Differential Unit Problems of Jeep Cherokee - part 1

The contact owns a 2015 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated while driving 65 mph, there was a thumping sound coming from the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the residence. The contact stated that the following day he observed condensation under the rear end of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the rear differential needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage 112,002.

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The contact owns a 2019 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, there was a humming sound coming from the rear of the vehicle. The following morning, the contact discovered that oil had leaked from the rear of the vehicle onto the garage floor. The vehicle was driven to the local mechanic, who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the rear differential was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was later towed to the local dealer who confirmed the diagnosis that the rear differential was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 128,553.

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The contact owns a 2019 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle unintendedly decelerated. While driving approximately 55 mph, the vehicle stalled and was later towed to the local dealer, who diagnosed that the ptu rear differential was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired with a used ptu; however, recently the failure reoccurred. The cause for the failure has not yet been determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 25v011000 (power train). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. Additionally, it was discovered that oil was leaking from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who replaced the faulty oil cooler unit. The failure mileage was 101,000.

Power train:automatic transmission | power train:driveline:differential unit continues to experience movement in the power transfer unit (ptu) between the differential input splines and the transmission output shaft and has caused input spline teeth to wear off, leading to a loss of engagement between the transmission and the differential inside the ptu. If there was a recall performed on this vehicle, it was either too late, or ineffective. Requires a new ptu.

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The contact owns a 2019 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that he observed a puddle of fluid on his driveway. The contact checked and found that there was a crack that around the rear differential housing. The contact stated that the fluid was coming from the crack. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that there had been an impact that had caused the crack. The contact stated that neither he nor his wife had driven the vehicle and made any type of impact to cause a crack to the differential housing. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 49,100.

The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and attempting to make a turn, the rear end of the vehicle started thudding. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with rear differential failure. The vehicle was repaired under warranty. The contact stated that the failure had reoccurred. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, and it was diagnosed with the same failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 34,203.

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While driving on a city street making a left hand turn after slowing down at a traffic light the service 4wd popped up on the dashboard. There was no noise or indication of an issue until the service notification popped up. I pulled into a parking lot and called the dealership. I described the situation and when asked if the car was drivable I was told yes. I went into a store for about 20 minutes. When I turned the car back on the notification did not appear. I drove approximately 9 miles on interstate and another city road to home. When I backed into my garage the notification popped back up and I also saw a fresh oil spot on the garage floor. When I looked under the car I saw the rear differential case was cracked all the way around. The car was well maintained, garage kept and driven interstate and paved city streets. The mechanic who did the repair felt the part should have not failed and the failure was caused by a mechanical defect. I do have the defective part that was removed from the vehicle after it was repaired.

2014 Jeep - Cherokee trailhawk - differential malfunctioning. There seem to be widespread issue with the differential malfunctioning. Took the car for service and the mechanic found that the rear differential is leaking fluid all over. They checked the differential fluid level and noted excessive amount of metal present in diff. And fluid that leaked. This makes the car very dangerous to drive because the wheels can lock anytime. They called the dealer for parts and the dealer confirmed that they have been seeing excessive amounts of cars with such issues. There are shortage of the part nationwide. More than 150 cases reported to the dealer in santa cruz. The dealer is expecting to receive 50 parts after 45 days leaving more than 100 vehicles with no solution. The mechanic was in shock to see the excessive damage and deemed the car as a ticking time bomb. . Read more...

The rear differential/power module assembly made from cast iron split along a casting fault and lost almost all of its fluid. I only discovered this when I noticed a large puddle of fluid on my driveway and the service 4wd light cane on when I started the vehicle. I had the vehicle towed to my local service station and they had never seen anything like this before, but had located similar stories online with even worse pictures same vehicle year and mileage (101,000 mi). Suggested I call Jeep dealer and Chrysler. I called both and they would not contribute anything toward the repair. This vehicle was never in an accident or abused in any way. I feel this is an obvious manufacturing defect and should have been replaced under a recall. If this had occurred at high speed I also feel it could have been quite dangerous.

