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 1 of 2)

problem #40

Jan 192023

Cherokee Trailhawk 3.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80,101 miles

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

Every time I fill the fuel tank the car dies, lurches or drops out of gear. Get a message that I cannot shift without a compete stop (I did not shift) It's in drive but will not move. This is dangerous as it gets me to the middle of an intersection and its dead. I know this sounds crazy but it's a repeatable problem.

- Gary H., Helena, MT, US

problem #39

Feb 222022

Cherokee Latitude 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 85,000 miles

When I bought the car from CarMax in 2017, the transmission broke down not even 1 month after purchasing it. Thankfully, it was 100% covered because there were not that many miles on it. Fast forward to this year, and my Jeep starts to have issues while I'm driving, the check battery light comes on and I cannot move my car. I take my car to AAA thinking its a spark plug or an alternator issue, but they couldn't figure out what was wrong, but they suspected it's the transmission. I take it to AAMCO and they say that both my TCM (transmission control module) and my transmission are no good. Essentially I need to get a new entire transmission. Not just part of it, the whole thing. I was told just for the transmission it would be 5,200. DON'T GET A 2014 JEEP CHEROKEE.

- Max M., Rockville, MD, US

problem #38

Jun 162020

Cherokee Limited 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 150,076 miles

I'm having the same problem as before - nothing has changed. My vehicle is still doing the same thing as it was when I took it to Jeep of Orangeburg in May because my service transmission light just had came on. At that time of making the appointment, I was told that it was just a warning that it's about time to have the transmission fluid change.

So I made an appointment. Nothing was wrong with my vehicle before I took it to Jeep to service it. Ever since I took it to be serviced, I have been continuing to have the same problem I didn't have before I took it there. The Jeep transmission light still comes and the Jeep still starts and goes slow in traffic.

I am very dissatisfied with the service I paid for and still don't have any results - I still have the same problem, so it makes me wonder. Was anything really were done when I took it to be serviced because if the diagnostics said nothing is wrong with the transmission.Please help me!

- Ilenia C., Denmark, US

problem #37

Jan 012019

Cherokee V4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 65,000 miles

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

January 2019 The transmission light goes on with rough gear changes, and the car loses power while driving. Also, burning through oil with no leak. Dealership performed consumption test, found engine was faulty, and replaced the engine for free.

November 2020 Transmission light goes back on, and this time the rough gear changes never stopped, even after replacing engine.

January 2020 I took it to local Jeep shop, and even with latest diagnostic tools, the codes read that the car was a manual, which it is not. Advised to take to dealership.

January 19 I'm taking it back to dealer today. Pain in the ass!!!

- Diana V., Norwalk, CA, US

problem #36

Jan 232019

Cherokee Limited 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 32,300 miles

I purchased this vehicle and three days later it shut down on me. The dealership was excellent with helping me get it to a Jeep service center and provided me a loaner vehicle. The Carfax report did not indicate any problems with the vehicle; however, I cannot believe that is is just bad luck on my part that within three days of purchase I should experience such significant problems. Is there a way to falsify the Carfax?

Jeep eventually diagnosed it as a transmission control module needing to be replaced. This was covered under the original warranty. Within one week, the vehicle was shifting hard into second and third and has not completely lost power while I was driving. I have been reading other's stories of this problem and am now really afraid to drive the car. What do I do ? How do I contact Chrysler?

- Alisia G., Williamson, US

problem #35

Mar 012016

Cherokee TrialHawk 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 15,000 miles

Purchased the Trailhawk brand new in January 2014... two years later, the transmission failed.... a month after that, the transmission failed because the incorrect software was used, two years later from the 2nd incident (September 2018), "SERVICE TRANSMISSION" light came on, yet again, car jerked, bounced, stopped in the middle of the street multiple times. I was fortunate to make it to my mom's apt.

My car was less than 5 years old, with only 40,000 miles on it and 3 times the transmission failed on me. I'm really disappointed with Jeep... maybe I should have gotten the Grand Cherokee, but I took a chance with the TrailHawk and apparently I'm not the only one that has issues with the transmission. This is an unreliable car, I'm going elsewhere.

- Lee V., Freeport, US

problem #34

Jul 302016

Cherokee Trailhawk V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 26,184 miles

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

They hope new software will fix a sh*tty transmission.

- Rich P., Surrey, ND, US

problem #33

Dec 032017

Cherokee Latitudes 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 57,000 miles

Second time transmission failed while driving. This is the second transmission in the car, first one failed after one year. Car stalled while driving on highway, fortunately no accident.

