RoadVitals

2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee Powertrain (other) Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the powertrain system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Powertrain (other) reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
77
Latest Feb 27, 2026
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
25%
of 308 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
11
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
5

What this page shows

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 77 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming powertrain

The 25 most recent of 77, in the owner's own words

Fuel systemPowertrain (other)
Filed Feb 27, 2026

Tone wheel failure resulting in vehicle not operating as intended. Required repair of which FCA stated the repair was not covered by the recall issued against the vehicle.

NHTSA ID
11720847
Incident
Jan 15, 2026
Powertrain (other)
Filed Feb 10, 2026

The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while attempting to drive from a complete stop, the transmission remained stuck in first gear. The contact shifted to neutral(N) and shifted back to drive(D), and the vehicle responded as intended. There was no warning light illuminated. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 151,755.

NHTSA ID
11716970
Incident
Feb 10, 2026
Mileage
151,755 mi
ElectricalPowertrain (other)
Filed Jan 25, 2026

While driving then it just shuts off

NHTSA ID
11713239
Incident
Jan 12, 2025
Powertrain (other)
Filed Sep 30, 2025

Car not going out of park. Seems to be stuck in gear. Code P1DAB

NHTSA ID
11690622
Incident
Sep 26, 2025
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jul 11, 2025

Transmission will "buck" unexpectedly when slowing to a stop. This causes a violent and unpredictable lunge forward. This has been reported and inspected by the dealer multiple times with the assessment just being "that's an 8 speed transmission for ya". There is no warning of it happening, nor is an event stored within the vehicle ECU.

NHTSA ID
11672649
Incident
Jun 1, 2025
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jul 2, 2025

The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while in park(Park) and attempting to shift to drive(D), the transmission failed to shift to the desired position. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that a handheld diagnostic machine was used to retrieve DTC: P1DB8 and P1DB8-00. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 155,347.

NHTSA ID
11670894
Incident
Jul 2, 2025
Mileage
155,347 mi
BrakesPowertrain (other)
Filed May 29, 2025

The gear selector assembly (shifter indicator) failed in accordance with current recall S28 for 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokees. The lights stopped illuminating suggesting corruption/inability to flash repair and the "Service Shifter" warning message appeared on the dash. The dealer indicated the vehicle is immediately unsafe for operation stating that the PRNDM indicator operates important features beyond just illumination of the PRNDM display such as driving signals, lights including reverse lights, backup camera, etc and that the vehicle is not currently recognizing all gears. Jeep dealer indicated this is a common failure and indicative of S28 recall but could not provide reasoning why vehicle was not included in the notice.

NHTSA ID
11663646
Incident
May 13, 2025
Powertrain (other)
Filed Sep 4, 2024

The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while attempting to park the vehicle, the transmission failed to shift into park(P). The “Service Transmission, Set Park Brake, and Prevent Rolling” messages were displayed. Several unknown warning lights illuminated on the instrument panel immediately afterwards and then turned off independently. The parking brake symbol remained flashing with an audible alarm beeping. The contact turned off the vehicle, and the vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the valve body had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The failure occurred approximately 1 year later. The vehicle was returned to the dealer who had diagnosed the vehicle with valve body failure. The dealer informed the contact that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V043000 (Power Train); however, the VIN was not included. The dealer had been attempting to have the manufacturer add the VIN to the recall. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ID
11612642
Incident
Sep 8, 2023
ElectricalEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Feb 29, 2024

