Trail breaks, August Trailhawk Ride 2021, 2019 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk 4x4 Offroad

[@ninjarider7]

Greetings from Florida! While it was a tough day for newbies, I felt like it prepared me for the reality of jeep life! I have been full speed ahead every since! Thanks Jason 🙏🏾✨

[@FearlessTrailhawk]

Thanks man! You have been havin lots of fun down there!

[@jamesdietz6188]

Glad that I could of been of assistance. No jeeps left behind!

[@FearlessTrailhawk]

You're the best man!

[@joetrzaska]

You did a great job!

[@ericbialeschki7613]

Even though it got cut short my son and I still had a great time. We were in the other hydro blue. Definitely was nervous with all the trail carnage. Starting to gear up for more adventures. Thanks for fun times!

[@FearlessTrailhawk]

Yeah for sure! Glad you still had a good day. Hoping to get back out this spring after some much needed repairs this winter!

[@joetrzaska]

Thanks for the ride. The family and I had a great time. We were in the Mango hawk.

[@FearlessTrailhawk]

Thanks for coming! Next time it hopefully won't be so short!

[@skoll9004]

Things break nothing last forever. Fixing broken parts is half the fun.

[@OhioFrontier]

Man, you and I both have broken a diff and suffered body damage out there. Sorry to hear about the breakage

[@tweak2487]

< owner of the first breakdown. Front PTO and rear Diff as well as valve cover gaskets was the final damage, pto is currently a 2 month wait for the part. They can expedite a part if you call FCA but you will pay extra.

[@jamesdietz6188]

Holy shit!

[@aussieshootandhuntadventur4973]

Those Ptu were extended warranty item .. hope you didn’t pay for it yourself ?

[@tweak2487]

@@aussieshootandhuntadventur4973 nope, life time powertrain warranty from dealer. Only had to pay 500$ for the extended tow.

[@4x4nerd80]

Always worth the drive, great trail run, stinks with the breakages

[@FearlessTrailhawk]

Thanks man!

[@mbjeepcherokee5542]

Off roading breaks things whether it be a cherokee, wrangler or bronco. Granted a full size (body on frame) 4x4 will most likely last longer but then again they typically find harder things to do and break them. :) I know guys that have already replaced drivetrain parts on newer full sized rigs ... just saying.

[@FearlessTrailhawk]

Yup. One of the guys who was most vocal about how much i'll break or have to replace...is CONSTANTLY breaking and replacing stuff on his 4 door JK. I don't know anyone who wheels regularly that hasn't had to replace broken parts.

[@mopardude109]

@@FearlessTrailhawk ever had the stop/start stop working and get the warning on the dash mine used to work no longer does 🤷🏼‍♂️ i get the a in circle with !

[@FearlessTrailhawk]

@@mopardude109 nope.

[@loganprice8998]

I'm sorry bud but I own one of these and the mechanics can't keep it going more than 3 months at a time. I strongly recommend if any of your friends or family own one tell them to get rid of it. Mine has 95,000 miles and I've spent over 9,000 on having it fixed. Never been off road with it because of it. Now I'm stuck with a jeep worth 10,000 that I. Paying 22,000 for haha. Fuck my life......

[@jeepz5926]

I was in the same boat with my rear diff and ptu on my 2019 Trailhawk. Less than 19k miles and both were toast. Dealership replaced them both under warranty and with the used car shortage offered me 37K for my KL and i only owed 26k on it. I ran like crazy away from the KL and bought a 2021 Wrangler Rubicon 4xe. Sadly there's not enough upgrades to prevent cracking and blown diffs and ptu's to keep them for the long run.

[@FearlessTrailhawk]

My first rear diff was out in Moab...on Hell's Revenge, towed to the dealership straight from the trail. No questions or hassle...100% warrantied. Only way i'll trade is if i make money on the deal. Mine's been paid off for a while now...but if they don't offer something worthwhile i'll just keep it for a secondary, i already lost about 10k switching up to the '19 after my '17 got totalled. I'm thinking about trying to contact Jeep about seeing if they would be willing to work out a deal for me with the new 4xe grand, but i have little hopes in that.

[@LSDdreams808]

I have a 2017 with 75,000 miles 0 issues i really love it

[@FearlessTrailhawk]

Yep! Its just luck of the draw. Most car manufacturers have issues with the newer models. I know some that take theirs offroad regularly for years and have had no issues either. (granted, they are doing lighter stuff that i usually do)

[@jeremystout412]

Man that sucks, from what I hear the KM will be underway. I am wishful for better changes. We shall see. Great video as always, though!

[@FearlessTrailhawk]

Not updating the cherokee for a few more years atleast (keep in mind they just did an update for 2019). Now the Grand's are getting a refresh from WK2 to WL this winter.

