7.6

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$860
Average Mileage:
18,750 miles
Total Complaints:
71 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. not sure (47 reports)
  2. not fixed (20 reports)
  3. replace transmission (2 reports)
  4. software update (2 reports)
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This problem may be covered under warranty. Ask your Jeep dealer.

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #31

Jun 192016

Cherokee Limited V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 34,000 miles

This 9-speed transmission demonstrates difficulties in the lower gears. Sometimes there a a delay when pressing on the gas. Sometimes there is a delay in shifting to the next gear. Sometimes it jerks into the next lower gear when decelerating, causing a lurch. At freeway speeds, there is a definite delay in pressing the accelerator, complicating proper speed maintenance and passing.

- Greg V., Scottsdale, AZ, US

problem #30

Sep 122016

Cherokee Limited 4x4 2.4L 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 13,000 miles

My Jeep has always shifted gears very poorly. This was my first brand new car purchase, so initially I thought it was a normal thing, but it got worse and worse over time. Anytime I wanted to change lanes and accelerate, the transmission felt like it was in neutral, wouldn't move and then all of a sudden a huge jerk and kick into 2nd gear. It feels like your getting rare ended.

- Brent F., Chicago, IL, US

problem #29

Oct 172015

Cherokee Trailhawk

  • Automatic transmission
  • 300 miles

I have been disputing the transmission problems with Chrysler since a few months after purchasing the vehicle. There has been no resolution and I am currently having the case reviewed by a third party. This vehicle is unsafe and needs to be recalled before there is a bad accident because of it. I should not have to wonder if my vehicle is going to stall in the lane or dart out into oncoming traffic. This is the worst vehicle I have ever owned!

FCA and Chrysler Fiat execs would not allow their family members to drive this vehicle so why do they expect consumers too. Something needs to be done! They take no ownership of the safety problems and refuse to offer any assistance.

- jw7366, Oshkosh, WI, US

problem #28

Jul 052015

Cherokee Lattitude 3.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 805 miles

I have taken it to the local Jeep dealer several times for the same issue. They replaced the transmissions but the original problem persists. Transmissions jerks into gear, goes out of gear, slams back into gear, and has totally stopped working while trying to enter a freeway.

- Kevin O., Austin, US

problem #27

Mar 012016

Cherokee TrailHawk 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 8,000 miles

2015 Jeep Trailhawk Hardly any miles and Transmission NO GOOD! Took it to Dealer JW. Of course nothing wrong with it! They are full of it LOOK IT UP HAPPENING TO LOTS OF THESE VEHICLES! How do we get a class action LAW suit going People. I dont understand how car dealers sell you a NEW VECHILE AND say aww theres nothing wrong, when the transmission jerks jumps slips u name it its doing it! I have read LOTS OF COMPLAINTS about these same issues something has got to be DONE BEFORE WE ALL GET KILLED FROM THERE BS! LIES! The money we pay and the sh*t we get!! ANGERS ME!!! CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT NEEDS TO START!!!

Update from Apr 5, 2017: ok So have taken it back to Jeef wyler Ft.Thomas Ky. 3 more times for same issue and they WILL NOT ACKOWNLEDGE THE PROBLEM! One of the men drove it and did say yes has issues but then will not back us up on it! THIS IS A SUCH BS! Called Chyrsler spoke to a nice lady but she said they were saying people dont know how drive them! LMAO! Not our 1st vechile and Automatic! REALLY CHRYSLER! BACK YOUR WARRANTY! WE REALLY NEED A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT!!

- Paula&Bob P., Alexandria, KY, US

problem #26

Dec 012015

Cherokee Limited 3.2V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 8,400 miles

I loved this suv. This is my 3rd jeep and the WORST ever. My dad works for the corporation so I have to buy a Chrysler. Knowing the 14's had some issues I was leery but bought the 2015 Cherokee anyhow. The transmission jumps ahead in low gears, The transmission revs rpms at 5th gear and ether lunges, slips or clunks jerking the whole car. At 4 months old , I had to get a software update and a relearn of the transmission. It was better but still not great. After a few more months we are back to where we were. I just got done with my 2nd software update and 2nd relearn of the system. Day two , same issues. Only this is not on every day so they have to " catch the car " having an issue? Really? I know the dealer as well as the corporation is aware of this. There is no real solution and I know I have a car that will not hold its value. 38,000 for a car you would think it would be reliable. It is a pain to keep taking the car in, and not feeling my car is working properly.

