Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1995 Jeep Cherokee owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I recently purchased a 2015 Jeep Cherokee with only 14,500 miles on it. I noticed that the transmission did not shift properly. The dealer reprogrammed the software that week. A few days after pick up, I noticed the same problem: down shifting, not shifting, transmission reving up and not engaging when the vehicle is in motion.
When shifting into reverse the vehicle suddenly accelerated forward, causing a collision to occur. Vehicle was included in the safety improvement campaign #97i002000. Also, dealer installed the shift interlock which has not remedied the problem. Please give any further details.
While the vehicle was in park the gear indicator released from the set gear and went into reverse, hit a tree. Then went forward across the street, over the curband hit another tree with fron right fender bumper. Gear shift was between drive and neutral after front end crash.
While vehicle was in park and running, consumer stepped out of vehicle and without any indication vehicle started traveling backward, hitting a wall. Consumer states that when vehicle hit the wall, it jolted into drive and went through the garage.
After parking vehicle, several hours later returned to vehicle, and noticed that vehicle had popped out of gear, causing it to roll down hill, hitting another vehicle. Consumer states there was considerable damage done to the vehicle.
Approx. 6 months after purchasing the vehicle noticed when hitting a slight bump in the road the engine would jump. Not a constant problem but happens at unexpected times. At first thought it might be transmission but after tech from dealer checked seemed to think might be coil distributor and plug wires and clean throttle body. Problem continued then was told was pick up plate in transaxel. Miss in engine continued and started getting worse. Put in shop again, dealership said they replaced the brain in the computer and replaced 3 motor mounts and said this would cure the problem. After that have had to have in shop at least once a month with miss getting worse and occuring on accleration. Vehicle jumps up to 10 to 12 times when this occurs. Dealership now says does not know what is wrong and is going through the wiring. …
"rotational thumping" sound during accel from stop. Especially noticable during accel uphill from stop. Thumping sound until 15mph or so. Sound from below drivers side. Originally noticed problem mid to late last year. Dealer had other jeeps with similar problem. Said they tried replacing steering dampener, u-joints...etc but problem came back. Said they had same type transfercase. They fixed other jeeps by replacing transfercase. Also notice slight rear wobble when accel and thumping noise. U-joints OK. Got new wheels, aligned & balanced & new steering dampener(old one leaking). Problem barely noticable but was still there. More noticable around feb. Contacted dealer at that time. Said they would call if found a solution but hasn't called yet. Not under warranty anymore. Dealer said expensive to fix and hard to find parts.
Driving 1-95n to baltimore,heard a clunk as if something had hit car from beneath, lost 5th gear. Got off at next exit, lost reverse gear in parking lot of hotel. Next morning tow operator started car, enormous clattering, severed piece of plastic had jammed radiator fan. Towed to aaa approved garage. They temorarily fiked car by holding engine up with a chain. Got back to boston. Ideal garage, somerville ma identified the problem. The attachment of engine to engine blocked has failed. The engine was attached on left side and angled downwards, making 5th and reverse unattainable. This is the second Jeep Cherokee, same year that he had seen in a week - same problem. This needs to be looked into, this car has low mileage, is under 80,000 miles . Please investigate and alert makers.ar
My vehicle has a manual transmission; I leave it in reverse when I shut off the engine. There is not safety switch preventing it from starting unless the clutch is depressed. Now if you forget and turn the key it will start in gear and take off. Absolutely unsafe!! Somebody is going to get injured or worse. I think there has to be some type of safety switch that should be installed.
Consmuer put the Jeep in park and got out to put something in the back hatch leaving the drivers' door open. Jeep popped out of gear going in reverse at a very high speed. Consumer was knocked down by door and front wheel ran over consumers' foot and part of leg. Jeep continued to roll in reverse until it smashed into a building.
NHTSA investigations
Sudden acceleration
There is no summary currently available
Transmission complaints in other Cherokee years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 1995 Jeep Cherokee?
NHTSA has 43 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 1995 Jeep Cherokee, 7% of the model year's 608 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission › park/neutral start interlock switch (14 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1995 Jeep Cherokee transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 1995 Jeep Cherokee, though it has 6 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1995 Jeep Cherokee transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 15,000 miles, and 100% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 7 crashes, 1 fire and 8 injuries to transmission & drivetrain problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.