Recall 26V290 covers 61,711 2019-2023 Jeep Cherokee vehicles for PTU failure. Repair will be free at any franchised Jeep dealer once available.
Jeep is recalling 61,711 2019-2023 Cherokee SUVs because the power transfer unit (PTU) can fail. That failure can cause a loss of drive power or vehicle rollaway and increase the risk of a crash or injury; the dealer repair will be free once Jeep makes it available.
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What's wrong?
The power transfer unit, or PTU, on 2019-2023 Jeep Cherokee vehicles is part of the drivetrain. It sends engine power through the four-wheel-drive system so the front and rear wheels get the torque the system calls for. In normal driving, it has to keep gears, shafts, and splines engaged while the vehicle accelerates, turns, and changes load.
On affected Cherokees, the two-speed PTU can fail internally. The filing does not name a single root cause, but Jeep identified the recalled group through supplier and assembly records and excluded vehicles without a PTU, with a different PTU design, or built outside the suspect period. When the PTU fails, the drivetrain no longer transfers power the way it should.
A driver can see a Service 4WD message before failure. Noise, vibration, or a change in drive quality are also warning signs to report when calling a Jeep dealer.
Who's affected?
Spans five Cherokee model years tied to the same power transfer unit assembly; VINs became searchable on May 14, 2026.
| 2019 Jeep Cherokee | powertrain |
|---|---|
| 2020 Jeep Cherokee | powertrain |
| 2021 Jeep Cherokee | powertrain |
| 2022 Jeep Cherokee | powertrain |
| 2023 Jeep Cherokee | powertrain |
| Units affected | 61,711 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged 2 field incidents to date. |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific SUV is included.
What's the safety risk?
A failed PTU can cause loss of drive power or vehicle rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash or injury. Treat a Service 4WD message, unusual noise, vibration, or a change in drive quality as a reason to drive cautiously and contact a Jeep dealer for interim guidance. Repair will be free at any franchised Jeep dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2019-2023 Jeep Cherokee is included in this recall.
- Watch for the interim owner letter expected June 25, 2026; the final repair is still under development.
- Contact a franchised Jeep dealer after Jeep opens the final free repair for the PTU failure that can cause loss of drive power or vehicle rollaway.
- Bring the owner letter if it has arrived. If not, reference recall number 26V290 and FCA recall 40D when you call.
- Call FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403 with questions about this Jeep recall until the final remedy opens.
What happens at the repair
Jeep has not announced the final dealer procedure yet. For now, the remedy is under development, and interim owner letters explaining the safety risk are expected to be mailed June 25, 2026. Additional letters will go out after the final remedy opens. Once Jeep releases that repair, the dealer repair will be free under recall 26V290. Jeep is using the manufacturer's standard reimbursement plan on file, so keep documentation for any related power transfer unit repair you already paid for and ask FCA customer service or the service desk how to submit it.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| May 7, 2026 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| May 14, 2026 | Dealer notification began |
| May 14, 2026 | Dealer notification ended |
| May 14, 2026 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| June 25, 2026 | Interim owner notification (planned) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 26V290?
Recall 26V290 covers 61,711 2019-2023 Jeep Cherokee vehicles with a power transfer unit that can fail. A failed PTU can cause loss of drive power or vehicle rollaway, which raises crash or injury risk. The final remedy is still under development.
What should I do if my 2019-2023 Jeep Cherokee is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Cherokee is included in recall 26V290. If it is, watch for the interim owner letter and contact a franchised Jeep dealer or FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. The final repair will be free once it opens.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. Jeep has not opened the final PTU remedy yet, but parts and labor will be covered once FCA releases the completed repair to franchised Jeep dealers.
Is it safe to drive my Jeep Cherokee before the repair is ready?
The recall does not include a do-not-drive order. The safety risk is still real: a failed PTU can cause loss of drive power or vehicle rollaway. If your VIN is included and the vehicle acts unusual, stop driving and ask a Jeep dealer about the safest way to move it.
When will Jeep notify owners about recall 26V290?
FCA expects to mail interim owner letters on June 25, 2026. Those letters explain the safety risk while the final remedy is under development. Additional letters will be sent after the final repair becomes available, and VINs became searchable beginning May 14, 2026.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/26V290000 |
|---|---|
| Jeep customer service | 1-800-853-1403 |
| NHTSA recall # | 26V290 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 26V290000 |
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 19, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →