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:
34,435 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 1 of 69)

problem #1375

Dec 202024

Cherokee

  • miles

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

UNKNOWN. I bought my car used in 2023 it showed that a recall that I-??m currently dealing with was fixed in the past with the previous owner and that the warranty on the recall expired back in 2021. Well now I-??m dealing with an issue with my car and repairs are way more than the car is worth. Wouldn-??t this mean that they didn-??t complete the recall correctly in the past and that jeep should cover it " I-??m left with a vehicle I cannot drive because of them not completing the recall correctly in the past or by using faulty parts. What to do from here" I included what the report.

- Fort Walton Beach, FL, USA

problem #1374

Dec 272024

Cherokee

  • miles
Bought a 2014 Jeep Cherokee, while driving the vehicle one day it started braking while accelerating causing it to jerk the vehicle and had to pull over causing the car to completely shut off. I took it to a dealership to get two recalls fixed on it that I found out about and after getting the vehicle back from the dealership and driving it there has been poor acceleration, harsh shifting gears. I was getting a lug nut replaced on my tire at a dealership. I was about to leave with my vehicle and it wouldn-??t get out of the parking brake. Then the Service parking brake light comes on the far. I have to get them to look at it again and they find water damage to the Parking Brake Module due to a leak from somewhere. Having to wait on estimates on what it will cost to fix it. Looked into this issue and find out that others have dealt with this as well. With water leakage in the back trunk space and into the Parking Brake Module!! Definitely needs to be a recall on this type of major road safety hazard. Luckily I wasn-??t driving when this happened or it could-??ve caused a wreck. There is a class action lawsuit I was reading about again Jeep for 2014-2020 models due to water damage to parking brake module and I believe there needs to be a recall on this defect from factory.

- Hiltons, VA, USA

problem #1373

Jul 252022

Cherokee

  • miles
While driving, the transmission goes into neutral. This happens at any speed. It won't go into gear at all. The local Jeep dealer said they could replace my transmission that I pay for. There was an initial lawsuit on these. But, any owner after the first one doesn't get help. I am disabled and on a limited income. I am stuck at home because I never know when the vehicle will go into neutral. I don't know what to do. This has happened every time I drive it. I have had to risk it to drive to the doctor and to get my prescriptions. If I can get it off of the road, I cut it off. It usually goes back into gear. But, when it goes into neutral, my complex PTSD and my anxiety disorder goes into overdrive. I feel absolutely hopeless about this. I would appreciate any help I can receive.

- Fountain Inn, SC, USA

problem #1372

Nov 302024

Cherokee

  • miles

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

This vehicle has an extremely dangerous & ongoing issue related to the 9-speed transmission. Many times the vehicle does not know when to shift, sputtering/sluggish/jerky when accelerating from being stopped and coming to a stop. Frequently the vehicle engages itself into Neutral and/or Parking Brake while driving at both city and highway speeds. This is a very dangerous safety hazard as any motorist trailing behind me can not anticipate the sudden deceleration that ensues. The vehicle then either becomes "stuck" in a gear at too high an RPM at given speed, or engages the parking brake or seems to then be in Neutral. These instances regularly frequent, leaving me having to pull off side of roadway in sometimes dangerous position, perform handful of restart cycles in order to clear the condition and be back in a proper enough gear-state to get back on the road. The following cluster warning lights coincide with the issues: "Check Engine" - "Service Transmission" - "Service Parking Brake". After a handful of restart cycles, the lights clear from the cluster, but the issues remain. The vehicle is unable to come to a comfortable complete stop without a premature-sudden jerk stop. This throws anyone in the vehicle forward in their seats. Also, when ascending an incline or traversing a decline, the vehicle shifts off-sequence in such a way to violently jerk-kick, feeling as though something in the drivetrain will disconnect itself from the chassis. I have recently attempted to submit a recall request over the phone with Chrysler as these conditions are well documented past recalls that are "no longer open". Most notably Chrysler Recall Numbers V69, S55, and P31. They will not "waive" repair costs for me. I purchased the vehicle in March-April of 2024 with 87,000 miles. If previous owner & dealership did not address the recall when it was open, I feel it should not be my financial responsibility to correct, nor should I be absorbing the negative equity when traded in.

