How much is a transfer case for a jeep cherokee

Though a ‘Trail Rated’ Jeep, the Jeep Grand Cherokee may be spending more time down in the valley’s repair shop than high up in the mountains due to long-standing issues with the Quadra-Drive all-wheel-drive system’s transfer case.

How much is a transfer case for a jeep cherokee

Key Points

  • One of the biggest causes of the Jeep Grand Cherokee‘s transfer case issues involves tire-size sensitivity.
  • Issues linked to the transfer case include stretched chains, broken housings, low fluid levels, and bad seals and vacuum liners.
  • Transfer case’s computer can be tricked into activating the clutches by replacing at least one tire, compensating for non-existent terrain conditions.
  • Replacing a Jeep Grand Cherokee’s transfer case can run into the $3,000 range, including labor.

Only a Scant Few Jeep Grand Cherokees See 200,000 Miles, and it Starts at the Transfer Case

Since 1992, the Jeep Grand Cherokee has delivered on luxury and off-road capability. However, very few ever cross the Rubicon into the 200,000-mile club.

Research site iSeeCars noted 0.9% of all Jeep Grand Cherokee models ever make it to that milestone, which is below the industry average of 1.2%. Meanwhile, one of its biggest competitors, the Toyota Land Cruiser, sees 18.2% of its brethren make it to the club — if not beyond — thanks to the legendary Toyota reliability.

Why does the Jeep Grand Cherokee do so poorly against the iconic Land Cruiser and other competitors in the segment? The transfer case, for one.

One of the weakest links in the Quadra-Drive all-wheel-drive system chain, the transfer case has been the bane of many a Jeep owner for years. Off-Road Care notes the five most common issues include low transfer case fluid levels, chain stretching, broken housings, worn output shaft seals, and worn vacuum liners.

How much is a transfer case for a jeep cherokee

Replace All Four of the Tires on the Jeep Grand Cherokee, or Suffer the Broken Transfer Case

One of the biggest dominoes to set off the chain of events leading to a pricey transfer case repair or replacement on the Jeep Grand Cherokee, though, has to do with the tires.

YouTube personality and mechanic David “The Car Wizard” Long says he’s seen many Jeeps, including Grand Cherokees, turn up in his shop for transfer case issues. On one such occasion, Long took the time to explain why he and a fellow Mopar mechanic see so many Jeeps with busted transfer cases: The tires.

“I don’t think they’re a very robust unit to begin with,” says Long, “but there’s one major underlying reason why they fail so frequently on these Jeeps. If you have a tire go out or some tire issues, it’s very common for people to just replace the front tires or just the rear tires. Then, the next thing they know, they burn the crap out of their transfer case.”

As Long notes, most consumers would replace one or two busted tires on their Grand Cherokees with new units.

However, the system is extremely sensitive to tire size. Thus, because the new tires might be larger than the older pair or trio, the Quadra-Drive’s computer believes the Jeep is traversing some serious terrain, like ice or mud.

In turn, it engages the transfer case’s clutch discs to compensate for the perceived terrain over and over again. Over time, the clutches burn out, and the Jeep winds up in shops like Long’s.

How much is a transfer case for a jeep cherokee

A New Set of Tires is Cheaper Than New Jeep Grand Cherokee Transfer Case

Though the solution to maintaining a healthy transfer case on the Jeep Grand Cherokee — by replacing all four tires with new units — doesn’t make sense financially or otherwise, it’s better than the alternative.

Long said parts, labor, and fluids for a new transfer case can easily reach $3,000, if not more, and the bulk of that is on a new transfer case. Even he thinks it’s sad to waste two or three good tires due to this issue.

One other fix, though, is to replace the transfer case control module, as this post at Jeep Garage explains in detail.

Either way, for something as “Trail Rated” as the Jeep Grand Cherokee is, the transfer case allowing the luxury SUV to traverse Moab in style certainly knocks a few off-road cred points off the report card.