- Ronda V., La Porte, IN, US

problem #25

Jun 012016

Cherokee Trailhawk V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 20,000 miles

Bought the 2015 Trailhawk brand new. Drove like a dream. Really loved this car until 1 1/2 yrs. & 20K miles it began having problems with accelerating from a stop & 2 & 3 gears having a hard bump. Dealership has had my car for 2 months. Replaced the transmission with a new one. Can't get the check engine light off & others. Car drives worse than before. Still do not have my Jeep after 2 months in the shop. Jeep's techs are assisting the dealers techs. Nothing has solved the issues.

- cgtimes2, Katy, TX, US

problem #24

Jun 162015

Cherokee Trailhawk 3.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 2,910 miles

I purchased this on 11/14. Now we don't use this much seeing we have 3 other cars. This has had numerous recalls and TSB's done on it, more than any other new car I've owned and I've purchased over 14 in my life. The transmission in this is pure garbage and a danger to ones life. My wife who is the main driver hated but got use to the lunging when letting off the gas but after the R01 update she stopped driving it and now sits in our driveway collecting dust. Numerous times while coming to a stop she would give it gas as a light changed or passing through an intersection and either the jeep would hesitate moving or jerk and spin the wheels if you gave it more gas. Clunking gears, shifting at the wrong times, this should be recalled by the government. She nearly got into an accident and stopped driving it. We usually keep our cars for the long run, but doubt that will be the story with this junk! Back to Gm after this.

- petersny, Babylon, NY, US

problem #23

Jul 152016

Cherokee

  • Automatic transmission
  • 28,000 miles

Still having the same transmission issues, happens more frequently but still randomly. Took into dealership and they insist nothing is wrong with the car. I have driven many cars and none have ever done this, especially when brand new. We have had cars that had transmission issues but they also had between 100k & 200k miles on them when the issues started! Really sucks that you know something is wrong with the car and you can't get it acknowledged let alone fixed.

- C D., Willis, MI, US

problem #22

Jul 172016

Cherokee Latitude 3.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 35,390 miles

Transmission was replaced at 20,000 miles. Recurring problem, taken to dealer several times without permanent fix.

- Mike G., Wixom, MI, US

problem #21

Oct 162015

Cherokee V4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 10,203 miles

The service department knows there is a big problem with the Cherokee transmission, because corporate has told them to lie to me. This is a new ZF transmission that came out in 2014. Chrysler knew there was a problem but let the cars be delivered to the dealers anyway. Now I found out there is a class action suit against Chrysler for this same reason. I have brought this car back to the dealer six times to no avail. Transmission is a nightmare and dangerous.

I hate being stonewalled like this. This is my third Jeep that I have purchased. If Chrysler doesn't buy back this car I will never ever buy another Chrysler product again.

- katny, Whitestone, NY, US

problem #20

May 222016

Cherokee Latitude 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 21,500 miles

Just got the vehicle. The transmission shifts like a 16 year old learning a manual transmission. I can deal with that. Then it bucked my pregnant wife and I into traffic due to a delay in finding the gear. I was on a downslope so this effect was pronounced and it thrusted me also into the far lane.. Also a random downshift in the middle of the highway caused a rapid unsafe deceleration in high speed traffic.

These two issues are what changes my perception of this transmission from a nuisance to a safety concern.

- claytonw, Cornelius, NC, US

problem #19

Jul 052016

Cherokee Limited 4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 11,000 miles

While traveling to work, the car lurched from 63 to 68 so suddenly I was forced to slam on the brakes. When I took it to the dealership, they said they are unable to duplicate the problem. They wouldn't even take it in to be looked at this time! The service guy rode with me, and said it is operating as designed. When I said it lags going uphill, he said it is supposed to do that. I said, "so it's not supposed to go up hills?" His response was, "It's a 4 cylinder." Seriously?? I live in upstate NY. I drive 30 miles each way to work, the grocery store, the doctor... I was told by Chrysler that because I continue to drive the lemon, it must not be an issue. It's my only vehicle, and I have to get to work. This has been going on for 6 months.