[@inthewoods6111]

5/20/24.... I was thinking about picking one of these up. Then I checked the price on a 24, then I watched your video and that did it for me. Stelanatis can kma. The failure is inferior parts. I am a very long time Jeep owner and currently have 2. I will not buy new any longer.

[@FearlessTrailhawk]

There is no '24....the plant was shut down in February of '23...so i'm thinking you are thinking of the Grand ..which yes is ridiculous price.

[@AStanton1966]

There's a video on KZbin of a guy who lost all power in his Bronco and went karining backwards into a tree. Plus there's aftermarket reinforcements for their skinny tie rods.

[@fordfiveohh]

Yeah. There's days I would like to have the V6 but I'm glad I have the 4 .... Probably a lot harder to break the diffs ...

[@armysgtrandom3555]

My KL just came out of the shop getting the rear diff replaced, sat in the shop for 4 months waiting for the part 🤦🏼‍♀️

[@FearlessTrailhawk]

Thats where i'm at right now. After this happened, i think the shop that replaced it messed something up and it was seaping fluid, i haven't been able to wheel it for a year, and am currently waiting on another rear diff to arrive so i can hopefully get back at it!

[@joskjj3625]

Yikes sorry to hear about your diff

[@rickymacqueen6690]

I went through 2 rear diffs myself. At 102,000 kms now with extended warranty until 180,000 kms. It's been fantastic otherwise. Pulled a 3300lbs trailer across Canada last summer. Always overlanding in it. I've read the ZF transmission was originally designed for the turbo only and not the V6. Seems it was a quick engine dump pre 3cyl electric hybrid. Curious is the turbo people out there are having diff issues.

[@coloradomallcrawlers]

This is so frustrating! Jeep created an incredible off-roader, but they just don’t seem durable. Sorry you’re dealing with that man.

[@davidberg8677]

Curious to hear your view. 17 trailhawk 71k miles no issues but don't offroad as hard as you do. I figured the metal plates cover most issues.

[@FearlessTrailhawk]

I have had zero issues with skid plate coverage. My issues have been internal parts failures. The first blue KL that broke in this video, 40k miles and it was the first time offroad...and it broke on the first flexy bit of the first trail.

[@davidberg8677]

@@FearlessTrailhawk Thanks. Very interesting situation. Let us know how it broke just a weak part or ?

[@berserkerusmc7613]

Wow... two broken diffs on a light trail like this? I think I'll hold on to my 02 Jeep GC

[@mitchellboyd9024]

The new style Cherokee doesn’t seem to be too tough.

[@FearlessTrailhawk]

....except when it is. Any car will have random parts failures. You have seen some what i put mine through, right? I don't know a single wrangler owner that wheels as often that hasn't had to fix more. Lets not even talk about how often the XJs need fixed...

[@mitchellboyd9024]

True. If you use it it will break eventually. But the newer technology vehicles break much fast, and cost way more. Enjoy your videos. You do things I think are crazy in that little jeep

[@MyRebel44]

My rack and pinion failed sitting in my garage, at 4,223 miles.

[@IndyDog-ns8ws]

Almost bought a 2019 Trailhawk, but went with a Colorado Z71. No issues with 30K on it.

[@TheDiesel_JLU]

I have a 19 Trailhawk, have 26K on it, been wheeling with Fearless, no issues

[@mopardude109]

wish i had support like this to explore indy trails my trailhawk twins with the mango tango one in the video 👌🏻

[@tweak2487]

Plenty of support in Indy, just need to avoid the jeep groups with drama. The problem is the trails in Indy, red bird is all clay, interlake is a swamp and badlands has too many idiots on dirt bikes.

[@mopardude109]

@@tweak2487 hey you work at fedex by my work lol yea i have never been to any trails would like to go sometime

[@tweak2487]

@@mopardude109 yep lol, the first cherokee breakdown in the video was my wife's, but ya we have a few cherokees in the Jeep cherokee kl owners of Illinois that I usually go with to badlands, last time we had 5 there, a mix of trailhawks and modified latitudes like mine. Always room for more.

[@JohnRocker340]

Drive trains are not ready for prime time in these Cherokees.

[@aidanunez864]

Has anything else broken on your TH? I thought about buying one but the stalling, transmission issues and recalls are scaring me. Whats your experience

[@FearlessTrailhawk]

Stalling? No idea, haven't heard about it. Same transmission as some 'higher end' cars...so not sure what the big trouble is. Every vehicle has recalls. I've got a fairly lengthy repair sheet, but i do push the limits. Up until this spring everything was covered under warranty...then the service manager tried to go on a power trip and say that they saw videos of my driving down an easy trail in 4Low...and that it wasn't designed to do that and got my warranty voided.

