2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 78about this part
- Share
- 25%of 312 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 32,339miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 78 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 25% of the 312 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 32,339 miles. 9 of these say a crash was involved and 2 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Loss of power driving down the highway. Went from going 60 MPH to 20 MPH. Dealerahip service could not find anything wrong with it. They cleared code and stated vehicle seemed to be running fine. I was driving on a rural highway 299 in trinity county california where there was no cell service and was left stranded. I drove on the shoulder the rest of the 30 miles to get to dealership.”
NHTSA complaint #11302345, filed 2020-01, 41,554 miles“Very jerky/lunging shifting from 1st to 2nd gear and downshifting from 4th to 3rd. The dealership has already done the update but it did not correct or help the problem at all. It sometimes lunges me forwarded as if I've been rear ended. It mostly happens when the engine and transmission are cold, but I've never owned a vehicle that has such terrible shifting.”
NHTSA complaint #10984227, filed 2017-05, 6,600 miles“On may 3rd 2020 driving on highway the accelerator sensor went off. Heard a loud pop. Vehicle lost power and speed declined from 55 to 30. I floored it and the car would not reach speed of 55 MPH. I had no cell service and was 45 miles from even a town. Limped the car to dealer and left there. This is the 3rd time this has happened and the dealer tells me they can't get it to repeat. Vehicle is currently at the dealership. I have called and left a message and have heard nothing.”
NHTSA complaint #11323367, filed 2020-05, 46,582 miles“I was driving along and apparently my battery in my keyfob went dead. My engine stopped while I was driving and if I won't have had just bought a new battery I would have been stranded. There is no way to start the engine with key”
NHTSA complaint #11277716, filed 2019-11, 42,700 miles“While driving, message came up on instrument cluster to shift to p and then shift to desired gear. I almost got rear ended because the vehicle would not accelerate. I had to put it in park, shift, and then was able to go. Incredibly dangerous!”
NHTSA complaint #10992716, filed 2017-06, 11,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11031337Apr 8, 2026Power Liftgate Inoperative.
- 11030138Mar 9, 2026The vehicle will exhibit a service transmission/check engine warning indicator for the following transmission models: 845RE, 8HP45, 850RE, 8HP50, 8HP70, 8HP75, 8HP75-PHEV…
- 11010205Oct 30, 2024Plate - Planetary
- 10248877Nov 16, 2023Verifying Camshaft Diagnosis
- 10224670Apr 22, 2022Powertrain Diagnostic And System Enhancements
- 10229031Mar 6, 2022Customer complaints may include abnormal engine noise, rough idle, lack of power, misfire. Upon investigation, it may be found that there is excessive camshaft lobe wear/lifter…
- 10194007Apr 17, 2021No Start Intermittently, Vehicle Requires Multiple Keyless Push To Start Attempts To Start Vehicle, Intermittent Key Not Detected Message
- 10221150Apr 16, 2021Gear Ratio DTC?s, Transmission Shift Concerns, Does Not Shift At Times, Shudders
- 10221097Apr 7, 2021Transmission Kit with Torque Converter 1. All Promaster (VF) 3.6L/62TE equipped vehicles. If the transmission bracket to the transmission case fasteners are removed during…
- 10187654Dec 17, 2020Cruise Control Inoperative.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 12 | 38% |
| 2025 | 13 | 16% |
| 2024 | 31 | 12% |
| 2023 | 40 | 10% |
| 2022 | 37 | 14% |
| 2021 | 59 | 14% |
| 2020 | 39 | 16% |
| 2019 | 47 | 13% |
| 2018 | 75 | 9% |
| 2017 | 88 | 24% |
| 2016 | 78 | 25% |
| 2015 | 353 | 26% |
| 2014 | 475 | 20% |
| 2013 | 55 | 7% |
| 2012 | 102 | 6% |
| 2011 | 90 | 5% |
| 2010 | 22 | 19% |
| 2009 | 23 | 17% |
| 2008 | 77 | 10% |
| 2007 | 196 | 18% |
| 2006 | 173 | 14% |
| 2005 | 253 | 12% |
| 2004 | 54 | 4% |
| 2003 | 35 | 5% |
| 2002 | 58 | 4% |
| 2001 | 102 | 12% |
| 2000 | 156 | 11% |
| 1999 | 386 | 24% |
| 1998 | 426 | 41% |
| 1997 | 254 | 26% |
| 1996 | 280 | 31% |
| 1995 | 247 | 34% |
| 1994 | 118 | 20% |
| 1993 | 99 | 18% |
| 1991 | 1 | 17% |
| 1989 | 1 | 20% |
Other parts of the 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee
76 complaintsElectrical system
62 complaintsFuel system
45 complaintsOther or unknown
31 complaintsBrakes
25 complaintsVehicle speed control
23 complaintsSteering
16 complaintsAir bags
12 complaintsElectronic stability control
12 complaintsSeats
11 complaintsBody and structure
11 complaintsExterior lighting
10 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology