2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee: engine stalls while driving

Filed Aug 12, 2026 · Engine, Fuel system · CA

Vehicle Information: 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland 3.0L V6 EcoDiesel 4x4Component Affected: Fuel/Propulsion System (High-Pressure Fuel Pump) Safety Incident Narrative: The vehicle previously underwent a mandatory manufacturer safety recall replacement for the Bosch CP4 High-Pressure Fuel Pump under FCA Safety Recall Z46 (the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 22V‑406). At 111,948 miles, while operating the vehicle, the engine suffered a sudden, catastrophic mechanical failure accompanied by an immediate and total loss of engine oil pressure. This caused the engine to suddenly stall and lose all propulsion while in motion, creating an immediate and severe highway safety hazard to myself and surrounding traffic.The vehicle was towed to an authorized Jeep dealership under Repair Order #5823328. The manufacturer (Stellantis) and the dealership are currently refusing to authorize diagnostic teardown labor or a mechanical review of the internal safety recall componentry to investigate an acute internal fuel-pump shaft seal leak or residual micro-particle metallic debris from the prior campaign. An internal drive-shaft seal failure on this replacement pump architecture dumps raw diesel fuel directly into the engine's internal oil crankcase, causing severe oil dilution, an immediate collapse of structural oil pressure, and catastrophic engine seizure. The manufacturer is attempting to shift 100% of the financial burden ($25,000 engine replacement cost) onto the consumer, actively obstructing an essential safety failure investigation into a federally recalled component.

Filed Aug 11, 2026 · Electrical, Transmission · TX

The transmission goes into neutral. It has gone into neutral on the highway,local streets, also from a stop. From a stop in drive the electronic D on the instrument panel starts flashing. I turn on the hazards put transmission shifter in Park and start engine. This problem is intermittent, it can be cold or hot, it has happened 4x in 2 years. No accidents thankfully. The engine does not stall, the transmission goes into neutral.

Filed Jul 22, 2026 · Engine · TX

VEHICLE & PURCHASE DETAILS: 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee (3.6L V6 Pentastar Engine). Purchased on/around April 27 in agreement with my credit union. INCIDENT & DEFECT DESCRIPTION: Upon taking delivery, the vehicle immediately displayed diagnostic warning codes. The selling dealer attempted diagnosis/repair for a week before directing me to take it to Bonham CDJR in Bonham, TX. Bonham CDJR cleared the codes and returned the vehicle. A couple of weeks later, while my wife was driving home, the engine suddenly and severely overheated without warning. I instructed her to pull over immediately to prevent engine destruction or stall in active traffic. My wife was stranded on the roadside in extreme Texas heat until a flatbed wrecker towed the vehicle back to Bonham CDJR. WARRANTY OBSTRUCTION & KNOWN FAILURE POINT: Upon arrival at Bonham CDJR, I informed service advisors that my third-party warranty provider (First Guard) would handle coverage. However, the dealership demanded a $1,300 upfront, out-of-pocket engine teardown fee just to "prove" the cause of failure to the warranty company. The 3.6L V6 Pentastar platform is notorious for cracking plastic oil filter/cooler housing units and failing thermostat assemblies, causing rapid coolant loss and overheating. Requiring consumers to pay massive teardown fees out-of-pocket to diagnose a known, unaddressed manufacturer design flaw creates an administrative barrier that leaves defective, dangerous vehicles on the road. SAFETY HAZARD & IMPACT: Sudden engine overheating at driving speeds causes sudden power loss, severe traffic hazards, thermal fire risks, and roadside stranding in hazardous ambient heat. This ongoing ordeal has caused severe personal distress, financial strain, and loss of wages. REQUESTED ACTION: I request the federal safety agency open a safety defect investigation into 3.6L Pentastar engine cooling failures and mandate a manufacturer recall with consumer repair reimbursement.

