7.9

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
No data
Average Mileage:
10,200 miles
Total Complaints:
71 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. not sure (64 reports)
  2. replace transmission (3 reports)
  3. problem fixed (2 reports)
  4. insist on replacing batch of bad transmissions (1 reports)
  5. software updates (1 reports)
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This problem may be covered under warranty. Ask your Jeep dealer.

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #31

Aug 142013

Grand Cherokee Overland V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 2,500 miles

I am having the same issue with everyone regarding the transmission, it jerks mainly in stop and go traffic, it hesitates when accelerating . I have brought it to two different dealers, they all agree that there is an issue but no fix. I first brought to Jeep Dealer near San Francisco, for it's first software update , which might of helped a few hundred miles and then the issue returned, I just picked it up today for it's second software update. The service writer was not very positive that the update would fix the issue , probably from previous complaints of other owners

I will get back to the forum with an update once I go back to work this week , in bay area traffic.

What pisses me off is that all these complaints about this vehicle will defiantly lower the resale value of the Grand Cherokee.

As soon as the warranty is the car is gone.

Has anyone been contacted by an attorney's office regarding a class action law suit, I received a letter last week .

Just wondering if anyone has contacted them ?

- Michael K., Redwood City, CA, US

problem #30

Nov 252014

Grand Cherokee Summit V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 5,400 miles

After replacing the transmission the prior week, I picked it up on a Monday, November 24 and drove it home. The next day, I had the problem again.

When turning on 4 lane road (2 in one direction and two in another), the vehicle started to go across the intersection. It appeared to try to shift to 2nd, but the car stopped moving (like it was in neutral). I had to start blowing the horn as oncoming cars were coming at a high rate of speed. I could have killed. I immediately call the dealership. They picked the car up and drove it back to the dealership. They ran numerous tests on the car and could not duplicate the problem. They called and told me the car was ready.

I have severe reservation about getting back in a vehicle that I could have been killed in and drive it away when I know, the dealership knows and Chrysler knows, they couldn’t duplicate the problem and they didn’t fix anything. So, basically, I will be driving a ticking time bomb that could blow up at any time. My wife, kids and grandkids could be in jeopardy and other drivers on the road.

I paid over 50K for this vehicle, only to find myself stressed out over this fact. I cannot get back into this vehicle knowing nothing was corrected and I was almost killed.

- kschleic, Jarrettsville, MD, US

problem #29

Sep 022014

Grand Cherokee Laredo 3.6L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 5,359 miles

Vehicle started a jerking motion when shifting to third gear after 5,000 miles. Has been to the dealership twice, where they have done "software updates" to the transmission computer. Problem has noticeably reduced, but still apparent on the first 5 miles of the day, when vehicle is not warmed up to normal temp. I live in South FL so its not a "winter" cold situation. After the first 5 miles problem is gone. There is a "burnt butter" smell in the cabin of vehicle when fast accelerating (going from 0 to 70mph). I suspect it is somewhat related, but the dealership stated they could not reproduce it. Google searched to see if other people were reporting the issue and found this website. Hope Chrysler takes notice! This is a brand new truck and an amazing one at that. So far the problem is merely an annoyance, but I am concerned that something will end up going kaput later down the line (and when I am no longer in warranty!)

- linus75, Aventura, FL, US

problem #28

Sep 012014

Grand Cherokee Limited 3.6L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 8,000 miles

Auto tranny started shifting hard when shifting from first to second and second to third. Then again when shifting from second to first. Very noticeable when tranny fluid is cold. Took into dealer where purchased (130 miles away) and couldn't get tranny to repeat the problem, go figure! The tranny fluid was approx. 170 degrees F. when I arrived at the dealership. This is a continual annoying, and possibly down the road, costly problem that should be addressed by the manufacturer.

