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

7.7

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
No data
Average Mileage:
10,350 miles
Total Complaints:
13 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (13 reports)
2014 Jeep Cherokee transmission problems

transmission problem

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2014 Jeep Cherokee Owner Comments

problem #13

Dec 062013

Cherokee Limited V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 500 miles

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

This problem has been ongoing, having been back to the dealership dozens of times. Curiously, rarely was it written up as such. Their fix was to update the software for the 9-speed transmission. While hoping it would be resolved, it would always resurface requiring additional trips to the dealership for "repair".

Since I am now vision impaired, I require a driver for medical appointments. It is annoying and scary because the vehicle is so inconsistent you never know how it will handle when you try to pull out into traffic. Accelerating from a complete stop results in a 2-3 second hesitation, then the tires squeal during takeoff. This could be very dangerous under the wrong circumstances.

My complaint to FCA Jeep Complaint line resulted in zero satisfaction.

- k-lo, Owosso, US

problem #12

Jun 212014

Cherokee Latitude 3.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 2,550 miles

My 2014 Jeep Cherokee with the 9 speed transmission has had several trips back to the dealership (multiple tows) within the first few weeks of ownership in 2014. I spoke to several Jeep employees including sales, service managers, regional managers to express how dangerous this vehicle is to drive. Everything has been documented by the dealership and they state they know nothing about the 9 speed transmission issues. They've done several "flash updates" over the past two years. It's had a Chrysler case opened up with their "STAR" service experts who were unable to determine the problems. This past summer (June 2016) it was towed in again for transmission issues and another "flash update" was their resolution.

The main concern: The vehicle may or may not engage the transmission if the wheels are rolling ever so slowly and I depress the gas pedal. It makes left hand turns incredibly dangerous if I am moving/rolling forward prior to the turn.

Not happy with this Jeep 9 speed transmission or the dealerships reluctance to do anything to resolve it. My only consolation from the dealership is that the transmission is covered for extended warranty. I told Chrysler that I didn't feel safe in the vehicle and wouldn't let family members drive it. I still feel that way today.

- Bill G., Boulder, CO, US

problem #11

Oct 012016

Cherokee Trailhawk 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 12,000 miles

Since I bought this Jeep new in 2014 its been unable to predictably go from stop to start. This is a MAJOR safety concern in stop and go traffic (which is daily where I live). I've had all the transmission flashes and each one seems to work for a week or two before this behavior returns. There's also a grinding/clanking noise when going from reverse to forward - the same noise can sometimes be heard when going over a speed bump. For God's Sake: this is a Jeep! Can't it go over a bump without sounding like the engine is going to fall out?

- sstratton, Issaquah, WA, US

problem #10

Feb 212016

Cherokee

  • Automatic transmission
  • 13,000 miles

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

This was not the first time this has happened and it is also not the last. It happens almost daily. When I took it into the dealership (for the 5th time) they said nothing was wrong with it. My husband, Mother and Father have all driven it and this problem has occurred at least once with all of them driving this car. I hate it and I don't feel safe at all anymore. It is a lease, so I can't afford to pay it off to get a new car, but I am terrified driving it because much of the time I have my kids with me!!!

I have also had it in for both front and back brakes twice!!! I just went to get my oil changed/tires rotated and the mechanic said my tires were "dry rotting." I only have 18000 miles on my car and I should not be having any of these issues! I am beyond frustrated!!

- Candice B., Grand Island, NY, US

problem #9

Dec 192015

Cherokee 9 Speed

  • Automatic transmission
  • 34,934 miles

The transmission will not work properly on this vehicle. The dealership indicates its me and that I don't know how to drive, however, the RPMs are fluctuating while driving at a constant speed. There is also loud banging noises when moving from park to drive, and I have noticed, when we have snow/rain, the vehicle strains in shifting gears making loud noises.

- 2014jeepcherowner, Foxboro, MA, US

problem #8

Feb 012015

Cherokee 9 Speed

  • Automatic transmission
  • 10,038 miles

This vehicle has several different transmissions issues. This one in particular, the RPMs extend to 5000 and fluctuate while driving. This should NEVER happen.

