general problems of the 2021 Jeep Cherokee - part 2

Ptu went out at 42,900 miles 2 weeks ago traveling on i81, was very foggy and all of a sudden my rpm went crazy and check engine and service 4 wd light came on pulled to side of highway and car was reving itself on and off and when shifting to drive or reverse car would not move and emergency brake was engaging on it’s own. Called triple a and had to have towed on truck to dealer . Just bought vehicle 3 months prior . Dealer tested and told me ptu went out in vehicle not sure when part will be available could be months . We were sitting on berm of highway for an hour in foggy conditions and semi trucks flying by was very scary.

Failed rear driveline failed rear differential and failed dtcm. Jeep is still sluggish upon shifting to acceleration. Clunk from park to drive and cold start to warm up normal to drop to normal rpm then rev up to 2. 0 while sitting still. I have suspicions that the ptu could be having issues after all the above was replaced.

"service 4wd" message came on after startup one day.

Vehicle hesitates to go into gear and upon takeoff resulting in slamming into first gear. This causes significant stress on the transmission and ptu causing premature failure. Additionally, loss of power to the wheels upon take off could result in a vehicle collision when turning into on coming traffic.

The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while his wife was driving 75 mph on I-15 and accelerating, the transmission seized, and the vehicle skidded to the side of the roadway. The contact stated that the engine was running but the vehicle failed to move. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where codes were retrieved for the power transfer unit (ptu); but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 99,000.

I have had 2 incidents involving drivetrain failure which almost resulted in accidents. On 26 September 2024, I was in left lane passing other vehicles when suddenly my vehicle (2021 Jeep Cherokee trail hawk) started jerking, felt and sounded like something exploded under vehicle. I was among a group of vehicles, including semi trucks with trailers, both behind me as well as along side me. Vehicle suddenly lost forward motion, engine rpm kept increasing and decreasing, vehicle would jerk like something in drivetrain was binding up but still did not have forward power and losing speed. Dash lights started coming on and going off, then check engine light remained on. While still in passing lane, I had no power to drive forward so I immediately signaled to attempt a safe maneuver in traffic to right edge of road as there was no space on left shoulder. Several vehicles had to swerve to avoid hitting us, a very frightening and unsafe experience. Once I was on side of road, vehicle would not move in any direction, transmission made like a grinding sound if put from drive to park. Vehicle was towed to papik motors for repair. Dealer determined shift actuator forks were worn and replaced shift actuator. There were no loaner or rental vehicles available from dealership, I had to rent a uhaul to get us and camper home. Vehicle returned 4 oct 2024. On 21 January 2025 while attempting to pass a vehicle on 2 lane highway, my transmission seemed to go into neutral as I was passing causing me to almost be hit by oncoming vehicle as I had lost forward motion. After stopping, vehicle seemed to operate fine but on way home, vehicle made loud noises, transmission was grinding and would not drive. I was able to drive in 4x4 low along edge of road to the dealership. They found metal in ptu case. Estimated time for repair is may or later due to parts not available. I have loaner vehicle. Contacted stellantis twice. Case manager has not called back. I do not and will not feel safe driving.

The vehicle gave us a service 4wd warning on my wife's way home from work. The car had numerous issues driving it home. It wouldn't move in drive, until it was put in park and then back into drive and it would automatically engage the parking brake. Once she brought it home I went to check the vehicle. I got into the vehicle, put it into reverse and backed up the driveway. Once I stopped and placed the vehicle in drive it automatically engaged the parking brake. I put the vehicle in drive disengaged the brake pulled the car forward toward my house. I stopped the car placed it in park. The vehicle kept rolling about 2 ft. Into my garage door and then engaged the parking brake. . I don't know what is wrong, I have never seen a vehicle do this. I have checked and this is a common problem. I don't know why this isn't recalled. It is a dangerous vehicle like this.

The 4wd light keeps coming on and going off. This issue is reported all over the internet with Jeeps. It started about 60,000 miles, which is also reported as a normal mileage of failure. When the 4wd light is on the vehicle loses stability control which could result in an accident in anything other than dry road conditions. Why is this issue not a recall? a lot of the complaints online seem to be a faulty sensor or the ptu. With as many complaints as there are online, this issue should be covered by the manufacturer.

Ptu is going out causing Jeep to not have 4wd. 67k miles. Causing the Jeep to not be able to get traction on a busy highway causing a traffic jam in snow. Putting people’s safety at jeopardy.

