The previous-generation Jeep Cherokee has new blemishes on its reliability and safety reputation. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the 2019-2023 Cherokee is facing a recall potentially impacting 61,711 vehicles whose power transfer units (PTUs) may fail. When this happens while driving, it can result in a loss of power, and when this happens while parked, the vehicle could roll away, potentially crashing into obstacles despite being left in park. In fact, an accident potentially related to this problem has already resulted in injury. As serious as the issue is, Stellantis has yet to solve the problem after it first appeared nearly six years ago.
Jeep Cherokee Crossovers Built From 2018-2023 Could Fail
Stellantis
The NHTSA recall report says that the problematic vehicles were produced between December 12, 2018, and February 24, 2023. These vehicles may have been equipped with faulty two-speed PTUs, and when these fail internally, it “can cause an unexpected and unrecoverable” loss of drive power “at any speed.” In other words, whether one is driving at low speed through town or at high speed on the freeway, the vehicle could coast to a stop, creating a traffic hazard. As mentioned above, the issue can also cause the vehicles to roll despite park being selected on the transmission, which the NHTSA says “can cause a vehicle crash without prior warning or injury to others outside the vehicle.”
On the plus side, there may at least be warning signs; the recall report says drivers may be shown a message telling them to service the 4WD system, and there may be noises, vibrations, or changes in drive quality before the PTU fails completely. But on the other hand, this is a problem that seems like it should have been fixed by now.
Jeep Cherokee PTU Failures May Have Caused Injury
Stellantis
Regardless, it’s a serious mechanical problem, and it’s been plaguing buyers for a long time, with a recall (FCA US Recall ID W47) first issued in June 2020 for certain 2014-2017 Cherokees that had potential PTU input spline failures. Problems began showing up in Canada in December 2022, and the automaker investigated again in March 2023, leading to FCA Recall ID 45A, expanding the number of affected vehicles. The problem has also appeared in other countries, and in January 2025, FCA US issued another recall, this time for potentially improperly seated snap rings in the PTU. As of April 22, 2026, the automaker is aware of one accident and one injury potentially related to the problem, as well as nine customer assistance records, 387 warranty claims, five field reports, and 16 other service records potentially relating to the problem. So how long must owners wait to have their vehicles repaired?
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VINs will be searchable on nhtsa.gov from May 14, the same date that dealers will be notified of the problem, but a remedy is still in development, and it’s unclear how long this will take. In the meantime, Jeep Cherokee owners who may be impacted by the issue will receive an interim notification “on or about” June 25-26.
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