Jeep Cherokee won't shift problems

Filed Oct 16, 2026 · Transmission · 175,000 miles · IL

The contact owns a 2015 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed on multiple occasions, the vehicle suddenly decelerated and entered Limp mode. Concurrently, a warning light illuminated with a message reading "Service Transmission." The contact stated that turning off and restarting the vehicle temporarily reset the system to normal operation; however, the failure recurred approximately 10 minutes later. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who performed a preliminary diagnosis and identified an internal transmission sensor failure. The independent mechanic indicated that a definitive diagnosis required extensively dismantling the transmission assembly. The failure mileage was 175,000.

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 Oct 1, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · MA

I was stopped at a red light. When the light turned green, I took my foot off the brake and pressed the accelerator. bI heard a loud cracking/crushing noise coming from underneath the vehicle. When I tried to accelerate, the Jeep would not shift properly into gear. The engine revved, but the vehicle did not accelerate normally / did not move as it should. The Jeep was essentially no longer able to transmit power normally, so I stopped driving it. The important sequence is: red light-green light-released brake-pressed accelerator-loud cracking/crushing noise underneath-Jeep wouldn't properly engage/shift- engine revved- vehicle accelerated normally.

Filed Sep 28, 2026 · Transmission · NY

We experienced Jeep Recall 40D. the federal safety agency 26V‑290. We were 60 miles from [XXX] when this occurred. We were traveling West on [XXX] about 60 miles from Rapid City. We were 1500 miles from our home in [XXX]. The speed limit is 80 mph on this part of the interstate. With no warning the vehicle quit on us. With some grinding noises and no power we drifted to the side of the highway. We received 4WD service messages. I was able to pull the PTU 20amp fuse, which put the car into limp mode(50 mph max). We got off [XXX], a few miles down the road. We entered the [XXX] and got on [XXX] into [XXX] about 70 miles away. We took the Jeep Cherokee to Liberty Jeep and they verified we did indeed encounter recall 40D. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

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 Aug 3, 2026 · Transmission · 135,000 miles · MI

The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while merging onto a two-lane highway, there was an abnormal banging sound coming from the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle lost motive power but was driven in LIMP Mode to the nearest dealer. Prior to the failure, the contact was notified of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 26V290000 (Power Train); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The dealer confirmed that the failure was associated with the recall; however, the dealer failed to provide the contact with any assistance. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle remained with the dealer unrepaired. The failure mileage was approximately 135,000.

Filed Jul 30, 2026 · Transmission · 160,000 miles · MI

The contact owns a 2014 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the gear shifter became stuck in neutral. The failure was a recurring failure. The contact associated the failure with the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 19V447000 (Power Train); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.

Filed Jun 16, 2026 · Transmission · 69,177 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving 25 MPH, the vehicle went into LIMP Mode. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. A dealer was contacted. The contact pulled over into a parking lot, turned off and restarted the vehicle, and the vehicle operated as intended. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the power transfer unit needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact associated the failure with the federal safety agency Campaign Numbers: 23V302000 (POWER TRAIN) and 20V343000 (POWER TRAIN); however, the VIN was not included in the recalls. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 69,177.

Filed May 8, 2026 · Transmission · 139,000 miles · OH

The contact owns a 2015 Jeep Cherokee. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 25E003000 (POWERTRAIN). The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal and went into limp mode. Multiple warning lights were illuminated. In addition, the power steering seized. The contact's wife was able to cruise into a dealer. The vehicle was inspected and diagnosed that the power transfer unit (PTU) had failed. The contact was informed that the part was on a national backorder. The vehicle remained at the dealer unrepaired. The contact stated that the failure had occurred in the past and was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that a request to expedite the part was submitted. The failure mileage was approximately 139,000.

Filed Apr 17, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · ID

PER DIAGNOSTICS, PTU HAS BEEN COMPROMISED. I was driving on the highway and the car started to shake and make a loud, grinding noise and seemed to be stuck in gear. When I stopped it wouldn't go into park or go into drive.