Traction Control complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 1 | 2% | 0 miles |
| 2020 | 2 | 1% | — |
| 2019 | 28 | 2% | 10,000 miles |
| 2018 | 15 | 2% | 31,000 miles |
| 2017 | 42 | 3% | 45,000 miles |
| 2016 | 30 | 2% | 32,000 miles |
| 2015 | 51 | 3% | 42,000 miles |
| 2014 | 88 | 3% | 35,000 miles |
| 2001 | 2 | 1% | 154,000 miles |
| 2000 | 1 | 0% | 237,000 miles |
| 1999 | 1 | 0% | 100,000 miles |
| 1997 | 1 | 0% | 150,000 miles |
| 1996 | 1 | 0% | 125,000 miles |
| 1995 | 2 | 0% | — |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (electronic stability control and traction control).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2019 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while reversing out of the driveway, the transmission went into neutral, and the check engine, traction control, and parking brake warning lights were illuminated. The contact proceeded to switch from all-wheel drive to auto and the vehicle shifted into reverse. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed and the contact was informed that the failure was attributed to an incorrect gear ratio and that the vehicle could not be repaired because the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 55,000.
My vehicle is experiencing frequent stalling and will die on me whenever I make an average turn (left or right), or whenever the car is decreasing acceleration on a normal city street. However, I'm experiencing this mostly when my car is still heating up, so around the first 10mins of driving the vehicle after not touching it for 5+ hours. When my car stalls or shuts off, it still shows that the engine is on through the start engine button. However, I still need to put my car in park, and press the start engine button again while pressing on the gas to turn on my car again. When I do this, the car occasionally will struggle to turn on and sometimes it won't start up on the first try. In addition, I experience my car sounding an alert noise occasionally whenever I'm making a normal turn (when my car is fully heated up), but my car doesn't stall or shut off. …
We have a 2018 Jeep Cherokee. We were driving back home from chicago and we hear a ding. Where the speedometer is the words service shifter popped up. Next to the shifter all the lights were lit up. We pulled over and turned the car off and back on and it went away and continued driving normally. This had never happened before and no signs of anything wrong and the car was driving fine other than the service shifter issue.10 minutes later on the same drive the service shifter words popped up again along with the lights next to the shifter. We again pulled over turned the car off and back on and it was fine. About 2-3 days later it happened again. I would say now that it only happens 1-2 times a month. Every time it happens we do not continue to drive when it pops up. We instantly pull over and turn it off and back on. …
While driving my 2018 Jeep Cherokee a message appeared on the dash 'service shifter' all lights on the shifter then light up red the 'PRNDL' this has happened multiple times. The vehicle seems to not shift gears properly when this happens. It has been checked by the dealer and the shifter/ wiring harness need to be replaced. I was informed this is an ongoing issue with most jeeps in the last few years and no recall has yet been made, I have only owned this vehicle for 7 months and am very disappointed thus far. This being an ongoing issue that Jeep is aware of I feel that some action should be made for the customer. I am a loyal Jeep customer but after this issue not being resolved for years I May not continue to be a loyal customer and go elsewhere to purchase my next vehicle. This first occurred on September 25,2019 and has happened multiple times since the first occurrence.
Multiple sporadic flashing loss of traction light on dry roads and rolling starts. 5/10/18 4872m vehicle in motion on city street 35mph "service parking brake" flashed on display 5/12/18 5004m making left turn from stop on yield green very slight decline, city street, depressed gas pedal to make turn, car slipped out of gear flashing to put car in neutral or park and then back in drive. Car rolled into intersection. I flipped over to tiptronic w/o response, shifted to neutral and back w/o response, kids in backseat while car is stalled perpendicular to oncoming traffic. Turned hazards on, shifted to park and back, no response, rolled to side of road at this point. Put car back in park, counted to five, shifted back to drive, and car responded. 5/12/18 5084m fianc driving, city street 45mph. …
Service shifter came on one evening and went off upon shutting the vehicle down and restarting it. The next day woth no warning I was on the highway with my three kids. Suddenly dash flashed 4x4, traction control, ers, auto stop all unavailable and then the transmission just stopped functioning. I was in the fast lane doing 70 MPH and had no power what so ever. The rpms went up and I had no acceleration with the gas pedal down. I was able to get to the slow lane but not without causing a rift in traffic, thankfully other drivers were alert around me and let me over once I hit my flashers. The vehicle was acting as if it was stuck between gears. Ot would engage in r, n and p but nothing when I put it in d. Called a rollback and per dealership every code that could throw has thrown and at my expense we are starting with entire shifter assembly to the tune of $900 parts and labor. …
A light on my dashboard came on while I was driving at 55 MPH that read "service transmission". The odometer stopped working and my car didn't seem to be functioning properly. Stopping at a light, my car nearly stalled when I needed to cross over an intersection. I had to have my vehicle towed to be serviced the following day. I was told by the service station that the issue wasn't with the transmission- but that the car needed a software update. I could have been hit when my car nearly stalled driving across the intersection. I addressed my concern with FCA, but was told that software updates are routinely needed and should be done at the same time as my oil change. My car only has 5300 miles and is only driven short distances (mostly on the weekend). This issue should not be happening with a car so new and such little mileage. …
As of lately, the speedometer toogles up & down through a set of numbers even after attempts are made to reduce speed especially when on cruise control. During cruise control vehicle accelerates beyond set limit & requires extreme force to decelerate. It happens randomly as does many dangerous issues mainly after a software update takes place with the vehicle. If the updates don't cause acceleration concerns it causes vehicle to shut off in traffic & over the last several months a few high risks for major traffic accidents were only avoided by the swift maneuvering of other vehicles or myself when possible to avoid collision. Never before experienced so many malfunctions of mechanical/technological problems from a vehicle. …
Related recalls (1)
Electronic stability control (ESC)
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2026 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. The brake system control module may fail to operate properly, which can cause a loss of anti-lock brakes (ABS) and electronic stability control (ESC).
Remedy: Dealers will update the brake system control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 28, 2026. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403.
Frequently asked questions
Which Jeep Cherokee years have traction control problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2014 (88), 2015 (51), 2017 (42), 2016 (30) and 2019 (28) model years. Traction Control complaints make up 3% of all complaints for the 2014.
Is there a recall for Jeep Cherokee traction control problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 26V-223 (electronic stability control (esc), Apr 9, 2026). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Jeep Cherokee traction control problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 37,000 miles; 68% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the automatic (asc) (3 mentions).
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.