Jeep Cherokee harsh shifting problems

Filed Nov 5, 2026 · Transmission · 82,000 miles · MI

The contact owns a 2019 Jeep Cherokee. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number 26V290000 (Power Train). The 4WD service light was illuminated while driving 45 MPH. There was a dinging sound coming from the vehicle. There was a clunking and grinding sound while driving during the failure. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and the failure was confirmed, but the part to repair the vehicle was on back order. The manufacturer was contacted and declined to provide a loaner vehicle. The contact continued driving the vehicle. The failure mileage was approximately 82,000.

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 25, 2026 · Transmission · NJ · fire

Whilst driving on the highway at approx 65mph there was a clunk from under the car, followed by lack of acceleration, smoke was coming out from under the hood. We were unable to pull onto the shoulder immediately due to highway construction. We eventually pulled over and stopped the vehicle. We immediately popped the hood to check the source of the smoke and there was a fire coming from behind the engine with visible flames. The flames were burning and we could smell a strong chemical / oil burning smell. Fortunately we had a fire extinguisher and extinguished the flames quite quickly. We were towed off the highway and our insurance then towed us home. On inspection it was determined that the transfer case (PTU) had failed causing a catastrophic failure and a fluid thermal event caused by pressurized, superheated oil directly spraying onto the scorching exhaust pipe sitting right behind the engine block, triggering the immediate underhood fire. There were no warning lights on the dashboard and the car had been meticulously maintained. As serious PTU failures are common in 2015 Jeep Cherokees, I reported this immediately to Jeep, they sent a technician to inspect and he confirmed that the transfer case had failed, causing a fluid leak ignited by the hot exhaust. There are no recalls attached to my VIN and I am fighting with Jeep/Stellantis for a repair since this is a known and acknowledged issue across this model. I had the vehicle towed to the Jeep dealership on instruction of the Jeep call center and am waiting for Jeep to inform the dealer what to do. The dealer is angry to receive my damaged car and hold it. I am extremely angry with the lack of clarity from Jeep on next steps. We could have been seriously injured / died in this incident, if there was a car behind us when this failure occurred it would have hit us.

Filed Sep 28, 2026 · Transmission · 105,000 miles · MI

The contact owns a 2019 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that the VIN was included in a recall associated with the power transfer unit and the recall repair was performed. The vehicle was retrieved and the contact became aware that the drive train was making a clunking noise and that carbon monoxide was coming from a fractured exhaust pipe due to rust. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the contact was informed that when the PTU was replaced the slip note was not fully advanced. The dealer reinstalled the drive shaft, however the vehicle had not been driven for 2 days. The contact stated that the sound was due to a detached part while completing the recall repair. The manufacturer was informed of the failure but provided no assistance for the repair. The failure mileage was approximately 105,000.

Filed Sep 2, 2026 · Transmission · MT

On [XXX], our 2020 Jeep Cherokee with approximately 62,562 miles experienced a sudden loss of motive power while traveling at highway speed on [XXX] out of Dayton, Wyoming. There was a clunk, the engine RPM increased, and the vehicle would no longer engage drive or park. The vehicle became inoperable and had to be towed to Sheridan Motors in Sheridan, Wyoming, where it remains. Sheridan Motors diagnosed an internal power transfer unit (PTU) failure and recommended replacement of the PTU followed by additional testing. The vehicle’s VIN is included in FCA Recall 40D / the federal safety agency Recall 26V‑290, which identifies internal PTU failure as a condition that may cause an unexpected and unrecoverable loss of motive power. We live in Bozeman, Montana, and had to obtain a rental vehicle to return home. On September 2, 2026, FCA Recall Assistance advised us that no approved repair or interim remedy is currently available. FCA would not authorize a repair or alternate transportation and stated that we must pay for a PTU replacement ourselves and later submit a reimbursement request, with no assurance that reimbursement will be approved. The vehicle has experienced the exact safety failure identified by the recall but cannot presently receive the recall remedy. Please record this as an actual field failure of the recalled PTU and review the absence of an available remedy for an inoperable vehicle. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Jun 14, 2026 · Transmission · FL

