FaultScore

2019 Jeep Cherokee transmission problems

783 of the 2,418 complaints about the 2019 Jeep Cherokee are about the transmission — 32% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 49,050 miles.

D

783

Complaints

8

Crashes

1

Fires

2

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Power Train 771 98.5%
Transfer Case (4-WHEEL Drive) 4 0.5%
Automatic Transmission 3 0.4%
Differential Unit 3 0.4%
Control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm) 1 0.1%
Output 1 0.1%

Transmission & Drivetrain across every Jeep Cherokee year

1990 17 0.3%
1991 14 0.3%
1992 16 0.3%
1993 50 0.9%
1994 40 0.7%
1995 48 0.9%
1996 66 1.2%
1997 51 0.9%
1998 74 1.3%
1999 58 1.0%
2000 32 0.6%
2001 24 0.4%
2014 1,465 26.3%
2015 1,001 18.0%
2016 630 11.3%
2017 647 11.6%
2018 290 5.2%
2019 783 14.0%
2020 159 2.9%
2021 86 1.5%
2022 25 0.4%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

Powell, TN

POWER TRAIN

I am submitting this complaint regarding my 2019 Jeep Cherokee Limited with approximately 89,000 miles. On two separate occasions, while driving at approximately 20 miles per hour and before I had applied the brakes, the vehicle unexpectedly stalled without warning. These incidents both occurred during the second or third week after I purchased the vehicle in February. A dashboard message instructed me to put the vehicle in park and restart it. The sudden loss of power while the vehicle was in motion created a serious safety hazard. Both a Jeep dealership and an independent mechanic diagnosed a failed power transfer unit requiring replacement. Although my VIN is not currently covered by a recall, I am concerned this may represent a safety-related defect. I respectfully request that NHTSA review this complaint, investigate whether similar incidents are occurring, and determine whether further action is warranted.

NHTSA complaint #11758901 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Colfax, IA

POWER TRAIN

Service 4WD warning light came on in May and comes on every time the vehicle is driven, almost immediately. My vehicle's VIN is not included in the current recall campaign for the Jeep PTU even though the exact same issue is occurring and has been diagnoses by the dealership as the same issue for the Jeep recall that is affecting 2019-2023 Jeeps Cherokees. This is a safety issue which could cause sudden loss of power or allow the Jeep to roll away in park. I contacted Jeep who provided a case number (97672488) and referred us to the dealership to be diagnosed. The dealership has diagnosed the issue to be the same as the recall; however, when submitted to Jeep for a Goodwill repair (06943), Jeep will only cover 30% of the cost to repair. I disagree with the response from Jeep and feel this safety issue recall should include my VIN and be repaired properly at no cost to myself.

NHTSA complaint #11758566 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 95,000 miles Hampton, VA

POWER TRAIN

The contact owns a 2019 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, there was an abnormal grinding sound coming from the rear passenger’s side of the vehicle, with the check engine warning light illuminated. Additionally, the message that the “4WD Disabled” was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the power transfer unit and rear differential had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 95,000.

NHTSA complaint #11757904 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 165,000 miles Lexington, MA

POWER TRAIN

The contact owns a 2019 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the check engine warning light remained illuminated, with a loud screeching sound coming from underneath the vehicle. The vehicle was driven to the local mechanic, who diagnosed that the power transfer unit was inoperable and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V290000 (POWER TRAIN). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 165,000.

NHTSA complaint #11756404 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Glenview, IL

POWER TRAIN

Out of the blue my service 4 wheel drive indicator came up and I have been having power issues ever since. Everything points to my car should be u see this recall but it is not. This was a non collision related issue with my car. With the price of PTU replacements, I would like to have my vehicle included in the recall due to it checking all of the boxes.

NHTSA complaint #11756487 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Powell, TN

POWER TRAIN

While driving my car stalled at 2 different times only weeks after purchasing this used car. I took it back only for them to replace the battery with an aftermarket battery then having to get it replaced again at another location; following a parasitic draw, the PTU was noted as requiring replacement. Looking back at the recalls I’m not sure why my car isn’t included in this recall.

NHTSA complaint #11756114 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 95,000 miles East Islip, NY

POWER TRAIN

The contact owns a 2019 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving 57 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, there was an abnormal grinding sound coming from the vehicle. There was an abnormal burning odor inside the vehicle. No warning light was illuminated. An independent mechanic or dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not taken a dealer or an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V290000 (POWER TRAIN); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 95,000.

NHTSA complaint #11756157 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 80,182 miles Southfield, MI

POWER TRAIN

The contact owns a 2019 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled unexpectedly. No warning lights were illuminated. The failure was a recurring failure. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V290000 (Power Train). The vehicle was towed to a certified mechanic and was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer stated that the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,182.

NHTSA complaint #11756161 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 82,000 miles Houston, TX

POWER TRAIN

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.