[@duilioproni4672]

Did you ever finish the post-mortem and identify the point of failure in the diff?

[@FearlessTrailhawk]

I have not heard anything else from them yet, i'll ask next time i'm there

[@duilioproni4672]

@@FearlessTrailhawk My bet is on the clutch packs. Those things generate a lot of heat. Even though you weren't pushing it, they die a slow death every time you do. If Jeep would actively cool the RDM and PTU, I bet most of these problems would go away. Ford uses the same PTU (but single speed) on their Bronco Sport but they've chosen to actively cool it on their off-road trims. If Jeep wasn't so busy chasing high-dollar luxury, maybe they would have thought of that.

[@Arlatube]

Especially knowing the a-holes yanked your warranty. Wtf is the 4 low and "trail rated" and used for if not off road and to get over tougher obstacles? I'm surprised you don't mention the dealer's name every chance this type of problem comes up.

[@FearlessTrailhawk]

That is exactly what i said...his response..."well thats my decision and its final." And i couldn't get anyone from corporate to answer that either. But yeah, i don't think they realize how many potential sales i could negate if i started blasting this platform ect....given how many have bought their TH's because of the videos i post!

[@williamh2637]

@@FearlessTrailhawk I’m looking at getting a trailhawk after a car ran a red light and totaled my ride. Now that I see this I’m kind of worried maybe I’ll spend a little more and get a ranger. That little one that shows up on your rides seems to do ok.

[@FearlessTrailhawk]

@@williamh2637 There are plenty of folks that wheel thei KL every other weekend for years and have had zero issues. Sometines things break. lol, that ranger only showed up to one? ride. Plenty of KLs have done multiple rides with me and had no issue.

[@gabrielmartinez4957]

is there any aftermarket parts for the diff to avoid that from happening?

[@FearlessTrailhawk]

@@gabrielmartinez4957 Nope. There was a rumor years ago that Yukon was working on gears for the KL, but nothing ever came of it. 😥

[@jedironin380]

Sorry I missed this trip, sad to see the breakage. Thanks James for the help, as always. I guess you still had your KL in this?

[@FearlessTrailhawk]

James traded his KL in for a JLU like a year ago... :( But he's still a cool guy...

[@fearlesscherokee9701]

Hello Everyone, isn't it, that the lowrange in the KL Trailhawk is placed in the diff-housings and there is no center transfer case. So, maybe is the problem? Proberbly not machanicaly, but in the electronic controls?

[@Arlatube]

Thanks for the post on the diff. That is a huge concern for existing owners (my 17) and potential buyers. If I didn't already own it I would definitely not buy one.

[@CarGuy11]

That sucks was the rear locked when it broke?

[@FearlessTrailhawk]

Nope. I think if it would have been locked it might not have broken, but from the small load that broke it, it would have happened either that day or soon. And to be honest, the location it broke was honestly one of the better places...very easy to get me out and under my own power.

[@offtherocksfishing_officia974]

Can someone please tell me the difference between the 2017 and 2019 model?

[@FearlessTrailhawk]

Huge overhaul of many little things. Asthetics aside, amazing LED headlights, more responsive touchscreen and controls, 1,000% better nav because they bought the rights to use Garmin's software. Those are the bits that stick out to me having owned both, it really did fix many of the little 'death by papercuts' issues that the gen1 KL had.

[@offtherocksfishing_officia974]

@@FearlessTrailhawk thank you my good friend has a fwd 1st gen kl and I think its a nice car but the trailhawk intrigues me the most..I’ll be coming over from an xc70

[@MotoMavrick1000]

I would love to link up with my trailhawk. Where are you from? I'm from the PNW. I do lots of trail riding and snowwheeling in mine.

[@FearlessTrailhawk]

Ummm, Ohio my friend, Ohio.

[@MotoMavrick1000]

@@FearlessTrailhawk well shit lol 😆

[@Max-ow5wo]

Where do you store the oversized spare? I have a roof rack that I have mine on but I’m looking for other solutions. Do you know of any aftermarket bumper mounts or hitch mounts?

[@FearlessTrailhawk]

I have a video about that..store my spare vertically in the rear cargo area.

[@Max-ow5wo]

@@FearlessTrailhawk does it take up a lot of space?

[@aidanreyes3572]

How much does it cost to replace the difs? I’m about to pull the trigger on a 2016 TH.

[@FearlessTrailhawk]

2,500 OEM, or much cheaper if you get used from pick-n-pulls. Thankfully the blue one was covered under warranty.

