Recall Date: 5/7/2026
NHTSA ID: 26V290
MFr. Campaign Number: 40D
Manufacturer: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
Affected Components: Two-speed Power Transfer Unit (PTU) assembly
Potential Number of Units Affected: ~61,711
Which Jeep vehicles are affected?
The recall covers 2019-2023 Jeep Cherokee vehicles built with a two-speed Power Transfer Unit. The suspect period began on December 12, 2018 — when production of Cherokees with the suspect PTUs started — and concluded on February 24, 2023, when 2023 model year Cherokee production ended.
The vehicle population was determined by supplier and assembly records. The PTU is supplied by Dauch Corporation. Chrysler estimates that approximately 0.5% of the 61,711 vehicles in the population may exhibit the active defect — roughly 308 units. Similar Cherokees not included in this recall either do not have a PTU, were built with a PTU of a different design, or were produced outside the suspect window.
What drivers need to know
The defect is an internal failure of the two-speed Power Transfer Unit. When the PTU fails internally, it can cause an unexpected and unrecoverable Loss of Motive Power — at any speed, or roll-away if the vehicle is in PARK. Either outcome can lead to a vehicle crash without prior warning or to injury of someone outside the vehicle in a roll-away scenario.
Unlike many recent recalls in this category, this one does come with potential warning signs. Drivers may notice a Service 4WD message, a change in drive quality, or new noise or vibration before a full failure. Any of those should be treated as a prompt to contact a Jeep dealer rather than continue driving the vehicle.
The remedy is still under development as of the recall filing. Chrysler has confirmed it will conduct a voluntary safety recall on all affected vehicles once the remedy is available. Dealer notification is scheduled for May 14, 2026, with interim owner notification scheduled for June 25-26, 2026. VINs have been searchable on NHTSA since May 14. Chrysler used its general reimbursement plan on file for owners who have already paid out of pocket for a related repair.
Jeep recall background
This recall sits at the end of a long investigation arc. Chrysler issued two prior Cherokee PTU recalls — W47 in June 2020 (NHTSA 20V-343) for 2014-2017 model years, and 45A in April 2023 (NHTSA 23V-302) for additional 2016-2017 model years. Both addressed PTU input spline failures. Transport Canada and NHTSA followed up over the next several years with information requests and a Pre-Investigation Request from NHTSA in April 2024 covering 2016-2019 Cherokee PTUs.
In January 2025, Chrysler issued a third Cherokee PTU recall — 01C (NHTSA 25V-011) — for certain 2017-2019 model years with potentially improperly seated snap rings. Then, on January 15, 2026, FCA US opened a new investigation specifically into 2019-2023 Cherokees for potential PTU failures. Between January and April 2026, the team conducted an analysis of failure patterns associated with two-speed PTU replacements.
As of April 22, 2026, Chrysler was aware of 9 customer assistance records, 387 warranty claims, 5 field reports, and 16 other service records potentially related to the condition, with receipt dates running from January 2020 to March 2026. One accident and one injury have been potentially attributed to the issue. On April 30, 2026, FCA US's Vehicle Regulations Committee determined that a safety defect exists.
For a full view of Stellantis recall activity and cross-OEM trends from earlier this year, see BizzyCar's Q1 2026 Recall Report.
Read the BizzyCar Q1 2026 Recall Report →
How BizzyCar can help
61,711 vehicles across model years 2019 through 2023 are a population that is now mostly out of warranty and dispersed across both Jeep franchise service drives and independent shops. The remedy is also still under development, which means dealers will need to communicate with owners twice — once at the interim notification in late June, and again when the remedy is available. That doubled outreach cycle is exactly where most recall campaigns lose their response rate.
BizzyCar's Recall Outreach product identifies affected vehicles in a dealer's customer database and initiates automated two-way SMS outreach — once for the interim communication, and again when the remedy lands. For Jeep dealers, automating both touchpoints keeps customers engaged through the gap and pulls them back to the franchise service drive when the remedy is ready. Book a demo.