Problems · by component

2014 Jeep Cherokee power train problems

1,471 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2014 Jeep Cherokee cite power train, 55% of all 2,651 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 3 recalls on this component.

Complaints
1,471
55% of all complaints
Crashes
19
Reported by owners
Fires
7
Reported by owners
Injuries
9
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the power train

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“Active Drive 2 PTU failure caused Jeep to lose power on roadway forcing me to try to get to shoulder quickly to avoid blocking traffic or being rear ended. The part is available. I haven’t sent to dealership due to financial constraints. There are numerous incidents and even a recall for similar 2 speed PTUs sold on 2014+ Jeep cherokees. Recall only covered certain VINs and not all vehicles with this same PTU. But there have been many more instances of failure from the PTUs not included in the recall or warranty extension. The svc 4wd light came on when the issue occurred. Had to have vehicle towed as it would not move under own power safely.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 8, 2026Power trainODI 11769930
“The transmission light went on. Car was brought into dealership two times while still under warranty. They did not have a fix and PTU was on back order for over a year in 2017. I am now resorting to pay out of pocket. I had a PTU shipped from a Jeep dealer in Louisiana. PTU from them was not new but had come off another car and was charged $2,300. I sent it back because it was used at that time I was working and was going to pay out of pocket. I was not going to pay to install a used transmission. Regardless there is as no fix. Then in May of this year the check engine light came on. This was another problem that the Jeep dealership cannot fix. Now I have a paid for car that cannot be driven because it cannot be smogged. It has the Pentastar V6 engine. There is no fix for either problem I understand and I am retired and cannot afford these repairs. I asked the manufacturer in writing to buy the car back and they said no. Can I get some help? This was going to be my last car. Jeep dealer offered $200 for the car. My all weather tires are worth more than the car. I’ve changed oil on time using synthetic oil and have otherwise taken good care of this car. I…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 6, 2026Power train, Unknown or other, EngineODI 11769410
“The contact owns a 2014 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while accelerating from a stop, the transmission unexpectedly shifted into neutral(N), and the vehicle lost automotive power. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The “Service 4WD" message was displayed. The vehicle was towed to a dealer to be diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the PTU unit had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 40,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 17, 2026Power trainODI 11765082
“This issue has occurred on several occasions. I successfully reverse but when I switch back to "drive" the vehicle enters a neutral state. When driving on the highway, the vehicle has slowed itself to 40mph and continues to slow itself until it becomes disabled. I currently see there has been a recall for this vehicle in 2019 (19V447000) which did not include my VIN. However, my vehicle is experiencing the exact symptoms described in that specific recall. The vehicle is unsafe to drive.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 9, 2026Power train, EngineODI 11763133
“The PTU has failed and now my warranty claim is being denied. I drive a 2014 Jeep Cherokee and this is a COMMON issue with this car. It unfortunately has not fallen under a recall that I can see anywhere even though so many others have.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 8, 2026Power trainODI 11762715
“I purchesed the vehicle in April of 2024, test drove it and it drove fine, the dealership said they had to service a recall of the transfer case before I could take the car home. Once I picked the car up and drove it for a few days it was driving very weird and had low speed shuttering, I took it back to the dealership after googling that it might be related to the transfer case and they looked at it and said everything was fine, so I just dealt with the issue. Recently the "service 4wd" light came on so I took it to a friend to take a look at it and they noticed that the transfer case that was put in to service the recall was actually from a junk yard and used which is what has been causing the issues I've been having. I researched it a bit further and was told to make a complaint due to having junk yard parts put in to satisfy a recall being illegal.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 4, 2026Power trainODI 11762061

Showing 6 of 1,471 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 4, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Related recalls

3 recalls on this component

Power train: differential unit

Free remedy

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2017 Jeep Cherokee vehicles equipped with a two-speed Power Transfer Unit (PTU). Relative movement in the Power Transfer Unit (PTU) between the differential input splines and the transmission output shaft may cause some input spline teeth to wear off, which may eventually cause a loss of engagement between the transmission and the differential inside the PTU. If this occurs, power cannot be transferred between the front wheels and the transmission which results in a loss of drive while the vehicle is in motion and a loss of the Park function while stationary.

Power trainReported Jun 11, 2020NHTSA 20V343000

Power train: automatic transmission

Free remedy

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014 Jeep Cherokee vehicles equipped with 3.2L engines. In the event that a clutch becomes stuck in the transmission, the transmission software may shift the transmission to neutral.

Power trainReported Jun 13, 2019NHTSA 19V447000

Power train: automatic transmission

Free remedy

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Jeep Cherokee and 2015 Chrysler 200, Jeep Renegade, RAM ProMaster, and 2016 Fiat 500X vehicles equipped with 9-speed automatic transmissions. The transmission sensor clusters may have insufficient crimps in the transmission wire harness, and as a result, the transmission may unexpectedly shift to neutral. On August 29, 2016 Chrysler added the 2016 Fiat 500X vehicles to this recall.

Power trainReported Jul 12, 2016NHTSA 16V529000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 4, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.