NHTSA Complaint #11702458 — 2014 JEEP CHEROKEE

I have reported this before and I am reporting once again as it is a very serious safety hazard. Vehicle: 2014 Jeep Cherokee Limited Component/System: Power Train – Transfer Case / Drivetrain (4WD/AWD System) I am submitting this complaint to report a recurring and potentially hazardous malfunction involving the transfer case on my 2014 Jeep Cherokee Limited. The vehicle exhibits multiple symptoms consistent with transfer case failure, including intermittent grinding and clunking noises from the drivetrain, jerking and binding during acceleration or low-speed turns, and difficulty engaging or maintaining 4WD/AWD modes. The vehicle has also displayed dashboard warnings such as “Service 4WD” and “4WD Temporarily Unavailable.” At times, vibration can be felt through the floorboard at highway speeds, and the vehicle has intermittently lost power to either the front or rear wheels. These issues pose a significant safety concern. The inconsistent torque delivery causes unpredictable handling, including sudden hesitation, surging, or traction loss during normal driving. The vehicle has also exhibited momentary drivetrain binding that feels similar to braking or wheel lockup, creating a risk of loss of control—particularly when turning, merging, or driving in adverse weather. There is concern that the transfer case could suffer sudden internal failure, potentially resulting in immediate power loss, immobilization, or inability to maneuver out of traffic. Given the frequency of transfer case and power transfer unit failures reported by other Jeep Cherokee owners of this model year, I believe this issue may represent a broader safety defect. The malfunction directly affects vehicle stability, traction control function, and the ability to safely accelerate or maintain speed. I request that NHTSA investigate this matter for a safety recall as soon as possible due to the potential for loss of vehicle control and the risk of a crash or injury.