2014 JEEP CHEROKEE Complaints

I have reported this before and I am reporting once again as it is a very serious safety hazard. Vehicle: 2014 Jeep Cherokee Limited Component/System: Power Train – Transfer Case / Drivetrain (4WD/AWD System) I am submitting this complaint to report a recurring and potentially hazardous malfunction involving the transfer case on my 2014 Jeep Cherokee Limited. The vehicle exhibits multiple symptoms consistent with transfer case failure, including intermittent grinding and clunking noises from the drivetrain, jerking and binding during acceleration or low-speed turns, and difficulty engaging or maintaining 4WD/AWD modes. The vehicle has also displayed dashboard warnings such as “Service 4WD” and “4WD Temporarily Unavailable.” At times, vibration can be felt through the floorboard at highway speeds, and the vehicle has intermittently lost power to either the front or rear wheels. These issues pose a significant safety concern. The inconsistent torque delivery causes unpredictable handling, including sudden hesitation, surging, or traction loss during normal driving. The vehicle has also exhibited momentary drivetrain binding that feels similar to braking or wheel lockup, creating a risk of loss of control—particularly when turning, merging, or driving in adverse weather. There is concern that the transfer case could suffer sudden internal failure, potentially resulting in immediate power loss, immobilization, or inability to maneuver out of traffic. Given the frequency of transfer case and power transfer unit failures reported by other Jeep Cherokee owners of this model year, I believe this issue may represent a broader safety defect. The malfunction directly affects vehicle stability, traction control function, and the ability to safely accelerate or maintain speed. I request that NHTSA investigate this matter for a safety recall as soon as possible due to the potential for loss of vehicle control and the risk of a crash or injury.

While driving, the vehicle shifts itself into neutral and goes into a limp mode with no power. Almost caused a serious accident going 70 mph when it shifted itself into neutral

I purchased this 2014 Jeep Cherokee from Taverna Collection in Feb 2025 and received it in March 2025. The selling dealer was required to inspect the vehicle before delivery and did not report any transmission or valve-body issues. On June 25, 2025, the vehicle received a multipoint inspection at Auto Angel in Santa Fe. No transmission failure, shifting issues, or valve-body concerns were found. The Jeep was not showing symptoms related to Recall U90 at that time. After this, I attempted to have Recall U90 (PCM/TCM reprogramming) performed. Lithia Chrysler in Santa Fe confirmed the recall by email and scheduled an appointment, but after towing the vehicle to them they refused to perform the recall and repeatedly stated “there is no recall,” forcing me to tow the vehicle home and then again two days later to a dealership in Albuquerque. At the Albuquerque dealership, I gave clear instructions not to perform any paid repairs—including a transmission valve-body replacement—until the U90 reflash was completed and confirmed. I never received confirmation. The dealership later claimed they followed protocol but refused to release the WiTECH session report or timestamps showing when the recall work occurred. They told me I could only see documentation after paying $2,600. I contacted FCA/Stellantis. The case manager said her supervisor stated the dealer “followed protocol,” but FCA admitted this was based solely on the dealership’s word. FCA could not confirm whether they reviewed the WiTECH diagnostic session or any recall repair records. Under 49 U.S.C. §30120(i) and 49 CFR Part 576, manufacturers and dealers must retain detailed recall records, including diagnostic data and timestamps, to verify proper recall completion. FCA’s inability or refusal to verify the recall using these required records raises concerns that Recall U90 may not have been performed correctly or in the proper sequence. I request NHTSA review this matter.

Service AWD and Service Parking Brake warnings are present on the dashboard. The problem lies in a bad PTU (Power Transfer Unit) and the DTCM that controls it. Part is not available for purchase and currently back ordered nationwide indefinitely. The cost of the part and labor combined approaches to 80% of the residual value of the vehicle at 118,000 miles.

Transmission is very jerky and have had this problem since i had it with 111,000 miles. I went to a mechanic and was told it was ptu. Was also checking online and not sure why it isn’t covered but i’ve seen everyone has this problem on this jeep. Really to expensive for me to fix.

Unknown when taking off from a stop sign it’s has a delay when hitting the gas also when driving down the road it’s like a jerking or feel like transmission jerking or slipping or something it’s does it every time I drive i

We have had the vehicle inspected by 2 different mechanics, first saying the TCM was out now both confirming our PTU is failing. This is our sons only vehicle; while he driving the vehicle to and from work, and going to School sometimes the car will start flashing “ESC off” and will stop while he was driving. Almost like the car has slammed on its breaks. This has happened while he was going 10mph and happened going 40mph, the last time he was going 65MPH down interstate and car locked up causing him to slide down exit ramp luckily no one was beside him at the time. Of course this puts not only him as risk of serious harm or death, but the other drivers on the road if his car decides to slam on its breaks and someone hits since this happens out of nowhere. Again, this issue has been confirmed by two separate dealership 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 dealership 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.

Vehicle has been inspected by 2 different mechanics, both confirming our PTU is failing. This is our sons only vehicle; while he was driving the vehicle to and from work, and going to school sometimes the car will start flashing “ESC off” and will stop while he driving. Almost like the car has slammed on its breaks. This has happened while he going 10mph and happened going 40mph, most dangerous time he was driving 65MPH on interstate when it locked up and caused him to slide down a exit ramp. Of course this puts not only him at risk of serious harm or death, but the other drivers on the road if his 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.

The contact owns a 2014 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that refueling the vehicle took approximately 20 minutes to accomplish. The contact had to pump the fuel slowly, and it was difficult to fuel the vehicle to capacity. There was only one fuel pump that the contact could use in the town of his residence. The contact stated that fuel was spilling on the vehicle and the ground while refueling. There was an abnormal fuel odor inside the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer on four occasions, where an unknown diagnostic was provided. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken to two independent mechanics who were unable to assist because the mechanics were not certified. The manufacturer was contacted and opened a case. The approximate failure mileage was 161,334.

The contact owns a 2014 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while the accelerator pedal was depressed. The service transmission and check engine warning lights were illuminated. In addition, the contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost automotive power but was able to be restarted. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed, and determined that the hydraulic pressure sensor needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the hydraulic pressure sensor was replaced by an independent mechanic; however, the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.