10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
86,831 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee Owner Comments (Page 1 of 7)

problem #139

Oct 102021

Grand Cherokee

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Jeep cuts out in middle of driving it says engine misfire on 3. Driving down road will almost died or not run in traffic im lucky I havent had wreck yet to scared to drive it have seen all over the interent how bad it is mechanics cant seem to fix even jeeps own mechanics

- Cleveland, TN, USA

problem #138

Jan 012021

Grand Cherokee

  • 200,158 miles
My Jeep will not go over 30 to 35 mph without reaching 3000 rpms it will not change gears it is stuck I believe in second gear

- Richwood, WV, USA

problem #137

Jan 222021

Grand Cherokee

  • 161,000 miles
During routine visits to my neighborhood supermarket, I've noticed while driving the RPM meter was going up and down at a stand-still. Now the vehicle was maintenance regularly and I have had issues before I've replaced the egr valve, throttle position sensor, spark plugs, PCV valve, automatic transmission oil cooler, A/C compressor even replaced the crankshaft position sensor. The truck also seems to lack power either that being an old software that it is using or the overall drivetrain is just abysmal. There also seems to be a loud thud that comes from directly under the vehicle when engaging P R N & D. either the bushings are worn or the driveshaft is worn. The truck has been multi point checked at a local cdj dealership and it passed. Also the ignition switch was replaced on a recall. Going at low rpms, I also noticed that when going from 15-30 mph there seems to be a delay in travel as the truck will seem to be lagging or wants to slow down when my foot isn't on the accelerator. When in motion, going around 60-80 mph, the vehicle seems to have a moderate shake as in it vibrates from the undercarriage into the cabin area. It will feel like you're on a rollercoaster and the vehicle is just rumbling down the road. It feels safe at times, but when the 'service 4WD' light appears it becomes almost frightening to drive the truck as it requires more attention then any other vehicle I've encountered. Also going back to the lag, you'll hear a chain-like sound as if the differential has an issue. I've gotten most of the front-end replaced: Tire-rods, ball-joints, cv-shafts/axles, struts, stabilizer links and more. Now when turning the truck, there seems to be a lack of power as well. I had the battery and alternator tested and they both came back good. I find it hard to believe that internally the truck just wasn't meant to hold up.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #136

Sep 182020

Grand Cherokee

  • 60,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The PCM is not communicating between the computer and the transmission. It's making the transmission jump, loose power while driving, warning saying transmission over temp (can come on even when you just start driving), code P1603-PCM internal dual port Ram, communication failure. The RPM's have ramped up and down while at a stop, loose power while driving, and can even turn off while driving. Eventually the alternator went bad. Replaced alternator and battery have been replaced 8/16/20. Eventually if the ECM is not replaced then it'll kill the vehicle. The transmission over temp started around 60,000 miles. This issue has steadily gotten worse overtime, became more frequent, and more dangerous. I've read of lots of people have the same issue and there's been no recalls. I feel there should be a recall for safety issues. Please look into the number of people having the same issue.

- Long Beach, CA, USA

problem #135

Feb 012020

Grand Cherokee

  • miles
Have has to replace water pump 4 times for leaking. Replaced 2 power steering pumps. Transmission and slipped and chirped since I bought it. Noticed metal shaving in my oil.

- Reno, NV, USA

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problem #134

Dec 162019

Grand Cherokee

  • 97,006 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee. While driving at 40 mph, the vehicle failed to shift gears. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to golling Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram (2405 S telegraph rd, bloomfield hills, mi 48302 (248) 334-3600) where it was diagnosed there was to much transmission fluid in vehicle. The third and fourth solenoid slipped. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 97,006.

- Roseville, MN, USA

problem #133

Dec 032019

Grand Cherokee

  • 129,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

On several occasions the Grand Cherokee has suddenly shut off while driving. The vehicle loses all power, loses power steering and brakes causing an extremely dangerous situation. Dash lights all go out. Upon restart, check engine light stays on but vehicle functions again.

- Powder Springs, GA, USA

problem #132

Jun 102019

Grand Cherokee

  • 162,000 miles
Received 'transmission over temp' message on dashboard after about 10 miles of driving in the morning. When the car has been in the heat for a while, the message could appear before 10 miles (sometimes immediately). The fan turns on and there is a definite lag in acceleration. Along with this error, I also get the 'service, tire pressure system' message consistently. I've visited my mechanic with both issues and they thought it was fixed by the new battery, but they only drove the car for 8 miles to attempt getting the transmission hot, nor did they probably hit a bump/pothole to trigger the tire pressure system. They're puzzled as to why those messages are popping up because they don't see any further issues with the car.

- Phoenix, AZ, USA

problem #131

Apr 112019

Grand Cherokee

  • 151,633 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that the transmission overheated, which could cause the vehicle to shut off. The vehicle was taken to crown Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram (6300 king dr, ventura, ca 93003), but they were unable to diagnose the cause of the failure. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where they replaced the main computer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 151,633.

- Ventura, CA, USA

problem #130

Feb 202019

Grand Cherokee

  • 130,000 miles
ABS eas and traction controll warning lights on again with service 4WD system message after completing 1st recall, vehicle was just started and put in to drive acceleration to 12 mph causes bad grinding noise and loss of power just about enough to get you in to the middle of an intersection very dangerous then it seems to catch and regains power the warning lights stay on and you can drive it all day with no issues but as soon as you turn it off and back on it will do it again.

