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Jeep Cherokee loss of power problems

625 of the 14,523 owner complaints about the Jeep Cherokee describe sudden loss of power, most of them for the 2014 model year.

owner complaints
625
worst model year
2014
typical repair cost reported
$4,000
typical mileage
35,000
Is there a fix? There are 3 recalls for this area of the car. See below

By model year

Often reported together

Stalling 90Check engine light 82Power steering loss 58Jerking 55Grinding brakes 39Harsh shifting 35Transmission failure 32Hesitation 22

Trouble codes mentioned

C14A7 22P215C 3P1720 3P0302 2U1428 1U1120 1U1110 1U0420 1U0403 1U0140 1

What owners say

Filed Nov 9, 2026 · Transmission · VA

Car threw a service 4 wheel drive light. Certain vehicles have been issued an extended warranty for the same problem. We took it to a local mechanic and it threw 3 codes. Replace transfer case. Replace PTU and replace the module. All 3 stated there was a bulletin issued in April 2026 for the extended warranty on certain vehicles. This can cause a sudden loss of power. My vehicle does not come up when you search the vin. I am wondering if this is an issue why it is not covering mine

Filed Nov 8, 2026 · Brakes · NC

The power brake booster malfunctioned, losing power brakes, greatly increasing stopping distance. Vehicle has 92000 miles on it.

Filed Nov 3, 2026 · Transmission · ME

Service 4 wheel drive light came on vehicle loss of power unsafe to drive. Vehicle is currently at Westbrook Jeep dealership i. WESTBROOK MAINE waiting on new PTU part on backorder

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 15, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · MA

Hello, I am writing to follow up on an issue I reported a month ago regarding an unaddressed recall on my 2017 Jeep Cherokee. The vehicle is currently not drivable due to significant consequential damage to the transmission caused by a failed Power Transfer Unit (PTU). I purchased this vehicle nine months ago at 51,000 miles and have driven it fewer than 5,000 miles since. The PTU failure has led to the following severe mechanical issues: - Stripped Transmission Output Shaft: Due to wear on the differential input splines (associated with the federal safety agency Recall 20V343 / Manufacturer Recall W47), the transmission's output shaft has been stripped. Consequently, replacing the PTU alone will not resolve the issue, and the transmission requires repair or replacement. - Debris Contamination: Metallic shavings from the damaged PTU gears have entered the interconnected mechanical linkages of the gearbox. - Loss of Power and Park Function: The internal break caused the transmission to disengage from the differential, resulting in a loss of motive power and a complete failure of the PARK function, creating a roll-away hazard. Given that this critical recall was never performed prior to these failures, I request that this matter be escalated and addressed immediately. Please let me know the next steps for resolving this issue and covering the required repairs.

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 8, 2026 · Transmission · KY

Active Drive 2 PTU failure caused Jeep to lose power on roadway forcing me to try to get to shoulder quickly to avoid blocking traffic or being rear ended. The part is available. I haven’t sent to dealership due to financial constraints. There are numerous incidents and even a recall for similar 2 speed PTUs sold on 2014+ Jeep cherokees. Recall only covered certain VINs and not all vehicles with this same PTU. But there have been many more instances of failure from the PTUs not included in the recall or warranty extension. The svc 4wd light came on when the issue occurred. Had to have vehicle towed as it would not move under own power safely.

Filed Oct 7, 2026 · Transmission · CA

On October 1, 2026, at approximately 1,968 miles, my 2026 Jeep Cherokee experienced a serious powertrain failure. I began driving home from work and the vehicle initially moved without severe shaking. While traveling on the highway at approximately 70 mph and then accelerating uphill, the vehicle progressively lost power and began shuddering violently. The check-engine light began flashing while the red Electronic Throttle Control warning remained on screen. The vehicle appeared to enter a limp mode and I had significant difficulty maintaining speed and climbing the hill. A highway patrol officer followed me with his lights and siren and with his escort I was able to safely reach the next highway exit, but I was concerned that the sudden loss of acceleration could have resulted in a crash, particularly in highway traffic. The dealership performed a diagnostic scan after arrival and the service advisor told me the vehicle had multiple pending faults involving the electronic throttle body, engine misfires, fuel mixture, and other engine-management systems. The dealership has continued testing the vehicle and I was subsequently advised that testing showed severe internal engine damage affecting three of the four cylinders, described to me as three cylinders having “a hole,” and that a replacement engine may be required. The technician is consulting Jeep/Stellantis regarding additional testing, possible teardown, and repair authorization. The exact internal component that failed and the root cause are still being determined. My concern is the sudden loss of power at highway speeds, violent engine shuddering, and malfunction errors on a new vehicle under 2000 miles.

Related recalls

Engine and engine cooling: engineReported May 25, 2018 · 14 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019 Jeep Cherokee vehicles equipped with 2.0L engines. The engines in these vehicles may be missing valve stem keepers, which can allow the valve to drop into the engine cylinder causing engine damage. These engines may also have a reversed camshaft cap that can damage the camshaft bearing causing camshaft failure.
Risk
Cylinder damage or camshaft failure can cause the engine to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and repair or replace the affected engine components, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began August 9, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1‑800‑853‑1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U52.

Recall number 18V344000 · Recall details

Engine and engine cooling: engineReported October 24, 2017 · 357 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Jeep Cherokee and Compass vehicles equipped with 2.4L engines. The engines may have a cracked oil pump housing that can result in oil pump failure.
Risk
If the oil pump fails, the engine will stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the oil pump, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began December 5, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1‑800‑853‑1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T65.

Recall number 17V670000 · Recall details

Engine and engine cooling: exhaust systemReported October 19, 2015 · 75,592 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2015 Jeep Cherokee vehicles manufactured October 1, 2014, to June 18, 2015. The affected vehicles may have a misrouted air conditioning suction/discharge hose.
Risk
If the line is misrouted, it may contact the exhaust manifold, increasing the risk of a vehicle fire.
Remedy
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the routing of the air conditioning hose. Any hose that is misrouted will be replaced and installed correctly. This work will be performed free of charge. The recall began on November 23, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1‑800‑853‑1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R57.

Recall number 15V676000 · Recall details

Questions about the Jeep Cherokee loss of power

Which Jeep Cherokee years have sudden loss of power problems?

The model years with the most reports are 2014 (162 complaints), 2019 (126 complaints) and 2016 (90 complaints).

How much does it cost to fix sudden loss of power on the Jeep Cherokee?

Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $4,000 (median of 37 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.

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