Recall 20V343 affects 67,248 2014-2017 Jeep Cherokee SUVs: PTU spline wear can cause loss of drive or Park. Free repair at a franchised Jeep dealer.
Jeep is recalling 67,248 2014-2017 Cherokee vehicles equipped with a two-speed Power Transfer Unit because worn input splines can break the connection between the transmission and front wheels. That can cause loss of drive without warning or let the vehicle roll away while parked, and Jeep dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The Power Transfer Unit, or PTU, on 2014-2017 Jeep Cherokee SUVs is a driveline gearbox that sits between the transmission and the front-wheel differential. Its job is to pass engine power from the transmission through internal splines, which are interlocking teeth on metal shafts, so the wheels receive power and the Park function can hold the vehicle stationary.
In affected Cherokees, movement inside the PTU lets the differential input splines rub against the transmission output shaft. That movement wears away the spline teeth. Once enough teeth are gone, the transmission and differential lose engagement inside the PTU, so power stops reaching the front wheels and the Park function no longer holds as designed.
There is no warning sign before failure. A Cherokee covered by recall 20V343 can lose drive while moving or lose Park while stopped without an earlier symptom for the owner to catch.
Who's affected?
The same PTU assembly appears across the 2014-2017 Cherokee scope, with NHTSA listing it under driveline and automatic transmission components.
| 2015 Jeep Cherokee | driveline |
|---|---|
| 2015 Jeep Cherokee | automatic transmission |
| 2014 Jeep Cherokee | driveline |
| 2014 Jeep Cherokee | automatic transmission |
| 2016 Jeep Cherokee | driveline |
| 2016 Jeep Cherokee | automatic transmission |
| 2017 Jeep Cherokee | driveline |
| 2017 Jeep Cherokee | automatic transmission |
| Units affected | 67,248 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged 847 field incidents to date. |
A matching year and model does not confirm inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific SUV is included.
What's the safety risk?
A loss of drive can cause a crash without prior warning. A loss of Park can let the vehicle roll away and increase the risk of a crash or injury. There is no warning sign before failure, so schedule the software update soon and use the parking brake. Repair is free at any franchised Jeep dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2014-2017 Jeep Cherokee is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Jeep dealer to schedule the free software update that keeps propulsion and activates the electronic parking brake if the PTU input splines fail.
- Bring the recall notice if Jeep mailed one. If not, reference recall number 20V343 when you call.
- Avoid relying on Park alone until the update is complete; set the parking brake before leaving the vehicle.
- Drive cautiously until the repair is complete and stop in a safe place if the vehicle loses drive.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Jeep technician installs a software update for the Power Transfer Unit controls. The update is designed to keep propulsion available by engaging rear wheel drive and to stop the vehicle from rolling in Park by activating the electronic parking brake if the input spline fails. The recall repair is free. If you already paid for this repair, FCA's reimbursement process asks owners to send the original receipt or other proof of payment to the company for confirmation of the expense.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| June 11, 2020 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| July 14, 2020 | Owner notification mailed |
| July 31, 2020 | Dealer notification began |
| July 31, 2020 | Dealer notification ended |
| July 31, 2020 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 20V343?
Recall 20V343 covers 67,248 2014-2017 Jeep Cherokee vehicles with a two-speed Power Transfer Unit. Worn input spline teeth can break the connection between the transmission and differential inside the PTU, causing loss of drive or loss of the Park function.
What should I do if my 2014-2017 Jeep Cherokee is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Cherokee is included in recall 20V343. If it is, contact a franchised Jeep dealer to schedule the PTU software update. Reference recall 20V343 when you call. The dealer repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Jeep dealers perform the PTU software update free of charge. FCA listed customer service at 1-800-853-1403 for owners who need help with this recall.
What is the safety risk in recall 20V343?
The safety risk is loss of drive without prior warning or unintended rollaway when the vehicle is parked. Either condition increases crash or injury risk. The software update keeps propulsion available through rear wheel drive and activates the electronic parking brake if the PTU spline failure occurs.
What if I bought my Jeep Cherokee used?
The free repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific 2014-2017 Cherokee is included, then call a franchised Jeep dealer and reference recall 20V343 when scheduling the repair.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/20V343000 |
|---|---|
| Jeep customer service | 1-800-853-1403 |
| NHTSA recall # | 20V343 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 20V343000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 23, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →