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 2019 Jeep Cherokee owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2019 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The contact stated that there was a grinding and knocking sound coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with a failed PTU. The contact was informed that the PTU needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure had started one week after the vehicle was purchased. The contact stated the Serviced 4WD warning light was illuminated but independently turned off. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where the vehicle was purchased, and the contact was informed that the Service 4WD warning light was normal. …
The contact owns a 2019 Jeep Cherokee. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V011000 (Power Train); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while driving 50 MPH, the vehicle experienced reduced motive power and failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact related the failure to the recall. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and was test-driven. The dealer informed the contact that there was a coolant leak, and the dealer determined that the radiator needed to be replaced under warranty. The part was ordered. Additionally, the dealer informed the contact that upon scanning the vehicle, there was no indication of a PTU failure. The vehicle was not repaired. …
The contact owns a 2019 Jeep Cherokee. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V011000 (Power Train); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle jerked abnormally. The failure was intermittent. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired, and the failure persisted. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, there was a large oil stain on the ground underneath the vehicle. The contact called a mobile mechanic to the scene since there was no oil in the engine and the vehicle could not be driven. However, no cause for the failure was found. The mobile mechanic placed seals on the gaskets. Most recently, while the vehicle was stopped and idling, the instrument panel failed to illuminate, and the screen remained black. …
The contact owns a 2019 Jeep Cherokee. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V011000 (Power Train); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds or depressing the brake pedal, there was an abnormal grinding sound coming from underneath the vehicle. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed with PTU failure. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle was previously taken to another local dealer, Imlay City Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram (2093 S Van Dyke Rd, Imlay City, MI 48444), where the sway bar links, front struts, 6 cylinders tune up, brake fluid flush, transmission service, fuel injector, and radiator replacement were repaired or replaced; however, the failure reoccurred. …
The contact owns a 2019 Jeep Cherokee. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V011000 (Power Train); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while driving 65-70 MPH, the vehicle made an abnormal grinding sound. The contact pulled over to the side of the road. The contact stated that upon shifting to Park(P), the RPMs continued to rev, and the grinding sound persisted. Additionally, the vehicle failed to respond upon shifting to drive(D) or reverse(R). The message "Service 4WD" was displayed. The vehicle was towed to the residence of the contact's friend. The vehicle was then driven to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with PTU failure. The dealer related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V011000 (Power Train); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. …
The contact owns a 2019 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle independently accelerated. The "Service 4WD" warning light was illuminated. The contact pressed and held down the brake pedal to stop the vehicle. In addition, the contact stated that when the vehicle stopped, the vehicle rolled forward. The contact turned off the vehicle. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle started. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with the failure of the transfer case, rear differential, and the engine oil cooler. The contact was informed that the transfer case, rear differential and engine oil cooler needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. …
The contact owns a 2019 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the messages "Reset - Start Unavailable" and "START/STOP System Unavailable" were displayed. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving on another occasion, the vehicle inadvertently stalled. The contact was unable to pull over, and the vehicle was pushed to the side of the road with assistance. The vehicle was restarted after a while and was driven to the residence; however, the failure reoccurred. The battery was disconnected and taken to an Auto Zone Store, where it was determined that the battery voltage was low. The contact replaced the battery; however, the new battery drained prematurely. An independent mechanic diagnosed the vehicle at the residence, and the throttle body was replaced, but the vehicle failed to restart. …
The contact owns a 2019 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that the vehicle was initially taken to the dealer because the check engine light illuminated and the radio became very hot. The dealer replaced a valve and installed a new screen, which temporarily resolved the issue. Months later, the failures recurred, and the transmission was replaced. The vehicle was returned to the dealer for a software update. During a later visit, the dealer diagnosed the vehicle with a failing transmission gasket, a rear differential leak, an engine oil leak, and a failed battery requiring replacement. After the contact heard a loud scraping noise, the vehicle was returned to the dealer, who performed a rear differential fluid change but stated no mechanical failure was present. The contact returned the vehicle to the dealer after a "Service 4WD" warning light illuminated. …
The contact owns a 2019 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power and was unable to accelerate as intended. The contact was able to pull to the shoulder of the roadway and shifted the vehicle into park; however, upon releasing the brake pedal, the vehicle began to roll away. Furthermore, after continued troubleshooting, the contact observed that the vehicle failed to move when shifted into drive(D) or reverse(R) but could roll away when shifted into park(P). No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the Power Transfer Unit (PTU); and advised the contact to take the vehicle to the dealer for assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. …
The contact owns a 2019 Jeep Cherokee. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V011000 (POWER TRAIN); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, there was a puddle of fluid underneath the vehicle, and there was an abnormal odor coming from the engine. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was then taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the power transfer unit needed to be replaced. The contact was informed that there were metal shavings inside the transmission fluid. The contact was advised not to drive the vehicle. …
Related recalls
Power train
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2023 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. The power transfer unit (PTU) may fail.
Remedy: Dealers will update the Drivetrain Control Drivetrain Control Module, PTU, and Electronic Park Brake software, and replace the PTU, as necessary, free of charge.
Power train
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. The power transfer unit (PTU) may become damaged and disengage the transmission and differential, resulting in a loss of drive power and/or loss of park function.
Remedy: Dealers will update the drivetrain control module and PTU software and replace the PTU, as necessary free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning February 19, 2026.
Power train › Automatic transmission
Chrysler(FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019 Jeep Cherokee vehicles equipped with 2.4L engines. Improper transmission calibration may result in a stall.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will re-flash the transmission controller with a new calibration, free of charge. The recall began November 2, 2018.
Power train › Automatic transmission
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019 Jeep Cherokee vehicles and 2018 Chrysler Pacifica non-hybrid vehicles. A component in the transmission may not have been welded properly, possibly causing the transmission to not transmit engine power to the wheels.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the transmission, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin September 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403.
Transmission complaints in other Cherokee years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2019 Jeep Cherokee?
NHTSA has 828 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2019 Jeep Cherokee, 50% of the model year's 1,669 complaints. The component named most often is transfer case (4-wheel drive) (4 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2019 Jeep Cherokee transmission problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 26V-290 (power train, May 7, 2026); NHTSA recall 25V-011 (power train, Jan 16, 2025); NHTSA recall 18V-739 (automatic transmission, Oct 19, 2018). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2019 Jeep Cherokee transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 50,000 miles, and 33% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 8 crashes, 1 fire and 3 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.