Received a “4WD System Unavailable” error on dash. Vehicle got stuck in 4WD. Vehicle has been at dealership since 1/13/2024. Apparently part is on back order.
2019 Jeep Cherokee
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Cherokee years
Owner complaints for the 2019 Jeep Cherokee are substantially higher than the model-year median of 113.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Cherokee years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
750 reports with mileage · 888 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Power Train. Review the 800 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine. Review the 457 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 340 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
1,638 reportsThe contact owns a 2019 Jeep Cherokee Altitude. The contact stated that his daughter was driving at approximately 70 MPH when the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that no warning lights were illuminated prior to the failure. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that a connecting rod had pun…
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The contact owns a 2019 Jeep Cherokee Altitude. The contact stated that his daughter was driving at approximately 70 MPH when the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that no warning lights were illuminated prior to the failure. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that a connecting rod had punctured the engine block, and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 40,507.
The emergency parking brake locked up once while I was moving, on ice, and today I went to move the car and it would not disengage making the car unmovable. I tried all of the online suggestions to disengage it but none worked. I had to have it towed by AAA.
Currently the seats sound like they arnt bolted down correctly. Also recently the key fob is failing to unlock the vehicle and its taking multiple trys of pulling the fob out of the ignition and putting it back into the ignition trying it on different sides buying multiple batteries. Also the the vehicle has always gotten stuc…
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Currently the seats sound like they arnt bolted down correctly. Also recently the key fob is failing to unlock the vehicle and its taking multiple trys of pulling the fob out of the ignition and putting it back into the ignition trying it on different sides buying multiple batteries. Also the the vehicle has always gotten stuck in gear, hard shifting.
SUV parking/emergency brake automatically activates without driver doing this. This is what happened: stopped at red light foot on brake. The SUV has the feature to shut the engine off when stopped. Light turns green foot then goes to the gas. When the foot is lifted off the brake, the engine tries to restart and hesitates and …
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SUV parking/emergency brake automatically activates without driver doing this. This is what happened: stopped at red light foot on brake. The SUV has the feature to shut the engine off when stopped. Light turns green foot then goes to the gas. When the foot is lifted off the brake, the engine tries to restart and hesitates and at the same time the parking/emergency brake activates without this being activated by driver Unable to move forward more than a few feet and car stalls. Car has to be put in park. Engine completely needs to be turned off by driver. And the emergency/ parking brake shut off. This creates a significant safety risk for the potential of the car(s) behind the SUV accelerating into the back of SUV assuming that the SUV will be moving forward. I have encountered others with a Jeep Cherokee/ Compass with the same issue and cannot understand why there has not been a recall for this. The dealership attributes this to needing a new battery- they replaced this already. No one should have to drive like this. This has been ongoing for a while prior to the miles noted in this report. The symbol with an A and a circle with an arrow at the end of the circle and an ! Appear on the dashboard in orange.
The 4WD service light is on. It isn’t driving right. The internet says thousands of people have similar issues- all reporting the same thing. And defective PTU units are listed as the cause.
I would like to report an issue regarding my 2019 Jeep Cherokee Latitude Plus, Vin No. [XXX] . This morning (on [XXX]), I was leaving a gas station, pulled away, was in drive when I stopped to pause for traffic and while attempting to merge into traffic, suddenly without warning my Jeep wouldn't move- it was revving when I press…
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I would like to report an issue regarding my 2019 Jeep Cherokee Latitude Plus, Vin No. [XXX] . This morning (on [XXX]), I was leaving a gas station, pulled away, was in drive when I stopped to pause for traffic and while attempting to merge into traffic, suddenly without warning my Jeep wouldn't move- it was revving when I pressed the gas but didn't move at all. Acting quickly, I put my foot on the brake, put the vehicle in reverse and then shifted back to drive. The vehicle began driving as it normally would. It felt like the vehicle shifted into Neutral without warning. I made sure the vehicle wasn't in fact in neutral when this happened as sometimes the shifter can accidently fall into neutral if bumped. It was in fact in drive. I am bringing this to your attention as I have noticed similar recalls for this particular vehicle and I wonder if my vehicle is in fact one of them that are affected but not yet discovered. Also, it should be noted that the incorrect vehicle is associated with my vin number on the NHTSA website. it shows up as a "2019 Jeep Cherokee Altitude 4x4" the vehicle is a "2019 Jeep Cherokee Latitude Plus". It also says no open recalls, and I fear that I am not receiving these notifications because of this error. And I am also afraid of my vehicle suddenly shifting into Neutral while I am driving on the highway. I do travel frequently and long distances almost daily. I have contacted Jeep Customer service and have made them aware of this issue. They suggested that I bring the vehicle in for service, and that there were no open recalls at this time. I am scheduling an appointment with my local dealership in HUDSON, NY and will also make them aware of what happened and who I have contacted regarding same. I would like to make the NHTSA aware of this issue, as I am certain there should be a recall as it is a dangerous defect that happens without warning and can lead to a crash, personal injury and/or potentially death. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U
Verified internal PTU failure Confirmed by Dick Hannah Dealership 3517 NE Auto Mall Dr. Vancouver WA. First appeared two months ago, car jerks
Sudden PTU problem at 70,000, gathering repair quotes
IT WILL CUT OFF WHEN I TURN AND THEN MY THEN BATTERY IMAGE POPUP HAD BATTERY CHECK ITS GOOD ALTERNATOR GOOD STATER GOOD CUTS OFF AND HESTATATE TO START BACK UP BUT IT DO IT DRIVE FOR A GOOD WHILE THEN WEEKS LATER IT WOULD START DOING IT AGAIN
Official recalls
1126V290000 · Power Train
May 7, 2026
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2023 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. The power transfer unit (PTU) may fail.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A failed PTU may result in a loss of drive power or vehicle rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy: 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.
25V011000 · Power Train
Apr 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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
19V637000 · Steering:rack And Pinion:pinion Shaft; Steering:rack And Pinion:rack
Aug 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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A loss of steering control increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Steering:rack And Pinion:rack
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.
Consequence: A loss of steering control increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
Steering:rack And Pinion:pinion Shaft
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.
Consequence: A loss of steering control increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
19V449000 · Air Bags
Jun 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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
19V248000 · Seats
Mar 28, 2019
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. The front passenger seat mounting bolts may be loose.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: In the event of a crash, the seat may move, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: 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.
18V917000 · Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/panel
Dec 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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
18V739000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission
Oct 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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A vehicle stall can increase the risk of crash.
Remedy: 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.
18V523000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc:caliper
Aug 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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
18V524000 · Electrical System:wiring:front Underhood
Aug 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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A vehicle stall can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
18V492000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission
Jul 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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the transmission weld fails, the vehicle will stop moving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
18V344000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine
May 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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Cylinder damage or camshaft failure can cause the engine to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
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