13,000 Jeep Cherokee Vehicles Recalled Due to a Powertrain Defect

Date of recall: June 12, 2020

Vehicles affected

The recall is specific to 2014-17 Jeep Cherokee SUVs equipped with a two-speed power transfer unit (PTU). It affects 13,659 vehicles in Canada, plus another 67,248 in the United States.

What’s the problem?

The affected 2014-17 Cherokee SUVs have a problem with the PTU when the input splines on the front differential start to wear out. Part of the problem is how the gear teeth in the PTU wear down when shifting from all-wheel drive to front-wheel drive in various road conditions. 

It may cause the PTU to not engage with the transmission, leading to a loss of power to the wheels. If that happens, the vehicle can’t stay in motion while driving. Moreover, it may not be able to stay in position when putting it in Park as well. Both scenarios increase the risk of a collision or injury.

Fiat-Chrysler hasn’t reported any crashes or injuries related to the defect.

What’s the fix?

Dealers will update the software for the PTU, which will keep the vehicle moving if the teeth have worn out. In turn, the update will also prevent the vehicle from moving anytime drivers put in in Park, especially if they activate the parking brake.

What do you do?

Fiat-Chrysler will notify affected owners by mail around July 31 with instructions on when to take their vehicle to a dealer for repair. 

Enter your VIN at this link to learn more about this recall and find out if there are other Service Actions related to your vehicle.

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