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2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee transmission problems

78 complaints (25% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 33,000. 9 crashes reported.

owner complaints
78
of this car's complaints
25%
typical mileage
33,000
crashes
9
recalls
0

Which part fails

  • Transfer case (4-wheel drive)
    1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Jeep Grand Cherokee transmission problems in other years

19911995200020052010201520202026

Specific symptoms reported on the 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee transmission

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Won't shift 10Jerking 8

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

What 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Feb 27, 2026 · Fuel system, Transmission · GA

Tone wheel failure resulting in vehicle not operating as intended. Required repair of which FCA stated the repair was not covered by the recall issued against the vehicle.

Filed Feb 10, 2026 · Transmission · 151,755 miles · IN

The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while attempting to drive from a complete stop, the transmission remained stuck in first gear. The contact shifted to neutral(N) and shifted back to drive(D), and the vehicle responded as intended. There was no warning light illuminated. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 151,755.

Filed Jan 25, 2026 · Electrical, Transmission · MN

While driving then it just shuts off

Filed Sep 30, 2025 · Transmission · NJ

Car not going out of park. Seems to be stuck in gear. Code P1DAB

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 Jul 2, 2025 · Transmission · 155,347 miles · GA

The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while in park(Park) and attempting to shift to drive(D), the transmission failed to shift to the desired position. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that a handheld diagnostic machine was used to retrieve DTC: P1DB8 and P1DB8-00. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 155,347.

Filed May 29, 2025 · Brakes, Transmission · CO

The gear selector assembly (shifter indicator) failed in accordance with current recall S28 for 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokees. The lights stopped illuminating suggesting corruption/inability to flash repair and the "Service Shifter" warning message appeared on the dash. The dealer indicated the vehicle is immediately unsafe for operation stating that the PRNDM indicator operates important features beyond just illumination of the PRNDM display such as driving signals, lights including reverse lights, backup camera, etc and that the vehicle is not currently recognizing all gears. Jeep dealer indicated this is a common failure and indicative of S28 recall but could not provide reasoning why vehicle was not included in the notice.

Filed Sep 4, 2024 · Transmission · FL

The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while attempting to park the vehicle, the transmission failed to shift into park(P). The “Service Transmission, Set Park Brake, and Prevent Rolling” messages were displayed. Several unknown warning lights illuminated on the instrument panel immediately afterwards and then turned off independently. The parking brake symbol remained flashing with an audible alarm beeping. The contact turned off the vehicle, and the vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the valve body had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The failure occurred approximately 1 year later. The vehicle was returned to the dealer who had diagnosed the vehicle with valve body failure. The dealer informed the contact that the failure was related to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 20V043000 (Power Train); however, the VIN was not included. The dealer had been attempting to have the manufacturer add the VIN to the recall. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The manufacturer referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Feb 29, 2024 · Electrical, Engine · CO

I've had issues with my vehicle since 2021 -engine light first appeared on the dashboard and towed my car to a Jeep dealership. Vehicle was "repaired" (have the documentation, if needed), but the engine light remained on. I have since driven this vehicle for nearly 3 years with the engine light on, bringing it into different Jeep dealerships (all documentation on record if needed) to repair and was told there was nothing they could find wrong with the engine. Last year (2023) my electronic stability control and 4WD lights came on in addition to the engine light. My car was sliding all over the road and my 4WD was not engaging at all. Brought vehicle to Jeep dealership for repair, was told ABS module needs to be replaced and the traction control is malfunctioning; no 4 wheel drive engagement; that the ABS module has been discontinued and the only way to replace this is to get an after market part. Contacted Mopar and was told there is "no way of knowing if it's available and it's beyond their capability". I was told the after market part would be tied to a specific VIN. I then contacted the Jeep Dealership- Parts department and explained the situation, asking if there's any other way I can fix this part in my vehicle. Was told there's nothing I can do since it's discontinued, that it's odd that a part for a 2016 vehicle would be discontinued, and I could check junkyards for parts but am not likely to find a match since my vehicle is not that old. I live in Colorado and in the last 2 winter months have been terrified to drive when it rains or snows because I have NO traction and am sliding THROUGH traffic lights and stop signs, even going at a very slow speed. I ended up in the next lane over when slowly driving up a hill on a main road. The value of this 2016 vehicle is miniscule compared to value when I purchased; this places safety of MYSELF AND OTHERS at risk. My partner is experiencing a similar issue with his 2014 Cherokee - discontinued part and safety issues.

Filed Jan 21, 2024 · Electrical, Transmission · OK

Jeep turns off while driving and makes me put it into park to turn it back on and into drive again. Lights flicker from dim to bright inside and outside. I have changed both batteries and the alternator.

Questions about the 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee transmission

Does the 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee have transmission problems?

Owners have filed 78 complaints about the transmission of the 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 25% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee transmission problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 33,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee transmission?

There is no recall for this problem on this model year.

What year does the Jeep Grand Cherokee have bad transmission?

The Jeep Grand Cherokee model years with the most transmission complaints are 2014 (477 complaints), 1998 (425 complaints) and 1999 (385 complaints).

Other 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee problems

Engine 85Electrical 62Fuel system 45Brakes 25Acceleration 23Driver assistance 16Steering 16Airbags 12Body 11Seats 11Lights 10Wheels 6Seat belts 4Visibility 4Suspension 3Tires 2

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