Jeep Grand Cherokee L won't start problems

Filed Nov 3, 2026 · Electrical · TX

On November 3, 2026, our 2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee would not start. This is the second time this has happened. The main battery was dead and the vehicle only clicked. It would not accept a jump start, which left us stranded. Other owners report the same auxiliary battery and electrical failures on recent Jeep models, including a Wrangler that throws an auxiliary battery warning every year that goes away on its own weeks later. Jeep quoted that owner $750 to replace the auxiliary battery. A vehicle that won't start or take a jump without warning is a safety risk, especially in remote areas or bad weather. I'm asking the federal safety agency to look into the auxiliary battery and electrical system on these vehicles.

Filed Jul 21, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · AZ

The starter/starter solenoid and related engine oil sealing have failed three times. Most recently on 6/18/2026, and previously in 2024 and 2025, the vehicle would not start: the dashboard illuminated but the engine would not crank. The engine then began smoking and a burning electrical smell entered the cabin. My wife and young child were in the vehicle. The vehicle was rendered completely inoperable and had to be towed each time. Safety risk: an engine that smokes and emits a burning electrical odor upon attempted starting presents a fire hazard to occupants. On the most recent occurrence the failure happened at a fuel station with my family present, over 1,000 miles from home, stranding us for seven days. Dealer confirmation: yes. On the two prior occasions a franchise dealer diagnosed a defective starter solenoid and replaced the starter. Both repairs failed and the identical failure recurred. On the most recent occurrence, a different franchise dealer found that a plug sealing an unused opening on the engine block was missing, allowing engine oil to spray onto and saturate the starter, destroying it. The starter and the plug were replaced. All failures were documented on dealer repair orders, which are available on request. Inspection: the vehicle has been inspected and repaired by franchise dealers on all three occasions. No police or insurance inspection. The manufacturer has been notified through its customer care department, which has open case records on this vehicle. Warning indicators: none. There were no warning lamps, messages, or symptoms prior to any of the three failures. The vehicle simply would not crank, followed by smoke and a burning electrical smell. This vehicle has spent approximately 60 days out of service since purchase and has had persistent electrical problems documented since 2023. Despite repeated dealer repairs the same failure mode continues to recur. I am reporting this as an unaddressed safety defect.

Filed Jul 6, 2026 · Driver assistance, Electrical · MD

Randomly, and without warning, the instruments, gauges, and displays will switch into a language I do not speak or understand (Italian). Coinciding with the switch to Italian language, cluster and radio display settings revert back to default settings, auto door locks and paddle shifter becomes inoperative (with no menu to enable), pedestrian emergency brake (peb) lamp or forward collision warning (fcw) lamp turns on with no way to disable, units of measurement including speed, temperature, etc. all change, and many other random settings change as well. ***This is clearly a dangerous situation because of all the functions and gauges that change, and the fact it is difficult if not impossible to recover from this due to the language of the setting menus, and the complexity of discovering and navigating through all these changes. I have taken it to the dealer twice, and they say there is nothing they can do and to wait for a possible software update, but none has come and it has been over a year. When this happens, even if one is able to wade through all the settings menus and change setting back, some items cannot be reset (like the FCA off lamp). According to various Jeep owner forums, some dealers have been able to reset something and temporarily correct the issue, but they charge for this service, and the issue returns randomly again. Here is an example forum discussion, indicating many if not all vehicles are affected: [XXX] Many people on the forum believe this issue did not start until a software update a year or so ago. This is a well known and widespread problem, and there is even a DOT Bulletin on the issue: dot.report Bulletins Because this is dangerous (for settings/gauges/units to no longer be useful while driving), and it occurs randomly, I strongly believe this issue should be a manufacturer recall. I am available for any needs. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Apr 20, 2026 · Driver assistance, Electrical · NY