When I first called the dealership, I had mentioned that I had two problems, tranny and brakes. This was due to the abrupt stop as I pulled up to a stop sign or light. Now I'm fairly certain that the abruptness is due to the tranny shifting into first gear just as the vehicle comes to a stop.

Chrysler has a very nice vehicle in the Grand Cherokee. Don't think you could find a more comfortable vehicle to ride in. Hope they step up to the plate and address this problem with the new 8 speed auto.

Update from Nov 9, 2014: Transmission shifted smooth as silk for the first 6,000 miles or so.

- theckel, Gillette, WY, US

problem #27

Sep 232014

Grand Cherokee 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 1,200 miles

Drove vehicle to GA from Ky back in Sept. Coming back, gear was stuck n 3rd. We pulled off highway and put in park and started out again. Transmission started acting up after that. When you go from 1st to 2nd and then 3rd, shifts hard. Upper gears seem fine. Going from 3rd to 2nd down to 1st, it jerks you and feels like back end is gonna fall out. Had it to dealership once and did upgrade and still not fixed. Currently in shop now.

This is 4th Jeep we have owned and never any issues. I sure hope they get this fixed. Very annoying especially being new vehicle

- mcpeek, Raceland, KY, US

problem #26

Sep 012014

Grand Cherokee Overland Summit V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 5,000 miles

My second Jeep in garage, other one is a v8 without issues. This is (was) a near perfect vehicle until the transmission went. Now, every trip is annoying and regrets creeping in about choosing this car. Shifting from 2nd to 1st when moving into a slow stop, has a jerk maneuver that is repeatable. Also noted to be a rough shift when accelerating but not as annoying. This needs a fix or a recall or something. Agree may be less noticeable if car is very warm--and did seem to come on after about 5000 miles or so.

Have taken to dealer and they "didn't notice a problem." Hmmmmmm. Help Chrysler!

- rockdoc, Appleton, WI, US

problem #25

Mar 122014

Grand Cherokee Limited 5.7L Hemi

  • Automatic transmission
  • 2,215 miles

This vehicle has been back to the dealer numerous times for a wide array of problems, the most frustrating problem (the transmission} they say is supposed to function the way it does. I cannot believe that this vehicle is supposed to jump and jerk and vibrate the way it does to be operating normally. The dealer service department says that it is a software issue and there is no fix or repair available at this time. I have owned many different makes and models of cars trucks and SUVs and have never had an issue like this with a vehicle with only 4,000 mile on it. If there is anyone out there with the same issues that I have please reach out to me and let me hear about it.

- biker57, Staten Island, NY, US

problem #24

May 012014

Grand Cherokee Limited 3.6L Vvt

  • Automatic transmission
  • 6,000 miles

Back in May we noticed a slight jerk when stopping. It would jerk from second into 1st gear. This lunging effect had the potential of causing an accident if we needed to stop and was lunged into another car, or worse a pedestrian. We went to the dealership to find a fix and a software update had been released to correct the issue. once installed, the software installation corrected the issue for approximately 50 miles before it started again. The second time, a manufacture valve body update to the transmission was on its way to fix the problem. once that was received by the dealership, we returned the jeep for the repair. After 3 days, we received the vehicle back and before leaving the dealership, i immediately noticed something was wrong. I turned from the parking lot of the dealership onto the road and the car seemed to die. However, with the engine revving immensely to about 7k rpms before slamming into 3rd gear past second skidding forward. I immediately returned to the dealer repair shop. When he drove it, the Jeep did not do it because he gradually accelerated from a stop to a full throttle. Normally, i will press the peddle approximately halfway down and the car will do just fine. I was told that the new valve body needed to be broken in so let it drive and let them know if we have further problems. about 3 weeks later and no change, we were at a stoplight and it did the lunge again tossing my dogs around in the car. My wife was furious by the lack of control we were experiencing by the vehicle. We had an appointment to get it looked at again but before we could make the appointment, my wife was driving to the store and only made it a few miles before the transmission got stuck in 2nd gear, a bad smell filled the cabin and the RPMs were at 7.5k. She pulled over to let it cool. I immediately called the shop to get them to look at it. It is currently in the shop and i am told that it may get a transmission change out because the technicians are not supposed to go too in depth at the shop. Chrysler wants to do all the repairs at the depot level at their plant. More to come and i will attach my vin to this when i can to ensure its validity but know i am not kidding when we felt pretty pissed to have this problem on such an expensive car. We are now probably going to push for lemon law if this does not get fixed.

