2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee: sudden loss of power

Filed Aug 19, 2026 · Engine · WA

Component Failure & Inspection: The engine water pump assembly failed. This specific failure is a documented factory defect explicitly covered under manufacturer Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) #9100212 and tracked under the federal safety agency ID #10244344. The failed component was replaced by an authorized dealership; the physical part is not available, but full diagnostic logs and proof of failure are stored in the manufacturer database under University Auto Center invoice #6044139/1. Safety Risks: The water pump suffered a sudden, catastrophic structural failure while operating at highway speeds—a known vulnerability detailed in TSB #9100212 and the federal safety agency ID #10244344. This caused an immediate loss of engine coolant and a rapid spike in engine temperature. The vehicle lost power and was forced to make an emergency pull-off onto a busy highway shoulder, stranding occupants in a highly vulnerable position. A sudden cooling failure at highway speeds creates an immediate risk of engine seizure, vehicle fire, or traffic collision while disabled on the roadside. Dealer Confirmation & Inspection: Yes. The failure was inspected, reproduced, and confirmed by an authorized manufacturer dealership (University Auto Center). The dealer confirmed that the water pump assembly completely failed and required replacement, perfectly mirroring the defect parameters outlined in TSB #9100212. Warning Lamps & Prior Symptoms: There were no prior symptoms, noises, or early warning indicators. The component failed instantly without warning. The first indication was a sudden, rapid flashing of the engine temperature warning light and an "Engine Overheating" message on the dashboard cluster, immediately followed by a loss of power.

Filed Mar 21, 2026 · Engine · TX

Vehicle: 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee Engine: 3.6L V6 (Pentastar) While driving on the highway, the vehicle experienced a sudden engine overheating condition, followed by a catastrophic failure of the coolant recovery tank. This failure created a serious safety hazard and appears to be the result of a known and well-documented head gasket defect in the 3.6L engine used in Jeep Grand Cherokees. While driving at highway speed, the vehicle was operating normally until I made a left turn. Immediately after the turn, the engine temperature began to rise rapidly, indicating an overheating condition. I turned around and began driving back toward my residence to avoid further damage or a roadside breakdown. Before reaching home, the coolant recovery tank violently exploded, releasing coolant throughout the engine bay. As well as strong burning coolant chemical smells throThis occurred while the vehicle was still in operation and could have resulted in loss of visibility, fire risk, or complete engine failure while driving. After inspection by a qualified professional, the failure was confirmed to be caused by a failed head gasket, which allowed combustion gases to pressurize the cooling system until the coolant recovery tank ruptured. This failure occurred without warning and while the vehicle was being driven on public roadways. A sudden coolant system explosion and rapid overheating can result in: Loss of engine power while driving Fire risk from hot coolant contacting engine components Loss of vehicle control Stranding occupants in unsafe conditions This represents a significant safety defect. Jeep Grand Cherokees equipped with the 3.6L engine are widely known to experience head gasket failures, typically occurring between 50,000 and 75,000 miles. Despite this known issue, Stellantis/Chrysler has not issued a recall, technical service campaign, or extended warranty related to this defect.

Filed Oct 21, 2025 · Acceleration, Engine · MN

The vehicle lost powertrain upon accelaration. Merging onto a freeway and accelerating my vehicle was as if it was in Neutral. Same with starting out at a stop sign, coming to a turn lane and accerlerating to cross traffic, NO POWERTRAIN... just neutral. This issue was also reported by my mechanic when I brought it in as he test drove it. He contacted the local dealership and they inspected as well. Both came to the same conclusion as to what the issue was. The dealership mentioned having repaired over 30 vehicles with the same issue outside of warranty. This issue is very intermittent, which makes it even more dangerous and harder to diagnose until it starts to happen more often as my vehicle put on more miles. No warning lights or messages of failure. I was almost hit broadside at an intersection and nearly rearended on the interstate at 65 mph. My life was seriously in jeopardy as I panic stricken to get power entering the interstate with my vehicle basically in neutral. I had to pull over and shift to park and then to Drive again. According the local dealership and many forums, Jeep is aware of this issue and has had NO RECALL since the majority are out of warranty by the time they are diagnosed. I am beyond frustrated at the sheer danger this has. I am lucky I didn't get hit, someone else may not be. This should have been a recall before the warranty expired. I am now out thousands of dollars on repair and looking for resolution.

Filed Sep 7, 2025 · Electrical, Transmission · FL

Vehicle will all suddenly while driving on the roads with speed, dash will blink and start saying to select the gear. At this point vehicle either has to be put in parking (while trying to figure out where to pull over) and reselect the gear, or completely shut off, re start and select gear in order to drive. When the dash blinks vehicle accelerator just revs the engine, loss of power occurs. This especially happens after a fuel up and you move away from gas station.

Filed Jun 17, 2025 · Engine · MN

While driving at freeway speeds, my vehicle suddenly lost power, creating an immediate and serious safety hazard. I was unable to maintain speed, making it extremely difficult to change lanes safely or keep up with traffic. This put me—and others on the road—at significant risk of an accident. During the incident, the check engine light was flashing continuously. The issue was diagnosed as a failure of the engine rocker, requiring major engine repairs at only 87,000 miles. A critical engine component failing at this mileage is concerning and suggests a potential design or manufacturing defect. I’m filing this complaint to ensure others are not placed in similarly dangerous situations.