Randomly, and without warning, the instruments, gauges, and displays will switch into a language I do not speak or understand (Italian). Coinciding with the switch to Italian language, cluster and radio display settings revert back to default settings, auto door locks and paddle shifter becomes inoperative (with no menu to enable), pedestrian emergency brake (peb) lamp or forward collision warning (fcw) lamp turns on with no way to disable, units of measurement including speed, temperature, etc. all change, and many other random settings change as well. ***This is clearly a dangerous situation because of all the functions and gauges that change, and the fact it is difficult if not impossible to recover from this due to the language of the setting menus, and the complexity of discovering and navigating through all these changes. I have taken it to the dealer twice, and they say there is nothing they can do and to wait for a possible software update, but none has come and it has been over a year. When this happens, even if one is able to wade through all the settings menus and change setting back, some items cannot be reset (like the FCA off lamp). According to various Jeep owner forums, some dealers have been able to reset something and temporarily correct the issue, but they charge for this service, and the issue returns randomly again. Here is an example forum discussion, indicating many if not all vehicles are affected: [XXX] Many people on the forum believe this issue did not start until a software update a year or so ago. This is a well known and widespread problem, and there is even a DOT Bulletin on the issue: dot.report Bulletins Because this is dangerous (for settings/gauges/units to no longer be useful while driving), and it occurs randomly, I strongly believe this issue should be a manufacturer recall. I am available for any needs. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Apr 1, 2026 · Electrical, Transmission · TX

Vehicle has experienced repeated electrical system failures affecting engine operation, safety systems, and interior electronics from April 2025 through April 2026. Details: April 2025 (under warranty): Vehicle lost power and died. Dealership replaced batteries. December 2025: While driving, multiple warning lights (check engine, blind spot, lane departure, forward collision, accident avoidance) flashed repeatedly. Battery died and was replaced by AAA. Vehicle taken to dealership due to safety concerns; dealership found no issues. March 2026: Same warnings occurred again while driving. Vehicle lost all power while stopped at a red light. Hazard lights did not work. Gear selector knob rotated freely and could not be put in park. After opening the hood, vehicle restarted but windows, powered seats, and infotainment stopped working. Dealership replaced fuse array. April 2026 (~3 weeks later): Vehicle would not start. After accessing battery under passenger seat, vehicle turned on with alarm and lights flashing. Same warning lights reappeared while driving. Interior electronics (windows, seats, infotainment) remained non-functional. Safety Risk: Complete loss of power in traffic, inability to use hazard lights, failure of driver-assistance safety systems, and inability to shift into park create significant risk of crash or injury. Inspection/Repair: Vehicle inspected multiple times by dealership and AAA. Batteries and fuse array replaced. Issue persists and root cause is UNKNOWN. Warning Signs: Repeated warning lights prior to failures, including check engine and multiple safety system alerts.

Filed Dec 21, 2025 · Driver assistance, Electrical · OH

Randomly, and without warning, the instruments, gauges, and displays will switch into a language I do not speak or understand (Italian). Coinciding with the switch to Italian language, cluster and radio display settings revert back to default settings, auto door locks and paddle shifter becomes inoperative (with no menu to enable), pedestrian emergency brake (peb) lamp or forward collision warning (fcw) lamp turns on with no way to disable, units of measurement including speed, temperature, etc. all change, and many other random settings change as well. ***This is clearly a dangerous situation because of all the functions and gauges that change, and the fact it is difficult if not impossible to recover from this due to the language of the setting menus, and the complexity of discovering and navigating through all these changes. I have taken it to the dealer, and they say there is nothing they can do and to wait for a possible software update, but none has come and it has been over a year. When this happens, even if one is able to wade through all the settings menus and change setting back, some items cannot be reset (like the FCA off lamp). According to various Jeep owner forums, some dealers have been able to reset something and temporarily correct the issue, but they charge for this service, and the issue returns randomly again. Here is an example forum discussion, indicating many if not all vehicles are affected: [XXX] Many people on the forum believe this issue did not start until a software update a year or so ago. This is a well known and widespread problem, and there is even a DOT Bulletin on the issue: dot.report Bulletins Because this is dangerous (for settings/gauges/units to no longer be useful while driving), and it occurs randomly, I strongly believe this issue should be a manufacturer recall. I am available for any needs." INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Dec 3, 2025 · Electrical, Transmission · AR

