2019 Jeep Cherokee · symptom sheet
Transmission jerks, lurches or bangs into gear
- 83owner reports
- 48,000median miles
- $6,000median quote
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Sep 28, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
83 of the 122 reports of transmission shudder on the 2019 Cherokee describe jerking or hard shifts.
Part of Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard (122 reports) · also: hesitation when accelerating
Tick what matches of 83 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 (9 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.
What owners paid
7 of the 83 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $4,000 to $10,000.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 5,000 and 72,000 miles, from the 41 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 1 service bulletin or notice for the 2019 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.
Flash: Transmission Control Module (TCM) Updates This bulletin involves reprogramming the TCM with the latest available software.
What owners wrote
“While driving my car will some time cut off by itself or it seems like it is shifting gears while I am driving and make this jerk while driving.I have not had any accidents and the dealership says everything looks fine.”
Filed Apr 21, 2026
“My Service AWD light came on. I had the system checked in February of 2025. I was informed it was a bad PTU system. My car makes a clunking then whining noise when driving. It cannot go over 55 mph before losing power. My VIN doesnât come up in the recall list but it has the same diagnostic issues The issue was diagnosed at Heritage Jeep in Harrisburg on 2/15/2025 Receipt order # 218197. Customer number 42k8761762”
Filed Sep 26, 2025
“Rear differential was replaced on 8/2/23 under warranty due to banging and vibration . Since then I feel that problem on 8/2/23 was caused by the transfer case issues, slowing down the jeep would bang when coming to a stop, as if someone hit us from behind. Whet to the dealer today 9/3/25 and the told us we needed a new transfer case and other related issues.”
Filed Sep 3, 2025
“on multiple occasions when driving and trying to increase speed (such as after pulling out of my driveway) the car makes a sudden jerking almost or like something "misses" and it slows down and takes a couple seconds to regain again. On the most recent occasion, the engine light then came on and wouldn't go off. The code when tested, said it had to do with the transmission.”
Filed Aug 30, 2025
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 83 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