2015 Jeep Cherokee · symptom sheet
Driveshaft, axle or transfer case problems
- 31owner reports
- 65,000median miles
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Jul 23, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
994 of the 1,772 complaints on this car are about the transmission and drivetrain. 31 of those describe drivetrain problems.
Tick what matches of 31 reports
Drivetrain problems on other Cherokee years
Report counts are for each model year on its own, so a newer car has had less time to collect them. Model years with too few reports of it for a sheet: 2018, 2020, 2021, 2022.
What this problem usually is
Drivetrain reports describe the parts between the transmission and the wheels. Owners hear a clunk or bang from underneath, feel a vibration that rises and falls with speed, find fluid leaking under the differential, or get a 4WD or AWD warning. Some say it only happens turning or at low speed. A smaller group describes a driveshaft or axle that let go.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the differential (13 reports), the transfer case (12 reports) and the CV joint or axle (7 reports).
Recalls and investigations
2 recalls on the transmission and drivetrain cover the 2015 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
Relative movement in the Power Transfer Unit (PTU) between the differential input splines and the transmission output shaft may cause some input spline teeth to wear off, which may eventually cause a loss of engagement between the…
The transmission sensor clusters may have insufficient crimps in the transmission wire harness, and as a result, the transmission may unexpectedly shift to neutral.
All 11 recalls on the 2015 Jeep Cherokee, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
NHTSA investigations into the transmission and drivetrain on the Cherokee
Sudden acceleration. Closed sep 10, 2002.
Driveshaft/univ.joint fail. Closed nov 25, 1994.
Driveshaft/univ.joint fail. Closed oct 29, 1993.
Fires caused by cltch lk. Closed jan 28, 1988.
None of these investigations covers the 2015 model year.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 50,000 and 91,000 miles, from the 17 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 2 service bulletins or notices for the 2015 Jeep Cherokee that deal with this problem. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
REAR DIFFERENTIAL OR REAR DIFFERENTIAL ACTUATION MOTOR IF YOU ARE ATTEMPTING TO REPAIR A WHISTLING/HIGH PITCHED NOISE FROM THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL AREA FCA HAS RELEASED TSB 03-003-16 JUNE 21 TO ADDRESS THIS CONCERN
DRIVETRAIN CONTROL MODULE (DTCM) THIS BULLETIN INVOLVES REPLACING AND RECONFIGURING THE DRIVETRAIN CONTROL MODULE (DTCM) WITH THE LATEST AVAILABLE SOFTWARE. SOME VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE A CONSTANT HIGH PITCHED WHINE COMING FROM REAR AXLE AREA.
What owners wrote
“The vehicle shows "4wd system unavailable service required" i took the vehicle to the dealership where they stated the PTU transfer case is not shifting. Dealership did not fix and said it is not covered under the recall for the PTU.”
Filed Jun 3, 2025
“PTU transfer case issues. Hard drop/ jolt while driving causing issues. Saw other recalls for same issues for other Jeep cherokees of same year.”
Filed May 15, 2024
“Rear Differential. It is available for inspection. Problem confirmed by 3 auto establishments. AAA, Jeep Auto Nation Dealership and John's Auto Care. Jeep dealer confirmed problem 7/10/23 and will order new parts. It was first discovered @ oil & filter change at AAA. I wanted the dealership to examine problem and confirm. Also, I had a third inspection to verify damage. Please see the attached verifications.”
Filed Aug 18, 2023
“Transfer case failure. Notice failure as8 a click...clicking louder and louder no matter direction. Turning, forward, reverse. Unable to find/locate replacement 2 spd transfer case - new or remfg. Where can I get parts???”
Filed Dec 6, 2022
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 31 reports involved a crash. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.
File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Paid for this repair before a recall covered it? How recall reimbursement works
Other problems on this car
- Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard 335 reports
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 257 reports
- "Shift to Park" or "Service Shifter" warning comes on 140 reports
- "Service Transmission" message or wrench light comes on 138 reports
- Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 127 reports
- Service 4WD light or power transfer unit (PTU) failure 122 reports
- Transmission fails or needs replacement 84 reports
- Check engine light or misfire 79 reports
- Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 68 reports
- Multiple warning lights come on at once 56 reports
- Traction control or StabiliTrak light comes on 50 reports
- Transmission drops into neutral or downshifts on its own 49 reports
- Airbag warning light or recall 41 reports
- Loses power when accelerating 39 reports
- Battery dies or the car will not start 38 reports
- Suspension noise, struts or alignment 38 reports
- Wheel bearing, tires or wheels 34 reports
- Vehicle fire 27 reports
- Headlights too dim or fail 26 reports
- Delay or no response when I press the gas 25 reports