2021 Jeep Cherokee Powertrain (other) Problems

Subject: Unreasonable Delay in Safety Recall Remedy (NHTSA Recall 26V-290 / FCA Recall 40D) – Request for Regulatory Intervention & Repurchase Enforcement I am the registered owner of a 2021 Jeep Cherokee (Current Odometer: 52,289 miles / 84,151 km). On May 7, 2026, FCA US LLC (Stellantis) issued Safety Recall 40D (NHTSA Campaign Number 26V-290) regarding a critical defect in the two-speed Power Transfer Unit (PTU). According to the recall notice, internal failure of the PTU can cause an unexpected and unrecoverable loss of motive power at any speed or allow the vehicle to roll away while in PARK, posing an extreme safety hazard to occupants and bystanders. As of November 11, 2026—more than six (6) months after the recall was announced—the status remains "Recall Incomplete, remedy not yet available." FCA US has failed to provide any parts, repair timeline, or interim safety solution. Due to this severe, unresolved safety defect, I was forced to park and place the vehicle into paid storage on September 13, 2026, as it cannot be safely operated or flat-towed behind my motorhome. The vehicle remains intact and available for inspection upon request. Under the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act (49 U.S.C. § 30120), a manufacturer is required to remedy a safety defect within a reasonable time, or replace/repurchase the vehicle. Leaving a vehicle inoperable and hazardous for over half a year violates federal safety standards. I am filing this formal complaint to document FCA US's failure to provide a timely remedy and to support my formal demand for a manufacturer repurchase (buyback) of this defective vehicle.

NHTSA ID

11777186

Incident

Sep 12, 2026

I recieved a 4WD service error on my dashboard. I took it to my mechanic and they said the following codes came up. C14A7-97 PTU Motor P0606-49 Internal Control processor -internal electronic failure U0010-00 CAN interior bus I see that there are recalls for the PTU on other Cherokees for this year, so I want you to know it is happening to my vehicle too.

NHTSA ID

11776310

Incident

Nov 1, 2026

My power transfer unit went out, and has currently been sitting at a dealership since March 9, 2026 due to parts being on backorder.

NHTSA ID

11776299

Incident

Mar 6, 2026

The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the message “Service 4WD” remained displayed. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who diagnosed that the PTU needed to be replaced. The vehicle was later taken to the local dealer who also diagnosed the vehicle with PTU failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 86,000.

NHTSA ID

11775916

Incident

Oct 30, 2026

Mileage

86,000 mi

The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Cherokee. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V290000 (Power Train); however, the part to complete the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH, an abnormal whining noise emanated from underneath the vehicle, and the vehicle experienced a loss of motive power. While attempting to accelerate, the engine RPM increased; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate. The contact pulled over and restarted the engine; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was towed to the dealer for diagnostic testing, and the contact was informed that the power transfer unit (PTU) failed and required replacement. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 85,000.

NHTSA ID

11775625

Incident

Oct 13, 2026

Mileage

85,000 mi

I've been driving Jeep vehicles for the past 30 years. I currently drive a 2021 Jeep Cherokee. About a year and a half ago my four-wheel-drive needs service light lit up. I didn't think much of it at the time and thought it was just a dummy light that maybe a fuse needs to be changed. I eventually brought it to the dealer and they said that my transfer case is gone bad so now I don't have four-wheel-drive. In order to get four-wheel-drive I have to spend thousands of dollars to replace my transfer case and possibly even my exhaust. I thought when you bought a four-wheel-drive vehicle, you had a four-wheel-drive vehicle. Not that you would have to pay three years down the road to continue to have four-wheel-drive. Anyway, about six months ago I got on a waiting list for a transfer case since there is such high demand for transfer case cases as apparently there are thousands of other people having the same issue with myself. I put down a deposit six months ago to order the part and they probably will be calling me in the next 30 days to let me know the part is in. I've noticed online that there are thousands of vehicles that are being recalled, but apparently my VIN number is not one of them. I don't understand why my VIN number is not included since I'm having the same exact problem as all of these other people. Months ago I was trying every which way to contact Jeep about this issue, but could never find a good number or email to contact until today. I'm hoping that Jeep is going to help me out with my transfer case issue. If I have to incur this cost or not get reimbursed this will be the last Jeep I ever buy. Thank you- [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11775165

