2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee Power Train
Owner-reported problems and safety issues filed with NHTSA. Review common failures, severity levels, and complaint trends over time.
Complaint Timeline
Chronological view of owner reports
The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while attempting to drive from a complete stop, the transmission remained stuck in first gear. The contact shifted to neutral(N) and shifted back to drive(D), and the vehicle responded as intended. There was no warning light illuminated. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 151,755.
Transmission will "buck" unexpectedly when slowing to a stop. This causes a violent and unpredictable lunge forward. This has been reported and inspected by the dealer multiple times with the assessment just being "that's an 8 speed transmission for ya". There is no warning of it happening, nor is an event stored within the vehicle ECU.
Car not going out of park. Seems to be stuck in gear. Code P1DAB
The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while in park(Park) and attempting to shift to drive(D), the transmission failed to shift to the desired position. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that a handheld diagnostic machine was used to retrieve DTC: P1DB8 and P1DB8-00. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 155,347.
The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while attempting to park the vehicle, the transmission failed to shift into park(P). The “Service Transmission, Set Park Brake, and Prevent Rolling” messages were displayed. Several unknown warning lights illuminated on the instrument panel immediately afterwards and then turned off independently. The parking brake symbol remained flashing with an audible alarm beeping. The contact turned off the vehicle, and the vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the valve body had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The failure occurred approximately 1 year later. The vehicle was returned to the dealer who had diagnosed the vehicle with valve body failure. The dealer informed the contact that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V043000 (Power Train); however, the VIN was not included. The dealer had been attempting to have the manufacturer add the VIN to the recall. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Engine oil filter housing cracked and there was excessive and continuous oil leakage. Research on the internet shows this is a common problem as the part is made of plastic and destroyed by heat. If not fixed, the car could overheat, the engine fail, and the car stop during use at high speeds. Problem was inspected, confirmed, and part replaced with metal part at Rad Rides in Buffalo WY. Problem first appeared as oil leaking under car about 2 weeks ago.
The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the contact was unable to shift the vehicle out of 4WD-Low. The vehicle hesitated while attempting to accelerate. The 4WD warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the failure was due to a faulty transfer case and transfer case control module. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and determined that the VIN was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 123,000. The contact stated simple 1, 2, or 3 tire change throws your transfer case off and it becomes bad. It needs to be replaced at the cost of over $4,000.00.
The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated while slowing to a stop from 5th gear to 1st gear, the vehicle bucked forward. Additionally, the vehicle would jolt forward while driving. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who reset an unknown module in the vehicle. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.
Powertrain Control Module
The shifter inside my 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee failed. It started by losing the indicator that told you what gear it was in. Although there is an additional indicator on the dashboard, I would begin to have incidents where it would show in park on the dashboard but would be in reverse. While waiting on parts to come in at the dealership, the shifter lost all power and would not shift out of park. Vehicle was towed to dealership for service.
SERVICE SHIFTER LIGHT CAME. THERE ARE A LOT OF ISSUES WITH THE SHIFTER
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 45-50 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL ROARING SOUND DETECTED. THE GEAR SHIFTER JUMPED OUT OF GEAR AND SHIFTED TO MANUAL. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND THE VEHICLE DROVE AS DESIGNED. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HER HUSBAND WAS DRIVING THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL SOUND DETECTED AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO EXCEED 30 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS AN ISSUE WITH THE TRANSMISSION. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT STATED THE VERIZON HUM DEVICE PROVIDED DTC CODE: P1B93 (GEAR ONE INCORRECT RATIO). THE VEHCILE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.
WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION AND SLOWING DOWN IT LUNGES FORWARD WITH NO INPUT FROM THE DRIVER. THIS SOMETIMES OCCURS BY TAKING YOUR FOOT OFF THE GAS. THIS HAPPENS EVERYWHERE, ON CITY STREETS, HIGHWAYS ETC. THIS HAS HAPPENED ALMOST EVERY TIME THE CAR IS DRIVEN.