When road is wet, vehicle randomly fish tails on city streets and/or does complete 360 degree spin on the interstate. Tires are good. Rear differential was leaking. Suspected differential failed. We got the leak fixed but noise persisted. Jeep service department is now replacing entire differential. Warranty expired at 100,000 miles. Vehicle around 120,000 miles now. Suspect a defect in differential, based on other internet searches. Also had similar issue about a year ago, and thought that balding tires were to blame. Other symptoms include rubbing sound when turning slowly and sharply, such as backing out of driveway or turning sharply into a parking spot.

Under recall w47 a software update was done at dealer asked service adviser if this was just a temporary fix until parts were available and was informed that the update to computer was all that was being done even thou under NHTSA recall report 20v-343 it states that differential input splines and transmission output shaft may result in the teeth of the input splines wearing off I feel these parts should be replaced under recall w47 not just a reprogramming of dtcm drive train control module and epb electric park brake software especially since according to report a more robust differential input splines are being used in later models please look into this recall and replace parts that are needed to make vehicle safe to operate again.

While driving 40 -50 mph on highway 89 in flagstaff, az I noticed a dash message stating that the speed was too high to shift into 4 wheel low, about a minute later I noticed a dash message that stated the differential lock could not occur and I noticed that the 4 wheel low button was flashing red. A minute later dash message 4 wheel low was canceled and the 4 wheel low light stopped flashing. I stopped at about 3 lights about 1 mile apart. On the 3rd light I had to turn left and merge into oncoming traffic before entering interstate 40. As I began to accelerate the transmission bucked several times and then as I moved in front of on coming traffic the drive system disengaged and the engine revved. There was no dash message nor were there any trans axle lights flashing. As I coasted to a stop traffic was piling up behind me. I placed the the transmission into neutral and then back into drive, but it did not engage. As I was almost stopped, I hit the brakes and stopped, then turned the engine off and placed the transmission into park. I then restarted the engine and it shut off, so I started it again and placed the transmission into drive and it engaged. I took the vehicle to the dealer and they stated there was nothing they noticed or could do. Although I did not think I had pressed the 4 wheel low button, I considered that I may have inadvertently, so after leaving the dealership I tested to see if I could create the same condition and I could not. I also noticed that the buttons for the trans axle were not easy to push inadvertently. Also, when pushed the lights on the buttons would flash yellow and not red. This transmission has been slow to engage and buck at times since new. It also goes into neutral when trying to downshift before shifting to a lower gear on down slopes. I am worried that it could be dangerous if this condition occurs again at the wrong time.

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The rpm's on this transmission in this vehicle go up very high but the transmission does not shift into gear. The vehicle sputters and slows on the open road. The engine does run on all cylinders. The engine has no power. This creates a safety risk on a highway. Also the differential locks up when you have to hit the brakes and three rear of the car locks up and skids left of center. Party's of the suspension have broken for no apparent reason. The left rear control arm broke for no apparent reason. I have been informed by a Jeep dealership that this vehicle is unsafe to drive. I have filed complaints with Chrysler on three occasions informing them of the numerous issues with this vehicle. I was advised to get a diagnostic test done and they would work with me to buy this car back. I did as requested and now being informed I will probably have to go to arbitration. Three times now when I applied the brakes hard on a highway the east locked up and the left rear of my car skidded and I had no control. I nearly hit a retaining wall. I have a vehicle that the dealership has deemed unsafe to drive.

Vehicle died on main road just over 30000 miles said it was the uconnect . Turns out after a month and a half of them having it they had to replace the transmission. Ruff shifts over accelerates. Suspension right after that. Died on the highway going 55!!! semi truck almost killed my family. Took dealership over a week to even look at it said it was a sensor. Died again 4wheel drive light came on. Said it was a module. Now they say its the rear differential and its on back order and can take up to 2 weeks. This vehicle is not safe. Transmission constantly goes out. Afraid my family will get hurt.

