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

8.5

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$7,300
Average Mileage:
45,400 miles
Total Complaints:
40 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (32 reports)
  2. update tcm & pcm (3 reports)
  3. flashed software (2 reports)
  4. new transmission (2 reports)
  5. replace valve body (1 reports)
2014 Jeep Cherokee transmission problems

transmission problem

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2014 Jeep Cherokee Owner Comments (Page 2 of 2)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #20

Dec 012016

Cherokee Trailhawk 4.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 22,000 miles

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

Jeep needs to recall the cherokee-i bought a 2014 trailhawk and it stalled -service transmission light came on-not fixed yet

- Robin W., Ferrum, VA, US

problem #19

Apr 182016

Cherokee Sport 3.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 36,000 miles

My 2014 Jeep Cherokee has been having transmission problems for several months now. As I have been driving down the road it has totally lost power and shifts into neutral all by itself, it gives a warning light that says I must stop the car before I shift. The car has to sit for about 5 minutes and then it would start up again. This has now happened about 5 times. I took it to the dealer, car is no longer covered under warranty, so I took it to a local shop. They reset the computer, and that was it. The car continues to shift terribly. It jerks uncontrollable and when you pull out the RPMs go up to 4-5. I fear for my safety in this vehicle. Are there any class action lawsuits against jeep? This car needs to be replaced.

- Lisa G., Harrington, DE, US

problem #18

Sep 012015

Cherokee Latitude V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 24,000 miles

Yet another transmission horror story! I purchased my 2014 Jeep Cherokee Latitude in January of 2014 with high hopes & tons of pride. Sadly, this vehicle has been a lemon since the onset. My Jeep died on 3 separate occasions in the middle of busy traffic: September 2015, March 2015, & most recently December 7th of 2016. Clearly, this is a huge safety hazard, and if someone should get seriously hurt, FCA will be embroiled in litigation. No one seems to care nor take accountability for the defective transmission. Why? Where do loyal Jeep owners go for a positive resolution or remedy to this ongoing transmission issue? Battling Chrysler is a David vs. Goliath story. I don't feel safe in my own Jeep, and am beyond desperate to trade it in. The dealer is useless & FCA will do nothing about a fair trade in. I've lost money, time, and sanity over this car that I once loved, but now loathe.

- Nicole V., Ocean, NJ, US

problem #17

Nov 232016

Cherokee Sport 3.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 55,600 miles

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

Today my Cherokee once again while I was driving down the road, lost all power. I was going about 30 MPH, the message came on that must shift car into park and the battery light came on and all power was lost. I waited 15 minutes and the car then turned on. This is a huge problem! Why hasn't Chrysler recalled/replace these vehicles? They are dangerous.

- Lisa G., Harrington, DE, US

problem #16

Jul 232016

Cherokee Latitude V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 23,000 miles

While driving my 2014 Jeep Cherokee from Louisiana to Los Angeles I experienced a "Service Engine" warning on my dash and lost power to my engine while entering Dallas, TX. I was able to pull over from traffic and turn off the vehicle. This wasn't the first time we'd experienced this issue and had previously had multiple software updates from the dealership to "repair" this issue. I expected this was likely software related. Fortunately the vehicle restarted without trouble and while the check engine light remained illuminated, the vehicle operated normally. Unfortunately, I was in the middle of a move to Hawaii and had a hard date to get the vehicle onto a cargo ship in Long Beach and no home to return to so I had no choice but to continue to drive the vehicle.

I continued to experience this same problem every few hours while driving to Los Angeles. Fortunately, I had a few days planned with family not far from St. George, Utah where I was able to visit a dealership for repair. After several pages of software updates (last updates were completed less than 30 days before I left on this trip) the dealership assumed they had "repaired' the problem. Within 24 hours, I experienced the same fault again. This time I wound up back at the dealership with my Jeep Cherokee having a new transmission installed. Fortunately, I made my timeline to the cargo ship and the problem appears to be resolved.

