general problems of the 2020 Jeep Cherokee - part 1

The systems that failed included the shifter, which causes the car to lock so that it cannot shift out of park . This is most likely due to a shifter assembly and/or sensor malfunction. Several months prior to this event occurring (I. E. , the car would not start, despite a new battery and consistent scheduled maintenance), this operator of the vehicle complained to the dealership that the car started to feel tremulous, along with the gas gauge reading 30-40 miles below the expected fill on a full tank. The dealership "checked the sensors" and determined nothing was wrong. The driver has been noticing shaking and continued problems with this vehicle shifting in and out of lower gears (1st through 3rd in an automatic v6 engine). The culmination is now this car will not start, and states both 'service shifter' and 'brake sensor service' lights illuminate upon attempting to start the engine. From reading, it is likely to have a transmission range sensor failure, a faulty shifter module, or wiring corrosion. Also, stellantis (software manufacturer for these sensors) has admitted fault of these sensors in the past, and had extended warranties for some, but not all vehicles. Unable to operate a nonfunctioning vehicle now stuck with towing to a dealership I've not had good results with since the purchase of this vehicle.

The power transfer unit stopped working and we got a message on the dashboard about the four-wheel-drive not working. We had to replace the ptu.

The contact owns a 2020 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while changing lines and attempting to depress the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to respond with a grinding sound coming from the front of the vehicle. The contact pulled over into a parking lot and attempted to shift to park, and the vehicle started to reverse unintendedly. The contact stated that after returning to the residence, the vehicle was parked and the parking brake was activated to keep the vehicle from moving unintendedly. The “service 4wd” warning light was illuminated. An independent mechanic was contacted. The vehicle was taken to the independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the ptu needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure had occurred twice. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA campaign number:25v011000 (power train); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to another dealer to seek assistance with repairing the vehicle. The failure mileage was 68,000.

No accident or incident cause issues with the power train. Seems like a recurring problem that this specific model of Jeep has been facing.

Warning light came on that said "service 4wd system" at approximately 86,969 miles on a 2020 Jeep Cherokee trailhawk. Took to dealer and was advised that ptu (power transfer unit) must be replaced at a cost of $3,945. 19. Was also advised that dtcm "transfer case control module must be replaced at a cost of $776. 95. Total cost to resolve "service 4wd system" problem as quoted is $4,722. 14. It has been noted that older versions of this same vehicle model have been recalled by the manufacturer for this same problem. I would like to know why this particular model year has not been included that recall as it appears that the earlier noted manufacturing defect was not corrected for the 2020 model year.

Issue #1: fuel pump failure, had to completely replace the fuel pump at approx. 60,000 miles. Approx. $1,300 repair. Issue #2: rear differential failure due to faulty/poor construction of materials, per the repair shop. Failed at approx. 63,000 miles. There was no external damage to the differential, it was caused by poor construction/defects of the materials used to build the car. Approx. $4,500 repair. Both issues are known issues with Jeeps of this model year, to the extent that I have not been able to find replacement parts due to them being in such high demand.

Failed power train unit, and this is available for inspection. I was driving on the highway with my grandson and husband going 70 mph when the unit failed it basically felt like the car was thrown into neutral. Thankfully no one was hurt. Dealership has confirmed the issue. No issues driving the vehicle before the issue after the issue the light did come on and the vehicle is undriveable.

My ptu failed while driving 70mph on a 4 lane interstate during a heavy rush hour, I'm 7 months pregnant and this was mortifying for me. I lost all power moving forward and could not accelerate. My rpms would near red-line. When I pulled on to the shoulder, while trying to not get hit or cause an accident from 3 lanes over, I put my car in park and shut it off, it sounded like a dying weedwhacker. It started rolling backwards without me noticing and I almost rolled back into the outside lane. I put on the e-brake, had it towed to firestone where they said it was likely the ptu that failed as I have every gear, except moving forward. When they had my vehicle on the lift they moved the tires in reverse motion and there was no noise, when they moved the tires in forward motion there was a loud knocking coming out of the ptu and the tires wouldn't budge. If in park on a decline, park works. If in park on an incline or flat, it rolls backwards. It can drive in reverse, but no forward movement at all. I got it towed to another shop where they took out&opened the ptu and checked the gears on the shaft inside, one of the gears was completely missing. Just completely disintegrated. There was no warning that anything was failing on my car. No check engine lights, no noises. Just loss of acceleration. Ptus are on back order 3-5 months right now because they're a known issue on the 2017-2019 models of Jeeps. My Jeep is a 2020 trailhawk with the v6 3. 2l.

