System Failed: Total engine failure caused by a defective Recall W79 EGR Cooler, which is available for physical inspection at my residence.Safety Risk: The vehicle suffered a sudden, complete loss of motive power at speed. This caused an immediate traffic hazard, risking a catastrophic rear-end collision due to lost propulsion, power steering, and braking.Dealer Verification: The vehicle is currently undrivable. Jeep Corporate is actively giving me the runaround and refusing to tow or diagnose the vehicle under the EcoDiesel Settlement Extended Warranty.Inspections: No inspections have been conducted yet by police, insurance, or the manufacturer; the vehicle is fully preserved.Symptoms/Warning: No long-term warning lights appeared. The vehicle suddenly lost AC cooling and instantly stalled out without advanced mechanical warning.
2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee: engine failure
20 of the 1,372 complaints about the 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee describe engine failure.
- owner complaints
- 20
- of this car's complaints
- 1%
- typical mileage
- 59,674
- recalls
- 3
Engine failure by model year
What owners say
Vehicle began displaying check engine light. Diagnostic code P219B (Bank 2 air-fuel ratio imbalance) was identified. Vehicle was serviced and a valve-related repair was performed. Shortly after, engine performance worsened and further inspection revealed metal shavings in engine oil and confirmed internal lifter/valvetrain failure. Oil levels were normal and maintenance records are available. No warning of low oil pressure or overheating occurred prior to failure. Independent service center and inspector confirmed internal mechanical failure. Engine failure created risk of sudden loss of power while driving. This appears consistent with documented Pentastar 3.6L valvetrain/lifter issues reported by other owners. Concern is potential for sudden engine malfunction and safety risk due to power loss.
The contact owns a 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the service electronic system warning light illuminated. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle drove abnormally rough. The vehicle was driven to the destination. The contact stated that while attempting to restart the vehicle, the vehicle failed to restart. The contact stated that after several attempts, the vehicle started. The vehicle was driven to the residence. The contact stated that an independent mechanic inspected the vehicle, and the vehicle was diagnosed with a failed tone wheel and that the tone wheel had delaminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was inoperable, and the engine had seized due to a failure. The dealer informed the contact that the crankshaft software update was performed in 2022. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.
The contact owns a 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 22V406000 (Fuel System, Diesel); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had gone to the dealer three times for the recall repair before experiencing a failure with the vehicle; however, the part was not available for the recall repair. While awaiting the repair, while the contact's wife was driving approximately 60 MPH, there was a clanking sound coming from the engine compartment. The sound progressively grew louder. There was no warning light illuminated. On the fourth visit to the dealer, the vehicle was diagnosed with engine failure, and the contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that parts were on backorder and opened a case. The failure mileage was approximately 71,000.
My 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland EcoDiesel (VIN# [XXX] ) had a catastrophic engine failure at 96k miles (400 miles from home) on a family trip Friday [XXX] leaving us stranded far from home for the second time in the last year (first time was for a turbo coolant line that failed requiring me to leave my car in California for 3+ weeks while parts were on back order). I still have an active AEM Warranty from the emissions recalls a few years back that's good until 120k miles, however previous inquiries have stated that this warranty doesn't cover the engine failure and was given a repair estimate in excess of $30k+. Premature engine failures have been a very common problem of this series of vehicle, it was involved in the AEM class-action lawsuit, and had numerous recalls that are related to the engine and engine components. Myself and the Lithia Jeep Dealership staff in Grants Pass, OR were all shocked when the warranty claim was denied for this replacement given the number of EcoDiesel failures they had seen. With the systemic premature failures of these engines, the AEM class-action lawsuit updates, extent of recalls that are related to the engine and engine components, I have been disappointed in how Chrysler/Jeep have handled this situation, leaving the burden of their design flaws on their customers. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
While driving on the freeway, I heard a quiet noise but saw no warning messages on the dash. I decided to pull over and found the vehicle had shifted into neutral and lost power steering. The vehicle was towed to a AAA service center. They discovered that the safety recall W79 / the federal safety agency 20V‑699 Diesel ECR cooler had been replaced but failed again, requiring a complete engine replacement. The recall was repaired in May 2022, and the part failed in July 2024, two months outside the warranty. The dealer where we bought the vehicle and had the recall serviced won't return my calls.