- Seville, OH, USA

problem #1371

Dec 012024

Cherokee

  • miles
When starting to accelerate the the transmission hesitates to shift, then up to 30 mph or so it the car will stutter / miss fire causing a jerking motion of the car. It will accelerate to a steady speed abourn 55 mph.

- Tiffin, OH, USA

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problem #1370

Nov 252024

Cherokee

  • miles
I was driving on the highway when the PTU randomly locked up as if I hit the emergency brake, and made me come to a stop, no one was behind me at the time and I was able to get the car to the side of the road

- Cedar Rapids, IA, USA

problem #1369

Nov 182024

Cherokee

  • 160,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2014 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated while coming to a stop, the vehicle stalled with no warning light illuminated. The contact also noticed that the electronic brake pedal became inoperable and would not engage. The vehicle was able to restart. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the PTU (power transfer unit) had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 160,000.

- Virginia Beach, VA, USA

problem #1368

Nov 152023

Cherokee

  • miles
As of this date: Started about a year ago, when Jeep was over 150,000 miles. When accelerating to turn or from a stop sign or light, vehicle would stall, mimicking the feeling the vehicle ran out of gas. This occurred about once a month. Working at home and not driving my vehicle as much its hard to say if it would have occurred more often. Checked for any codes, none appeared. As I have recently started driving back in the office 3 days a week, the issue of stalling at any given time with no warning began occurring more often. Took it to trusted local service shop, they changed the purge valve pump and gas cap, as they were puzzled on the problem. Did not seem to matter if gas was full, half or under half. The issue occurred twice within 2 weeks. Service shop recommended taking to dealership. Jeep dealership are not aware of any similar issues. Which I found interesting as I researched and found massive posts from various jeep forums as well as this one. They capped off hose to charcoal canister, hoping that would help. And told me its a process of elimination at this point. The next evening it stalled again. I have now parked my vehicle as this has become a safety hazard. Stalling anywhere at any given moment could cause a tragic accident. will be contacting dealership to voice my concern. Hoping for a positive resolution.

- Manitowoc, WI, USA

problem #1367

Jul 212014

Cherokee

  • 10,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that the transmission only shifted gear at 5,000 RPM-??s. The contact stated that the failure had become progressively worse, causing the contact to become stranded on two separate occasions due to transmission failure. The local dealer was contacted; however, the contact was informed that there were no recalls on the VIN related to the failure and there would be no assistance provided. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 10,000.

- Edgewood, MD, USA

problem #1366

Sep 102024

Cherokee

  • miles
The PTU on my 2014 Jeep Cherokee failed and was replaced. The attached documents were sent to Stellantis as a -??reimbursement request-??, was denied per the attached 10/17 email from Jeep Customer Care. As evidenced by numerous online complaints as well as NHTSA Recalls and class action lawsuits, replacement of the PTU was the result of a faulty design and safety concerns. The Stellantis refusal of my claim for reimbursement is unacceptable. What assistance can NHTSA provide to resolve this matter? Thank you, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Nashotah , WI, USA

problem #1365

Oct 012024

Cherokee

  • miles

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

The component that has failed was the PTU. It is available for inspection as well. My familys safety and myself along with other drivers safety was put at risk due to the "recall solution" for the failed ptu splines failing causing my vehicle to lose propulsion and setting the parking brake in traffic while at intersections as well as in traffic. The vehicle has not been inspected by any manufacturer, law enforcement, insurance, or any other. There were no service light prior to the component failing it just happend and almost caused us to get hit in the rear. The lights came on after the component failed, and this vehicle has had the "recall" addressed, but the recal is supposed to keep the problem from happening. Not i have "svc 4wd" light on and the vehicle has issues accelerating, no other symptoms prior to the failure. Fixing a faulty component is by replacing it with OE parts or aftermarket better parts, not programing the vehicle to operate in any other condition other than factory. Not program the vehicles ECU to shut the power off to the main drive wheels and send the power to the rear, and to set the parking brake whenever the vehicle is in park so it doesnt roll away because the failed ptu wont hold it like its supposed to. This vehicle has 137443 miles and it shouldnt have any drive train issues being driven on the pavement only 70% highway travel 30% residential/town travel. The W47 recall isnt a fix and the part needs to be replaced to factory. Tuning isnt the solution. Its causing more problems for people who really like jeeps and costing us more money to fix the vehicle than its worth. Either buy back all vehicles, replace the part the right way, or trade the vehicle in for another of the same make and model same or different trim package. Please do something about this ridiculous "solution" to failed PTU in jeep cherokee trailhawks and even other models if they have the same issue. Its just not safe. Its a bandaided scam to make more money.

