2019 JEEP CHEROKEE Complaints

My 2019 Jeep Cherokee Limited has a diagnosed failure of the two speed Power Transfer Unit (PTU), which is the exact subject of active NHTSA Campaign 26V290000/Jeep Recall 40D. Ed Martin Jeep in Anderson, Indiana provided me with written diagnostics confirming the failure. However, they stated “the part is on back order for 4-6 months” and even explicitly told me “the Jeep is fine to drive, nothing should happen to it”. The official NHTSA Safety reports warns this failure causes an unrecoverable loss of motive power at any speed and severe park rollaway risks. Driving this vehicle for half a year presents an extreme, life threatening safety hazard, and the manufacturer/dealer is failing to provide me with alternate safe transportation while the part is on backorder.

Delayed response to gas pedal, stalling, delayed shifting. Stalling when suppose to accelerate. No response from transmission for a few seconds when accelerating.

The contact owns a 2019 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated while driving at 10 MPH, the contact noticed an abnormal loud clicking sound. The contact stated that the failure occurred while the transmission was in the lower gear. In addition, the contact stated that while the vehicle was parked on a slanted hill surface, the vehicle rolled backwards significantly. The contact stated that the emergency brake was enabled. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with a failed PTU. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was scheduled for diagnostic testing at the dealer within the next couple of days. The contact referenced an unknown recall; however, the VIN was not associated with a recall related to the failure.The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 141,000.

Vehicle began shaking and stuttering while driving. "4WD System Unavailable Service Required" Message appeared. Local mechanic stated there is an issue with the PTU. Checked the VIN and no recall has been issued for this vehicle but a recall was recently announced for Jeep Cherokees 2019-2023

A few weeks ago, on several separate occasions while I was driving, the engine suddenly lost power; power was restored only after I restarted the engine. Subsequently, the yellow PTU warning light illuminated—a situation that is extremely dangerous. I contacted Jeep’s manufacturer for assistance, but they merely deflected the issue, directing me to visit an authorized dealership. When I went to the dealership, however, they in turn referred me back to the manufacturer. They are simply passing the buck between one another. The sudden loss of power in a Jeep while in motion constitutes an extreme safety hazard, yet the manufacturer is shirking its responsibility.

The contact stated that while driving, the vehicle experienced a loss of power. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where diagnostic code read C14A7-97. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 154,000.

The vehicle was found to have severe, pre-existing structural and frame damage that compromises its overall crashworthiness and structural integrity. This includes improper prior repairs that mask structural deficiencies. The vehicle is currently available for inspection upon request. Operating a vehicle with unaddressed structural frame damage and substandard prior repairs poses an immediate safety risk. In the event of a collision, the vehicle’s crumple zones and structural pillars may fail to protect the cabin as originally engineered, severely increasing the risk of catastrophic injury or death to myself and my passengers. Yes. The structural damage and improper prior bodywork were formally identified and documented during an automotive inspection. The vehicle's structural integrity and repair defects have been documented via a professional inspection. Despite these documented findings, the dealership (Carvana) and the warranty administrator (SilverRock) are currently refusing to properly address or resolve the structural safety failures. There were no electronic dashboard warning lamps or messages, as this is a physical, structural safety defect stemming from undisclosed prior damage and inadequate repairs rather than an electronic system failure.

The car will randomly display that the start/stop function is disabled. It will also just randomly stall out for no reason. Sometimes multiple times in a row. Restarting the car may cause it to stop. Have had it looked at many time and because the start/stop error may not be happening at the time or the engine will not stall all of the shops have stated there is nothing wrong with the car. It seems to do it more when the temperature outside is above 80 degrees. This happened for many months. It will typically stall out while at stop lights, to date it has not stopped while actively moving.

The power transfer unit (PTU) failed at approximately 53,000 miles, which is a premature failure for a major drivetrain component. The issue was confirmed upon inspection. The “Service 4WD” warning light remains illuminated on the dashboard. Additionally, the vehicle pulls slightly to the left while driving. A failure of the PTU affects the all-wheel-drive system and can lead to improper power distribution, loss of traction, or driveline binding. The pulling condition and drivetrain issues create a safety concern during normal driving. Similar PTU failures have been reported in other 2019 Jeep Cherokees and have resulted in recalls and technical service bulletins for similar components, although this specific vehicle was not included. This suggests a broader pattern of premature PTU failure.

?NHTSA ODI Case Update – Supplement to Complaint #XXX ?Vehicle: 2019 Jeep Cherokee Latitude Plus (VIN: [XXX] ) Subject: Dealership Deflection Tactics and Denial of Recall Repair Verification ?This statement is submitted to update my ongoing federal safety complaint regarding the catastrophic failure of the Mopar Two-Speed Power Transfer Unit (PTU) and the resulting loss of motive power/rollaway risks. ?On May 19, 2026, the vehicle was evaluated by an authorized FCA dealership, St. Helens Auto Center (Repair Order #XXX). The certified technician, Don Stockdale, explicitly confirmed the mechanical failure of the recall-associated components, stating in writing: “the propeller shaft at the rear of the PTU feels as though it is dry inside. Very loose and clanking around.” ?Despite verifying this severe manufacturing safety defect, Service Manager April McCall formally refused to submit a corporate Goodwill or Warranty Extension claim to FCA unless I paid out-of-pocket to replace three CV axles, which she claimed were "loose and dry." ?To verify this claim, the vehicle was immediately taken to a secondary licensed automotive facility (Dr. Auto LLC, Invoice #XXX) on May 27, 2026. The independent inspection confirmed that the dealership’s diagnosis was fraudulent. All CV axle boots are completely intact and sealed, meaning the internal grease has not escaped. The front axles have zero play, and the rear axles exhibit only normal, minor factory play. ?The dealership intentionally used a loaded 4-post lift to misdiagnose the vehicle, leveraging the high-frequency vibrations of the failing central PTU to fabricate secondary, non-covered user-pay repairs. This is a deliberate corporate tactic used to deflect financial liability for a known federal safety defect onto the consumer. I am requesting that the NHTSA review these attached service documents as evidence of predatory dealership behavior surrounding the Cherokee PTU failures. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552