- James B., Mililani, HI, US

problem #15

May 162016

Cherokee Limited 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 21,000 miles

click to see larger images

loses power while driving

First time jeep owners. When transmission light first came on with a little over 20K mileage, we thought no problem, take it to the nearest dealership and get it sorted out, right? Wrong.

Our nearest New York location told us that we can bring the car in but it will be parked outside for a month before they will be able to do any diagnostics. No loaner will be provided. (this is our sole family car). We called locations in the nearby New Jersey and were able to book an appointment with Freehold Jeep. Once we brought the car in we were told to leave it there for a few days so that they can run diagnostics and apply recalls. They were not aware of numerous complaints and class action suit related to the same transmission problems plastered all over the internet. This is also during the time jeep cherokee made headlines for killing a Star Trek actor Anton Yelchin. We were not provided a loaner car because "we came from Staten Island and it would be expensive for the dealership to tow a loaner car back if it breaks". We were pretty much told to go where we came from (deal with our local dealership) and left empty handed.

Shortly after we realized that the only dealership that will have to take our car in for service would be the originator location, we booked an appointment with Security Dodge Chrysler in Amytiville,NY. Unfortunately this location is more than 50 miles away as well but we were determined to get our car fixed. Brought it in for service, rented a car and filed a claim with Chrysler. Car was returned back to us with same issue. Claim for the rental still unpaid. We had since taken the car back to Security Dodge again. It was returned back to us. Issue remains.

In our frustration with dealing with seemingly uncaring representatives at Chrysler Jeep service locations, we had opened a case with Chrysler main customer service department. By this time our car exhibited loss of power, inability to switch between gears, rolling back with foot off the gas,not being able to reverse and we were legitimately concerned for safety of driving this vehicle with our young children. Chrysler assigned us a case worker to reimburse us for original car rental and get us another appointment at a closer location. After numerous unreturned calls and miscommunication we finally got an appointment in nearby Brooklyn Bay Ridge location. We took our car for service and got into yet another rental. The car was returned to us with same problem. At this time we grew more and more frustrated as we found information online that there is no fix for the new Chrysler adaptive transmission which is the reason why dealership don't want to take these cars in for service and Chrysler customer service doesn't return your calls. Some of the stalling tactics Chrysler Customer Service employs are switching your case workers, not returning calls, closing your case after 30 days of inactivity pending new diagnostics. It's hard to believe as we never had experienced such a bad service for a legitimate issue that we were pleading to fix.

At a present time, our case workers at Chrysler Customer Service are not able to make service appointments for us in our immediate location and offering to take the car back to Security Dodge with appointments ranging from several weeks to months. At which point the cases get closed and have to be reopened and new case workers assigned. Am i painting the clear picture of what is being done? We are paying a monthly payment, asked to pay for loaners and left without any help.

Shame on you Chrysler. Never again.

- phantom3, Staten Island, NY, US

problem #14

Dec 012016

Cherokee Limited V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 28,000 miles

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

This sounds strange but the problem occurred thrice after coming out of gas station particularly after i fill my tank full (about 13 to 14 gallons of unleaded gasoline). The car would just shut down every time i slow down or stop at the traffic signal! The "Service Transmission" and "Service Park Brake" messages come up. The dealership fixed it once but the issue repeated again when i filled my tank full.

- Danny B., Houston, TX, US

problem #13

Nov 272016

Cherokee Latitude 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 71,000 miles

I was driving 60 mph down a local highway. The car without warning shifted into neutral. Luckily no one was next to me and I could coast to the shoulder. The information screen had "service transmission" and "service parking brake". I shut the engine down, restarted the car. The lights were still on but I was able to drive in "limp" mode. After getting to my destination i again shut the car off. After waiting awhile the car ran properly.

- John M., Hawthorne, NJ, US

problem #12

Jul 092016

Cherokee Latitude 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 32,436 miles

click to see larger images

loses power while driving

Truck died coming out of the gas station in 3 lanes of traffic...... You can just hear whats coming out of my mouth. My poor kids had to see their dad lose it to a something that i had no control over.....

