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 2014 Jeep Cherokee owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2014 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at 70 MPH and passing another vehicle, the transmission inadvertently shifted into neutral. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact veered to the side of the road and parked the vehicle. Then the contact shifted to drive and continued to drive the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred while driving and as she attempted to shift to drive, the vehicle downshifted to a lower gear. The contact continued to drive the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who diagnosed that no issues were found. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring while driving and the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who advised the contact that the failure was related to an unknown recall and to take the vehicle to the dealer for the recall repair. …
The contact owns 2014 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that after refueling, while driving 5-10 MPH, the vehicle shut off inadvertently. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and continued driving. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred several times while driving after refueling the vehicle. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the powertrain control module indicated a catalytic convertor failure due to the inner part of the catalytic converter being missing. The catalytic converter was replaced; however, while driving after refueling, the accelerator pedal was depressed but the vehicle hesitated to respond and made an abnormally loud sound. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle. The contact was able to continue driving. …
I was on my way home from Alpharetta from a business meeting and my car started to shake really bad on the front. I thought it might have been something my tire caught. But I just put 4 brand new tires and not one light was on on my dash board there have never been any lights come on my dash board since I've had the vehicle. I drove about 10 more mins and it got worse so I pulled over and parked. I couldn't see anything. I was an hour away from home. The next day after getting my vehicle home. I was told that the ignition coil was catching fire as i was driving it. I also have the video in my phone. The car was literally trying to catch on fire and I was told if I would have kept driving it and not pulled over my car would have went up in flames more than likely. I keep all the maintenance done on it and change the tires and if stuff needs fixing i fix it. …
The contact owns a 2014 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated while at a stop light, the "Service Parking Brake", "Service Transmission" and "Shift to Park" appeared on the instrument panel. The contact also stated that the parking brake was not engaged however, the parking brake light illuminated indicating it was engaged. The contact stated that she shifted gears to drive and a message appeared on the instrument panel indicating to turn off and to restart the vehicle. The contact stated that when she restarted the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated along with other warning messages. The contact stated that she was able to drive the vehicle at 60 MPH. The vehicle was taken to the independent mechanic for a diagnostic test however, it was not diagnosed as the OBD reader was not reading any codes. …
The contact owns a 2014 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost power and decelerated. While attempting to accelerate, the RPM increased; however, the vehicle failed to respond as needed. The contact stated that the traction control warning light was illuminated. The contact coasted to the side of the roadway and restarted the vehicle and continued driving. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic who failed to diagnose the vehicle; however, the transmission was flushed but the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to a certified transmission shop. The mechanic informed the contact of the Customer Satisfaction Program: W84; NHTSA ID Number: 10221656 (Power Train, Electrical System) and U90 (Emissions, Power Train); and referred the contact to the dealer for assistance. …
The contact owns a 2014 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that the gear shift indicator lights were illuminated, and the message "Service Shifter" was displayed. The vehicle was taken to CarMax, where the contact was informed that no failure was found; however, the failure persisted. Additionally, while driving at various speeds, the vehicle failed to respond as intended. Upon parking the vehicle in the garage and then starting the vehicle later, the parking brake unintendedly engaged and seized. The vehicle was towed to Dependable Car Care, where it was diagnosed with water intrusion in the parking brake module. The mechanic determined that the parking brake module needed to be replaced, and an electrical connector cleaning was needed. The vehicle was repaired; however, while driving 45 MPH, the failure recurred, causing the vehicle to brake hard. The message "BRAKE" was displayed. …
The contact owns a 2014 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed, and the vehicle stopped without warning. The engine would rev but the vehicle failed to respond. The contact stated she shifted the gear shifter to neutral and then to drive and the vehicle operated as needed. The contact stated that when she decelerated, the failure recurred with the warning displayed "Shift into Park and Restart vehicle". The contact stated that the failure recurred on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where no failure was diagnosed as no diagnostic failure codes were displayed. The contact stated that the dealer informed her to keep driving and if the failure recurred, to take the vehicle back to the dealer. The contact was relating the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V447000 (Power Train). …
The contact owns a 2014 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that after Chrysler Campaign Number U90 was performed on the vehicle, the message "4WD unavailable - Service 4WD" was displayed. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle failed to shift as intended and was jerking. The contact stated that the vehicle would downshift and upshift unintendedly while driving. The contact stated that while at a complete stop and depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle surged. Additionally, the contact stated while driving from a complete stop, the vehicle hesitated to respond. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the computer was flashed, and the dealer diagnosed the vehicle with PTU motor position performance malfunction. The vehicle was not repaired. …
The contact owns a 2014 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated while the vehicle was stopped at a STOP sign, the accelerator pedal was depressed and the vehicle hesitated and jerked forward. The contact heard a noticeable grinding noise. The contact reported that the vehicle engine's hesitation, grinding, and jerking into motion became longer and very noticeable. The contact stated no warning lights were illuminated. The contact was able to drive the vehicle to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed. The contact stated that while the mechanic was performing a test drive, the vehicle stalled and could not be moved. The mechanic reported that the power transfer unit had failed. The vehicle was not repaired but was pending repairs. The independent mechanic notified the contact of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V343000 (Power Train). …
The contact owns a 2014 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the transmission unexpectedly shifted to neutral(N). The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The contact pulled over and turned off and restarted the vehicle and was able to continue driving normally. The contact purchased the vehicle and stated that the failure was a recurring failure. The contact stated that the "Check Battery" warning light recently illuminated when the vehicle was shifted into neutral(N). The contact had taken the vehicle to two independent mechanics who were unable to duplicate the failure. The battery was checked and was operating normally. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. …
Related recalls
Power train › Driveline › Differential unit
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…
Remedy: FCA US LLC will notify owners, and dealers will perform a software update that will maintain vehicle propulsion by engaging rear wheel drive and prevent rolling in Park by activating the electronic parking brake if a…
Power train › Automatic transmission
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.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update the transmission software, free of charge. The recall began August 8, 2019. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403.
Power train › Automatic transmission
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.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, dealers will reprogram the Powertrain Control Module and the Transmission Control Module and if necessary replace the transaxle range sensor wire harness, free of charge.
Transmission complaints in other Cherokee years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2014 Jeep Cherokee?
NHTSA has 1,471 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2014 Jeep Cherokee, 56% of the model year's 2,650 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (6 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2014 Jeep Cherokee transmission problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 20V-343 (differential unit, Jun 11, 2020); NHTSA recall 19V-447 (automatic transmission, Jun 13, 2019); NHTSA recall 16V-529 (automatic transmission, Jul 12, 2016). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2014 Jeep Cherokee transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 34,000 miles, and 41% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 19 crashes, 7 fires and 9 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.