- 2014jeepcherowner, Foxboro, MA, US

problem #7

Feb 222016

Cherokee Latitude V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 15,300 miles

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

I purchased this vehicle (from a Dodge dealer) on 2/19/16 as a used vehicle with only 15,300 (approx) miles. A couple days after purchasing, I noticed it seemed to have some shifting issues, engine would rev up but the car wouldn't go anywhere, clunky shifting into 2nd and 3rd gear, when taking off from a stop, you give it has to accelerate but the car doesn't go, so you give it more gas and then it spins out. I called the dealership and they had me bring it in to have the transmission looked at (I gave them the list of all these problems I had written down). The day I took it in, the transmission man had called in sick, so they said they would do several computer updates on it, and see if that helps. I drove it for a couple more days, and it actually seemed worse. I called the dealership back, and scheduled another appointment with the transmission guy. When I picked the car up after work, I was told that he took it for a drive and said it shifted like it was supposed to, but he made an adjustment so it should shift better when going into 2nd gear. I drove it for a week, and the 2nd gear shifting did seem to be better, but not all the other stuff. I called them back a week later and told them exactly what was going on. I was told that this is a current problem Chrysler Corporation (that they are aware of) and that it's currently being worked on. He said right now there is nothing they can do for it, but would contact me when they come up with the computer update for it. He said it wouldn't do any good to put in another transmission, because they have done that for people, and they are just bringing them back in for the same issues. Kind of pisses me off that less than three weeks after purchasing my car, I'm already needing to have it fixed. That should NOT be the case with a car this new, with that few of miles on it. I love my car, other than the transmission issues. I just want it fixed!

- Susan W., Deer Park, WA, US

problem #6

Nov 052015

Cherokee Trailhawk 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 18,360 miles

Since the last "flash update" the vehicle drove fine for less than 40 miles, then the shifting performance degraded. The vehicle OFTEN will start in 3rd gear. The vehicle will OFTEN NOT downshift to 2nd or 1st during approach to a "rolling stop" situation causing the vehicle to bog upon acceleration. I wrote FCA an email regarding this issue and they made an appointment for an FCA rep to go over the vehicle's driveability.

- mrgekfx, Wadsworth, IL, US

problem #5

Aug 122014

Cherokee Latitude 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 5,455 miles

I brought my 2014 Jeep Cherokee in for an oil change. While I was there, they asked if they could do the updates from Chrysler. I told them to go ahead with them. WORST DECISION EVER.

Once the updates were done, the transmission started acting up. It would rev high and chug before shifting into the next gear. Since it wasn't happening all the time...I wondered if it was just me and my driving style. Over the next few months it began to happen more frequently. 7 months later I brought it back in because it was really getting annoying. When you slow to allow a car in front of you to turn and then try to accelerate, it revs to 5000-6000 rpms and will not move. It has to downshift all the way down before it will engage into gear. This is also a problem when you try to cross traffic and accelerate and it does the same thing. They reprogrammed the TCM and PCM...ran the relearn and drive verification and gave it back to me. 3 months later I am ready to drive this vehicle off the nearest cliff!

Now, when I purchased this vehicle I told everyone that it was the best vehicle I'd owned and I was very happy with it. I wouldn't steer anyone to purchase a Jeep Cherokee again. Not until Chrysler can get their act together and fix this problem which they KNOW is a problem, but tell their customers to LIVE WITH IT!!!! This is NOT acceptable to me. This vehicle is a year old and has 15000 miles on it. I've LIVED WITH IT for 10,000 miles. I've been patient. I don't think I'm being unreasonable when I say I've spent a lot of money on this car and I just want it fixed and taken care of. Oh and by the way...I work for a Chrysler dealership.

- Denise B., Mendota, IL, US

problem #4

Apr 302015

Cherokee Sport

  • Automatic transmission
  • 18,000 miles

My car has recently started revving quite high when I am hardy accelerating am driving at low speeds. This is not a daily problem, but I have noticed it is happening more often.

