2014 Jeep Cherokee needs new tranny

[S-n-L]

Hi all,

I have driven our 2014 Cherokee for almost one year, 22,000 driven miles and over 10,000 towed miles without a problem. Two weeks ago the engine light came on and I immediately brought it to a Jeep dealer in Austin, TX.

The car had no symptoms except a day before there was a little growl sound and feel that appeared to come from the drive train. The week prior I had brought the Cherokee in for an airbag recall. While the car was at Jeep they updated all of the service bulletins, there were a few.

Upon trying to diagnoses the problem the dealer found computer codes relating to the transmission but could not identify the problem. The techs at the dealer went back and forth with techs from Chrysler corporate to try and figure things out for a few days.

The corporate guys suggested replacing a few parts in the tranny and after discussing this with the techs at the dealer I told them that this was not acceptable. I explained that I live on the road and travel and do not want them to attempt to fix this by trial and error. With the help and support of the dealer Chrysler Corp. agreed to replace the tranny with a new unit.

We have been delayed in our travels for almost 2 weeks but we got the car back today and all seems well. Not too bad of a delay. Normally with something like this I would be very concerned about the car for the long run. What things would occur after the original warranty ran out. For this reason I am so glad I purchased the Chrysler Max Car lifetime extended warranty. Now if we keep the car for many years, which I hope to, I have no worries about future issues with the tranny or anything else.

I have had many new cars from many brands in my many years of driving. This is the first time I have ever had an issue this severe this early in ownership. A bummer but for now all is good and looking forward to hitting the road. We are planning to drive the car for a few more days here just to make sure nothing crops up and then hit the road on Friday.

My post is just a heads up for anyone who has or is thinking about this Jeep and to let you know that if you do have an issue with the tranny don't just settle for parts being replaced, insist on a new tranny. Also, if anyone is questioning the value of the life time max car warranty from Chrysler, don't, just buy it.

We have really enjoyed the car and hopefully with the new tranny it will continue to perform as well as it has for the past year. I think with the 2015 models the potential 2014 tranny issues are history.

Stuart

[rfsod48]

I have a 2015 Cherokee 4wd and have several (7543) miles of every day driving and 2500 miles of toad towing and have not had any problems. Early models 2014-2015 need to have the transmission reprogrammed. Later models should not have this problem.

[dodge_guy]

jeepbluetj wrote:
Just had the transmission replaced in our 2015 cherokee (not a toad, just a daily driver) 1200 miles.

The replacement is funky, shifts hard, etc... Gotta take it back.

And this was Jeep #8 (4 ZJs 1 XJ, 2 TJs, and now the cherokee) -- Doesn't look like there'll be a #9.

So you've had 8 Jeeps and this one is giving you a problem, and now your done with Jeep? Sounds like you are better off with the Jeep!

[moisheh]

Sure seems to be some posters with see no evil syndrome. Add the 9 speed to some other mfrs. who have problems with electronic transmissions. Like the Ford Fiesta. It sure seems like there are fewer and fewer toads available very year. I would bet that Chrysler will simply not allow flat towing of any Mopar vehicles.

[ButWhatDoIKnow]

You can shift the 2014 Cherokee manually. Move the shift lever to the left and push up or down.
If I have it in Drive at 65 mph, I move the lever to the left and it indicates it is in 8th gear. How fast do you have to be going to get it in 9th?
I feel that Chrysler rushed this vehicle into production. It is a front wheel drive platform that they tried to make into a 4 x 4.
I would NOT recomment it to anyone. (FYI I have had a Grand Cherokee, a Wrangler, and a Liberty and liked them all.)

John

[S-n-L]

Drank,

I absolutely agree! However I would rather have the warranty with this crappy tranny than not have the warranty.

Just takes away the additional financial concerns.

[Dtank]

Bumpyroad wrote:

RV CONUS wrote:
Just thought I would add some bunk,:B

bunk = do your own research! :Z isn't that where you sleep?


I'm not having tranny problems!:W

that link does not speak well for the 9 speed.
bumpy

Warranty or no warranty - Down Time is a bummer!..:S

.

[S-n-L]

On our 2014 Cherokee purchased January of 2014, we paid $2,000 for the Chrysler Max car with a $100 detectable. Well worth the price for me. The warranty covers everything the origianl new car warranty, lots of stuff. The only things not covered are the consumable items.

So far 3 day and a few hundred mile. The new tranyy certainly works better than the old. It shifts smoother and more predictable. On the auto setting it seems to shift sooner into a higher gear. Amazingly I actually got into 9th gear going about 85 mph for a sort time.

