2020 JEEP Cherokee

The Power Transfer Unit on my 2020 vehicle is not working. I bought this car specifically to have four wheel drive. In the Buffalo NY brutal winter I count on 4 wheel drive to get me through the snow. Now, I have a serious safety issue. I wanted to fix the car but not only is it expensive, but the parts are on back order with 2700 in the backlog waiting for parts. This is a known issue and there was a recall for a number of years including 2018 and 2019. They haven't issued it for 2020. I am being forced to sell the car at a loss! I can't drive something that is unsafe. Jeep should make us whole! I shouldn't lose money because of known safety fault. Plus, I can't keep it because i do a lot of driving and can't risk my life with no 4 wheel drive.

4wd service light came on. The code was c14a7-97. A well known PTU problem. There was a previous recall for the same problem. It can be a dangerous situation if it completely fails while driving. Also a very expensive repair bill. My 2020 Jeep Cherokee only has 72k miles and a has a major known failure already.

When I attempted to turn left onto the highway from a complete stop on an incline, I pressed the accelerator and the car made a loud grinding noise. The vehicle would not move forward or reverse. The parking brake engaged on its own and would not disengage. After exiting the vehicle, I found a loose bearing behind the car. The vehicle had to be towed to a mechanic. I was informed by the mechanic that the failure was caused by the PTU (Power Transfer Unit), and the repair cost me $2,600. I was later told that the initial failure had also stripped another component, which required an additional $100 repair. I was not given the specific name or details of that additional part.

The contact owns a 2020 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that the transmission was failing and was slipping between 3rd and 4th gear. Additionally, the contact stated that the torque converter was also failing. There were no warning lights illuminated. There was an abnormally sharp chirping metal-on-metal and a rumbling sound coming from the vehicle while accelerating. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact speculated that the manufacturer was attempting to allow the warranty to expire. The contact was concerned that the warning lights were not activating as expected during the failure. The local dealer was contacted, and the vehicle was diagnosed, and determined that the transmission and the torque converter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact called another local dealer, Premier Cape Cod Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, A Premier Company at (556 Yarmouth Rd, Hyannis, MA 02601), but no additional assistance was provided. The manufacturer was contacted and declined the repairs and referred the contact to another dealer for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.

Not sure if this is the right place to complain, but my 4 Wheel Drive is Unavailable. I took it to my garage and they found that the Power Transfer Unit is failing. They tried to order a new one, but they are on a worldwide backorder, so they had to order me a used one, for which I'm still waiting for. This same problem resulted in recalls up to 2019. My Jeep Cherokee is a 2020. I contacted Jeep and they won't do anything. Since this part is on a huge backorder, it tells me there us still a big problem. I believe 2020's should also have a recall, and Jeep should pay my bill.

My service FWD light came on so I took it to the shop to get it looked at. Upon diagnosing this issue, I was informed it is a faulty power transfer unit and was informed of the dangers of driving with this issue. I have a newborn son so I immediately stopped driving my car and left it at the shop to be fixed. It has been there since October 6th.. It is now December 1st and the part is still not in stock to fix. This same part is recalled for the same reason in Jeep models 2017-2019. However mine is 2020, no recall yet, but is having the same issue and is now on backorder. I have been paying for insurance, etc.. on my car to just be sitting there rusting away and Jeep cannot give a timeframe on when the part will be in. I am out on a car and struggling to find transportation to and from work and a safe way to transport my newborn child.

Driver's seat below the steering wheel console the airbag is hanging out and showing the edge of the bag

2020 Jeep Cherokee Power Transfer Unit (PTU) Per a discussion the dealer service manager, I realized the vehicle is undrivable because the PTU could fail at anytime. The danger is losing propulsion to the wheels on an interstate or other high speed or high capacity road. The problem was discovered by the dealer when I took my Cherokee in on 11/24/25 to have them fix the "SVC 4WD" warning light. Once they explained the issue I decided to leave the vehicle at the dealer to replace the PTU. There is no timeframe for them to receive a new PTU. Jeep had recalled 2017-2019 Cherokees due to issues with the PTU. The 2020 Cherokees should also be recalled so owners don't have to pay for an issue Jeep is aware of with the power train.

The 4WD service light indicated an issue. After a week of the light staying on, the vehicle was brought to a local dealer for diagnosis. After diagnosis from a dealer, the PTU failed which can result in complete propulsion of vehicle.

"Service 4WD" warning light appeared unexpectedly. Code scan revealed that the PTU unit had failed, leading to a loss of 4WD capabilities. Jeep is much less safe to drive in winter here in Minnesota. Took to a dealer, where it was replaced. Through research, I have come to find that this is an all-too-common failure in Jeep Cherokees and had been recalled in previous years' models.