2014 Jeep Cherokee: misfire or rough idle

Filed Jul 2, 2025 · Acceleration, Fuel system · CA

My 2014 Jeep Cherokee began exhibiting repeated transmission and electrical malfunctions, particularly after startup or while idling. The most concerning issue is the appearance of a “Switch to Park” warning message, which occurs while the vehicle is already in Drive. When this happens, the transmission fails to engage properly, and I’m unable to shift into gear without cycling through Park multiple times. **seems to start happening after filling gas tank to full** This poses a major safety risk, especially in intersections or during stop-and-go traffic. The car has also experienced flashing odometer issues, rough idle, and erratic behavior when shifting — all of which point to a communication failure between core modules (BCM, TCM, PCM). A Chrysler-certified dealership performed a proxy alignment after acknowledging that the modules were “talking at the same time.” While no fault codes appeared on my OBD-II scanner, the dealer determined that the issue required a software-level alignment. However, I was told this is not part of any current recall or TSB, despite my symptoms being identical to other complaints already logged (e.g., the federal safety agency ID 11425007). This problem has occurred multiple times, both before and after dealership service. I was also informed there are no current recalls, but VIN-based systems like VinSeeker.com have suggested there may be open recall alerts related to transmission or software issues. This type of malfunction places the driver and passengers at risk of unexpected stalling, transmission disengagement, or inability to accelerate — especially dangerous in high-traffic areas. The issue appears to be known, systemic, and potentially tied to faulty transmission control software or defective module synchronization.

Filed Oct 6, 2023 · Engine, Fuel system · MA

Car stopped without warning in middle of road. Would not start. NO Warning lights on dash. Answer: Low oil level, car just turned engine off. NO dash warning for low oil. Happened multiple times. Now: After filling with gas, stopped at light, warning messages "Put Car in park" then drive. When put in Drive, rough and huge thunk. Almost got hit, but was able to pulled over. Called AAA., waited 45, and he drove it up onto bed to bring to mechanic. No problem. They did an oil change. Drove for days then very rough idle and driving. Each time, I was able to pull over w/o being hit. Now sometimes running sluggish going down road and almost hit again. This car is not even 10 years old, but I've lost count how many close calls my family has had. If you go on any of the Jeep forums, many, many owners are complaining abouts these same issues. Why does the maker of Jeeps fix all these issues on the forums BEFORE they build or design new ones?! I have owned a Jeep Grand Cherokee(electrical), Jeep Commander(rust from bottom up), Jeep Compass, now the Jeep Cherokee (by far the WORST one). Was a Jeep fan, but I have never run into so many weird issues. Even my mechanic has given up and said bring to dealership. He has 5 different Jeeps all with electrical/unknown issues.

Filed Jul 15, 2021 · Fuel system, Transmission · FL

3/1/2021: Rough idle and overheating after filling up gas tank that morning upon arriving at work. Jeep had problems when leaving work at roughly 1630. Idles poorly, very rough and dipped from 900 rpm down to 200 rpm while almost stalling. I decided to drive home and thought it may be a little water in the gas from filling up that morning on MacDill. Ran rough on the way out of MacDill. At the home depot traffic light, the transmission would not engage and I had to switch to park and back into drive. Once onto Gandy Blvd the temperature started to overheat. I turned on the heater to act as a second radiator and decided to shoot for Jeep dealer in St. Pete. I made it there and caught a ride home with Wife's sister. Dealer drove Jeep on Tuesday a total of 23 miles without any temperature above 202. Told that lot boy and service supervisor drove it. No charge since St. Pete Jeep couldn't find any faults. I had Wife take me to pick it up. On ride home got up to 207. No rough idle. ***Rough idle and stalling while driving in traffic continued. Noticed this always occurred after filling gas tank up to full*** Jun 29, 2021: Got gas again at MacDill Monday morning upon arrival at work. Monday afternoon car ran terrible. Remote start stalled before I got to Jeep. Started up again when I got to car and engine ran rough. Nearly stalled several times. Engine almost stalled at final left turn while heading to gate. Transmission indicator flashed again and transmission failed to work. Display showed to place in park to select drive. Had to coast up onto median to keep from blocking traffic when engine started to stall again when light turned green and I proceeded through light. Occasionally Ran rough all the way home for the 43 miles and 1 hour drive. This time there was no significant overheating. Just went up to low 200s. Decided to submit a the federal safety agency complaint since dealership said they wouldn't be able to find anything wrong if no check engine light came on. Dangerous

Filed Apr 28, 2020 · Transmission · 107,780 miles · GA

A continuous problem exists with the TCM/PCM for our vehicle whereas it gives little to no warning that power is failing and stalls out while car is in motion; runs rough; RPM indicator shows acceleration when it's basically going under 25 MPH; list goes on. Three weeks ago, new starter put in. Two weeks ago, car started acting up again. Dropped off at dodge to locate problem. This is the third time in past year vehicle has had same issue. In dec '19, dodge claims it needed updates for the transmission. Okay...run updates...$500 later. Vehicle has been into dodge dealership several times since car was purchased, and both TCM (recall replacement) and PCM (last week) have been replaced. We inquired about any further updates needing done at that time..."no, it's good to go." unfortunately, during this PCM repair process, they informed us that the "bad" PCM had also damaged the starter (yes, the brand new one) and the car battery (new as of oct 2019). The PCM parts/repair alone sucked $1300 out of my account. It's been less than one week since we finally got the vehicle back, and we are right back where we started as far as performance, ie running rough, dashboard messages, losing power, stalling out, etc...and the new PCM was supposed to have been the problem. Why isn't there anything that can be done to remedy this issue? It's costing a small fortune just trying to ensure it's even safe to drive. Other drivers tend not to be very alert when it comes to approaching a vehicle that is going much slower than other traffic; very scary when our jeep begins to fail in traffic. This issue presents safety concerns for my kids driving vehicle. These are common, known issues among other jeep owners and I don't understand why the consumer is responsible for upkeep/repair on a bad auto engineering design, much less driving an unsafe vehicle.