- melissa927, Remsen, NY, US

problem #18

Jun 062016

Cherokee S

  • Automatic transmission
  • 24,800 miles

Transmission again started to hesitate when attempting to accelerate. Very dangerous situation. This happened previously (will log under another complaint) and dealership reset the computer system, told us nothing was wrong and dismissed the concern. After they reset computer it did work for several months without concern. The hesitation in acceleration occurred for about a week before we went on vacation and the entire transmission failed on the highway (another complaint will be filed for the complete failure). We had to be towed back to the dealership for the failure and again it is a software problem that they are aware of, but failed to notify customers. This failure could have been fatal.

I do not feel safe in my vehicle or that I can take it on long car trips (i.e. more than 30 minutes). This is a brand new vehicle and if I wanted a clunker I would have bought a used vehicle and taken my changes. Part of what you are buying with a new car is the safety and security of knowing you won’t have to deal with these issues with LESS THAN 25K miles on the car.

What if this were at night? What if I was alone with my child? What if it wasn’t normal business hours? What if we were 10 hours from home and in the middle of nowhere? What if this was your 18 year old daughter up in the mountains and in the ice and snow and her transmission failed? What if we were in a horrible car accident and someone was injured or worse, what if it was fatal? I’ve never been more disappointed with a company for failing to put basic respect and safety in front of the bottom line. My questions for Jeep are what are you going to do to make this right? What are you going to do to make this better and make our car safe?

- berin, Jamestown, NC, US

problem #17

May 302016

Cherokee Trailhawk

  • Automatic transmission
  • 7,800 miles

Leased a brand new 2015 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk in September 2015. All seemed well until early November when, with a mere 1789 miles on the clock (total!), I was driving in highway traffic at highway speeds and there was a 'ding', the 'Service Transmission' message flashed, sudden grinding noise with sever vibration hit the car and I lost acceleration and speed. Fast! It was pure luck that the person behind me was far enough back (at 70 mph) to maneuver around me while I tried to hit the warning lights.

Managed to limp home (dealership is closed on Sundays) and had to have the vehicle towed in the next day. One software update later and all seemed ... ok. While the big issue was "resolved", the vehicle was sluggish and slow to respond.

After it's first service, a new software update was flashed - since then I've noticed gear slippage and it seems like 2nd gear is being skipped completely!!

This is a major accident waiting to happen - I do not feel safe driving this vehicle at all and it seems the only comeback I have is to keep applying software updated.

- Marc H., Denver, CO, US

problem #16

Dec 012014

Cherokee Trailhawk

  • Automatic transmission
  • 3,000 miles

A letter I have mailed in to Chrysler/Jeep headquarters...I want this issue resolved... Let me start by saying that I love JEEP! My last Jeep was a 1998 Grand Cherokee and I had that thing for 260,000 miles! I love my Jeep but I have a concern. There is a transmission/shifting issue that occurs with my 2015 Automatic -9 speed Cherokee Trailhawk very often and has me questioning the safety of this vehicle.

Here is an example, I come up to a stop sign with cross traffic that doesn’t stop with a MPH limit of 50, I get a gap big enough for me to go straight through the intersection. I put my foot on the gas pedal, Jeep slowly advances forward but is not engaging into the correct gear, we are starting out in 3rd gear! when it should be shifted into 1st gear, so as I coast through these lanes of oncoming traffic, I am rocking back and forth in my seat saying “come on Jeep, shift! Let’s Go!” as I look to my left and right and see cars getting closer to me, my heart beats a little quicker at this point, especially when my 2 year old son is in the car with me. Then finally half way through the intersection Jeep drops down hard into 1st gear from 3rd gear and BOOM we are off, whiplash, sounds of a transmission fallen to the ground, heart beating so fast as if I just sprinted a few hundred yards but we get across the road in the knick of time of the oncoming traffic! This same scenario has happened more than I can keep track of and I could go on and on with stories but I think you get the picture.

This issue happens so much that I just don’t know what to do. The dealership that I have taken my Jeep to, of course, cannot duplicate my issue but they are told that this is a common complaint that they have been receiving from other 2015 Jeep Cherokee owners. If this is such a huge complaint, why isn’t anything being done about it? I have done a lot of research and read so many reviews on this exact thing that I am talking about and I cannot believe that there is nothing being done about this. I have also had the software updates done to my Jeep and it has not helped.

