What 2,369 owners told NHTSA about the 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk

The vehicle has a severe, life-threatening safety defect where it randomly drops into neutral while driving at speed, physically locks the shifter, and actively engages the electronic braking system on its own, stranding me in active traffic. I brought the vehicle to a certified Jeep dealership to resolve this exact symptom. They misdiagnosed the vehicle and charged me nearly $3,000 to replace the valve body and connectors. The dangerous symptom remains completely unchanged, meaning the vehicle is unsafe to operate and the manufacturer-certified repair facility has failed to remedy a critical safety defect. The issue hasn’t been fixed and it has been 5-6 months.

NHTSA ODI 11749415

I am reporting a safety-related issue involving a 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit 5.7 HEMI. Within days of purchase, the vehicle experienced transmission slipping and delayed shifting, as well as braking issues. These conditions affected drivability and raised safety concerns during normal operation. An independent mechanic found burnt transmission fluid, indicating that the transmission condition likely existed prior to purchase. Although a fluid change provided limited, temporary improvement, delayed shifting continues to occur. Because the transmission behavior and braking issues can affect the safe operation of the vehicle, I am submitting this report so the issue can be documented and evaluated for potential safety trends. This report is being submitted for safety tracking purposes.

NHTSA ODI 11720304

The Anti-lock braking system and the electronic traction control system are both failing. There were previous recalls on both systems that say they have been repaired, but the lights for both are constantly on. The brakes do not work fully, and it has caused me to slide down the street from my workplace. The electronic traction control system not working has caused it so that my four-wheel drive does not work, and I have gotten stuck in the snow multiple times. The car has been inspected by a repair technician. The warning lights came on right as the problem was happening.

NHTSA ODI 11711894

Subject: Safety Defect Report – Failure of Telematics Module (TCU) Causing Loss of 9-1-1 Emergency Function, Electrical System Malfunctions, and Potential Brake Booster Recall Defect (2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee) Dear NHTSA, I am submitting this complaint because my 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited is experiencing multiple safety-related failures that I believe are part of a wider defect pattern affecting this model year. Several of these issues involve systems that are critical for emergency safety, braking, and vehicle control. Dear NHTSA, I am submitting this complaint because my 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited is experiencing multiple safety-related failures that I believe are part of a wider defect pattern affecting this model year. Several of these issues involve systems that are critical for emergency safety, braking, and vehicle control. ⸻ 1. Telematics Control Unit (TCU) Failure Causing Loss of 9-1-1/SOS Emergency Function My Jeep is displaying repeated “Service Emergency Vehicle Phone” errors and the SOS/911 emergency button no longer functions. This is a major safety concern, especially in the event of an accident or breakdown. The TCU failure also causes: •Uconnect 8.4 system not booting •HVAC controls becoming non-functional or unsafe (blowing incorrect temperatures, failing to defrost, turning off unexpectedly) •Random system resets •Loss of ability to control climate during driving (creating visibility issues in cold/wet weather) These issues align with widespread failures of the Uconnect 8.4 / TCU hardware on 2013–2015 Grand Cherokees, which were not included in a recall despite many vehicles exhibiting the same dangerous symptoms. ⸻ 2. TCU-Related CANBUS Interference Causing Transmission and Drivability Safety Issues When the TCU fails, the vehicle experiences: •Transmission communication errors •Vehicle entering limp mode unexpectedly •“Service Transmission” and “Press Brake to Shift” warnings •Delayed or unpredictable shi

NHTSA ODI 11700842

While on highway, wipers, lights and horn began on their own. Then car shifted to neutral and brakes failed. I was going 70 miles per hour. I was able to get off the highway and have the car inspected by a licensed mechanic. It is the electrical computer or TIPM. The car is unable to start. This issue is a very dangerous safety issue.

NHTSA ODI 11639598

My car didn’t move i would put drive and it would park and i would try driving and it didn’t move then it would move and stop again

NHTSA ODI 11622986

While approaching a intersection, the vehicles engine stalled. The vehicle shifted itself into neutral. The loss of power in neutral resulted in a loss of power steering and power braking. The vehicle had diminished controls in traffic with 3 occupants. (2 adults, 1 infant.) Vehicle was stopped using emergency brake in turn lane. Local police were required to use push bar to move vehicle due to blocking traffic. No warning or lights on dash prior to failure. Vehicle pushed to dealership. Dealership diagnosed part failure consistent with open recall. No solution from manufacturer.