VEHICLE WAS IN PARK AT STARTUP. WITH FOOT ON BRAKE, I PUSHED THE START BUTTON. WITH ENGINE RUNNING, TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF PARK. AFTER TURNING THE ENGINE OFF AND BACK ON MULTIPLE TIMES, IT FINALLY ALLOWED ME TO SHIFT (3RD TIME AFTER IT SET FOR A FEW MINUTES). THIS PROBLEM LOOKS VERY SIMILAR TO THE PROBLEM OCCURRING IN THE SAME YEAR VEHICLE WHICH IS SUBJECT TO RECALL, HOWEVER, MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP IS SAYING MY VEHICLE IS NOT A PART OF THE RECALL. "2016 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED MAY 15, 2015 TO FEBRUARY 19, 2016. THE BRAKE TRANSMISSION SHIFT INTERLOCK SOLENOID..."
WITHIN MONTHS OF PURCHASE OF NEW 2016 JEEP, THERE WAS A POWERTRAIN RECALL. WE WERE AT 7788 MILEAGE WHEN THE POWERTRAIN WAS REPROGRAMMED. THE JERKING OF THE JEEP WHILE BRAKING CONTINUED TO BE A PROBLEM. THEY REPROGRAMMED THE POWERTRAIN AGAIN AT MILE 48,254. WE WENT IN AGAIN IN MILE 53,259 FOR TRANSMISSION CONCERNS. , AGAIN AT MILE 57,227 THERE WERE HARSH UPSHIFTS WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND AT 58,273 THEY REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION. WITHIN A WEEK, WE HAD THE SAME JERKING HAPPENING WHILE BRAKING AND UPSHIFTS WHILE DRIVING. SO JUST 3 WEEKS AFTER NEW TRANSMISSION, IT BURNT UP ON THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY. WE HAD TO BE TOWED AND IT SITS IN THE DEALER SHOP FOR OVER A MONTH NOW. IT IS GETTING IT'S THIRD TRANSMISSION. (BEEN TO THE SERVICE SHOP 6 TIMES IN 3 YEARS) NO WARRANTY FOR THE MANUFACTURER....FCA WASHES THEIR HANDS. LEMON LAW IS VOIDED WITH THE NUMBER OF MILES AND YET THE PROBLEM BEGAN IN THE FIRST 10,000 MILES. NO COMMUNICATION BY DEALERSHIP. MANAGER PROMISED US A TRADE AND IGNORED OUR EMAILS. THEY FIRED THE SERVICE TECH, OR HE QUIT. WE NEED A DIFFERENT CAR TO DRIVE AND NO ONE SEEMS TO HELP US WITH THIS.
SHIFTER LIGHTS DONT TURN ON. SERVICE SHIFTER LIGHT WARNING BUT DEALER SAYS ITS NOT COVERED UP WARRENTY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM A RED LIGHT, THE VEHICLE DID NOT ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, AND TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE. ALSO, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE OVER 20 MPH. THE FOLLOWING DAY, THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO SOUTH CHICAGO DODGE JEEP (7340 S WESTERN AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60636) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS FAILING AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE TO MANCARI CHRYSLER JEEP (4630 95TH ST, OAKLAWN, IL 60453) AND WAS INFORMED AGAIN THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000.
