2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee: sudden unintended acceleration

Filed Nov 19, 2015 · Acceleration · 55,000 miles · IL

Speed control accelerates out of control when set. Happens consistently when cruise is turned on and set button is pressed. The engine will rev to 6000 RPM +. Must depress brake or turn off cruise switch in order to stop the acceleration. Started happening while traveling on an interstate highway and speed control was set to posted speed. Vehicle suddenly accelerated on open stretch of highway and could only be slowed down by turning off the speed control. This could have a disaster if it happened in heavier traffic.

Filed Jun 18, 2014 · Electrical, Engine · 35,000 miles · VA

On at least 5 separate occasions since about 2009, my 2006 jeep grand cherokee has suddenly and lost power and cut off while driving at approximately 20-40 miles per hour. There is no reason that I can confirm causes this and I'm not able to duplicate the defect. I've reported it to pearson (dealer) and they indicated they can't help with an issue that can't be demonstrated or duplicated. This is extremely dangerous to lose all power, even at lower speeds. This issue should be thoroughly investigated to find the root cause. I can confirm that it definitely occurs. In addition, it's reported that starting a jeep grand cherokee may result in sudden, uncontrolled acceleration or movement forward, even when in park. Car pool auto wash pushes every jeep product out of the wash tunnel by hand to avoid starting the vehicle for this reason they explained. While sudden acceleration has never occurred to me, there appears to be enough evidence this may warrant further investigation.

Filed Jul 11, 2013 · Electrical, Transmission · 139,000 miles · NJ

While driving my vehicle suddenly shifted gears as if it were in neutral while rpms shot up rapidly to 3,000. It then suddenly lunged forward and picked up speed. The check engine light came on. After a day or so, the light would go off. It was very scary to have it change gears and not be able to maintain speed and suddenly speed up again while traveling with vehicles in front of me and behind me. You essentially have no control of the vehicle in that moment, nor do you have any warning that it is about to happen. Drivers around you also have no warning that your car will suddenly slow down or lunge forward. Most of the time I have to pull over and put the vehicle in park and then back into drive for it to work. Happens at any given time, whether im going 5 MPH or 65 MPH.. Even on highways. Can be very dangerous.

Filed Oct 24, 2012 · Acceleration, Transmission · 75,424 miles · NJ

While driving my vehicle suddenly shifted gears and coasted as if it were in neutral while rpms shot up to 3,000. It then suddenly lunged forward and picked up speed. The check engine light came on. After a day or so, the light would go off. Within the time frame of approx 3 weeks, this had occurred at least 3 times. It was very scary to have it change gears and not be able to maintain speed and suddenly speed up again while traveling with vehicles in front of me and behind me. You essentially have no control of the vehicle in that moment, nor do you have any warning that it is about to happen. Drivers around you also have no warning that your car will suddenly slow down or lunge forward. Took it to the dealership to be looked at. Was told that it was my electronic shifter module and had it replaced. Although I have a power train warranty, it was not covered and had to pay over $900. Did research online and came across numerous others with the same issue. I feel that if this critical part fails on so many vehicles it should be made a recall. When this part fails, it has the potential to cause many accidents.

Filed Nov 17, 2011 · Acceleration, Lights · 70,000 miles · NJ

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 jeep grand cherokee. While the contact shifted into reverse, the vehicle unexpectedly accelerated without warning. The brake was applied with force and the vehicle came to a stop. The failure recurred four times. In addition, the instrument panel failed to illuminate sporadically. The malfunction recurred intermittently. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for diagnosis. The technician was unable to duplicate the failures. The manufacturer was not made aware of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000. Updated 12/12/11*lj updated 01/03/12

Filed Jul 16, 2010 · Acceleration · 55,000 miles · IA

While cruising down the highway with cruise control on, the vehicle suddenly accelerated. Had to hit the brake to disengage. Numerous times since then, when cruise is switched to "on", acceleration happens and I need to hit the brake.

Filed May 11, 2010 · Acceleration · 20,000 miles · PA · crash · 1 injury

Tl*the contact owns a 2006 jeep grand cherokee. While attempting to shift into drive gear, the vehicle suddenly accelerated, causing the contact to crash into a tree. The contact injured his back and a police report was filed. The vehicle had not been inspected or diagnosed at the time of the complaint. The current and failure mileages were approximately 20,000.

Filed Mar 11, 2010 · Acceleration · 50,000 miles · CA

Tl*the contact owns a 2006 jeep grand cherokee. The contact was driving approximately 50 MPH. The vehicle accelerated without warning. The brake pedal was engaged; the vehicle proceeded to a complete stop. The vehicle was able to continue functioning normally. The failure mileage was 50,000. The current mileage was 59,000.

Filed Jun 6, 2008 · Transmission · 17,000 miles · PA

Tl*the contact owns a 2006 jeep grand cherokee. While driving 50 MPH and depressing the brake pedal to stop, the vehicle would abnormally lunge forward. In addition, while driving highway speeds, the vehicle would sporadically fail. The contact took the vehicle to a dealer and they repaired the TCM. Several weeks later, the failure recurred without any warning. She called the manufacturer and was referred back to the dealer. The dealer stated that if the diagnostic machine did not provide any codes, they could not successfully remedy the failure. The failure mileage was 17,000 and current mileage was 25,000.

Filed Apr 8, 2008 · Acceleration · 19,382 miles · MA

Tl*the contact owns a 2006 jeep grand cherokee. While decelerating to 30 MPH in the rain, the contact approached a stop and the vehicle suddenly surged forward full throttle. He depressed the brake pedal with maximum pressure, but the vehicle would not stop. The contact merged into an intersection, barely missed another vehicle, and swerved into a driveway. He placed the vehicle into neutral and successfully applied the brakes. The dealer stated that they had never heard of this failure, but currently are keeping the vehicle for a diagnosis. After online research, the contact discovered numerous consumer complaints on unintended acceleration of his model vehicle. The current mileage was 20,325 and failure mileage was 19,382. Updated 5/30/08 *cn updated 05/30/08

Filed Apr 18, 2007 · Engine · 9,900 miles · CT

While I was sitting at a red light today I was completely stopped with my right foot on the brake. I felt the jeep grand cherokee surge. I looked at the tachometer and the needle shot upwards and I had to really stand on the brake to keep the SUV from moving. I slipped the transmission into neutral to eliminate the surge on the brakes and the engine whinnied and then idled down. I immediately made an appointment at my dealership for friday april 20, 2007. Third incident. I am well aware of sudden acceleration syndrome where it is believed drivers are stepping on the brake but really applying the gas. I was already sitting still and my foot never moved from any pedal so this theory is eliminated.

Filed Sep 14, 2006 · Transmission · 14,750 miles · WA

My 2005 jeep grand cherokee has a serious safety hazard. When the vehicle is started and placed into reverse, on 2 separate occasions, the vehicle jumped approx. 15 feet backwards. Also, one time while the vehicle was in drive, sitting in traffic, the engine revved on it's own and it jumped forward approx 15 feet. In all three incidences, the brakes where depressed and where not able to hold the vehicle back. The brakes had to be released and then re-applied to get it to stop.