- Jeff V., Brampton, ON, Canada

problem #11

Oct 272016

Cherokee Sport 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 34,202 miles

Picked up vehicle from local dealership after they have had it for 1 week and were replacing the transmission in the vehicle. Drove for 1 day before problems I was not having before started to pop up. Now when you attempt to take off the car does nothing for anywhere from 3 to 5 seconds before it kicks itself into first gear and then jumps into 2nd. reported the issue to local dealership and was told to bring it back in. The morning I was to take the car in I drove to the bank, left the vehicle idling while I was waiting had to put the car in park due to not being able to reach the teller. After I did this the car jumped forward to a parked position. I had started out level with the teller and was now a good foot away from where I had started. When I then when to leave and put it back in drive it lunged backwards and kicked itself back into gear. Had my dad look at the actual engine of the vehicle and noticed that a bolt that keeps the transmission in place was sticking at least 1/2 way out of the transmission. returned it back to the local dealership and I am in another rental. Was not told an estimated time to have the vehicle back. Was told the day before 10/28/2016 that there was another recall, and they were going to look at while it is having such a hard time kicking into gear so violently and do whatever the recall is.

- Stacie S., Farmington, NM, US

problem #10

Oct 242016

Cherokee Limited 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 39,000 miles

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

Lost all power turning left into traffic on my way to dealership. Called towing assistance since I no longer felt safe driving my car.

- Amber P., Omaha, NE, US

problem #9

Apr 112016

Cherokee Limited

  • Automatic transmission
  • 48,000 miles

Bought this car used January 1, 2016. The previous owner had it for a year and a half. Great condition, about 40,000 miles on it, Carfax checked out and I bought it from a Chrysler dealership. On April 11th I was leaving work, I drove about half a block and as I came to a stop, the car cut off, the battery light flashed and an emergency light came on. After pressing the start button several times if finally came back on. Took it to the dealership, they had it for a week, updated all of the software updates that had not been updated when they sold me the car, as well as two safety recalls, not related to this issue. They determined that it was a sensor that was “over sensitive” saying the oil levels were low and it was shutting the car off as a precaution.

We bought this car because we're planning on starting a family, with all of the issues I'm having, I'm not even comfortable giving friends a ride. I love this car, but feel really ripped off by being sold a car with problems they won't fix, on top of not feeling safe.

- Mary D., Lexington, SC, US

problem #8

Oct 122016

Cherokee Limited

  • Automatic transmission
  • 58,000 miles

Bought this car used January 1, 2016. The previous owner had it for a year and a half. Great condition, about 40,000 miles on it, Carfax checked out and I bought it from a Chrysler dealership. On October 12, 2016, leaving work for the day, I drove about a block and the car shut off on me as I was leaving a stopped position. I had to put on my emergency lights and have cars go around me until it finally turned back on after several minutes of pressing the start button.

I had this same issue back on April 11, 2016 & July 7th. The dealership on those occasions determined that was a sensor that was “over sensitive” saying the oil levels were low and it was shutting the car off as a precaution. They asked for me to come back in every 2,500 miles to readjust the sensor. That's incredibly inconvenient for my busy lifestyle. Today is the Oct. 15th and I won’t have a chance to even schedule an appointment for a week.

We bought this car because we're planning on starting a family, with all of the issues I'm having, I'm not even comfortable giving friends a ride. I love this car, but feel really ripped off by being sold a car with problems they won't fix, on top of not feeling safe.

- Mary D., Lexington, SC, US

problem #7

Jul 072016

Cherokee Limited

  • Automatic transmission
  • 53,000 miles

Bought this car used January 1, 2016. The previous owner had it for a year and a half. Great condition, about 40,000 miles on it, Carfax checked out and I bought it from a Chrysler dealership. On July 7th, 2016, in the morning, on the way to work, I drove about a mile and as I came to a stop at the traffic light, it shut off on me. I had to put on my emergency lights and have cars go around me until it finally turned back on after several minutes of pressing the start button.