4wd service light came on. The code was c14a7-97. A well known ptu problem. There was a previous recall for the same problem. It can be a dangerous situation if it completely fails while driving. Also a very expensive repair bill. My 2020 Jeep Cherokee only has 72k miles and a has a major known failure already.

Transfer case failure, I had started to notice as if the transmission were shifted to neutral, high engine rpm and no output to the wheels. This happened a few times but not consistently. After the 3rd time this occurred, I decided to bring the vehicle in to a well-known local shop transmission shop. It was diagnosed as the transfer case a known issue with previous years. Still such a popular failure that local dealerships were told by mopar they could only order one replacement per month. I was without my vehicle for nearly 3 months while it was inoperable. The vehicle is now repaired with a mopar remanufactured transfer case. $3000 and 10 weeks later.

While driving in northwestern pennsylvania during a snowstorm, the driver engaged the vehicle’s factory “snow mode. ” immediately thereafter, the vehicle experienced a sudden loss of power and loss of steering control. The driver was forced to pull off the i79 interstate in severe winter conditions and exit the vehicle to avoid being struck by a snowplow. This created a dangerous roadside exposure and a significant risk of collision or injury. The vehicle was towed to a Jeep dealership and diagnosed with a failed rear differential requiring replacement. The dealership stated the part has been on national backorder since 2024, with no estimated availability. The failure occurred without warning and rendered the vehicle completely inoperable. The dealership further advised that this rear differential failure is a known issue, and recommended against installing a used replacement due to reliability and safety concerns. Safety concern: this failure resulted •sudden loss of vehicle control in hazardous weather •loss of motive power •forced roadside exposure in active traffic conditions the inability to obtain replacement parts compounds the safety risk by leaving the vehicle unusable and preventing timely repair. Request: I am submitting this complaint so NHTSA can evaluate whether this represents a systemic safety defect related to the rear differential in this vehicle platform, including failure mode, warning adequacy, and parts availability affecting safe remediation.

The contact owns a 2020 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, several unknown warning lights illuminated. The message "service 4wd system" was displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, no cause for the failure was found. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and was diagnosed with ptu failure. The vehicle was not repaired, and the failure persisted. The contact related the failure to NHTSA campaign number: 20v343000 (power train); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.

The contact owns a 2020 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while accelerating from a stop, the vehicle stalled. The transmission message was displayed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, and there were metal particles in the transmission fluid. The vehicle was not repaired. The mechanic called an unknown local dealer and confirmed that parts were on backorder. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.

When I attempted to turn left onto the highway from a complete stop on an incline, I pressed the accelerator and the car made a loud grinding noise. The vehicle would not move forward or reverse. The parking brake engaged on its own and would not disengage. After exiting the vehicle, I found a loose bearing behind the car. The vehicle had to be towed to a mechanic. I was informed by the mechanic that the failure was caused by the ptu (power transfer unit), and the repair cost me $2,600. I was later told that the initial failure had also stripped another component, which required an additional $100 repair. I was not given the specific name or details of that additional part.

2020 Jeep Cherokee power transfer unit (ptu) per a discussion the dealer service manager, I realized the vehicle is undrivable because the ptu could fail at anytime. The danger is losing propulsion to the wheels on an interstate or other high speed or high capacity road. The problem was discovered by the dealer when I took my Cherokee in on 11/24/25 to have them fix the "svc 4wd" warning light. Once they explained the issue I decided to leave the vehicle at the dealer to replace the ptu. There is no timeframe for them to receive a new ptu. Jeep had recalled 2017-2019 Cherokees due to issues with the ptu. The 2020 Cherokees should also be recalled so owners don't have to pay for an issue Jeep is aware of with the power train.

The 4wd service light indicated an issue. After a week of the light staying on, the vehicle was brought to a local dealer for diagnosis. After diagnosis from a dealer, the ptu failed which can result in complete propulsion of vehicle.

Vehicle has been having a grinding noice since I bought it, had it checked and nothing came up. Now service 4x4 light comes on intermittently. Took back to the dealer and diagnostic says that the ptu has low voltage. Needs to be replaced. I have to pay for the part first ($2000), but it's been on back order for over 6 months.