I've had issues with my vehicle since 2021 -engine light first appeared on the dashboard and towed my car to a Jeep dealership. Vehicle was "repaired" (have the documentation, if needed), but the engine light remained on. I have since driven this vehicle for nearly 3 years with the engine light on, bringing it into different Jeep dealerships (all documentation on record if needed) to repair and was told there was nothing they could find wrong with the engine. Last year (2023) my electronic stability control and 4WD lights came on in addition to the engine light. My car was sliding all over the road and my 4WD was not engaging at all. Brought vehicle to Jeep dealership for repair, was told ABS module needs to be replaced and the traction control is malfunctioning; no 4 wheel drive engagement; that the ABS module has been discontinued and the only way to replace this is to get an after market part. Contacted Mopar and was told there is "no way of knowing if it's available and it's beyond their capability". I was told the after market part would be tied to a specific VIN. I then contacted the Jeep Dealership- Parts department and explained the situation, asking if there's any other way I can fix this part in my vehicle. Was told there's nothing I can do since it's discontinued, that it's odd that a part for a 2016 vehicle would be discontinued, and I could check junkyards for parts but am not likely to find a match since my vehicle is not that old. I live in Colorado and in the last 2 winter months have been terrified to drive when it rains or snows because I have NO traction and am sliding THROUGH traffic lights and stop signs, even going at a very slow speed. I ended up in the next lane over when slowly driving up a hill on a main road. The value of this 2016 vehicle is miniscule compared to value when I purchased; this places safety of MYSELF AND OTHERS at risk. My partner is experiencing a similar issue with his 2014 Cherokee - discontinued part and safety issues.

NHTSA ID
11574742
Incident
May 1, 2023
ElectricalPowertrain (other)
Filed Jan 21, 2024

Jeep turns off while driving and makes me put it into park to turn it back on and into drive again. Lights flicker from dim to bright inside and outside. I have changed both batteries and the alternator.

NHTSA ID
11566848
Incident
Oct 16, 2023
Powertrain (other)
Filed Dec 28, 2023

Engine oil filter housing cracked and there was excessive and continuous oil leakage. Research on the internet shows this is a common problem as the part is made of plastic and destroyed by heat. If not fixed, the car could overheat, the engine fail, and the car stop during use at high speeds. Problem was inspected, confirmed, and part replaced with metal part at Rad Rides in Buffalo WY. Problem first appeared as oil leaking under car about 2 weeks ago.

NHTSA ID
11562319
Incident
Dec 15, 2023
Powertrain (other)
Filed Aug 24, 2023

The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated while slowing to a stop from 5th gear to 1st gear, the vehicle bucked forward. Additionally, the vehicle would jolt forward while driving. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who reset an unknown module in the vehicle. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.

NHTSA ID
11540471
Incident
Aug 24, 2021
Mileage
75,000 mi
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Aug 8, 2023
Crash reported

While exiting an automatic car wash, I pressed the brake pedal to put the vehicle in gear and while turning in the lot to go to a vacuum station the accelerator stuck and went to wide open full speed mode and I could not stop it with the brakes. I shot through a vacuum stall, jumped a curb and hit a concrete drain collection box. The air bags deployed but the car was a total loss.

NHTSA ID
11537221
Incident
Jul 22, 2023
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jul 21, 2023

Powertrain Control Module

NHTSA ID
11533693
Incident
May 31, 2023
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Jan 19, 2023

Over a 3 year time span my 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee has on multiple occasions had an extremely rough idle, has a hard time accelerating and car drives extremely rough and bumpy. I’ve taken it to multiple different auto shops and all they ever do is change spark plugs OR they just don’t know what’s wrong. No engine light illuminated and no codes. Spark plugs changed March 2020, august 2020, January 2021 and now January 2023 I’m having this problem again and the shop says they don’t think it’s spark plugs . I just want this resolved. This cannot be safe!

NHTSA ID
11502704
Incident
Jan 17, 2023
Powertrain (other)
Filed Oct 22, 2022

The shifter inside my 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee failed. It started by losing the indicator that told you what gear it was in. Although there is an additional indicator on the dashboard, I would begin to have incidents where it would show in park on the dashboard but would be in reverse. While waiting on parts to come in at the dealership, the shifter lost all power and would not shift out of park. Vehicle was towed to dealership for service.