Filed Sep 27, 2024 · Transmission · FL

On three occasions over the last three years my vehicle has randomly lost power and I have had to pull over and turn the vehicle off, place in Park and restart the engine. The latest incident happened on I95 in heavy traffic, and I was lucky to no be involved in an accident. This time the engine did not restart immediately but only after a 15-minute wait. I received no check engine light and no computer indications of the failure. I know this is an issue with Jeep as my wife and sister have had the same issues in other jeep models. on all occasions the dealerships said they have no idea of what the issue could be and really offered no help.

Filed Sep 17, 2024 · Driver assistance, Electrical · IL

Well maintained and properly serviced car. Never had any issues. While driving out of town, 4hrs into the drive the electrical system went haywire. Error messages began cycling through on the driver panel - stability control lights, service air bag system, engine light comes up, and service bag system, after which the car loses total power. After pulling onto the side of the road, I placed car in park, and attempted to restart and it would not power on. All lights are working but the vehicle will not start - it makes starting sound but won’t power on. After trying for about 30 minutes, the ac blower pop on, which was strange b/c the car was powered off. The car starts and is driven about a mile and the same thing happens all over. After trying another hour it starts again and drives another 2 hrs to my destination (at this time the radio and ac was powered off.) I chose to leave it off as I didn’t want anything to stop vehicle since it was running. Upon arriving to my destination a mechanic looked at it and said the electric systems stopped communicating and he reset it. The vehicle drove around town, a fee miles here and there, seemingly fine. When I put it back on the highway to return home the next day, the problem started all over again. We ended up stranded on the side of the highway yet again and after about 20 minutes, the car started up. We were able to drive to the nearest gas station at which time I attempted to turn the car off, thinking that maybe that would help to reset it. At this time the vehicle would not turn off. The front windows were not operating. The windshield wipers would not come on. It just so happened to be raining heavily, and I had to drive in the rain with no windshield wipers. Next, all the instruments went down. Gas hand went to E, even though there was over 200 miles of gas. The blind spots warning lights lit up and remained lit, the car appeared to want to lose power, would putter but remained on. Made it home and car powered off.

Filed Aug 22, 2024 · Electrical, Engine · CA

I have a few different issues with my car. The transmission has been shifting roughly, there’s a loud clunking sound when I put it in reverse, and I'm experiencing slipping, hesitation on acceleration, and sudden bursts of power. The car has been starting to jerk a lot. The engine has lost power while driving, which forced me to pull over on a busy highway at night with my kids in the vehicle. Fortunately, I was able to roll off the freeway, turn off the car, and after several attempts, I managed to drive home. Also my vehicle sometimes have a difficulty starting. I’ll press the start button and no response. I’ve also been dealing with electrical problems. My screen constantly freezes, goes blank or turns off. At times I can’t connect my smart devices. My AC has broke, repaired and having problems again. I previously took my vehicle to the dealership to address issues with the AC. I mentioned these problems, and I was told they would be checked. However, an employee later said they couldn’t find anything wrong. When I spoke to another employee, he admitted he wasn’t aware of the issues. It’s very frustrating dealing with these significant problems, especially since I can’t trust my vehicle and always feel scared to drive out of town. All of this has been an ongoing issue. I have a few friends same model and year and they received recalls but I didn’t. This is my only vehicle, I paid a lot of money for it and I shouldn’t have to be dealing with this. Please help me.

Filed Jul 20, 2024 · Engine · VA

While driving 65 mph on the highway, the jeep lost all acceleration. I was able to get to the shoulder and the car said to put it in park. I did and then was unable to shift to any other mode. The brake pedal was hard as a rock and would not move. The air then turned hot. When I turned the vehicle off and back on - everything seemed fine but losing power on a major highway was extremely dangerous. No warning lights or messages. No other symptoms prior to this instance. Car is currently at independent service center and they cannot determine what is wrong.

Filed Jan 6, 2021 · Electrical · 32,000 miles · CA

Multiple issues: 1) loss of power while driving. Had to come to a full stop while in traffic and restart the car. 2) doors wouldn't lock any more. 3) battery drained within 24hrs and required jump start. Diagnosis: faulty tipm, currently being replaced. Can provide full documentation if requested.

Filed Aug 17, 2020 · Transmission · 11,300 miles · TX

Vehicle has shut off while driving 3 separate times. The last time was doing 65 down a texas highway. Suddenly lost all power to the engine. On pressing the the motor revved up but there was no transmission engagement even though the vehicle was still in drive. Was forced to pull over to shift into park to restart the vehicle. All three times the vehicle was in motion and the automatic vehicle shutoff feature was disabled. I had it in to the dealer after the first two times, they weren't able to reproduce it so they gave it back having driven it 100 miles and taken a quarter tank of gas doing so. I haven't driven the vehicle much due to the pandemic but yesterday the third occurence happened in a construction zone and we were almost rear ended at 65 MPH due to this failure.

Filed Jul 17, 2020 · Transmission · 13,787 miles · NY

Tl* the contact owns a 2019 jeep grand cherokee. The contact stated that while driving 55 MPH, several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was turned off and restarted however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was driven to the residence. While attempting to place the gear shifter in park, the transmission failed to engage. The started to roll backwards and the parking brake was activated to stop the vehicle. The contact was unable to turn the vehicle off. After a while, the vehicle loss power and turned off. The following day after starting the vehicle, the contact attempted to shift the vehicle out of gear however, the transmission failed to engage. The vehicle was towed to transitowne jeep chrysler dodge ram of west seneca (2989 transit rd, elma, ny 14059) to be diagnosed however, the diagnostic test was still pending. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and provided the contact with a case number. The failure mileage was approximately 13,787.