2014 Jeep Cherokee Powertrain & Transmission Problems

Transmission control sensor

My 2014 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk (Active Drive II / Sales Code DK4) has a confirmed DTC C14A7-97, indicating the PTU Motor is obstructed or blocked. This has resulted in a "Service 4WD" warning and a complete loss of all-wheel-drive capability. My vehicle was manufactured in November 2013, and I am being denied the XJ1 Extended Warranty (15 years/unlimited miles) because my VIN does not appear in the dealer's system, despite the vehicle being a 2014 model year with the exact failure code the XJ1 program was designed to address. This failure can lead to a sudden loss of drive power while in motion and a loss of the "Park" function, creating a significant rollaway risk. These are the same safety hazards identified in NHTSA Recall 20V-343 (W47). I am requesting that NHTSA investigate why 2014 model year vehicles with 2013 build dates are excluded from the XJ1 warranty extension for this known safety defect.

PTU Failure on 2015 Jeep Cherokee

i have a 2014 jeep cherokee trailhawk. the service 4wheel drive light keeps popping u. a recall needs to be put on this year, make and model. its a known issue that jeep has not addressed at all

There have been many documented incidents regarding these transmissions on the 2014 Jeep Cherokee Latitude. The transmission are junk in these and have been recalled because of splines and clutches. Please get back to me on this issue.

No, vehicle just died on highway

While traveling at Highway speed approximately 70 miles an hour vehicles transmission suddenly failed without warning, aesthetically freezing the transmission on the highway I could not step on the gas and the vehicle would not move. This was not a minor inconvenience or a routine mechanical issue this was based on research and many reported transmission tests of this model year transmission and Chrysler knew about it in 2013 even as engineers were trying to fix the problem and they still released the vehicle design flaw in 2014, particularly the transmissions internal clutch systems. This should’ve been recalled by the US government.

I was driving my 2014 Jeep latitude, on the interstate in Maine and the transmission just died. I barely could merge to the right to get out of the way of traffic going 70mph. There is a transmission recall on these isn't there?

The vehicle recently showed an error stating "Service 4WD" which appears to be a known issue with this model of vehicle. When checking the VIN number, it appears this particular vehicle is supposedly not one that has this issue. However with that being said, it is giving the code that is specifically has this issue. The cost to fix this totals more than $4,000 and is known to Chrysler. This vehicle should be covered under the known issue by the manufacturer.

PTU is being replaced because the dealership said it is going to leave me without power to the wheels which can be extremely dangerous on interstate. Took my Cherokee in because the whining that I’ve been hearing for at least three years was getting louder. The component has not been inspected by the manufacturer yet but I’m waiting on a replacement part and is currently on back order and I’m without the vehicle for a prolonged period of time.

The ptu has failed in my vehicle. When I bought the vehicle there was a 4x4 light on the dash but I was told that it needed to be just turned off by a jeep dealership. But I believe it actually was a symtom of the failing ptu. My vehicle sometimes goes into neutral when I try to pull off from a stop sign and then the vehicle kicks itself back into drive. My coolant and transmission temp rises the more I drive it and transmission seems to shift late or hard and sometimes prematurely sometimes it smells like burning electrical.

Transmission is very jerky and have had this problem since i had it with 111,000 miles. I went to a mechanic and was told it was ptu. Was also checking online and not sure why it isn’t covered but i’ve seen everyone has this problem on this jeep. Really to expensive for me to fix.

The contact owns a 2014 Jeep Cherokee. The vehicle was serviced under Manufacturer Recall Number: U90 (Catalyst Efficiency Recall). However, recently, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the rear of the vehicle while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with transmission valve failure. The dealer refused to repair the vehicle and referred the contact to the manufacturer for assistance with the software update. The vehicle remained at the dealer unrepaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

The contact owns a 2014 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under Emissions Recall U90; however, the contact stated that while driving at various speeds or while accelerating from a stop, the vehicle violently downshifted. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed, and determined that a software update was needed. The vehicle was not repaired and was left at the local dealer. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

While driving, the vehicle shifts itself into neutral and goes into a limp mode with no power. Almost caused a serious accident going 70 mph when it shifted itself into neutral