- Reedsville, OH, USA

problem #1364

Jun 032024

Cherokee

  • miles
PTU is malfunctioning

- Louisville, CO, USA

problem #1363

Sep 292024

Cherokee

  • 150,000 miles
The contact's wife owns a 2014 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while his wife was driving 45 MPH, the gear shifter moved to neutral(N) independently and the vehicle stopped abruptly. The contact stated that the driver restarted the vehicle; however, the gear shifter remained stuck in neutral(N). The messages "Service Transmission" and "Service Parking Brake" were displayed. A bystander assisted the driver in pushing the vehicle to the side of the road and then to a gas station. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V447000 (Power Train). The dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

problem #1362

Sep 252024

Cherokee

  • 170,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated while driving at 40 MPH, the RPM increased quickly, but the vehicle lost motive power, after which the contact became aware that the transmission had shifted into neutral independently. The driver was able to pull over to the shoulder of the roadway, where the message "Please shift to park" was displayed. After shifting to park and back into drive, the vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V529000 (Power Train), but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 170,000.

- Little Rock, AR, USA

problem #1361

Aug 082024

Cherokee

  • miles
While driving at highway speed I loose power on the accelerator, the dashboard tells me to "shift to park" I need to pull off to side of the road without getting hit. Shift car into park. After I do that, the engine starts again and we are back to normal. Sometimes the car turns off during this period and needs to be restarted also, other times it doesn-??t. Very scary.

- Merrill, WI, USA

problem #1360

Mar 092024

Cherokee

  • miles
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT continues to experience movement in the Power Transfer Unit (PTU) between the differential input splines and the transmission output shaft and has caused input spline teeth to wear off, leading to a loss of engagement between the transmission and the differential inside the PTU. If there was a recall performed on this vehicle, it was either too late, or ineffective. Requires a new PTU.

- Virginia Beach, VA, USA

problem #1359

Mar 012024

Cherokee

  • 115,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated while driving from a complete stop uphill, the accelerator pedal was depressed, but the vehicle hesitated to respond and lunged forward while responding. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring while driving from a complete stop uphill. Additionally, the contact stated while driving and coming to a complete stop, the vehicle made an abnormal clunking sound while the transmission shifted to the intended gear. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the PTU had failed and needed to be replaced. The dealer informed the contact that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V343000 (Power Train) in 2023. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 115,000.

- Lake Stevens, WA, USA

problem #1358

Jul 182024

Cherokee

  • 121,500 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact became aware that the 4-WD warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the vehicle was diagnosed with Power Transfer Unit (PTU) failure. The contact was informed that the Power Transfer Unit needed to be replaced. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 121,500.

- Lenexa, KS, USA

problem #1357

Jun 282024

Cherokee

  • miles
I was driving down the road when all of a sudden my car was in neutral and I was unable to get the car moving. Called AAA they towed me to In a state Transmission because the transmission light came on. Interstate Transmission said there was nothing wrong with the transmission. It-??s a computer problem. Soooo we going to fix this anytime soon?

- Worcestrr, MA, USA

problem #1356

Jun 142024

Cherokee

  • miles
2014 Jeep Cherokee with 84,000 miles. I took it to a dealership because it had a clicking noise. They said the PTU, Power Train Unit was going bad and the splines were causing the noise. Apparently this can cause the vehicle to stop moving and will damage the transmission if not replaced. I was told the part is on backorder and may take a few months to get in. Received a quote for over $4,000 to replace the PTU.

- Thornton, CO, USA

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