2017 Jeep Cherokee · symptom sheet
Transmission jerks, lurches or bangs into gear
- 36owner reports
- 55,000median miles
- 0involved a crash
Newest report May 3, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
36 of the 50 reports of transmission shudder on the 2017 Cherokee describe jerking or hard shifts.
Part of Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard (50 reports)
Tick what matches of 36 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
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the mounts (3 reports).
Recalls and investigations
3 recalls on the transmission and drivetrain cover the 2017 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 and/or loss of park function.
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…
All 6 recalls on the 2017 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 2017 model year.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 31,137 and 75,000 miles, from the 26 reports that gave a mileage.
What owners wrote
“The vehicle jerks or jumps while driving on the highway. I took the dealership twice to get it fixed and paid out of my pocket but problem is not resolved. Now the issue leads to the power transfer case (PTU) failure. I went to the dealership for diagnosis and they told it will cost me $3900 out of pocket to fixed the vehicle.”
Filed Jul 3, 2024
“transmission slips to the point it jerks my car when it down shifts and going down a hill it will rev up over 3 rpm”
Filed Jul 21, 2023
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 36 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 592 reports
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 227 reports
- Multiple warning lights come on at once 196 reports
- Service 4WD light or power transfer unit (PTU) failure 186 reports
- Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 92 reports
- Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 56 reports
- Check engine light or misfire 45 reports
- Traction control or StabiliTrak light comes on 42 reports
- Burns oil or oil level rises 41 reports
- Battery dies or the car will not start 36 reports
- Driveshaft, axle or transfer case problems 29 reports
- Airbag warning light or recall 26 reports