- George C., Pocono Pines, US

problem #32

Jan 012018

Cherokee Limited 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 36,700 miles

My daughter was driving and the engine just turned off. No warning. I initially attributed it to cold weather as it had been unseasonably FREEZING in Dallas. However after it happened TWO more times and almost caused an accident, I decided it was time to do a little more investigation. After looking at this site and reading the other complaints, I checked the oil level and even though my gauge was not indicating any low level, there was virtually almost no oil on the dipstick! WTF?

I had an oil change 4,645 miles ago, full synthetic and now there was NOTHING in there? So, I immediately had the oil changed (or I should say added, as there was hardly any in there) and I will see if the "problem" is at least somewhat under control. Obviously, after reading all of the complaints on this site, there is a serious problem with these vehicles that the manufacturer does not want to admit. I have basically just put up with the "jerky" transmission for two years+ thinking it was normal and not being too impacted by it. Now again, after reading all of the horror stories, I am waiting until more people (hopefully not me or my family) actually die, to have JEEP do anything about it. Update to come...

- DAG331 F., Dallas, TX, US

problem #31

Dec 072017

Cherokee Latitude 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 71,000 miles

This problem has been ongoing since I first purchased the Jeep. Within the first 10k miles the car just shifted into neutral on the highway and the dealer repaired it saying it needed a software update. Since then this has happen 4 other times with the dealer saying a similar excuse of software update or "this is just a characteristic of this specific car." I don't know any company that would think this is acceptable to have a product just stop working and think it is ok to blame it on normal operations of the device but with Jeep this seems to be the normal. In addition when the transmission is actually "working" the car consistently mis-shifts into 8th gear. This has happened since day one and I have brought it into the dealer time and time again getting the same excuses of not knowing the problem or having a fix for it.

The car has 70k miles on it now and it shifted into neutral while at highway speeds causing a significant hazard. This time the dealer replaced the transmission which I was very thankful for because I thought this should've been done earlier but when I got the car back, the very next day the car had a service transmission notice come on. I am sick and tired of having to deal with under preforming products and constantly wondering when this automobile is going to break again. Jeep needs to fix this problem and take it seriously instead of rolling this garbage transmission into more new cars. This car made me never want to purchase a FCA vehicle again and I am letting everyone I speak to know how horrible this car is. Now that I know this forum exists I will log every issue I have with the car to inform other individuals about the problems with this car.

- Chris V., Sudbury, MA, US

problem #30

Sep 112017

Cherokee Latitude V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 39,000 miles

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

Purchased car on a Thursday, car stalled the next day. Jerking into gear. Completely shutting off. Shut off while trying to drive off. Transmission slips. Service transmission light comes on. Service engine light comes on. Car hesitates to take off. When car does manage to take of it bolts into gear. Car jerks and shakes when it cuts off. Does this in the middle of traffic. I have only had this car since September and its been doing this ever since.

First time they said its not pulling codes but we reset the computer. Then it happened again was told really can't do anything since its not pulling codes. said sometimes it does it when I get gas. Was told getting gas was a non issue, if it were then it would pull codes. Complained on Facebook, dealer owner contacted me had me bring in the car and gave me a loaner. Had my car for two weeks said they had to drive it while hooked up to a laptop so to get it to recreate the situation since there weren't any stored codes. Said it was some wire to the transmission control module. Car still drove rough felt trans was slipping and then it started doing the same thing over again only this time it seemed worse.

Complained on Facebook because the dealership only acknowledge me when the owner contacts them. They said its not pulling codes and they cant see anything wrong other than that there is a case out on my vehicle where when I overfill my tank (which I don't) it cause vapor lock or something and that causes the engine to stall. But before you said it wasn't gas and that does not explain the transmission issue. Did not offer any solution basically come get the car.

So I Googled cases involving my car and saw a class action lawsuit that's going on. For the exact same thing my car is doing. Went to the dealer page about this and he lied on the post and said I had an underage kid drive the loaner, crash it and bring it back!! And that until the issue is resolved, they are no longer dealing with me. Well no underage driver crashed the car or returned the car if so wouldn't they have to report that? My fiance returned the car. I scraped up the rear end in my parking garage at work. Filed a claim with my insurance company and the car has since been repaired on payment arrangement for the remainder of the deductible. I was told there would not be any issue getting my car back when I bring it in for repair that it was a separate issue. They are not fixing my car. Telling stories on me on Facebook and will probably make me pay for this rental car they gave me.