- Kara K., Moore, OK, US

problem #3

Dec 182014

Cherokee Sport 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 249 miles

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

This car is a piece of sh*t! Been to the dealers 18 times, they did an upgrade each time (or said they did...can't believe there would have been 18 upgrades already) and each time it seemed better, but after a few days it would get worse. Until the last time, it was just worse then ever. Now I consider this car a hazard driving it. You never know when it will downshift roughly when braking and I'll need to brake even harder and faster... last week end I got stopped going up a hill, all it would do is rev super high, wouldn't move forward at all! Had to stop and try over and over. When you give gas, it pauses, then it just goes nuts.. or it just shifts abnormally and goes nuts. I hate this car! and now they don't know what to do with it!! Great!!!!!!

- sandraaqc, Victoriaville, QC, Canada

problem #2

Oct 272014

Cherokee

  • Automatic transmission
  • 700 miles

I purchased a 2014 Trailhawk, with active drive II, a rear locking differential, tow package, and fully loaded. I bought this car on October 25, 2014.Three days later it was back at the dealership. I was assured that this car would be perfect for the beach (which is what I spend a lot of time doing). After having the car for a couple days, I took it on the bay (not even the ocean where the sand is softer) in conditions in which my trailblazer that I just traded in could have driven in 2WD with no problems. Upon getting on to the beach the RPM's immediately shot up to almost 3000 and the car would not shift out of second gear, unless I manually upshifted. The temperature shot up to 230 degrees (my trailblazer always ran at 210 no matter what i was doing).

I was planning on bringing it RIGHT BACK to the dealer after this problem. However later in the day, another problem arose which angered me even more. While parked at the gym, I came out to my car about an hour later, turned it on, and all the computer screens were flashing white noise (like a tv channel that does not come in). They were flashing like damn strobe lights and were absolutely blinding. ( I will be creating another report for this electrical problem).

The car was at the dealer the next morning and I was told it was throwing a whole bunch of codes and they needed to call Chrysler to get more information and gave me at PT cruiser with 100,000 miles on it that looked like it had been through hell and back as a loaner car. I just spend over 40,000 dollars on a brand new car 72 hours prior, and THAT is the loaner car you give me? Not to mention the gas tank was on E and the gas alarm went off as soon as I drove it off the lot.

Came back and got the car a day and a half later. Started it, sat in it for a minute, the computers were not flashing anymore. They told me they replaced the Master Cylinder, the ABS sensor was going haywire causing the computers to flash (wtf?) and it was resolved. I got out of the car, put the keys to the PT cruiser in the night drop box, and upon getting into my car to drive away, THE COMPUTERS WERE ALL FLASHING AGAIN. I had not even put the car in drive yet, and just dropped the keys for the hideous PT cruiser in the box.

Called the next day and they told me to call if it happened again.

Well it didn't, until yesterday.

I finally had the time to take the car for another beach test. As soon as we pulled on the beach, RPM's once again shot up to 3000 and it would not shift out of second gear yet again. However this time the high rmps and temperature were associated with a jerking motion in the rear of the car that felt like the rear differentials were being engaged and then disengaged again. My friend who is a mechanic said Kim, get off the beach now, somethings seriously wrong with your car.

Planned on calling the dealership about this as soon as they opened today (Monday). Parked the car, had dinner later in the evening, went out to drive home, and I bet you can guess what happened...yup the computer screens were flashing like a disco ball once again.

Called the dealership today, and of course, the service department is closed on monday's, how accomodating.

I don't know what to do about this car. There is 700 miles on it. I think I'm going to cut my losses and get rid of this thing ASAP. I'm at my wits end!!!!!!

- Kim H., East Hampton, NY, US

problem #1

Sep 032014

Cherokee Latitude 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 3,000 miles

Car wouldn't move when starting in the morning without revving above 4000. Cleared after a few minutes driving.

Drove straight to dealer but he couldn't reproduce the problem.

Happened second time - dealer still could not reproduce.

Happened 3rd time. Dealer came to my house, saw the problem and took the car. The dealer replaced the valve-body.

Happened 4th time - this was dangerous as I was near the summit of Mt. Washington NH. Took the car back to the dealer. The dealer managed to duplicate the problem after a week. Chrysler advised dealer to put grease on some connector.

I do not want this car back - it will kill someone!!

- Nissim H., Beachwood, OH, US

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