- The Diesel Engine failed or malfunctioned. New/current engine is available for inspection but no longer have dead engine. Was removed by Jeep dealership. - I Was driving with my kids and as I was about to park in the lot, thick black smoke started coming from the hood of my jeep. My kids started screaming and I immediately turned off the vehicle and got my kids out, because I wasn't sure if it was going to blow up or what would happen. Called USAA to tow vehicle to dealership. - Problem was confirmed by the dealer - I have never got my vehicle serviced by anyone else besides the dealer/manufacture (DCH Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Fiat of Temecula) - the vehicle and component was inspected by the manufacture (DCH Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Fiat) - There was absolutely NO WARNING, NO LIGHTS OR SIGNES THAT THIS WAS GOING TO HAPPEN prior to the failure. (CHECK ALL RECORDS AT DEALERSHIP) ALL SERVICE COMPLAINTS ARE DOCUMENTED at (DCH Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Fiat of Temecula).
The contact owns a 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that after a visual inspection of the vehicle, he observed an excessive amount of oil leaking from an unknown location. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the engine mount insulator. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 74,000. The contact found an oil leak underneath of the vehicle. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and they replaced the engine mount insulator.
I had a warning code of service electronic throttle. It then started to regenerate and we took it to Lithia Jeep to fix EGR recall. They needed to replace engine intake because it caught fire. Several months later the car broke down while driving, sputtering, knocking, squealing. Upon inspection, metal flakes found in oil. Suspected HPFP sucked into engine causing havoc. The HPFP is an open recall but no available replacement parts. I'm currently out of a vehicle. I've contacted Jeep but haven't heard a reply
3.6L Pentastar engine is defective. In October 2020 (55,000 miles), there was a ticking noise coming from engine and reduced engine power. Fields Jeep Dodge Ram Chrysler replaced right intake camshaft and 6 lifters, rockers, and related gaskets. In April 2021, I noticed same ticking noise; brought back to dealership; dealership found "nothing wrong." In March 2022 (70,000 miles) I heard same ticking noise; brought to dealership; insisted something was wrong. SURPRISE! This time, ALL (12) ENGINE lifters/rockers/gaskets & camshafts replaced. Now, May 2023 (80,000 miles) there is, again, ticking in engine/loss of power; this time there is a noticeable bucking and surging when the engine is cold. There were no warning lights or messages on the dashboard to indicate impending engine failure. Symptoms I experienced were loss of engine power, ticking, and bucking/surging. I WISH someone from NHSTA would come and inspect the car. Safety issues can arise if the engine fails while being driven - increased risk of stalling, loss of motive power, obviously collision, any number of things. On two separate occasions, Jeep dealership identified and "fixed" the issue with the same faulty parts that caused the problem in the first place. Other than the dealership, no one else has inspected the vehicle. This issue is ongoing and will continue to occur as a result of an inherently faulty engine design, for which the only remedy is to fix it with the same defective parts.
Vehicle purchased 2/9/23 First claim is filed at tire kingdom 2/14/23 ( tires needed balancing , lower oil pan gasket , belt tensioner mentioned the engine shaking and was told they aren’t sure ) Tire kingdom ; 2/16/23 ( engine mounts changed ) Tire kingdom ; 2/20/23 engine diagnostics ( tire kingdom found no failure no check engine light ) Tirekingdom; 2/23/23 ( spark plugs , harmonic balancer ) Dealership 2/27/23 cylinder head replacements Dealership ; 3/14/23 engine mounts , alignment tire balance ( claim denied ) thermostat denied as no failure Tirekingdom ; 3/15/23 referred back to dealership for engine issue again . Dealership ; dropped off on 3/20/23 reported complete engine failure . Inspectors report 4/10/23 - inspection report confirmed engine failure . 4/22/23 received vehicle back 4/22/23 contacted silverrock and noted burning smell , poor acceleration, whining noises etc 4/23/23 check engine light comes on . 4/25/23 takes vehicle back to service center vehicle has an evap code . 5/1 contacted dealership to check on status of the vehicle , dealership has noted transmission failure , leaking oil pan . The engine that was used ( the dealership informed carvana / silverrock at the time of receipt is defective ) has indeed been categorized as defective .