Since they can't find an issue because the codes are not pulling. But he did say what the problem may be but won't fix it which has nothing to do with the trans. I think they are blowing me off because they know they can't fix the car, that its one of those jeeps that prompted the lawsuit and are just giving me the runaround. Ives had this car 3 months and I'm financing. What can I do. I can't keep driving my kids around in a car that just shuts down at will and continues to act like it wants to stall out.

- Candiss C., DETROIT, MI, US

problem #29

Dec 082017

Cherokee Latitude V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 40,000 miles

Car stalls and completely shuts off. Told it's 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.

- Candiss C., DETROIT, MI, US

problem #28

Aug 132017

Cherokee Trailhawk

  • Automatic transmission
  • 54,000 miles

Driving this vehicle is dangerous due to bad transmission and it could come to a complete stop on a busy highway and cause a crash.

- Nm K., Detroit, US

problem #27

May 262017

Cherokee Trailhawk

  • Automatic transmission
  • 91,000 miles

transmission failed in a busy intersection, car lights said shift to park. car would not shift into car and could not drive it.

- Ashley S., Austin, TX, US

problem #26

Feb 022017

Cherokee Sport

  • Automatic transmission
  • 30,000 miles

I was driving on a main road and my car suddenly lost power and would not turn back on for several minutes. Luckily I was in the median in the middle of a turn when the car shut off but that didn't stop every other car from honking and yelling at me. I was 8 hours from home so this was rather scary knowing I would have to drive this car all the way home not knowing if I would make it. I had just gotten it back from the dealership the week before where my complaints were dismissed stating it was running as designed.

- scash, Fort Myers, US

problem #25

Mar 022017

Cherokee Sport

  • Automatic transmission
  • 32,000 miles

I was driving in my neighborhood (Thank God!) and my car suddenly turned off again. When I was finally able to get it started I immediately went to the dealership and was told that I needed a new engine because mine had no oil and that caused the loss of power. I got a call later the same day to state that rather than a new engine I needed an oil change. I was instructed to drive for 2000 miles and bring the car back so they could check the oil consumption. Of course when I took it back they could find no issues and suggest I just check the oil every 1,000 miles and stated it "shouldn't turn off again."

- scash, Fort Myers, US

problem #24

Sep 282015

Cherokee Trailhawk V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 18,064 miles

For the 3rd time the transmission fails. Asked service manager for a buy back and was laughed at. Keeps customer service just denies, deflects and delays. They feel a 1 year worth of oil changes is sufficient compensation. Not when oil change is at 7500 miles and you only drive 10000 miles. 1 oil change. Minot automotive- I wouldn't let them change the air in my tires.

- Rich P., Surrey, ND, US

problem #23

Sep 212015

Cherokee Trailhawk V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 17,854 miles

Codes U0402 implausible data from TCM and P0975 shift solenoid B circuit control.

TCM & PCM updated

- Rich P., Surrey, ND, US

problem #22

Nov 172016

Cherokee Sport 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 23,000 miles

It's really awful to have a situation like that. You suddenly lost power in driving and didn't know what will happen. Luckily, no accident happened. But I can't feel safe driving the car, now.

Update from Dec 26, 2016: So, my 2014 Jeep Cherokee start shaking badly when driving reverse from early this year, with around 20000 miles, along with shifting roughly, jerking at the start and jumping when stopping in front of a stop sign. Until one day it lost power when driving due to transmission failure. After about five minutes, I was able to start it and send to the dealer shop. However, the service man told me they couldn't service the car until the next week and told me that it's safe to drive it back. So I drove it back and wait.

The next day, my wife drove it out with two kids, and the transmission failed again!!!

We feel so dangerous when driving this Jeep. Sent it to the dealer and performed the so-called recall. It seems the transmission failure is temporally alleviated. However, the other problems are still there. Shifting roughly, ridiculously.

Still jerking, jumping. Don't know what to do.

- Yonghui W., Pearland, TX, US

problem #21

Dec 302016

Cherokee Trailhawk V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 55,800 miles

I bought my 2014 Cherokee brand new, had to have the transmission totally replaced within the first 8 months of ownership. A few months ago I started having acceleration issues, broke down on a major highway going 70mph. The steering cut out, no acceleration, I had to coast my way to the shoulder to pull over. Had it towed to the dealership to have them give it back after a "software upgrade". The next morning it did the exact same thing on my way into work, during rush hour, at a high speed. This jeep is a death trap and I'm extremely lucky I was able to safely pull over when the power steering cut out and the accelerator died. Had it towed AGAIN to the dealership, and over the past week they haven't looked at it since they don't actually know how to fix it. Jeeps are not cheap vehicles, I will never again buy this brand nor will I recommend to anyone.

- Erin B., Washington, PA, US

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