CarComplaints.com Notes: There's no way around it, the Cherokee's transmission is junk. There's no other explanation for why a vehicle, usually with under 40,000 miles, would have so many complaints
My husband and I purchased a used 2014 Jeep Cherokee Limited 4 cylinder for our daughter in 2017. We noticed early on that it had shifting problems with its gears. It would sort of jerk and lunge forward at times. We purchased the vehicle from a Carmax in North Carolina. We also purchased the MaxCare extended warranty, good for 60 months and 100,000 miles. The car had 38,000 miles when we purchased it. We had it a few weeks before returning it to Carmax complaining about the jerking. Carmax said they tried a few things, but ultimately said it couldn't be fixed; that it was just a "Jeep thing". And advised us to take it to a Jeep dealer if our problems persisted. I didn't know what these comments would mean till later when I started researching the problem, and that is the fact that all these technicians and mechanics KNOW the 2014 transmission is garbage, but because Jeep won't own it and replace it, there really isn't any recourse, especially for used car owners. Jeep should be ashamed. And I feel like an awful parent for purchasing this unsafe vehicle for my teenage daughter.
Adding to the above, I'd like to point out that to add a complaint here you are asked "when did the problem occur." Well, the problem is an every day occurrence with our car. EVERY DAY. The date I entered is merely the day we decided to take it to a dealer and complain and pay the $200 deductible for our extended warranty we purchased. So it costs money to complain and ask for help, but we returned to the dealer in August of 2019, they reprogrammed the power train module, and for the first time ever, I had someone actually tell me this was a specific problem to 2014 Jeep Cherokees. I was relieved to find out I wasn't crazy and that other people had the same problem, but annoyed once I started googling the problem and reading all about the issue. Jeep is being ridiculous to believe a software update is going to fix the problem. The vehicle needs a new transmission. The jerking is awful and unsafe.
Why can't Jeep be forced to deal with this problem?
It is annoying to have to deal with such issues! The jeep will will lurch at take off after a slight delay in response to the pedal. It has also slammed into gear from time to time. I have learned that there is a recall and we have yet to schedule with a dealer to address this issue but will be soon.
My husband and I purchased a used 2014 Jeep Cherokee Limited 4 cylinder for our daughter in 2017. We noticed early on that it had shifting problems with its gears. It would sort of jerk and lunge forward at times. We purchased the vehicle from a Carmax in North Carolina. We also purchased the MaxCare extended warranty, good for 60 months and 100,000 miles. The car had 38,000 miles when we purchased it. We had it a few weeks before returning it to Carmax complaining about the jerking. Carmax said they tried a few things, but ultimately said it couldn't be fixed; that it was just a "Jeep thing." And advised us to take it to a Jeep dealer if our problems persisted. I didn't know what these comments would mean till later when I started researching the problem, and that is the fact that all these technicians and mechanics KNOW the 2014 transmission is garbage, but because Jeep won't own it and replace it, there really isn't any recourse, especially for used car owners. Jeep should be ashamed. And I feel like an awful parent for purchasing this unsafe vehicle for my teenage daughter.
My 21 year-old daughter was T-boned by a driver at an intersection - her truck was totaled. The other party's insurance company paid for her rental (a brand new Grand Cherokee). She fell in love with it and had her mind set on buying one once she received the insurance money.
Unfortunately, she couldn't afford a Grand Cherokee so, despite my pleas not to, she settled for a 2014 used 4WD Cherokee she bought from a small lot without a warranty.
She didn't even have it 2 weeks before the transmission jerked hard while driving 50 mph and snapped the driveshaft! We took it to a small, reasonable local shop who fixed the driveshaft but they didn't want to touch the transmission. It continuously jumps in and out of gear and makes a grinding sound. We were able to limp it home when selecting lower gears in sport mode. She drove it to work in sport mode once but she is scared to death to drive it so my wife and I have been taking her back and forth to week the past week.
It pains me to see her upset so I'm looking for ways to help. I've worked on cars my whole life and I have never seen a transmission so dangerous so I'm thankful she wasn't hurt. I was planning to take off at lunch from work today to see if her and I can go to the Irvine Jeep dealer and maybe there is still a powertrain warranty on it? ... or maybe by some miracle they will help us out.
I would appreciate any else's input and/or advice.
