2021-2023 Jeep Cherokee Drivetrain Recall (26V290)
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) · 61,711 vehicles · Reported May 7, 2026
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling 61,711 2021-2023 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. The power transfer unit (PTU) may fail. A failed PTU may result in a loss of drive power or vehicle rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash or injury. Dealers will make the repair free of charge.
Recall 26V290 at a glance
| NHTSA campaign number | 26V290000 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer recall number | 40D |
| Date reported to NHTSA | May 7, 2026 |
| Manufacturer | Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) |
| Vehicles | 2021-2023 Jeep Cherokee |
| Units affected | 61,711 |
| Component | Power Train |
| Safety risk | A failed PTU may result in a loss of drive power or vehicle rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash or injury. |
| Fix | Available at dealers |
What is wrong with the 2021-2023 Jeep Cherokee in recall 26V290?
The power transfer unit (PTU) may fail.
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2023 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. The power transfer unit (PTU) may fail.
Is it safe to drive a 2021-2023 Cherokee with recall 26V290?
NHTSA has not told owners to stop driving, but the risk is real: A failed PTU may result in a loss of drive power or vehicle rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
NHTSA describes the risk this way: A failed PTU may result in a loss of drive power or vehicle rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
NHTSA has not issued a do-not-drive or park-outside warning for this recall. Still, get the repair done as soon as it is available, and stop driving if you notice symptoms related to the power train.
Which vehicles are included in recall 26V290?
Recall 26V290 covers 61,711 vehicles: 2021-2023 Jeep Cherokee.
NHTSA lists 61,711 vehicles in this campaign. Not every vehicle of these models and years is included, so check your VIN.
| Model years | Make | Model |
|---|---|---|
| 2021-2023 | Jeep | Cherokee |
What is the fix for the Cherokee drivetrain recall?
Yes. Dealers will update the Drivetrain Control Drivetrain Control Module, PTU, and Electronic Park Brake software, and replace the PTU, as necessary, free of charge.
Dealers will update the Drivetrain Control Drivetrain Control Module, PTU, and Electronic Park Brake software, and replace the PTU, as necessary, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters explaining the safety risk were mailed June 25, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy becomes available. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recall is 40D. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning May 14, 2026.
When was recall 26V290 announced?
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) reported recall 26V290 to NHTSA on May 7, 2026.
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| May 7, 2026 | Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) filed the defect report with NHTSA; NHTSA assigned campaign 26V290000. |
| June 25, 2026 | Interim owner notification letters mailed (per NHTSA). |
This recall was filed 4 months ago. If your Cherokee was built in that window, the VIN check below is the way to confirm it is included.
How do I check if my Cherokee is part of recall 26V290?
Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If recall 26V290 is open on your Cherokee, it will be listed there.
Look up your VIN on nhtsa.gov/recalls. If 26V290000 is open on your Cherokee, it will be listed there, along with Jeep recall number 40D. You can also ask any Jeep dealer to run the VIN. The VIN is printed on your registration and visible through the lower driver-side windshield.
What should Cherokee owners do about recall 26V290?
Check your VIN, schedule the free recall repair, and keep a repair order for every dealer visit.
- Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm recall 26V290000 applies to your Cherokee.
- Call a Jeep dealer and schedule the recall repair. Ask how long the repair takes and whether parts are in stock.
- Keep a copy of every repair order. Check that each one lists your complaint, the mileage, and the dates in and out.
- Keep a simple log of any power train symptoms with dates and mileage. Video of a warning light or the problem happening is strong evidence.
- Count the days the vehicle is at the dealer. Days out of service add up toward California's 30-day presumption.
- If the problem comes back after the repair, return to the dealer and contact a lemon law attorney.
What are Cherokee owners reporting to NHTSA?
Owners have filed 220 complaints with NHTSA about these vehicles since 2020, 122 of them about the transmission.
Since recall 26V290 was reported on May 7, 2026, owners have filed 44 complaints with NHTSA about the transmission on these vehicles. 1 of them (2%) describe the same problem happening more than once or coming back after a repair attempt.
How we counted: we matched NHTSA owner complaints for the model years in this recall that list the transmission and were received on or after May 7, 2026, then flagged narratives that describe a repeat failure or a problem returning after a dealer repair, recall service or software update. Data from NHTSA, accessed October 1, 2026. Complaints are unverified owner reports and may involve a related transmission issue rather than this exact defect; automated text matching can miss or misread some reports.
NHTSA’s public complaint database lists 220 owner complaints filed since 2020 for the vehicles in this recall, and 122 of them involve the transmission. Complaints are reports from owners and have not been verified by NHTSA, but a high count for the same component is a sign the problem is widespread.
- 2021 Jeep Cherokee: 166 complaints in total, 92 about the transmission
- 2022 Jeep Cherokee: 51 complaints in total, 28 about the transmission
- 2023 Jeep Cherokee: 3 complaints in total, 2 about the transmission
A few excerpts from owner complaints filed with NHTSA (unverified, lightly trimmed):
Driving down parkway started making grinding & thumping noise. lost power. Was able to get vehicle to shoulder. All dash lights on. Vehicle transmission non responsive. Service 4WD message on. Had to have car towed to nearest Jeep dealer. Needs new PTU part number: 68333255AE.