The oil cooler fails resulting in the entire cooling system being filled with the oil from the engine and possibly contaminating the engine oil with coolant. Even after the oil cooler is replaced the entire cooling system must be thoroughly flushed and have multiple parts replaced. It is a safety hazard because there is no warning, the oil cooler fails and all you engine oil is gone. Which will lead to catastrophic engine failure and possibly fire from the heat produced from the friction.
Service bulletins that may apply
- Verify Reman part number availability
- Water Quality When Mixed With Engine Coolant
- WiTECH Small Leak Verification Test (SLVT)
- Adapter
- Adapter
- Complete Engine Assembly Replacements Arriving Without Engine Wiring Harness.
- Customer complaints may include abnormal engine noise, rough idle, lack of power, misfire
- Diesel Fuel Injector Cleaning Procedure
Related recalls
Engine and engine cooling
- What is wrong
- Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2019 Ram 1500 and 2014-2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles equipped with 3.0L Diesel engines. The crankshaft position sensor tone wheel may delaminate, causing the engine to lose its ability to synchronize the fuel injector pulses and cam shaft timing, possibly resulting in an engine stall.
- Risk
- An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will update the powertrain control module software to maintain vehicle propulsion, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed August 3, 2023. Some owner notification letters were mailed October 31, 2023. The remaining owner notification letters will be mailed at a future date, anticipated July 2024. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1‑800‑853‑1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 66A. This recall is an expansion of recall 20V‑475.
Recall number 23V411000 · Recall details
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: gas recirculation valve (EGR valve)
- What is wrong
- Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles equipped with the 3.0L EcoDiesel engines. The Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) cooler may crack and allow pre-heated vaporized coolant to enter the EGR system. This mixture may combust inside the intake manifold.
- Risk
- Combustion in the intake manifold can increase the risk of a fire.
- Remedy
- FCA US LLC will notify owners, and dealers will replace the EGR cooler, free of charge. Dealers will also inspect and, as necessary, replace the intake manifold. Parts are not currently available. Owners were mailed an interim notification on December 21, 2021. A second notification will be mailed when parts are available, currently expected to be around March 11, 2021. The recall began March 11, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US LLC customer service at 1‑800‑853‑1403. FCA US LLC's number for this recall is W79.
Recall number 20V699000 · Recall details
Engine and engine cooling: engine: diesel
- What is wrong
- Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Ram 1500 and 2014-2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles equipped with 3.0L diesel engines. The crankshaft position sensor tone wheel may delaminate causing the engine to lose its ability to synchronize the fuel injector pulses and cam shaft timing, possibly resulting in an engine stall.
- Risk
- An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- FCA US will notify owners, and dealers will update the powertrain control module software to maintain vehicle propulsion by reading the camshaft position signal in the event that the crankshaft position signal is lost, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 13, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US customer service at 1‑800‑853‑2002. FCA US's number for this recall is W58.
Recall number 20V475000 · Recall details
Questions about the 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee engine failure
Is engine failure a common problem on the 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
20 of 1,372 owner complaints about the 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee (1%) mention engine failure. The model year with the most reports is 2014.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
There are 3 recalls and 71 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee
Check engine light 77Stalling 51Seat belt 42Jerking 39Loss of power 36Won't shift 36Knocking 29Fuel pump 29Headlights 25Fire or smoke 24Sudden acceleration 21No deployment 20Hesitation 18Wipers 18Adaptive cruise 17Rollaway 17Slipping 17Won't start 17Key fob 15Transmission failure 13Collision warning 12Backup camera 11Sunroof shattered 11Harsh shifting 10Power steering loss 10Overheating 8Airbag light 7Warning lights 7Door locks 5
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