7.6

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$430
Average Mileage:
90,150 miles
Total Complaints:
10 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. replace shift module (4 reports)
  2. not sure (3 reports)
  3. cleaned electronic shift module circuit board (1 reports)
  4. replaced shift motor (1 reports)
  5. replaced transfer case control module by dealer (1 reports)
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

This problem may be covered under warranty. Ask your Jeep dealer.

problem #10

Apr 042016

Grand Cherokee Limited 4.7L V8 Flex Fuel

  • Automatic transmission
  • 83,500 miles

Unlike many other complaints from those that posted, I did not have the PRND full light up issue. My issue was as I would be driving at cruising speeds (45-55 on average) the transmission would shift on its own and toggle between 4th and 5th gears, jumping from 5th at about 600-750 rpm down to 4th gear and jump rpm's to about 1500-1800 for roughly 3-6 seconds then back to 5th gear. It would do this regardless of whether I just started driving on a cold engine or if I'd been driving for a good while with normal operating temps. In addition, as I would let off the accelerator and begin to coast as I approached slowing traffic, the transmission would down shift with a hard jerking feeling. This would do this when automatically downshifting from any gear but this would happen intermittently. There would be times when the transmission would have no issues at all and seem to drive just fine for a few days and then would randomly begin doing this again. I ruled out an issue with the transmission components itself because I assumed that if it were actual components within the transmission itself, that this would be a constant issue and not intermittent. I did not have issues as described by others such as the PRND full light up on the console; no issues with sluggish or lack of acceleration or stalling issues. After researching online, many posters stated that they had replaced the ESM and usually had success regarding the PRND issues. I came across a YouTube video where an individual stated that he was having the PRND issue and that he disassembled the ESM and cleaned the circuit board which apparently has an issue of a buildup of graphite on the circuit board itself which would trick the ESM into not knowing which gear selector position was in place. I performed the circuit board cleaning and reassembled the ESM. It has now been about 7 days (longest length of time I've not had issues with the 4th-5th gear toggle issues) and pray that this fix will alleviate the toggling gears issue. Since the cleaning, the transmission has been performing very well. I had also been experiencing a rough idle issue during the same timeframe as the gear toggle issue. When starting the vehicle, the engine would idle at about 500 rpm's and constantly surge to about 1750 rpm's regardless of how long I left the vehicle idling and even when the engine reached its normal operating temperature. After cleaning the circuit board, I also elected to change the spark plugs as I was unsure when they were last changed. I had purchased the vehicle from the original owner when it had about 81000 miles and he provided the CarFax on the vehicle and it had shown that he had taken the vehicle to the dealership for all manufacturer scheduled maintenance without fail from day one until he sold me the car so I was very confident that the vehicle had been very well maintained. I did purchase the OEM spark plugs and made sure to properly gap them to .04 as per the manufacturer specs. After replacing the spark plugs, the vehicle now idles consistently at 500 rpm's steadily and it appears that that had most likely been the issue. The old plugs did not show signs of fouling, no indication of running too rich or lean and the only noticeable issue was that the electrodes had been worn down and creating a gap of approximately .06, likely the culprit of the rough and surging idle. I plan on performing a full transmission service to include new fluid, transmission pan gasket replacement, transmission filter replacement and thorough cleaning of the transmission pan itself just as a precaution as I am unsure of its last service (I'll have to review the CarFax maintenance paperwork again more thoroughly as it was very detailed as to all services performed at each service date). I hope that this helps anyone that may be having similar issues. I'm not the most mechanically inclined person and was still able to perform these repairs/fixes myself with basic tools, a little online research and some patience. In all, it took me probably 2 hours to complete both the ESM circuit board cleaning (including disassembly/reassembly) and the spark plug replacements. Total cost was probably about $27 for the plugs and another $18 for a replacement air filter. I hope this information helps anyone else that is dealing with these similar issues as I know it can be extremely frustrating and can definitely tick you off when a mechanic decides it's easier to just quote you an exorbitant amount of money to attempt to diagnose the issues and then decide to just start replacing parts that run hundreds of dollars and expensive labor costs. If you're willing to take the time and have a little patience and do a little online research (YouTube is an amazing source of information and video tutorials!), you can most certainly save yourself a great deal of money if you are willing to try it out on your own.

- Russell R., Virginia Beach, VA, US

problem #9

Apr 012016

Grand Cherokee

  • Automatic transmission
  • 148,000 miles

I was on the expressway going 70 mph and all the sudden it dropped down to 40 mph. Thankful I didn't have someone on my butt or I would of been hit. Very dangerous and needs to be a recall. This is the third time I have had this problem

- Mary J., Flint, MI, US

problem #8

Dec 232015

Grand Cherokee

  • Automatic transmission
  • 120,000 miles

I have a Jeep Laredo 2007 and it is slow to shift gears. It is as if, it revs to almost 2 RPMs before it switches to the next geat was that wat when we bought it used and I've had it checked, but I've been told nothing is wrong. I was told that the transmission is electronic & that's why it shifts differently.

Is anyone else having this problem?