Filed Nov 12, 2019 · Engine, Transmission · 25 miles · SC

The vehicle shuts off while in drive and results in hard start with rough idle. The vehicle says that it is in park and needs to shift into gear in order for it to move. This vehicle was in motion and happened multiple times on city streets, highways, turning, and braking. This could result in a fatal crash for others on the road. Ecu tcu ECM are believed to be at fault for this per jeep. The jeep is in shop and awaiting invoices to see if this fixes the problem. I believe it is the same recall as the v6 version.

Filed Feb 12, 2019 · Engine · 78,000 miles · NC

Tl* the contact owns a 2014 jeep cherokee. The contact stated that the check engine indicator illuminated suddenly and the vehicle shook and lost power on the highway while driving 60 MPH. The contact had to coast the vehicle over to the side of the road. The failure occurred several times and the vehicle was taken to fields chrysler jeep dodge ram asheville (255 smokey park highway, asheville, nc 28806, (828) 667-5213) three times. The dealer stated that the new variable valve actuator assembly failed and it was replaced during the second visit. During the first visit, the dealer stated that the vehicle was low on oil and topped it off. The contact had a code reader, which located codes p1042 and p0302 for cylinder misfire. The contact had to pay for a diagnostic test even though she located the codes with her own code reader. The vehicle was currently back at the dealer for a third time with the same failures and the same codes. The manufacturer was contacted and assigned a case manager. The manufacturer stated that they would call the contact back. The failure mileage was 78,000.

Filed Oct 27, 2018 · Engine, Transmission · 89,000 miles · IL

Engine runs rough and it studded under low speeds

Filed Jul 12, 2017 · Transmission · 41,774 miles · TN

Vehicle run rough, jerking,hesitating and accelerating. Stalls when stopping causing check engine light, transmission service and other warning light to flash. When restarting it violently shifts and slams into gear, reverse first and then in drive. When in reverse or drive it goes into neutral. Requires another restart with same consequences. When attempting to drive there is no acceleration at first then slow acceleration while it is acting like it will stall again feeling real sluggish. All the while lights are flashing on the dash. It has been in for service 8 times the most recent being 7/11/2017. Service has performed replacing TCM and updating it 5 times, replacing vapor canister, fuel tank. Vehicle has been taken into service department with all the the issues happening and was diagnosed as no issues found. Service department has tried to place the blame on me stating that I do not know how to pump gas, as I am overfilling. (this is incorrect) another issue that is happening is that when trying to fuel the vehicle at any gas station, it will only take a little fuel and click off like it is full when in fact it is near empty. Gassing the vehicle can take upwards of 15 minutes to get to the 3/4 mark. This vehicle has been a safety hazard to drive since dec 2015 when the stalling out as I am trying to cross traffic, scary situation but luckily I wasn't hit. Loses acceleration when driving down the road and on the interstates, which now limits the amount of time and places that I drive this vehicle, as I prefer that myself and my family including grand chilldren live vs. Die. So in essence I have a luxury vehicle that I pay $600/month and I can only drive it around like an old beater car. Would really like to get to the bottom of this. Fiat chrysler have a serious problem with this car and refuse to acknowledge it, closing my case because service finds no issue.

Filed Dec 10, 2016 · Transmission · TX

When driving at highway speeds or low speed on streets vehicle jerks and displays message "shift to paris then desired gear." next message to be displayed is "service transmission." driver has to pull over to shift to park. Vehicle transmission does not shift into gear for several minutes while check engine, and several other icons flash on instrument panel. Vehicle will then stall. After several minutes after power down vehicle, gear will engine and vehicle will run rough. Gears will not shift smoothly. Vehicle has 54,000 miles and has had gear box software flashed already once in the last 90 days.

Filed Apr 24, 2016 · Engine · 53,000 miles · MI

Vehicle misfires. Dealership has had it since march 19th and has replaced 3 heads. Still no resolution. Have contacted chrysler for help and have a case manager but not really helpful. I would like the engine replaced but chrysler says it costs too much. I feel it is unsafe to rework the heads so many times.

Filed Sep 7, 2015 · Body · 15,000 miles · NY

I was driving down the highway. When I heard a loud gunshot noise and glass everywhere. I looked up and noticed it was my sunroof. There was no cars in front of me. Because the first thing I thought maybe a rock hit it. But as I got out and looked and check out the incident sunroof was pushed up. Meaning if the rock cat hit it it would be pushed in towards the vehicle. Since it was pushed up believe me to think the engine may have misfired or some kind pressure was in the vehicle that needed to be released. My truck is now in jeep being investigated buy jeep to see if it's something that they are responsible for which they are. But I know they are going to try and put it on my insurance and then we are going to have big problems.