CarComplaints.com Notes: There's no way around it, the Cherokee's transmission is junk. There's no other explanation for why a vehicle, usually with under 40,000 miles, would have so many complaints

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
15 / 6
Injuries / Deaths:
7 / 0
Average Mileage:
34,382 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2014 Jeep Cherokee drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2014 Jeep Cherokee Owner Comments (Page 32 of 68)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #736

Dec 222017

Cherokee

  • 47,812 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I had just left the gas station where I filled up. When in gear from a stop there was a lengthy delay as the engine RPM's rise and vehicle barely moved. After 10 to 20 seconds another gear will engage and the vehicle will pick up speed at which point another gear will violently slam into operation. The vehicle will seem to function normally at that point until slowing down when the vehicle shifts violently and erratically, shifts into neutral without warning. By now all warning lights have lit up. Check engine light, parking brake light, "service transmission" appear on display and that alternates with "shift to park and then to desired gear". shutting the vehicle off and restarting after 24 hours revealed that only the "check engine" light was on and when vehicle is put in "drive", there was no violent gear engagement, but vehicle barely moved. I put the vehicle back in park and shut it off.

- Brick, NJ, USA

problem #735

Dec 202017

Cherokee

  • 55,000 miles
Traveling at 60 mph on highway, vehicle put itself in neutral and flashed the service transmission light. I pulled over put the vehicle in park. Shut the engine off. Started it back up, the transmission light remained on and the vehicle shifted into gear and drove normally. I believe this is the result of the transmission recall ##16V529000. After this happened the first time, I took it to the dealer who did not advise of any recall, but updated the software, charged me for it and said it was fixed. Now the same thing has happened again, on the same highway at the same speed.

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

problem #734

Dec 132017

Cherokee

  • 65,000 miles
Since I purchased my used vehicle I have had a reoccurring issue where the vehicle hesitates to accelerate in the first gear. Recently it has gotten so severe that the vehicle completely shuts off. I've noticed that it occurs most frequently after I fill my tank and after prolonged periods of being stopped. It has occurred four times on the highway while sitting in traffic and most recently while waiting at a red light. When it occurs the vehicle still has power running through and a notices always pops up saying "car must be in park in order to shift." In all cases I have had to turn the vehicle off and wait several minutes before the car was able to turn back on. In all cases no indicator light appeared as to what the problem could be. After taking the vehicle to get serviced thew first time I was told it was the battery. The second time I took it to get serviced I was told the evaporated canister and purge solenoid had to replaced. The issue still exists and the dealership has asked me to continue driving the vehicle as is until a service light appears because they do not know what the problem can be. This vehicle is not safe to drive as is.

- Miami, FL, USA

problem #733

Sep 072017

Cherokee

  • 39,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Car stalls and completely shuts off. Told its gas and not to fill up gas tank. Not sure how this effects the transmission. Car jerks into gear or right before shutting off. Shakes, is loud. Does this with or without filling up the tank. Car had barely half a tank when I purchased it and it did it then. The very next day. I have an extended warranty. And I believe the power train warranty still applies but they won't fix the problem. Keeps saying its not pulling or storing codes. Engine light and service transmission light comes on and stays on. Not on the next next. Hard starts. Trans is slipping. It does this while I'm driving. Either at take off or while I'm slowing down to stop is when it shuts off. You can feel the trans slipping while driving. Car is noisy sometimes and slow to accelerate. Car acts like it going to stall while driving on city street or highway. Has shut off on both. I do mostly freeway driving. Was told there was a case involving make year and model of my car. I looked it up and there appears to be a class action lawsuit in regards to faulty transmission and Chrysler knew of this. I was not told about this when I purchased the vehicle and the vehicle has been doing this since I purchased it in September of this year. I have taken it in and called several times for the same thing. They updated the computer and replaced a part and now they are basically telling me they don't know what the problem is except that it may be from filling up my gas tank and it making the engine stall but no solution to fix the problem besides not filling my tank I am guessing. But no explanation on the trans. Just keeps saying its not storing or pulling codes. This is dangerous to be driving a car that can shut off at will with my kids in the car.

