2018 Jeep Wrangler: complete transmission failure

Filed Sep 30, 2025 · Transmission · 67,000 miles · AZ

The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Wrangler JK. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the transmission failed to shift out of first gear and failed to exceed 8 MPH. The RPM was elevated almost to the red line. The contact stated that the failure had occurred several times, and the vehicle was unsafe to drive. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the failure was not duplicated. The contact later purchased a portable diagnostic tester. The contact retrieved DTC: U414 (Transmission Control Module Failure). The dealer was contacted and advised the contact to take the vehicle in for a diagnostic test. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer for the diagnostic test. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 67,000.

Filed Dec 7, 2022 · Transmission · 54,000 miles · NV

The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated while driving 20 MPH, he felt a tug and heard a loud banging sound coming from under the hood. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact veered to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the clutch had overheated and exploded, causing damage to the transmission. The dealer diagnosed that the clutch and the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 20V124000 (Power Train) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that only the cost to replace the transmission was covered. The failure mileage was approximately 54,000.

Filed Feb 9, 2020 · Fuel system, Transmission · 8,000 miles · PA · fire

Vehicle was being driven approx 30mph on a city road when a loud bang was heard. Immediately pulled over and luckily a stranger following behind quickly escorted the driver out as the vehicle completely went up in flames. Metal chunks and pieces could be heard falling underneath the vehicle. Upon closer inspection the transmission had completely exploded and ejected the clutch assembly shearing the input shaft and rupturing a fuel line. The vehicle was a complete total loss with flames immediately entering the passenger cabin in seconds. If it was not for a brave bystander serious injury or death would have occurred. This is a new transmission introduced in the new jl wrangler and gladiator and has been happening more and more. It's a serious safety issue that jeep refuses to look into and needs to be investigated immediately. Transmission explosion to this degree not only can result in a fire but also metal projectiles hitting bystanders and coming through the floor boards and possibly resulting in injury or death. If you are reading this and have a manual jeep wrangler have it checked immediately! This was a completely unknown problem showing no symptoms whatsoever.

Filed Sep 12, 2018 · Fuel system, Transmission · 780 miles · MN

2018 jeep jl unlimited 3.6l automatic transmission, 750 total miles. On 9/12/2018, transmission failed and vehicle was towed to dealership (mckay's dodge/jeep, waite park, mn). When vehicle was lowered by tow truck, about 1 liter of gasoline poured down over the exhaust system on the right rear (passenger) and onto the service bay floor. The vehicle had a nearly full gas tank at the time of the tow. If the vehicle had been driven to the dealership and the gasoline had dumped as much volume onto the muffler and exhaust system...both the vehicle and the dealership would have most likely burned. The vehicle is presently at the dealership in waite park, mn *dt *tr *bf updated 10/31/18

Filed May 15, 2018 · Transmission · 1,500 miles · WY

Vehicle was parked and would not engage into a gear. I turned off and restarted and was able to get intro gear, and engine light was on, it would not get out of 6th gear, brought to dealer and they said transmission needed a re flash, and it was good, next day it would not go into gear, I shifted transfer case from 2h to 4h back to 2h and engine light was on, I was able to drive to dealership. I was told that they are putting in a new transmission and am waiting for completion. I do not feel safe with this vehicle and am looking for a buy back from manufacture, vehicle only has 1,500 miles on it. *tt updated 9/20/18

Filed May 9, 2018 · Transmission · 300 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2018 jeep wrangler. While driving various speeds, one week after the vehicle was purchased, the vehicle shut down. The service transmission and the service engine indicators illuminated. The vehicle was pulled over to the side of the road and restarted, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to the champion chrysler jeep dodge dealer (9655 firestone blvd, downey, ca 90241, 562‑231‑3500) where the technician diagnosed and replaced the module inside the transmission; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to give more time for further testing. The vehicle was taken back to the same dealer where the transmission was replaced. The contact had not yet retrieved the vehicle to determine if it was repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 300.