Incident

Jan 9, 2026

The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Cherokee. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V290000 (Power Train); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while driving approximately 15 MPH, the vehicle lost electrical power. The message “Service 4WD” was displayed after the failure. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer, and the failure was associated with the recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure by telephone. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.

NHTSA ID

11774229

Incident

Oct 25, 2026

Mileage

75,000 mi

PTU issue- located a recall for 2019-2023 Jeep Cherokee Power Transfer Unit recall; my VIN wasn't one the ones listed. took vehicle to the local jeep dealership and the advised that PTU internal damage needs to be fixed.

NHTSA ID

11771511

Incident

Oct 15, 2026

SVC 4WD light came on the dashboard. Took to the dealership, they said it was a PTU issue and it needed to be replaced. $3800 and 45 days to fix. NHTSA notes recalls for my year make and model for my 2021 Jeep Cherokee Latitude Lux but does not show a recall for my specific VIN#. Jeep says nothing they can do since the NHTSA does not show a recall for my specific VIN#. Vehicle was taken to Jeep Chrysler AutoNation in Golden Colorado. Apparently having a faulty PTU can be a MAJOR safety issue. Please advise.

NHTSA ID

11771412

Incident

Oct 12, 2026

My 2021 Jeep Cherokee suffered a complete failure of its 1-speed PTU and ESM module, causing a loss of 4WD capabilities. This is the exact same failure mechanism and safety risk outlined in recall 40D, but 1 speed units are being excluded from coverage. My vehicle is at dealership awaiting for this PTU. Service 4WD light on dashboard. Not safe to drive.

NHTSA ID

11771311

Incident

Oct 5, 2026

Jeep Cherokee suffered the exact PTU failure detailed in NHTSA Campaign 26V290, and it has been sitting at a dealership since August 17 because the manufacturer has failed to provide a remedy. Dealership confirmed the issue is a PTU failure. Has been almost 2 months since the PTU failed and there is no fix in sight. Have spoken to FCA US LLC Assistance Center multiple times and all they can say is I have to continue to wait. Have been told reimbursement is paused until remedy is released and they won't guarantee full reimbursement if I were to pay for the fix myself.

NHTSA ID

11770649

Incident

Aug 16, 2026

The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that the transmission was hesitating while attempting to accelerate after the vehicle was started and slowly accelerated to the intended speed. While driving, the transmission was shifted to Sports Mode and manual shift mode to drive the vehicle. The check engine warning light was intermittently illuminated, and the message "4WD Service Required" was displayed. The transmission failed to shift out of 2nd gear and shifted roughly between gears. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic, and the contact was notified of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V290000 (Power Train); and associated the failure with the PTU. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that the part was not yet available for the recall repair. The manufacturer was informed of the issue and confirmed that the part for the recall repair was not yet available. The failure mileage was 117,800.

NHTSA ID

11770140

Incident

May 7, 2026

Mileage

117,800 mi

The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving 10 MPH, the PTU unexpectedly exploded. The contact pushed the vehicle into a parking lot, and the vehicle was then towed to a dealer. The vehicle was diagnosed with PTU failure. The contact was informed that the PTU needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact later received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V290000 (Power Train); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer confirmed that parts were not yet available for reimbursement assistance. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and several cases were opened. The failure mileage was 190,000.

NHTSA ID

11769949

Incident

Oct 8, 2026

Mileage

190,000 mi

The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Cherokee. While driving 70 MPH, there was an abnormal whining and grinding sound coming from the vehicle. The message "4WD Service Unavailable" was displayed. The failure mileage was approximately 113,400.

