2019 Jeep Cherokee · symptom sheet
Transmission hesitates when accelerating
- 30owner reports
- 40,700median miles
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Aug 4, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
30 of the 122 reports of transmission shudder on the 2019 Cherokee describe hesitation when accelerating.
Part of Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard (122 reports) · also: jerking or hard shifts
Tick what matches of 30 reports
Hesitation when accelerating 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: 2016, 2017, 2018, 2020, 2021, 2022.
What this problem usually is
This is the narrower sheet inside transmission shudder for a car that pauses before it goes. You press the gas, and for a beat nothing happens, or the engine revs and then the car catches up. What makes it distinct from the wider sheet is timing: the complaint isn't a rough shift at speed but a delay right when you need to move.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the transmission (11 reports) and the software (5 reports).
Recalls and investigations
4 recalls on the transmission and drivetrain cover the 2019 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 fail.
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.
Improper transmission calibration may result in a stall.
A component in the transmission may not have been welded properly, possibly causing the transmission to not transmit engine power to the wheels.
All 11 recalls on the 2019 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 2019 model year.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 9,000 and 63,000 miles, from the 19 reports that gave a mileage.
What owners wrote
“Upon driving car about a month after purchase the transmission hesitated, with jerking and a Loud hard clunk sound. Took vehicle to dealer and dealership stated none of the mentioned malfunctions noticed. They updated some software. Continued driving vehicle and malfunctions started again. Looked online for similar issues and found quite a few similar comments.”
Filed Feb 17, 2026
“When shifting from Park to Drive the transmission hesitates longer than expected before engaging. I have had many encounters after shifting to D and pressing on the gas pedal that the engine will rev up and then the transmission will engage.”
Filed Mar 24, 2023
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 30 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
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 471 reports
- Service 4WD light or power transfer unit (PTU) failure 437 reports
- Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 142 reports
- Driveshaft, axle or transfer case problems 113 reports
- Battery dies or the car will not start 108 reports
- Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 107 reports
- Check engine light or misfire 66 reports
- Multiple warning lights come on at once 58 reports
- Burns oil or oil level rises 45 reports
- Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing 43 reports
- Power steering cuts out or goes heavy 42 reports
- Airbag warning light or recall 42 reports
- A/C blows warm or the compressor fails 35 reports
- Wheel bearing, tires or wheels 31 reports
- Traction control or StabiliTrak light comes on 28 reports
- Auto start-stop will not restart the engine 27 reports
- Brakes on its own (automatic emergency braking) 25 reports