2017 Jeep Cherokee transmission and drivetrain problems
650 of the 1,334 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the 2017 Jeep Cherokee name the transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA’s “Power Train” heading — the transmission, transfer case, driveshafts, axles and differentials — NHTSA files them under one heading). Filed under the same heading: 68 manufacturer bulletins, 3 recalls. Every figure below is a document in a federal file, linked; none is a failure rate, and none is a verdict on any one car.
What owners filed about the transmission and drivetrain
Source: NHTSA complaint database5 of the 650 reports a crash · 0 a fire · 3 injuries. Self-reported, unverified.
Filed per year: 2016: 1 · 2017: 11 · 2018: 42 · 2019: 116 · 2020: 127 · 2021: 59 · 2022: 26 · 2023: 52 · 2024: 40 · 2025: 124 · 2026: 52
Half of the 407 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the transmission and drivetrain problem between 26,000 and 74,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
1,334 complaints in all about the 2017 Jeep Cherokee, 52 filed in 2026. The whole picture, every system →
Counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many of these were sold; nothing here is a rate. NHTSA groups complaints coarsely, so “Power Train” means the same area of the vehicle, not one fault.
Across model years: Jeep Cherokee transmission and drivetrain problems, every year on file →
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the transmission and drivetrain. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
Car has a delay when shifting form park to drive and reverse to drive. Also when stop and accelerate just a little the car jumps and jerks when stopping. The other day I was driving on the freeway and the car stop responding from the accelerator. Already took the car three times to the dealer and they said they cant find any issue
The contact owns a 2017 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that the temperature gauge that controlled the automatic four wheel drive system failed. The contact stated that it took seven minutes for the temperature gauge to read correctly to activate the four wheel drive system. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure.
I have purchased the Jeep Cherokee sport 2017 about 2 and half months ago in early august 2017. As of today I have only driven 1986 miles. Within these miles I have experienced a serious problem three times which were life threatening while being on the road.
Driving about 25 MPH and the vehicle shut off. No noises, no warnings just shut off. My dash stated to "shift to park or neutral, press brake + select gear" also my drive light was flashing red by the shifter. I was lucky there was no traffic and I was able to safely pull to the side of the road.
5 times since the vehicle was purchased on 8-9-17 the vehicle has come to a stop following a stop at a stop sign or light. It jerks, stops and pressing the accelerator does nothing. I have to shift into n, reeve up the engine, shift back into d, back into n, and return to d before I can move ahead.
What is on file about the transmission and drivetrain
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecalls filed under this heading
- 25V011000 HighApr 29, 2025 · 63,130 vehicles
- 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.
- 23V302000 HighApr 27, 2023 · 25,980 vehicles
- Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. The power transfer unit (PTU) may become damaged and disengage the transmission and differential, resulting in a loss of drive power or loss of park function.
- 20V343000 CriticalJun 11, 2020 · 67,248 vehicles
- Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2017 Jeep Cherokee vehicles equipped with a two-speed Power Transfer Unit (PTU). Relative movement in the Power Transfer Unit (PTU) between the differential input splines and the transmission output shaft may cause some input spline teeth to wear off, which may eventually cause a loss of engagement between the transmission and the differential inside the PTU. If this occurs, power cannot be transferred between the front wheels and the transmission which results in a loss of drive while the vehicle is in motion and a loss of the Park function while stationary.
68 manufacturer bulletins filed under this heading
- 08-292-26 Service bulletinJul 23, 2026
- Unable To Clear C1494-07 And C14A9-00 After 45A Recall Technicians may experience the following: SYMPTOM: ● wiTECH displays a mismatch error after performing recall 45A.
- 03-001-26 Service bulletinJul 9, 2026
- Unable to Complete 01C Recall Drive Cycle C14A7-97 Active Technicians may experience the following: SYMPTOM: ● After performing Recall 01C, the vehicle may get a 'Service AWD' message on the EVIC.
- 21-027-26 REV. A Service bulletinApr 11, 2026
- Two Speed Power Transfer Unit Customers must experience a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illumination and the vehicle must SYMPTOM: exhibit/set the following Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC): ? C1494-07 - PTU Fork Position-Mechanincal Failures. Customers m
- 111447 Warranty extensionApr 8, 2026
- ID-26-19 (XX1) Two Speed Power Transfer Unit (PTU) - Select 2017 - 2019 Jeep Cherokee (KL)
- 111432 Warranty extensionApr 8, 2026
- D-26-10 (XX1) Two Speed Power Transfer Unit (PTU) - Select 2017 - 2019 Jeep Cherokee (KL)
- 21-027-26 Service bulletinApr 8, 2026
- Two Speed Power Transfer Unit Customers must experience a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illumination and the vehicle must SYMPTOM: exhibit/set the following Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC): ? C1494-07 - PTU Fork Position-Mechanincal Failures. Customers m
The 6 newest are listed; every one is on the model year’s page. Quote the document number at a service desk — it is a diagnosis the maker has already written down.
Trouble codes named on this system
P0303 C0513 P0556 P0810 P1D83 U0103 U0402 P0740
Codes a bulletin or an owner’s complaint about the 2017 Jeep Cherokee names on this model year; a code with a record of its own links it.
Other systems with a record on the 2017 Jeep Cherokee
Source: the same files- electrical problems 342 complaints
- engine problems 264 complaints
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsAre transmission and drivetrain problems common on the 2017 Jeep Cherokee?
They are documented: NHTSA holds 650 owner complaints naming the transmission and drivetrain on this model year (49% of everything owners filed about it), and 68 manufacturer bulletins, 3 recalls are filed under the same heading. Whether it is a problem on one particular car is a diagnosis, not a count, and a count says nothing about how many were sold.
Is there a recall for the transmission and drivetrain on the 2017 Jeep Cherokee?
Yes — 3 campaigns are filed under this heading: 25V011000, 23V302000, 20V343000. A recall is matched by VIN; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do transmission and drivetrain problems show up on the 2017 Jeep Cherokee?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 46,728 miles; half of them between 26,000 and 74,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Power Train" heading cover?
The transmission, transfer case, driveshafts, axles and differentials — NHTSA files them under one heading. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.