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Owner complaints · Power Train · every model year

Jeep Cherokee transmission and drivetrain problems, 2016–2026

2,693 of the 5,606 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Jeep Cherokee 2016–2026 name the transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA’s “Power Train” heading — the transmission, transfer case, driveshafts, axles and differentials — NHTSA files them under one heading). The loudest years: 2019 (811), 2017 (650), 2016 (631). Filed under the same heading across these years: 6 manufacturer bulletins, 10 recall campaigns. Every figure is a linked federal record; none is a failure rate, none a repair cost, and none a verdict on one car.

2,693 complaints, 9 model years 48% of everything filed about the Cherokee typically at 49k miles

Jeep Cherokee transmission and drivetrain problems by model year

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications

One row per model year on file, newest first. A year marked in depth has its own page: the complaints, the owners’ words and every document under this heading for that year.

Model year	Complaints naming the transmission and drivetrain	Share of the year’s	Typically at	On file under the heading
2026	1	20%	—	8 TSBs	the year →
2023	2	67%	—	7 TSBs · 1 recall	the year →
2022	28	55%	—	16 TSBs · 1 recall	the year →
2021 in depth	97	58%	62k	28 TSBs · 2 recalls	the record →
2020 in depth	178	58%	65k	58 TSBs · 1 recall	the record →
2019 in depth	811	49%	52k	66 TSBs · 4 recalls	the record →
2018 in depth	295	43%	41k	33 TSBs · 2 recalls	the record →
2017 in depth	650	49%	47k	68 TSBs · 3 recalls	the record →
2016 in depth	631	45%	49k	118 TSBs · 4 recalls	the record →

Two things the counts carry that are not the car: how many of each year were sold, and how long each has been on the road — an older year out-counts a newer one before anything is wrong with it. The share column is the honest comparison across years: what part of that year’s complaints named the transmission and drivetrain. Nothing here is a rate.

When the transmission and drivetrain complaints were filed, and at what mileage

Source: NHTSA complaint database

2,693complaints name the transmission and drivetrain, all years

Filed per calendar year, every model year together: 2015: 2 · 2016: 23 · 2017: 53 · 2018: 118 · 2019: 312 · 2020: 300 · 2021: 175 · 2022: 134 · 2023: 214 · 2024: 219 · 2025: 686 · 2026: 457

49kmiles, typically

Across the model years, half of the 1,290 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the transmission and drivetrain problem between 24,000 and 78,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.

In owners’ own words

Source: NHTSA complaint database

Filed with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the transmission and drivetrain, from the model years with the most to say. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.

When coming to a stop or already stopped (like at a traffic light) while in drive, when vehicle will randomly "lurch". The engine will very quickly rev and attempt to overpower the brakes. This appears to happen more often if auto start/stop is disabled.

Power Train at 1,052 miles Dec 11, 2018 NHTSA owner report

Check engine light came on. Car started stalling after shifting gears, as if it was in neutral instead of drive and/or reverse. Wasn't reaching speeds easily. Rpms at 60 MPH was 3.5 an I couldn't get over 62

Power Train Nov 30, 2018 NHTSA owner report

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

Power Train at 7,000 miles Apr 5, 2018 NHTSA owner report

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.

Power Train at 1,500 miles Dec 7, 2017 NHTSA owner report

It appears based on research, the listed vehicles is having the same transmission issues as the 2014-2015 models. Which within several publications Jeep indicated they had resolved the transmission issue in the 2016 model, that had plagued Jeep in the previous two years. Which appears to be an incorrect statement

Power Train at 16,500 miles Jul 26, 2016 NHTSA owner report

What is on file about the transmission and drivetrain, across the years

Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications

Recall campaigns filed under this heading, any model year

26V290000 High
May 7, 2026 · 61,711 vehicles
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2023 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. The power transfer unit (PTU) may fail.
25V011000 High
Apr 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 High
Apr 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.
21V310000 High
May 4, 2021 · 18,800 vehicles
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.
20V343000 Critical
Jun 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.
18V739000 Moderate
Oct 19, 2018 · 86,053 vehicles
Chrysler(FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019 Jeep Cherokee vehicles equipped with 2.4L engines. Improper transmission calibration may result in a stall.
18V492000 High
Jul 26, 2018 · 5 vehicles
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.
18V494000 High
Jul 26, 2018 · 702 vehicles
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.

The 8 newest of 10; each model year’s page lists its own.

6 manufacturer bulletins filed under this heading, any model year

08-292-26 Service bulletin 2017
Jul 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 bulletin 2019
Jul 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 bulletin 2019
Apr 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 extension 2019
Apr 8, 2026
ID-26-19 (XX1) Two Speed Power Transfer Unit (PTU) - Select 2017 - 2019 Jeep Cherokee (KL)
111432 Warranty extension 2018
Apr 8, 2026
D-26-10 (XX1) Two Speed Power Transfer Unit (PTU) - Select 2017 - 2019 Jeep Cherokee (KL)
S1721000016 REV. B Service bulletin 2016
Dec 19, 2025
Service 4wd Light On, AWD System Service Required Message Illuminated. Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) C14A7-97 PTU Motor Component Or System Operation Obstructed Or Blocked.

Every one filed under the heading is listed. Quote the document number at a service desk — it is a diagnosis the maker has already written down.

Other systems with a record on the Jeep Cherokee

Source: the same files

Every system, every model year: Jeep Cherokee problems by year →

From here

Every 2027 model on file, by price Compare two vehicles, trim vs trim See what a VIN was priced at See what owners reported

Common questions

Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communications

Which Jeep Cherokee years have the most transmission and drivetrain complaints?

2019, 811; 2017, 650; 2016, 631. Raw counts, and an older year has had longer to collect them; by share of each year's own complaints the loudest is the 2023 (67%).

Is there a recall for the transmission and drivetrain on the Jeep Cherokee?

Yes — 10 campaigns are filed under this heading across these model years: 26V290000 (2023), 25V011000 (2019), 23V302000 (2017), 21V310000 (2021). A recall is matched by VIN, and applies to specific years; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

When do transmission and drivetrain problems show up on the Jeep Cherokee?

Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 49,000 miles across the model years; half of them between 24,000 and 78,000. 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.