2016 Jeep Wrangler: jerking or lurching

Filed Jul 3, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · MA

My 2016 Jeep Wrangler will buck and jerk when on the highway. I’ll be going a steady speed, not changing speed. I feel the car slow down and stomp on the gas but it goes all the way to the floor and nothing happens. When I try to go into the break down lane, the steering wheel locks up and won’t turn. Usually I take the key out then put it back in the ignition and it starts no problem. Recently, the engine has been stalling when I put the key back in the ignition. I usually have to take the key out and sit on the side of the highway for 5 minutes before starting it up with no problem. This has happened too many times than I’d like to admit. Take it to the shop, no codes come up. Sometimes the engine light will turn on when this happens, other times it doesn’t.

Filed Feb 9, 2026 · Brakes · 77,000 miles · WA

The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle jerked with an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle. The contact stopped the vehicle, and there was an unknown warning light illuminated. The vehicle was turned off and restarted; however, while driving, the failure reoccurred with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a private dealer, where it was diagnosed with ABS control module failure. The dealer informed the contact that the part to do the repair was not available. The vehicle remained with the dealer unrepaired. The contact related the failure to NHTS Campaign number: 22V426000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 77,000.

Filed Nov 19, 2024 · Acceleration · FL

ABS modulator not working in jeep. Warning lights on dash currently are: ABS, traction control and brake light. Jeep dealer confirmed ABS modulator is defective. Unable to replace/repair due to backordered item as of 11/24. Stated possibly not available until 2/25. Jeep will randomly not shift gears while driving, speedometer not working, gas pedal sticking occasionally, rough braking with brake pedal shaking when braking. When shifting into Park vs Drive or reverse the jeep will jerk/lunge forward.

Filed Aug 16, 2023 · Brakes · MS

Had right front brakes, caliper and rotor replaced two times in the past 6 months. Same problem. At times, brakes feel like they are stuck and will not release. Standard transmission and there is no roll back on inclined driveway. Drove it 5 miles home when it started messing up. The brake light and ABS light came on. Got home and the brakes were smoking. Didn't drive it for three days and the same thing started to happen. Having to do a hard break is dangerous-the brakes will not catch and it jerks to the left. Drove it back home. Went maybe 15 miles and this time when I stepped on the brakes, it went all the way to the floor. The brake pads are missing, Caliper is stuck. Rotors are half of being brand new. All three items-pads, caliper, and rotor were replaced 1 month ago. I have the receipts. This is the second time the brake pads fell out at $350 a pop. Mileage is approximately 55,500 for a 2016 Jeep Sahara.

Filed Aug 28, 2022 · Airbags · CA · crash · 1 injury

was in a 4way stop approaching it actually .I was going eastbound the other motorist was going south bound. He made a right turnouts west bound lane but he took it without slowing down for stop sign he didn't stop at all .he drove onto my front bumper side head on at a fast rate ofspeed.his airbags deployed my did not. I had my seat belt on but my airbags did go off.i got jerked around violently my head has not stopped from hurting and been dizzy and nauseous lately

Filed May 6, 2022 · Engine · 71,000 miles · MN · crash

The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated that upon the approach of a stop sign with his foot on the brake pedal, the engine had begun to rev without warning. With the brake pedal depressed to the floorboard, the vehicle continued to lurch forward as the contact clipped the vehicle in front of him. As the engine continued to rev, the contact immediately shut off the ignition. A police report was not filed and no injuries were reported. Both the contact and the other driver were able to drive away from the scene. The dealer was notified and an appointment was made for a diagnostic. The contact called the manufacturer and was informed that he would receive a callback, the contact had yet to hear back from the manufacturer. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 71,000.

Filed Feb 15, 2021 · Transmission · 50,800 miles · NJ

Typically on first start of the day in cold weather (sub 40degrees) with foot on the brake while in putting the jeep into reverse causes it to lurch backwards, drop idle and then stall while in gear.

Filed Sep 12, 2020 · Brakes, Steering · 109,000 miles · SC

When I crank my vehicle and place it in drive the ABS and traction control lights come on and the breaking system begins to lock down the brakes and causes the vehicle to jerk to a stop. This is happening while I am on the public roadway. The downhill breaking engages when all of this is going on. Sometimes it will clear itself off and the vehicle operates normally till the next day.

Filed Sep 21, 2019 · Steering · PA

While driving on the highway the front end started to shake really bad, also known as the death wobble. This has happened twice on the highway and once on a main road since I have gotten the jeep 1.5 years ago. When I make turns it will occasionally seem like the steering sticks a little then jerks slightly in the direction I turned the wheel.

Filed Feb 11, 2019 · Engine, Transmission · 13,000 miles · MA

On cold days after the jeep has been sitting overnight, the engine will stall when the transmission is shifted into drive or reverse when the brake pedal is firmly pressed. This happens when the jeep is started and it makes no difference if the car is running for 30 seconds before it is shifted or running for 3 minutes, the engine will stall when shifting into drive or reverse. If the brake is not firmly pressed the engine won't stall when the transmission is shifted into drive or reverse. This causes the jeep will lurch forward, for drive, or backward, for reverse,