- Westland, MI, USA

problem #732

Nov 272017

Cherokee

  • 90,000 miles
Problem started while at a stop light transmission started to malfunction. Wouldn't shift properly then engine died. Took to dealership. Supossedly they repaired but month later same problem. Took back and returned as if problem was fixed. 3rd time same but this time my car was shifting very hard and just locked up. Back to dealership which they claimed was sensor replaced and retuned to me. 4th time took back which they claimed it was gas tank. Replaced gas tank. 5th time driving on freeway when transmission locked up and was stranded again only this time it completely locked down. Managed to coast car to shoulder on freeway and police showed up to stay behind me to keep from getting hit by oncoming freeway traffic. Now service center claims it is the vapor canister. This vehicle is not safe to drive.

- Springtown, TX, USA

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problem #731

Dec 062017

Cherokee

  • 38,585 miles
I was driving and the speed was declining until it completed stopped and would not allow me to accelerate anymore. I was stranded on the side of the road, I tried to put it back in drive but it would only roll backwards even though I was not in reverse gear. Then it started smoking and leaking coolant.

- Galesburg, MI, USA

problem #730

Dec 022017

Cherokee

  • 80,300 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Despite a number of updates made to the transmission in the Jeep Cherokee (kl) series, the transmission continues to give me safety concern. Amongst the issues experienced a significant pause or "hang time" when attempting to accelerate for a turn. This occurs both during time of deceleration into a turn lane followed by a quick turn (I.e. when there is an opening in traffic) or when stopped (I.e. stopping at a stop sign and then accelerating for a turn the car begin to roll at a few miles per hour by the transmission just feels like it won't connect, when it does the vehicle lurches and often breaks tire tread contact, even on dry pavement). Another issue involving the transmission is while parking, approximately one week ago I was turning into a tight parking space and I suppose the transmission must have been in 2nd gear and not 1st as it decided to downshift, lurching the vehicle forward. Fortunately, since I was turning into a parking space, I had the brakes nearly fully engaged, which kept me from striking the next car over, but it was close as the lurch was significant enough to throw the cars weight forward. Jeep has made an effort to address some of these issues via software updates, but I am concerned that nearly 4 years into ownership of this vehicle that the transmission cannot actually be "fixed." I am concerned that the transmission will continue to cause and or allow for safety situations that are going to lead to traffic crashes and possible injuries. I feel as though a deeper look at the issues revolving around the zf 9 speed transmission are warranted, to include a significant testing phase or investigation to determine why these issues are still present and what, if anything, can be done to address them.

- Sterling, VA, USA

problem #729

Dec 042017

Cherokee

  • 40,641 miles
My 2014 Jeep has been in for repairs on the transmission a total of four times. The last time on 11/18/17. The Dodge dealership in Tacoma wa. Replaced the transmission all under the service powertrain warranty. They had the Jeep for 14 days. Picked up Jeep on 12/02/2017 drove home about 9 miles got in the car the next day drove to the freeway on ramp that is less than a mile fro my home has I was trying to get on the freeway the check engine light came on and the service transmission light come on drove to the next exit about one half a mile parked the Jeep called the service department and was told to bring it back in the next morning. Drove the car back to my house after about four hours when io started the car back up the engine light was still on but no service transmission has I drove on to the freeway once again the service transmission came on.this Jeep is a lemon they have replaced the transmission I am not sure what else they can do for a poor make 9 gear transmission. I am at my witts end with this Jeep and would like to be compensated for the Jeep. This thing is a death trap please help the consumers out that have paid alot of money for these Jeep and have them total recalled.

