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.
My wife was driving the Cherokee on a level street at approximately 40 miles per hour and the power transfer unit malfunctioned causing the wheels to lock up. The 4-wheel drive was disabled and the emergency brake began engaging randomly. She was able to drive to the local Jeep dealer who informed her that the Power Transfer Unit had broken and needed to be replaced. This car is approximately 5,000 miles out of their 60,000 mile drivetrain warranty and has never been driven off road. When looking at the frequency of this part failure on the internet, it appears to be a chronic problem and in fact previous model years have been recalled for this issue. This year should be recalled too. On top of the part failure, Jeep can't even get the part to repair it due to the extreme demand. We cannot be given an estimate of when the part will be available.
I was driving on an on ramp on an interstate and the vehicle suddenly went from drive mode into losing power and completely stalling out. From that point, the vehicle would not start and had to be pushed to the side of the on ramp. The manufacturer says that the Power Transfer Unit failed and needs replacement.
SVC 4WD light comes on dash screen. Power to wheels is no longer equal and is interrupted. Drive power can go directly to either front wheel. This causes an abrupt change in direction requiring immediate correction of steering to avoid hitting vehicles in next lane or driving into a parked car along the road. Only quick reaction kept me from hitting the vehicle in the lane next to me! Vehicle has been taken to dealer and inspected. They confirmed the PTU is defective. This was on Aug. 9, 2023. Today is Dec. 14, 2023. I have now been told the new ETA is the second week of Jan. 2024. I was originally told the part was to arrive Sept. 21, 2023. The vehicle is not safe to drive. I'm sure not many people know to report this issue. I understand that Jeep was replacing PTUs at the rate of approx. 700 a month back in may of 2023. I also understand this part has been superseded 7 times. So a total "fix" has not yet been found.
Had trans and transfer case PTO unit replaced, cause was transfer case and trans slines stripped. there is a recall for for this issue but not for my model year. 2020 jeep Cherokee trail hawk. recalls are for 2016-17 however because of the year of my jeep it isn't part of the recall but had the same issue regarding the same part # need reimbursement still 4 work. (In 2020, Fiat Chrysler America recalled 67,248 units of the 2014-2017 Jeep Cherokee in the United States over a transmission issue that could result in a loss of power or rollaway situation. At the time, paperwork filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration explained that certain "vehicles were built with a two speed Power Transfer Unit ("PTU") that allows relative movement between the differential input splines and the transmission output shaft." The movement could wear down the input splines, causing a loss of engagement between transmission and differential, thereby cutting power to the front wheels. Worn splines could also prevent the transmission from engaging Park when stationary, leading to a possible rollaway situation. That recall applied only to all-wheel-drive models with the two-speed Power Transfer Unit, which simulates the two-speed transfer case found in many part-time four-wheel-drive trucks and SUVs. Jeep brands the affected systems as "Active Drive II" or "Active Drive Lock." Vehicles among the recall population that featured the PTU model in question benefited from "more robust differential splines." The fix for the recalled vehicles wasn't replacing the worn PTU splines with the upgraded versions. The fix was a software update that worked around the fault to either alert the driver, to shift power to the rear wheels when the malfunction occurred, or to automatically apply the parking brake if the fault happened while the driver was attempting to shift into park. What's stranger is that Jeep has issued a new recall for a subset of the original recall population, )
PTU Issue: A recall was already done on this problem with a Jeep Model years 2016/2017. I now have the same problem on my 2020 Jeep. The transmission slips and the 4 wheel drive is not reliable. I was told by the dealer I needed the PTU replaced. The dealership diagnosed the issue as the PTU and wants 4k to fix. It is the same issue described in your recall. Jeep USA and the dealer acknowledge the issue but where its not a recall on this model told me " I have to pay." and I need fixed asap! I could not even get an appt for 2 + months. They avoided it.
- Bradford, MA, USA
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The contact owns a 2020 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to shift out of gear. The vehicle failed to remain in automatic and instead shifted into 4WD and snow mode. The vehicle failed to engage or disengage. While in park, the vehicle shifted into neutral. While in the park, the parking brake engaged without driver interaction. The START/STOP warning light was illuminated. The 4WD not available message was displayed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the fork in the transfer case might be fractured or stuck. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the transfer case needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.
Our Jeep has had multiple accounts of shifting hard, hesitation while shifting, and a on and off service 4wd light. We reported these issues to the Jeep dealership it was purchased from and they said nothing was wrong after 4 scheduled maintenance visits. We brought our Jeep to a neighboring dealership who immediately found the issue and said it was a major transmission component that went bad. Fast forward to a week later and the part has been fixed but the issue is still happening!