THIS ROLL AWAY INCIDENT OCCURRED ON MARCH 7, 2019. MY 2016 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE WAS PARKED IN A DRIVEWAY THAT WAS NOT MY OWN AND I EXITED THE VEHICLE WHILE THE JEEP WAS IN PARK BUT IDLING. I EXITED THE JEEP WITHOUT AN INCIDENT (NOTICING ANY FORWARD MOVEMENT OF THE VEHICLE) AND WALKED TO THE PORCH TO DELIVER A LETTER TO THE HOMEOWNER. I WAS ON THE PORCH WHEN THE JEEP MOVED FORWARD INTO THIS HOMEOWNER'S GARAGE,CRASHING INTO THE TRASH CANS IN FRONT OF THE GARAGE FIRST AND PUSHING THEM INTO THE GARAGE DOOR. THIS CAUSED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE GARAGE DOOR AND IT'S TRACK. I WATCHED THIS INCIDENT FROM THE TOP STEP OF THE PORCH AND QUICKLY JUMPED INTO THE JEEP, PUT IT INTO REVERSE AND LOOKED AT THE DAMAGE FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE DRIVEWAY. TWO DAYS LATER A CLAIM WAS FILED WITH FCA. THREE DAYS FROM THE INCIDENT, A EAA REPRESENTATIVE CONTACTED ME TO OBTAIN INFORMATION. FOUR DAYS LATER I WAS ASKED TO PICK UP MY JEEP FROM THE DEALER AFTER THEIR INSPECTION. ON APRIL 5TH, ALMOST A MONTH LATER, I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM FCA STATING THAT THEY COULD NOT FIND FAULT WITH THE VEHICLE AND IT WAS HUMAN ERROR! I RECREATED THIS WHILE NOW IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT. I OPENED THE DOOR AND WAS WARNED VIA THE TONE THAT THE DOOR WAS OPEN AS IT MOVED ABOUT 1-2 MPH UP THE DRIVEWAY IN D WITHOUT TOUCHING THE GAS.THERE WAS NO WAY ON 3-7-19 IT WAS IN DRIVE AS I COULD NOT HAVE GOTTEN OUT WITHOUT NOTICING IT MOVE THIS QUICKLY. IT ROLLED UP IT THAT FAST WITH MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE. FCA STATED THEY COULD NOT REPLICATE THIS ACTION BUT THEY DID NOT EVEN TRY! AFTER LEASING OR PURCHASING IN THE IMMEDIATE FAMILY: 4 JEEPS (IT NEVER HAPPENED TO ANY OTHER PRIOR MODEL), AND 6 OTHER VEHICLES, I WILL NEVER OWN OR LEASE ANOTHER FCA VEHICLE AGAIN. THE INABILITY FOR THIS BILLION $ COMPANY LIKE FCA TO REPLACE A GARAGE DOOR AND SAY IT WAS OWNER ERROR WILL KEEP ME FROM RECOMMENDING THIS COMPANY TO ANY FRIEND OR FAMILY MEMBER. *BF*JB
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AND PLACED IN PARK. ONCE THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE, IT BEGAN ROLLING BACKWARDS. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO RETRIEVE A PACKAGE FROM THE REAR SEAT, THE CONTACT FELL DUE TO THE VEHICLE ROLLING BACKWARDS. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A FRACTURED WRIST AND CONTUSIONS TO THE FACE. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS RECEIVED, WHICH INCLUDED WRIST SURGERY. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ONCE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE TRANSMISSION WOULD VIOLENTLY SHIFT FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO KELLY JEEP CHRYSLER (353 BROADWAY, LYNNFIELD, MA 01940, (781) 581-6000) WHERE THE COMPUTER WAS REPROGRAMMED AND THE SOLENOID WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND A COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11,420.