- michaelhi, Ewa Beach, HI, US

problem #23

Sep 192014

Grand Cherokee Laredo 3.6L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 5,100 miles

Overall the Jeep is a beautiful and fun car to drive. I love the interior layout and quality, although the paddle shifters are too easy to engage when you did not plan on engaging them.

My major concern is that my transmission started shifting roughly (2nd to third gear up-shifts) at about 4500 miles, which is pathetic. I am currently leasing the car, and would buy it at the end of the lease if it still ran well, but that is currently not the case with the transmission issue.

- pmarch7288, Farmingville, NY, US

problem #22

Aug 062014

Grand Cherokee

  • Automatic transmission
  • 5,000 miles

Bought my new 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland V6 4x4 in March 2014 (build date 12/2013) and started to notice around 5,000 miles very rough downshifts from 2nd gear to 1st gear while crawling to a full stop in heavy traffic...doesn't matter what "mode" the transmission is set in (ECO on, ECO off, or Sport). The first time it happened the downshift to 1st gear was so rough I thought someone had hit me in the rear. This condition mostly happens when the vehicle hasn't fully warmed up yet, and gets better when the vehicle has reached full operating temperature. It's as if the transmission stays in 2nd gear too long before finally shifting to 1st gear.

I am a member of multiple Jeep web sites, and have read that Chrysler does not have a fix yet for the later build Grand Cherokee. So far I have lodged a complaint with Chrysler Customer Service, and will take it to the dealership where I purchased the vehicle so they can make an assessment.

This is my second 2014 Grand Cherokee V6 that has had transmission issues, the first I traded in because it was so bad.

- Sean, MA, USA

- seanq, Billerica, MA, US

problem #21

Aug 142014

Grand Cherokee Limited 4X4 3.6L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 11,536 miles

Transmission has an annoying jerk when up shifting and a REALLY annoying jerk when down shifting into first gear. I informed the dealership on 8/26 when I took it in for a recall. Service underwriter suggested that "I drive for a few hundred miles to see if the software upgrade that was just applied resolved the problem". Well, after heeding that advice the problem persists.

Just called the service department at Chrysler to informed them that the problem is still present. They advised that I need not bring it in today but wait until my regular maintenance of an oil change to have the problem checked then.

I will be updating this complaint after the service call in early Oct.

Update from Nov 30, 2014: Sorry for the delay in updating this problem, however i hope you will agreed that the delay will be worth the wait.

Chrysler provided a fix to the problem via "bulletin" 21-012014 Rev. A dated July 9, 2014. I took the Jeep in for a service to include any updates, stressing to the service underwriter the need to fix the transmission. Following an intensive search, the underwriter located the service bulletin above. This bulletin took four hours to download and update on my vehicle but IT FIXED THE PROBLEM!! Transmission not performs smoothly, without the jerking. But there was a drop in gas mileage which i hope is temporary.

- Ted W., Bowie, MD, US

problem #20

Jun 022014

Grand Cherokee Overland 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 3,432 miles

I purchased my new 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee in February and started to notice really bad jerking in shifting a few months ago. It also stays in first gear too long before shifting to 2nd gear. I was told by my dealer that they have had complaints and no fixes yet.. I will continue to battle my dealer and Chrysler until this matter is resolved!

This is a significant flaw in their 8 speed transmission and needs to be addressed. I am very unsatisfied with the performance of this transmission.

- Trent K., Menomonie, WI, US

problem #19

Jun 192014

Grand Cherokee

  • Automatic transmission
  • 7,200 miles

Have had transmission problems for a long time now. Took it in twice already (within 3 weeks time) and they tell me they reset and update the transmission. I am getting annoyed. I asked if it's like my computer where I have to install updates all the time but they said no and that I shouldn't ever need to come get this done. Especially after only having it for 9-10 months! It doesn't work right and it sounds terrible. I think the problem is we have the Eco Button, Sport Mode and Paddle Shifters. I do use the sport mode but it shouldn't be there if you can't use it without wrecking it. We were on a road trip and we were getting on the interstate - my husband had the gas pedal floored but we weren't really moving - almost got hit - pretty scary. I hope my Jeep gets replaced under the Lemon Law because it's terrible! There is a recall on the brakes too but I'm on a waiting list to get that fixed.

- Paula K., Elmwood Park, WI, US

problem #18

Oct 152013

Grand Cherokee Limited 5.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 500 miles

Overall, the new 8 speed transmission for the 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited is a pain in the butt. It is not smooth shifting at all, and I anticipate the shift every time I get in the car, making me anxious when driving it. They really made a mistake with the transmission in the new models, and I am strongly considering trading it in, given this issue and the extremely uncomfortable and painful drivers seat. This is Jeep is not something that I would recommend to anyone else looking for a new car, especially at this price point, the public and Jeep fans deserve much better.

- caryjeep, Cary, NC, US

problem #17

Apr 072014

Grand Cherokee Limited 3.6L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 4,500 miles

At approx. 4500 miles my 2014 Grand Cherokee started shifting rough from 2nd to 3rd but not all the time.

I have taken it to my dealer who has checked to make sure I have correct fluid level and soft ware updates. The dealer has told me there is no fix at this time and it may go away. They think there have been enough complaints that Chrysler will come up with a fix.

I really like the vehicle except for the transmission and will not buy another Chrysler product if they don't come up with a fix. I had a Toyota before and never had a single problem, so much for Detroit! RON

- mullenny, Canandaigua, NY, US

problem #16

Jul 242014

Grand Cherokee Limited 5.7L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 2,500 miles

Car slips into Neutral at low speeds. Usually this is when taking a right hand turn but it's happened other times as well.

- ceverman, Seattle, WA, US

problem #15

Jun 242014

Grand Cherokee Limited 5.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 15,700 miles

I am overall very happy with the Grand Cherokee. I have no problems with acceleration (5.7L) as reported by others. However, the problem I have is a "jerk" or "clunk" in the transmission that happens in stop/go traffic or sometimes at traffic lights. This happens when I have my foot on the brake while in Drive, release the brake and about a second or two later, there is a very noticeable jerk, without even pressing the accelerator. It jerks hard enough to feel like the car behind had tapped the rear bumper. In fact, the first time it happened, I thought I got lightly rear-ended. The transmission temp is normal at about 192*F and the gear indicator shows that it is in 1st and not shifting up or down when this happens. I can't say that it happens like clockwork, seems very random....but always only when releasing the brake while in Drive. No other problems with shifting up of down all gears.

I brought it to the attention of the dealer, they updated the trans software. I thought that was the fix until it started happening again soon after.

The next time I go in for service, probably at 20k miles, I will talk to them about it again....maybe Jeep will have made a service bulletin about it by then with enough complaints.

And one of the users previously mentioned that their older Grand Cherokee was like a little tank....I agree. I had a 2001 before the 2014, and the '01 definitely like a tank. The '14 is more like a cross between a Jeep and a Corvette (with the HEMI).

- edwierdo, Alexandria, VA, US

problem #14

Apr 172014

Grand Cherokee Limited 5.7L Hemi V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 200 miles

I love this car! The look, the interior, the feel, the tightness, the power! Its' all great but...