Disclaimer: The date of concern is an estimate of the ongoing issue and this is only one issue that I have had throughout the 4-years of ownership with my "NEW" Jeep Cherokee.
I initially experienced the Jerking, Shuttering, Vibration after I had the jeep in the shop for updates to the computer for previous acceleration issues.
During initial acceleration (from a stop), the quick jerking, shuttering and vibration (JSV) begins until the transmission shifts hard into 2nd gear....it then smooths out then shifts hard into 3rd. The hard shifting into 2nd and 3rd is never the same. It happens 2 out of 10 times. Once the transmission is in 5th gear at around 55-60 MPH the JSV returns. This is especially annoying when I am accelerating to merge into traffic, when I am climbing a hill behind someone and I can't get into another gear or when I am driving Lyft and I have a customer. I am waiting for the day that the transmission will just give up while I am merging into traffic and leave me waiting to get rear-ended in the Bay Area. Additionally, trying manual shift does not work, even if I drop a gear or force to a higher gear. The JSV issues don't stop with the aforementioned. If I am making a L/R turn, the JSV returns as if it is under sever compression or stress due to the turning ratio. If I have to make a U-Turn...forget about it, there is so much JSV that my next stop needs to be the dentist so I can get new fillings.
I have an appointment scheduled for the closest Dealership. I am afraid yet hopeful to what the resolution may be. My worst fear is that they will recommend replacing the transmission and force me to pay for it. If that's the case, is there a way to fight back and not pay for it since this is a known issue that Jeep has yet to figure out?
Cherokee 9 gear transmission shift rough in low gears. Lunging, hesitations, and spinning wheels from stop. Had software update for free at local dealership. This reduced the severity of issue but no way corrects it.
purchased 3/20/14 transmission issue, rough hard shift at low speed under 25mph started around 5200 miles. it is non-predictive and intermittent, feels like you have been rear-ended. occurred every couple of weeks, then began to increase in frequency. dealer has done several software upgrades and most recent done in 2/17 made the problem worse. short or delayed shifting along with the hard rough shift lurching forward began to occur as well. dealer has not been proactive in addressing this problem, they have verified it however twice. I have complained about this every service invoice and taken it in just for this problem twice. However, since they cannot duplicate, they say normal operation. a mal-functioning transmission is the DEFINITION of malfunction; irrespective of whether they can duplicate, does not mean the problem does not exist. it is faulty, period. I have paid in good faith every month and they have blown me off repeatedly, I am filing for Lemon Law.
The car has been doing all of this since I purchased it 3 months ago. Car stalls and completely shuts off. Told its gas and not to fill up gas tank. Not sure how this effects the transmission. Car jerks into gear or right before shutting off. Shakes, is loud. Does this with or without filling up the tank. Car had barely half a tank when I purchased it and it did it then. The very next day. I have an extended warranty. And I believe the power train warranty still applies but they won't fix the problem. Keeps saying its not pulling or storing codes. Engine light and service transmission light comes on and stays on. Not on the next next. Hard starts. Trans is slipping.
Took my 2014 Jeep Cherokee in to the shop with the transmission recall because around the 30mph mark it would accelerate without warning. The shop took it in and had it for more then a week replacing the entire transmission. When I got my car back I made a U turn because the Check engine light came on. Shop called back said that they put in an entirely new 2nd transmission. Picked up the car, check engine light came on again before making it a mile down the road. Ingram Park took the car again and this time told me that it was a bent wire.
When taking off or, slowing down and then accelerating the car bucks really bad. This happens a lot and not every time so you don't know when to expect it.
I'm a Lifetime Jeep owner, since age 16. I love Jeep, but I do not love THIS Jeep. Purchased New Cherokee Latitude V6 Active Drive II in Aug 2014. I should have done my research and NOT purchased. 10 times in the shop for same Transmission Issues, often for weeks at a time for a fix that never came. All Software Updates Failed. Even after a full transmission replacement this April (4/17), 1,000 miles later we are back to square one. Rough shift from stop to third gear, and third to stop. Extreme Delayed Acceleration (always turning left at busy intersections, the gas pedal does not engage) and Bucking, heavy thrust into second and first gear at fast stops. Absolutely Unsafe. This car shouldn't be on the road. My next step will be with a little luck to get some help from Chrysler to help replace.
