2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee: stuck in gear or won't shift

Filed Apr 24, 2026 · Engine · 78,556 miles · CT

The contact owns a 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that the vehicle went into LIMP Mode and lost automotive power while driving 50 MPH on twelve occasions. The check engine warning light was illuminated on four occasions. There was an abnormal growling sound coming from the vehicle. There was an odor of smoke inside the vehicle. The contact pulled over and restarted the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle vibrated while stopped. The vehicle was towed and taken to an independent mechanic and unknown parts were replaced. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer to be diagnosed, but there was no fault codes retrieved. The dealer declined a buy back. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 78,556.

Filed Dec 29, 2025 · Transmission · 74,000 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 15 MPH, the vehicle made an abnormal sound and was stuck in first gear. The transmission warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed, and determined that an unknown internal transmission part needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 74,000.

Filed Dec 23, 2025 · Brakes, Electrical · 100,000 miles · AK

The contact owns a 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH, the vehicle went into LIMP mode and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle overheated due to the radiator not functioning properly. The check engine and brake warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was able to restart after numerous attempts. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where unknown parts needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was then taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed that unknown parts needed to be replaced. There was a burning odor, which was later determined to be caused by mechanics leaving rags in the engine. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

Filed Sep 17, 2025 · Electrical, Suspension · OH

The PTU (transfer case) is not working. It started as more of a transmission issue. I would be driving at times and my transmission would not shift up. I had to manually shift my car to get it into gear. Now, it lead to knocking noises when I turn my steering wheel.

Filed Mar 4, 2025 · Transmission · 89,500 miles · NC

The contact owns a 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, the transmission slipped and failed to shift into second and third gear. The vehicle jerked violently. On another occasion, the transmission was stuck in second gear with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact was able to drive to the residence. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The failure mileage was approximately 89,500.

Filed Jan 27, 2025 · Suspension · CA

Driving at approximately 20 mph on a busy highway, when accelerated to do a lane change, my vehicle did an extremely aggressive jolt and I can hear my engine struggling. I managed to move over lanes to the closest center divider and when i tried to put my car on "Park" it did not shift, it was stuck on drive. I had to apply the emergency foot break and turn off the vehicle. I quickly turned it back on and then i was able to shift to park. As i was being escorted by CHP to the right divider, the vehicle would jolt at the touch of the accelerator. I was unable to accelerate and the mechanic is saying my transmission gave out. No prior symptoms, no warning of any issues. The check engine light came on after the first jolt. The vehicle is currently in the mechanic shop. I'm being told that i need a new transmission.

Filed Oct 31, 2024 · Engine · TN

I was at a redlight at a complete stop. I began to turn right onto the bypass and got to 13MPH when my Jeep wouldn't catch the next gear. I rode in the emergency lane to make it to an autoparts store. My battery needed replacing so we tried that. I got back in Jeep and went to the red light and began to turn left and when my jeep got to 13MPH again it wouldnt shift to the next gear and I the car behind me had to slam on their brakes to keep from rear-ending me. I have found online a recall for 2016-2017 Jeep Cherokee where over 67,000 were recalled for transmission issues.It took me an hour and a half speaking to 4 different people at Jeep Customer Care whom all told me "well that doesnt apply to your vehicle." How does it NOT apply when my vehicle is doing the exact thing the recall was called for? I would greatly appreciate if someone would contact me about this issue. I enjoy my Jeep but I dont understand how this shouldn't be under the recall when this IS a life threatening situation.

Filed May 7, 2024 · Electrical, Engine · CA

2017 Jeep grand Cherokee, 103k miles. I purchased my car new for around $45,000. All maintenance was done on time. Oil cooler assembly went out, then head gaskets, now I need a new engine. At 103k miles !Jeep has done nothing other than tell me sorry that will be $15,000 to repair. My engine is doing that loud clicking sound everyone is talking about. I’ve spoken with countless people this has happened to, some as early as 49k miles. There are videos online of mechanics bragging about how much money these engines are making them in repairs. Yet Stellantis still refuses to take responsibility for their 3.6L Pentastar V6 engine issues. Even though there is a current class action against them for it. There are full YouTube videos from mechanics explaining exactly why the 3.6L Pentastar V6 engine fails and still Stellantis chooses to take more money from consumers to fix/replace their faulty engine. Now onto functionality of my vehicle, the start/stop engine problems I see people complaining about on here are real. The first thing I did when I got into my car was turn OFF my start/stop system. 20% of the time my system worked properly when left on. The rest of the time it was dangerous. The car would shut off when hitting the breaks and stall. I would be stuck on the freeway having to restart my car. I’m lucky it never caused an accident but it is terrifying being in the middle of the street and your car just shutting off and engaging the parking break and stuck in neutral. It’s happened more times than I can count, stop lights were where my car shut off most commonly. Usually would result in cars honking and people screaming to get out of the way while I scramble to get my car to turn back on. Over all, I’m so disappointed in this company and how it chooses to treat its consumers.. I was forever a Jeep owner until this week.

Filed Jan 26, 2024 · Transmission · IN

Transmission or transmission control module issue. Vehicle has an issue shifting between 3rd and 4th gears on a regular basis. Vehicle also does not shift into reverse at times and the R light just flashes. When vehicle finally shifts it jolts the vehicle very hard into gear. I have heard of multiple people with this same model vehicle having this same issue.

Filed Jan 16, 2024 · Transmission · NC

I was pulling out from a side street into traffic and the transmission suddenly failed, without warning. The transmission was stuck in second or third gear and I could not accelerate to reach the flow speed of traffic. I had to immediately pull off the road and let traffic pass. The transmission could only engage in second or third gear, not reverse. I had to have the vehicle towed to the Jeep dealership and the transmission replaced at a cost of over $8,000. The original 60,000-mile drivetrain warranty was barely surpassed, and I was forced to pay the entire cost of repair. My driving consists mostly of normal commuting, about 10,000 miles per year. I do not tow any trailers and I keep the vehicle maintained at the dealership, including transmission fluid replacement per the recommended maintenance schedule. A premature transmission failure of this nature poses a safety risk due to its unpredictable and sudden nature of occurrence.

Filed Sep 15, 2023 · Acceleration, Engine · VA

The Jeep transmission wont go into gear, loses power ,wont go into reverse, speeds up on its own and doesn't go into drive or losses power

Filed Jun 29, 2020 · 31,000 miles · TX

While driving my 2017 jeep, I received a warning on the dash with a ding that said service shifter. My vehicle had approximately 31,000 miles. It would not shift out of drive and into park. I was able to drive it but it was constantly dinging with the service shifter erred.when I stopped I could not move the shifter. I had to stop kill the engine and wait several minutes before the error cleared and I was able to shift the vehicle. I took it to our jeep dealer to be repaired. He replaced the shifter harness. I have read many jeep owners have had this problem and have had the shifter replaced only to have it occur again. It cost over $500 to replace.