NHTSA ODI 11537357

I've been experiencing an issue with the brakes on the vehicle not operating properly since 2022. The vehicle does not brake normally, and the brake pedal must be pressed completely down to the floor, or pumped repeatedly before the vehicle begins to slow, and when it does slow, the brakes are less than responsive. There have been several instances where despite allowing extra stopping distance and pressing the brakes all the way to the floor, the vehicle does not stop normally, and I've come dangerously close to being involved in a collision as a result. I've reported these issues to Jeep in the past when the vehicle was there for service, but it was not adequately evaluated. I replaced both front and rear brake pads and rotors, only to have the issue continue. On 6/27/23 when my vehicle was in the body shop for unrelated repairs, the body shop conducted a brake diagnosis and confirmed the stiff break pedal when attempting to brake. They verified the appropriate vacuum at brake booster and vacuum sensor, and disconnected the brake booster sensor and smoke tested the brake booster to find smoke leaking into the main cabin area. They recommended replacing the brake booster assembly with water shed per TSB, and re-checking. They noted that the Vacuum brake booster has failed, and TSB is available in regards to installing water shield with new brake booster, under safety recall T59/NHTSA 17V-572. Once body work was completed, we took the vehicle to Perkins Jeep for the open recalls and requested repair of the brake booster, but were told this isn't a Jeep problem, and that it should have been taken care of at the body shop under insurance-- even though this brake issue was pre-existing to the body damage to the vehicle. Jeep states they do not have the OEM parts to repair this issue and other open recalls at this time, and there is a waiting list.

NHTSA ODI 11531530

The contact owns a 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated while driving at approximately 80 MPH, the rear passenger’s side tire detached from the vehicle. The contact stated that the ABS warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to cruise to the side of the road. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact towed the vehicle to an independent mechanic and was informed that due to corrosion, the brake assembly and the drive axle housing needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 134,505.

NHTSA ODI 11505302

The contact owns a 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated while reversing the vehicle in her residence, the vehicle hit a tree. The contact stated after she shifted gears to Drive, she lost control of the vehicle, which cause the vehicle to crash into a metal gate and into a brick wall. The contact stated she did depress the brake pedal but it failed to stop the vehicle. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated and the air bags did not deploy. The contact sustained bruises on her left arm and left leg from hitting the steering wheel. The contact did not seek medical attention. A police report was not filed since it was her residence. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact called the insurance company and had the vehicle towed to a towing lot. The insurance company has not assessed the vehicle. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000. The VIN was not available.

NHTSA ODI 11491912

Emergency Brake engages while driving

NHTSA ODI 11475937

It increased speed, then tried to break and the breaks locked up, then I tried to move to not hit the car in front of me and the whole front passenger side control arm snapped off causing me to loose a tire.

NHTSA ODI 11471036

The breaka locked up and i went to go around so i wouldnt hit the person in front of me. When i did the front axle cv joint totally snapped off the passenger side that hold the tire on. And i couldnt steer or anything

NHTSA ODI 11470930

Vehicle lost braking ability intermittently. Had to drive off the road to stop the vehicle without hitting something. Brake light came on the dash but then went off and brakes worked as normal. This has happened several times now. All randomly.

NHTSA ODI 11459131

A complete loss of all electrical and engine power simultaneously, on the freeway during a rainstorm without any warning. All systems including power steering, tail lights, door locks, a completely dark instrument panel, engine stopped running. I feared for my life, it’s very scary, it happened with no warning on a freeway during a rain storm!

NHTSA ODI 11437583

SEVERAL TIMES I HAVE PUT MY VEHICLE IN PARK AND IT HAS STARTED ROLLING BACK. ONCE IT WAS IN PARK, THE DRIVER EXITED THE VEHICLE, AND AFTER A MINUTE THE VEHICLE BEGAN ROLLING. YES IT WAS IN PARK AS INDICATED ON THE DASHBOARD. I HADN'T PUT THE PARKING BREAK ON AS I HAD JUST STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND WASN'T PLANNING ON STAYING PARKED. WE WERE IN MY DRIVEWAY WITH A VERY SLIGHT INCLINE. ALL TIMES (4 SO FAR) I HAD TO PUT MY FOOT ON THE BREAK TO STOP THE VEHICLE. ONCE MY DAUGHTER WAS IN THE CAR AND JUMPED OVER TO SAVE HER LIFE BY PUTTING HER FOOT ON THE BREAK AS IT WOULD'VE WENT OVER THE SIDE OF A HILL. WITH A QUICK SEARCH IT APPEARS SEVERAL OTHER PEOPLE HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME WITH BRAND NEW 2014 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE

NHTSA ODI 11388395

I LEFT MY PLACE OF WORK AND WHEN I WENT TO USE MY BRAKES THEY DIDN'T FULLY WORK. I BARELY GOT STOPPED IN TIME TO AVOID ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THE SPUTTERED AS I PRESSED THE BRAKE DOWN. I GOT IT LOOKED AT AND THEY CHANGED THE BRAKE BOOSTER. ALL WAS WELL AFTER THAT. THE PICTURE ATTACHED IS WAS I BOUGHT TO FIX MY CAR.