CAR WAS PURCHASED AS A CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED ON FEB. 2018 IN PREPARATION FOR OUR RETIREMENT VACATION. WE DROVE IT LOCALLY FOR A COUPLE OF MONTHS AND THEN SET OUT CROSS COUNTRY ON MAY 15TH. WE DROVE TO MASSACHUSETTS WITHOUT INCIDENT, THEN HEADED BACK WEST NEAR THE END OF JUNE. NO PROBLEMS UNTIL WE REACHED IDAHO, WHERE IT STARTED VI RATING AND MAKING CLUNKING G NOISES FROM THE REAR. WE BROUGHT IT IN TO ROGERS DODGE IN LEWISTON. THEIR SERVICE ADVISOR TEST-DRIVE IT AND SAID, YOU CAN'T DRIVE THIS CAR, IT'S UNSAFE!" THEY REMOVED THE REAR DRIVESHAFT AND DROVE IT AGAIN, NOTING THAT THE VIBRATION AND CLUNKING WERE GONE. THE CONCLUSION BEING THAT THE REAR DRIVESHAFT WAS BAD. THEY ATTEMPTED TO ORDER ONE BUT FOUND OUT DRIVESHAFTS WERE ON NATIONAL BACK/ORDER. THIS MADE ME SUSPICIOUS. THEY FINALLY FOUND ONE AND HAD IT INSTALLED ABOUT 1&1/2 WEEKS LATER. WE DROVE HOME. A WEEK OR SO AFTER THAT WE DROVE TO CALIFORNIA TO VISIT FAMILY. WE HAD ACCUMULATED ABOUT 2000MI SINCE THE NEW DRIVESHAFT WAS INSTALLED, WHEN IT STARTED CLUNKING AGAIN. WE BROUGHT IT IN TO LAKE ELSINORE CDJR AND THEY DIAGNOSED ANOTHER BAD DRIVESHAFT. THEY SUBMITTED IT TO CHRYSLER FOR WARRANTY REPAIR BUT CHRYSLER DECIDED THAT THE REPAIR IN IDAHO MUST HAVE BEEN DONE INCORRECTLY, THEREFORE NO WARRANTY. I OBJECTED TO THIS. ONCE AGAIN, THERE WAS A NATIONAL BACK ORDER ON THE DRIVESHAFTS. THIS TIME IT TOOK TWO WEEKS TO OBTAIN ONE. WHEN THEY INSTALLED IT, IT BROKE WHILE THEIR MECHANIC WAS TEST-DRIVING THE CAR. FROM THERE, THE DEALERSHIP HAD NO IDEA WHAT HAPPENED, SO FINALLY THEY HAD THEIR BODY SHOP LOOK AT IT. THE BODY SHOP MANAGER SAID THAT IT APPEARED THAT SOME MINOR DAMAGE HAD HAPPENED TO THE FRONT OF THE CAR AND WAS REPAIRED BEFORE WE BOUGHT IT. HOWEVER, HE COULDN'T EXPLAIN WHY IT BROKE THE DRIVESHAFT. I SPENT THE LAST 2+ WEEKS PLEADING WITH CHRYSLER CARE. NOW THEY TELL ME THE CHASSIS IS OFF BY 1/4" SO THEY CAN'T WARRANTY IT
WAS DRIVING UP AN ENTRANCE RAMP TO GET ON A BUSY HIGHWAY AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR MADE A REVVING SOUND AND A POP. WASN'T SURE WHAT HAPPENED SO TRIED TO GO AND CAR WOULD NOT GO OVER 15MPH. WE PUT THE HAZARD LIGHTS ON AND MOVE IT OFF TO THE SIDE. WHEN WE STEPPED OUT OF THE VEHICLE THERE WAS A WEIRD SMELL AND FLUID WAS LEAKING OUT OF THE BOTTOM. WE HAD TO DRIVE 15MPH TO GET HOME BECAUSE IT WOULD NOT GO OUT OF FIRST GEAR. TOWED THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP TO BE CHECKED OUT. TOOK THE DEALERSHIP FOUR DAYS TO LOOK AT IT AND COMES BACK AND SAYS IT NEEDS A NEW TRANSMISSION WE WILL PAY $2 GRAND AND YOU WILL NEED TO PAY $4 GRAND. I HAVE ONLY HAD THIS VEHICLE FOR TWO YEARS AND IT IS ONLY 7,000 MILES OVER WARRANTY. THEY NEVER CONTACTED FIAT/CHRYSLER SO WE HAD TO CALL THEM. WE CURRENTLY HAVE A CASE WITH THEM BUT THEY ARE TRYING EVERYTHING TO GET OUT OF OWNING UP TO HAVING