2019 Jeep Cherokee
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Power train is the leading concern among 1,643 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 4th highest complaint count among 12 Cherokee model years with reports.
Of the 2019 reports, 40 involved a crash and 19 involved a fire. 37 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Power trainMay 7, 2026
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2023 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. The power transfer unit (PTU) may fail.
A failed PTU may result in a loss of drive power or vehicle rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
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.
Campaign 26V290000 on NHTSA.gov
Power trainApr 29, 2025
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.
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.
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.
Campaign 25V011000 on NHTSA.gov
Steering, rack and pinion, rackAug 29, 2019
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. The steering rack gear may break, possibly causing a loss of steering control.
A loss of steering control increases the risk of a crash.
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering gear, free of charge. The recall began October 24, 2019. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is V99.
Campaign 19V637000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bagsJun 13, 2019
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. The impact and acceleration sensors may fail and reduce the air bag system's ability to properly detect certain crash events.
In the event of a crash, the inability to properly detect a crash may result in improper air bag deployment, increasing the risk of injury.
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected sensors, free of charge. The recall began August 8, 2019. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is V63.
Campaign 19V449000 on NHTSA.gov
SeatsMar 28, 2019
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. The front passenger seat mounting bolts may be loose.
In the event of a crash, the seat may move, increasing the risk of injury.
Chrysler has notified owners, and dealers will tighten the mounting bolts, free of charge. The recall began April 11, 2019. Owners may contact FCA US customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is V31.
Campaign 19V248000 on NHTSA.gov
Electrical system, instrument cluster/panelDec 20, 2018
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. The instrument cluster may fail resulting in a lack of activation of warning chimes, messages, and gauges.
Without the activation of warning chimes, messages, and gauges to provide vehicle information to the driver, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
Chrysler has notified owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, replace the instrument cluster, free of charge. The recall began February 7, 2019. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is UC4.
Campaign 18V917000 on NHTSA.gov
Power train, automatic transmissionOct 19, 2018
Chrysler(FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019 Jeep Cherokee vehicles equipped with 2.4L engines. Improper transmission calibration may result in a stall.
A vehicle stall can increase the risk of crash.
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.
Campaign 18V739000 on NHTSA.gov
Electrical system, wiring, front underhoodAug 9, 2018
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Jeep Renegade, Compass and Grand Cherokee, RAM 1500 and Promaster, Fiat 500x, Dodge Journey, Challenger, Charger and Durango and Chrysler 300x vehicles, 2017-2018 Jeep Wrangler, Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town and Country vehicles and 2018-2019 Jeep Cherokee and 2018 Chrysler Pacifica and Pacifica Hybrid vehicles. The powertrain control module may be equipped with a voltage regulator chip in the circuit board that may fail, causing a stall or a no start condition.
A vehicle stall can increase the risk of a crash.
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began October 2, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U87.
Campaign 18V524000 on NHTSA.gov
Service brakes, hydraulic, foundation components, disc, caliperAug 9, 2018
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Dodge Grand Caravan and Jeep Compass, 2018 Dodge Journey, and 2019 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. The rear brake caliper pistons on these vehicles may have an insufficient coating causing gas pockets to form, potentially reducing rear brake performance.
A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will bleed the vehicle's brake system, free of charge. The recall began September 29, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U86.
Campaign 18V523000 on NHTSA.gov
Power train, automatic transmissionJul 26, 2018
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.
If the transmission weld fails, the vehicle will stop moving, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Campaign 18V492000 on NHTSA.gov
Engine and engine cooling, engineMay 25, 2018
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019 Jeep Cherokee vehicles equipped with 2.0L engines. The engines in these vehicles may be missing valve stem keepers, which can allow the valve to drop into the engine cylinder causing engine damage. These engines may also have a reversed camshaft cap that can damage the camshaft bearing causing camshaft failure.
Cylinder damage or camshaft failure can cause the engine to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and repair or replace the affected engine components, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began August 9, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U52.
Campaign 18V344000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints
1,643 reports, newest first.
Power train, Apr 7, 2025
The contact owns a 2019 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission shifted incorrectly, and the vehicle stalled with the message “4WD Unavailable - Service Required” was displayed. The vehicle was able to restart. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 96,000.
Power train, Apr 7, 2025
PTU system was faulty and needed to be replaced. There is currently a recall on this issue with 2019 Jeep Cherokees, but Jeep informed me that my VIN was not associated with this recall. Even though I personally paid to have the issue fixed 3 weeks before the recall.
