2016 Jeep Renegade: grinding or squealing brakes

Filed Oct 13, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · CA

While driving on the freeway at approximately 65 mph with my family in the vehicle, including my fiancée, my [XXX] son, and my fiancée’s mother, the engine suddenly began making a grinding noise that lasted approximately 10 seconds. The engine then began knocking, and the vehicle abruptly shut off, leaving me unable to continue driving. I was forced to maneuver toward the nearest available safe location, but there was no immediately safe place to pull over. I narrowly avoided being hit by other vehicles while trying to get off the freeway and ultimately had to stop on an offramp. This sudden engine failure created a serious safety hazard for my entire family and other motorists. I had to arrange an Uber to transport my fiancée, my young son, and my fiancée’s mother home while I remained in an unsafe location near the freeway waiting for a tow truck. The incident was frightening and emotionally distressing for everyone involved. I believe the failure may involve internal engine components, but the exact cause has not yet been determined. The vehicle has not been driven since the incident and is currently at a Carvana-owned Jeep dealership awaiting diagnostic inspection. The problem has not been reproduced or independently confirmed because the vehicle has not been driven since the engine shut down. To my knowledge, the vehicle has not been inspected by the manufacturer, law enforcement, or an insurance representative. There were no warning lights or warning messages that I noticed before the failure. The engine noise was the first symptom I observed. The engine and related components should be available for inspection upon request. I am requesting that this incident be investigated because the sudden engine failure at highway speed placed my family, including my [XXX] child, and other motorists at significant risk of a collision. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Oct 26, 2019 · 23,600 miles · MI

Sometimes when I start my car the traction control light is on (meaning traction control is off) this has happened twice in the last month. It turns on just fine when I press the button and the light goes away. Until yesterday I was driving I was accelerating at the bottom of a small hill about to reach the bottom of it. (I was going 15-20mph) the light flashed on and of really fast (like strobe light fast) and my car felt like the break was pressed and let go with the light. While I was trying to speed up the car wouldn't. (like if you went break, gas, break, gas ect,) this happened for a couple seconds till I let go of the gas and it stopped. And everything went back to normal. While this was happening I also heard a grinding sound I'm not sure when it came from. This was on a straight city street the car was in automation mode with the 4 wheel drive mode set to automate. After this I went to a authorized dealer/mechanic. I don't remember what he said but he said my car was on a recall and I know for a fact that he is lying because I have checked multiple times 2 recalls for this type of car have been made and none effect my vehicle.(check by VIN number) I can't trust the mechanic to look at the problem.

Filed Sep 24, 2019 · Brakes, Engine · 49,000 miles · MD

Tl* the contact owns a 2016 jeep renegade. While driving 5 MPH, the vehicle shook violently and the engine vibrated. The contact coasted the vehicle to the side of the road and powered off the engine. The vehicle was restarted, but the failure recurred. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to antwerpen chrysler jeep (6440 baltimore national pike, baltimore, md 21228, (410) 788-2973), but it was not diagnosed or repaired due to the diagnostic and repair fees. The contact lifted the hood and the technician stated that the motor mount failed and needed to be replaced. The contact also stated that there was a delay in stopping the vehicle when depressing the brake pedal along with a squeaking noise. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the brakes and rotors needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 49,000.

Filed Jun 26, 2019 · Engine · 48,000 miles · PA

I took vehicle to dealership on 5/2/19 after the cooling fan made a loud squealing noise when it was idling with A/C on. Dealership stated that they could find nothing wrong with the vehicle & sent me on my way. On 6/22/19 while returning from my lunch break ( jeep had been idling with A/C on in a drive through & fan began making a rattling noise - fan turning on/off in cycles) smoke started pouring from under hood, accompanied by a strong smell of something burning. I turned the vehicle off immediately & when I restarted it the service engine light came on. I had the jeep towed from my place of employment to the dealership ( I'm a nurse, and missed a day of work due to this! ). Picking my jeep up from dealership today to the tune of $484.52 to replace cooling fan. I see that this is an ongoing issue, and that a class action lawsuit was filed on 2/11/19 due to numerous consumer complaints. I'm thankful that this happened at 7pm rather than at midnight while driving home on the highway...... At the end of the day my vehicle could have caught on fire. Apparently defective cooling fan is something jeep has known about for years & I can't believe there hasn't been a recall.