- Des Q., Bellevue, OH, US

problem #7

May 292015

Grand Cherokee Laredo Rocky Mtn Edition 3.7L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 125,000 miles

Back in May I was living in a flat area with no hills, Mountains, etc. So I hadn't really noticed a major issue at the time. I was driving down the road 45 mph when all the gears illuminated PRND, the vehicle lost all power and people were having to swerve into the other lane to get around me. Nearly the cause of an accident, I was forced to pull over, cycle the car off and back on restored power.

This was the 2nd time, the first I initially did not see as a problem due to conditions (lots of rain and puddles) assumed the car was stalling due to wet distributors etc. The second time I realized it may be an issue. After this happening and a mechanic checking things out, No problems were diagnosed. I did not fix.I recently moved to a region with lots of hills/mountains. Now a problem with traveling up hill. My car loses significant power uphill, decelerates about 20 mph and revs to 3k rpm+. When leaving work, all gears illuminated again.

Now seeing a pattern I took it to Jeep dealer/service. They explained to me the Electronic shift module had gone bad hence the error code " Transmission over temp". Seems to be a common issue and a safety hazard as I have experienced. I think jeep should make this a recall seeing as so many of the same model are having this reoccurring issue.

- Emma C., Stowe, VT, US

problem #6

Aug 162013

Grand Cherokee Laredo 4.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 81,050 miles

After having the Safety Recall N23 / NHTSA 13V-175 done at the local dealership. Jeep will no longer go into 4wd LO or Neutral as it is supposed. Dealer wants $100 to even look at it and now the Jeep isn't capable of what I bought it for. Chrysler needs to fix the issue that they caused.

- rcmonkey, Redlands, CA, US

problem #5

Jul 012014

Grand Cherokee Limited V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 72,000 miles

2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee shifting problems.While driving my 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee I am experiencing shifting problems. When driving on a major road I was stopped at a red light, light turned green I went to accelerate the car slowly accelerated to 10 mph and would not go any faster. The transmission would not shift out of gear, rpm's at 2.5 no matter how far I pushed the accelerator. Loss of power when you accelerate (slow to get moving). I have pulled car to the side of the road and turned off the ignition and then turned it back on, sometimes this will correct the problem but not always. This malfunction on the car is a major safety issue. I have almost been hit in the rear end of my car when car would not properly accelerate.

I am experiencing this problem all the time. Dealership suggested replacing the ESM (Electronic Shifting Module) over $1000 to do so. I researched on-line about others that have had that problem, suggested solution was to remove ESM and clean computer board. I did this and the problem still exists. Other solutions include purchasing a ESM from an independent dealer and install it yourself ($450 as opposed to over $1000 at the dealership). I have yet to purchase a ESM yet. Checking local you pull lots for same part.

Chrysler (Jeep) needs to admit that the problem exists and is a manufacturing flaw by Chrysler. Once again a serious safety issue. As stated earlier car is sluggish and will not shift out of gear at low speeds and slow acceleration when starting from a dead stop. This time I started the car and shifted into reverse and the ESM did not respond. Car just sat there as though it were in park, however I was parked on an incline and the car rolled forward (as though the car were in neutral).

Problem is really starting to concern me as a safety issue. Will Jeep do anything? Besides quote you $1200 to replace a faulty system.

- Robert P., Sarasota, FL, US

problem #4

Jan 012009

Grand Cherokee Larado V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 30,000 miles

Car would be driving along fine and the next thing you knew it would only go 30 miles an hour. Not good on the expressway when you are going 65 miles and hour passing a tractor trailer and this happens to you. Did numerous times took in and finally replaced shifter module at the cost of $800 at 30K. Not covered under warranty they said.

- Cheryl D., Wayland, NY, US

problem #3

Mar 242014

Grand Cherokee Larado V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 109,000 miles

Starting all over again. Dealer said that if it happens, turn off and turn on car to see if it corrects itself, otherwise have to replace shifting module again that we did at 30K. Car will only go 30 miles an hour. Not good going along at 65 and all of a sudden can only do 30. Don't buy a Jeep

- Cheryl D., Wayland, NY, US

problem #2

Nov 102011

Grand Cherokee Laredo 4.7L Flex

  • Automatic transmission
  • 66,281 miles

I purchased the car used with 65,895 miles on it and after driving it about a week I took it back for a shift problem. The dealer told me it was fine. 4 days later I went to leave for work and the vehicle would not go into gear. I had it towed back to them and it turned out to be a bad transfer case control module and a bad shift motor. They provided a 90 day 3000 mile warranty and repaired it free of charge but they had it for 2 weeks troubleshooting and getting the parts. Not a huge problem for me but I wanted it listed for future Jeep buyers doing their research.

- seusspjs, Louisville, KY, US

problem #1

Nov 162011

Grand Cherokee Laredo 4.7L Flex

  • Automatic transmission
  • 66,241 miles

I purchased the car used with 65,895 miles on it and after driving it about a week I took it back for a shift problem. The dealer told me it was fine. 4 days later I went to leave for work and the vehicle would not go into gear. I had it towed back to them and it turned out to be a bad transfer case control module and a bad shift motor. They provided a 90 day 3000 mile warranty and repaired it free of charge but they had it for 2 weeks troubleshooting and getting the parts. Not a huge problem for me but I wanted it listed for future Jeep buyers doing their research.

- seusspjs, Louisville, KY, US