2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee: shudder or vibration when accelerating

Filed Aug 9, 2024 · Transmission · IN

2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited started to shudder when accelerating, roughly into to 2nd/3rd gear, but would stop if pedal was lifted then would shift normally. In about a weeks time, the engine light came on and the vehicle would not shift gears at all while the car was in motion. Would have to pull over immediately, restart vehicle, then shifting would be fine and light went off. Could not reproduce. 3 days later, vehicle shifted into neutral multiple times during one trip of approx 10 miles with each time requiring a restart. Engine light has stayed on, dealership has been contacted.

Filed Jul 13, 2022 · Electrical, Transmission · TX

I noticed things like the cluster going completely black at random and it would last for seconds before re-illuminating; it happens while driving. I took in my vehicle to the dealership on June 28, 2022, two days prior, I noticed that my doors were unlocking while I was inside my workplace, the alarm was going off another day and I noticed shifting issues with the transmission. On June 27, 2022 I was forced to buy a brand new battery because the Jeep was running in Power Saving Mode, instead of taking a risk with a low battery, I bought a new one and thought everything was good, but it continued to run in Power Saving Mode; I received two CEL CODES, both correlating to the Transmission Control Module (TCM). Later that evening my son informed me that the cluster light was still on, the JEEP had been parked for several hours so there was no reason for the light to still be ON (WAKE MODE?). Also, I notated the codes I received before I had to have the Jeep towed to the dealership on Jun 28th to compare to what the service dept came up with; however on Jun 28th I attempted to jump the battery to take it to the service center but it wouldn’t Jump or charge; what happened was, just before the cluster went haywire, the wipers were moving across the windshield while it was in an OFF position, the UCONNECT was glitching out then went black, Cluster warned to service the electronic ABS and the SHIFTER, the fuse box was vibrating and shuddering very loudly, a hissing noise was coming from the back of the vehicle (could be the fuel pump? like compressed air) so by Monday morning, the 27th the battery had completely died and by the time it got to the dealership on Tues, I had to use the battery warranty to replace the battery so that the service department could then diagnose the Jeep. Fine, the battery was replaced Jun 30th with a brand new one, but by Fri Jun 8th I was told I need another brand new battery. All the issues had had a prior recall and seem to be reoccurring.

Filed Jan 29, 2021 · Transmission · 82,833 miles · GA

Vehicle shudders when accelerating, mainly low speeds. Jeep dealership investigated and stated transfer case needs replaced.

Filed Oct 22, 2019 · Electrical, Engine · 100,000 miles · GA

Tl* the contact owns a 2014 jeep grand cherokee. While driving various speeds, the vehicle shuddered and stalled. The contact pulled over and restarted the vehicle. At times, the vehicle failed to start from a cold start. The contact had to make several attempts before the vehicle would start correctly. The contact called landmark chrysler dodge jeep ram fiat of atlanta (located at 5765 peachtree industrial blvd, atlanta, ga 30341, 678‑359‑3410) and informed them of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer informed the contact that the vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 15v115000 (electrical system) and referred the contact to the federal safety agency to file a complaint. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000. *ln consumer stated video of fuel pump/relay issue safety hazard. Car shuts off while coasting.

Filed Jul 22, 2019 · Engine, Fuel system · 191,000 miles · NJ

Engine shuddered and stopped while in park. Tried to restart, but would not start (electrical was fine). Had it towed and fuel injector replaced. Drove for approximately 75 miles and acceleration ceased on busy highway at 70mph. When able to pull over and stop, would not go into park (even though shifter indicated that it was in park). Dashboard indicated that my speed was too high to shift (I do not recall the full message) and it began to roll backwards into traffic. I turned it off and it stopped rolling. Tow truck said he had difficulty putting it in neutral. Prior to failure to accelerate, there was a heavy rumbling sound when gas pedal pushed; then it sounded like small parts were falling off of the engine; then grinding sound but no acceleration. I saw a brief message about 4wheel drive, but was trying to get to safety, so I do not know what it said. I had a passenger and toddler in the car. Frightening!

Filed Aug 23, 2016 · Brakes, Lights · 24,076 miles · AZ

2014 jeep grand cherokee auto brakes for no reason, it sensed a stopped vehicle in the left turning lane and slammed on the brakes twice, I was in the left lane going 35 miles per hour; this has happened in the past also. I did report this to the manufacturer about six months ago via email, I saved the emails and their response. I could have been rear ended by a vehicle behind me because of this problem, literally once it starts I have no control over what the vehicle does, there is no way to stop the jeep from braking. I shudder to think if it happened on a freeway. I was traveling on a straight road going 35 miles per hour in the left lane. On the evening of 8/22/2016 I was driving in the dark and my automatic high beams malfunctioned several times. They used to work perfectly now they stay on and blind oncoming drivers and the drivers ahead of me, they also fail to come one when I am in the dark and there are no other cars; both incidents of high beam malfunction happened on a country road and on the freeway last night. This problem started immediately after I had the electronic shifter updated at the dealer and some other software updates that were due but I don't know what they did, I just know they were software related and part of a recall. Said vehicle is going back to the dealer for several hours of work on the software for both the high beams an the braking system on thursday, august 25, 2016.