The transmission on my 2014 Jeep Cherokee is terrible. It has shut down on the Highway, it is rough shifting, it holds gears too long, it chunks out of gear roughly at stops. I will probably never by another Jeep or FCA vehicle because of this problem.
I brought this in complaining about the transmission and they told me it was a radio update. Really?! then they blamed me because first they said it was "totally out of oil" (driving if for 3 months out of oil??) then they said it was low on oil and it was my fault because this was a known issue with this vehicle and I should know to check it every 1,000 miles. What?!?
I complained directly to Chrysler and was given a complaint # and no further action. Had to pay $158 to the dealer to put oil in it (even tho I never authorized it, but they had my car for over a week already!). Problem of it shutting off randomly was resolved (wow, amazing how a software update for my radio could do that), but it's still shifting hard. Going from a dead stop is a guessing game on when it'll move, and then when it does, the lurch can be amazing (and painful, as I had a cup of coffee in my hands and the lurch was so bad my coffee went everywhere). Trying another dealership this time, but not holding out a lot of hope!
rough gear shifting, slamming feel when gear engages
I spoke to the service manager at an Edmonton Chrysler dealer who told me that after the warranty recall repair, the vehicle would "learn" my driving habits and adjust accordingly. Never heard such BS! The car is doing the slamming shifting more frequently and more violently a couple of time a week. I will not settle for anything less than a replacement transmission for the ZF-sourced nine-speed automatic transmission,
Went back to the repair shop. The dealership had already performed 'drive learn' on 2 previous occasions.
I was told that they needed to replace the valve body and relearn procedure.
Picked it up 3 days later and all seems well, but I am guarded.
Update from Apr 16, 2017: Well, the joy was short lived. Two days after the shifting problem was fixed, it started acting up again yesterday. Any suggestions how I impress upon the dealership that this needs to be repaired once and for all?
Update from May 30, 2017: After waiting 10 days for a new transmission to arrive, and then 5 days for it to be installed, I picked up my Cherokee today. I was told by the dealership service department that I need to wait 200 - 800 km for the transmission to 'break in' because it is new. Really! ! ??? As I drove it home, it didn't feel smooth at all. Anyone have suggestions or advice for me?
I noticed that the transmission was shifting awkwardly, so I called the repair people. They contacted me to say that there was a recall for this. I took it in and when I pick up the car, I was happy with it's performance.
The second time, same problem except the shifting was very harsh in the first 3 gears. Took it back to the repair shop. Again, the computer was reset apparently. I picked it up the same afternoon and I was happy again. The Jeep was shifting nicely.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
My husband and I purchased a used 2014 Jeep Cherokee Limited 4 cylinder for our daughter in 2017. We noticed early on that it had shifting problems with its gears. It would sort of jerk and lunge forward at times. We purchased the vehicle from a Carmax in North Carolina. We also purchased the MaxCare extended warranty, good for 60 months and 100,000 miles. The car had 38,000 miles when we purchased it. We had it a few weeks before returning it to Carmax complaining about the jerking. Carmax said they tried a few things, but ultimately said it couldn't be fixed; that it was just a "Jeep thing". And advised us to take it to a Jeep dealer if our problems persisted. I didn't know what these comments would mean till later when I started researching the problem, and that is the fact that all these technicians and mechanics KNOW the 2014 transmission is garbage, but because Jeep won't own it and replace it, there really isn't any recourse, especially for used car owners. Jeep should be ashamed. And I feel like an awful parent for purchasing this unsafe vehicle for my teenage daughter.
Adding to the above, I'd like to point out that to add a complaint here you are asked "when did the problem occur." Well, the problem is an every day occurrence with our car. EVERY DAY. The date I entered is merely the day we decided to take it to a dealer and complain and pay the $200 deductible for our extended warranty we purchased. So it costs money to complain and ask for help, but we returned to the dealer in August of 2019, they reprogrammed the power train module, and for the first time ever, I had someone actually tell me this was a specific problem to 2014 Jeep Cherokees. I was relieved to find out I wasn't crazy and that other people had the same problem, but annoyed once I started googling the problem and reading all about the issue. Jeep is being ridiculous to believe a software update is going to fix the problem. The vehicle needs a new transmission. The jerking is awful and unsafe.
Why can't Jeep be forced to deal with this problem?
- Jeff S., Holly Springs, US