10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
5 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
24,438 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.

2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee engine problems

engine problem

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2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee Owner Comments (Page 2 of 4)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #44

Jun 012020

Grand Cherokee

  • miles

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

My first report (#11396370) was made to you in February 2021. The recall was started in 2020 and as of this date my jeep dealer does not have the parts to repair my vehicle. According to reports, I am driving a "time bomb" ready to burst into flames and threatening the safety and lives of me, my family, and my passengers. To make things worse jeep has notified me that the "U-Connect" emergency contact system will become degraded and inoperable in the coming months making it impossible for me to contact "911" or the jeep emergency assistance contact system. The latter being a paid service (similar to GMC's "On-Star" system) for which they have not promulgated any remedy, any thought of a remedy, or attempt to provide any remedy. THE BOTTOM LINE: I am driving a "time bomb" without a here to fore active emergency contact system with no resolution or parts available from Jeep. Someone needs to report and inquire about the above cited Jeep issues.

- Mill Creek, WA, USA

problem #43

Sep 282021

Grand Cherokee

  • miles
Stopped at a red light and when it turned green, I pressed on the gas pedal and no acceleration. Looked at the dashboard and saw -??Shift to P-?? the engine stalled and I had to roll out of the way of traffic, pressed the brake to a complete stop and restart the ignition/engine and was able to drive again.

- Bronx, NY, USA

problem #42

Apr 082021

Grand Cherokee

  • 35,900 miles
Oem water pump failed at 29,000 miles, in July 2019, component was rr. On 4/8/2021 at 35,900 miles water pump failed again.

- Edmond, OK, USA

problem #41

Dec 012020

Grand Cherokee

  • 10,000 miles

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

Months ago, I was advised of an issue that would cause a destructive vehicle fire. As of this date there is no correction available for the recall and no indication that my vehicle will be replaced if it is destroyed by the resulting fire. Further, there is no remedy promulgated for my heirs if I or others loose their life in the fire. Please advise me on my available actions.

- Mill Creek, WA, USA

problem #40

Jan 222021

Grand Cherokee

  • 44,500 miles
On January 22, 2021 at 0645hrs, I was driving on a city street in queens NY and while stopped at a steady red light my vehicle stalled. When the traffic light turned green I noticed on the dashboard read 'shift to P' and I had to shift to park, press engine start, shift to drive and continue on my way home. This is the second time that this happened.

- Bronx, NY, USA

problem #39

Nov 212020

Grand Cherokee

  • 70,000 miles
While driving the vehicle and towing my boat (approx 4500lbs) for the previous hour or so on state highway between 50-65 mph with some stoplights (not interstate), the check engine light (cel) came on and the driver interface on the instrument cluster came on displaying something to the effect of "service electronic throttle control system". continued driving approximately 2 miles to get to an intersection to turn off the main road. Once stopped at the stoplight I noticed slight smoke coming from the left front corner of the hood by the headlight. I placed the vehicle in park, put the hazards on and pulled the hood release. By the time I exited the vehicle and made my way around the door to the hood, thick black smoke was billowing from all around the hood and flames were noticed coming through body gaps and the grill. Within 30 seconds the entire engine bay and hood was engulfed in flames. I did manage to get the boat unhooked and pushed back and documented with photos. This is the third time these indications (cel) and driver interface displayed the exact same indications. The first time it resolved upon shutting down the vehicle. The second time, it was brought to the dealer. Approx 1 month prior to the fire the dealer found nothing on inspection and reset the code. The code was for excessive egr flow. Additionally the dealer performed any outstanding recalls on the vehicle. This vehicle was equipped with the 3.0 eco diesel engine and was bought new, dealer, serviced its entire time and had approximately 70K miles on it. I have no doubt this was directly rated to an egr problem that these particular engines have had issues with directly resulting in the fire.

- Yulee, FL, USA

problem #38

Dec 042019

Grand Cherokee

  • 5 miles

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

Sometimes when in drive the car starts forcing itself to move forward motion, only happens when turning on a 4way street! also the car automatically turns off at red lights if low on gas it shut off and we were stuck at a red light

- Fresno, CA, USA

problem #37

Aug 292020

Grand Cherokee

  • 42,000 miles
Driving down the highway and lost all power. Will not restart. Towed to dealer they say it's fuel pump related. It is a fuel pump relay which is a very known issue (recall) on 2011-2013 but not on anything newer.

- Heath, OH, USA

problem #36

Jul 012020

Grand Cherokee

  • 94,000 miles
Severe bucking & jerking while driving. More moderate bucking while car is idle. Codes being thrown are P0406 & P0301. It has also thrown a P0402 as well. I've replaced the egr valve as well as all spark plugs and the problem still has not been solved. My fuel mileage is tanking and driving the Jeep has become almost unbearable.

- Plymouth, MA, USA

problem #35

Jul 102020

Grand Cherokee 4WD 8-cyl

  • 28,500 miles
28000 miles +\- driving car on freeway in high speed lane in las 405 - the most traveled highway in the us, and the car slowed to a dead stop. Complete loss of acceleration. All electrical still working, lights, dash, radio. Would turn over but would not start. Hour earlier car was idling and idled to a stall. All electrical still working. Police had to come and stop traffic to wait for a flatbed.

