Transmission jerks, lurches or bangs into gear

What got replaced

Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the transmission (19 reports), the mounts (16 reports) and the valve body (6 reports).

Recalls and investigations

3 recalls on the transmission and drivetrain cover the 2014 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.

All 13 recalls on the 2014 Jeep Cherokee, with the owner complaints on each recalled system

NHTSA investigations into the transmission and drivetrain on the Cherokee

None of these investigations covers the 2014 model year.

What owners paid

6 of the 306 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $600 to $2,000.

When it happens

The middle half of failures fell between 14,000 and 62,000 miles, from the 248 reports that gave a mileage.

What owners wrote

“Jumpy Transmission, when shifting gears vehicle pauses, jumps a bit, makes a noise, then shifts into the new gear. Everyone in the car jerks their head when the gears jump. The dealership has looked at the vehicle a few times, and say nothing is wrong. An outside mechanic looked and said this is a common problem with my make and model and it is a faulty transmission issue.”

Filed Jun 9, 2025

“When starting to accelerate the the transmission hesitates to shift, then up to 30 mph or so it the car will stutter / miss fire causing a jerking motion of the car. It will accelerate to a steady speed abourn 55 mph.”

Filed Dec 1, 2024

“The engine lifters are tapping, The wiper switch goes out and the windshield wipers stays on and will not turn off and signal light’s doesn’t work neither the cruise controls, the transmission gears gets stuck in between gears and jerk off really fast”

Filed Aug 23, 2023

“The display that tells you how fast you are going and how much gas ect It jerks in traffic while sitting in traffic and when first out in gear it tends to jerk”

Filed Jul 13, 2022

Guide Paid for this repair before a recall covered it? How recall reimbursement works

Other problems on this car

• Engine stalls or loses power while driving 562 reports
• "Service Transmission" message or wrench light comes on 273 reports
• Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 169 reports
• Service 4WD light or power transfer unit (PTU) failure 155 reports
• Transmission fails or needs replacement 127 reports
• "Shift to Park" or "Service Shifter" warning comes on 121 reports
• Check engine light or misfire 118 reports
• Transmission drops into neutral or downshifts on its own 112 reports
• Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 86 reports
• Traction control or StabiliTrak light comes on 75 reports
• Multiple warning lights come on at once 70 reports
• Battery dies or the car will not start 66 reports
• Driveshaft, axle or transfer case problems 56 reports
• Loses power when accelerating 50 reports
• Airbag warning light or recall 46 reports
• Suspension noise, struts or alignment 45 reports
• Steering wheel shakes or the "death wobble" 37 reports
• Brakes on its own (automatic emergency braking) 31 reports
• Burns oil or oil level rises 29 reports
• Engine leaks oil 29 reports
• Fuel pump failure 28 reports
• Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing 26 reports