2019 Jeep Cherokee · symptom sheet
Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard
- 122owner reports
- 46,000median miles
- $6,000median quote
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Sep 28, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
807 of the 1,646 complaints on this car are about the transmission and drivetrain. 122 of those describe transmission shudder.
Narrower sheets: Transmission jerks, lurches or bangs into gear (83 reports) · Transmission hesitates when accelerating (30 reports)
Tick what matches of 122 reports
Transmission shudder 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: 2021, 2022.
What this problem usually is
This is the biggest drivetrain group on the site: a transmission that shudders, slips, hesitates or bangs into gear. It's the everyday version of transmission trouble, where the car still drives but doesn't drive right, and it has three narrower sheets of its own for jerking, hesitation and slipping.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the transmission (4 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
8 of the 122 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 8,500 and 72,000 miles, from the 66 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 2 service bulletins or notices 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.
Gear Ratio DTC?s, Transmission Shift Concerns, Does Not Shift At Times, Shudders
Flash: Transmission Control Module (TCM) Updates This bulletin involves reprogramming the TCM with the latest available software.
What owners wrote
“We noticed a recall will be issued for certain Jeep Cherokee regarding the failed PTU system. Our vehicle is not showing it will be included however we are having the identical issue. The 4WD service light comes on and when you excellerate, the vehicle chokes down and hesitates acting as if it will turn off. The vehicle has 73,000 miles and has never been driven in 4WD or off road.”
Filed Jul 15, 2026 · 73,000 miles
“Car loses power and made a loud clunk noise. Warning light said service 4wd. Problem Transfer case needs to be replaced. Happened at 62,000 miles. 2019 Jeep Cherokee ltd with 4x4 and 6 cyl.”
Filed May 23, 2026 · 62,000 miles
“Transmission is slipping bad, I am told that it is nothing of my doing, but I cannot get it replaced with the powertrain warranty that I have because I was over 1000 miles on my oil change”
Filed Feb 14, 2026 · 1,000 miles
“Have been dead spots in the gas pedal since we bought it, had almost caused accidents a few times. The transmission has been banging in gear for 4 years. The rear brake calipers do not work. I have asked the dealer many times why my 19 doesn't have the recalls for thus like the 18 and 20 do. They have no answers. I”
Filed Feb 21, 2025
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 122 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