2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee: harsh or hard shifting

Filed Jun 11, 2025 · Acceleration, Brakes · 87,000 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact stated that the RPM fluctuated before the transmission slammed into gear. The contact stated that the ABS warning light and another unknown warning light were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and was diagnosed with transmission failure, and a failure with the accelerator pedal. The accelerator pedal was replaced, and other unknown parts were replaced on the transmission. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, while driving 30 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed but failed to stop the vehicle immediately and the vehicle stalled. After several attempts, the vehicle was able to restart. The vehicle was towed back to an independent mechanic, and it was diagnosed that the throttle had failed and needed to be replaced, and the accelerator pedal also needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The contact stated that recently the vehicle failed to exceed 40 MPH while driving. The contact stated that the check engine warning light and ABS system warning light were illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired after the most recent failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but denied assistance in covering the cost of the repair. The failure mileage was approximately 87,000.

Filed May 31, 2023 · Steering · NY

2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo In August of 2020, I brought the vehicle to my repair shop due to a leak, and hard to steer at 75061 miles. They performed a repair of the rack & pinion, power steering hose, and an alignment. On 5/23/23, I had the vehicle in a shop to check on a sqeak while turning the wheel along with a clunking sound. They reported that the rack and pinion needs to be replaced at 107184 miles. I contacted the FCA-Jeep customer care. They wanted a diagnosis at Victory CDJR dealership. On 5/31/23 at 107701 miles, the dealership found that the steering rack, and both tie rods need replacement. I contacted the FCA immediately, and they determined not covered by warranty.

Filed Oct 21, 2022 · Transmission · NJ

My transmission keeps clunking

Filed Jul 28, 2015 · Transmission · 45,000 miles · MI

My 2012 jeep grand cherokee has the 3.6 liter pentastar v6 with the 5 speed automatic transmission. It has the quadra trac 1 full-time 4x4 system. The transmission is very "clunky" and feels unsure of what it should be doing. Upshifts come early, at low speed and RPM's. Often this is not an issue, but sometimes causes the vehicle to feel extremely underpowered. Pressing the accelerator further will eventually result in a downshift and a resulting clunk in the driveline. Low speed driving on curvy roads is not a nice experience with this vehicle. Downshifts are abrupt and anything but smooth. There is often a clunk that can be heard and felt while decelerating for an upcoming curve. The best way to describe the feeling is riding with a person who is learning to drive a manual transmission car for the first time. Not sure if this complaint is recall worthy, but I worry the transmissions indecisiveness is going to prematurely wear the driveline components. Perhaps a software update for the transmission would be a good place to start.

Filed Aug 23, 2013 · Acceleration, Fuel system · 10,900 miles · CO

Problem developed just after 10,000 miles with mild vibration on acceleration. Problem persisted and got worse. I had vehicle checked by dealer and head mechanic at 15,000 when in for oil change. Definitely was a problem, took a day to diagnose with help from jeep. /chrysler said it was failure of the transfer case/drivetrain control module. It took from june 25 until august 19 to obtain new module. During that time vehicle vibration worsened further requiring backing off on acceleration and then continuing acceleration to get up to highway speed. Very much like riding on a bad washboard road plus noise coming from under front and then additional noise from rear. When going up moderate inclines back end began strongly vibrating to the point where it felt back end was going to start hopping plus a clunk noise. Backing down acceleration and then reaccelerating would lessen problem but still made vibration. Final cause after repair: cause listed as broken propeller shaft with universal joints, replaced transfer case to rear axle; replace rear prop shaft due to carrier bearing failure causing vibration; replace final drive control module per diagnosis for shuttering in driveline. Vehicle has 17,578 miles at repair completion. Problem appears fixed in the first 500 miles I have driven since repair.