I purchased this 2014 Jeep Cherokee from Taverna Collection in Feb 2025 and received it in March 2025. The selling dealer was required to inspect the vehicle before delivery and did not report any transmission or valve-body issues. On June 25, 2025, the vehicle received a multipoint inspection at Auto Angel in Santa Fe. No transmission failure, shifting issues, or valve-body concerns were found. The Jeep was not showing symptoms related to Recall U90 at that time. After this, I attempted to have Recall U90 (PCM/TCM reprogramming) performed. Lithia Chrysler in Santa Fe confirmed the recall by email and scheduled an appointment, but after towing the vehicle to them they refused to perform the recall and repeatedly stated “there is no recall,” forcing me to tow the vehicle home and then again two days later to a dealership in Albuquerque. At the Albuquerque dealership, I gave clear instructions not to perform any paid repairs—including a transmission valve-body replacement—until the U90 reflash was completed and confirmed. I never received confirmation. The dealership later claimed they followed protocol but refused to release the WiTECH session report or timestamps showing when the recall work occurred. They told me I could only see documentation after paying $2,600. I contacted FCA/Stellantis. The case manager said her supervisor stated the dealer “followed protocol,” but FCA admitted this was based solely on the dealership’s word. FCA could not confirm whether they reviewed the WiTECH diagnostic session or any recall repair records. Under 49 U.S.C. §30120(i) and 49 CFR Part 576, manufacturers and dealers must retain detailed recall records, including diagnostic data and timestamps, to verify proper recall completion. FCA’s inability or refusal to verify the recall using these required records raises concerns that Recall U90 may not have been performed correctly or in the proper sequence. I request NHTSA review this matter.

The Jeep has a drivetrain defect involving the transmission and power transfer unit (PTU) that has existed since purchase and has progressively worsened over the years. From early on, the vehicle intermittently hesitated when accelerating from a complete stop, followed by sudden surging or lunging forward. Symptoms were reported to a Jeep dealership early after purchase while under warranty. Their inspections did not identify a defect at that time. Over time, the condition worsened and became more frequent, including hesitation on takeoff, bucking, and abnormal behavior when maneuvering at low speeds or turning the steering wheel to full lock in parking lot. This occurs unpredictably and creates a dangerous situation when entering intersections, making left turns across traffic, or merging, because the vehicle does not accelerate when expected and then suddenly surges. The Jeep was taken to an independent mechanic. After inspection and a test drive, the mechanic stated the condition was unsafe and suspected a transfer case issue, recommending that the vehicle be taken to an authorized dealership for further evaluation. After this referral, the Jeep dealership was able to reproduce the problem during a test drive and confirmed hesitation on acceleration, transmission shift issues, and PTU malfunction. The dealership documented that the transmission and PTU require replacement. The vehicle had previously received the manufacturer’s required powertrain recall software update. The dealership stated they could attempt another software relearn or update, but no guarantee it would resolve the issue. No warning lights or dashboard messages prior to or during these events. MOPAR says that the PTU is on national backorder with no ETA. The cost of repair exceeds the value of the vehicle and would be entirely out-of-pocket since the warranty is up, making repair financially impossible. As a result, the owner is left with an unsafe vehicle that cannot be reasonably repaired.

Vehicle has been inspected by 2 different mechanics, both confirming our PTU is failing. This is our sons only vehicle; while he was driving the vehicle to and from work, and going to school sometimes the car will start flashing “ESC off” and will stop while he driving. Almost like the car has slammed on its breaks. This has happened while he going 10mph and happened going 40mph, most dangerous time he was driving 65MPH on interstate when it locked up and caused him to slide down a exit ramp. Of course this puts not only him at risk of serious harm or death, but the other drivers on the road if his car decides to slam on its breaks and someone hits since this happens out of nowhere. Again, this issue has been confirmed my two separate independent service centers and two separate dates. The vehicle has not been inspected by manufacturer, insurance representatives, or police except for the two separate mechanics we took our vehicle to. 1 week before this issue began the ESC off button started flashing which we immediately took it to the repair shop a few days later and was diagnosed with a failing PTU. This car is incredibly dangerous to drive and each time we drive it — it feels like a death sentence.

10/20/2025 I was driving my sons car because he told me the car transmission locked up on him while he was driving 65MPH on highway, and sure enough it did it to me. I took it to Davis Moore Jeep Dealership and they told me the TCM needed to be replaced ($1,200.00 out of pocket), so on 10/25/25 the TCM was replaced 10/26/25 we picked car up after work was done and not even 4 miles from dealership the car locked up again, but this time it had to be towed back to dealership. today 11/04/25 dealership told us the PCM is out qand needs replaced and it would be $4k out of pocket. Now this problem happened on the highway at 65MPH and a student driving and could have been bad luckily there was no one on road yet. The TCM and PCM have both had recalls done advising to reprogram both components which have been done and now Jeep Car Care says there is nothing they can do.

Unknown when taking off from a stop sign it’s has a delay when hitting the gas also when driving down the road it’s like a jerking or feel like transmission jerking or slipping or something it’s does it every time I drive i