Jeep Cherokee knocking problems

Filed Jan 28, 2026 · Transmission · IL

The vehicle experienced a powertrain failure involving the Power Transfer Unit (PTU). On June 19, 2025, the vehicle was inspected at Dobbs Tire & Auto at approximately 154,548 miles after a grinding noise and drivetrain noise were observed. The shop found metal shavings in the rear differential fluid and advised the vehicle be taken to a Jeep dealership. Because the vehicle was originally purchased from Cassens Jeep, it was taken there for further diagnosis. On August 28, 2025, the vehicle was inspected at Cassens Jeep at approximately 158,011 miles. The dealership confirmed internal drivetrain noise, metal contamination, and a PTU-related fault code. The vehicle experiences knocking noises at low speeds, lurching while driving, and intermittent drivetrain and 4WD warning indicators. The dealer advised replacement of the PTU and rear drivetrain components. This condition is associated with the active PTU powertrain recall originally issued on January 23, 2025. On January 22, 2026, a representative from Cassens Jeep confirmed that there is currently no available repair remedy, no estimated timeline for completion, and that required parts remain on backorder. This creates an ongoing safety risk due to potential loss of drive power and possible unintended vehicle movement related to park function failure. Service work orders and inspection reports from both repair facilities have been attached to support this complaint.

Filed Dec 26, 2025 · Transmission · NE

My PTU failed while driving 70mph on a 4 lane interstate during a heavy rush hour, I'm 7 months pregnant and this was mortifying for me. I lost all power moving forward and could not accelerate. My RPMS would near red-line. When I pulled on to the shoulder, while trying to not get hit or cause an accident from 3 lanes over, I put my car in park and shut it off, it sounded like a dying weedwhacker. It started rolling backwards without me noticing and I almost rolled back into the outside lane. I put on the e-brake, had it towed to Firestone where they said it was likely the PTU that failed as I have every gear, except moving forward. When they had my vehicle on the lift they moved the tires in reverse motion and there was no noise, when they moved the tires in forward motion there was a loud knocking coming out of the PTU and the tires wouldn't budge. If in park on a decline, park works. If in park on an incline or flat, it rolls backwards. It can drive in reverse, but no forward movement at all. I got it towed to another shop where they took out&opened the PTU and checked the gears on the shaft inside, one of the gears was COMPLETELY MISSING. Just completely disintegrated. There was NO warning that anything was failing on my car. No check engine lights, no noises. Just loss of acceleration. PTUs are on back order 3-5 months right now because they're a known issue on the 2017-2019 models of Jeeps. My Jeep is a 2020 Trailhawk with the v6 3.2l.

Filed Dec 3, 2025 · Transmission · 80,000 miles · WA

The contact owns a 2014 Jeep Cherokee. The vehicle was serviced under Manufacturer Recall Number: U90 (Catalyst Efficiency Recall). However, recently, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the rear of the vehicle while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with transmission valve failure. The dealer refused to repair the vehicle and referred the contact to the manufacturer for assistance with the software update. The vehicle remained at the dealer unrepaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

Filed Oct 29, 2025 · Transmission · 100,000 miles · TN

The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while attempting to shift the gear shifter, there was a loud knocking sound coming from the vehicle. The steering and transmission were slipping intermittently. The Service 4WD warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that the battery cable was faulty and needed to be replaced. The battery cables were replaced. The failure persisted, and the vehicle was returned to the dealer, who diagnosed that the Power Transfer Unit (PTU) had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer stated that the repair was not covered under a recall or under warranty, despite having unlimited coverage. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened a case. The manufacturer confirmed that the repair was not covered under recall or warranty. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

Filed Oct 28, 2025 · Transmission · 103,000 miles · MN

The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the accelerator pedal was depressed, and there was an abnormal ticking sound coming from the vehicle. The contact stated that while turning the steering wheel to the left or right, there was an abnormal grinding sound coming from under the floorboards. The contact stated that the message "4WD Unserviceable" was displayed. Additionally, the contact noticed that the vehicle intermittently lost motive power. While depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to respond as needed. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the power transfer unit (PTU) had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact researched online and related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 25V011000 (Power Train); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 103,000.

Filed Jul 30, 2025 · Transmission · 105,511 miles · VA

The contact owns a 2019 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 not yet available. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at 45 MPH, the vehicle started to vibrate and made an abnormal ticking sound. The contact's wife pulled over and informed the contact about the failure. The contact arrived at the scene and was able to drive the vehicle to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with power transfer unit failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 105,511. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Filed Jun 2, 2025 · Transmission · 87,000 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2019 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The contact stated that there was a grinding and knocking sound coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with a failed PTU. The contact was informed that the PTU needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure had started one week after the vehicle was purchased. The contact stated the Serviced 4WD warning light was illuminated but independently turned off. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where the vehicle was purchased, and the contact was informed that the Service 4WD warning light was normal. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle had been at the dealer for more than thirty days awaiting the repair. The contact was informed that the parts were not available. 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 manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was 87,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Filed Apr 16, 2025 · Driver assistance, Transmission · MA

The Power Transfer Unit (PTU) suddenly became disconnected while we were in the passing lane on a highway. We lost power temporarily and dashboard lights came on saying service was needed. Moved slowly into a safe location and called for tow truck. There was some “knocking” as we moved. While diagnosing the vehicle, the dealer experienced the same indications and stated that it sounds like a separation in the PTU. There were no prior indications that something was wrong until it happened. I researched on line and found recalls for this issue in prior years (2017-2019) on the same vehicle as mine (Jeep Cherokee 2020).

Filed Mar 24, 2025 · Transmission · ID

We have been hearing a clicking or knocking sound in the front end of our 2104 Jeep Cherokee for a long time now. We had it into the local shop (we are relatively remote from the closest dealer) and they we're not able to find the source of the sound. Forward a bit and now that the sound has gotten louder and the 4x Service warning light has come on it has been identified and confirmed by the nearest dealer that the Power Transfer Unit (PTU) is bad. This is a part that has been covered under many other Jeep Cherokee recalls but our VIN had not shown up on any of those recalls. We believe our PTU is faulty like the rest of them. I don't have an good estimate of when we started to hear the noise but I know we now have ~189k miles on the vehicle. I know it's higher milage but this has been a slow developing issue for a long time now. It's been off the road for a year now as parts were not originally available to fix this issue with the diagnosis was first made.

Filed Mar 17, 2025 · KY

I started noticing a knocking, vibrating sound as I accelerated. I took it to several places, and they couldn’t figure it out. Then, last Saturday, I was driving on the interstate, and completely lost power. I was stranded with no shoulder to go to. I tried to put it in park, and it almost rolled away. I took it to a Jeep dealer, and they told me it was the ptu, which they can’t do anything with because there is no fix. I am stranded with no vehicle. I offered to pay out of pocket for the repair, but there is no repair.