C1494 on Jeep

Power transfer unit fork position fault stored by the Jeep 4WD/AWD controller

Severity not verified — if the car runs badly, have it inspected

Stellantis ties the code to a MIL and a PTU warranty extension and one owner mentions a Do Not Drive recall, but we found no source we could confirm on how long it is safe to drive.

It gets more serious if:

  • Inspect soon: The 4WD or AWD light stays on, the system is inactive or you hear clunking.

Source: how we rate severity

This page covers only what differs on Jeep. For what C1494 means, the ranked causes and the test order, see the C1494 guide.

What's different on Jeep

Jeep

  • 2014–2023 · Cherokee

    Supported by vehicle data

    Bulletins 08-292-26, 21-007-16, 21-027-26, 21-027-26 REV. A, 21-070-15, 9100444, 9100445 name C1494 on the Jeep Cherokee. Only the bulletin summary was read.

    Where it is:Power transfer unit, between the transmission and rear driveshaft

  • 2018–2020 · Cherokee

    Supported by vehicle data

    Owners of 2018 to 2020 Cherokees report C1494-07 or -92 with the 4WD light, an inactive system and clunking.

  • 08-292-26Status unverified

    Unable To Clear C1494-07 And C14A9-00 After 45A Recall Technicians may experience the following: SYMPTOM: ●

    2016–2017cherokee · issued · NHTSA 11035316

    Names the power transfer unit fork position code C1494 (-07 or -92) and prescribes a PTU software update or replacement, depending on the bulletin. Only the NHTSA flat-file summary was read, not the bulletin itself.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

  • 21-027-26Status unverified

    Two Speed Power Transfer Unit Customers must experience a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illumination and

    2017–2019cherokee · issued · NHTSA 11031327

    Names the power transfer unit fork position code C1494 (-07 or -92) and prescribes a PTU software update or replacement, depending on the bulletin. Only the NHTSA flat-file summary was read, not the bulletin itself.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

  • 21-027-26 REV. AStatus unverified

    Two Speed Power Transfer Unit Customers must experience a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illumination and

    2017–2019cherokee · issued · NHTSA 11031328

    Names the power transfer unit fork position code C1494 (-07 or -92) and prescribes a PTU software update or replacement, depending on the bulletin. Only the NHTSA flat-file summary was read, not the bulletin itself.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

  • 9100445Status unverified

    Power Transfer Unit If considering PTU Assembly replacement related to DTCs C14A7-97 or C1494-92, please be

    2019–2023cherokee · issued · NHTSA 11011799

    Names the power transfer unit fork position code C1494 (-07 or -92) and prescribes a PTU software update or replacement, depending on the bulletin. Only the NHTSA flat-file summary was read, not the bulletin itself.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

  • 9100444Status unverified

    Power Transfer Unit If considering PTU Assembly replacement related to DTCs C14A7-97 or C1494-92, please be

    2020–2023cherokee · issued · NHTSA 11011800

    Names the power transfer unit fork position code C1494 (-07 or -92) and prescribes a PTU software update or replacement, depending on the bulletin. Only the NHTSA flat-file summary was read, not the bulletin itself.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

  • 21-070-15Status unverified

    Flash: PTU Motor Position Enhancements This bulletin involves updating the software in the Power Transfer

    2014–2015cherokee · issued · NHTSA 10160081

    Names the power transfer unit fork position code C1494 (-07 or -92) and prescribes a PTU software update or replacement, depending on the bulletin. Only the NHTSA flat-file summary was read, not the bulletin itself.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

  • 68090604AStatus unverified

    Power Transfer Unit Prior to replacing the PTU, please review the following .~ Check if the service 4WD light

    9999jeep · issued · NHTSA 10149012

    Names the power transfer unit fork position code C1494 (-07 or -92) and prescribes a PTU software update or replacement, depending on the bulletin. Only the NHTSA flat-file summary was read, not the bulletin itself.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

  • 21-007-16Status unverified

    Flash: Power Transfer Unit (PTU) Motor Position Enhancements This bulletin involves updating the software in

    2015–2016cherokee · issued · NHTSA 10118804

    Names the power transfer unit fork position code C1494 (-07 or -92) and prescribes a PTU software update or replacement, depending on the bulletin. Only the NHTSA flat-file summary was read, not the bulletin itself.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

Sources and review

  1. FCA 21-027-26: two-speed power transfer unit, C1494-07 (2017-2019 Cherokee) — Stellantis (FCA US) ,
  2. NHTSA complaint 2194881: 2018 Jeep Cherokee, C1494-07 PTU fork — NHTSA (owner complaint)
  3. NHTSA complaint 2075624: 2020 Jeep Cherokee, C1494-92 — NHTSA (owner complaint)
  4. NHTSA complaint 2214624: 2019 Jeep Cherokee, C1494-07 and C1417-97 — NHTSA (owner complaint)
Last reviewed
Written by
Saurabh K.
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Technician review
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This page explains what a code usually means; it is not a substitute for a professional inspection. How we source and review · Report an error

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