2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee: engine knocking or ticking

Filed May 21, 2026 · Engine, Fuel system · WV

My 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit EcoDiesel (VIN: [XXX] ) experienced a catastrophic engine failure at approximately 116,000 miles while driving. The vehicle suddenly displayed an oil pressure warning, and I immediately shut the engine down to avoid further damage and potential safety risks. At the time I shut the engine off, the engine was not making catastrophic knocking noises and was not leaking oil heavily. The vehicle was towed to Astorg Dodge Chrysler Jeep in Parkersburg, WV. Before inspection, I specifically instructed dealership personnel not to start the engine because I suspected a serious oil-related issue and wanted to avoid causing additional damage. Despite these instructions, the dealership started and ran the engine anyway. After the dealership started the vehicle, the engine condition reportedly worsened significantly, including severe engine noises and much heavier oil leakage. I was later informed the vehicle would require complete engine replacement, with estimated repair costs ranging from approximately $10,000 to $24,000. At the time of failure, the vehicle was also subject to the unresolved Z46 High Pressure Fuel Pump (HPFP) recall, which had not yet been completed. I had previously been informed that recall parts were available and the repair would be scheduled. I am concerned that the unresolved recall and/or related fuel system issues may have contributed to this catastrophic engine failure. I am also concerned about the potential safety risk associated with sudden oil pressure loss and catastrophic engine damage while operating the vehicle. I am submitting this complaint so the failure and unresolved recall involvement are documented and reviewed. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Feb 23, 2026 · Steering, Suspension · SC

As I was on my home on 2/20/26, I encountered some issues. I made a right turn onto the highway and my vehicle did a little drift but made this weird sound and the front end shook. There were no warning lights or dings that came across the dash. I pulled over into the closest parking lot to see if I could notice anything. I couldn't because I only had the light from a parking lot lamp. So decided to try and make it home which was another 15 minutes away. As I got back on the road and pressed the accelerator, I could here ticking sounds coming from the rear of the vehicle. When I approached the next traffic light and pressed the brakes, the front end shook, making the steering wheel shake, and the rear end drifted left. I made another left and pressed the accelerator. I got up to around 40 phone. The vehicle started pulling to the left and then stabilizing. I turned to my suspension articulation screen. As I was driving and the vehicle still scaring me to the point of a heart-a-stroke, I could see the axles trying to maintain contact with the road. At the same time giving me the feel of a loose steering wheel and a bad suspension. The vehicle continued to shift and shake and feel loose. When you turn into my neighborhood and before my house, there are two deep curves and a lake. I went into the first curve fine until the end of it. (At this time the lake is on my passenger side). As I was coming out of it, the steering wheel feels like its hard to turn or locked. I have to turn left into the second curve. The vehicle would not turn and the rear end felt like it was drifting right. At the edge of the road there is a slight downhill and the lake about 50 ft or so. Luckily, I was able to make the turn before going of the side of the road. Once I made it through the curve, the vehicle did do some shaking, loose steering, shaking, and back end motion until I parked in the yard. Its been parked since then. Thank you for your patience and attention to this matter.

Filed Feb 6, 2026 · Engine · 170,000 miles · OH

The contact owns a 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, oil was leaking from the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that a mobile mechanic diagnosed the vehicle at the residence and determined that the oil housing unit had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the oil housing unit had failed again and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. While driving at an undisclosed speed, there was a loud ticking sound coming from the engine. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to several independent mechanics to be diagnosed, and it was determined that the rocker arm, piston, and camshaft had failed, and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The mechanic referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline for assistance. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 170,000.

Filed Apr 15, 2025 · Transmission · SC

The component in question is the rear drive shaft. It has been losing speed as I travel on roads and the highways. When accelerating from a stop sign or red light, the vehicle seems to not want to move. It takes a few seconds for the computer to realize the car is in motion. Once it picks up speed, there are three (3) knocks that occur. It makes the vehicle jerk hard and sway sometimes. The next component is the transfer case. It puts the four-wheel in progress to be shifted. The four-wheel drive makes a popping noise when the vehicle comes to a stop and is shut off. It continues to keep shifting from two-wheel to four-wheel to two-wheel without even using the controls. While pulling out from a car lot, I made a right turn. The vehicle acted as if it did not want to go, and the front end started jerking and making a popping noise. Also, when riding on the highway, the front end shakes terribly. My safety was at risk because the vehicle acts up while pulling into traffic or riding on the road. Sometimes, I have my grandkids in the vehicle with me. They are my most precious packages when they ride with me. The problem of the drive shaft has been confirmed by a dealerships service department, my mechanic, and the mechanics of the dealership I purchased the vehicle from. Has not been inspected by the police, insurance reps, or the manufacturers. There were times when the service message for the four-wheel drive came on. It was an issue trying to find a place to do the service.

Filed Oct 1, 2024 · Engine · NC

Known issue with engine design that could lead to catastrophic failure. The rocker arms fail and gouge the cam, causing catastrophic engine failure, if not addressed as soon as symptoms occur. We caught the knocking noise early and were able to have both sides replaced for $3800 on a vehicle with relatively low miles. This has been a noticed issue and to my knowledge, the replacement parts were redesigned to correct the issue.