When coasting at low speeds the vehicle makes multiple click sounds and now there has been a clunking sound seems like when. Trying to downshift or upshift almost as it can't find a gear. When in a stoped position I put it in drive ease the gas and it will jump into gear. Has been multiple complaints about clicking and clinking with the vehicle and nothing fixing the problem unless ptu, transmission, u joint or driveshaft is replaced this is scary to spend so much on a vehicle for my family and worry about when it's going to break down.
Transmission intermittently does not engage immediately into 1st gear causing engine to rev up and unintended acceleration to occur. Vehicle has been taken to dealer for service on this issue several times but problem still remains. This is a safety issue as several near accidents have been experienced. Issue seems to occur in tight spaces such as parking areas or when going from reverse to forward. Issue does not generate a fault code and dealer will not take action unless a code is present. Issue happens frequently and is known to happen with this vehicle model.
The check engine light came on, then my parking brake light, crash parking light, and stop and stop light on my dash. It wouldn't start at first but tried three time and it did. I drove home with the vehicle, and it wasn't shifting properly. I had it towed to the dealership and was told it was electrical after they tested it. Three days later I was told it was the transmission. Now I'm being told it is the mounts as well.
While driving when I come to a stop and i then start to accelerate when the light changes, the vehicle will start to move, then there is a load hard clunk and then the vehicle looses power. The safety of myself or other ps is put at risk because I could be in moving traffic when this happens. It has not been confirmed by a mechanic, I did ask at the dealer, but they said because the issue is sporadic they would not be able to figure out what the problem was and then recommended a $500 dollar transmission service and said that may not fix the problem. There were no warning lights. This problem happens sporadically, it will do it and then be good for a couple months or longer before doing it again. I emailed molar and asked what they thought, but never heard anything from them. I did see by googling that Jeep had issues with previous years, but it did not cover my year vehicle. I did see just tonight that there was a vehicle in Ohio that had reported this same type of issue to your office. I have 700 miles left on my warranty and I am very concerned about this issue and do not know what to do about. The dealer was not a help, only had a poke and hope approach, so I did not have them look at my vehicle. Any help you can give would be appreciated.
The PTU failed on a well maintained 2020 Jeep Cherokee Limited. The SVC 4WD warning light came on my vehicle and the 4x4 system is not working. I took the vehicle to a Jeep dealership. The Jeep dealership looked at the issue and said I needed a new battery, which I paid a lot of money for then to install. They said the light would eventually go out. It did not. I had to bring it back and then they performed a diagnostic and inspection of the vehicle and determined that the vehicle has a bad PTU. This is a leased vehicle and I have been having to rent cars for the past month while we wait for a part for over a month. The dealership told me I could drive the car without a problem but it is such a terrible sound that I do not feel it is safe.
In August 2022, My 2020 Jeep Cherokee 4x4 Limited started having jerking issues when excellerating. I also kept hearing a whistling sound that appears to come from the front passenger door. In addition, the entire navigation system would power off, at any time, for no reason. I would have to physically turn it back on. One week later while running errands in Palm Coast Florida my 2020 Jeep would not start for approximately 20 minutes and the SVC 4Wheel Drive warning light was illuminated. While on the phone with road side assistance the jeep started. I was instructed to drive home and a tow company would be contacted. Driving home I realized that I had no operating lights, turn signals, and all th Jeep electrical components were out. I drove for 15 minutes to my home in complete fear for myself and other motorist. In August 2022, My Jeep was towed to Atlantic Dodge-Chrysler Jeep dealership located at 2330 US-1 South, St. Augustine Florida 32086 (904) 797-4383. I was initially told my issues were caused by a dead battery cell. The dealership replaced my battery but the SVC 4Wheel indicator was still illuminated. I was instructed by the dealership service department to drive 2 hours and rest the vehicle for 24 hours. The SVC 4Wheel indicator did not reset. I was informed by the dealership that a PTU unit needs to be replaced. I keep my vehicle routinely dealership maintained, so I researched the causes for PTU failure in 2020 Jeeps. I found that there has been a history of PTU failures with my vehicle type, to include the backup view delay. My vehicle has not been recalled for the rear backup view and it is still malfunctioning. If there is a recall on PTU units and rear Backup viewing, please send me the information to schedule a recall repair.