2022 Jeep Cherokee owner, KY, NHTSA complaint 11640665, filed February 4, 2025
The contact owns a 2022 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would suddenly downshift upon depression of the accelerator pedal. The contact stated that the "Service 4WD" message was intermittently displayed on the instrument panel. The failure occurred while the message was displayed.
2022 Jeep Cherokee owner, OR, NHTSA complaint 11651736, filed March 31, 2025
PTO p/n 68333354A1 Internal Failure of PTU needs to be Replaced. No 4 wheel drive could roll away in Park. Dealer reports back ordered part will be months before available. I was told to just keep driving car! Mileage on car 21,371 This problem has been reported on this model since 2019.
2022 Jeep Cherokee owner, MA, NHTSA complaint 11667360, filed June 17, 2025
Can recall 26V290 make my Cherokee a lemon in California?
Not by itself. A recall repair that fails, or repeat dealer visits for the same defect, can support a California lemon law claim.
Recall 26V290000 does not automatically make your Cherokee a lemon. California's Song-Beverly Act asks two questions: does a warranty defect substantially impair the vehicle's use, value or safety, and did the manufacturer fail to fix it in a reasonable number of tries (Civ. Code 1793.2(d))?
Transmission problems tend to come back. Harsh shifts, slipping, delayed engagement and sudden loss of drive power often return after a dealer reflashes software or replaces a part, and each return trip to the dealer is another repair attempt on the record.
A remedy is available. Many vehicles are fixed on the first try. If the problem returns after the recall repair, or the 2021-2023 Jeep Cherokee has needed other repairs for the same defect, those visits count toward a lemon law claim.
For the first 18 months or 18,000 miles, California presumes the manufacturer had enough chances if the Cherokee went in two or more times for a defect likely to cause death or serious injury, four or more times for the same defect, or spent more than 30 days in the shop (Civ. Code 1793.22(b)). Direct notice to the manufacturer is required for some of these. The presumption is a shortcut, not the only path to a claim.
An owner who prevails in a lemon law case can recover reasonable attorney fees and costs from the manufacturer (Civ. Code 1794(d)). You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
In our cases, a recall repair visit counts as a repair attempt, and it's strongest when the owner complained about the problem before the recall came out. A recall shows the defect is real and that enough owners reported it for the manufacturer to issue a fix.
A typical pattern: an owner reports the transmission slipping, and the dealer can't verify it. Six months later, NHTSA issues a recall for the same problem. Because the recall confirms the defect, the mileage offset goes back to that first visit.
The biggest mistake I see is waiting too long. The mileage offset starts at your first repair visit for the problem, so the sooner you take it in, the better. If the problem comes and goes, take it in when it happens. You can't go back to that date later.
If you get a recall notice, call a lemon law attorney right away. You may have taken the car in for the same problem before and forgotten, or there may be other recalls related to it.
Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320), Founder and Managing Attorney. Quotes lightly edited for clarity. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Has your Cherokee been back to the dealer for this problem?
Call 877-536-6620Other Jeep Cherokee recalls
Frequently asked questions about recall 26V290
Did the recall 26V290 fix work?
Since recall 26V290 was reported on May 7, 2026, owners have filed 44 complaints with NHTSA about the transmission on these vehicles. 1 of them (2%) describe the same problem happening more than once or coming back after a repair attempt. If your vehicle still has the problem after the recall repair, go back to the dealer, get a repair order, and talk to a lemon law attorney.
Is the 26V290000 recall repair free?
Yes. Safety recall repairs are done free of charge at authorized dealers.
How do I know if my Cherokee is part of recall 26V290000?
Enter your 17-character VIN in NHTSA's recall lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or call a dealer. The VIN is on your registration, insurance card and the lower corner of the windshield.
Will a transmission software update fix the problem for good?
Sometimes. Many owners report that shifting problems return after an update. If yours does, go back to the dealer and make sure the visit is written up.
Does a recall mean my car is a lemon?
Not on its own. A lemon law claim depends on whether a covered defect keeps coming back or keeps the vehicle out of service. A recall repair that fails, or repeat visits for the same problem, can support a claim.
Does the recall fixing my car mean I have no case?
Not necessarily. Even if the recall repair fixed it, you may still have a case, and a car that's a year or more old can still qualify.
Do used cars qualify for California lemon law?
We take certified pre-owned, demo and dealer vehicles. Since the California Supreme Court's Rodriguez decision in 2024, ordinary used cars generally do not qualify.
How long does a recall lemon law case take?
Recall-related cases typically resolve in one to three months from your first call. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
What does a lemon law attorney cost?
You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
Sources
- NHTSA recall record 26V290000 (recall report and owner letters are posted there)
- NHTSA complaints and recalls data, accessed October 1, 2026
- California Civil Code 1793.2 and 1793.22
Attorney advertising. America’s Lemon Lawyer is a trade name of Wynn Law Group, APC. Responsible attorney: Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320). This page is general information, not legal advice. America’s Lemon Lawyer is not affiliated with NHTSA or Jeep. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.