NHTSA complaint #11756217 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Phoenixville, PA

POWER TRAIN

The vehicle just shut off. There are 23 alerts codes.

NHTSA complaint #11756093 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 62,000 miles Pell City, AL

POWER TRAIN

The contact owns a 2019 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V011000 (Power Train); and the contact was provided an unlimited warranty on PTU. The dealer was contacted and diagnosed the vehicle with a damaged PTU pending the repair. The contact stated that the dealer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the repair that was to be covered under the recall warranty. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 62,000.

NHTSA complaint #11755003 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

North Bend, OR

POWER TRAIN

Power tranfer unit failed and needs to be replaced. Dealer confirmed. Service 4wd light came on prior to taking it in for service. PTU failures can cause sudden loss of propulsion, drivetrain binding, hesitation, or rollaway while parked, all of which can lead to accidents and damage. This is a known and common occurrence in 2017-2023 Jeep vehicles and somehow it still takes forever for them to get replacement parts. I have not had access to my vehicle for 2 months, causing emotional and financial strain.

NHTSA complaint #11754767 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 131,000 miles Freeburg, MO

POWER TRAIN

The contact owns a 2019 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that the message “Service 4-Wheel Drive” was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who confirmed that the Power Transfer Unit had failed. The failure was associated with NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V290000 (Power Train); however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer opened a case for the failure. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 131,000.

NHTSA complaint #11754466 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Chandler, AZ

POWER TRAIN

Power Transfer Unit failure failed. Warning light of "4WD SERVICE" came up. Part is not available anywhere, and is on backorder until at least September.

NHTSA complaint #11753853 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Yonkers, NY

POWER TRAIN

On May 10, 2026, my SVC 4WD light came on, then went away after a few minutes. A few weeks later, my vehicle started making a loud roaring, growling, and humming noise, then it went away followed by the SVC 4WD light came back on. While driving around 50–60 MPH, the vehicle became very unstable. It suddenly pulled from left to right before I was able to regain control. Thankfully, traffic was light and the weather was clear, or it could have been much worse. A couple repair shops scanned the vehicle and found this trouble code: DTC C14A7-97 – PTU motor: component/system operation obstructed or blocked. Although my vehicle is equipped with the single-speed PTU and is not included in recalls 25V-011 and 26V-290, it experienced similar warning signs and loss of vehicle control associated with the PTU. I believe this failure should be investigated because it presents a comparable safety risk.

NHTSA complaint #11753321 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Boston, MA

POWER TRAIN

unable to go into 4wd, loss of park function

NHTSA complaint #11753020 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Provo, UT

POWER TRAIN

This specific jeep should have been recalled with all the other 2019 jeep cherokees, my transfer case failed as well causing the differential to fail, there's so many people trying to get those 2 parts it was 1 year before I got my jeep back, my jeep is a 2019 jeep cherokee latitude plus, barley made 96k miles before failure, exact same issue as all recalled jeeps, spent 8k for repairs just for it to happen again in 96k miles, because there's no recalls no change to the part and how its built , that is case in its self for a recall

NHTSA complaint #11752855 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Ramsey, NJ

POWER TRAIN

Subject: Safety Complaint – Jeep Cherokee PTU Failure Not Included in Recall 40D (NHTSA 26V-290) I am submitting this complaint regarding a safety issue with my 2019 Jeep Cherokee (3.2L V6, ~86,000 miles). My vehicle is experiencing symptoms that closely match those described in Recall 40D (NHTSA 26V-290) and 01c (NHTSA 25V-011), however my VIN is not included in the recall. During low-speed turns, the vehicle behaves as if the four-wheel-drive system is locked. The drivetrain binds and the vehicle jerks, hops, or “skips” through turns. This affects control and creates safety concerns, especially in traffic and parking situations. An independent third-party mechanic has inspected the vehicle and diagnosed a failure of the Power Transfer Unit (PTU). This aligns directly with the defect described in Recall 40D. Symptoms include: Drivetrain binding during turns Jerking/hopping when cornering Sensation of locked differential or 4WD system Abnormal driveline behavior consistent with PTU failure These conditions indicate a drivetrain malfunction that could worsen and potentially lead to loss of motive power or unintended vehicle movement, both identified risks in the recall. Given the clear similarity to Recall 40D, I am concerned that additional vehicles outside the current VIN range are affected. I respectfully request that NHTSA: Investigate expanding the recall population Determine whether the PTU defect is more widespread Require remedies for affected vehicles not currently included Vehicle Information: 2019 Jeep Cherokee, 3.2L V6, ~86,000 miles

NHTSA complaint #11752153 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 59,000 miles East Northport, NY

POWER TRAIN

The contact owns a 2019 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving on several occasions at various speeds, the message "Service 4WD" was displayed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and was diagnosed with PTU failure and the transfer case needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V290000 (Power Train). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 59,000.

NHTSA complaint #11751735 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Berrien Springs, MI

POWER TRAIN

Hi, I own a 2019 Jeep Cherokee. Requesting that my vehicle VIN number be included in the active recalls associated with the 2019 Jeep Cherokee, specifically related to the Power Transfer Unit failure. The two active recalls that apply to my vehicle are: 40D and 01C. Recently, my vehicle displayed a "SVC 4WD" warning message. I took the vehicle to an authorized Jeep dealership for diagnosis and paid a diagnostic fee of approximately $200. The dealership determined that the Power Transfer Unit (PTU) needs to be replaced and provided a repair estimate of approximately $3,200. After receiving the vehicle diagnosis from the dealership and reading the possible life-threatening ramifications listed in the active recalls, which are very similar, if not the same as what the dealer diagnosed in my vehicle, I decided not to drive it. That has been very distressing for me because I don't have another vehicle, I don't have the money to repair the vehicle, and the dealer refused to repair it under the recall because my VIN is not listed on the ordered recall. My understanding is that your office has the authority to issue recalls for vehicle with defects that threaten public safety, and my situation described above is certainly dangerous to myself and others. At the time the warning message was displayed on the dashboard, (early June), my vehicle odometer displayed 71,876 miles. Based on publicly available information, PTU-related failures and others have been identified in Jeep Cherokee vehicles, and the symptoms affecting my vehicle are similar to those associated with known PTU issues. The vehicle has been consistently maintained through the Jeep dealership service department at 120 W McKinley Ave, Mishawaka, Indiana, 46545, United States. Please add my VIN number to the Jeep Cherokee PTU-related active recall so that the dealer can repair my vehicle under the recall and I can drive my car again. Sincerely, A very concerned and affected Jeep Cherokee driver.

NHTSA complaint #11751637 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Parma, OH

POWER TRAIN:TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE)

The service 4 wheel drive warning light came on when backing into a parking space. The light came and went intermittently throughout the following day. I called for a service appointment for my vehicle where it was determined via electrical diagnostics that the PTU actuator had failed, rendering the car undrivable without repair.

NHTSA complaint #11751673 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Boyd, TX

POWER TRAIN

My 2019 jeep Cherokee limited suffered a complete loss of power while driving down the highway and now has a service 4wd light on as well.

NHTSA complaint #11751006 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Nixa, MO

POWER TRAIN

Has been in shop since I have owed it replaced axles (rear) rear differential(1 time), and transfer case(3 times) still slipping and dragging at take off and speed over 55 grinding and bumping sounds , mechanics can’t figure it out no lights on dash and diagonist still shows rear differential and transfer case

NHTSA complaint #11750784 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 130,000 miles Jacksonville, MO

POWER TRAIN

The contact owns a 2019 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the message "Service 4WD" was displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined that the power take-off unit(PTU) had experienced internal damage and the PTU needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V290000 (Power Train); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer and the dealer were made aware of the failure and stated that the vehicle was not included in the recall. The manufacturer advised the contact to report the failure to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

NHTSA complaint #11750913 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Simpsonville, SC

POWER TRAIN

We noticed a recall will be issued for certain Jeep Cherokee regarding the failed PTU system. Our vehicle is not showing it will be included however we are having the identical issue. The 4WD service light comes on and when you excellerate, the vehicle chokes down and hesitates acting as if it will turn off. The vehicle has 73,000 miles and has never been driven in 4WD or off road.

NHTSA complaint #11750630 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Newark, OH

POWER TRAIN

I took my vehicle to a jeep dealership and they inspected my car. They said the PTU is failing and had to get a new part. They said my car was unsafe to drive due to causing further issues with the transmission. There is a recall for this in other years of the jeep Cherokee but not for mine. This has cost me $2,500. I first noticed the issue when my 4 wheel drive light came on. Then it was making a grinding noise.

NHTSA complaint #11750261 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Frankfort, OH

POWER TRAIN

Ptu going out. Service 4 wheel drive light on. Car wasn’t in an accident. Four-wheel-drive will not activate any longer. Very costly Repair for a part that just went out with not even being used.

NHTSA complaint #11749859 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 130,000 miles Egg Harbor Township, NJ

POWER TRAIN

The contact owns a 2019 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the message "Service 4WD" displayed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that the power take-off unit experienced internal damage and the PTU needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V290000 (Power Train); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

NHTSA complaint #11749523 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Tecumseh, OK

POWER TRAIN

Had cruise control on set on 64 up and down hills and around curves it just started going faster & faster I had to stomp the brakes 3 times to get it to quit afterwards the power train is now not shifting right it still was at times going to shop staying at 27 to 35 rpm’s, made it to shop

NHTSA complaint #11749671 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Becker, MN

POWER TRAIN:TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE)

Took to dealer they informed us the put motor needs to be replaced. There have been recalls for this however ours has not been recalled.

NHTSA complaint #11748499 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 2019 Jeep Cherokee problems

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