CarComplaints.com Notes: The 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee shows an early trend of transmission complaints. Most of the complaints are for rough shifting — things like jerking & hesitation when shifting gears.

The 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee also has the same transmission issues.

9.2

really awful
Typical Repair Cost:
$4,000
Average Mileage:
4,500 miles
Total Complaints:
5 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (3 reports)
  2. replace transmission (1 reports)
  3. replacing transmission (1 reports)
2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee transmission problems

transmission problem

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2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee Owner Comments

problem #5

Feb 152016

Grand Cherokee Overland High Altitude V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 4,586 miles

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

Bought my Jeep in September 2015 with only 200 miles on it. Two weeks ago (Feb 1st) I experienced slight shift jerking going from 4th to 5th gear, as well as 7th to 8th. Yesterday I hit 80mph on the interstate and jerked hard from 8th gear to 7th. I wasn't able to accelerate back into 8th gear. Check Engine light came on. My Jeep then remained in 7th gear until I got home. Thankfully I was able to hit all green lights. After turning it off for roughly an hour, it was back in 1st gear. Called the dealer, took it in and it's currently being looked at. When you spend $50k on a vehicle, you don't expect issues like this at 4,500 miles. Not a happy Jeep customer. Will post again when I know more about the issue.

Update from Feb 23, 2016: Picked up my jeep a day after my first complaint. Apparently it needed a flash update. (4605 Flash Update AMP per TSB 08-0863-15 REV B For Erratic Volume Increases LOP 19-60-07-9K .20) This is exactly what the invoice said. The next day, I had the same issues along with a short, deep grind when downshifting from 3rd to 2nd. I took it in and they said they are going to replace the valve body. Why can't they just admit that the transmission is piece of sh*t and it needs to be replaced. I'm sure I will be back with more complaints.

Update from Mar 2, 2016: My jeep went in on Monday, Feb 29 to replace the valve body. Drove it for a day (maybe 35 miles) and the issue came back. Jeep is going back in today to have it looked at again.

Update from Mar 9, 2016: Chrysler is replacing the transmission. Jeep only has 5000 miles on it.

- bennettjon, West Fargo, ND, US

problem #4

Oct 162015

Grand Cherokee Limited 4x4 3.6L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 1,600 miles

While driving in city traffic slowing down for a traffic light the Jeep Grand Cherokee clunked and jumped forward like I had been rear-ended. This happened twice, once shifting from 3 to 2 and once from 2 to 1. The JGC then became stuck in 1st gear (described by the technician and "limp" mode) and the engine revved to move the vehicle. I was able to inch the vehicle out of traffic into a parking lot. The engine light did come on. I called roadside assistance the and vehicle was towed to the nearest dealer. There is only 1,600 miles on this new vehicle. The transmission issue is not the only problems I have had with the JGC. See other posts under engine light at 250 miles.

The dealer has had my JGC for 4 days and called and said they don't know what is wrong and they will have to "tear down" the transmission to find the problem. They deny having any experience with other JGC transmission issues and feel the problem is not related to software. They said once they find the problem they will need to get approval from Chrysler to either fix the transmission or replace it based on Chrysler's "70% rule". The dealer said they may need two weeks to find and fix the problem.

This is a safety issue when your vehicle goes "limp" and you are unable to get out of the way in a busy intersection or do not have power when trying to merge into high speed traffic on a busy highway. This is completely unacceptable for the price you pay for this vehicle (upwards of $40,000). Chrysler and Jeep need to take care of the many transmission issues that are showing up with the Jeep Grand Cherokee, Jeep Cherokee, and Dodge Durango model years 2014 and 2015. They are rather silent right now and it will be a publicity nightmare for them to recall the "Most Awarded SUV Ever" because of transmission issues.

Update from Apr 17, 2021: The transmission was replaced. I still own this JGC and it has been reliable after the initial issues. It isc5 years old and has over 70,000 miles on it.

Update from Nov 20, 2023: My Jeep JGC now has 105,000 miles on it. I noticed the engine making a ticking sound. The sound is most audible when behind the engine on the passenger side or from the underside. Took it to Pischke Automotive in West Salem, WI over a week ago. The shop said they heard a "slight tick from under the vehicle, no codes stored, nothing significant enough to go off of. Engine operates like normal, recommend no further action, drive the vehicle like normal not enough evidence present to warrant a major engine repair".

