I bought this 2022 Jeep Renegade in 2023. Upon changing the oil today (3/13/2026) my mechanic found a rear main seal leak. He stated to check for recalls/safety as this should not be happening; the car only has 54,000 miles on it. I have called a couple friends that have one and they too have leaks. Is this covered for repair under a recall? Also the engine stalls when I try to take off, jerking and stalling. I know this isn't normal for this car to act like this. It will also stall or jerk sometimes while driving it. I will have this car two years this April 2026. I love the car but not with safety issues. Please fix this for all owners.
Jeep Renegade jerking problems
123 of the 2,215 owner complaints about the Jeep Renegade describe jerking or lurching, most of them for the 2017 model year.
- owner complaints
- 123
- worst model year
- 2017
- typical mileage
- 29,000
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall for this area of the car. See below
By model year
Often reported together
Stalling 25Hesitation 19Harsh shifting 16Check engine light 15Slipping 11Won't shift 6Loss of power 6Transmission failure 5
What owners say
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)
My jeep often times has a jerking motion to it and dealer has no idea why. Others have this same problem
The jerking, delayed take off reported originally that was supposedly corrected with a motor replacement STILL happens. Spoken with multiple other Renegade drivers and tow truck drivers, the transmission appears to be the issue. Each recorded visit to the dealership has reported transmission ok. My safety is my absolute #1 concern. Want transmission checked, rechecked, repaired, replaced or whatever makes my driving life safe as possible.
The contact owns a 2017 Jeep Renegade. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, there were severe misfires in the engine which could be associated with the vehicle jerking, and then jolting forward while going uphill. The check engine warning light had been illuminated for almost a year and the oil light was frequently illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing excessive oil consumption. The vehicle was driven to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with ignition cylinder compression failure, and the engine consuming an excessive amount of oil. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not repaired because the vehicle was not under recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 119,747.
My 2017 Jeep Renegade is at a dealership for the third time. When I am accelerating at around 29 MPH, there is a sudden jerk. It also occurs around 53 MPH. It startles me every time this event occurs. Each time, I pay a deductible and the problem isn't fixed. Retirement isn't conducive to $500 repair bills. Can you help? This is definitely a problem with this model and needs to be rectified.
The contact owns a 2022 Jeep Renegade. The contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing difficulty starting. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle shuddered, lurched, and hesitated to respond while the RPMS were significantly high. The contact stated that the failure recurred while driving from a complete stop. Additionally, they stated that while driving at various speeds and depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle made an abnormal sound and hesitated to respond, causing the braking distance to be extended. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the engine was replaced; however, the failure persisted. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing excessive oil consumption. The contact stated that she had noticed oil leaking onto the ground while driving and while parked. The vehicle was taken to another dealer, Time Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Portland(633 NE 12th Ave, Portland, OR 97232), where it was diagnosed that the engine had failed and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 12,000.
AC wasn’t working properly, replaced parts not working. Fan stopped working and removed fuse box and it worked bad wiring harness affecting all electrical, fire hazard, dealership would rather keep it than me driving because of fire or meltdown situation. Says part to repair has been discontinued. Why? Engine hesitation, transmission when driving with jerk and almost causing vehicle to stop
When attempting to accelerate the vehicle hesitates for several seconds and does not move then lurches forward. It leaves me with no power in the middle of the road or when crossing a highway. It is intermittent but very dangerous. It happens from a stand still and while slowing down and then accelerating. This is a common issue in many Jeep Renegade forums and aftermarket parts are readily available to fix this issue. Why can't Jeep? The aftermarket part was recommended by multiple Jeep Renegade owners as it does adust the tuning and gas pedal response. Why can't Jeep fix this wide spread serious safety issue? How many accidents have happened because of this extreme power turbo lag? The lag is extreme. Far beyond the typical turbo lag. It happens daily.
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
Related recalls
Power train: automatic transmission
- What is wrong
- Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Jeep Cherokee and 2015 Chrysler 200, Jeep Renegade, RAM ProMaster, and 2016 Fiat 500X vehicles equipped with 9-speed automatic transmissions. The transmission sensor clusters may have insufficient crimps in the transmission wire harness, and as a result, the transmission may unexpectedly shift to neutral. On August 29, 2016 Chrysler added the 2016 Fiat 500X vehicles to this recall.
- Risk
- If the vehicle unexpectedly shifts to neutral, there is an increased risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Chrysler will notify owners, dealers will reprogram the Powertrain Control Module and the Transmission Control Module and if necessary replace the transaxle range sensor wire harness, free of charge. The recall began on November 7, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1‑800‑853‑1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S55.
Recall number 16V529000 · Recall details
Questions about the Jeep Renegade jerking
Which Jeep Renegade years have jerking or lurching problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2017 (49 complaints), 2015 (44 complaints) and 2016 (10 complaints).
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