NHTSA ID
11490394
Incident
Sep 13, 2022
Driver assistancePowertrain (other)
Filed May 24, 2022

electronic stability controls along with traction and FCW AFFECTING TRANSFER CASE WITH STEERING

NHTSA ID
11465896
Incident
May 1, 2022
EngineFuel systemPowertrain (other)
Filed Jan 11, 2022

My 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee 75th edition 3.0L Ecodiesel stalled with no warning while driving on a two lane highway in the middle of NoWhere, New Mexico. No warning lights, until the entire dashboard turned on and the car starting losing speed and power. I don't know how I was lucky enough to make it to the shoulder. I sat there for 2 hours with my 2 kids in the car waiting for a tow, 8 hours from home. I have come to find out that there is one recall for my EGR but when taken to the dealership I was told that my car was built with magnetic material attached to the tone wheel which provides a signal to the crankshaft position sensor and was lost therefore leaving me stalled and stranded. I have looked up my recalls and that one is not on there! How is that possible.

NHTSA ID
11447004
Incident
Jan 8, 2022
BrakesPowertrain (other)
Filed Jan 12, 2021

MY 2016 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE LAREDO MAKES A GRABBING FEEL OR NOISE WHEN IT DOWN SHIFTS FROM 2ND TO 1ST SO NOT SURE IF IT HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE TRANS. OR MAYBE THE BREAKS I FEEL IT HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE TRANSMISSION BUT CAN'T SEEM TO GET ANY ANSWERS EXCEPT YUM THAT'S NORMAL FOR THE JEEP I CALL BULL**** BUT HAPPENS WHEN IT IS IN MOTION SLOWING DOWN AND TURNING MOSTLY.

NHTSA ID
11387794
Incident
Aug 10, 2020
EngineFuel systemPowertrain (other)
Filed Nov 22, 2020
Fire reported

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.

NHTSA ID
11375815
Incident
Nov 21, 2020
Mileage
70,000 mi
ElectricalPowertrain (other)
Filed Nov 3, 2020

THIS IS NOW 4TH OR 5TH TIME. DRIVING CAR, CAME TO A STOP THEN IT STALLED ON ME. THIS TIME SOMETHING DIFFERENT HAPPENED. AFTER TRYING TO SHUT DOWN, RESTART IT AUTOMATICALLY WENT INTO 4 LOW! I WAS ABLE TO GET INTO A PARKING LOT OF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD UNLIKE LAST TIME. THIS TIME I HAVE FOOTAGE OF THE ENTIRE EVENT. I FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE THAT OTHER JEEPS SAME YEAR AS MINE ARE BEING RECALLED FOR SAME REASON, BUT MINE ISN'T MAKING THE VIN CUT. THIS IS NOW MY 3RD REPORT TO THIS SITE. THE OTHERS WERE DONE BEFORE NEW RECALL CAME OUT. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE BEFORE THIS KILLS SOMEONE.

NHTSA ID
11372922
Incident
Oct 2, 2020
Mileage
31,678 mi
BrakesPowertrain (other)Steering
Filed Oct 26, 2020

WAS DRIVING ON THE ROAD WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE DASH BOARD LIGHTS STARTED BLINKING AS WELL AS GEAR LIGHT BY THE SHIFTER. LOST POWER AND COSTED TO A STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE LEFT TURN LANE. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I HAVE ENCOUNTERED THIS PROBLEM SO FAR.

NHTSA ID
11366396
Incident
Oct 26, 2020
Mileage
121,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Oct 19, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 45-50 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL ROARING SOUND DETECTED. THE GEAR SHIFTER JUMPED OUT OF GEAR AND SHIFTED TO MANUAL. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND THE VEHICLE DROVE AS DESIGNED. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HER HUSBAND WAS DRIVING THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL SOUND DETECTED AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO EXCEED 30 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS AN ISSUE WITH THE TRANSMISSION. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT STATED THE VERIZON HUM DEVICE PROVIDED DTC CODE: P1B93 (GEAR ONE INCORRECT RATIO). THE VEHCILE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.

NHTSA ID
11365205
Incident
Oct 13, 2020
Mileage
85,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Oct 12, 2020

SERVICE SHIFTER LIGHT CAME. THERE ARE A LOT OF ISSUES WITH THE SHIFTER

NHTSA ID
11363988
Incident
Oct 8, 2020
Mileage
41,574 mi
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Sep 17, 2020

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

NHTSA ID
11355500
Incident
Dec 4, 2019
Mileage
5 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

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