Jeep Cherokee Complaints

206 consumer complaints on file.

#11692526October 10, 2025
ENGINE
UNKNOWN purchased a used 2021 Jeep on July 3, 2025 received the CARFAX showing it passed all tests however, after I drove off the lot the engine sounded funny, took it back on July 10, they send the car to a Jeep dealer who stated it needed a new engine I also stated the AC smells funny, which they never addressed I finally got my jeep back end of Septemeber with new engine never heard a word from the Dealer even after 2 attempts to speak with them to get a full refund
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11689509September 24, 2025
ENGINE
Smell antifreeze occasionally and have had to add occasionally. Car only has 18,085 miles. 2022. Spoke to my mechanic and he said it could potentially be a bad oil cooler gasket or a cracked manifold. Have smelled this for at least a year or longer
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11687987September 17, 2025
POWER TRAIN
Service 4WD light came on. Took to Jeep dealership. They stated the PTU needs to be replaced. My car has been in the shop for over 4 months and no ETA on part arrival. This is a common issue in Jeep Cherokee’s but my VIN is not included in a recall. I was told by dealership it is safe to drive but I drive on the highway over and hour everyday to and from work. I have read it can result in loss of driving ability and the ability to put in park.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11687250September 15, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
SVC 4WD
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11687099September 13, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
PTU power transfer case. Service PTU light came on. We had the jeep dealership read the code and informed us that we needed to replace the PTU power transfer case. They said that it can be dangerous if completely going out because it can cause sudden loss of power. Afaulty power transfer unit (PTU) is dangerous in a Jeep because it can cause a sudden loss of drive power, increase the risk of a crash, or lead to a rollaway incident when the vehicle is parked. Jeep has issued multiple recalls for PTU-related issues, particularly for some Cherokee models, due to potential manufacturing defects that can lead to transmission failure however the year of my jeep is not included but it is the same issue that is currently recalled. I was also told that the PTU is on backorder because of the recall. It is on backorder for longer than 45 days. Why isn’t my Jeep included in the recall?
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11686716September 11, 2025
POWER TRAIN
On May 13th 2025 the 4WD service light came on. We took it to the Dodge Jeep Ram dealership that owns the used car dealership we bought it from. After the mechanic checked everything, they said it was drivable but they needed to order a car part (PTU). Once that car part arrived at the dealership they would have us bring the car back in and they would fix it. On July 8th of 2025, stil no news on when the part would be delivered to the dealership, the car started making weird noises and was not drivable on the road. AAA towed it back to the dealership where they confirmed the Power Transfer Unit stopped altogether (PTU). From there they said they will keep the car until the part comes in, the car part was estimated August 8th. It is now September 11th and they still have not received the part to fix the car. I have contacted Jeep Customer Service, a Law Firm, etc as there is no recall open on this vehicle and it seems to be an issue as our dealership said there were 10 other Jeeps waiting for this part.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11685994September 9, 2025
POWER TRAIN, ENGINE, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
The car is reporting service 4WD, they are saying the PTU is bad. Took it into the dealership today.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11683744August 28, 2025
POWER TRAIN
The service 4wd light is on. The dealership said it is a PTU problem. They want $2500 for a new PTU and of course add more money for labor. This seems to be a manufacturer problem not a car owner problem. It should be a recall item as it has been for 2017-2019 Jeep Cherokees. The dealer should fix this at no cost to the auto owners.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11683236August 26, 2025
ENGINE
July 3 purchased used Jeep 2021 18,500 miles from a Lincoln Dealer July 5-7 notified dealer something wrong with engine July 10 drop off at Lincoln dealer was told Jeep would be taken to there Jeep Dealer in Titusville for service July 16 we find out Jeep has been delivered, July 21 was told the Jeep needs new engine, ordered was placed, as of today Aug 26 no ETA I filed a case with Jeep Care, they state no ETA maybe October. No warnings when I did the test drive, within an hour of driving and got home engine made terrible sounds etc reported it right away
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11683087August 26, 2025
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
Our Jeep has had multiple accounts of shifting hard, hesitation while shifting, making a hard sound when putting in reverse and now it is having trouble starting up. When we charged the recently purchased (brand new) battery, the vehicle will start up but when placing in reverse it shifts so hard that it sounds like the bottom is dropping out. Now a lot of lights are shining on my panel; the check engine light, the forward collision light, the parking break light, the regular brake notification, the traction control light.....all shining up like Christmas lights. This is an ongoing issue and I feel a recall needs to be done. My car is over the warranty time frame and for a 2021 model that was purchased brand new I should NOT have to be replacing a transmission already and paying out of pocket expenses.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11682148August 21, 2025
Insert, Padding
The padding (foam) underneath the cover of the car seat is cracked/broken. It is available whenever for inspection. By the foam being damaged, it is no longer safe to use according to multiple reliable sources. EvenFlo is claiming for it to be just as safe after reporting the damage. I have sent photos of the damage to EvenFlo and they claim that they will not replace it due to being bought from a 3rd party retailer (brand new) and also claim it’s still perfectly safe to use. It was also inspected by the hospital prior to bringing my daughter home (there was no damage).