Filed May 5, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · MA

I recently purchased a 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee and began experiencing serious issues almost immediately after taking possession of the vehicle. The vehicle has stalled unexpectedly while driving on multiple occasions, including during active driving conditions. It also has difficulty starting and has shut off without warning. The vehicle has already undergone multiple repairs within a short period of time, including work related to the radiator, spark plugs, and ignition coil. Despite these repairs, the issues continue. This creates a significant safety concern, as the vehicle becomes inoperable without warning, especially during daily highway driving. I rely on this vehicle for transportation, and it is currently unreliable and unsafe to operate.

Filed Mar 16, 2026 · Engine · NJ

1. The issue involved the engine and emissions system, specifically a cylinder 3 misfire, accompanied by illumination of the check engine light and white smoke emitted from the exhaust. The vehicle was evaluated by an authorized Jeep dealership, which confirmed the cylinder misfire through diagnostic testing. At that time, per the diagnosis, coil 3 and all spark plugs were exchanged. This did not solve the issue. When picking up the car, check engine light was still illuminated and white smoke emitted from the exhaust. The affected components are in possession of the dealership, unsure if available upon request. 2. The engine misfire and associated white exhaust smoke created a risk of engine performance degradation, including potential loss of power, observed hesitation and stalling, which could impact the ability to safely operate the vehicle in traffic. Additionally, white smoke from the exhaust can impair visibility for surrounding drivers and may indicate an underlying engine condition that could worsen without warning, increasing the risk to the driver and others sharing the roadway. The chemical smell could also nauseate the person operating their vehicle, impeding their awareness and concentration. 3. This issue was proposed by an authorized Jeep dealership, then confirmed by two other mechanics. Dealer diagnostic records document the cylinder 3 misfire and investigation related to the check engine light and exhaust condition. 4. No inspection from manufacturer, police, or insurance representative. 5. Yes, the check engine light illuminated and the vehicle exhibited white smoke from the exhaust which prompted the service visit. Auto-start was not functioning as normal, with an error displayed on screen. Engine would sometimes stall upon start up during cold temperature days. NOTE: vehicle is currently with another mechanic awaiting an engine replacement, will upload that invoice once available.

Filed Mar 9, 2026 · Transmission · 44,000 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at 20 MPH, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal, and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was restarted, and a short distance later, the failure persisted. The contact stated that there were several attempts to restart the vehicle. However, the failure persisted. The message "Shift to P then Desired Gear" was displayed. The contact continued to drive and arrived at the workplace. The contact stated that prior to the failure, the vehicle jerked while driving. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 25V011000 (POWER TRAIN). However, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 44,000.

Filed Feb 15, 2026 · Engine, Fuel system · OH

While driving this vehicle under normal conditions, the engine developed abnormal ticking/knocking noises, loss of power, and misfire symptoms that progressively worsened. The vehicle was frequently used to transport children. Due to the nature of the failure and unpredictability of progression, continued operation posed a serious safety risk. An authorized dealer later confirmed that the engine suffered a catastrophic internal valvetrain failure involving collapsed lifters/rocker arms and severely damaged camshafts. The dealer technician explicitly stated this failure mode is “typical” for this engine design and documented progressive internal damage affecting both cylinder banks, not an isolated component. This failure mode is not sudden; it develops gradually over tens of thousands of miles and can lead to sudden engine power loss, stalling, or seizure without warning. A loss of propulsion at highway speed, during lane changes, intersections, or while transporting children creates a clear risk of crash, injury, or worse. There was no evidence of driver abuse, lack of maintenance, lubrication failure, or misuse. The dealer confirmed oil condition and service history were appropriate. The defect appears to be internal, latent, and manufacturing-related, consistent with numerous consumer complaints, technical service bulletins, and ongoing litigation involving this engine family. Had the vehicle continued to be driven, the failure could have escalated to: •Sudden loss of engine power at speed •Inability to accelerate to avoid hazards •Engine seizure causing loss of steering assist •Increased crash risk with child passengers onboard The vehicle was removed from service due to safety concerns. This defect is repeatable, predictable, and well-documented, yet not subject to recall at this time. I am reporting this to support investigation into a systemic engine defect that presents a serious safety risk to drivers and passengers.

