2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee: sudden unintended acceleration

Filed Jul 11, 2025 · Transmission · PA

Transmission will "buck" unexpectedly when slowing to a stop. This causes a violent and unpredictable lunge forward. This has been reported and inspected by the dealer multiple times with the assessment just being "that's an 8 speed transmission for ya". There is no warning of it happening, nor is an event stored within the vehicle ECU.

Filed Jun 22, 2021 · Acceleration · PA

Twice in recent months the car accelerated on its own while idling. I received no warning or message. Both times the car surged forward a short distance. I applied the brake both times, but it didn’t seem to have much effect. The car seemed to slow on its own. My search of the internet uncovered many instances of sudden unintended acceleration involving the Jeep Cherokee, some resulting in severe injury/property damage, so it is definitely a safety issue. There have been many complaints, over many years, about this same problem, but I could not find mention of a recall notice or service advisory. Apparently there has been no definitive identification of the cause. I would gladly have the car inspected, but suspect that the problem can not be easily reproduced. I have had the vehicle for 5 years and only experienced this problem twice. Of course it only has to happen once to cause serious harm.

Filed Sep 18, 2017 · Acceleration, Transmission · 25,000 miles · VA · crash · 1 injury

Tl* the contact owns a 2016 jeep grand cherokee. While operating the vehicle, the eco indicator suddenly illuminated. The driver stopped the vehicle and discovered that the transmission was stuck in the drive position and could not be switched to the park position. The vehicle suddenly experienced unintended acceleration and crashed into a building. The front end of the vehicle sustained significant damage, but the air bags did not deploy. The driver sustained a neck injury, which required medical attention. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was taken to cole motors in blue field, wv, but the cause of the failure could not be determined. The manufacturer was notified. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 25,000. Updated 11/03/17*lj *tt consumer stated car ran away emergency brake and foot brake was on updated 7/18/18

Filed Aug 6, 2017 · Driver assistance, Engine · 6,000 miles · OH · crash

When I braked for pedestrians, the auto stop feature turned off engine as I entered a sloped parking space. After pedestrians cleared, I depressed the accelerator. When the engine eventually restarted, the car surged forward and hit a wall at the end of the parking space---damaging the bumper.

Filed Apr 18, 2017 · Engine, Transmission · 9,610 miles · NJ

After putting car in drive, it suddenly accelerated.

Filed Apr 9, 2017 · Acceleration · 12,600 miles · FL

Vehicle was park at drive thru atm. Vehicle was placed back into drive and as. Take brake was released, vehicle accelerated without gas pedal being pressed. Vehicle went into forward motion rapidly and brake had to be applied to stop vehicle. Same incident happened again a short time later when pulling onto street. Prior the vehicle would go into neutral without warning. As vehicle was attempting to cross busy highway, the vehicle went into neutral at detrimental time while traffic was oncoming. Shifting into neutral then back to drive had no effect. Vehicle engine had to be turned off then back on to get vehicle to go back in drive. This occurrence happened on three separate occasions. Dealer ship was notified and they replace a wire harness. Dealership was notified regarding acceleration issue and the vehicle was towed to them. Dealership mechanics advised they couldn't recreate the problem and said bring it back if it happens again. Very dangerous. Not confident in vehicle reliability.

Filed Nov 14, 2016 · Acceleration · 11,600 miles · CO · crash

Tl* the contact owned a 2016 jeep grand cherokee. The contact stated that the vehicle was parked inside a garage facing forward. While the brake pedal was depressed, the contact pushed the start button and the vehicle suddenly accelerated at approximately 30 MPH into the front lawn. The vehicle struck a tree stump with the front passenger side wheel, went airborne approximately seven feet off the ground, and landed on the other end of the driveway. The vehicle kept accelerating and crashed into a building on the property. There were no injuries and a police report was not filed. The contact managed to switch the gear into park and stop the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was destroyed and towed. The approximate failure mileage was 11,600. ..updated 06/08/17 *bf ....updated 06/21/17 *bf updated 7/5/18*jb