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11681228August 18, 2025
POWER TRAIN
The power transfer unit failed and lost power lots of grinding noises and could even roll when in park. What worries me more as I read about this is how many seems to be failing
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11680996August 15, 2025
POWER TRAIN
My vehicle was driving fine and I pulled up to a stop light. When I stepped on gas to drive after the light switched, the car would not move and made a loud noise. The brake automatically kicked in and car would not move. This could have been very dangerous as someone could have slammed into the back of my car which could have caused serious damage to me or my children. There was absolutely no warning of anything wrong with my car. I had to have my vehicle towed to a garage. The PTU in my jeep went with absolutely no warning. This part is on back order apparently because there are so many issues with this part on jeeps. Prior year jeeps have this item as a recall which leads me to believe that this is a Jeep problem that should have been fixed already. So now I am without my vehicle for a month.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11679713August 10, 2025
POWER TRAIN
When taking off out of my driveway the car hesitated to send power from the engine to the wheels resulting in a delayed start. Unknown which component caused the issue but based on my previous 2014 trailhawks PTU 2 x failure it appears to be the suspect. This placed my me and my family at a risk of a side collision as vehicles drive down our road at high speeds. If we cannot pull out in time, a collision is likely to occur causing serious injury or death. Vehicle I available for inspection upon request but has not been inspected by a dealer, independent shop, of police for this problem and there were no indicator lights that came on.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11670379June 30, 2025
POWER TRAIN
The PTU (power transfer unit) failed in the middle of the interstate which caused it to stall and not move.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11669665June 27, 2025
SUSPENSION
The car has over 18000 miles, in March 2025 we noticed a rattle at the right front area while going over rough roads. we took the car to the (Dealer Cerritos Jeep) and were told that the right front strut was (Broken ?) and it was under warrantee. Then was told the strut was out of production and it would be May 30 before they could get the replacement, May 30 was told that the all the parts did not arrive, we left the car there June 23, June 24 they said the design had changed and needed to get more mounting parts to install it. today we pick the car up QUESTION: I was taught that when replacing an suspension you don't replace just one, you replace two! my research says that it is still a practice today. The dealer is replacing only the right Strut, we are concerned the we have one questionable strut with 18000+ miles on and is in some way mechanically different then the new strut. The dealer stands on just replacing the one strut
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11667957June 19, 2025
POWER TRAIN
PTU failure Service 4WD Light came on in April 2025 problem confirmed by independent service center has not been inspected by manufacture, police, insurance or others
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11667360June 17, 2025
POWER TRAIN
PTO p/n 68333354A1 Internal Failure of PTU needs to be Replaced. No 4 wheel drive could roll away in Park. Dealer reports back ordered part will be months before available. I was told to just keep driving car! Mileage on car 21,371 This problem has been reported on this model since 2019.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11667225June 16, 2025
POWER TRAIN, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS, SERVICE BRAKES
Driving a 2021 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk on the interstate with cruise control engaged. All of a sudden the vehicle decelerates/downshifts and the display screen flashes "4WD System Unavailable Service Required" and "4WD Neutral Warning". Trying to cross traffic to get to the shoulder of road and almost hit due to deceleration. Press gas pedal and nothing. Traction control light flashes on. Coast cross traffic to shoulder side of the road. Shut off Jeep. Check for loss of fluids and/or parts. Check brakes. Nothing. No smoke. No burning smell. Turn vehicle on. Vehicle automatically engages parking brake. Shift off parking brake and shift vehicle into drive and it makes a grinding noise like its trying to shift into 4WD. Snow mode pops on as well as the FWD Collision light and traction control. Jeep ran just fine until this point and no prior incidents, no bad/hard shifting. NOTHING.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11666251June 11, 2025
POWER TRAIN
Upon exiting a major interstate highway, I slowed down and attempted to merge onto a divided highway. The vehicle (2021 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk) did not respond, as their was little or no power. Cars behind me, took actions to avoid me. After coasting to the shoulder of the divided highway, I placed the vehicle in park and then back into drive. I experienced a grinding, oscillating noise and a dashboard warning message stating to service 4WD system. I repeated this procedure and was able to advance the vehicle at a slow/steady pace to a local Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep dealership, not far from the malfunction. Dealership has confirmed a major PTU failure, one of the "worst" they have seen. I was also informed that the stated wait on replacement parts is 45 days.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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