Power train, Apr 5, 2025
Power train has a recall. There is no remedy for said recall yet. Car has issues shifting
Power train, Apr 5, 2025
Rear differential locked up. I was told the front differential is bad to and probably the PTU
Engine, Apr 4, 2025
Vehicle turned off on highway while in drive. Would not start again after this happened and was only five years old. This created a significant safety risk of the veg I leg stopping on the highway. Due to this insurance would not cover, and vehicle was returned to bank. Was assessed at a dealership stating potentially could be repaired costing more than the value of vehicle. We became aware of a pending recall of the following issue that describes what occurred. “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.”
Other or unspecified, Apr 3, 2025
Power Transfer Unit stopped working. No 4 wheel drive now. Sometimes loss of power. I know there is a recall on this.
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Apr 1, 2025
In the past two weeks, my car has stalled three times, all occurring approximately 5-10 minutes after starting my drive. Everything works fine until I apply the brakes, at which point the car immediately stalls while in traffic. Fortunately, each time, I was able to turn on my hazard lights, pull over to the side of the road, and restart the car—though it took some effort. Each incident also happened when my automatic start-stop system was turned off. These stalling incidents seem similar to a recall issue from 2020, where a computer system update was required. However, in 2020, I was unable to restart the car without a jump after it stalled. There have been no warning lights on the dashboard, and the car has not yet been independently reviewed by a dealer.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Mar 28, 2025
I was driving approximately 30 mph on an exit ramp and as I pressed the gas to accelerate when I got below speed, the drive power completely ceased, started making a noise that I have never heard, almost like a baseball card in a bicycle wheel. The screen flashed a 4WD alert, and then shut off / went completely black. I could not accelerate, I could not turn the wheel at all as it locked up, and once the car finally stopped, I had to keep the break pressed because it would not shift into park. it wouldn't move forward but i was afraid if i let my foot off, it would randomly start again. A truck behind me nearly crashed into the back of my car which would have killed me. I quickly had to pull off to the right in the shoulder as my car came to a dead stop. My car was towed by AAA and brought to the nearest mechanic, as that is the only way they will tow a car. I was told the engine is shot. I have 40,000 miles on my 2019 car. this is completely unacceptable. I know there is a recall for EXACTLY what happened to my car on THE SAME YEAR AND MODEL CAR, but apparently my VIN is not included in the recall. I'm out $13,000 that I owe on this car now and have no options at all financially.
Power train, Mar 28, 2025
The contact owns a 2019 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving 50 MPH, the transmission shifted incorrectly. The message “4WD Unavailable - Service Required” was displayed. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed with PTU failure. The contact was informed that the PTU needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 89,300.
Power train, Other or unspecified, Mar 28, 2025
My 2019 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk Elite has had a recall on the PTU for some time now with no remedy in the near future. Serious safety issues are at stake. This recall may cause a crash without warning due to loss of motive power. Also, loss of park function can cause vehicle to cause injury or death as well while outside the vehicle. How can MOPAR not have to fix this in a timely manner? How it this not illegal? I still have to finish paying the money I owe on something that isn't worth more than the amount I can get for the metal I can scrap from it. Jeep knew about this in my 2014 Cherokee, unfortunately I bought another one. 12/2023 Canada was aware. It took until January 2025 for us to be formerly informed of a recall. I get warning lights and transmission seems to be in neutral at times.
Power train, Mar 27, 2025
The contact owns a 2019 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the transmission disengaged, and the vehicle lost motive power. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated the vehicle was without power for approximately 2 seconds, and then the transmission re-engaged. In addition, the contact stated that when the transmission re-engaged, the transmission shifted hard. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the contact was informed that parts to repair the vehicle were not available. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V011000 (Power Train); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but was unable to confirm when parts would be available. The failure mileage was 83,500. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Mar 26, 2025
The vehicle is shutting down while driving. Full power down. I have replaced the battery and taken it to Jeep. They have reset and ran multiple diagnostics. The car shows nothing wrong. Each time I call MOPAR about the PTU recall which is causing from 2017-2019 Jeeps to shutdown they say my VIN isn’t listed so they are unable to cover it under the recall. My car is doing exactly what the recall is describing.
Power train, Mar 26, 2025
The contact owns a 2019 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH, the 4WD became inoperable and the "4WD Error - Service Soon" message was displayed on the instrument panel. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the Power Transfer Unit needed to be replaced. The contact researched and was made aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V011000 (Power Train); however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 45,000.