NHTSA ID

11769856

Incident

Oct 6, 2026

Mileage

113,400 mi

We experienced Jeep Recall 40D. NHTSA 26V-290. We were 60 miles from [XXX] when this occurred. We were traveling West on [XXX] about 60 miles from Rapid City. We were 1500 miles from our home in [XXX]. The speed limit is 80 mph on this part of the interstate. With no warning the vehicle quit on us. With some grinding noises and no power we drifted to the side of the highway. We received 4WD service messages. I was able to pull the PTU 20amp fuse, which put the car into limp mode(50 mph max). We got off [XXX], a few miles down the road. We entered the [XXX] and got on [XXX] into [XXX] about 70 miles away. We took the Jeep Cherokee to Liberty Jeep and they verified we did indeed encounter recall 40D. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11767345

Incident

Sep 14, 2026

My power train unit (ptu) failed March 2026. At the time, no recall was in effect. I had to hire an independent mechanic to fix the issue because the local Jeep dealerships couldn’t start repair for five days after the ptu failed. After paying $4700 out of pocket for an official Jeep PTU replacement part, Jeep sent out a recall for the Cherokee. In May 2026, Jeep sent out a recall notice for 2019-2023 Cherokees for PTU failures. This affected 60,000 vehicles. I have a 2021 Cherokee. However, my specific VIN was not a part of the recall. As of today, my vehicle still has not been recalled. I contacted Jeep Customer Service to be reimbursed for my repair expense. However, they said I was not entitled to reimbursement because my VIN hasn’t been recalled. I am requesting that Jeep honors my request for reimbursement. After doing some research, the Jeep brand has been having PTU issues for years. They know it’s an issue and have yet to find a fix. They are still selling vehicles with a faulty PTU. Even now with my officially licensed replacement PTU, it could still have the defect. As a loyal Jerp customer since 2018, I am asking for assistance with obtaining reimbursement for my PTU repair. Thanks.

NHTSA ID

11767260

Incident

Mar 12, 2026

My 2021 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk has been effectively unusable since April 19, 2026 due to the PTU issue associated with FCA Recall 40D/NHTSA Recall 26V-290. I previously filed a complaint regarding this vehicle. It has now been 5 months with no repair remedy available. Due to being told by the certified dealer, Mopar, Jeep/Stellantis (who closed my claim because they claim the vehicle is safe to drive despite of having an outstanding safety recall) I thought I would attempt to drive the vehicle again. On September 15, 2026, the vehicle lost all motive power while I was traveling approximately 65 mph on the highway on my daily commute. I had to coast the vehicle to the shoulder. This is the exact type of safety hazard described in the recall. FCA/Stellantis has not provided a repair solution, rental vehicle, reimbursement, or other meaningful transportation assistance. I continue to incur the expense of owning and paying for a vehicle that I cannot SAFELY operate. I am requesting that NHTSA review the length of time this recall has remained without an available remedy and the lack of assistance being provided to owners whose vehicles have already experienced the recall failure. I would also this complaint associated with my previous complaint and Recall 26V-290/40D

NHTSA ID

11766914

Incident

Sep 15, 2026

Vehicle is a 2021 Jeep Cherokee Latitude Lux equipped with a 1-speed Power Transfer Unit (PTU) / Active Drive I system. The vehicle experienced an abrupt failure of the AWD system, triggering an immediate "Service 4WD" warning light on the dashboard. Dealership diagnostics confirmed trouble code C14A7-97 (Power Transfer Unit Rear Axle Motor Circuit - Component Internal Failure), requiring a complete PTU replacement estimated at $2,200. This vehicle is currently excluded from Safety Recall 40D (NHTSA Campaign 26V290000) solely because it utilizes a 1-speed PTU rather than a 2-speed PTU. However, code C14A7-97 confirms that the 1-speed units are suffering from the exact same internal mechanical and electrical component failures described in the active recall. The vehicle has been forced into permanent front-wheel-drive mode, causing a noticeable drop in handling and acceleration performance. This mechanical failure presents a sudden loss of drive power and a severe vehicle rollaway risk if the electronic parking brake is not manually cycled. NHTSA should investigate and expand Recall 40D to include 1-speed PTU Jeep Cherokees, as they share the same defective internal components and safety hazards.