[@riverbankfisher]

How do the diffs in a Cherokee compare with those of a Grand Cherokee for durability offroad? I drive a 2004 Jeep GC WJ along fairly gentle offroad trails, hence my curiosity. I'd been toying with buying a 2019 Cherokee, but not if the diffs are a known weak link.

[@FearlessTrailhawk]

No idea on how they compare. Thats an 18 year difference in build designs and techniques. I've known lots of KL owners who take theirs offroad often with no failures. You just see much less videos and reviews posted from the people who have no complaints, as they have no reason to be vocal or mad about it.

[@riverbankfisher]

@@FearlessTrailhawk This reply is appreciated. I'll sit on the fence a while longer and watch online reviews over the next year or so.

[@70xr7Cougar]

Planning to buy one for a long time but now i'm worried seeing 2 diffs break down on one trip...

[@FearlessTrailhawk]

And yet there are plenty of ppl who wheel theirs every other weekend and never have any issues. Just poor luck for two to go on the same ride.

[@70xr7Cougar]

@@FearlessTrailhawk yeah probably...always tricky buying a car it seems...

[@SultanTabuk1]

Any advice? To not brack the Diff😢. 118km now 🤐. Without any oil change for TR and both diff🙄. Sultan from Saudi Arabia 🐪

[@FearlessTrailhawk]

Nothing you can really control. Don't bounce it on the rocks is about the only thing you can do. Basically, the same advice to try to avoid breaking a solid axle applies to ours. Sometimes they are just weak and will go whenever they go. Each diff failure i've had has been under only a light load.

[@joskjj3625]

Ever considered a grand Cherokee trailhawk?

[@FearlessTrailhawk]

If i can get a good deal on a new WL 4XE i just might go for it.

[@bjornironsides6474]

Wow two in the same day? I was really looking at getting one of these for all around driver, but that shouldn't happen. I wonder how common that is, but two examples on same day doesn't look good. :(

[@FearlessTrailhawk]

Yet there are some that wheel every other week and have never had an issue...

[@bjornironsides6474]

@@FearlessTrailhawk Very strange. That's one of the last things I'd expect to fail unless it had a lot of miles and hard use.

[@adrokk2515]

When you say removal of your warranty. .do you mean that FCA voided it?

[@FearlessTrailhawk]

Yup, on recommendation of the local service manager who went on a power trip.

[@adrokk2515]

@@FearlessTrailhawk Wow, dick move on their part. Are you appealing it?

[@FearlessTrailhawk]

@@adrokk2515 i tried, corporate just stopped responding. Their line was usually "we have to follow what the dealership recommends." My next option would have been to lawyer up, but that was also a big expense. Yes it sucks, but now i'm free to do aftermarket parts with no fear. Though i'm something like 6k into repairs since. (including the front diff that started it all)

[@syncrovanCos]

So, are these cars that bad and unreliable ?

[@FearlessTrailhawk]

No, and yes. There are plenty of people who take theirs out every other week and have never had an issue. Sometimes its good, sometimes its not. Anything can break, at any point, on any car. Sometimes the law of random chance lines two of those up at the same time. But i don't know a single wrangler that offroads often that hasn't had to make expensive repairs, so i don't know. I know modern vehicles are much less reliable than older builds, but that is simply a case of 'they dont build stuff like they used to'. I'm still enjoying mine, so my opinion is a bit biased.

[@MasterJcX]

Any plans on hosting another trailhawk ride?!

[@FearlessTrailhawk]

If i ever get it back with a functioning 4wd...yes. Until then I'm not making any plans. I've already had to cancel soo much stuff this fall.

[@MasterJcX]

@@FearlessTrailhawk sorry to hear you are out at the moment! Hope you get up and running again soon!

[@FearlessTrailhawk]

Me too! Had hoped to be able to supplement with the (now) ex gf's gladiator...but well...it is what it is...

[@ryanb8466]

Get a real jeep dude. A stock wrangler would effortlessly do all them trails without breaking.

[@FearlessTrailhawk]

Yeah, your right no stock wrangler has ever had a mechanical failure due to bad parts. With as much wheeling as i do, i'm surprised more hasn't broken. But i will continue to wheel this, since it apparently hurts so many feelings. :D

[@dannsetzer3689]

As long as you're replacing your differentials can't you upgrade them

[@FearlessTrailhawk]

@@dannsetzer3689 please show me an upgrade for the KL...

[@df7242]

Stick with a jeep. Don’t go Ford if anything get yourself a wrangler. And why not upgrade your diff rather than go oem

[@FearlessTrailhawk]

Haha, you got an aftermarket diff for the KL that the rest of us don't about? I have heard a rumor of one of the major gear companies researching the KLs...