Jeep Renegade harsh shifting problems

Filed Dec 22, 2025 · Lights, Seat belts · FL

am writing to formally report multiple serious issues with my 2019 Jeep Renegade (VIN: [XXX] ). I take good care of my vehicle, but it has been experiencing rough shifts, lurching and jerking during acceleration, loud noises from the engine or transmission, hesitation, unexpected power loss, and it frequently displays a warning that the license plate light is off. Recently, the car overheated and required a water pump replacement, and since then it emits a burning hose smell. Additionally, the driver’s seat does not lock properly, and the radio often turns off and on by itself. These ongoing problems not only compromise the safety, reliability, and proper functioning of my vehicle but also create a significant financial burden. I am requesting an immediate inspection and resolution, and I would appreciate guidance on the next steps or the earliest available appointment for service. A prompt response is important, as these issues pose a serious safety risk while driving. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Mar 28, 2025 · Engine · IL

Engine malfunction with unpredictable times of hard shift jolting. It's a concern while driving and frightened when it happens. Not sure if this could get worse and could be a safety risk. Took to a dealer. Did not act up when they checked it. It has to be driven all the time to catch when it decides to act up. Happens between 2 to 3 and down from 4th to 3rd gear. No engine light indicates a problem. When I had other things fixed, I had mechanic to check it out. Invoice mentioned what was fixed but nothing stating about them running a test on what I have additionally been experiencing with the jolt as it shifts since it didn't do it at the time. Had transmission flushed hoping it would help but still does it.

Filed Jul 11, 2024 · Acceleration, Engine · NY

Go to step on gas to accelerate my jeep it will limp backwards on speed then all of a sudden take off like a rocket, jerking everybody in the car like g force, jerking head & necks, also driving down the road car has several times shut completely off, having me to pull vehicle over to side of road, & restarting the car.I I’ve had radio system shut completely off by itself for no reason. I have had the vehicle in to shop several times, they put on computer system, to recheck and redo computer, they call me to pick it up next day & still jerking like g- force hesitating & taking off like a rocket, took it back three times they said they put power steering fluid in it, well guess what not fixed. I have less than 30k miles on vehicle, & this has been going on since under 11k miles. Now when you stop and put vehicle in park the vehicle jumps forward & backwards, like you slammed your brakes on, several times my car has almost hit my garage door or in a parking garage the wall, or a parked car, the steering is very loose, & touchy, also noise like clunking in the wheel well, my friend said sounds like the springs. the tie rods & wheel bearings have been checked and are fine, now I’m scared the springs may break & drop the car around the wheels. I don’t drive far my town, is 5 minutes away so like 20 miles when I go out, I’m retired so car is just driven to the store or family’s. Sometimes I’m scared to drive it. My fiancé that just passed away sept 2023, said the jerking g/force is something to do with the drive train, transmission. the car shutting off is a dangerous thing to happen when your driving down the highway. I feel this 2020 jeep has a lot of dangerous complications. I’m not sure if someone has gotten seriously hurt yet, but from what I’ve heard a couple of my friends had same problems & traded in & reading people complaints have same problem, power train should be recalled. this car is a big headache, that I can’t afford. I feel you need to replace my car

Filed Jun 5, 2024 · Transmission · 41,000 miles · OR

2015 Jeep Renegade Trailhawk has a failed PTU being repaired at a cost of $3500. There are only 41,000 miles. In 2022 while still under warranty I had it in for shifting hard problems. I was told it was the thermostat which they replaced. I didn't take it back to Jeep until May,2024 due to it was only shifting hard sometimes and I figured they would not do anything. I took the car in due to hard shift and tire pressure light being on a day after it came on. Jeep fixed, a day later it came back, Jeep fixed. When I got home, TP light on again. Now they tell me the shifting is a different problem because the computer says DTC code went off a month ago saying there was a problem (and claim I have to bring in within a week). No warning lights or messages other than the tire pressure light which is still being fixed. Also see SB#21-025-19

Filed Jan 15, 2024 · Electrical, Engine · MI

Car randomly stalls in park, when reversing, when in drive but brake is being applied, or when first accelerating after putting into drive. Several times now it has stalled when I'm at stop lights. One time it stalled after just tapping the brake while approaching a stop light. That was terrifying because the car was still in motion. Also, car randomly jerks hard when shifting gears. Recently, car doesn't want to shift while accelerating up hills, and RPM's can get up to 4.5 or 5. No engine light or other warnings lights ever come on. I have brought it to my mechanic two times now about the hard shifting and stalling.Have another appointment this week. They can't figure out what's causing it. Nor can they replicate the problem. This can happen a few times a day, then go weeks without an issue. I've seen the same problems from dozens of people on Jeep forums for 2015 -2017 models. No one had a solution, while seemingly getting brushed off by the dealerships about it.

Filed Nov 26, 2022 · Engine, Suspension · CA

While accelerating at a certain speed and letting go of the pedal the vehicle stalls causing a loud cluck sound depending of the speed of the acceleration. I am not sure if this issue will cause the vehicle to break down or cause other problems in the near future. In the beginning of November 2022, the drivers side has been making clunking noises when ever I reverse and while slowly taking from. It is Nov 25, and I have been told is the struts that have signs of defective because of the tires wearing down from the inner side. Also, I was told by a different mechanic the motor mount may be loose, and now the wheel bearing. I've replaced the wheel bearing on the driver's side and the noise has not completely left but the replacement helped. I am hoping the struts make the difference along with swapping to street tires.

Filed Jul 2, 2021 · Engine, Transmission · DE

1. Checked my oil level at 2,000 miles and it was down by 1/2 quart. I added oil and took to dealer and they checked this out and told me these high compression engine will use oil. No warning signs. 2. Transmission from 1st to 2nd makes noise. Dealer told me this trans is a adaptive trans and if no one else drives this vehicle it will get better. In mornings it is still clunking but after it warms up it gets better. Feel like I'm driving a time bomb.

Filed Mar 2, 2021 · Transmission · 54,000 miles · IL

Since I bought the jeep, it would sometimes shift really hard from 1st gear & that was at 47k miles. Now I am at 55k & it is doing it from 1st, 2nd, & sometimes 3rd. Of course, jeep has made it so that I cannot even check my transmission fluid, much less add any because they made it a closed unit. I'm shocked that with all of the complaints I have seen about the "jerky" "hard shifting" "slipping" that a recall has not been done on this, clearly, flawed transmission system.

Filed Jan 31, 2021 · Transmission · 40,000 miles · PA

Hard clunk shifting in first 3 gears. It should be a smooth transition but it thumps hard and lurches forward when going from 1st to 2nd especially. It's a scary issue that upon reading I see it is a problem with my make and model jeep.

Filed Jan 30, 2021 · Transmission · IL

Infamous 9-speed transmission has not worked correctly since the 1st day I bought it new! Took it in to jeep service 9 times for this issue! Jeep service manager says, "it's working as it should." oh, it is supposed to work screwed up?! Hard shifting, lurching, power loss, inconsistent shifting patterns, etc. Problems exist upon take-off, speeding up, slowing down & coming to a complete stop. It is not right!