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

[et2]

Why all the talk about extended warranty? If your the original owner you have a 5 year 100,000 mile warranty from the manufacturer on the power train and transmission. Covers your towing too if needed. It's your money, but I'll let Chrysler pay the bill.

Have had ours for almost two years. Still running on the same transmission. Only had flashes done as required. No problems towing or driving at all. I would keep this car ( and might if the price is right at lease end) but we want the slightly larger Grand Cherokee.

[dubdub07]

This is a very interesting debate/rant.

The ZF transmissions are some of the best in the world. These transmissions are used in a lot of vehicles that have notoriously good reputations and go in a lot of performance vehicles. The ZF9 is used in Honda and Acura to boot. There is a real issue with the ZF9 and Honda and Mopar are dealing with it. I cannot see why the Jeep Cherokee is being bashed so harshly. Other than the 2014 software update issue, the Cherokee seems to be a hit and reliable. The tranny issue is pretty separate from the vehicles they are in and the blame should go to ZF Friedrichshafen AG, in my opinion.

I have a GC and RAM with ZF8 trannys, and I have to say they are some good shifting vehicles. It sounds like in '15, they have the problem solved on the ZF9.

WW

[Snowman9000]

moisheh,

You're on at least two forums repeatedly saying the Focus is a problem, and you don't even own one. I own one, and like it. It acts and shifts differently than a regular hydraulic trans, which seems to bug some owners.
But that's why it gets such good MPG. I got used to it very quickly. Plus, since it has adaptive programming, it has adapted to my driving style and now it doesn't even feel different.

Just a data counter point from an owner. I'm sure there are links to owners whose trans or clutch has failed or whatever. Without seeing one in person, I have no reaction to those. I like mine.

[roam1]

No doubt the new JC grenades some tranny's
Just go read the jeep forums....
My 2014 JC tranny has been fine, knock knock
I've towed 10,000 miles now and done some great 4 wheeling in CO
I was active in the jeep forums and learned about the tranny issues so I got the factory lifetime warranty for $1500 from a dealer in Kansas. Glad I did, mt JC was downed far 3.5 weeks for a speedometer and Jeep picked up the $800 rental car tab.
I have two friends who had tranny's replaced, so it's a roll of the dice
If you want one, ask your dealer before buying what their loaner policy is.....
Anyway, I love my JC and woul do it again!

[dodge_guy]

Good to hear. When considering a warranty, always go with the manufacturers warranty. With aftermarket ones they will try and find any way out not to pay!

[S-n-L]

I wanted to give an update on our experience with the new tranny as well as some very interesting information, good, about the Mopar Lifetime Max Care extended warranty.

We have put on a few thousand miles with the new tranny. I am happy to report that all is well and the tranny is running smoother, shifts more predictably and get a little better fuel mileage than the last tranny. I am also getting into 9th gear more frequently and predictably although I do need to exceed 80 mph to get into 9th.

As for the extended warranty. First let me say I usually am not a fan of extended warranties however I did purchase this one for $2,000 when the Jeep was new. For all of you nay-sayers regarding extended warranties here is one for you. With the Mopar max care warranty I was entitled to up to $1,000 for room/board/meals during the time that the tranny was being repaired. This benefit would not be available with the standard new car warranty. Well, I just got reimbursed for, you guessed it, $1,000 for camp ground fees and meals for the time of repair.

The amazing thing is that this reimbursement saved us one half of what we paid for the extended warranty. With this happening I am even more happy with my decision to buy the extended warranty.

So, all in all things have worked out extremely well for us. We did spend a few weeks in Austin, TX waiting but that is the beauty of full timing you just need to be flexible. Now I can say I ate some really great BBQ on Mopar while in Austin!!!

With all this being said I am very much enjoying the Cherokee. The wife and I do love the car. There are some great features and works very well as a toad. I do ask myself if I knew in the past what I know now would I have purchased the Cherokee, not sure. I may have chosen something different just to be on the safe side. Choices are shrinking for toads so the decisions are getting tougher.

Stuart

[rfsod48]

I totally agree with you and did research the issue when I purchased my vehicle including talking to two Chrysler/ jeep engineers associated with the problem who happen to be two long term patients of mine. After all the study I still feel that I made a wise purchase for me, your mileage may differ.

[wcjeep]

Given the significant problems we had with the 2014 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk I could no way recommend it. The JK Wrangler weighs near the same with a much better transmission. I preferred the JK Wrangler over the Cherokee to begin with. However, wife refused to daily drive the JK. We are now waiting on Sync3 to arrive with the Ford Edge.

Current rumor is the next generation Jeep Wrangler will get the current 8spd.

[moisheh]

rfsod: I can understand your supporting Chrysler. You have a lot of $$ invested in that vehicle and you deserve to get your moneys worth. I am going to buying a new toad in the next 3 to 10 months and am trying to be open to any vehicle regardless of the make that would work. The Jeep line was probably the most popular toad. Same for many of the Ford products. But both seem to have problems. First I was disappointed that the Focus is such a bad vehicle. Tranny problems. The CRV is no longer towable. I thought maybe a Cherokee would work. Personally I wouldn't buy one until they solve this problem. And you can bet here are hundreds of RV'rs that feel the same. When people are posting that they recommend an extended warranty as they fear future problems that tells a story. Even the head of Chrysler admits here is a problem. I would not have posted those links but you made light of a serious problem. Your last post is not much different. Has nothing to do with a discussion about toads. I do hope the problem is solved and that Chrysler stands behind all the owners . I hope your tranny never gives you any trouble.

[rfsod48]

Moisheh, in light of GM and Toyota debacles in which people were injured and killed I feel this is a minor incident. You may choose to see it differently which is certainly your privilege. If you own a Cherokee by all means complain iif you have a problem, if you don't own the vehicle why are you commenting?

[moisheh]

http://blog.caranddriver.com/holy-shift-zf-9-speed-automatic-problems-mount-chrysler-releases-third-...

http://blog.caranddriver.com/jeep-renegade-held-for-software-problems-may-or-may-not-be-related-to-9...

http://allparnews.com/index.php/2015/04/is-fixing-the-9-speeds-just-a-snap-28459

http://www.torquenews.com/1574/acura-fans-saddened-2015-tlx-transmission-recall

But not to worry it only affects a few vehicles!!!!!

[moisheh]

rfsd48. Your logic would give a Gold Seal to an 87 Hyundia or a Pinto. I am sure those who do have tranny problems will think differently.

Moisheh

[Tipsico]

moisheh wrote:
.... 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.

That's what I've been thinking too. Honda CR-V dropped out of the game this year with its CVT. That was a significant loss to the toad market. But the toad market is small potatoes. What's the incentive for the manufacturers to continue engineering for 4-down automatics given the added liabilities?

My Jeep dealer told me he had 9 customers waiting for the Renegade as a toad and had to call them to inform that it cannot be towed 4-down when the dealership got the specs.

The 14-15 Jeep Cherokee is a beautiful car for towing. Relatively light, good gas mileage, comfortable and quiet, off-road capable, frame extensions for baseplate mounting, always-on 12V outlet, and the AD2 and ADL drivetrains with the neutral option that turns it into a trailer.

[rfsod48]

Over 275000 2014-2015 Cherokee's have been produced. What is the percentage that have had transmission problems requiring replacement ? Probably less than 0.1%. Certainly not enough to condemn the rest.