2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee: key fob or push-button start problems

Filed Jan 6, 2020 · Electrical, Engine · 60,000 miles · MA

Parked the car on a rainy night post a 6 hour drive. 2.5 hours after the car was turned off, the alarm system and other electrical components began to go off intermittently, not in the typical alarm pattern. Key fob and lock would not respond. Car would not start but some electronic components continued to work, including uconnect. Finally stopped after 20 minutes. The car then shut down completely and would not start. Called aaa and they sent out the battery truck. Aaa battery voltmeter check revealed an initial read of 10.9 volts; then went to 0.9. Jump start would not take. Car completely dead except for power seats, which continued to work. Had to tow vehicle to dealership who ultimately determined that body control module had malfunctioned. Similar reports and a recall for this body control module same malfunction due to wiper blades on dry glass in 2011-2014 models.

Filed Sep 8, 2019 · Acceleration, Transmission · 49,500 miles · TX

While traveling approximately 70 miles per hour (on a highway), on two occasions working 24 hours, the vehicle shifted from drive into neutral with no manipulation of the shifter. There was no warning of the impending loss of mechanical power to the drive wheels, and I was forced to coast to the shoulder of the road. No other systems (brakes or power steering as well as other electrical systems appeared to be affected. Once on the shoulder and completely stopped, I attempted to shift the vehicle back into drive, but was prompted 'shift not allowed - vehicle speed too high' despite the fact that the speedometer read 0 MPH. Next, I pushed the start/stop button and the vehicle did not power down, but did allow me to shift into drive. The error has not replicated more than once per start up sequence (if it happens once while driving, pull over and restart, the error seems to not recur for the duration the vehicle is in motion for the rest of the trip). Oil pressure and temperature as well as transmission temperature were reported as within normal operating ranges. I checked the vehicles oil level which was within the 'safe' zone on the dipstick. The vehicle had over 1/2 a tank of gas. This issue is new to the unit, with over 16 months of operating the vehicle it has only occurred within the past 24 hours. The issue is not preceded by any notification, and no mil's were activated either before or after the failure to shift. It is worth noting the key fob is low on battery, but the issue occurs solely in motion. I will be visiting the dealer prior for troubleshooting prior to operating the vehicle again.

Filed Mar 25, 2019 · Electrical, Lights · KY

2015 jeep grand cherokee. Consumer writes in regards to defective automatic headlight feature. *ld the consumer stated there was also a malfunction with the keyfob.

Filed Nov 3, 2018 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 31,373 miles · OH

The vehicle would not start. It has a push button ignition switch start. It locked up and it could not be towed because the tow truck driver could not get it in natural to move it. I was stranded for 12 hours with nothing to eat or drink before I got help. All electrical systems shut down and I was alone in a very bad area at the time. Unless the vehicle started it would do nothing and could not be towed. Jeep needs a recall on this very unsafe system. They should be made put in an override switch or be able to start the vehicle with a key. I am 76 years old and I was going to start on a 500 mile trip that day. Very good thing it happen when it did. The vehicle would have been dead along the road with no help. All push button starts need a backup to get out of this safety hazard. I unlocked the door get in and pushed the start button and nothing. All kind of lights lit up on the instrument panel and displayed a lot of things that would not work. The transmission would not go in or out of gear.

Filed Feb 16, 2018 · Fuel system · NC

The car has extended cranking and hesitating while driving due to a faulty fuel pump relay like other jeep and durango's with push button starts. Their has been recalls on other years. We have had nothing but trouble since we bought this vechocle new.

Filed Dec 15, 2016 · 4,000 miles · MO

Key fob is designed with large buttons flush with the face of the fob. This vehicle has been unknowingly remote started twice (once in an attached garage) simply by having the fob in my pocket and bending over for something as simple as tying shoes. Panic alarm has been activated several times by similar normal actions. These buttons should be recessed to protect from unintentional activation. A running car in a closed attached garage in not a good thing.

Filed Aug 1, 2016 · 27,500 miles · SC

I've waited 9 months for the so called fix for the gear shift lever that has caused multiple problems and near miss catastrophes and I brought it to the dealer who installed the software "fix" and now the car won't start- dashboard says" it does not recognize the key fob and it will not start in gear" headlights also start blinking when trying to start and door locks don't work. I want another car.

Filed Jun 21, 2016 · 10,000 miles · MI · crash · 1 injury

Jeep was in the driveway and had remained there overnight. My husband autostarted the car using the keyfob from inside the house. My sister was behind the car as she was going to get her bag out of the trunk. The car began to move in reverse (on our flat driveway) and pinned her between the jeep and the car behind her. The jeep did not stop moving until someone jumped in the car and hit the brakes. The driver of the vehicle behind the jeep was in his car. He was able to back up but the jeep was moving fast enough to cause damage to his car. The car appeared to be in reverse, not just in neutral. My sister's patella was fractured. A recall has been issued for the vehicle stating that people are not aware that the car is not in park when the vehicle is exited. However, the jeep was clearly in park because we were able to autostart the vehicle using the keyfob.

Filed May 31, 2016 · Electrical · 3,900 miles · MN

On two occasions while standing in my garage with the jeep parked and not used or running for days, the instrument panel suddenly comes alive inside the vehicle without opening the door, touching the door handle, or having the remote key transponder anywhere near the vehicle (they were both inside the house nowhere near the vehicle at the time and I was many feet away from the vehicle.) I can hear the vehicle electrical system "boot up" and then shut back down. I have on many other occasions heard the electrical system "boot up" and power back down without the dashboard display coming alive. Once again, no key fob was near the vehicle nor the door opened or touched when I have been out in my garage to witness this and the vehicle has not been driven for days.

Filed May 31, 2016 · Electrical · 500 miles · MN

On two occasions, the first time was within a couple days of owning the vehicie, I have had the jeep start remotely in my garage due to the remote key transponder in my pocket and the attached keys on the key ring depress the remote start button, which requires two presses to activate. I have also had the panic button feature activate twice from the buttons being depressed in my pocket. Seems to be a very dangerous and faulty key fob design. Have read online others having same issue and decided to file a report.

Filed Apr 24, 2016 · Transmission · 15,000 miles · NV · crash

On more than one occasion I have started to get out of my jeep to find that it was not in park. On one occasion it was in neutral rather than park and the car rolled down the driveway unoccupied. It rolled into a ditch. It is also very easy to leave the car with the engine running by mistake. Serious design problem. Key fobs are also less safe than a key what must be turned and pulled out before leaving.

Filed Jan 18, 2016 · Electrical · 16,000 miles · NC

Jeep was purchased end of april 2015, here in the middle of january 2016 attempted to start the vehicle parked in my home garage and the vehicle would not start. After several failed attempts, I exited the vehicle and used the remote start feature, the vehicle finally started. No clear explanation for why the push button start did not work. After my initial stop about 20 minutes later, when I attempted the push button start, it then worked again. 16,000 miles on the vehicle. Serviced the selling dealership.