Which Jeep Cherokee years have the most transmission problems?

The 2019 model year has the most transmission complaints, followed by 2018. The 2020 and 2021 years have fewer. Newer years show low counts, but they have had less time to collect complaints, so those low counts do not clear them.

Is it safe to drive a Cherokee with transmission problems?

It can be risky. Complaints include sudden loss of drive power, engine shutoff with reduced steering and braking assist, and crashes. If the car revs without moving, drops out of gear or shows a Service Transmission warning, have it inspected before driving it further.

Is there a recall for Jeep Cherokee transmission problems?

Yes, several. Recall 25V011000 covers PTU damage on 2017 to 2019 models. Recall 18V492000 covers a transmission weld on 2019 models. Recall 18V739000 covers a stall on 2019 cars with the 2.4L engine. Recall 21V310000 covers a 2021 oil cooler hose. Check your VIN for open recalls.

What is the PTU on a Jeep Cherokee?

The power transfer unit sends power to the drive system. Owners report grinding, a Service 4WD light, metal shavings in the fluid and loss of drive when it fails. Recall 25V011000 says PTU damage can cause loss of drive power or loss of park function.

How much does a Cherokee transmission repair cost?

The data does not give a transmission repair price. Independent repair-cost data puts yearly repairs for the whole model at $520. Owners report replacement transmissions, and recalled repairs are free. Confirm any recall coverage before paying for a repair.

Last updated: 2026-10-10

Jeep Cherokee Transmission Problems

Jeep Cherokee transmission trouble most often means PTU failure, lost drive power or harsh shifting, mainly in 2018 and 2019 models.

Owner complaints: 1,331
Share of all complaints: 27%
Crash / fire / injury reports: 19 / 3 / 5
Related recalls: 7

Cherokee transmission complaints by model year

The 2019 model year has the most transmission complaints by a wide margin, and 2018 comes second. The 2020 and 2021 years have fewer, but owners still report harsh shifting, replaced transmissions and transfer case trouble. Model years 2023 through 2026 show far fewer complaints. Those cars have simply had less time on the road to collect them, so a low count does not make them the safer pick. The 2024 and 2025 reports already describe power loss at highway speed and a transmission that will not engage.

2018
327
2019
686
2020
148
2021
105
2023
27
2024
27
2025
10
2026
1

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA under power train. Newer model years have had less time to collect complaints.

What goes wrong

Transmission trouble on this model comes in two main forms. In one, the transmission slams into gear, sticks in first, drops into neutral or refuses to engage while the engine revs. In the other, the power transfer unit (PTU) grinds, throws a Service 4WD light and then loses drive. Some drivers also see a Service Shifter warning. Dealers often find no codes and fall back on software updates, so the fault can return.

This is a safety problem, not just an annoyance. Federal complaint records include crashes after sudden loss of drive power, a car that shifted itself into park at 45 mph, and an engine that shut off with steering and braking assist gone. One 2020 report describes flames after the car lost the ability to accelerate on an interstate. Some cars needed a replacement transmission within the first few thousand miles. Transmission complaints make up about a quarter of all complaints on this model. Some filings in this category describe the Grand Cherokee instead.

Symptoms owners report

PTU grinding and Service 4WD

A Service 4WD light comes on, often with grinding or knocking from the drivetrain and metal shavings in the fluid. Some owners lose 4WD without warning. In worse cases the car loses drive power altogether, and repair parts have been on back order.

Engine revs, car will not go

The engine climbs in revs while the car barely moves or coasts. Owners report this at intersections and on highways. A blinking D indicator and a restart to recover are common. Some cars stay stuck in first gear.

Harsh or sudden shifts

The transmission slams into gear, jumps out of gear, or drops down several gears at speed. Owners describe a hard 1-2 or 2-3 shift and a clunk. Some see a check engine light along with it.

Shifts into park or neutral by itself

Some drivers say the car dropped into neutral while moving or went into park at speed. Others report a parked car rolling away in reverse. Some of the roll-away reports in this group are for the Grand Cherokee.

Power loss with warnings

The car slows or shuts off while driving, sometimes with a Service Transmission or Service Hybrid System warning. Power steering and brake assist can go too. Dealers often cannot reproduce it or find no codes.

Service Shifter warning

A Service Shifter message appears, sometimes with all the shifter lights lit. One owner was told the shifter needed replacing and waited on parts. Restarting the car sometimes clears it for a while.

When the problems start

Owners report trouble at nearly every stage. Some failures show up in the first few thousand miles, including a shifter warning at 8,300 miles and power loss at 2,400 miles. Transfer case failures are reported between 35,000 and 60,000 miles, and a front axle fractured at about 37,000 miles. Full transmission failures show up between 77,278 and 88,000 miles. One 2018 owner saw PTU trouble at 206,000 miles.

Repairs and recalls

Owners describe dealer visits that end in software updates, with the problem often returning. Reported repairs include a new transmission, a valve body and transmission control module, and a replaced shifter. Federal recall records list several fixes. Recall 25V011000 covers 2017 to 2019 Cherokees with PTU damage, and dealers update software and replace the PTU as needed, free. Recall 18V492000 covers a poorly welded transmission component on 2019 models, with a free transmission replacement. Recall 18V739000 re-flashes the controller on 2019 cars with the 2.4L engine. Recall 21V310000 covers a transmission oil cooler hose on 2021 models. Independent repair-cost data puts yearly repairs for the model at $520.

Model years	Campaign	Problem
2021	21V310000	Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2021 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. The transmission oil cooler hose may have been incorrectly cured, allowing transmission fluid to leak.
2019	18V739000	Chrysler(FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019 Jeep Cherokee vehicles equipped with 2.4L engines. Improper transmission calibration may result in a stall.
2019	20V183000	Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango vehicles. The front differential may have been assembled with pinion gears that are insufficiently hardened, which can lead to the…
2018, 2019	25V011000	Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. The power transfer unit (PTU) may become damaged and disengage the transmission and differential, resulting in a loss of drive power and/or…
2019	18V492000	Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019 Jeep Cherokee vehicles and 2018 Chrysler Pacifica non-hybrid vehicles. A component in the transmission may not have been welded properly, possibly causing the…
2018	18V494000	Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Jeep Cherokee all-wheel-drive vehicles. The bearing cage for the right front halfshaft assembly may not have been properly heat treated, possibly resulting in the bearing…
2018	18V280000	Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Dodge Charger, Durango and Challenger, Jeep Grand Cherokee and Wrangler, Chrysler 300, and RAM 1500 vehicles. An incorrect transmission park lock rod may have been…

Checking a used Cherokee for transmission problems

Run the VIN through federal recall records and confirm the PTU, transmission and oil cooler hose recalls were completed.
Ask for service records showing any PTU, transmission or shifter repair, and whether the problem came back.
Drive in stop-and-go traffic and watch for harsh 1-2 and 2-3 shifts, slipping, or revving without acceleration.
Check the dash for Service 4WD, Service Shifter or Service Transmission warnings, and listen for grinding from the drivetrain.
Park on a gentle slope in park with the engine running and confirm the car holds still.
Have a mechanic inspect the transmission fluid for metal shavings and check for fluid leaks near the cooler hose.

7 transmission recalls cover the Jeep Cherokee. A VIN check shows whether the car you're looking at had its recall work done, plus accident and title history.

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