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:
17 / 7
Injuries / Deaths:
7 / 0
Average Mileage:
34,162 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.
We have had the vehicle inspected by 2 different mechanics, both confirming our PTU is failing. My wife and I have a toddler and this is our only vehicle; while we-??re driving the vehicle to and from work, and going to get groceries sometimes the car will start flashing -??ESC off-?? and will stop while we-??re driving. Almost like the car has slammed on its breaks. This has happened while we-??re going 10mph and happened going 40mph. Of course this puts not only us as risk of serious harm or death, but the other drivers on the road if our car decides to slam on its breaks and someone hits since this happens out of nowhere. Again, this issue has been confirmed my two separate independent service centers and two separate dates. The vehicle has not been inspected by manufacturer, insurance representatives, or police except for the two separate mechanics we took our vehicle to. 1 week before this issue began the ESC off button started flashing which we immediately took it to the repair shop a few days later and was diagnosed with a failing PTU. This car is incredibly dangerous to drive and each time we drive it -?" it feels like a death sentence.
73000 miles. 2014 Jeep. Mechanic reported PTU problem. VIN is not on list of recall. Car "service 4wheel" dashboard light is on. Auto vibrates when driven.
Rear tires locked up in reverse. While in gear they lock up randomly. Car shut off and broke down while driving on expressway and lost control. No accident but could-??ve been bad. 4x4 light on says svc. Mechanic says shows signs of new safety recall 02C? Talked to Jeep dealership and they weren-??t aware of such recall on this model. Need help on who to contact and what to do.
The contact owns a 2014 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the transmission unexpectedly shifted to neutral(N). The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The contact pulled over and turned off and restarted the vehicle and was able to continue driving normally. The contact purchased the vehicle and stated that the failure was a recurring failure. The contact stated that the "Check Battery" warning light recently illuminated when the vehicle was shifted into neutral(N). The contact had taken the vehicle to two independent mechanics who were unable to duplicate the failure. The battery was checked and was operating normally. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V529000 (Power Train); however, the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was approximately 151,000.
Power Transfer Unit fails to properly engage 4x4 power train in hazardous weather conditions. It is available upon request for inspection. My safety is put at risk as I live in a mountainous area and require tow assistance to overtake obstacles like snow and uneven terrain. The overheating that occurs as a result of my attempts to engage the 4x4 power train system wears down other components on my vehicle; resulting in excess use and increase likelihood of those components experiencing premature failure. The dealer failed to make a concerted attempt to recreate the issue and instead pushes for replacement of the PTU. The vehicle components are inspected at regular intervals to satisfy safety inspections for the purposes of registering the vehicle. However, I am still left to sort out my own safety concerns in the case of the faulty PTU. The warning lights that flash 'SVC 4x4' come on when I need to engage the 4x4 power train. It is precisely in those moments when I need the Jeep's 4x4 power train system to engage and it fails to do so each time.
- Tupper Lake, NY, USA
Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...
Vehicle would shut completely off when stopped at a red light. Shifter would not move. I was put a risk on a busy street, stuck at a red light and could not move to a safer location. The second time there were three children in the car when the car shuts off at a red light. The problem has been confirmed by dealer and has been inspected. Check engine light was on, however nothing was showed for about the shifter. Dealer mentioned PRNDL and harness. I see that there were previous recalls with the Jeep Cherokee but the car is still showing symptoms of them. It-??s is not safe for me to drive and I have been without a car for almost 3 months.
The contact owns a 2014 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle failed to shift into gear properly with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact also stated that the vehicle jerked while the accelerator was depressed, and the vehicle lunged forward while depressing the brake pedal. The contact also stated that the windshield wipers were inoperable and failed to function while activating the windshield wipers. The contact also stated that the rearview camera inadvertently activated while driving at undisclosed speeds, and the instrument panel failed to function properly. The vehicle was taken to the dealer was where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission control module and windshield wiper motor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 46,000.
This vehicle had multiple reprograms for transmission control module and still had same issue I have only had the vehicle 1 year and driven it 7k and I take. It to Jim Browne jeep dealership they said they transmission control module needs replacement the jeep when I brake jumps forward and speeds up its unpredictable and unsafe it also does not shift into gear it slips and I did a search and see. This has been a reoccurring issue.As well as my back up camera appears while I am driving and parked, or screen just says jeep or goes blue unable to change dash supply control at all, this vehicle is a lemon and we were not told of any of these issues
The contact owns a 2014 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving 30 MPH, the vehicle began to jerk, the driver lost control of the vehicle, and the vehicle stalled. The shift key inoperable message was displayed. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V343000 (Power Train); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer to be diagnosed and it was determined that the PTU was the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to another local dealer, where it was determined that the transfer case, PTU, and rear differential were leaking. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 124,000.
This has been an issue since I have bought the vehicle in 2020. I have taken it to the shop to be repaired 3 times in which was told the issue was repaired. The rear differential and transfer case units are bad. Upon my research there are multiple and I mean tons of 2014 Jeep Cherokee limited with this same issue. It is a known manufacturer issue and it concerns a huge road safety for drivers, passengers and other drivers on the road. Major concern. I have reported this once before and I am reporting again as my vehicle has been fixed 3 times and it still is an issue so this needs to be addressed for other Jeep owners for the safety of everyone. Please advice quickly and please get this safety concern on the recall list AS SOON AS POSSIBLE! ALSO PLEASE ADVISE THIS TO THE JEEP MANUFACTURER TO GET THIS TAKEN CARE OF IN ALL THE NEW VEHICLES!
My 2014 Jeep Cherokee began exhibiting repeated transmission and electrical malfunctions, particularly after startup or while idling. The most concerning issue is the appearance of a -??Switch to Park-?? warning message, which occurs while the vehicle is already in Drive. When this happens, the transmission fails to engage properly, and I-??m unable to shift into gear without cycling through Park multiple times. **seems to start happening after filling gas tank to full** This poses a major safety risk, especially in intersections or during stop-and-go traffic. The car has also experienced flashing odometer issues, rough idle, and erratic behavior when shifting -?" all of which point to a communication failure between core modules (BCM, TCM, PCM). A Chrysler-certified dealership performed a proxy alignment after acknowledging that the modules were -??talking at the same time.-?? While no fault codes appeared on my OBD-II scanner, the dealer determined that the issue required a software-level alignment. However, I was told this is not part of any current recall or TSB, despite my symptoms being identical to other complaints already logged (e.g., NHTSA ID 11425007). This problem has occurred multiple times, both before and after dealership service. I was also informed there are no current recalls, but VIN-based systems like VinSeeker.com have suggested there may be open recall alerts related to transmission or software issues. This type of malfunction places the driver and passengers at risk of unexpected stalling, transmission disengagement, or inability to accelerate -?" especially dangerous in high-traffic areas. The issue appears to be known, systemic, and potentially tied to faulty transmission control software or defective module synchronization.
Failed Power Transfer Unit. Unable to shift to 4WD because system is not recognizing. Service engine light has come on. This is a widely known issue with the Jeep vehicles and so far there is no warranty extension covering my 2014 vehicle.
The 4WD system is no longer working. Put in park and tried to shift and now I have an error warning light. 4WS system unavailable. Service required. The PTU seems to be the issue but the open recalls I have found do not cover this issue for my vehicle.
Submission to NHTSA Regarding Transmission Issues in 2014 Jeep Cherokee Latitude Summary of Concerns I purchased a 2014 Jeep Cherokee Latitude in November 2024, and the transmission issues began approximately six months later. The vehicle exhibits the following problems: -??Harsh and delayed shifting -??Sudden jerks and gear hunting during low-speed driving -??Severe hesitation from a stop, especially at intersections or in traffic -??Loss of power under throttle, with unpredictable shifts These issues make the vehicle unsafe for daily driving, particularly in traffic or at intersections where a lack of predictable acceleration increases the risk of accidents. Despite a visit to the Midas dealer, where these issues were reproduced and linked to multiple Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs), the problems persist. The transmission's erratic behavior, even after software updates, remains unresolved and poses a significant safety concern for both the driver and others on the road. Resolution Sought I respectfully urge the NHTSA to: -??Investigate the transmission behavior in the 2014 Jeep Cherokee Latitude -??Consider initiating a full recall or service campaign to address these persistent transmission issues -??Demand that Jeep implement a permanent solution to ensure the safety and reliability of affected vehicles The ongoing transmission problems in this vehicle, as reported by myself and other owners, necessitate immediate action to prevent potential accidents or injuries. A comprehensive and effective resolution is essential to address this critical safety concern.
Vehicle randomly imitates being in neutral when it is actually in drive mode. It has lost power on long hill climbs wthout any downshifting as would be necessary. Vehicle will occasionally accelerate on its own without notice. This has happened both on the open road and setting at red lights. These are sometimes able to reset with the turning off and back on of the motor. These symptoms started very randomly, but have increased in events over time.
Car bought new on 2014. On 2018 car started to show engine light to illuminate on and off. Jeep technician comply with recalls, and did not change transmission despite DTC U0402 was there all the time, and car was under warranty. Now, Delaware Motor Vehicle does not want to renew my tag because DTC U0402 is related to increase of emissions. Cost of changing transmission is $11,000. Jeep office does not want to authorize the change of transmission despite the problem started when the car was 4 years old. Not fair at all. I am worry to have accidents because of this DTC.
Jumpy Transmission, when shifting gears vehicle pauses, jumps a bit, makes a noise, then shifts into the new gear. Everyone in the car jerks their head when the gears jump. The dealership has looked at the vehicle a few times, and say nothing is wrong. An outside mechanic looked and said this is a common problem with my make and model and it is a faulty transmission issue.
Failed 4WD due to failed PTU or Transfer Case. Jeep extended a warranty for this but ONLY for two OBD codes, if yours fails for any other reason, and there are many, like a bad actuator, you don't get the warranty. From my research this is a WIDESPREAD issue and REQUIRES a recall. This is a VERY expensive fix if you don't match the exact OBD code, but it affects thousands of people.
The contact owns a 2014 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The contact was able to pull over to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle returned to normal functionality. The service 4x4 warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the power transfer unit. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V343000 (Power Train); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 130,000.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Ocala, FL, USA