2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee: stuck in gear or won't shift

Filed Mar 5, 2026 · Engine · 256,000 miles · WI

The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle suddenly jolted, lost power, and went into LIMP Mode, almost causing a rear-end crash. The message "Service Electronic Throttle Control" was displayed. The vehicle was pulled over to the shoulder and inspected, but no cause was immediately determined. The vehicle was driven to the residence in LIMP Mode. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where codes associated with the crankshaft position sensor and intake manifold runner were retrieved, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact associated the failure with the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 20V475000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 256,000.

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 Sep 30, 2025 · Transmission · NJ

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

Filed Oct 22, 2022 · Transmission · MI

The shifter inside my 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee failed. It started by losing the indicator that told you what gear it was in. Although there is an additional indicator on the dashboard, I would begin to have incidents where it would show in park on the dashboard but would be in reverse. While waiting on parts to come in at the dealership, the shifter lost all power and would not shift out of park. Vehicle was towed to dealership for service.

Filed Jul 11, 2022 · PA

Driving 55 MPH, my vehicle had a slight jerk in transmission, engine light popped on. Alert popped up on dashboard and stated “Place car into P, Trans”. Car automatically shifted into neutral, and I rolled over to side of road, shifted car in park. Car remained running but would not shift back into drive

Filed Feb 13, 2020 · Transmission · 62,100 miles · CO

Vehicle was in park at startup. With foot on brake, I pushed the start button. With engine running, transmission would not shift out of park. After turning the engine off and back on multiple times, it finally allowed me to shift (3rd time after it set for a few minutes). This problem looks very similar to the problem occurring in the same year vehicle which is subject to recall, however, my local dealership is saying my vehicle is not a part of the recall. "2016 jeep grand cherokee vehicles manufactured may 15, 2015 to february 19, 2016. The brake transmission shift interlock solenoid..."

Filed Oct 7, 2016 · Transmission · 1,100 miles · NC

I was trying to park and my vehicle would not go into park. A service transmission message came across my dash board. My vehicle was stationary however it would not park nor cut off.

Filed Jul 8, 2016 · Transmission · 200 miles · WA

On 3 separate occasions (so far), occurring when the vehicle had around 200, 300, and 900 miles on it, I tried to accelerate after a stop but the vehicle struggled to move beyond maybe 15-20 MPH. Each time, the engine loudly roared and revved, and, upon glancing at the dashboard, I saw very high RPM, near the redline. Each time, I was in traffic with vehicles behind me, but fortunately (with use of my emergency flashers) I avoided a collision. In the 2nd episode, I was on the on ramp to an expressway in downtown seattle. In two of the episodes, I pulled off the road to drop the RPM to idle, jiggled the shifter, and when I moved forward again, the transmission seemed to function normally. In the above expressway episode, I let off the gas pedal and did the same with the shifter (on the fly) and somehow the RPM dropped and the transmission began to respond again. After the 1st episode occurred, I have been extra careful to make sure the shifter is seated in drive when I begin to move forward, plus I don't touch it while driving, so I don't believe the shifter position is the problem. I have speculated that the transmission toggles between drive and neutral, but I think it's more likely that the transmission gets stuck in 1st gear, with inability to progress to higher gears. In at least the last incident, the vehicle had just restarted due to activation of the electronic stop-start system (ess), so it's possible that is involved. I talked with jeep customer service and will bring the vehicle in for service asap, but decided to report here, as well, since I feel I was in danger when this occurred.

Filed Apr 16, 2016 · Driver assistance, Transmission · 535 miles · MD

New, just over 500 miles. Parked overnight at the airport. When I started it when I returned from trip, system reports failure in electronic stability control and engine warning light is on. It would not go into gear, did not recognize it was in park, gear indicators flashing, car would not turn off and would not engage a gear. Had to tow it to dealer, left it at dealer with motor still running overnight. Dealer said they had a chrysler 300 show up the next day with the same problem. Almost 2 weeks later it's still in the shop. I've only made one payment on it!

Filed Apr 14, 2016 · Transmission · 800 miles · OH

Takata recall brand new with only 800 miles. Day one, shifting seemed odd. Thought it needed break in time. Stopped, the vehicle will almost lunge, making it feel like someone rear ended you. Shifts hard up or down shifting - around 3rd gear. Today, 20mph was running 3000 rpms and wouldn't shift. I pulled into parking lot and shut vehicle off and restarted. The tranny light was on and did not go off but the shifting was normal - which is not normal. Afraid that I will be stuck in stop mode and get rear ended or the vehicle won't shift going on the highway and will cause an accident. Doesn't matter what the temp is outside or temp of vehicle. Shifting is a jerky motion. Haven't made the first payment and already headed to dealer. I spoke with salesman and he said he is having same issues with his new jeep. It should be under warranty but I am not happy that I have a brand new vehicle and paid this much money for it and it already has issues - major if it is transmission.