2019 Jeep Cherokee Transmission & Powertrain Problems
The 2019 Jeep Cherokee has 803 transmission & powertrain complaints, 49% of its 1,641 total complaints, with median failure mileage of 50,000. Four related recalls cover PTU failure, transmission welding defects, and improper transmission calibration causing stalls.
- Transmission & Powertrain complaints
- 803
- 49% of 1,641
- Crashes reported
- 8
- Fires reported
- 1
- Injuries reported
- 3
- Median mileage
- 50,000 mi
- Related recalls
- 4
Typical transmission symptoms owners report
- Vehicle unexpectedly shifts into park or loses drive power while moving, sometimes causing loss of steering or control.
- Engine stalls or shuts off while driving at speeds ranging from around 30 to 50 mph, cutting power steering and brakes.
- Transmission grinds or makes mechanical noise, with reports linking it to power transfer unit (PTU) failure.
- Noticeable delay of a few seconds when the transmission downshifts under acceleration, leaving the vehicle without power.
- Vehicle jumps out of gear with rising RPMs, sometimes recurring even after the transmission software recall was performed.
- Start/stop system malfunctions and shuts the engine off unexpectedly at low speed or while stopped.
When 2019 Jeep Cherokee transmission complaints were filed
First complaint Aug 24, 2018, latest Sep 21, 2026.
Transmission & Powertrain recalls for the 2019 Jeep Cherokee
- NHTSA 26V290000May 7, 2026Transmission & Powertrain61,711 vehicles
Power train
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2023 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. The power transfer unit (PTU) may fail.
Risk: A failed PTU may result in a loss of drive power or vehicle rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy: Dealers will update the Drivetrain Control Drivetrain Control Module, PTU, and Electronic Park Brake software, and replace the PTU, as necessary, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters explaining the safety risk were mailed June 25, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy becomes available. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recall is 40D. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning May 14, 2026.
- NHTSA 25V011000Apr 29, 2025Transmission & Powertrain63,130 vehicles
Power train
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: A loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash. A loss of park function can cause an unintended vehicle rollaway, which can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
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.
- NHTSA 18V739000Oct 19, 2018Transmission & Powertrain86,053 vehicles
Power train:automatic transmission
Chrysler(FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019 Jeep Cherokee vehicles equipped with 2.4L engines. Improper transmission calibration may result in a stall.
Risk: A vehicle stall can increase the risk of crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will re-flash the transmission controller with a new calibration, free of charge. The recall began November 2, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is UA9.
- NHTSA 18V492000Jul 26, 2018Transmission & Powertrain5 vehicles
Power train:automatic transmission
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019 Jeep Cherokee vehicles and 2018 Chrysler Pacifica non-hybrid vehicles. A component in the transmission may not have been welded properly, possibly causing the transmission to not transmit engine power to the wheels.
Risk: If the transmission weld fails, the vehicle will stop moving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the transmission, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin September 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U85.
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
- How common are transmission problems in the 2019 Jeep Cherokee?
- NHTSA lists 803 transmission & powertrain complaints for the 2019 Cherokee, which is 49% of all 1,641 complaints filed for that model year.
- Is there a transmission recall for the 2019 Jeep Cherokee?
- Yes. There are four related recalls, including one for power transfer unit (PTU) failure covering 2017-2019 and 2019-2023 model years, one for improper transmission calibration causing stalls, and one for a transmission weld defect.
- At what mileage do 2019 Cherokee transmission problems typically appear?
- The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for this problem area is 50,000 miles.
- Have transmission issues in the 2019 Cherokee caused crashes?
- NHTSA data tied to this problem area for the 2019 Cherokee shows 8 crashes, 1 fire, and 3 injuries reported.
- Does the transmission software update fix the problem?
- Some owners report the issue recurring even after the transmission was reflashed under the 2018 calibration recall, and additional recalls for the PTU followed in 2025 and 2026.