Jeep Cherokee Rollaway Recall, 61,711 SUVs Could Lose Power or Roll While Parked NHTSA Campaign 26V290000, FCA Recall 40D

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling 61,711 Jeep Cherokee SUVs from model years 2019 through 2023 after federal safety regulators determined that a faulty power transfer unit (PTU) can cause the vehicle to suddenly lose drive power while moving — or roll away on its own while the transmission is in PARK. The recall, identified by NHTSA as Campaign 26V290000 and internally by FCA as Recall 40D, was formally reported on May 7, 2026. No repair fix is available yet. If you own a 2019–2023 Jeep Cherokee, here is exactly what is happening and what to do right now.

Jeep Cherokee PTU Recall — Key Facts

Field	Detail
Vehicles Affected	2019–2023 Jeep Cherokee (KL generation)
Total Units Recalled	61,711
Defect	Power transfer unit (PTU) may fail internally
Safety Risk	Sudden loss of drive power at any speed; vehicle rollaway while in PARK
Production Period Covered	December 12, 2018 – February 24, 2023
NHTSA Campaign Number	26V290000
FCA Recall Number	40D
Remedy Status	Under development — no fix available yet
Interim Owner Letters	Expected to mail June 25, 2026
Known Incidents	1 accident and 1 injury potentially related (as of April 22, 2026)
Owner Contact	1-800-853-1403 (reference Recall 40D)
NHTSA Contact	1-888-327-4236 or nhtsa.gov
VIN Lookup Available	Yes — nhtsa.gov since May 14, 2026
Last Updated	May 30, 2026

Who Is Chrysler and Why Is the Jeep Cherokee Being Recalled Again?

Chrysler — operating in the U.S. as FCA US, LLC under Dutch-domiciled parent Stellantis — manufactures the Jeep Cherokee at its Belvidere, Illinois assembly plant. The previous-generation Jeep Cherokee has new blemishes on its reliability and safety reputation with this latest recall, which is not the first time the PTU has caused problems for this model. This matters to you as an owner because this is the fourth Cherokee recall pertaining to the same power transfer unit problem, and the issue goes back to 2020.

What Is Wrong With the 2019–2023 Jeep Cherokee Power Transfer Unit?

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the 2019–2023 Cherokee is facing a recall potentially impacting 61,711 vehicles whose power transfer units (PTUs) may fail. When this happens while driving, it can result in a loss of power, and when this happens while parked, the vehicle could roll away, potentially crashing into obstacles despite being left in park.

The PTU is the component that sends torque from the transmission to the front wheels on all-wheel-drive Cherokees. The suspect period began on December 12, 2018, when production of Jeep Cherokees with suspect PTUs began, and concluded February 24, 2023, when production of 2023 model year Jeep Cherokees ended.

Drivers might see a “Service 4WD” warning or hear odd driveline noise or vibration before things go sideways, but federal documents indicate the defect can also strike without any warning at all. That last part is the most dangerous element of this recall — there may be no warning before a sudden loss of power at highway speed or a vehicle rolling away from a parked position.

This recall has been a long time coming. You can read about how Jeep battery defect recalls have previously led to class action lawsuits against Stellantis — and the Cherokee PTU pattern raises similar questions about whether the root cause has ever been truly fixed. Between January and April 2026, FCA US conducted an analysis of failure patterns associated with two-speed PTU replacements, and as of April 22, 2026, FCA US was aware of 9 customer assistance records, 387 warranty claims, 5 field reports, and 16 other service records potentially relating to this issue, with 1 accident and 1 injury potentially related.

The pattern of repeated recalls on this same component is notable. Owners and legal observers watching how the Toyota Sienna seat rail recall turned into a class action over delayed repairs will recognize the same frustration: owners waiting years for a lasting fix while a safety defect keeps reappearing in new model years.

On April 30, 2026, FCA US determined, through the Vehicle Regulations Committee, that a safety defect exists in certain vehicles. The NHTSA report was filed May 7, 2026, and VINs became searchable on NHTSA’s website beginning May 14, 2026.

If you own a 2019–2023 Jeep Cherokee, this recall directly affects you.

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Is Your Jeep Cherokee Part of the Rollaway Recall?

Your vehicle is included in this recall if:

• You own a 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, or 2023 Jeep Cherokee with all-wheel drive (AWD) — the defective two-speed PTU is only present in AWD models
• Your vehicle was assembled between December 12, 2018 and February 24, 2023
• Your VIN appears in NHTSA’s recall database at nhtsa.gov (searchable since May 14, 2026)

Your vehicle is NOT included if:

• You own a Jeep Grand Cherokee — this recall covers the standard Cherokee (KL platform) only
• Your Cherokee is a front-wheel-drive model without a PTU
• Your vehicle was built before December 12, 2018 or after February 24, 2023
• You own a 2014–2018 or other model year Cherokee covered under a prior separate PTU recall

Jeep Cherokee Owners Outside Your Home State — Are You Still Covered?

Yes. Federal safety recalls apply nationwide regardless of which state you purchased the vehicle in or currently reside in. Chrysler dealers anywhere in the United States are required to perform recall repairs at no charge to the owner once a remedy becomes available. You can check your VIN at nhtsa.gov using Campaign 26V290000 from any state.

If you believe your Jeep Cherokee has suffered an unresolved safety defect that has caused you financial harm, a free consultation with a product liability attorney can help you understand whether you have options beyond the recall repair.

What Could Jeep Cherokee Owners Receive If This Recall Leads to a Lawsuit?

No class action lawsuit has been filed over this specific recall as of May 30, 2026, and no settlement exists. The multiple recalls related to Jeep Cherokee vehicles across different model years suggest that the root cause of the issue has not been addressed, and the recurring recalls may hint at a manufacturing defect that Chrysler has yet to fix.

