2016 Jeep Cherokee · symptom sheet
Transmission jerks, lurches or bangs into gear
- 53owner reports
- 50,000median miles
- 1involved a crash
Newest report Jun 25, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
53 of the 87 reports of transmission shudder on the 2016 Cherokee describe jerking or hard shifts.
Part of Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard (87 reports)
Tick what matches of 53 reports
Jerking or hard shifts 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
This is the narrower sheet inside transmission shudder for shifts that jerk, lurch or bang. Where the wider sheet also takes in slipping and vibration, these reports are about a shift that arrives too hard: the car lunges forward, or a clunk comes through the floor as it drops into gear.
What got replaced
Few of these reports name the part that was replaced.
Recalls and investigations
4 recalls on the transmission and drivetrain cover the 2016 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
The power transfer unit (PTU) may become damaged and disengage the transmission and differential, resulting in a loss of drive power or loss of park function.
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 left halfshaft may have been incorrectly manufactured causing it to fracture without warning.
The right halfshaft may have been incorrectly manufactured causing it to fracture without warning.
All 9 recalls on the 2016 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 2016 model year.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 20,000 and 84,000 miles, from the 36 reports that gave a mileage.
What owners wrote
“I was sitting at a red light when the light turned green I hit the gas and I heard clunk truck put it on park got out to check andy car rolled backwards into a man's car then wouldn't go forward or reverse and then after awhile mechanic got there and said the right front axle came undone from the ptu some how”
Filed Aug 23, 2023
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 1 of 53 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
- "Shift to Park" or "Service Shifter" warning comes on 269 reports
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 258 reports
- Service 4WD light or power transfer unit (PTU) failure 224 reports
- Multiple warning lights come on at once 107 reports
- Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 93 reports
- "Service Transmission" message or wrench light comes on 90 reports
- Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 81 reports
- Check engine light or misfire 62 reports
- Burns oil or oil level rises 51 reports
- Driveshaft, axle or transfer case problems 48 reports
- Battery dies or the car will not start 46 reports
- Airbag warning light or recall 31 reports
- Traction control or StabiliTrak light comes on 30 reports
- Wheel bearing, tires or wheels 25 reports