Filed Sep 3, 2024 · Seats · VA

The driver's side active head restraint deployed without warning striking me in the back of the head, fortunately not hard enough to seriously injure me, but hard enough to cause a headache. I had just gotten into the vehicle to drive to work, so it wasn't even moving. There are broken pieces of plastic that apparently used to hold it closed. My vehicle has no uncompleted recalls, but now looking at my vehicle information online I've discovered that there was a "warranty extension" in 2020 regarding a possible failure exactly like this, and I've also discovered there were lawsuits following reports of injuries! Chrysler never notified me, nor did the Jeep dealer bring it to my attention during any of my routine service appointments. Why wasn't this a RECALL requiring repair instead of left to be a ticking time bomb just waiting to go off??? Adding insult to injury, the warranty extension to 10 years after the in-service date in 2013 doesn't cover repairs today! The passenger side restraint hasn't popped open (yet!) but I'm not stupid enough to wait until it fails and injures a family member, so now I have to replace BOTH sides and PAY for both out of my pocket. Please make this a RECALL so Chrysler will have even a slight urgency to notify owners, and hopefully decide to replace the head rests immediately, regardless of how old they are.

Filed Aug 23, 2023 · Engine · OK

Safety recall Z46 has been published for over a year and Jeep keeps telling me they cannot get parts. My fuel pump started making a loud ticking noise and I needed to make a 2000 mile trip to western states where support is not readily available. I checked and had no problem finding parts to complete the recall. I contacted Jeep customer care and they authorized me to buy the parts and have the work completed at a Jeep dealership then apply fur the reimbursement. I bought a fuel pump, had the work completed, and applied did reimbursement but Jeep customer care will not pay for the recall work or part as the pump had not failed. I believe that Jeep is stalling the completion of this recall hoping that there will be fewer still in service once they do start the work. I found parts available from over 10 different sources and it took only 3 days to get them. Jeep is making a mockery of the safety recall process and putting customers and their families at risk.

Filed Jun 14, 2023 · Engine · 52,000 miles · IL

The contact owns a 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the contact heard a ticking sound coming from the engine compartment. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the lifters needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 52,000.

Filed Dec 31, 2022 · Engine, Transmission · NC

*the federal safety agency Please Help* I purchased my 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee brand new in June 2014 from a FCA authorized dealership. I have meticulously maintained, gently driven, and greatly cared for this Jeep since day one. Have only ever had the Jeep serviced at the FCA authorized dealership where I purchased. I have followed and complied with all Jeep manufacturer service recommendations since day one. At 115,000 miles, I am currently experiencing a loud ticking noise resulting from failed rocker arms and failed lifters. These failed rocker arms and lifters will result in complete and catastrophic engine failure. I am also experiencing significant engine oil leaking coming from a failed oil cooler. The Mopar oil cooler in this 3.6 Pentastar engine is made of plastic, and is highly susceptible to failure. I have talked to multiple ASE Certified Mechanics that both issues I am currently experiencing are extremely common amongst these 3.6 Liter Pentastar V6 24 Valve VVT engines. I feel very unsafe as the owner and operator of this Jeep Grand Cherokee, and have lost all confidence as it relates to the safety and reliability of this vehicle. If the vehicle cannot provide reliable and safe transportation, that completely eliminates all safety as a driver and for all passengers of this vehicle. *the federal safety agency* Please help the owners of the vehicles with these engines with appropriate recalls and procedures to ensure the safety of our vehicles. Thank you.

Filed May 2, 2022 · Engine · WA

- What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The 2012 to 2015 392 Hemis had a known issue with lifters - like mine does - where the cylindrical rotating ‘spheres’ which contact the cam shaft would wear at their inner axle/shaft, start ‘floating’, and as they would wear more (once the wear starts the wearing accelerates) to where the side-supports/tails for each lifter would make contact with the cam lobes, and start causing ruts and flats on the cam shaft. This will degrade quickly to the point a head-job will be requires, along with new cam and lifter set. Here is what is important; the replacement lifters are a DIFFERENT part number. Take note of what I just stated. Chrysler/Jeep will not replace stock lifters with the SAME ones - they will use an UPGRADED lifter set. SO - this should have been a recall. This fix will cost approx. $6K+ in labor and parts. If a motor is needed $16-$17k. I have the defective parts available. - How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? People's safety is at risk as a motor blowing up or seizing while driving could be fatal. - Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center. Yes, Lithia Jeep of Spokane has torn the motor down and confirmed the defect. - Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? No - Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? No warning lamps, but audible ticking/knocking noise. This defect can be found all over the internet by searching Hemi Tick.

Filed Nov 30, 2021 · Engine · 70,000 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, there was a ticking noise coming from the engine compartment, started well before this failure. Recently while driving the engine started to sputter and the vehicle would not accelerate above 25 MPH with a loud ticking noise coming from the engine. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The mechanic indicated that the engine needed to be disassembled to further diagnose the cause of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 70,000.

Filed Sep 10, 2021 · Transmission · 121,000 miles · IN

The contact owns a 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated while driving approximately 2 MPH, there was a knocking sound coming from the vehicle. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with needing a new transfer case. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 121,000. The VIN was not available.