What Could Happen If a Class Action Is Filed Over the Jeep Cherokee PTU Defect?

If litigation follows this recall — as it has in prior automotive defect cases involving repeated failures — affected owners could potentially seek compensation for diminished vehicle value, out-of-pocket repair costs incurred before the recall, rental vehicle expenses, and other losses. No dollar figure can be stated because no lawsuit has been filed and no settlement exists. Outcomes in automotive defect class actions depend heavily on the number of claimants, strength of evidence, and what parties negotiate. A product liability attorney can assess your specific situation.

What Jeep Cherokee Owners Should Do Right Now

1. Check your VIN immediately. Go to nhtsa.gov and enter your 17-character VIN to confirm whether your Cherokee is included in Campaign 26V290000. VINs have been searchable since May 14, 2026.
   
2. Use your parking brake every time you park. NHTSA advises that when parking, owners use the parking brake, and if on an incline, turn the wheels. Do not rely solely on the transmission’s PARK setting until the recall is repaired.
   
3. Watch for the “Service 4WD” warning. If this message appears, or you notice noise, vibration, or changes in how your Cherokee drives, contact your dealer immediately. Do not wait for the recall letter.
   
4. Contact FCA customer service. Owners may ask about FCA Recall 40D by contacting FCA Customer Service at 1-800-853-1403. Reference recall number 40D when you call. Ask to be placed on the notification list for when the remedy becomes available.
   
5. Do not ignore the recall letter. Interim owner notification letters explaining the safety risk are expected to be mailed on June 25, 2026, with additional notification letters to be sent once a final remedy becomes available. When the final letter arrives, schedule your dealer appointment promptly — the repair will be free of charge.
   
6. Document everything. Keep records of any drivetrain repairs, service visits, or complaints you have already filed related to PTU, 4WD, or loss-of-power issues. This documentation matters if a class action is filed or if you pursue a lemon law claim.

Jeep Cherokee PTU Recall Timeline — 2018 to 2026

Milestone	Date
Suspect PTU production begins	December 12, 2018
First Cherokee PTU recall issued (2014–2017 models, W47/20V-343)	June 2020
Second PTU recall (2016–2017 models, 45A/23V-302)	April 2023
Suspect PTU production ends (2023 model year)	February 24, 2023
Third PTU recall (2017–2019 models, 01C/25V-011)	January 2025
FCA opens investigation into 2019–2023 models	January 15, 2026
FCA determines safety defect exists (2019–2023 models)	April 30, 2026
NHTSA recall report filed — Campaign 26V290000, FCA Recall 40D	May 7, 2026
VIN lookup available at nhtsa.gov	May 14, 2026
Interim owner notification letters expected	June 25, 2026
Final repair remedy	TBD — under development

Jeep Cherokee Rollaway Recall — Frequently Asked Questions, NHTSA 26V290000

Is my 2019–2023 Jeep Cherokee included in the Chrysler PTU rollaway recall?

 In total, 61,711 Jeep Cherokees sold between 2019 and 2023 are being recalled. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov using NHTSA Campaign 26V290000 to confirm whether your specific vehicle is included. VINs have been searchable since May 14, 2026.

What exactly can go wrong with the Jeep Cherokee’s power transfer unit? 

An internally failed PTU may cause an unexpected and unrecoverable loss of motive power while driving at any speed, or may allow the vehicle to roll while in PARK — either condition could increase the risk of a collision or injury without prior warning.

Has Chrysler fixed the Jeep Cherokee PTU problem yet? 

No. A remedy to fix the issue is currently being developed, and owners will be notified by a letter when that becomes available. No repair appointment can be scheduled until Chrysler finalizes the fix and notifies dealers.

Is this the first time the Jeep Cherokee has been recalled for this issue? 

No. This is the fourth Cherokee recall pertaining to the same power transfer unit problem. Prior recalls covered 2014–2017, 2016–2017, and 2017–2019 model years across separate NHTSA campaigns dating back to 2020.

How do I contact Chrysler about the Jeep Cherokee PTU recall?

 Owners of the recalled vehicles can contact Fiat Chrysler Automobiles customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Reference FCA Recall 40D when you call. You can also contact the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 or visit nhtsa.gov.

Will the recall repair cost me anything?

 No. Under federal law, all safety recall repairs must be performed free of charge at authorized Chrysler dealerships, regardless of whether your vehicle is still under warranty.

Could this Jeep Cherokee recall lead to a class action lawsuit?

 No class action has been filed as of May 30, 2026. However, the recurring recalls may hint at a manufacturing defect that Chrysler has yet to fix, and repeat-defect recalls have triggered class action litigation against other automakers in similar situations. If you have incurred out-of-pocket costs related to PTU repairs before this recall was announced, a product liability attorney can assess whether you have grounds for a claim.

What should I do while I wait for the recall fix?

 Apply your parking brake every time you park, especially on any slope. Watch for a “Service 4WD” dashboard message, unusual vibration, or changes in drive quality — and contact your dealer immediately if any of these appear rather than waiting for your recall letter.

Sources Used in This Jeep Cherokee PTU Recall Article

• NHTSA Recall Campaign 26V290000 — Power Transfer Unit May Fail and Cause a Loss of Drive Power, May 7, 2026: https://www.nhtsa.gov/?nhtsaId=26V290000

Prepared by the AllAboutLawyer.com Editorial Team and reviewed for factual accuracy against NHTSA Campaign 26V290000 official records on May 30, 2026. Last Updated: May 30, 2026.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws vary by state and individual circumstances differ. For advice about your specific situation, consult a qualified attorney.