I had this same issue back on April 11, 2016. Took it back to the dealership and they had it for another week. They said it was the same issue that they previously stated, a sensor that was “over sensitive” saying the oil levels were low and it was shutting the car off as a precaution. They asked for me to come back in every 2,500 miles to readjust the sensor. That's incredibly inconvenient for my busy lifestyle.

We bought this car because we're planning on starting a family, with all of the issues I'm having, I'm not even comfortable giving friends a ride. I love this car, but feel really ripped off by being sold a car with problems they won't fix, on top of not feeling safe.

Update from Nov 2, 2016: October 24th, 2016 Car cut off as I let off the break when the light, leaving me in the middle of the intersection. The light turned red and I was still in the intersection with cars flying by at 45-50mph. Luckily the fire truck coming right at me was able to stop and the people behind me pushed me off the road. Highly embarrassing, but it could have been much worse.

I took the car into the dealership and they think that it's not the "over sensitive oil pressure sensor", but they think there's an oil leak in the engine. They filled the oil back up and I should be good to drive it. They're going to take a look at it Nov.14th and pay for a rental car while they have it for about a week. Hopefully, it's a issue covered under the powertrain warranty. Especially since I've only had this car for less than a year. I'll update once I find out anymore information.

- Mary D., Lexington, SC, US

problem #6

Apr 012016

Cherokee Latitude 4CLY

  • Automatic transmission
  • 33,500 miles

Brought this Jeep with 20000 miles on it from a car lot. At 33,000 transmission light come on and transmission started jerking. Took to dealership, flashed computer. 34,000 miles same thing again, plus stalling. Took it back, replaced valve body and new computer. 36,000 miles same thing, all shift lights came on, gets stuck in neutral, won't go over 25. Once again back to the dealer. Light was off, they couldn't tell anything. Now at 37,000 back at the dealer with recall on transmission wiring. In shop for 2 months, parts are not out to fix it yet. Been in shop more then I have drove. It sucks paying that much a month for something you can't drive. .

- Rodney M., Danese, WV, US

problem #5

Jun 012016

Cherokee Latitude 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,000 miles

THE 2014 Jeep Cherokee is a complete joke. The transmission is rough, jerks, goes in and out of gear. The car has completely shut off multiple times while driving..this vehicle has no business being on the road. I bought this car at Mcloughlin Jeep, now known as Ron Tonkin Jeep, in Milwaukie, OR. The service department is clueless. I have had it in 3 times. All they do is put a band aid each time and after a few more days of driving, it still doesn't work. WHAT A JOKE!

- justinmonahan23, West Linn, OR, US

problem #4

Sep 152016

Cherokee Trailhawk 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 28,000 miles

This Jeep was taken to a dealer on 10/7/16 for repair of the problem @ 31,500 miles (It won't hardly pull itself in first gear - sluggish to no power and then takes off and squeals tires). Dealer says there is no problem and that it didn't act that way for them. What a JOKE. My 15 yr old driver training student daughter asked what is wrong and why isn't it going when the gas is pushed. Get a clue Fiat Chrysler you have a PROBLEM in the 9 speed transmission! My solution is getting rid of this vehicle - sad since I only bought it about 4 months ago. This vehicle has proven it has problems and when I don't get any help from a dealer on fixing it, then the vehicle is gone and so is the dealer!

- oliesmurph, Marshall, MI, US

problem #3

Sep 242016

Cherokee Limited 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 48,619 miles

Traveling down the highway doing between 75-80 mph and all the sudden receive error "Service Transmission" "Service Park Brake" "Pull car over and put in P then desired gear" and the vehicle loses power. The Service Engine and Traction control lights also came on. Thank God no one was on my bumper because it could have caused a serious crash and possible life threatening injuries to me and my passengers.