I just hope it keeps up. Maybe this will turn out to be a good thing after-all.

Stuart

[klutchdust]

rexlion wrote:

klutchdust wrote:
108,000 on my Jk without any issues. The lifetime or 100K warranty on mine Jeep provided for free only covered certain items. Don't be fooled by warranties that claim they cover everything. The 100K

only covered the "part", so to get to the "part" I pay for the tech's labor. Hardly a warranty. personally my life was ok before they offered warranties and they lean in favor of

the seller. The money I have saved from NOT buying extended warranties is still in the bank ready to buy that new transmission or whatever should it arise. 78% of extended

warranties are never used according to Consumers reports.

For those that have used them and feel comfortable, excellent. You are in the 22% bracket.

The Lifetime Maximum Care service contract has a short list of specific items not covered, and everything else under the sun is covered. Pretty nice to have... as long as Mopar stays in business, anyway.

IF my Wrangler was a 2015 the lifetime coverage with 0 deductible would be $4,730
50 deductible $3,857
100 deductible $3,031
Figure in the fact it is non transferable. Good marketing on their part.

[wcjeep]

rr2254545 wrote:
Gee this is a lot of bunk, my wife would tell you that I spend too much tine on this forum - first time I have heard of ANY transmission problem. I bought mine in November 2013 and have 29,000 miles on it and have pulled it over 11,000 miles

There is one post about towing problems but the guy says it was an alignment problem

For those who claim there are problems post a link to prove it - you claim 5 you have met have a wobble problem I have not met one and I have camped in 68 campground with the Cherokee

The 2014+ Jeep Cherokee 9spd ZF tranny is very delicate. Software updates performed by the dealer have killed the transmission. Yes, I meant software update. Acura is having problems with the same ZF 9spd. Our 2014 Trailhawk was lemon law'd. The tranny never shifted correct. It was lemon law'd for other reasons. Our repair records were so extensive the Regional Manager did not argue with our claim. I can't speak to the towing/wobble issue. The 2014+ Jeep Cherokee is the Edsel of our time. Even Fiat CEO has apologized in a news article for subjecting Jeep owners to the ZF 9spd.

[camp-n-family]

I too have read about several people experiencing the dinghy wobble issue on another forum.

Tranny is being replaced in my '14 Ram 2500 with 20k as we speak. A manufacturing defect apparently which is causing it (and me)to weep.

[rexlion]

klutchdust wrote:
108,000 on my Jk without any issues. The lifetime or 100K warranty on mine Jeep provided for free only covered certain items. Don't be fooled by warranties that claim they cover everything. The 100K

only covered the "part", so to get to the "part" I pay for the tech's labor. Hardly a warranty. personally my life was ok before they offered warranties and they lean in favor of

the seller. The money I have saved from NOT buying extended warranties is still in the bank ready to buy that new transmission or whatever should it arise. 78% of extended

warranties are never used according to Consumers reports.

For those that have used them and feel comfortable, excellent. You are in the 22% bracket.

The Lifetime Maximum Care service contract has a short list of specific items not covered, and everything else under the sun is covered. Pretty nice to have... as long as Mopar stays in business, anyway.

[Bumpyroad]

RV CONUS wrote:
Just thought I would add some bunk,:B

bunk = do your own research! :Z isn't that where you sleep?


I'm not having tranny problems!:W

that link does not speak well for the 9 speed.
bumpy

[RV_CONUS]

OK, so feeling generous toady (intentional mis-spelling for the English Majors). Being retired, I don't care about it that much anymore.

NHTSA jeep cherokee search for tranny complaints - 217


Due Diligence: Wish this wasn't a problem, we would be driving a JC now.

:B

[S-n-L]

Fortunately I have not had the problem with the wobble issue while towing however I have heard about it on one of the forums.

As far as the tranny issues, this is not bunk, as I have a new tranny to show for it.

It has been two days since replacement and drove about 100 miles with the new tranny. It has been flawless and smoother than the last one. The tranny seems to shift sooner, gets into higher gears sooner on auto. Maybe this will get me better gas mileage. I even got into 9th gear going about 80 miles an hour on flat ground.

Hoping this problem is now solved. Although I have the warranty to cover the problem it is a major pain in the a$$ to deal with. Living full time on the road adds another layer of difficulty dealing with things like this.

Stuart

[RV_CONUS]

Just thought I would add some bunk,:B

bunk = do your own research! :Z isn't that where you sleep?


I'm not having tranny problems!:W