1.First PTU Recall Repair (February 27 – March 3, 2026) Jeep to dealership for Recall 01C PTU replacement. I reported no drivability concerns, brake noises, vibrations, or drivetrain issues. The repair order contains no documentation of any problems with the driveshaft, CV axle, brakes, or related drivetrain components. 2.PTU Failure and Second PTU Replacement (May 1 – May 25, 2026) After recall repair, PTU failed, multiple warning lights appeared. Returned vehicle to dealership. I again did not report any squeaking brakes, vibrations, clunking noises, or drivetrain symptoms. Second PTU replacement done. The technician documented on the repair order: “Vehicle is now working as design.” 3.New Symptoms Immediately Following Second PTU Replacement (June 4 – June 13, 2026). Immediately after picking up the vehicle on May 25, 2026, I noticed several new symptoms that had not existed before the PTU replacement: • Clicking noises • Clunking noises when applying the brakes • Vibrations throughout the vehicle while in reverse with the brake pedal applied • Abnormal driveline behavior. Returned vehicle to the dealership on June 4, 2026 for evaluation. I was informed that the vehicle required: • Front brake replacement • Rear driveshaft replacement. Repair order : “Upon inspection, the technician found excessive play in the drive shaft. Also noticed front brakes squeaking.” No explanation was provided as to how these conditions developed immediately after the PTU replacement or why no such conditions had been documented during either prior repair. 4. Immediately took car to independent mechanic for evaluation. Report: "Right front axle inner joint not completely installed into the transmission/PTU assembly • Hanger cut and missing • Rear driveshaft not fully seated, with splines visibly exposed • PTU replacement unit marked “LKG” • All brake components inspected and found to be operating normally". 5. The vehicle is now mechanically compromised and unsafe to drive

Filed Jun 10, 2026 · Transmission · 99,800 miles · CO

The contact owns a 2019 Jeep Cherokee. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 26V290000 (Power Train). The contact stated that during routine maintenance, information pertaining to a "Do Not Drive" recall, and diagnostic trouble codes: C1417-97 and C1494-07 were retrieved. The contact stated that while taking the vehicle to a dealer, the contact noticed clunking sounds coming from the infotainment system surrounding area. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the PTU had failed and needed to be replaced, but the parts were not available. The vehicle was then taken to the residence of the contact's sister and was parked. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 99,800.

Filed Jun 4, 2026 · Transmission · TX

Delayed response to gas pedal, stalling, delayed shifting. Stalling when suppose to accelerate. No response from transmission for a few seconds when accelerating.

Filed May 27, 2026 · Transmission · 42,000 miles · OR

The contact owns a 2020 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at 75 MPH, the vehicle began to lose propulsion upon depression of the accelerator pedal. The contact also stated that an abnormal, clunking sound began to emti from the without warning. The contact pulled the vehicle over and attempted to restart the vehicle; however, the vehicle lost all forward propulsion. Due to the failure, the vehicle was towed to the dealer where they also experienced the same failure. The dealer managed to get the vehicle to move while in reverse(R); however, the vehicle failed to accelerate forward. The dealer had diagnosed the vehicle with a defective PTU(Power Transfer Unit) and it was later discovered that a recall had been placed on the vehicle for the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 26V290000(Power Train). Although a recall was placed on the vehicle; the part for the 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 issue and the contact was informed that the repair would not be covered under warranty. The contact was given an estimate to have a new PTU placed inside the vehicle; however, that would only be a temporary fix. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 42,000.

Filed May 23, 2026 · Transmission · NY

Car loses power and made a loud clunk noise. Warning light said service 4wd. Problem Transfer case needs to be replaced. Happened at 62,000 miles. 2019 Jeep Cherokee ltd with 4x4 and 6 cyl.