The "4wd needs service" light appeared on the dashboard of our 2020 Jeep Cherokee trailhawk. We took vehicle to the enumclaw Chrysler Jeep Dodge ram dealer located in enumclaw, wa. Their service technician determined that the ptu (power transfer unit) was failing and found active code c14a7-97 "ptu motor-component or system operation obstructed or blocked". Had the ptu completely failed we could have been left without any power to the drive wheels. This would have been very dangerous if the vehicle had lost power while driving on a freeway or major highway and the vehicle could not have been driven to a safe location. The dealer replaced the ptu and confirmed that the problem had been repaired. We don't know if the defective part is still available for inspection.

Ptu unit on my Jeep Cherokee failed at 70 miles per hour on the highway. The car is located on a Jeep dealer lot and is available for inspection. Traveling at high speeds I suddenly lost and transfer of power from the motor to the wheels and was unable to keep speed in traffic. The problem has been noted on Jeep models of prior production with this exact problem per consumer reports. The car went through a full Jeep inspections and found that the ptu was the culprit of the issue. When the ptu failed it displayed a message stating “service 4wd”. This did not occur until after the incident occurred. Additionally when the issue occurred the car turned itself into snow/ice mode. I was driving in the standard drive mode as there was no snow or ice. I had driven for over an hour prior to this failure in the car. It was mid morning when the failure happened.

The contact owns a 2020 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle unexpectedly jerked, and the message “4x4 system service required” was displayed. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the vehicle unexpectedly lunged forward. The contact engaged the parking brake to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the power transfer unit (ptu) had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired, and the contact was referred to the dealer for further assistance. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 89,301.

I dropped my car for a service appointment on October 25, 2025 because the car was running loud at highway speeds and felt as though something was grinding. I was told that the recommendation is to replace the ptu. I was unfamiliar with the term and guessed, "power takeoff unit" and the service technician agreed with me. He then informed me that there was an issue with the part and it would be 45-days before the part would be available. He told me that other shops were contacted and there was no shop in the area that was willing to part with the ptu, and I would need to wait 45-days for the repair. I asked if it was safe to drive the vehicle until the repair and he informed me it was. He appeared to be a new team member, so I clarified again, "I just want to be clear it is safe to drive the car". He responded it was, and then said he would check with his manager. After checking with the manager, he came back and said it was okay to drive the car but it may lead to further damage. Following the call I googled ptu and learned that there was a recall on Jeep Cherokee's, due to defective ptus which could cause a loss of power when the vehicle is in motion - leading to a crash, prevent the driver from putting the vehicle in park, or causing the vehicle to come out of park. Given the large number of vehicles involved in the recall, 660k + it is not surprising that the part is on back-order. It is frustrating that this is a voluntary recall, and that the scope of the recall has grown from 2016/2017 to now include 2017/2019 but not yet 2020. Please consider including the cars manufactured in 2020, and changing this from a voluntary recall.

While driving, the car began making a rattling noise and felt unstable. Shortly after, the “service 4wd” warning light came on. I took the vehicle to the dealership, and they diagnosed a power transfer unit (ptu) failure that requires replacement. This is a serious safety concern, as the vehicle could lose the ability to drive, especially in certain road or weather conditions. After researching the issue, I discovered that ptu failures appear to be a widespread problem in Jeep Cherokees, yet there has been no effective recall or permanent fix. Owners are being put at risk due to potential loss of power while driving.

My transmission quit working and my parking brake turned on while driving!!!!! this is the same problem that was recalled on Jeep Cherokee years from 2017-2019, but my 2020 is not covered in the recall and my neighbor has the same exact car and year and has had to replace his put twice!!!!!! my model year should be included!!!!!!!.

My service fwd light came on so I took it to the shop to get it looked at. Upon diagnosing this issue, I was informed it is a faulty power transfer unit and was informed of the dangers of driving with this issue. I have a newborn son so I immediately stopped driving my car and left it at the shop to be fixed. It has been there since October 6th. . It is now December 1st and the part is still not in stock to fix. This same part is recalled for the same reason in Jeep models 2017-2019. However mine is 2020, no recall yet, but is having the same issue and is now on backorder. I have been paying for insurance, etc. . On my car to just be sitting there rusting away and Jeep cannot give a timeframe on when the part will be in. I am out on a car and struggling to find transportation to and from work and a safe way to transport my newborn child.

Hello, the widespread issue of defective the ptu (power transfer unit) is far beyond the recall 25v011. We have 2 Jeep Cherokees in my family and both have a bad ptu and they both aren’t under the recall. Thank you.