Filed Nov 10, 2014 · Engine, Steering · 7,834 miles · FL

As you accelerate the diesel grand cherokee and it reaches 7th gear, the car starts shuddering as if the vehicle is about to "fall apart". This issue happens every time when in 7th and 8th gear. I've had to use the paddle shifters to maintain the vehicle in 6th gear to avoid such shaking in the highway. I've taken the vehicle to an empty road and accelerated to reproduce the issue and kept my foot in the petal and it eventually settles down after 8th gear. But if you remove foot from gas and let the car shift back to 6th when you re-accelerate the shuddering returns again. The entire car just shakes. Jeep has been unable to find a solution to this and the vehicle is not even a year old yet.

Filed Oct 30, 2014 · Engine, Steering · 10,000 miles · CO

My 2014 jeep grand cherokee ecodiesel shudders/vibrates intermittently at highway speeds. Evidently, this is a common problem in this particular model, and so much so that it now has a name, "fish bites". At least one technical service bulletin and possibly even more (many have similar symptoms) have acknowledged the drivetrain as the source and have attempted to resolve it with software flashes. After numerous visits to the dealer to correct the issue, the "fish bites" are still happening, and are getting increasingly worse. Unfortunately, after the last visit and being told it had been resolved, I had to find out that the attempted fix did not work while on a tight two-lane road. The occurrence nearly caused the vehicle to lose control at high speed. Prospective buyers of this model should recognize that it may be unsafe, as this unresolved issue was clearly a hazard to myself and to the vehicles in close proximity.

Filed Sep 10, 2014 · Engine, Transmission · 9,250 miles · TN

While entering a busy interstate and accelerating from a stop to 65 MPH on the onramp, the jeep grand cherokee drive train began shuddering violently and would not stop. It felt like the vehicle was running over severe bumps in the road yet the surface was free of defects. I was disoriented by the shaking sensation which would stop if I decelerate but returned immediately when accelerating to merge. I was forced off the road by faster traffic and my inability to speed up. I had to stop on the roadside and attempt to merge again when traffic cleared. My re-attempt to accelerate caused shuddering again at 45 MPH. I pulled over again and shut the vehicle off. I restarted and, on my third attempt, accelerated very aggressively with the vehicle shuddering at 45 MPH up to 65 MPH. When I quite accelerating th e shudder quit. This violent drive train shudder has occurred often since then. I have learned that this occurs most often in the first 10 miles of operation and I can minimize the shudder when it occurs by accelerating at full throttle which is unsafe. My online research indicates others are complaining of this same issue in various auto forums. I have had my jeep dealer apply service updates and test drive the vehicle but jeep has yet to fix this issue. In my opinion, this is ridiculous in a new car and is a drive ability and safety concern.

Filed Sep 9, 2014 · Transmission · 9,280 miles · CO

Transmission will shudder while accelerating making the vehicle dangerous and difficult to control. Vehicle has been to the dealer multiple times and they have yet to fix it. Research has LED me to believe that this is impacting many other jeep's on the road today. I do not believe they are safe to be on the road until the problem is remedied.

Filed Jul 15, 2014 · Engine, Fuel system · 8,000 miles · PA

While driving up a grade at 50 MPH, vehicle began to shake/shudder/vibrate. I had to tramp the accelerator to engage the transmission to work through the situation. This has happened at least a dozen times. Dealer has not been able to replicate the condition. The catalytic converter is being replaced on 7/16. I do not know if this is the cause of the problem.

Filed Nov 23, 2013 · Electrical, Engine · 7,000 miles · WA

Shortly after starting vehicle and driving at approx 10 MPH, check engine light came on. 30 seconds later check engine light started flashing and misfire was felt, car began to shudder. I pulled over, turned off and restarted, again flashing check engine light and shuddering. Vehicle was towed to dealer, who also felt misfire on cold start next am and codes confirmed misfires in multiple cylinders. Dealer inspected engine but found no issues. Next day, car operated normally. Approximately 1-2 weeks later, on starting vehicle entire instrument cluster lit up, with check air bag warning and lights indicated ABS failure and ecs off. Car drove, but I subsequently realized speedometer did not work, it was very frightening to drive on highway without knowing my speed. After restarting check engine light remained on, but vehicle functioned normally. Was going to bring back to dealer, but check engine light went off after about 6 drives. These issues are very worrisome and I feel uncomfortable every time I start the ignition.