The **^%%$&# transmission is enough to make me regret ever buying this thing. Every single time I drive it I get mad and feel ripped off. I have a HUGE mistrust with the Jeep/Chrysler brand because this obviously is a very common problem with a whole stack of bullshit "fixes" that are more like pacifiers to shut us up.

I wanted to be a huge advocate and fan of the Jeep brand really bad. I was very excited to be part of the "Jeep Club".

This is my first Jeep and the whole "It's a Jeep thing" lore sounds like the hypnotic trance of a cult who has been brainwashed into silence about how bad these cars suck mechanically.

Shifting into reverse makes a LOUD banging noise - Dealer (Dodge City McKinney) Says: No codes, no problems. "All transmissions make noise sir, cars are not silent" (Really you colossal douche? Please don't treat us like we're stupid and try to skate out of owning up to a VERY common problem because you don't know how to fix it, we just purchased a $43,000 dollar car from you!)

Super rough shifting to every gear up and down up to gear 6 (gear 6 and higher are smooth as silk and how I expect the entire tranny to work). It's so rough that it actually jolts you as if the driver quickly tapped the brakes hard because they were startled by a dog or something. - Dealer (Dodge City McKinney) Says: No codes, no problems. "We can't duplicate he problem..." (Hmmm... Hop in and go for a ride with me and I promise you I can) "Nope, we don't do that"

REALLY BAD hesitation entering a busy intersections (SAFETY ISSUE! My families life is at stake here Chrysler!) Have not been into dealer for this yet because I feel like, "What's the point? All they are going to do is spend every ounce of energy they have trying to make me feel like an asshole for wasting their time and they don't fix anything anyway. It appears they can't fix it because hundreds of people have the exact same :::::ALERT: THE EXACT SAME::::: problem! Get your heads out of your asses and realize that if 50 of your 100 pizzas taste rotten, you had a bad batch of dough!

I was really looking forward to owning and enjoying this car for years but as of right now, the 4600 miles I've put on it have been a mixture of stress, worry, uncertainty, and a little bit of fun fixed in there when things are all working as they should and as I expected from this beautiful looking car.

- mikekemski, Mckinney, TX, US

problem #13

Aug 052013

Grand Cherokee Limited 3.6L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 1,000 miles

The 8 speed transmission hesitates when merging into highway traffic when the accelerator is pressed assertively. The delay is dangerous. The 8 speed transmission also jerks when shifting in day to day, stop and go traffic. Period. It's indefensible, it's glaringly obvious, and is not normal-unless you are learning to drive a stick and unfamiliar with using a clutch. It's not a cheap vehicle, and if the Uconnect and transmission were right, the car would be near perfect.

That said, Chrysler continues to claim the jerky, delayed response, and rough up and downshifting as 'non issues' and 'characteristic' of this transmission. IF it is a 'non issue' and IF it's 'characteristic' of this transmission why are innumerable comments and complaints registered on this and other sites? IF this is a 'non issue' and IF this is 'characteristic' of this transmission, why, would Chrysler engineering provide 'flashes' or 'enhancements' (that by the way) that come from customer feedback and engineers in the powertrain/transmission department? Why are there so many flashes if it's right? Why so many enhancements?

Help me here Jeep? This is NOT normal. Please, we were dumb enough to buy the 14's, but we're smart enough to know how a real transmission should function...especially in a $40k+ vehicle....

- Todd N., Pittsburgh, PA, US

problem #12

Dec 302013

Grand Cherokee

  • Automatic transmission
  • 10 miles

Since new problem: Chugs as if it is putting on the brakes when I glide to a stop at a stoplight. Sometimes runs very high into gear. I have to put it into sports mode, then put it back into drivers mode to get it to stop whirring.

Update from Aug 21, 2014: problem continues after going into shop. See news I have received on bad transmission under shift problem at 1500miles

- poplar ladies, Darnestown, MD, US

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