Tl- the contact owns a 2014 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds in 2nd and 3rd gears the engine would rev very high and the vehicle would jerk and hesitate. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer crown Chrysler/Dodge located at 2120 chatman rd. Chattanooga TN. Who diagnosed that the transmission was faulty and need to be reprogrammed. After reprogramming the transmission the failures continued to occur. Also, after refueling the vehcile would stall and shut off. The cause of the failure was not determined. Upon inspection it was discovered that gear fluid had leaked from the rear driver side differential axle bearings. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 30,000. Jft.

I have a 2016 Jeep Cherokee bought brand new from the dealer. At approximately 15k miles, I started hearing a clicking sound when driving from driver to reverse. I went to the dealer multiple times and was told they could not figure out what was wrong with it. Finally the dealer figured out that the rear differential needed to be replaced at only 15k miles. At approximately 25k miles, I was hearing a whistling sound on the driver side front end when cruising at aprox. 20mhp or less. I took it to the dealer mult. Times and they could not figure out what was wrong with it. The dealer replaced a rear axel boot for the shaft that was throwing grease, thinking that would solve the problem but it did not. I heard the whistling once again before even leaving the lot. The dealer finally figured out the driver side front end bearing was bad and would need to be replaced. The dealer replaced the shaft axle. I have had approx 4 transmission software updates done since I have had the vehicle. The dealer states this would need to be purchased for approx $140 each time after the power train warranty expires for the Jeep. Keep in mind my Jeep has only 33k miles on it was this point. Now I have a Jeep that has a panoramic sunroof that makes noise as well when going over bumps and potholes and the dealer states they do not hear anything. I have a tire alignment done on the Jeep at 25k miles for $120. I went back to the dealer with 32k miles on it to have the sunroof checked out and they are telling me I need another alignment. So the alignment has gone out again in less than 10k miles? there has been nothing but issues with this Jeep since day one and every other Jeep I have owned in the past.

There have been several times while driving the Jeep that the same transmission problem occurred. Twice I was approaching a stop sign in a residential area, once I was coasting down a hill on a city street, once I was slowly accelerating in rush hour traffic on a major interstate, and another time I was accelerating from being stopped at a red light on a city street. The service transmission message along with several lights indicated a transmission problem. I have a picture attached. The dealership I took it took pulled a shift differential code off the vehicle. The problem is intermittent and does not happen every time it is driven. However, this is a serious safety concern to me because the vehicle is not driveable until I turn off the engine, open the door and restart the engine several times until only the mil light is on. This is an accident waiting to happen especially with me driving 29 miles each way through 2 tunnels during rush hour. It is unsafe for me to be broken down in rush hour traffic on an interstate. I fear that I will not be in the right lane like I was previously to be able to try to pull off the road. I fear I will be driving 55 miles in a tunnel and cars not stopping behind me. I fear that I will be causing an accident trying to open the door to reset the engine. No one should have to live with this fear that you are not safe with driving to and from work.

Transmission shifts, very hard, missed shifts--all the time rear differential makes a very high pitch noise, all the time. Sensor gives false reading on temp.

Upon acceleration from full stop my Jeep made a loud clunking sound from the rear of the vehicle which felt like something was jammed in the axle. Had the vehicle towed to courtesy motors in danville, IL and they replaced the rear differential. They refused to provide a loaner although it took 4 days to repair. When I picked it up on 5/26 the same issue was still present. I was told to "baby it" on my 4 hour drive home and take it to my dealer. My dealer identified the 2nd issue as the power transfer unit which is being replaced as well. My dealer gave me a loaner but 13 days in the shop to replace such items on a vehicle less than a year old is seriously concerning!.

The contact owns a 2014 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while traveling various speeds, the vehicle suddenly lost acceleration power. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was found that the rear differential had failed. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not contacted about the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 600.