Filed May 25, 2019 · Electrical · 40,000 miles · NC

Car hit 40000 miles and radiator fan started making squealing noise and now dosen't cut on at all. Jeep has almost overheated because of this

Filed Apr 24, 2019 · Engine · 62,000 miles · CA

The fan is wobbling and making a grinding noise - like its rubbing on something. Only when idle, or AC/heat is on.

Filed Mar 15, 2019 · Electrical, Engine · 52,000 miles · MD

When vehicle is stationary while warming up. Grinding noise started. Turned off the engine and checked the hood. Couldn't see anything so I carried on. Later in traffic, grinding noise from engine compartment starts. Temperature shoots into red, and I start smelling something burning. Engine light came on and found it was the cooling fan. Doing some research online came to find out this a problem with tons of other people. I feel this is a known manufacturer's defect that should be recalled. Failure can happen at any time and could result in a blown motor and/or other damages resulting in a vehicle crash causing serious injury or death. I'm glad I was able to pull over and shut the vehicle off before anything major happend. These fans should be living a 100,000 mile life. But it's happening at 30,000-70,000 miles. Jeep will not cover this under warranty as they say it isn't part of the drivetrain. After reading numerous complaints about this problem I feel this is a known manufacturer's defect that should be recalled. The problem is so widespread that jeep ran out of them and had/has long wait times. During this period the vehicle is unusable. This is really unacceptable for such a newer model vehicle. My vehicle is currently at 52,000 miles and now I'm going to have to pay $350 in repairs along with the $150 part.

Filed Mar 8, 2018 · Engine · 38,000 miles · MI

Just like sooo many people online out radiator cooling fan started wobbling and now grinding. There are so many forums, sites and videos that show this is happening to a lot of people. A recall is not yet in effect but it needs to be asap. Cost is 400-1000 for each repair. And don't let them try to say it's an issue of dirt. It's usually around 36,000 miles so don't wait to fix it as the warrenty will expire.

Filed Nov 20, 2017 · Suspension · 3,987 miles · NY

Initially vehicle had a burning smell which turned out to be the auxiliary coolant pump. After changing the coolant pump in march vehicle produced false overheat conditions four times and the vehicle lost power and shut down each time, while driving. Two of the times while on the highway and the other two while driving through local streets. Dealer then changed the temperature sensor. The problem could not be duplicated so there is no guarantee that the issue has been corrected. As a secondary issue the vehicle then had grinding noise in front end which occurred in june and is still occurring. Initially they changed the right front upper mount bearing. They have replaced that part once again as well as the right front hub bearing and spindle, control arm, and the upper strut mount boot, none of which have corrected the problem. This once again cannot be duplicated on a lift and they are having issues diagnosing the problem. As of this writing vehicle has been in shop over 30 days and they are still unable to repair.

Filed Oct 24, 2017 · Brakes · 7,000 miles · MD

The brakes squeal constantly. We noticed it shortly after purchase but assumed it was from being a new vehicle. After owning the vehicle for a year, we took it in to have the brakes and roters replaced. We were told that there was a lot of padding remaining. The squealing occurs whenever your foot is on the break, regardless if you are still or slowing.

Filed Mar 22, 2017 · Suspension · 14,000 miles · CA

I was on the freeway when the car made a grinding noise and stop soddenly and it wouldn't move as if the brakes had lock up on me and it felt like something had brooked but I couldn't see any thing until the mechanic told me that it was the rear suspension rear control arm. And rear suspension rear rod came off loose and caused the rear wheel to move sideways and it was dragging.