My vehicle is experiencing multiple dangerous electrical and drivetrain failures that occur intermittently and without warning. The issues began the day of purchase purchase and continue to worsen. Documented defects include: Vehicle randomly will not start Vehicle randomly will not turn off Dashboard/electronic systems reset intermittently (gauges go blank or restart, Bluetooth disconnects, warning indicators reset) Fuel gauge does not update while driving Sometimes vehicle will start but will not move (forward) when shifted into Drive or when in drive and brake pedal has been depressed. Vehicle sometimes fails to move when placed into Reverse Vehicle must be shut off and restarted to regain ability to move Key fob is not recognized by the doors or proximity sensors Driver’s seat creaks and feels unstable during acceleration Tire pressure sensor malfunction All systems intermittently disconnect/reset at the same time (suggesting a body control module or CAN-bus failure) Safety Concerns: The vehicle has refused to move in traffic, including while sitting in a drive-through line. The vehicle has failed to start in multiple public locations. The vehicle has failed to turn OFF, requiring multiple attempts. Loss of instrument cluster information could be very dangerous and matches symptoms currently under federal investigation for similar Jeep models (instrument panel cluster failures). These failures clearly impair the vehicle’s use, value, and safety, and appear to be part of a widespread electrical defect affecting Jeep products. A Jeep dealership confirms the issues and has scheduled service, but the problems continue to multiply. There are currently no open recalls for my VIN, although the symptoms match the national Jeep cluster/electrical investigation. I am submitting this complaint because these failures pose a serious danger to myself and other drivers + won't start. Please investigate this as a potential electrical/BCM/IPC/CAN-bus defect.

Filed Nov 25, 2025 · Electrical · VT

Since I bought the vehicle in February 2025 I have reported the infotainment screen failure/ going black while driving. I immediately reported it to my salesman and had it assessed by my local dealership as well about it. They told me it was up to date and they could not find any codes and sent me on my way. Shortly after I realized the auto start/stop wouldn't engage and I also encountered a random subwoofer boom upon starting my vehicle at times. The electrical issue has been known by Jeep for some time as there was a technical service bulletin that circulated regarding these issues and there are numerous other issues that were reported as well on this bulletin. Bringing you to my recent experience was after bringing my jeep in twice after my purchase (when also under warranty) to address these electrical issues I was always told no codes, jeep is fine. It continued to be a problem but subwoofer got worse. Last week I tried to remote start my car and it just flashed rear lights and didn't start. It was completely dead. I was able to jump start it and got it to the dealership and they said it was the battery and replaced the battery. I had JUST had a new battery installed upon purchase in Feb 2025. Brought it home, same thing, it died. I noticed dash light going on and off and a chirping sound before it died again. Brought it back in. They say it was the door switch that's faulty. It's obviously an electrical issue and it will leave me stranded or others stranded. This is a safety hazard as it causes loss of display, loss of emergency calling, distraction, battery drain and unpredictable electrical behavior.

Filed Nov 23, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · OH

What component or system failed or malfunctioned? Electrical system: infotainment display module, BCM, passive entry antenna, ignition/start system, and electronic power steering. Vehicle available for inspection. How was safety put at risk? The vehicle locked my children inside and would not start, requiring assistance to open it. The power steering failed for several hours, leaving the car unsafe to drive. Ongoing electrical instability creates unpredictable loss of critical functions. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer? Some issues were confirmed by the dealer (screen blanking, key fob failure, antenna fault, software issues). Others, including the power steering failure and lock-in incident, were not reproduced but were documented and acknowledged. Has the vehicle or component been inspected? Yes. The Jeep dealership has inspected the vehicle multiple times, performed software updates, antenna replacement, PCM updates, and a steering update. They provided history and advised contacting Jeep Cares. Warning lamps, messages, or symptoms prior to failure? Yes. Screen blanking, random language/time changes, stop/start light not working, key fob failure, vehicle not starting, and power steering not activating. Issues began in 2023 and have recurred through early 2025.

Filed Nov 19, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · MI

On two occasions after sitting overnight, the vehicle dash did not light up and would not start. Roadside was called on one occasion and was not able to jump start the car after about 40 minutes of trying. Dash would light up, but engine would not turn over. Tow company came and drained two jump start batteries before it would start. It was taken to the dealership where they had it for a week and said it was a glitchy software update. A month later the same thing happened where it would not start after sitting overnight. Had to be hooked up to a Dodge Ram battery for 20 minutes before engine would finally turn over. However, the battery voltage sat at about 13/14 volts the entire time, so it doesn't seem to be a bad battery issue. Auto lights have been off as well as STOP/START in case something happens on the road. Could not get it into the dealership for inspection for a few weeks, so hoping they can reproduce and isolate the issue. It sounds like similar issues with other Grand Cherokee's have been left without solution. This definitely needs to be looked into.