18, 2025 · Driver assistance, Transmission · CO

My Service 4wd light is on again and the electronic controller module is cracked under the hood. There is no 4wd, sensors are not working, the automatic high beams as well as manual high beams will not work, I have random dings going off, and the car does not shift properly. Gas mileage is way down. This is a continuous issue with this vehicle. I have replaced the ptu, and I need help!!!! This has cost me nearly $10,000 out of pocket.

Filed May 6, 2025 · Transmission · OH

Purchased a 2019 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk in November of 2022. December 29, 2023 it would not go into gear. Towed to local repair shop was told it was the PTU. Quote to fix was $3,250 but part was on backorder. Called Jeep customer service that same day and was told vehicle was past warranty by two months and they wouldn't be able to do anything. After three months of calling Jeep Customer Service, telling them each time I called where the vehicle was I was told that if it had been at a certified Jeep dealership they would have been able to help. A supervisor told me they dropped the ball, apologized and said they would heavily "coach" their employees for future calls like this. Still wouldn't guarantee any assistance but advised me to tow it to a Jeep dealership and they may be able to help. Finally get it towed, get a PTU put in only to receive a recall letter that the "new part" is still defective and can possible cause the vehicle to crash. This has been since January. I submitted a reimbursement for what I paid to have the first PTU put in but it was denied by Jeep saying because it was already a faulty PTU they couldn't reimburse me. I am still getting a check engine light, the auto start/stop light comes on and the vehicle stalls repeatedly. Both the independent repair shop and certified Jeep dealership confirmed that it is a faulty PTU unit that needs replaced.

Filed Mar 28, 2025 · Acceleration, Engine · NY

I was driving approximately 30 mph on an exit ramp and as I pressed the gas to accelerate when I got below speed, the drive power completely ceased, started making a noise that I have never heard, almost like a baseball card in a bicycle wheel. The screen flashed a 4WD alert, and then shut off / went completely black. I could not accelerate, I could not turn the wheel at all as it locked up, and once the car finally stopped, I had to keep the break pressed because it would not shift into park. it wouldn't move forward but i was afraid if i let my foot off, it would randomly start again. A truck behind me nearly crashed into the back of my car which would have killed me. I quickly had to pull off to the right in the shoulder as my car came to a dead stop. My car was towed by AAA and brought to the nearest mechanic, as that is the only way they will tow a car. I was told the engine is shot. I have 40,000 miles on my 2019 car. this is completely unacceptable. I know there is a recall for EXACTLY what happened to my car on THE SAME YEAR AND MODEL CAR, but apparently my VIN is not included in the recall. I'm out $13,000 that I owe on this car now and have no options at all financially.

Filed Feb 27, 2025 · Transmission · NY

My car has less than forty five thousand miles on it. The rear diferential cracked. I have seen a lot of the same problem with other Jeep Cherokees and the differential cracks in the same spot each time, leading many of us to believe this was caused by a manufacturing defect. My car is recently out of power train warranty and the repair is over four thousand dollars. While I don't know if this is related, in the car wash, my vehicle will flash a warning that I need to put the car in park and press the brake or it won't go into drive. This is very distressing because in the car wash. There is usually a car moving a couple of feet behind me can I can't press on the brake and put the vehicle in park.

Filed Aug 26, 2024 · Engine · LA · crash

I have complained about my 2019 jeep latitude + from the first oil change I have to add 2-3 quarts of oil between oil changes. Jeep dies out in the middle of the road. And will not shift our start had to call dealership while almost being hit by several vehicles to find out I had to put the key fob by the start button and had the battery changed. Already complained customer service. I cant get nothing done with this jeep. It is a death.hazard please do something about this before someone is killed or injured. I have owned 3 jeeps and loved them all. But this one is a Lemon. Please help

Filed Mar 19, 2024 · Electrical, Seats · CA

Currently the seats sound like they arnt bolted down correctly. Also recently the key fob is failing to unlock the vehicle and its taking multiple trys of pulling the fob out of the ignition and putting it back into the ignition trying it on different sides buying multiple batteries. Also the the vehicle has always gotten stuck in gear, hard shifting.

Filed Jan 18, 2024 · Transmission · CO

While driving the vehicle, the rpm’s suddenly shot up and the vehicle lost power, I was able to safely pull over to the side of road where I tried to place the vehicle in park. There was a lot of revving and grinding and the vehicle would not go into park and was going to roll away if I had not placed the parking brake. The car had to be towed to a dealer where they discovered the Power Transfer Unit had failed and the loss of motive power I was experiencing was the PTU failing.

Filed Feb 10, 2023 · Engine, Lights · OR

The vehicle would overcharge in which made the vehicle loss all power,lighting, and steering control. U had to come to a complete stop and restart the vehicle which would put it into limp mode and not handle properly