While driving approximately 65-70 mph on a highway, my 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4x4 with approximately 15,000 miles suddenly jerked to the right and a loud knocking/clunking noise was heard from the drivetrain area. Immediately afterward, vehicle performance decreased significantly and the vehicle struggled to accelerate. The sudden loss of power at highway speed created a safety hazard due to surrounding traffic. No warning lights or messages appeared. The condition persists and the vehicle continues to have acceleration problems. This was very unsafe because either myself or other couldve been injured. I called jeep and they told me to drive it in to the Dodge dealership in Andrews TX, I want to emphasizes this is very unsafe, because it wont accelerate as it should. I have to drive down a road that oil tanker semis drive on as well.
Jeep Grand Cherokee harsh shifting problems
175 of the 29,174 owner complaints about the Jeep Grand Cherokee describe harsh or hard shifting, most of them for the 1999 model year.
- owner complaints
- 175
- worst model year
- 1999
- typical repair cost reported
- $3,000
- typical mileage
- 43,000
By model year
Often reported together
Jerking 33Check engine light 18Stalling 14Won't shift 12Slipping 11Hesitation 11Transmission failure 8Whining noise 7
Trouble codes mentioned
P0733 2U1417 1P1DA8 1P0688 1
What owners say
The vehicle experiences severe drivetrain binding, mechanical clunking, and erratic 4WD electronic timing failure while operating at normal driving speeds. During acceleration (27–28 mph, transitioning from D4 to D5 gear), the automatic 4WD transfer case / front axle disengages abruptly under load, causing an audible mechanical clunk and drive-line shock. During deceleration (31 mph down to 15 mph, downshifting from D6 to D4 gear), the 4WD system forces a re-engagement of the front axle, creating a heavy binding shock and severe mechanical clunk. This uncommanded electronic engagement and disengagement failure creates vehicle hesitation, drivetrain binding, and a potential loss-of-control hazard while driving. The issue is available for inspection and has been documented on video.
the transmission/clunks when starting, wile climbing hill wont engage loud crack when turning out of driveway right mirror wont engage when car is near the warning or the beeping wont go off climate control door wont move backup camera goes out / electrical system bugs also, repaired suspension system axle assembly front steering rack penion motor mount left side suspension control arm tpms sensor
Severe front end noise left and right side steering feels loose rear suspension also makes clunking noises and doesn't feel safe to drive transmission doesn't shift properly make a thumping noise when putting vehicle in drive or reverse very poor fuel economy 6.5 to.7.8 miles mpg
The contact owns a 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that the vehicle swayed from side to side without warning while driving at highway speeds, and the contact lost control of the vehicle. Additionally, there was an abnormal clunking sound coming from the vehicle while driving over bumps in the roadway or making a sharp turn. Upon a dealer inspection, the rear passenger’s side knuckle assembly bolt was found to be snapped, resulting in damages to the front suspension bushing. The contact associated the failure with the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 24V132000 (Suspension, Steering); and the manufacturer stated that the VIN was not included in the recall and directed the contact to file a report with the federal safety agency Hotline. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.
Not being able to park inside due to potential FIRE, messages of electric mode inoperable, emergency pedestrian ranking, going from park to auto shift it loud/clunky. Infotainment sometimes takes a while to load or recognize apple car play. Main concern would of course be fire potential and not charging it. Which defeats whole purpose of leasing it to see how it does. No other problems except for the ones we all have had with 4Xe models.
Vehicle was purchased new from a franchised dealer. Six days after purchase, at approximately 105 miles on the odometer, the vehicle experienced a transmission failure while being driven with my family, including a young child, on board (warning message displayed - Service Transmission, loss of forward motion, harsh shifting, inability to shift gears while driving on the street). The vehicle was taken to the selling dealer, whose service department diagnosed a failure of the transmission valve body. The diagnosis was made and documented by the dealer's service department, and service records exist confirming the failure. The failed component was NOT on the dealer's possession as part of the repair process; availability for inspection is UNKNOWN, as the dealer subsequently replaced the entire vehicle with a new unit rather than returning the original vehicle to me. Prior to the failure, A WARNING MESSAGE stating "Service Transmission" appeared. The manufacturer was notified of the failure through its customer care process. To my knowledge the vehicle was not inspected by police or insurance representatives. Safety risk: a drivetrain failure on a vehicle in its first week of service presented a risk of unexpected loss of motive power in traffic with passengers aboard, including a child.
This is the 3rd internal mechanical failure of the front electronic disconnecting sway bar assembly on my Grand Cherokee Trailhawk 4xe. The component keeps failing prematurely (most recently after only 3,000 miles), causing severe front-end looseness and clunking. This is a critical part of the suspension and it has failed 3x in 14k miles.
-Transmission has been experiencing a very hard downshift intermittently as I am slowing down and/or coming to a stop AND when accelerating. Additionally it feels like it is jerking slightly repeatedly when moving slowly. -It is available for inspection. -When accelerating on the hwy or at intersections the transmission stalls (or clunks) when crossing the road or passing, causing a delay. -The problem persists, but has not been confirmed by a dealer. -The component has not yet been inspected, as stated above. -No warning lamps/messages appear.