- Lakewood, WA, USA

problem #728

Dec 012017

Cherokee

  • 44,895 miles
When I turned the key to start the car on the morning of 12/1/17, nothing happened. After three attempts the car finally responded and started. After driving about 10 minutes, while in the middle of route 191 and traveling about 45 mph, the power train simply disengaged. Stepping on the accelerator did nothing. Luckily I was able to coast to the side of the road. Had I been in an intersection I could have easily been wiped out. I put the vehicle in park and noticed 2 warning messages. The first read: 'service transmission restart in park with vehicle at zero speed.' The second message said: 'service park brake.' A host of service lights lit across the dashboard as well. I turned the car off and restarted it. When I shifted into reverse, it made a very loud clank sound. I could not shift any further to neutral or drive. The same thing occurred a second time. On my third attempt, I was able to shift into drive. I immediately drove to the closest Jeep dealership. They hooked it up to the diagnostic machine and found no active or stored messages. They scheduled me to come back to update the car's software.

- Pen Argyl, PA, USA

problem #727

Dec 032017

Cherokee

  • 57,000 miles
Transmission failed, car stopped while driving.on highway. Restarted and had hard shifting and stalling problems.this is second transmission in this car, first was replaced after one year driving.

- Pocono Pines, PA, USA

problem #726

Nov 272017

Cherokee

  • 51,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2014 Jeep Cherokee. While driving at unknown speeds, the vehicle was getting stuck in gear. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer (bob poynter Chrysler, 3020 B national rd, columbus, in) where it was diagnosed that the system needed to be updated. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. On July 1, 2017, while driving at unknown speeds, the vehicle would not shift into gear and the "error car must be in park before shifting gear" message appeared. The contact restarted the vehicle and took it to community Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram (2300 S walnut St, bloomington, in 47101) where it was diagnosed that the system needed to be updated again. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. Additionally, while driving unknown speeds, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer who stated that an appointment was needed for service. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. An appointment was scheduled for a later date. The manufacturer was notified of the issue and referred the contact to the local dealer. The failure mileage was 51,000.

- Spencer, IN, USA

problem #725

Nov 142017

Cherokee

  • 55,000 miles
The vehicle lurches due to transmission problems. The vehicle will also go into a "safety gear" which is 4th when at freeway speeds, causing driver to make immediate reaction to pull off to the shoulder to prevent deathly accident. This happens when the vehicle was traveling at 70 mph.

- Farmington Hills, MI, USA

problem #724

Nov 162017

Cherokee

  • 55,500 miles
Transmission has been knocking very hard when I put it into drive. One day when I started my car in my driveway, the check engine light came on and a message stating "service transmission, place car into park then into desired gear." Once I put the car into drive, it felt and sounded like my engine was going to jump out of the car. I tried to turn my car off and restart it, however, I had no success with that. I have had no issues at all with my driving up until this point. I bought my Jeep in December 2013 and this issue occurred November 2017. I service my Jeep on a regular basis and do not drive recklessly. This issue happened all of a sudden. A day before this happened, I did notice when turned my car on and put it in drive, the transmission did "knock" into gear a lot more aggressively than normal.

- Gainesville, VA, USA

problem #723

Nov 162017

Cherokee

  • 50,000 miles
Transmission electronic shift lever. The shifter does not always light up. The dealership/Chrysler says the prndm and esm module need to be replaced. The remedy the shifter sometimes not lighting up when shifting into D, R or P. the car can be in drive shift to reverse and the light disappears. Next time a mile down the road shift from park to drive, it lights up. Also, the electronic notice has twice said after being in park and not wanting to go in gear that the shifter needs to be serviced. The module is covered but the prndm is not"?" doesn't make since that out of pocket to us is $400 just for the prndm. Complained to Chrysler. They were going to pay half and since we kept escalating the case with Chrysler they will pay nothing.

- Virginia Beach, VA, USA

problem #722

Nov 022017

Cherokee

  • 39,888 miles
I have had my Jeep in the Dodge Jeep dealership in Tacoma wa. Three times for the transmission issues and they have yet to fix the problem. The first time was at 22138 miles check engine light came on they found codes PO520 UO121 &U0001they verified that the oil pressure sensor failed they found that they needed the tcm.also did the body control module they had the Jeep for 6 days all covered under warranty and recalls.then again on 3/31/2014 back to the dealer with same thing check engine light and service transmission they did a flash for PCM amd tcm to address shifting issues Jeep was in the shop for four days millage was at 33658.@ second time in shop for engine light and transmission issues and warning lights. At 35512 once again same scenario check engine light comes on & service transmission this time they have the jepp in the shop for 13 days they replaced valve body and performed tsb 21-012-16. Now once again at 39888 check engine light and service transmission light comes on call service department they say bring it in but now it is out of warranty I will have to pay to get it diagnosed $156 totally B.S. come on Dodge Jeep dealership give me a F- break same happening again so it wasnt fixed the last time or the two times before that now you want me to pay you to diagnose the Jeep when clearly its the same thing as before that you did not fix. I call bs on that. Come on Fiat crysler get real this Jeep is not worth the 32,000 dollars I am paying for it let alone the $156 they want to charge me to tell me that it needs a flash update I dont care how many times you flash this transmission it will never be right it is the 9 gear transmission that does not work properly and never will come clean and do the right thing for your customers that believed in your brand and recall this Jeep before someone gets killed. Jeep it buy back time do the right thing.

- Lakewood, WA, USA

problem #721

Sep 072017

Cherokee

  • 43,000 miles
Service transmission comes on, car wont move, shifts hard and slips while driving. It is being serviced right now, I have documents in my glove box

- Show Low, AZ, USA

problem #720

Sep 012017

Cherokee

  • 24,000 miles
The car does not fall into the proper gear and often seems like the gear has fallen into neutral and revs up although the gear shift knob is in drive. Moreover the button on the gear shift knob has fallen off without any signs of damage. Reported the problem to the dealer but dealer says the whole gear assembly needs to be replaced with parts cost of about $75 and a labor cost of about $145 totalling about @225. The issue was reported on the 37th month of vehicle purchase and the dealer was not ready to apply any consideration and confirmed that the charges need to be paid since the vehicle is out of warranty by a month

- Lincolnshire, IL, USA

problem #719

Oct 182017

Cherokee

  • 53,400 miles
While in motion on the freeway multiple time it as shut on and I have no accelerating powere or really any steering, very unsave.

- West Hollywood, CA, USA

problem #718

Dec 292015

Cherokee

  • 29,000 miles
Starting around 29000 miles we have been experiencing hard shifting in our vehicle which was purchased brand new. The vehicle symptoms have progressed to the point where it feels like a rear end collision when shifting. There have also instances when we have been accelerating and the engine just revves up and transmission wouldn't engage until finally engaging. This has turned into a major safety issue as it is unknown when this will happen. It is also a safety issue when the transmission jerks so bad which could ultimately cause loss of control. This occurs when the vehicle is moving. Attached is images of the amount of force caused by the jerking motion and a video of the phone on the dash and falling of because of one said jerking motion. This has been an ongoing issue since December 2015. The dealership has described this issue as a "operational characteristic". please see video on youtube at https://youtu.be/og2U_xhkrww

- Clermont, FL, USA

problem #717

Oct 122017

Cherokee

  • 47,000 miles
After starting my vehicle, traveling at a low rate of speed, going into an intersection, my vehicle shut off. My dashboard indicator lights came on showing: Engine, battery and throttle control. After sitting in the intersection for 3-4 minutes, my vehicle started again, but very sluggish. This occurred 4 times over a 7 day period. I go to my dealership, $175 later, they inform me I was 4 quarts low of oil and as a safety precaution my vehicle would automatically shut down. While I'm driving it." Where is the safety in this." They also told me that my vehicle would use/require 1 quart of oil per every 1000 miles and would increase in oil consumption as the vehicle mileage increased. My current mileage is 47,000 miles. My owners manual states " if the oil light turns on while driving, stop the vehicle and shut off the engine as soon as possible. A chime will sound for 4 minutes when this light turns on." No where in my manual does it state that my vehicle will automatically shut off while driving. I never received any warning or indication that my oil was low.

- Cartersville, GA, USA

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