2017 Jeep Cherokee · symptom sheet
Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard
- 50owner reports
- 55,000median miles
- 0involved a crash
Newest report May 3, 2026 · checked Sep 9, 2026
646 of the 1,333 complaints on this car are about the transmission and drivetrain. 50 of those describe transmission shudder.
Tick what matches of 50 reports
What got replaced
Few of these reports name the part that was replaced.
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.
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. 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.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Dealers will update the drivetrain control module and PTU software and replace the PTU, as necessary free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning February 19, 2026. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recall is 01C.
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. 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.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: FCA US LLC will notify owners, and dealers will perform a software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 11, 2023. Owners may contact FCA USA LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recall is 45A. This recall expands previous recall number 20V-343.
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2017 Jeep Cherokee vehicles equipped with a two-speed Power Transfer Unit (PTU). 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 transmission and the differential inside the PTU. If this occurs, power cannot be transferred between the front wheels and the transmission which results in a loss of drive while the vehicle is in motion and a loss of the Park function while stationary.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: FCA US LLC will notify owners, and dealers will perform a software update that will maintain vehicle propulsion by engaging rear wheel drive and prevent rolling in Park by activating the electronic parking brake if a failed input spline occurs. This recall began July 14, 2020. Owners may contact FCA USA LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recall is W47.
NHTSA investigations into the transmission and drivetrain on the Cherokee
Sudden acceleration. Closed sep 10, 2002.
NHTSA summary
Driveshaft/univ.joint fail. Closed nov 25, 1994.
NHTSA summary
Driveshaft/univ.joint fail. Closed oct 29, 1993.
NHTSA summary
Fires caused by cltch lk. Closed jan 28, 1988.
NHTSA summary
None of these investigations covers the 2017 model year.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 26,500 and 89,440 miles, from the 38 reports that gave a mileage.
What owners wrote
“Gear shift dash error. Getting all led lights let on my shift gear led indication. Car will run jumping or jerking movement. Then experiencing power loss when acceleration.”
Filed Feb 3, 2026
“Shifter module problems.. the car jerks hard between shifts. The car reversing on it own and wont stop. Warning light in dash "service shifter soon"”
Filed Jan 29, 2026
“rear diff. tries to lock up while driving in auto mode and should not on dry pavement. grinding noise until you slow down enough to engage with a bang. this is a known problem with jeep, the internet has several complaints about this problem, our jeep only has 75k miles on it and others reported with only 40k. I've been told rear diff. needs to be replaced at 4k$”
Filed Oct 9, 2025 · 75,000 miles
“I was driving my vehicle and it lost power going down the highway about 65 mph maybe 70. The power shut off on my vehicle and then it came back on but it was very dim and it say that way for till I got out of it and it was very scary my My cruise control keeps shutting off okay I'm having major problems with my transmission it slips a lot I need to know what to do about that.”
Filed Feb 20, 2025
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 50 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.
Other problems on this car
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 227 reports
- Multiple warning lights come on at once 196 reports
- Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 92 reports
- Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 56 reports
- Check engine light or misfire 45 reports
- Burns oil or oil level rises 41 reports
- Battery dies or the car will not start 36 reports
- Airbag warning light or recall 26 reports