I did get a recall notice for possible incorrect information in the User Guide/Owner’s Manual regarding flat towing vehicles which may result in vehicle shake while flat towing over rough roads. This is recalled but a transmission issue isn’t? Nice to know where your priorities are at…

Jeep claims that they depend on the satisfaction of their customers for the success of their business and are constantly monitoring the quality of their products and looking for ways to improve their vehicles, even after they are sold. I am not asking for anything except for this issue to be resolved. I have taken my car to the dealership a few times for the same issue, all those times they are unable to duplicate this issue I talk about. I can’t afford to have a rental for an extended period of time and I can’t keep taking time off work to take my car in. I keep hearing rumors that there is going to be a recall, well I have had this Jeep for awhile now, no recall has come out and of course my mileage is near the ‘out of warranty’ period. As I am typing this my Jeep has 35,485 miles.

I know Jeep has acknowledged this issue but I would like to have Jeep come up with a solution. As I said before, I love my Jeep but because this issue is a safety hazard, I feel, I am seriously considering getting rid of this Jeep and never buying another one again. I spent a lot of money on this purchase to finally get something new and get something awesome, yet, all I feel is disappointment and worry.

- Jamie G., Washougal, WA, US

problem #15

Jan 022015

Cherokee Trailhawk V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 33,000 miles

The transmission on this series of vehicle absolutely sucks!!! At least once a week, when accelerating and coming up to 45 MPH, the transmission will "chunk" into the next gear. While that is annoying, it's not as bad as the bigger problem.... When approaching a stop sign, if you don't come to a complete, 100% stop (by that, I mean the entire vehicle doesn't move...at all), the vehicle will SIGNIFICANTLY hesitate as the transmission tries to figure out whether to move forward in either first or second gear.

The latter problem might sound rather insignificant...but when trying to move through a busy 4-way intersection with traffic waiting to enter the flow, we have almost been "clipped" in the quarter panel by vehicles trying to come through, but waiting for our sluggish vehicle to clear the intersection! Thankfully, neither my wife or I have any neck injuries, because the sudden jerk (when it does finally accelerate) could cause additional injury.

- dspaits, Lancaster, CA, US

problem #14

May 222016

(reported on)

Cherokee Limited 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 1,000 miles

My complaint is about the same as everyone else, the first 3 gears are an absolute nightmare when shifting gear. They are very hard, jerking shifts, but I think I could actually live with that if it wasn't for the hesitation when you press the accelerator. The worst part for me is the pause while you wait for the transmission to engage when you start from a stop, or even a slowdown in lower gears. I'm a fairly aggressive driver and when I hit the accelerator I expect to go, not sit there, think about life for a second, then go balls to the wall and squeal the tires as we lurch forward.

I've had 3 software updates so far and it just seems to be getting worse all the time. The real annoying part is I take it to the shop and they say, yea we hear that a lot, but that's how it's designed and there's an update coming out soon that will fix it. I feel like Jeep at the least owes me a new set of tires.

Thanks for listening, just had to throw this out there hoping for a solution, I really like the look and options of the Cherokee otherwise. But the transmission kills the whole package.

- denverrr3, Woodbury, MN, US

problem #13

Sep 012015

Cherokee Latitude V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 10,000 miles

Another fun tranmission issue with the 2015 Jeep Cherokee. I have not called and complained about this one because it is minor compared to the other issues with the transmission. Often times I am waiting to make a left turn in an intersection and when I am ready to go I hit the gas and the car forgets to start moving for a short time. Certainly long enough to get into an accident if I dont give myself plenty of time. Dangerous, but I have been lucky and careful.

- jeepproblems, Elmwood Park, IL, US

problem #12

Mar 232015

Cherokee Trailhawk V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 100 miles

The C9 transmission has been horrible from the day I drove it off the lot. I've had one re-flash, which I think made it worse. Hard shifting. 1 thru 3 gears are horrible. Worse thing is when you are moving slow, then accelerate. The tranny doesn't know what gear to choose. Seems like it dogs in 3rd (its favorite gear at low speeds), then might downshift to second if you really get on it........sometimes squealing the tires.

I really don't know why this can't be fixed, but my dealer says they can't do anything until Jeep sends new software. Higher gears are ok. Also, when you accelerate from a dead stop, it's not too bad.

- Greg N., Granger, IN, US

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