Pulled off to the side of highway and threw the hazards on. Had a difficult time putting vehicle in park. Turned off the vehicle, let it sit for a couple of minutes. Restarted it, the Service Transmission and Pull over errors went away. Check engine light and traction control warnings remained. Tried to shift into drive, it was difficult and clunky making the entire care shake. Warning to shift into P first came back on. Shut vehicle off again and let it sit longer. Restarted the vehicle again, the check engine light and traction control warning still remained. Was able to shift into into drive. Car appeared to operate normally as I accelerated. Drove to next exit, less than 2 miles, no more than got off the exit and the vehicle lost power again and the same warnings displayed. Vehicle has been towed to the dealership and sitting there for Monday. Now I incur the expense of a rental car until I can speak with the dealership and get a loaner.

- B B., Battle Creek, MI, US

problem #2

May 252016

Cherokee Limited 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 42,500 miles

Wife's 2014 Jeep Cherokee Limited (3.2L v6) started having a major transmission issue where the Jeep would be in drive and cruising down the road at any speed and suddenly the Jeep would would all power/acceleration even though the car was still in drive. The Jeep has done this at least 5 times sporadically. Two of those times have been dangerous, i.e. she almost got rear ended and another time on the highway without anywhere to pull over. The Jeep also has shifting issues where accelerating is very rough and the shifting is not smooth at all - very jerky and like the transmission is "skipping" a gear.

Took the Cherokee into the dealership and they hooked it up to check the issue. They said they made an update to the computer that manages the transmission and then fixed a few other minor recalls. All seemed well for about 4-5 weeks. Then, the same issue started happening where the Jeep would lose all acceleration. This time it scared my wife to tears, as she almost lost control trying to avoid being slammed into. Luckily she found a slight drive to the shoulder to quickly pull over on. THIS ISSUE IS VERY DANGEROUS!

Just had the Jeep in the dealership in Wendell, NC this morning. After some testing they came back and said that the transmission valve body was bad. This valve body controls the amount of fluid sent to the transmission parts like gears, etc. They have ordered the parts and are replacing under the manufacturer warranty. Should hear back later this week.

Our issue is that there could be permanent transmission damage because the valve body has been malfunctioning for many weeks and we've heard a couple of times a loud clunking and banging coming from the transmission. If you search Google for "Jeep Cherokee valve body" (without quotes) you will see that there are a lot of Jeep Cherokee owners from 2014 to 2016 that are reporting this issue. We will wait until her Cherokee is fixed and then see if that actually resolves the issue. We are not at all confident that it will. There could be irreparable damage to the transmission from the fluid not being dispersed throughout the transmission at the right times during shifting -- and the loud clunk/banks we've heard does not bode well that the issue will be resolved after the valve body is replaced.

If it does not, and since this is the third time we've been into the dealership to resolve this dangerous problem, we will be contacting our attorney who specializes in Lemon Law and consumer cases against manufacturers. This is simply dangerous in our case and could cause one of us, our children, or someone else serious bodily harm or death given the right situation where the vehicle loses all power.

Best of luck to whomever has this same issue with their Jeep Cherokee.

- Brian G., Wake Forest, NC, US

problem #1

Jun 272016

Cherokee Latitude 6 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 38,747 miles

transmission suddenly shifts into neutral while driving

My 2014 Jeep Latitude while driving suddenly shifts itself into neutral, and loses acceleration ability simultaneously. All you can do is steer it to the side of the road without getting killed. If you turn off the engine and sit for a few minutes and restart it, , it runs normally except that the "service transmission " and "check engine" warning lights illuminate, They go off after an hour or so.

This has happened twice now - the first time was in November, 2015, the second in June 2016. We have taken it to the local Jeep dealer who has given the engine a software update each time, but clealrly that hasn't solved the problem. Thankfully both times this has happened we have been driving on relatively light traffic highways. Had we been on a freeway with a bunch of lanes going 70 mph we would have been totally screwed.

I have filed a complaint with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, - Complaint Number 10883447. I also contacted Jeep Cares directly (they won't discuss the problem at all- they directed me back to the local dealership). I have also joined the class action lawsuit being handled The Law Office of Howard Gutman, 230 Route 206, Suite 307, Flanders, New Jersey, 07836. His office number is 973-598-1980. If you are xperiencing this problem, I suggest you call Mr. Gutman and join the lawsuit.

- Eric S., Hyde Park, UT, US

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