Jeep Cherokee shudder problems

Filed Oct 30, 2026 · Engine, Fuel system · MO

My jeep stalled while attempting to accelerate from a stopped position at a stop light at a busy intersection on or around June/July 2026. The car remained on, the gear shifts were moveable, but the vehicle would not move despite pressing on the gas. I scheduled a tow. After ten minutes, it randomly accelerated about a block before stalling again. This continued about two more times as I tried to get the vehicle out of the middle of the road. The car then overheated and I was able to park it a few blocks away at my mom's house. In August/September 2026, I had the car towed to Complete Automotive, and Corwin Jeep for inspections. Progressive Insurance also inspected the issue and ruled out any residual effects from a 1.25.25 parked car front end hit and run collision. Complete Auto found an empty coolant reservoir, oil and coolant leaks, drive belt issues, PTU code, and warning light indicators; Corwin found PTU code and recommended a transfer case. The exact cause remains unknown. The vehicle has had ongoing hose and overheating issues since the day of purchase in 2018; and has underwent hose and radiator replacements that have not seemed to properly fix the issues surrounding sloshing noises, shuddering, shaking, grinding, intermittent lightening, brake fluid, oil, and coolant leaks, and overheating and engine light. Immediately before the vehicle stalled, there were no warning lamps; those messages indicating overheating lit up while attempting to move myself and the car to safety. The unexpected loss of propulsion presents a serious collision risk, especially in traffic, in rush hour at a busy intersection. The recurring overheating and coolant loss also create risk of sudden failure while driving, which has happened on a busy highway requiring repairs. These problems and safety risks have continued despite substantial repairs and repeated dealership inspections. The vehicle remains inoperable awaiting repairs at the Corwin Jeep Dealership.

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 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.

Filed Dec 10, 2025 · Acceleration, Engine · LA

My vehicle is under an open safety recall 01C involving the PTU system, and there has been no remedy available for nearly a year. This defect caused a dangerous and sudden loss of acceleration while I was driving, and the manufacturer has still provided no fix, and no support through the dealership. The incident occurred when I was stopped at a red light. When the light turned green,I pressed the gas and the vehicle immediately made a loud grinding/shaking noise, shuddered violently, and lost all propulsion. The car would barely move. I was extremely lucky that there was a parking lot directly next to the intersection, and with the tiny amount of movement left,I was able to coast into it. If this failure had happened anywhere else—on a highway, in the middle of an intersection, or without a place to pull off—I could have been rear-ended or caused a collision. My safety was put at immediate risk due to this recall defect. I contacted the dealership, but they stated they could not repair the vehicle because Jeep/Stellantis had not released a remedy, parts, or service procedure for the recall. I was told multiple times that there was nothing they could do until Jeep provided a fix. After the breakdown, an independent shop confirmed the PTU failure, since the dealer still had no ability to repair it. All failed components and documentation are available for inspection. I lost use of my vehicle and was forced to take safety into my own hands. When I submitted reimbursement documentation to Jeep Customer Care, they denied it because the repair was not done at a certified dealer and did not use MOPAR parts—even though no certified repair or MOPAR parts exist for this recall. This leaves me without a safe vehicle, without a remedy, and without support. I am requesting the federal safety agency intervention due to the ongoing safety risk and the manufacturer’s failure to provide a timely fix and proper reimbursement for their admitted issue with the vehicle.

Filed Nov 10, 2025 · Engine, Transmission · 137,000 miles · NY

The contact owns a 2019 Jeep Cherokee. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 25V011000 (Power Train). While driving at 55 MPH, the vehicle began shuddering and stalled. The 4X4 warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to remain in 4WD. The local dealer was contacted and confirmed that the part was not yet available for the recall repair. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 137,000.

Filed Nov 6, 2025 · Transmission · 120,000 miles · KY

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 driving approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle made abnormal grinding and popping sounds, and the vehicle shuddered. The contact was able to pull into a parking lot, and the contact then drove to the residence. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where an axle repair was performed, and the contact was advised that the vehicle could not be completely repaired because the recall part was not yet available. Additionally, the contact stated that the parking brake, the check engine, the 4WD, and the engine Auto START/STOP warning lights illuminated. 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 contacted several times and advised the contact to either repair the vehicle or obtain a loaner vehicle out-of-pocket until the part became available. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

Filed Sep 18, 2025 · Transmission · 91,000 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2017 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while his son was reversing out of a driveway, the vehicle shuddered and lost power with the check engine warning light illuminated, and the "Service 4WD" message was displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle entered LIMP Mode and failed to accelerate above 20 MPH. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic, who showed a defect with the PTU. The contact was notified of the failure, and upon investigation, it was discovered that the vehicle was included in the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 25V011000(Power Train). The vehicle was then taken to a dealer, where the contact was informed that parts for the recall repair were not yet available. The contact was then informed by the dealer that the vehicle could be repaired out of pocket; however, the contact denied the offer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 91,000.

Filed May 19, 2025 · Transmission · 100,000 miles · VA

The contact owns a 2015 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that the 4-Wheel Drive mode had become inoperable. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the PTU had failed. The dealer advised the contact to continue driving the vehicle until the PTU failed completely because the vehicle could only be repaired under warranty after a complete failure of the PTU. The contact stated that the vehicle had failed to shift into gears as needed and had rolled away while parked. The contact stated that the vehicle required the parking brake to be engaged while parked. The contact stated while driving from a complete stop, the vehicle suddenly stalled and revved temporarily in the middle of an intersection. The contact was able to resume driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the failure could not be duplicated. The contact stated that while driving to the dealer the following day, the failure recurred, and the vehicle made abnormal sounds. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the PTU had failed and needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under warranty; however, the failure persisted. The contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing hard and erratic transmission shifts, was shuddering, and was making abnormal grinding sounds. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where the PTU was replaced a second time under warranty. The contact stated that while driving from the dealer, the 4-Wheel Drive Mode engaged unintendedly. The contact stated that the vehicle remained stuck in 4-Wheel Drive mode and was undrivable. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was determined that the PTU, the transmission, and the drivetrain control module had failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

Filed Apr 8, 2025 · Engine · UT

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? PTU How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Engine shudders & when trying to slowly move the vehicle it jolts quickly. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes, replicated by both an independent service center & a dealer. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? No. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? Yes, the error message stated that the four wheel drive is unavailable. First date of notice was 2/26/2025.

Filed Mar 28, 2025 · Transmission · 90,000 miles · KY

The contact owns a 2017 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while attempting to drive from a complete stop and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to respond immediately, but responded after several attempts. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving at various speeds and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle jerked and shuddered, and there was an abnormal grinding sound coming from underneath the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to JMB Automotive, where the diagnostic trouble code C14A7-97 was retrieved. The mechanic informed the contact that the VIN was included in the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 25V011000 (Power Train) and determined that the failure was related to the recall. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the same assessment was made; however, the dealer informed the contact that the part to repair the vehicle was not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was referred to the manufacturer. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was contacted and informed the contact that the dealer would be contacted and would be advised to add the vehicle to the recall waiting list. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.