After having the issue diagnosed by an authorized service center, it has been confirmed that my ptu has failed and needs to be replaced. Upon further research, I discovered that the ptu part is recalled for vehicles manufactured between 2017 and 2019. However, as my vehicle is a 2020 model, it unfortunately falls outside of the recall window. Despite this, it appears that similar ptu failures are still occurring in vehicles manufactured in 2020 and beyond, indicating that the issue may not have been fully resolved in later models. I am deeply concerned about the safety implications of this issue, particularly the risk of losing power to the wheels while driving. This could lead to a serious accident, especially in adverse weather conditions or on the highway. As a result, I am requesting that you take immediate action to address this problem. I believe this issue is a design flaw or a defective part that has not been fully resolved, and it is in the best interest of both customer safety and brand reputation to address this matter promptly.

The contact owns a 2020 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 mph, there was an abnormal popping sound coming from under the floorboards. The contact stated that the "service 4-wd" warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle started losing motive power and the transmission unexpectedly downshifted. The contact was able to continue driving to the destination. The failure was intermittent but was a recurring failure. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and was diagnosed with ptu failure. The contact was informed that the ptu needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was informed by the mechanic that the failure was possibly related to NHTSA campaign number: 25v011000 (power train); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.

The ptu and ptu actuator have failed. The repair is estimated to be app $3000 at a local independent repair shop. The parts are unavailable to do a timely repair. We still have to drive it because it cannot be repaired until parts are available, we were told it could be months because there are so many Jeeps failing from the same thing. ( "a similar repair was done today after waiting for 3 months for parts"- bob from donelinger in cohasset, mn) we may be in danger every time we use the Jeep but have no choice with it being needed for our transportation. The 4wd service lights are on or blink all the time. We only have 85,000 miles on this Jeep we have had since we purchased it new. Please help speed up parts availability and a recall on these Jeeps.

The power transfer unit on my 2020 vehicle is not working. I bought this car specifically to have four wheel drive. In the buffalo NY brutal winter I count on 4 wheel drive to get me through the snow. Now, I have a serious safety issue. I wanted to fix the car but not only is it expensive, but the parts are on back order with 2700 in the backlog waiting for parts. This is a known issue and there was a recall for a number of years including 2018 and 2019. They haven't issued it for 2020. I am being forced to sell the car at a loss! I can't drive something that is unsafe. Jeep should make us whole! I shouldn't lose money because of known safety fault. Plus, I can't keep it because I do a lot of driving and can't risk my life with no 4 wheel drive.

Service 4wd warning appeared 9/2025 on my 2020 Jeep Cherokee limited with 37500 miles. Took it to my local mechanic. They suspected the ptu was the problem and advised to take it Jeep dealer as it should be covered under warrantee. However the car was put into service in 2019 so warrantee has expired. Dealer advised ptu repair ~$3000 but part is back ordered. I see a lot of complaints on this site for this same issue. This was a recall up to year 2019 Jeeps.

The check 4 wheel drive light lit up on my dash. Shortly after, there was aloud noise coming from the front passenger side tire area. I replaced the front hub assembly as was the code it was throwing. 1 week ater, noise returned and I took it into elkhorn automotive in waterloo, ne. They said it was throwing a code of c14a7-97. . . Power transfer unit. Dealership said there are no active recalls for my 2020 Jeep. Looks like Jeep has had issues with this ptu. What can I do to get my vehicle fixed.

Received "svc fwd" light on the dash. Four wheel drive stopped working. I was able to continue driving with front wheel drive only. Jeep had 13,000 when it happened. Took it to the dealership for inspection in September 2025. They diagnosed it as a bad ptu and needed replaced. They were going to call me when the new part came in. It's been over 5 months and I never heard from them.

“service 4wd” warning light came on. Took vehicle to mechanic who said error code indicates power transfer unit failure. Car is clearly unsafe to drive.

While driving my 2020 Jeep Cherokee, my four-wheel-drive light came on and the car felt like somebody had rear-ended me after checking the code that came on. It says it was a ptu failure. It is a known issue with Jeep, but no resolution has been made the same issue has been recalled for other VIN numbers, but not mine. This is a safety issue because when the car did this, if someone was behind me, they would’ve actually hit me in the rear end because the car like actually stops.

The transfer case failed at 30,000 miles. There is a 3 month backlog on the part, so the vehicle is off the road until at least December 10. This part was recalled on the 2017-2019 models.