I didn't drive my Jeep because I know any ticking sound in the engine is not a good sign. I took the Jeep back to Pischke today (10 days later) because the timing cover was seeping oil. I said while you are that far in the engine to check all the components to determine the source of the tick.

The engine basically needs to be rebuilt, new cams, lifters, and rockers. My Jeep needs over $4,000 or work. So much for "just a slight tick and not enough evidence present to warrant a major engine repair".

Upon further research I found information on the dreaded "Pentastar Tick" in V6 Chrysler engines from 2015 to 2019. Widely known issue the bearing fail and cause serious engine failure and costly repair. However, no recall has been issued.

How many other Jeep owners have needed similar major engine repair? Why is there no class action lawsuit? How do we get together and force Fiat Chrysler to make this right?

- L R., Onalaska, WI, US

problem #3

Aug 072015

Grand Cherokee Overland Diesel

  • Automatic transmission
  • 8,000 miles

Driving on interstate about 70MPH, bell chimes, error on screen displays "Service Electronic Throttle Control" (or something similar). Somehow I notice the Jeep is now stuck in 8th gear. Jeep won't downshift to pass, go up a hill, etc. Also notice the NAV system has gone nuts. Maps flipped by like I was flying erratically at very high speed. Slowed to take an entrance ramp at a lower speed (don't recall how low) heard a loud CLUNK and shifted to 3rd. Jeep remained stuck in 3rd until I stopped completely for about 20 minutes.

Turn off the Jeep. Lock and walk away for 20 minutes. Return and Jeep starts, check engine icon is illuminated, but Jeep shifts normally 1-8, 8-1. I was able to continue my trip to airport (but missed my flight).

This has happened several times. (I will attempt to document) Have taken Jeep GC to dealer 4 or 5 times. They reportedly "flash" new software (or so they say). I say reportedly because: 1) Problem has persisted for almost 10 months more then 8 occurrences, and 2) when I personally updated UCONNECT today the version was 14.25.5. This version has been available since July 2014.

I no longer trust the vehicle for family trips and will likely liquidated it at a loss. Should have bought the Porsche I guess.

- Robert W., Glen Allen, VA, US

problem #2

Jun 272015

Grand Cherokee Laredo 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 425 miles

I leased this vehicle on May 30, brand new, with 86 miles on the odometer. In less than 3 weeks, the transmission began slipping out of gear or staying stuck in gear. I have usually bought luxury vehicles, and have never had a problem like this before. My confidence in Jeep vehicles is definitely shaken. Honestly, I am tempted to get out of this lease and go get a bummer/Audi or something more reliable...

- mh1fiveloaves, Glen Ridge, NJ, US

problem #1

Mar 242015

Grand Cherokee Altitude 3.6L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 7,800 miles

While driving my 2015 JGC Altitude yesterday, my transmission shifted to 7th gear, as it did, it didn't feel quite right and the check engine light came on, AGAIN. This is now the second time for this EXACT same problem. I was able to pull over to the side of the road, without getting killed by the on coming traffic as I was unable to gain speed at the gear it was in, after coming to a stop. I shut off the vehicle and restarted it and the transmission shifted as it was supposed to.

I immediately contacted my dealer and took the vehicle in explaining that I had the same issue as I had 2 weeks ago you flashed it and told me it was "the latest and greatest". Funny the problems have existed since 2013!! They set me up with a rental, again, DO NOT BUY CHRYSLER, the rental had to be a Chrysler to be covered by warranty.

They put me in a Town and Country piece a sh*t that had; the check engine light on, the ABS, the stability control, the parking brake light was on and the speed odometer was not working!! I didn't notice it till half way home. Once I got home I called the rental company and advised they best come get this POS and give me another POS to drive, (again it has to be a Chrysler to be covered by warranty). They swapped out the vehicles. I then called the dealer and advised them of this, as it is a Chrysler product as well, and that is when I was told my 2015 JGC's transmission needed to be replaced, less than 8k on it!! I am shooting for the Lemon law if I have any issues when I get it back. For a 40k plus vehicle this is unacceptable!

If there are any of you out there had this happen please post.

Pissed of in MA.

- mpaiva66, Swansea, MA, US

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