2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee: jerking or lurching

Filed Oct 14, 2025 · Acceleration, Engine · SC

6 months ago, I was driving on the interstate and the ESC system light came on, the vehicle lost power/ability to accelerate, and would only allow acceleration after pulling over and restarting the car. This happened several more times on the interstate, and when the ESC system kicked in it would suddenly lurch the car down about 15 mph and leave no ability to accelerate, causing near collisions at high rates of speed. After eventually taking it to the dealership, it turned out to be failed lifters on the driver's side cam shaft, a known design issue that has apparently plagued the Pentastar engines. This all happened in spite of meticulous maintenance and no warning signs from the engine whatsoever. How is such a significant, known design defect that causes such dangerous driving conditions never been flagged for a recall?

Filed Sep 27, 2025 · Seats · CA

Drivers seat headrest, popped apart while driving. Hit back of drivers head with loud sound, scaring driver and jerking neck, while driving. Checked for recall, none shown.

Filed Sep 5, 2025 · Transmission · NY

The contact owns a 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at 55 MPH, the vehicle jerked, and the transmission unexpectedly shifted into neutral. An unknown warning light flashed on the instrument panel. In addition, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and turned off the vehicle. The contact waited for a few minutes. The vehicle restarted and the vehicle functioned as intended. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. However, no cause for the failure was found. The independent mechanic informed the contact that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure persisted. Upon investigation, the contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 19V447000 (POWER TRAIN). However, the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure recurred, and the vehicle was parked and no longer driven due to safety concerns. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

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 Feb 3, 2025 · Seat belts · NC

Without incident or warning, front passenger seatbelt will not retract, pull out or lock when jerked. Inspected 1/13/25 by Capital CDJR, Garner,NC 919‑582‑0202, found to require replacement per Mopar Warranty Bulletin#D-21-04 dated 3-24-2021. Service Advisor and Parts stated that seatbelt is on NATIONAL BACKORDER, can't be ordered and no ETA can be provided, although my name was added to "the list." Please note that this Warranty Bulletin was published FOUR YEARS AGO, yet parts remain unavailable. Online research indicates this safety failure was investigated by the federal safety agency and caused Mopar to extend seatbelt warranty coverage. Without replacement parts sourcing, without ability to order, without an ETA, the situation still exists without resolution. When will this become a priority? Thank you.

Filed Aug 23, 2024 · Electrical, Engine · FL

The vehicle has been making this electrical noise inside the vehicle. The vehicle upon accelerating, would hesitate to go then jerk. The vehicle was inspected by a mechanic technician. It was suggested that the vehicle TCM be replaced. It was replaced and the jerking still exist. The vehicle out of nowhere started having these unexpected electrical issues. This caused the cooling system fan to not work. I ordered a new cooling system fan and had it replaced/installed. However, these issues along with other safety concerning issues have continued to occur. This vehicle can cause significant serious injury or injuries to the owner or others. The vehicle would lock up occasionally. This model jeep (2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland 5.7L) has some safety concerns. This need to be fixed immediately before it cause catastrophic damages/injuries to others.

Filed Jul 9, 2024 · Transmission · NJ

Vehicle jerks when moving forward or reverse. Vehicles feels as if it 's being rear ended going forward or being hit hard from the front going reverse. This jerking motion is exaggerated more when the steering wheel is turned left or right - very dangerous when parked near a vehicle front/back. The vehicle now also gives an error message to "service 4-wheel drive system" then a few seconds later the Electronic Stability Control warning light , lights up. I only have 62K miles on this vehicle bought it brand new. Took to the dealer for regular oil change and informed about the issue. Dealer changed oil but would need to do a diagnostic for another day. Will drop off vehicle in 4 days.

Filed Jun 14, 2024 · Acceleration, Transmission · NJ · crash

We have a 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee with a 5.7L Hemi engine. Today on XXX, we were moving slowly in traffic on a street in Linden, New Jersey, and suddenly the vehicle accelerated by itself. My wife pressed on the brakes all the way to the floor but the vehicle kept jumping forward - the engine was revving and trying to move the vehicle forward while my wife was firmly pressing on the brake pedal. Because we were in stop and go traffic, the vehicle eventually lurched into the car in front of us and caused an accident. The front of our vehicle was damaged as was the rear of the car in front of us. This sudden acceleration has happened a few times in the last 3 years. During the previous instance of this sudden acceleration, on [XXX] we also hit a car in stop and go traffic. The air bags deployed and we had extensive repairs done because of that. This happened another time as well. During that instance, we did not hit anything, and the only way we were able to stop the car was by switching the gearshift to the Park position. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Apr 29, 2024 · Transmission · MI

I've been driving a 2014 Jeep Cherokee. Here are the list of problems I have experienced / still experiencing. 1. Vibration when accelerating through 20 to 30km/h (still exists) 2. Rough, jerky upshifts from 1st->2nd and 2nd->3rd gear (still exists) 3. The car jerks forward suddenly, almost like being rear ended, when coming to a stop. (still exists) 4. Rattling noise from the glove compartment. (still exists) 5. Rattling noise from the back side of the car. (still exists) 6. Loose bolt inside the trunk door. 7. Rattling noise when the car first drives after engine's turned on. (still exists) 8. When using the climate control, the screen often doesn't change to reflect the current climate settings. (fixed) 9. Extremely loud buzzing sound that appears out of nowhere while driving. (still exists) My cheif complaint is the transmission issues that I’m experiencing. I’m afraid to take this SUV on the highway. It’s a safety hazard.

Filed Dec 21, 2023 · Transmission · MI

Noted hesitation while merging into traffic from expressway on ramp, Jeep reving up with loss of power observed. Jeep stayed in 5th gear on the expressway then leaving work at the end of the day hesitation turning onto the road from the parkinglot with hard forward jerking, shift between gears. Check engine light came on noted recalls this morning with the same type of problem that I am currently experiencing.

Filed Nov 16, 2023 · Engine · GA

The contact owns a 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated while driving 15 MPH, the instrument panel became inoperable. The contact stated that the jerked and failed to properly shift gear. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle had been diagnosed by an independent mechanic. The contact was informed that the failure was due to a faulty engine. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Feb 10, 2023 · Transmission · CA

Transmission jerking and slipping until I reach 38mph. Unsafe on roadways feels like being hit from behind. Scary