Filed Jan 16, 2026 · Brakes · 88,000 miles · DE

The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 24V838000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled, with the message "Electronic Stability Control" displayed. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The failure mileage was 88,000.

Filed Aug 16, 2025 · Engine · NY

The vehicle experienced a failure of the engine lifters/rocker arms, which also caused failure of the intake camshaft. This resulted in severe misfires, loss of power, and left the vehicle completely inoperable. The failure created a hazardous situation when the vehicle lost acceleration and was unable to maintain safe driving speeds, placing my safety and the safety of others at risk of collision. The problem was confirmed by Lou’s Car Care and multiple Stellantis dealerships, including Maguire Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram. All inspections identified failed rocker arms/lifters and the intake camshaft as the cause of the malfunction. Critically, Stellantis no longer produces replacement intake camshafts for this engine, and the part is listed as indefinitely back ordered and unavailable. This means there is no factory fix, leaving the vehicle permanently disabled. Prior to the failure, the only symptom was a faint ticking noise from the engine. No warning lights or dashboard messages appeared before the incident. The problem escalated suddenly without adequate warning, causing the vehicle to lose power unexpectedly. This failure has caused severe negative consequences for me and my family. Because the vehicle became inoperable and the repair could not be completed, I lost my job due to lack of reliable transportation. I also experienced financial hardship, including losing my vehicle to repossession. My family, including my newborn child, was left without dependable transportation, which created additional safety concerns in emergencies. The failed components remain available for inspection upon request. This issue is widespread across Stellantis vehicles yet has not been addressed through a recall, despite the fact that the defect can cause sudden stalling or total engine failure at unsafe speeds. The unavailability of replacement camshafts means affected vehicles cannot be repaired at all, leaving owners stranded and financially devastated.

Filed Nov 22, 2024 · Acceleration, Engine · 25,000 miles · NY

The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, several unknown warning lights illuminated, and the vehicle started hesitating and then stalled. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, and the mechanic had the vehicle towed to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the throttle body needed to be replaced. The throttle body wiring was replaced, and the codes were reset. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, and it was suggested that the vehicle needed to be retested. The vehicle was repaired again. The contact stated that after retrieving the vehicle from the dealer, several unknown warning lights illuminated, and the vehicle accelerated independently while depressing the brake pedal. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled while coming to a stop. The contact made a left turn into a parking lot and the vehicle independently accelerated. The contact stopped the vehicle and had the vehicle towed back to the dealer where the vehicle was being repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The approximate failure mileage was 25,000.

Filed Jun 9, 2024 · Electrical, Engine · AR

My jeep has stalled on me twice attempting to go through a stop sign at a busy intersection as soon as I slowed the jeep down and then accelerated to go through the stop sign it stalled on a major hwy. no lights come on and the automatic shutoff button is turned off And for the past month the jeep hasn’t started without either a jump or sitting a while after it was hooked to another vehicle.

Filed Jun 5, 2024 · Electrical, Transmission · 36,000 miles · NY

The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that the vehicle was shuddering while idling. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving at various speeds and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle hesitated to respond. The check engine warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated while driving 25 MPH and depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle failed to restart and was towed to the residence. The contact stated that the vehicle was able to restart the following day. The check engine warning light was illuminated. Several messages indicating the air bag, the Engine Stop/Start system, the FWD system failures, and other unknown failures were displayed. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle stalled while driving on another occasion. The vehicle was towed to the residence, where a mobile independent mechanic diagnosed that the PCM had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was contacted and advised the contact to take the vehicle to their location for diagnostic testing. The contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 18V524000 (Electrical System); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 36,000.