The recall affects 2005 to 2010 Grand Cherokees and 2006 to 2010 Commanders, according to a report posted on the National Highway Traffic Administration's website.
Chrysler says the problem has caused 26 crashes and two injuries. Chrysler will notify owners and dealers will update software to take care of the problem. Chrysler found cracks in a circuit board that turns the four-wheel-drive system on and off.
Repairs will be made at no cost to owners.
The recall covers 295,000 vehicles in the U.S. alone, 28,500 in Canada, and 4,200 in Mexico. The remaining 141,000 are outside North America.
In documents filed with the National Highway Traffic Administration, the company says it began looking into the problem after a customer complained that an SUV rolled away in January of 2012 after being started remotely.