1,169 of the 2,798 complaints about the Jeep Cherokee (41.8%) concern Transmission / powertrain, making it the model's largest problem area. That share is 3.6× the Transmission / powertrain share across all tracked vehicles.
1,169Complaints · Transmission / powertrain
41.8%Share of complaints
3.59×vs. all vehicles
455Last 12 months
0.9%Share involving a crash or fire
6Related recalls
Analysis
By model year, Transmission / powertrain complaints peak with the 2019 model (664, 41% of that year's complaints) and are lowest for the 2023 model (2). 455 Transmission / powertrain complaints were filed in the last 12 months versus 326 in the 12 months before — the pace is rising.
Owners most often describe: “ptu”, “transfer”, “power train”, “unit” and “recall”. 10 of these reports (0.9%) describe a crash or fire, with 5 injuries and 0 deaths mentioned.
6 recall campaigns relate to this area, most recently campaign 26V290000 (2026-05-07, model years 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023).
The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle's wheels locked up. The contact sustained injuries to the neck and whiplash and pain. The service 4WD warning light was illuminated after the failure.
Transmission / powertrain · 2026-07-27 · ODI 11753043
Tuesday 11/11 my 2019 Jeep Cherokee was involved in an accident due to the PTU not working properly. In PA we had very poor road conditions due to snow throughout the night into the morning.
Transmission / powertrain · 2025-11-14 · ODI 11699335 · Crash
Service 4w drive light came on vehicle stores going up in Kleins as well as it shut off on me on an interstate thank goodness there was no vehicles I was able to get it started and get to safety on side of the road.
Transmission / powertrain · 2026-09-02 · ODI 11761757
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.
Transmission / powertrain · 2026-09-02 · ODI 11761622
The rear differential is cracked and has seperated causing breakage at the snap ring due to faulty manufacturing. If the rear differential should fail while driving, the safety of myself, family and others on the road could be at extreme risk of injury or…
Transmission / powertrain · 2026-09-01 · ODI 11761223
The contact owns a 2019 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the 4WD warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with PTU or actuator failure.
Transmission / powertrain · 2026-09-01 · ODI 11761367
Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, trimmed for length. The ODI number is NHTSA's record identifier.
Related recalls
POWER TRAIN Campaign 26V290000 · 2026-05-07 · Model years: 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023
Summary: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2023 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. The power transfer unit (PTU) may fail.
Remedy: The remedy is currently under development. Interim owner notification letters explaining the safety risk are expected to be mailed June 25, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy becomes available. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recall is 40D. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning May 14, 2026.
POWER TRAIN Campaign 25V011000 · 2025-04-29 · Model years: 2018, 2019
Summary: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. The power transfer unit (PTU) may become damaged and disengage the transmission and differential, resulting in a loss of drive power and/or loss of park function.
Remedy: Dealers will update the drivetrain control module and PTU software and replace the PTU, as necessary free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning February 19, 2026. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recall is 01C.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLER/RADIATOR:HOSES AND FITTINGS Campaign 21V310000 · 2021-05-04 · Model years: 2021
Summary: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2021 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. The transmission oil cooler hose may have been incorrectly cured, allowing transmission fluid to leak.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the hose, free of charge. Owners notification letters were mailed May 18, 2021. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is Y18.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION Campaign 18V739000 · 2018-10-19 · Model years: 2019
Summary: Chrysler(FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019 Jeep Cherokee vehicles equipped with 2.4L engines. Improper transmission calibration may result in a stall.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will re-flash the transmission controller with a new calibration, free of charge. The recall began November 2, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is UA9.
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT Campaign 18V494000 · 2018-07-26 · Model years: 2018
Summary: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Jeep Cherokee all-wheel-drive vehicles. The bearing cage for the right front halfshaft assembly may not have been properly heat treated, possibly resulting in the bearing cage breaking and a potential halfshaft assembly failure.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front right halfshaft assemblies, free of charge. The recall began September 20, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U78.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION Campaign 18V492000 · 2018-07-26 · Model years: 2019
Summary: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019 Jeep Cherokee vehicles and 2018 Chrysler Pacifica non-hybrid vehicles. A component in the transmission may not have been welded properly, possibly causing the transmission to not transmit engine power to the wheels.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the transmission, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin September 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U85.
How common are Transmission / powertrain problems on the Jeep Cherokee?
1,169 of the 2,798 complaints about the Jeep Cherokee (41.8%) concern Transmission / powertrain, making it the model's largest problem area. That share is 3.6× the Transmission / powertrain share across all tracked vehicles.
Which Jeep Cherokee model years have the most Transmission / powertrain complaints?
By model year, Transmission / powertrain complaints peak with the 2019 model (664, 41% of that year's complaints) and are lowest for the 2023 model (2).
Is there a recall for Jeep Cherokee Transmission / powertrain problems?
6 recall campaigns relate to this area, most recently campaign 26V290000 (2026-05-07, model years 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023).