NHTSA ID

11764839

Incident

Sep 1, 2026

The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving 50 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The "4WD" warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was started but failed to shift into gear. The vehicle was able to shift into reverse and was pulled over to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed. The dealer was contacted and associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V290000 (Power Train); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was contacted by phone and was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 73,000.

NHTSA ID

11764799

Incident

Sep 13, 2026

Mileage

73,000 mi

While on a XXX road trip through [XXX] with my son, my Jeep was initially operating normally. We were leaving a hiking site when the Jeep gears would not engage. Soon the engine roared and popped into gear however it would not go over 30 mph and the engine went from idling to roaring with rpms going up to 8,000. We were in a small town and went to the local NAPA dealer who after examining the Jeep said he couldn’t address the issue and felt a new transmission maybe needed. Another local master mechanic advised it wasn’t the transmission and we could drive to the nearest Jeep dealer in [XXX]. While driving there, the car uncontrollably rotated between roaring, operating normally, and stalling out on hills. The Grand Junction dealer advised a total replacement of PTU Motor Component, according to the invoice. Since the Jeep was not operating properly, I approved the replacement. Fortunately the replacement was accomplished before the weekend. Upon arriving to pick up the Jeep, I was told there was a recall on this particular Jeep and issue. However since no repair had been decided upon - where we still are today, 4 months after I had to pay for the replacement parts and service. A total of $1,450.31 had to be paid by me. I’ve been informed by all parties that until a repair option is agreed upon, I remain out of pocket of these funds. I’m retired, living on a fixed income, paid for a warranty protection plan that I am still in compliance with, but I can’t be reimbursed until a repair plan is decided upon. The Jeep was basically inoperable, at least not safely. After the repairs were made, the Jeep is operating better than it had even before the incident occurred. I was not aware of the recall - guess since a repair decision had not been made, I was not notified of the issue. This is BS, sorry but that closely resembles how I feel. Please do something to aid my situation and help me get my funds back. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11764684

Incident

May 18, 2026

Car does not go into 4wd. Svc light is on. Now loud clanging under feet and car won’t go over 35 Moh

NHTSA ID

11764604

Incident

Sep 16, 2026

Driving to work, stopped at a stop light, upon resumption of driving there was a loud bang and my vehicle would not move. I had to have the vehicle towed and the PTU replaced. This was on May 8, 2026 just prior to the official recall notification. The repair was completed at AAMCO. On May 18, 2026 I became aware of the recall 40D / NHTSA 26V-290 for the PTU failure. I submitted claims for reimbursement on 5/18/26, 7/7/2026, 8/4/2026 and Stelanis automated response no parts or remedy available. I again contacted Stellanis on 8/25/26 Case Number 97657475 and asked to elevate for review by the reimbursement team, a follow up call today they again told me the case was closed there is no current remedy or parts available and they will not process any reimbursement claims and again closed my case.

NHTSA ID

11762978

Incident

May 8, 2026

The PTU is bad the vehicle can roll when in park.

NHTSA ID

11761995

Incident

Sep 1, 2026

The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving 10 MPH and attempting to stop at a stop light, the vehicle stalled and lost power. The contact attempted to shift into reverse or drive, and there was an abnormally harsh sound coming from the vehicle, and the vehicle became inoperable. The parking brake and 4x4 service light were illuminated during after the failure. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V290000 (Power Train). The vehicle was towed to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was reached by phone and was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 84,000.

NHTSA ID

11761854

Incident

Jul 24, 2026

Mileage

84,000 mi

While driving i lost power and heard whining and grinding. Loss of power. Had to get it to towed to the dealership where it remains as their no remedy.

NHTSA ID

11761318

Incident

Aug 7, 2026