Power train, Mar 25, 2025
The contact owns a 2019 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that upon coming to a complete stop, the vehicle suddenly stalled and failed to immediately restart. The vehicle was pushed to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle was restarted after several attempts. After restarting the vehicle, the vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. The transmission warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the Power Transfer Unit (PTU) snap ring. The contact was advised to take the vehicle to the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V011000 (Power Train); but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 75,000.
Power train, Mar 25, 2025
The contact owns a 2019 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated while driving at slow speeds, the vehicle jerked with an abnormal grinding sound coming from the middle of the vehicle. The message "Service 4WD" was displayed. The contact pulled over to the side of the road, and then resumed driving. The vehicle was taken the dealer, where it was diagnosed with internal PTU failure caused by the PTU motor blockage. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a complaint was filed. The manufacturer informed the contact that the VIN could be included in a related recall in the future. The vehicle was repaired. The contact later became aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V011000 (Power Train); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was contacted and advised the contact that he could be reimbursed for the previous repairs after the dealer had confirmed that the failure was related to the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 145,591.
Other or unspecified, Mar 25, 2025
The svc 4wd light stays on and the power transfer unit makes a horrible noise. It is the same symptoms as the recall of the 2017-2019s, but somehow, my car does not fall under the recall. The car only has 52521 miles on it and is treated very well. There is no reason that this should have broke.
Steering, Mar 24, 2025
I bought a 2019 Jeep Cherokee Limited used on July 30, 2024. Through the rest of the year I experienced a short sharp sudden pull from the steering wheel to the right and left. This happens frequently, several times in every drive. I had tires replaces and suspension balanced on March 5, 2025. This did not change the issue. When driving, the vehicle pulls left or right randomly especially at higher speeds. It is scary to be on highway and suddenly be pulled toward another lane. I have no open recalls and my mechanic can not locate the problem. I am very concerned. It is not safe so I do not travel far because of unsolved situation. Please provide a means to solve this 2019 Jeep Cherokee Limited V6 issue
Power train, Mar 24, 2025
The contact owns a 2019 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission made a whining sound, and the transmission unexpectedly downshifted. The check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with a failed power transmission (PT) gear 2. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The contact referenced an unknown recall; however, the recall was not associated with the VIN. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was towed to the dealer; however, the diagnostic test was not performed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 25,000.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, Mar 23, 2025
My car have been having an issue with starting so I changed the battery and a couple of days later my car would not start. And this has been since December 26 2024. And my car haven't started since. Everytime I had to hit the brake a message would come up saying to check the electrical stability thing.
Power train, Mar 23, 2025
Drive shaft is broken completely and needs replaced. I first heard the cleaning while driving and then took it for inspection. My splines have damage as well.
Power train, Mar 21, 2025
Started car prior to leaving house. When entering car, placed car into run mode. Released parking brake and placed into drive. Service 4WD light came on with. When pulling out of driveway, I made a left turn which the car made a clunk noise in the front end. When driving a little further I topped the hill only doing about 15 mph. Once accelerating down the hill the car shifted and made a loud grinding noise. This prevented the car from traveling any faster. This also resulted in a needed emergency pull over on back road with no shoulder. Car was then parked, turned off for about 2 minutes in traffic. At that point car was restarted with no Service light. I began to accelerate and noise went away. Further driving brought light back on and off but no noise at this time. I have a concern this could happen at highway speeds resulting in a unessarcery car accident. There seems to be a high fail rate with these cars and the PTU. I would highly recommend extending the safety recall to all Jeeps with this brand PTU.
Power train, Mar 21, 2025
The contact owns a 2019 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact noticed that the 4WD warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the power transfer unit had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign: 20V343000 (Power Train). The failure mileage was approximately 73,000.
Suspension, Mar 20, 2025
4wd is unavailable - Service 4WD light on
Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 20, 2025, fire
PTU for this car, with no light or warning on the dashboard, car began to make a cranking clicking noise and began to smoke from the rear exhaust, car lost steering capability for the brief moment and fellow driver alerted me that my car was on fire below. Car immediately pulled to the side, i never lost power. at mechanic shop, appears that the PTU blew and oil flew all over the bottom of the car which then ignited causing car fire, appears to have damaged dry shaft, PTU blown into literal pieces and Rear differential all damaged. Car was initially serviced and was told that part was on back order with no signal or conversation that it was unsafe to drive, yet appears that is not the case. other jeeps 2018-2019 have a similar recall on PTUs and i dont know why this model does not
Power train, Mar 19, 2025
Svc 4wd light has been on for several months. Had it checked out at auto shop. They stated that ptu needed had issues and would cost 3000 to repair. Did not get it fixed.