Ptu is going out causing Jeep to not have 4wd. 74k miles. Causing the Jeep to not be able to get traction on a busy highway causing a traffic jam in snow. Putting people’s safety at jeopardy.

Driving on the road when the power transfer unit failed. Car would was not in gear, was able to get to side of road but could have been very dangerous. Towed to dealer and was told that part is on back order and would be 1-2 months to get it and there are55 on back order. Factory has hold on them. This is warranty under the power train and should be in stock . This type of failure could cause a crash and possible death. Should be a rercall.

Powertrain unit failed at 74k mileage. This is a chronic issue with Jeep Cherokees and cost $3,400 to repair as warranty expired at 60k.

Ptu failure or blockage. Only 30,000 miles. 3year factory warranty has passed by 2 months, part can be over 2,000$.

The vehicle started jerking and then the front wheel drive would lose power. The 4wd light came on the dash. We took it in and were told there were pieces broken off inside the ptu and the ptu needed to be completely replaced. This happened 600 miles over the manufacture warranty would have replaced it.

1. Engine timing chain making rattling noise. Yes automatic emergency braking activates when there is no collision imminent. Yes 2. Faulty timing chain can cause significant damage to engine while driving faulty automatic braking system can cause accident if stopped abruptly in traffic. 3. Timing chain has been inquired by mechanic. Video of the noise. Needs to be confirmed by dealer for warranty 4. No 5. No warning.

Engine oil color is made of plastic and can crack and can cause you to lose your engine to no oil pressure and coolant and can cause an accident if you do not know because it would lock up the engine.

The rear differential ptu can cause the car to lose all control if it fails and this was a proven issue on previous Cherokee models and this model inherits the same issue.

The vehicle ran hot, smelled of hot metal and fluids. When moving the transmission from park to drive nothing would happen, pressing the accelerator caused the engine to rev, then it would lurch into drive. Same thing would happen going into reverse. Moving down the road there would be a clunking noise as you accelerated or slowed down. The car seemed like something was slowing it down , like dragging brakes. This was intermittent for some time and then got worse. The Jeep dealer replicated the problem, did the diagnostics and tried a software fix. Dealer concluded the transmission was so damaged it had to be replaced, which they did under warranty, at 36,000 miles. The transmission could have locked up or slipped into neutral while driving.

The service department where I bought the SUV said the power transfer unit was bad and the vehicle was unsafe to drive. So its been parked there in the back parking lot for three weeks. I had told them every time that I took it in for a oil change that there was a problem. They said it needed a software update, but it didn't help. Then after more than year and the forth time complaining about the noise and feel of the car, it's all of a sudden unsafe to drive and need to be parked until fixed.

The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at high speeds, the contact heard a popping sound coming from the hood. The contact stated that the engine revved, and the vehicle decelerated while the accelerator pedal was being depressed. The contact pulled the vehicle off the roadway. The contact stated that the vehicle remained on and failed to shut off. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the ptu failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The contact stated that the awd warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the ptu failed again and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, and the contact was informed that the vehicle was safe to drive however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was then taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed again that the ptu failed and needed to be replaced; however, the vehicle remained at the dealer unrepaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the vehicle was out of warranty. The contact was provided a case number and informed that the parts to do the repair was unavailable. The failure mileage was approximately 38,000.

The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while his wife was driving approximately 25 mph, there was a clunking sound coming from the rear of the vehicle, and the vehicle would not properly accelerate. The vehicle was immediately driven to a nearby mechanic who diagnosed that the rear driveshaft had detached from the vehicle and was striking the ground. The rear driveshaft was replaced, and the vehicle was repaired. The local dealer had examined the vehicle and was unable to determine how the rear driveshaft had detached from the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 27,364.

Ptu in 2021 Jeep Cherokee with 50k miles went out causing a loss in power to the wheels while crossing a highway. Dealership put a new ptu and drive shaft in but said it was defective but they could turn off the Jeeps ability to transfer power from front to back until they got a new part. This caused my safety features such as front collision to be turned off. I assume they pulled a fuse for the transfer between front and rear meaning the new ptu was more than just not communicating with the electronics like the dealership said but was an actual defective unit. The last time it went out it also tore up a drive shaft. The replacement unit in the Jeep has always had a grinding sound and began to have what felt like transmission slip. I also started losing power and when the engine is turned off sometimes it won’t start even though it has power in the battery and the start turns. It is broke down again and going into the shop because the Jeep is still having drive issues along with new electrical ones and I am in danger of it losing power or transmission when crossing a highway. The dealer did tell me that many of the new ptus are defective. I am surprised a dealership when send a customer back out in a vehicle they knew wouldn’t be safe and had a failed part.