- Tazewell, TN, USA

problem #129

Jan 022018

Grand Cherokee 6-cyl

  • 85,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that there was a failure with the gear box. While driving 55 mph, the gear suddenly slipped out of fifth into first gear and caused the vehicle to jerk and brake suddenly, which nearly caused a crash. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer (riverhead Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, 642 w main St, riverhead, NY 11901, (631) 727-1040) and manufacturer stated that the vehicle was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was 85,000.

- Wading River, NY, USA

problem #128

Apr 042018

Grand Cherokee

  • 199,700 miles
Takata recall sensor goes off while driving and no air bag deployment

- Traverse City, MI, USA

problem #127

Apr 182018

Grand Cherokee

  • 130,000 miles
After purchasing this car pre-owned in 2008 we began having issues with the transmission shifting. After bringing back into dealership for diagnostic testing, they found nothing. This went on for a period of two years, with them even keeping the car over a period of time. Still nothing on the diagnostics. Throughout the years we would notice a strong downshift when coming to stops and a "chug" when shifting out of low gears. Fast forward to 2018. The Jeep finally quit shifting out of first gear...the rpms would race up and the car just wouldn't sift even when using shifter stick manually to the + or -. brought to local mechanic. Did diagnostics. Found shifter was broken and replaced and reset. A few days went by and it started happening again. Mechanic said that rear wheel sensor had gone bad and was throwing of computer brain of car, so we had him replace that. All was great. Husband takes car on short trip and while passing a car in the left lane on interstate 10 it once aging chugs down hard and he loses gears...has to pull over on side of interstate, shut off car and restart to get it to shift again. Bottom line is there has to be a long standing issue with drive/power train & electrical/computer brain!!! we have kept this car in great working order, regularly changing fluids and maintenancing. There is no reason this care should be behaving in this manner @ 12 years old, regularly maintained unless there is an outstanding issue with 2006 Jeep. It has to be an overall problem and after reading many of the complaints we believe this warrants an investigation and defintely a recall!!! all of the above issues happened in both city street and highway situations and while the vehicle was in motion.

- St Petersburg, FL, USA

problem #126

Dec 012017

Grand Cherokee

  • 154,000 miles
My vehicle was in motion on the highway, on a straight-away. I heard a loud boom, then my vehicle started to smoke. I pulled off the road; and called for a tow. The mechanic stated that it was the transfer case seal that blew. He changed it and added fluid, but the noise is still there. He said that if it doesn't go away. Now, the Jeep won't shift out of first gear. It has been sitting in my driveway since I picked it up from the mechanic on 12/4/17.

- Brockton, MA, USA

problem #125

Aug 202017

Grand Cherokee

  • 123,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that the gear shifter failed. While driving various speeds, the gear shifter shifted into neutral independently. The failure was experienced several times. The vehicle was not diagnosed by a dealer. The manufacturer stated that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 13V175000 (power train, electrical system). The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 123,000.

- Takoma, WA, USA

problem #124

Jun 152015

Grand Cherokee

  • 83,000 miles
The vehicle goes into what's called a 'limp mode' which essentially means it has lost communication with the transmission control module and the vehicle will not shift.

- Gallatin, TN, USA

problem #123

Jun 152017

Grand Cherokee

  • 84,300 miles
Esm (electronic shift module) is faulty on these models; 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee. This issue does not allow the shifter to communicate with the transmission. Therefore the vehicle does not know what gear it needs to be in. After having reresearched online this is a know, common issue. This is a serious danger as the vehicle goes into "limp" mode; (won't properly accelerate). This can happen under many driving conditions, city or highway. Imagine entering traffic at a busy intersection and suddenly losing the ability to accelerate. I have experienced this, as have many other individuals according to internet research. It seems that Chrysler knows of the issue. Why hasn't there been a recall?

- Gallatin, TN, USA

problem #122

Apr 212012

Grand Cherokee

  • 60,000 miles
The transmission has been struggling changing gears and this has been happening for many years. You may look back and see where we made this complaint initially and the problem had been occurring long before this and continues to get worse. I know the 2005 Jeep Cherokee were recalled for having the very same issue from the many mechanics who have driven my car to see what the problem was. One of the mechanics where I took it to was Chrysler Jeep in asheville, N.C. the mechanic said that I did have a 2005 transmission which had been on your recall list. I would like to get this problem resolved as I have been traveling with this issue for quite sometime with no resolution.

- Alexander, NC, USA

problem #121

Oct 192011

Grand Cherokee

  • 90,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the gear automatically shifted into neutral. The ABS, and traction control warning lights illuminated. The independent mechanic borchert motors located at 18295 faribault blvd faribault mn, 55021; (507) 334-7271 was contacted where the mechanic stated that there were several recalls for this year, make, and model. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted at 800-247-9753. The manufacturer stated that there was only one recall for the ignition switch. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. A case number was not provided. The failure mileage was 90,000.

- Faribault, MN, USA

problem #120

Apr 012017

Grand Cherokee

  • 198,000 miles
When driving 60 mph, going down a hill, clutch in transfer case slipped. Causing slipping/grinding noise and vehicle must be stopped, put in park and restarted to reset the vehicle. This happened once, I was afraid to drive the vehicle. The Jeep was taken to a mechanic who said that the clutch in the transfer case slipped.

- Kennard, NE, USA

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