I am reporting a safety-related issue involving a 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit 5.7 HEMI. Within days of purchase, the vehicle experienced transmission slipping and delayed shifting, as well as braking issues. These conditions affected drivability and raised safety concerns during normal operation. An independent mechanic found burnt transmission fluid, indicating that the transmission condition likely existed prior to purchase. Although a fluid change provided limited, temporary improvement, delayed shifting continues to occur. Because the transmission behavior and braking issues can affect the safe operation of the vehicle, I am submitting this report so the issue can be documented and evaluated for potential safety trends. This report is being submitted for safety tracking purposes.
Related recalls
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)
- What is wrong
- Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2022-2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 2023 Jeep Wagoneer, 2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee L, and Jeep Wagoneer L vehicles. A software error may cause the transmission gear selection indicator not to display. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 102, "Transmission shift lever sequence, starter interlock, and transmission braking effect."
- Risk
- A missing gear selection indicator may lead to unintended vehicle movement or a vehicle rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will update the shifter module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 20, 2026. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 800‑853‑1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is 30D. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on beginning July 9, 2026.
Recall number 26V413000 · Recall details
Power train: driveline: differential unit
- What is wrong
- Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango vehicles. The front differential may have been assembled with pinion gears that are insufficiently hardened, which can lead to the gear teeth wearing down. If both pinion gears have their teeth sufficiently worn off, torque power can not be transferred from the front wheels to the driveline, resulting in loss of power while driving and loss of the PARK function when stationary.
- Risk
- A sudden loss of power while driving or loss of the transmission PARK function can increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front differential, free of charge. The recall began May 21, 2020. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1‑800‑853‑1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is W22.
Recall number 20V183000 · Recall details
Power train: automatic transmission
- What is wrong
- Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Dodge Charger, Durango and Challenger, Jeep Grand Cherokee and Wrangler, Chrysler 300, and RAM 1500 vehicles. An incorrect transmission park lock rod may have been installed in the transmission.
- Risk
- If the incorrect park lock rod is installed, the transmission may not shift into 'PARK' and keep the vehicle from moving, increasing the risk of unintended vehicle movement and the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will install the correct park lock rod, free of charge. The recall began June 28, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1‑800‑853‑1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U43.
Recall number 18V280000 · Recall details
Power train: automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/tecm)
- What is wrong
- Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300 vehicles manufactured February 15, 2011, to November 27, 2014, and 2014-2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured July 16, 2012, to December 22, 2015. The affected vehicles, equipped with an eight-speed automatic transmission and a monostable gear selector, may not adequately warn the driver when driver's door is opened and the vehicle is not in PARK, allowing them to exit the vehicle while the vehicle is still in gear.
- Risk
- Drivers thinking that their vehicle's transmission is in the PARK position may be struck by the vehicle and injured if they attempt to get out of the vehicle while the engine is running and the parking brake is not engaged.
- Remedy
- Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update the vehicle software to mitigate the risk of vehicle rollaway, free of charge. The recall began on June 24, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1‑800‑853‑1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S27. Note: On October 19, 2016 Chrysler identified some previously repaired vehicles did not receive the complete software updates. Chrysler will renotify the affected owners, and dealers will update the software again.
Recall number 16V240000 · Recall details
Power train: automatic transmission
- What is wrong
- On certain sport utility vehicles equipped with 3.7l engines and nag1 automatic transmissions, the air conditioner evaporator condensate water may enter the transmission at the fill tube grommet seal. This can result in shudder during torque converter clutch engagement.
- Risk
- It can lead to increased transmission operating temperatures, boiling of the water, and a subsequent purging of transmission fluid into the engine compartment potentially resulting in an underhood fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the transmission for leakage at the fill tube grommet seal. If no leak is detected, a new fill tube grommet seal and water deflector shield will be installed, and proper alignment of the fill tube verified. If the presence of a leak is detected, the vehicle will be evaluated for shudder during torque converter engagement. If no shudder is detected, the transmission will be triple flushed, and new fill tube grommet seal and water deflector will be installed and proper alignment of the fill tube verified. If shudder is detected, the torque converter will be replaced, a new fill tube grommet seal and water deflector will be installed, and proper alignment of the fill tube verified. The recall began on october 31, 2005. Owners may contact daimlerchrysler at 1‑800‑853‑1403.
Recall number 05V396000 · Recall details
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: floor shift
- What is wrong
- On certain sport utility vehicles, if a driver has not placed the shifter lever fully into the "park" position and leaves the vehicle running, the vehicle may unexpectedly move rearward after seeming to be stable.
- Risk
- Inadvertent movement of the vehicle could result in a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install a secondary detent system to the floor shifter assembly. Daimlerchrysler sent interim notices to owners concerning this problem on march 22, 2002. Owner notification began september 23, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact daimlerchrysler at 1‑800‑853‑1403.
Recall number 02V053000 · Recall details
Questions about the Jeep Grand Cherokee harsh shifting
Which Jeep Grand Cherokee years have harsh or hard shifting problems?
The model years with the most reports are 1999 (37 complaints), 2014 (20 complaints) and 2001 (10 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix harsh or hard shifting on the Jeep Grand Cherokee?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $3,000 (median of 8 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
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