While at a complete stop vehicle’s rpms went up and launched forward on its own. It continued to do so several times despite pressing the break pedal fully. Vehicle did the same thing only a couple of weeks after being purchased but I was unsure if it had been the vehicle or I eased up on the break a little too much. This latest time however it did it so many times that I was able to record it and share it with my dealership.

Power takeoff unit assembly failed at 61,000 miles. This unit has had three recalls and 5 parts revision that I can find but dealer refuses replacement under warranty due to warranty being 60,000 miles. This part clearly has defects ongoing since 2014 or before and yet fca continues to produce them and fails to support them.

The drivetrain failed while driving at 65 mph on a straight highway. Weather was sunny and warm at 11am. Suddenly there was no power going to the wheels. There were no vehicle warning lights or sounds. Stepping on the gas pedal resulted in a whinning noise. Because the engine was still running I had control over the steering and brakes. After stopping the vehicle on the shoulder of the road I put the vehicle in park. I then attempted to travel forward. Moving the shifter from park to drive the parking brake was automatically set on. I released the parking brake and applied slight pressure on the gas. There was a clicking noise and no attempt to move. I had the car towed to tate Jeep of frederick MD. I bought the car used from a Mazda dealership in baltimore with 14,100 miles one month earlier.

In may 2021 I leases a brand new car. In Jan 2021 I was driving my car and at a busy intersection, my car stalled. I just got a full tank of gas but the low fuel tank light came on. The car would not turn off, the clutch was stuck and I could not shift out of any gear. I brought my car in to the service center where I bought my car and let them know that I think electrical issues were causing problems with my fuel gauge and my clutch. They held on to my car from Jan 20-Mar 28th they could not say what electrical problems caused my car to stall or my fuel tank to register as low but they gave me a whole new transmission. At this time I had only about 2,700 miles on the car. Less than a month later I stalled again on a busy road but I was able to pull the car over and waited for a family member to arrive to help. After letting the car sit for a little I was able to start the car again however the low fuel light came back on and the engine light came on. Additionally this time I was not able to shut off the car, radio, blinkers did not work, as well as break lights did not work. I brought the car back in and expressed my concerns about the electrical problems causing saftey issues on April 20 2021. I drove to the dealership with my hazards in which it stalled 3 times on my way there. They had my car til April 26 and said a cluster of alerts came up and the reset them but they couldn't guarantee it wouldn't happen again. Only one day later I started my car to find the fuel tank alert on again and the car not being able to turn off and brake lights, signal lights were not working and the windshield wipers going crazy. I then called a tow truck to tow my car as it was unsafe to drive. Now my car has been in the shop since April 27 almost 50 days and counting and they still can't find what is causing the issues. They want to release my car again but cannot guarantee it will not happen again. I am terrified to drive the car as nothing was fixed and very unsafe.

While I was trying to get onto the interstate my vehicle would not accelerate. I tried to merge in with traffic but I was only going 35 and I almost hit someone. They stayed the same speed hoping I would speed up in front of them but I couldn’t. This put everyone around me at risk. I took my vh to the dealership. They called me today and told me they sold the rental I was in and that I needed to bring the car back. Also they ran some codes and my car is coming back fine. So they did not find a problem. I honestly feel they didn’t look they just wanted to sell the rental car. I’ve had no warning lamps at all come on but the transmission is slipping.

Vehicle stalled on the road while stopped in the center lane and trying to take left turn. It was completely dead, no warning indicators or signals. Both dash board and radio screens were blank. Key was locked, could not take it out. Everything came back to normal after about fifteen minutes and I was able to drive it home. Our safety was at risk since it happened in the middle of the road, except that it was stopped and waiting to turn. Contacted dealer for warranty service. No diagnostics done yet.

My 2021 Jeep's power train unit broke and damaged other connecting parts while driving on a highway using cruise control causing a complete loss of power. This occurred with only 5696 miles driven on the vehicle.

The ptu (power transfer unit) failed in the middle of the interstate which caused it to stall and not move.