Jeep Grand Cherokee transmission and drivetrain problems, 2016–2027
586 of the 4,149 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Jeep Grand Cherokee 2016–2027 name the transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA’s “Power Train” heading — the transmission, transfer case, driveshafts, axles and differentials — NHTSA files them under one heading). The loudest years: 2017 (88), 2016 (78), 2018 (75). Filed under the same heading across these years: 1 manufacturer bulletin, 4 recall campaigns. Every figure is a linked federal record; none is a failure rate, none a repair cost, and none a verdict on one car.
Jeep Grand Cherokee transmission and drivetrain problems by model year
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsOne row per model year on file, newest first. A year marked in depth has its own page: the complaints, the owners’ words and every document under this heading for that year.
| Model year | Complaints naming the transmission and drivetrain | Share of the year’s | Typically at | On file under the heading | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2026 | 14 | 31% | — | 29 TSBs | the year → |
| 2025 | 20 | 17% | — | — | the year → |
| 2024 | 39 | 13% | — | 114 TSBs · 1 recall | the year → |
| 2023 in depth | 53 | 9% | — | 158 TSBs · 1 recall | the record → |
| 2022 in depth | 64 | 13% | — | 182 TSBs · 1 recall | the record → |
| 2021 in depth | 70 | 14% | 34k | 160 TSBs | the record → |
| 2020 | 39 | 16% | — | 70 TSBs | the year → |
| 2019 | 46 | 12% | 14k | 60 TSBs · 1 recall | the year → |
| 2018 in depth | 75 | 9% | 20k | 51 TSBs · 1 recall | the record → |
| 2017 in depth | 88 | 24% | 45k | 41 TSBs | the record → |
| 2016 in depth | 78 | 25% | 33k | 67 TSBs · 1 recall | the record → |
Two things the counts carry that are not the car: how many of each year were sold, and how long each has been on the road — an older year out-counts a newer one before anything is wrong with it. The share column is the honest comparison across years: what part of that year’s complaints named the transmission and drivetrain. Nothing here is a rate.
When the transmission and drivetrain complaints were filed, and at what mileage
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled per calendar year, every model year together: 2016: 17 · 2017: 17 · 2018: 27 · 2019: 40 · 2020: 39 · 2021: 32 · 2022: 38 · 2023: 53 · 2024: 61 · 2025: 148 · 2026: 114
Across the model years, half of the 217 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the transmission and drivetrain problem between 5,000 and 50,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the transmission and drivetrain, from the model years with the most to say. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
I bought a new 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee in february 2017. Vehicle completely broke down at a main street intersection on april 2017 and would not move. Towed to dealership. Dealership replaced the transmission. 2 weeks later vehicle just turn off on major freeway. Again returned to dealership.
The contact owns a 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that the gear shifter could not be moved out of the park position. The contact engaged the gear shifter with force into park and the vehicle jolted aggressively. As a result, the vehicle drove over a large rock that caused damage to the undercarriage.
The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee. While the vehicle was parked on an incline, the vehicle rolled away. The contact was able to re-enter the vehicle and stop the vehicle safely before a crash occurred. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure.
The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee. While driving on a three lane highway, the vehicle independently shifted from drive to neutral without warning. The contact had to cautiously coast the vehicle over to the side of the road, applied force to shift gears into park, and applied the emergency brake.
Parked vehicle in sloped parking lot left vehicle running walked behind Jeep with taligate lifted to remove wet items from Jeep. Noticed the Jeep was rolling backwards my quick reaction was to jump back in drivers seat to turn off car. While doing this the Jeep pushed me backwards flat on my back and broke my t11 and t12 on 9-14-2019.
What is on file about the transmission and drivetrain, across the years
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecall campaigns filed under this heading, any model year
- 26V413000 HighJun 30, 2026 · 7 vehicles
- Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2022-2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 2023 Jeep Wagoneer, 2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee L, and Jeep Wagoneer L vehicles. A software error may cause the transmission gear selection indicator not to display. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 102, "Transmission shift lever sequence, starter interlock, and transmission braking effect."
- 20V183000 HighMar 26, 2020 · 515 vehicles
- Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango vehicles. The front differential may have been assembled with pinion gears that are insufficiently hardened, which can lead to the gear teeth wearing down. If both pinion gears have their teeth sufficiently worn off, torque power can not be transferred from the front wheels to the driveline, resulting in loss of power while driving and loss of the PARK function when stationary.
- 18V280000 HighMay 1, 2018 · 71 vehicles
- Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Dodge Charger, Durango and Challenger, Jeep Grand Cherokee and Wrangler, Chrysler 300, and RAM 1500 vehicles. An incorrect transmission park lock rod may have been installed in the transmission.
- 16V249000 ModerateApr 27, 2016 · 32,384 vehicles
- Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured May 15, 2015 to February 19, 2016. The brake transmission shift interlock solenoid may have a loose electrical connection which could result in a loss of solenoid function.
1 manufacturer bulletin filed under this heading, any model year
- Mar 9, 2026
- The vehicle will exhibit a service transmission/check engine warning indicator for the following transmission models: 845RE, 8HP45, 850RE, 8HP50, 8HP70, 8HP75, 8HP75-PHEV, 8HP75-LCV, 8HP90, 8HP95. Transmissions may exhibit the following diagnostic codes: P07E4, P1DB2, P0716, P1B14, P0733, P1D90, P1DB7, P1B13.
Every one filed under the heading is listed. Quote the document number at a service desk — it is a diagnosis the maker has already written down.
Other systems with a record on the Jeep Grand Cherokee
Source: the same files- electrical problems
- engine problems
- suspension problems
- steering problems
- brake problems
- fuel system problems
Every system, every model year: Jeep Grand Cherokee problems by year →
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsWhich Jeep Grand Cherokee years have the most transmission and drivetrain complaints?
2017, 88; 2016, 78; 2018, 75. Raw counts, and an older year has had longer to collect them; by share of each year's own complaints the loudest is the 2026 (31%).
Is there a recall for the transmission and drivetrain on the Jeep Grand Cherokee?
Yes — 4 campaigns are filed under this heading across these model years: 26V413000 (2024), 20V183000 (2019), 18V280000 (2018), 16V249000 (2016). A recall is matched by VIN, and applies to specific years; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do transmission and drivetrain problems show up on the Jeep Grand Cherokee?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 28,000 miles across the model years; half of them between 5,000 and 50,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Power Train" heading cover?
The transmission, transfer case, driveshafts, axles and differentials — NHTSA files them under one heading. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.