The defect
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2017 Jeep Cherokee vehicles equipped with a two-speed Power Transfer Unit (PTU). Relative movement in the Power Transfer Unit (PTU) between the differential input splines and the transmission output shaft may cause some input spline teeth to wear off, which may eventually cause a loss of engagement between the transmission and the differential inside the PTU. If this occurs, power cannot be transferred between the front wheels and the transmission which results in a loss of drive while the vehicle is in motion and a loss of the Park function while stationary.
The risk
A loss of drive can cause a vehicle crash without prior warning. A loss of the Park function can cause unintended vehicle rollaway which can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
The remedy
FCA US LLC will notify owners, and dealers will perform a software update that will maintain vehicle propulsion by engaging rear wheel drive and prevent rolling in Park by activating the electronic parking brake if a failed input spline occurs. This recall began July 14, 2020. Owners may contact FCA USA LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recall is W47.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Jeep Cherokee | 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 |
Components: POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT | POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Model years in this recall
NHTSA complaints and the number of recall campaigns for each model year this recall covers.
| Model | Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jeep Cherokee | 2014 | 2,650 | 13 |
| Jeep Cherokee | 2015 | 1,792 | 11 |
| Jeep Cherokee | 2016 | 1,412 | 9 |
| Jeep Cherokee | 2017 | 1,337 | 6 |
Other power train recalls in 2020
52 of the 782 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2020 concerned the power train; Chrysler (FCA US LLC) filed 227 campaigns in all.
| 20V813000 28 Dec 2020 | Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA |
| 20V803000 21 Dec 2020 | Volvo Bus Corporation |
| 20V769000 10 Dec 2020 | Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) |
| 20V770000 10 Dec 2020 | Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) |
| 20V755000 7 Dec 2020 | Nissan North America, Inc. |
| 20V742000 30 Nov 2020 | Daimler Trucks North America LLC |
| 20V731000 24 Nov 2020 | Bugatti |
| 20V692000 10 Nov 2020 | Ford Motor Company |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2020