2015 Jeep Cherokee Transmission & Powertrain Problems
Transmission & Powertrain complaints account for 1,002 of 1,787 total complaints (56%) filed on the 2015 Jeep Cherokee, with a median failure mileage of 24,000 miles. Two related recalls cover the 9-speed automatic transmission and the Power Transfer Unit.
- Transmission & Powertrain complaints
- 1,002
- 56% of 1,787
- Crashes reported
- 13
- Fires reported
- 1
- Injuries reported
- 6
- Median mileage
- 24,000 mi
- Related recalls
- 2
Typical transmission symptoms owners report
- Vehicle unexpectedly shifts to neutral or fails to accelerate while driving, sometimes causing the driver to be unable to clear an intersection.
- Transmission shifts clunky, hesitates, or stalls, particularly in stop-and-go traffic, even after recall-related repairs.
- Vehicle lunges or surges forward or backward on its own, including while parked, reversing, or at idle, leading to collisions.
- Cruise control disengages unexpectedly on the highway along with sudden steering wheel jerking.
- Burning rubber odor and clicking noise from the transmission accompany a failure to change gears at highway speed.
- Owners report recurring transmission problems even after dealers performed the 9-speed transmission recall repair.
When 2015 Jeep Cherokee transmission complaints were filed
First complaint Nov 11, 2014, latest Sep 14, 2026.
Transmission & Powertrain recalls for the 2015 Jeep Cherokee
- NHTSA 20V343000Jun 11, 2020Transmission & Powertrain67,248 vehicles
Power train:driveline:differential unit
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: A loss of drive can cause a vehicle crash without prior warning. A loss of the Park function can cause unintended vehicle rollaway which can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
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 16V529000Jul 12, 2016Transmission & Powertrain329,540 vehicles
Power train:automatic transmission
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Jeep Cherokee and 2015 Chrysler 200, Jeep Renegade, RAM ProMaster, and 2016 Fiat 500X vehicles equipped with 9-speed automatic transmissions. The transmission sensor clusters may have insufficient crimps in the transmission wire harness, and as a result, the transmission may unexpectedly shift to neutral. On August 29, 2016 Chrysler added the 2016 Fiat 500X vehicles to this recall.
Risk: If the vehicle unexpectedly shifts to neutral, there is an increased risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, dealers will reprogram the Powertrain Control Module and the Transmission Control Module and if necessary replace the transaxle range sensor wire harness, free of charge. The recall began on November 7, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S55.
Transmission & Powertrain complaints by Cherokee model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2015 Jeep Cherokee's transmission a common complaint area?
- Yes. Transmission & Powertrain issues make up 1,002 of the 1,787 total complaints filed for the 2015 Jeep Cherokee, or 56% of all complaints for the year.
- Is there a recall for the 2015 Jeep Cherokee transmission?
- Yes, two related recalls exist: campaign 16V529000 covering the 9-speed automatic transmission's shift-to-neutral issue, and campaign 20V343000 covering the two-speed Power Transfer Unit.
- At what mileage do 2015 Jeep Cherokee transmission problems typically appear?
- NHTSA data shows a median failure mileage of 24,000 miles for Transmission & Powertrain complaints on this model year.
- Did the transmission recall fix the problem for 2015 Jeep Cherokee owners?
- Some owners report the problems, including clunky shifting and unexpected neutral shifts, recurred even after the recall repair was performed.
- Are transmission problems linked to crashes on the 2015 Jeep Cherokee?
- NHTSA lists 13 crashes and 6 injuries associated with complaints in this problem area, along with 1 fire.