- Marina Del Rey, CA, USA

problem #34

Jun 182020

Grand Cherokee

  • 30,000 miles

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

Twice now I have had my Jeep die on me while waiting at a traffic light. First time I had to be pushed to the side of the street by strangers because nothing would restart it and it was at on a busy road at peak time. Second time was this week. Waiting again for light to turn, as I stepped on the gas to go, the car shut down. Both times I tried to put it into park, restart, nadda. This time it started back up within about one minute.

- Ankeny, IA, USA

problem #33

May 292020

Grand Cherokee 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 65,000 miles
Making right have turn into grocery store from highway and vehicle abruptly dies. 'shift to P' comes on, and car won't immediately start. It takes 3 or 4 cycles to start.

- Flintville, TN, USA

problem #32

May 162020

Grand Cherokee 8-cyl

  • 52,000 miles
Backing up to parking spot a home, from a dead stop I goosed the throttle to go up a slight incline and throttle stuck wide open in reverse. Stood on the brake for 20ft while fighting the throttle, hit the side of garage and threw it into drive and continued to stand on the brakes for another 40ft in drive. After smashing the ignition button frantically about a dozen times and also engaging the emergency brake, the Jeep shut off. This all happened in our driveway that our children play on often. Luckily no one was hurt, and no one was in the vehicle with me but this could have been way worse. Never had an accident in my life until this event. Completely out of my control. Note the skid marks on the driveway.

- Rochester, MN, USA

problem #31

Jan 152020

Grand Cherokee

  • 45,000 miles
The start/stop feature on this model Jeep Grand Cherokee malfunctioned at a major intersection. The engine stopped while I was at a red light for a prolonged period of time (the feature working as it should at that moment); when the light turned green, and I released my foot off the break, the engine would not turn back on. The vehicle had to be put in park, turned off and turned back on for the engine to power back up and move.

- West Hartford, CT, USA

problem #30

Jan 232019

Grand Cherokee

  • 85,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee. While driving various speeds, the interior lighting began to flicker and the engine seized without warning. The contact veered to the shoulder of the road, turned off and restarted the engine, and the vehicle resumed normal operation. Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Fiat of bay ridge (8825 5th ave, brooklyn, NY 11209, (718) 836-2600)was contacted and stated that the VIN was not included in a recall. The contact was referred to NHTSA to file a complaint. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000. The VIN was unknown.

- Brooklyn, NY, USA

problem #29

Jan 012020

Grand Cherokee

  • 35,000 miles
I was at a red stop light and when the light turned green I lifted my foot off the brake and onto the gas pedal and realized my 2016 Grand Cherokee would not move and had completely stalled. I checked to make sure the gear was not in neutral and read an error message on the dash that said something along the lines of 'shift the gear into park and then into desired gear.' I could not put the car into drive and had to completely shut of my vehicle and restart it to get it into drive. I was lucky that it was late at night and not many people were around although one person came speeding up behind me and had to switch lanes to not hit me, even came with a not so friendly honk. I have heard of many other people experiencing this exact same situation including while driving at high speeds on the highway and taking turns in busy traffic. This is a very dangerous scenario and I am surprised it has not yet led to a fatal accident.

- Middleton, MA, USA

problem #28

Oct 252019

Grand Cherokee

  • 43,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that the headlights failed to illuminate. In addition, when fueling the tank and attempting to drive, a knocking noise was heard from the engine. The vehicle was taken to leith Chrysler Jeep (5500 capital blvd, raleigh, nc 27616, (919) 872-5500) twice where it was diagnosed that both headlights needed to be replaced. The headlights were not replaced, but the engine noise was remedied; however, the noise recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the same dealer and the contact was informed that the noise was normal. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and provided case number: 71542505. The failure mileage was approximately 43,000.

- Raleigh, NC, USA

problem #27

Nov 192019

Grand Cherokee

  • 65,000 miles
I purchased my Jeep used in April of 2019. On 2 occasions so far, while coming to a stop the engine cuts out. It takes about 10-15 minutes to get it restarted. This has happened both times while stopping at a light in busy traffic. I have seen over 30 complaints for the same problem on www.carcomplaints.com. all reported stalling out while decelerating the vehicle. Some reported that it stalls while decelerating while taking a right turn, for example, while entering a highway off-ramp. The first time my car stalled I was not turning. The second, I was decelerating while taking a right turn. This causes a huge safely concern that should be addressed by Jeep. My car has approximately 65K miles.

- Warwick, RI, USA

problem #26

Oct 292019

Grand Cherokee

  • 42,700 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

- Vancouver, WA, USA

problem #25

Aug 222019

Grand Cherokee

  • 45,000 miles
In 2019 Jeep rolled out an approved emissions modification (aem) program as part of a emissions compliance settlement with regulatory authorities. This software flash/re-program has made an otherwise safe car unsafe. At low engine temperatures (cold start) the vehicle has very little power to accelerate through intersections, make left turns, move out of the way if someone is approaching from a high rate of speed from behind at a stoplight. Jeep has acknowledge this issue and have noted they are working on a fix, but have not offered accommodations to ensure one has a safe car to drive when they spend months developing a fix. It is a hazard, has resulted in several near-miss situations, and they need to be held accountable to ensuring their customers safety.

- Crystal Lake, IL, USA

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