Starting mid 2022, the vehicle was having trouble shifting into passing gear upon highway acceleration. It seemed to get stuck at 45 MPH before shifting into a higher speed, putting me at risk. Subsequently, In September 2022, I brought vehicle in for oil change. The mechanic put the car on a lift and found that the passenger front axle boot was torn, and fluid was leaking from the axel joint. I brought the car to the dealership for repair. The transmission problem was a needed computer update. The axel boot and axel half was replaced. The troubling aspect of this is that no warning lights came on for any of these issues.
On 3 separate occasions after being stopped to make a turn vehicle has started to go and then stops moving like its out of gear. It will then make a clunkng noise like its going into gear and start moving again. I have taken it to jeep and they said after 1st two times it needed an update. It has since done it again and they tell me unless it does it while they have it they dont know what it is. This started with only 18000 miles on vehicle and it currently has around 22000. This is scary because its going to cause me to be in a wreck if it happens while I'm turning in traffic. Please feel free to contact me for further information.
My 2020 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk began experiencing a "clunking" noise coming from the center of the vehicle. The first time I took it in, the dealer could not replicate the noise. The second time, the dealer did hear it and determined it was the Power Transfer Unit. The dealer *claimed* it was the result of uneven tire wear from the factory Firestone tires. The dealer has offered to replace the PTU under the warranty; however, they stated they "may not" replace the new PTU if we continue on the same tires. Even with 34k miles, the front tires have 10/32 and the rear tires have 12/32. They said that we needed to purchase new tires through them at $920. When I mentioned about getting tires from another tire store, he needed to check with his manager to see if the PTU would still be warrantied. The PTU is a known problem for the Cherokee but the dealer has been trying to seek ways to get more money.
In December 2021 the "AWD not available" warning message came on. During a trip, the cruise control did not work. Took car to dealer on January 4, 2022. Diagnostics revealed the following: oil leak in the engine, repaired under the warranty. Body controller module and body wiring failed, replaced under warranty. Power transfer unit failed, power transfer unit replaced under warranty. Car returned to me repaired on January 14, 2022.
I purchased a brand new 2020 Jeep Cherokee last January and my 4 wheel drive sensor came on in November. My dealership got me in the first of December and told me it's my ptu. They stated the part was on back order till the first of January. I asked if I could get a loaner till the part came in and they stated they don't provide loaners for that long of time. I let it go and decided today to give them a call with an update on my part for my 4 wheel drive. They stated still don't have a date for when the part will be in. I explained this is crazy because I bought a brand new 4 wheel drive vehicle to have for the Maine winter and haven't had 4 wheel drive at all this winter. He said he was sorry and will call as soon as they know more Maine
1-20-2020 purchased a new Jeep Cherokee latitude, we purchased the car with 4 wheel drive and all terrain tires for our needs, gravel, mud, snow, flooding etc.in or about 12-1-2020 we received an recall W43, we thought it had to do with the bumper being melted by the exhaust. The recall stated tire rub and exhaust tips. Well needless to say they performed the recall, which I was suspect of because I think they are trying to hide a defect in manufacturing of the vehicle. Well anyway they repaired the vehilce to there liking, they replaced the exhaust, and replaced all four tires with 18" rims and street tires. And they did not replace the spare tire. I believe this was done to alleviate any defect that the all terrain tires would show and cause more problems. Aka warranty. Now I dont have the off road capabilities and 4 wheel drive safety that I had when we purchased the car. With these street tires which are not rated for sand gravel snow etc, dont work on 4 wheel drive vehicles, and cause me to lose mileage, now I have a car that was purchased, the 4 tires were changed, only 4 rims were changed and I have no off road capabilities. I paid for the tires that were on the vehicle, I paid for the car to have off road and 4 wheel drive caqpabiltys and now I have noon. Not even the right spare.
The vehicle was in motion. The vehicle made a notification on the cluster saying 4WD system unavailable, service required. The vehicle then began to shift ruff and the only way you could get it to point a to B is if as soon as you started it you put it in sports mode. The vehicle went into the shop on 10-15-2020 and came out of the shop on 12-4-2020 due to them not being able to get the part which was a power transfer unit. The part got delayed multiple times. After I got the car back on the 4th it started making a rattling noise from the front end like something was loose. I messaged the mechanic and advised him of the issue and he told me to take it in the following day and he would look at it. Unfortunately he got sick and I finally got back ahold of him on Monday the 7th to look at it. He said it seems like something is out of torque and that he would get ahold of me the following day to bring it in so I could have a loaner vehicle. I have since heard from him. My car also made an error code of auto start/stop system not responding yesterday the 10th of December which I notified the mechanic and have yet to get a response.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Tecumseh, MI, USA