A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. IT HAS BEEN AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR TWO WEEKS AND WE WERE NEVER GIVEN A LOANER CAR. IF THIS WOULD HAVE HAPPENED AFTER WE WERE ALREADY ON THE FREEWAY WE COULD HAVE BEEN SLAMMED INTO FROM BEHIND. IT COULD HAVE BEEN A MAJOR WRECK WITH INJURIES. ALL FIAT/CHRYSLER IS WORRIED ABOUT IS OUR OIL CHANGE RECORDS BECAUSE WE DO IT OURSELVES INSTEAD OF PAYING THEM TO DO IT. OIL CHANGES HAVE ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO DO WITH THE TRANSMISSION GOING OUT. THERE WAS NO WARNING OR ANYTHING.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY INTERSECTION, THE MESSAGE "SHIFT TO PARK" SUDDENLY DISPLAYED AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT DRIVE. AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES, THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF. ONCE RESTARTED, THE VEHICLE OPERATED NORMALLY. GANLEY JEEP (161 W. GARFIELD RD., AURORA, OH) WAS NOTIFIED, BUT THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,966.
THE TRANSMISSION HESITATES FROM STOP BEFORE CONNECTING. EVERY TIME I SLOW DOWN TO STOP, THE TRANSMISSION SEEMS TO DO A DOUBLE DOWNSHIFT AND IT FEELS LIKE I AM GETTING HIT FROM BEHIND. ALSO, AT TIMES, THERE IS A LOUD CLUNKING SOUND WHEN ON AN INCLINE AND PUTTING VEHICLE INTO REVERSE. IT HAS CONTINUALLY GOTTEN WORSE OVER THE COURSE OF 1 YEAR. I TOOK IT FOR SERVICE AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG, BUT THEY UPDATED THE COMPUTER. NOW, THE PROBLEM IS EVEN WORSE. I AM TAKING IT BACK TODAY TO HAVE IT REEVALUATED.
IT WAS PARKED IN THE NERO ELLIE, I WAS IN A HURRY AND COULD NOT GET THE VEHICLE IN PARK SO I PUT IT INTO NEUTRAL, WENT AROUND BACK OPEN THE REAR GATE DOOR, THEN CLOSED IT, THEN AS I WENT TO GET BACK INTO THE JEEP AND OPEN THE DOOR TOUCHED THE STEERING WHEEL THE VEHICLE STARTED TO MOVE AND I FELL TO THE GROUND PINNED BETWEEN A GARAGE AND THE DOOR. AFTER THE VEHICLE HAD MOVED BY ME, RUNNING OVER MY RIGHT SHOE, IT HIT A BUILDING, AND THEN I WAS ABLE TO SWING MY RIGHT LEG INTO THE COMPARTMENT AND PUT ON THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. THE VEHICLE STOPPED AND TO MY AMAZEMENT THE SHIFTER LEVER WAS IN DRIVE. NORMALLY ON THIS VEHICLE IF YOU PUT IT IN NEUTRAL AND GET OUT, YOU MUST PRESS THE BREAK AND HIT START TO SHIFT IT INTO GEAR. I CAME WITHIN ABOUT ONE SECOND OF DYING BY BEING CRUSHED BETWEEN THE GARAGE IN THE WHEELS. AT 64 I AM SERIOUSLY HURTING TONIGHT. IN READING ON THE WEB I SEE I AM NOT ALONE IN THIS OCCURRENCE, PLEASE DO SOMETHING IN THE WAY OF A RECALL AS I WOULD HATE TO SEE ANYONE HURT LIKE I WAS. THANK YOU.
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Quick Summary
The 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee has 39 Power Train complaints on file. 2 crashes have been reported. Review the timeline above for detailed owner experiences.