Photos: Stellantis

Frequently Asked Questions

By Stephanie Stephan | Apr 19, 2022

What are the Jeep Grand Cherokee’s Most Common Problems?

The Jeep Grand Cherokee can shift out of park and rollaway is common. 650,000 Cherokees were recalled for faulty ignition switches and the alternator may fail. 2011-2013 years were recalled for faulty fuel pump relays and engine stall.

What Does the Transfer Case Do on a Jeep Grand Cherokee?

The transfer case in a Jeep Grand Cherokee is responsible for distributing the engine’s power to all four wheels using the front and rear axles. The transfer case manages the 4WD modes of the Jeep Grand Cherokee. Signs your transfer case needs servicing include grinding noises and difficulty shifting between gears.

Owner Reviews

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Mike Reagan on June 27, 2022

2021 GC-L needs a new transfer case

We leased our GC-L September, 2021. We have less than 15k miles on it and its currently at the dealership waiting for a new transfer case. The dealership also advised that the part is on backorder and has no idea when it will arrive. The electronics are also unreliable: phones wont connect, tries to connect to phones not in the vehicle, car play shuts down intermittently. For $60k vehicle it's nice to look at but it's terrible and unreliable. This is our first jeep and it will definitely be our last.

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Sonya on September 21, 2022

2019 Jeep transfer case failed

According to dealer service center the transfer case failed because of a mismatched tire being on it for 1 week??? Really??? Now 4000$ to replace a transfer case. The jeep has 50,000 miles 3 years old and already a major problem!!! I've read online and viewed videos of mechanics who state this is a common problem with Jeep. They need to recall this POS Jeep. I should have stuck with buying a BMW like always. But trying to buy American. Now I regret it. I will NEVER get a Jeep again. It sucks balls!

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Fred B on September 22, 2021

Great car with tons of features available.

The only problem I have experienced is low tire pressure after only having it less than a year. Other than that the car is reliable and the features are great. The Wi-Fi feature and navigation are great. The only complaint I have regarding features is I still have figured out how to turn off the wind advisory alerts I seem to constantly receive.

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R Shurko on February 22, 2022

Noisy and rumbles

I hate the noise level in my Jeep. Suspension is terrible, I even tried changing out the 20 in tires to 18 inches, thinking maybe it needs more rubber from the road.

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Ryan M on April 9, 2022

Comfort and electric areas and ac.

The tire pressure fluctuates way more frequently than any other vehicle I have owned. However it is extremely comfortable when everything is working.

How much is a transfer case for a jeep cherokee
Cameron Aubernon

Former fashion blogger Cameron Aubernon’s path to automotive journalism began in the early-’10s, when she began contributing to several auto publications, including Ford Authority, Hagerty, Ride Apart, and Street Trucks. She also served as the editor-in-chief of a short-lived online society publication in Louisville, Kentucky; interned at the city’s NPR affiliate, WFPL-FM; and was the de facto publicist-in-residence for a communal art space near the University of Louisville. Aubernon is a member of the International Motor Press Association, and the Washington Automotive Press Association.

How much does it cost to fix transfer case?

The average cost for transfer case replacement is between $2,640 and $2,756. Labor costs are estimated between $441 and $556 while parts are priced at $2,199. This range does not include taxes and fees, and does not factor in your specific vehicle or unique location. Related repairs may also be needed.

What is a transfer case on a Jeep Cherokee?

The transfer case in a Jeep Grand Cherokee is responsible for distributing the engine's power to all four wheels using the front and rear axles. The transfer case manages the 4WD modes of the Jeep Grand Cherokee. Signs your transfer case needs servicing include grinding noises and difficulty shifting between gears.

How long does it take to replace transfer case?

Expect the installation to take 1 to 2 days.

What is a transfer case on a Jeep?

The transfer case is the set of gears that changes your vehicle from two-wheel to four-wheel drive. You either transfer the drive manually with a gear shift, or your auto does it when it recognizes a change in driving conditions. The gears adjust to the rotation of the drive shaft and rear axle.