My vehicle has been maintained by the dealership. I have 56k miles on a 2008 Jeep grand Cherokee limited hemi 8cylinder I do not do any off roading I am told today that I need an upper differential housing insulator and pinion seals which are leaking. These products should last longer than 56k in miles and are a considerable cost to the consumer for a 5 year old Jeep. There are several bulletins out about this issue but Jeep did not consider helping me because I was out of my 3 year 36,000 mile warranty which is clearly not enough for defective parts. Please see other complaints for a recall issue. Thank you.

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Driving at the posted speed limit on a 4 lane divided highway, the 2008 Jeep grand Cherokee my wife was operating, violently and without warning swerved off the road. My wife described the event as "all the wheels suddenly stopped spinning". The SUV first went off the right shoulder of the road, then skidded across two lanes of traffic and swerved off the left shoulder, nearly rolling over and coming to rest in the median near an embankment. The vehicle was towed to a nearby Jeep dealership where it was subsequently evaluated. The service manager noted that the problem was related to the rear differential. He surmised that the component was assembled "out of spec" and subsequently failed catastrophically. The differential was rebuilt and the vehicle returned. Under the circumstances, my wife will not drive this SUV again.

I own a 2001 Jeep Cherokee sport. I have had several issues such as brakes/rotors that I have taken care of without complaint. However my Jeep was just diagnosed with a front differential failure and needs a complete overhaul. My car has only 60,000 miles on it and I have had the front and rear differentials serviced twice each according to the specs in my owner's manual. I've been told by private mecanics as well as Jeep technicians that this should not have occured. Chrysler told me after I had it diagnosed by my personal mechanic to have it checked by my dealership. If the dealership came to the same conclusion I was assured that my warranty would be extended to cover the repair. Now Chrysler is refusing the repair and will not return my calls. I have been given at least false information and have most likely been lied to. I've already paid almost $200 for the diagnostics and now am being quoted another $925 for the repair by the dealer. I still have over a year left on the note for this vehicle and am appalled that I am already paying to have a major drivetrain component rebuilt. Chrysler has done nothing to remedy this.

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Consumer was complaining about a differential problem. The bearings were grinding. Consumer took vehicle to the dealer on 4 different occasions, but problem recurred.

Consumer complained about about rear differential. Consumer took vehicle to dealer for servicing on 4 occasions, and it was making a grinding noise 8 months later. Warranty expired, and consumer was asked to pay $500. 00 for repairs. Consumer was told that there was metal in the bottom of differential.

Consumer has problem with the differential, and will provide information on this issue. Dealer notified.

See all problems of the 1999 Jeep Cherokee 🔎.

Consumer states that the front differential is wearing out prematurly, there is a loud noise coming from it when driving. Contacted dealer. Nlm.

Rear axle makes noises. Independent mechanic confirmed that exterior bearings or rear differential needs to be replaced. Dealer was informed and had no explanation for where the problem comes from. Noise is heard while driving and accelrating. The noise increases with the speed of the vehicle. Vehicle also needs rear brake work, the serpentine belt is cracked, and the head gasket is leaking.

Replacement failed 12/05/2001 at 16,709 miles. This replacement appears to be failing again. Strong odor and intermittent howling from rear end. Odor was attributed by dealer on previous failure to burnt synthetic oil used in differential.

Vehicle never off road. Repair dealer replaced axle part #2011001 for a cost of $1265. 00. Repair dealer is napa Chrysler, 333 soscol Ave. , napa, CA 94559, 707-224-3166.

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There was a problem with the brakes, a noise in the motor, and the differential was leaking.

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None.

The rear end will try to lock up when just moving from stop.

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Incidents occured while driving in about 2-4 inches of snow on city streets. The vehicle was in four wheel drive. When attempting to turn a corner at intersections the front wheels locked up and plowed through the snow. The vehicle could not be steered, and I had to come to a stop to avoid crashing into curb. This occured virtually every time I attempted right or left turns at intersections in the snow.

Differential defective.

See all problems of the 1996 Jeep Cherokee 🔎.