pulling out of a gas station the engine revved and accelerated without me pressing on the pedal harder. i tried pressing the brakes and they would not respond. It caused my vehicle to crash into a pole where it continued to rev until the vehicle was turned off.
Jeep Cherokee sudden acceleration problems
208 of the 14,523 owner complaints about the Jeep Cherokee describe sudden unintended acceleration, most of them for the 2015 model year.
- owner complaints
- 208
- worst model year
- 2015
- typical mileage
- 11,000
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall for this area of the car. See below
By model year
Often reported together
Jerking 26Check engine light 22Transmission failure 16Adaptive cruise 14Stalling 11Hesitation 11Won't shift 8Harsh shifting 6
What owners say
The contact owns a 2018 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 unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The “Check 4WD” warning light was illuminated, and the Auto START/STOP system failed to restart the vehicle. The contact would disengage the parking brake, place the vehicle in park, and restart the vehicle to continue driving. The failure was intermittent. The contact stated that water was leaking into the cabin from the sunroof, causing a shortage in the electrical system. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who had repaired the electrical system, including systems with the starter. The dealer confirmed that parts for the repair of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 25V011000 (Power Train) were unavailable. The contact was able to start the vehicle; however, the Auto START/STOP system needed to be disengaged to drive the vehicle. Additional repairs were made; however, the contact was unable to confirm what the additional repairs were. Some repairs were performed by another dealer, Jacksonville Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Arlington (9600 Atlantic Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32225). The contact stated that there was a rattling noise coming from the front end, and the vehicle would surge forward and take an extensive amount of time to come to a complete stop. The failures were intermittent. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic who repaired the front suspension, ball joints, and steering knuckle on both sides of the vehicle. The mechanic advised the contact to return the vehicle if an oil leak occurred. The contact stated that approximately a month after the repairs were performed, there was liquid on the ground underneath where the engine compartment and the vehicle were taken to a certified mechanic, who had diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the engine filter housing and filter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The man
The contact owns a 2020 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle unexpectedly jerked, and the message “4X4 System Service Required” was displayed. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the vehicle unexpectedly lunged forward. The contact engaged the parking brake to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the power transfer unit (PTU) had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired, and the contact was referred to the dealer for further assistance. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 89,301.
The contact owns a 2019 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that the "Service 4WD" message was displayed. While attempting to accelerate after idling, the vehicle hesitated and then surged forward before accelerating. The failure was intermittent. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed that the Power Transfer Unit (PTU) had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired because parts were on back order for approximately 2-3 months. The contact found information on the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 25V011000 (Power Train); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 72,000.
The contact owns a 2014 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle failed to shift into gear properly with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact also stated that the vehicle jerked while the accelerator was depressed, and the vehicle lunged forward while depressing the brake pedal. The contact also stated that the windshield wipers were inoperable and failed to function while activating the windshield wipers. The contact also stated that the rearview camera inadvertently activated while driving at undisclosed speeds, and the instrument panel failed to function properly. The vehicle was taken to the dealer was where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission control module and windshield wiper motor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 46,000.
A few times when I have used cruise control my car suddenly accelerates and takes me slamming on my break for a few seconds to disengage to slow down, almost causing me to crash into someone. I have not taken my car to a shop to have it looked at. There were no warning lights or messages when it happened
The contact owns a 2014 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated while driving from a complete stop uphill, the accelerator pedal was depressed, but the vehicle hesitated to respond and lunged forward while responding. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring while driving from a complete stop uphill. Additionally, the contact stated while driving and coming to a complete stop, the vehicle made an abnormal clunking sound while the transmission shifted to the intended gear. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the PTU had failed and needed to be replaced. The dealer informed the contact that the vehicle was previously repaired under the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 20V343000 (Power Train) in 2023. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 115,000.
Transmission intermittently does not engage immediately into 1st gear causing engine to rev up and unintended acceleration to occur. Vehicle has been taken to dealer for service on this issue several times but problem still remains. This is a safety issue as several near accidents have been experienced. Issue seems to occur in tight spaces such as parking areas or when going from reverse to forward. Issue does not generate a fault code and dealer will not take action unless a code is present. Issue happens frequently and is known to happen with this vehicle model.
The contact owns a 2017 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH and releasing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle made abnormal banging sounds and lunged forward. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to continue driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the TCM software update was completed under a recall; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to a second dealer, Huntington - RAM (5080 E Jericho Turnpike, Commack, NY 11725), where the TCM software update was completed; however, the failure persisted. Additionally, the contact stated that the RPMs revved up to 5,000 while in Adaptive Cruise Control mode. The contact shifted into gear, and the vehicle responded as needed. The dealer was contacted and informed the contact that he would need to leave the vehicle for additional diagnostic tests. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the TCM software update was the adequate fix. The failure mileage was approximately 88,000.
Upon trying to enter a slightly inclined parking space in a parking garage, as I was lightly pressing on the accelerator, the car suddenly accelerated (tires screeching) and hit the concrete half wall. No time to even brake properly as it happened so fast. I had noticed a lack in acceleration that morning driving to my destination. Thankfully no injuries.
Related recalls
Vehicle speed control: cruise control
- What is wrong
- Malfunction of fuel injection system throttle postition sensor could cause intermittent high engine idle speed immediately after starting engine.
- Risk
- High engine idle when car is first placed in gear couldresult in unexpected acceleration.
- Remedy
- Replace throttle position sensors with sensors that would send correct signals to the fuel injection system.
Recall number 90V177000 · Recall details
Questions about the Jeep Cherokee sudden acceleration
Which Jeep Cherokee years have sudden unintended acceleration problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2015 (49 complaints), 2014 (47 complaints) and 1995 (21 complaints).
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