NHTSA ODI 11387236

ON 12/23/2020 AT 6:00AM I WAS DRIVING ON LONG POINT ROAD WHEN THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUTDOWN - ALL ELECTRICAL, ENGINE, LIGHTS, BREAKS, ETC. I WAS DRIVING AT APPROX. 30MPH HEADING TOWARDS A ROUND-ABOUT WHEN EVERYTHING SHUTDOWN. THE LOSS OF POWER RESULTED IN NOT BEING ABLE TO SLOW DOWN. LUCKILY THERE WEREN'T ANY CARS IN THE ROUND-ABOUT WHEN I ENTERED. HOWEVER, IT WAS A RATHER TIGHT ROUND-ABOUT AND WAS NOT ABLE TO MAKE THE TURN AND I WENT OVER THE CURB AND DROVE STRAIGHT THROUGH THE MIDDLE OF THE ROUND-ABOUT.. THE CAR RESTARTED AFTER ABOUT 3 SECONDS AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. ONCE THE CAR RESTARTED, ACCELERATION WAS EXTREMELY LIMITED. I CONTINUED TO PROCEEDED DOWN LONG POINT ROAD UNTIL I COULD PULL OFF. ABOUT 1-2 MINUTES AFTER THE FIRST POWER FAILURE, ANOTHER POWER FAILURE/COMPLETE SHUT DOWN OCCURRED. THE SECOND POWER SHUTDOWN LASTED ABOUT 5-7 SECONDS AND TURNED BACK ON. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OFF AND SHUT THE CAR OFF AND LET IT SIT FOR SEVERAL MINUTES. WHEN I RESTARTED IT, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON, BUT WENT OFF AFTER SEVERAL HOURS. IT'S WORTH NOTING, I JUST RECEIVED THE ECODEISEL SOFTWARE UPDATED (I THINK V7). THIS UPDATE WAS PERFORMED ON 12/21/20

NHTSA ODI 11385257

I NOT ONLY DID I HAVE PROBLEM WITH THE SEAT BELT. I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH MY DASH BOARD THE IS A RECALL AND THAT HAS BEEN SINCE 02/2020 AND IT STILL HASN'T BEEN REPLACE. NOT ONLY THAT I HAD TO REPLACE BRAKES ROTOR CALIPER ON ALL FOUR TIRES WHEN I BROUGHT THE CAR IT HAD 23,599 MILES AND WHEN I REPLACE THEM THE MILES 31,00 MILES. I WAS WORKING THEM BUT SOCIAL SECURITY TOLD ME I COULDN'T WORK AND GET BENIFITS. SO I HAD TO QUIT THE JOB. HOW I AM I SUPPOSE TO PAY $728.11 CAR PAYMENT AND INSURANCE. AND PAY FOR REPAIRS TO. I GOT THE CAR 08/31/2018

NHTSA ODI 11384117

THE FORWARD COLLISIN CONTROL WAS TURNED ON. IT STARTED BEEPING WHEN NO ONE WAS NEAR ME AT ALL FROM ANY SIDE OF VEHICLE. THEN THE BRAKES SLAMMED LIKE IT WAS PREVENTING A REAR END COLLISIN BY MY VEHICLE. MY CAR SLID TO A STOP AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MILES AN HOUR. IT SCARED THE CRAP OUT OF ME AND I HAVE HAD THAT SAFETY SENSOR OPTION TURNED TO OFF EVER SINCE THIS INCIDENT.

NHTSA ODI 11365637

VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING! WHILE DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY AND DOWN A MOUNTAIN, ALSO WHEN DRIVING ON A LOCAL STREET AFTER IT HAD BEEN IN DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS. IS CURRENTLY AGAIN AT DEALER SERVICE AND THEY HAVE SAID IT NEEDS A NEW COMPUTER. THIS A VERY FRIGHTENING AND DANGEROUS EXPERIENCE

NHTSA ODI 11349793

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 GRAND JEEP CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OFF OF THE ROADWAY BUT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE BATTERY TERMINAL WAS DISCONNECTED AND RECONNECTED BEFORE THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. ADDITIONALLY, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO EXCEED 30 MPH WHILE DRIVING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY TAKEN TO GARDEN CITY JEEP CHRYSLER DODGE RAM 283 N FRANKLIN ST, HEMPSTEAD, NY 11550 (516) 336-4712, DUE TO THE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHT BEING ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THE BRAKES ACTIVATED INDEPENDENTLY WITH THE VEHICLE PULLING TO THE RIGHT. THE CONTACT REFUSED TO PAY FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST TO BE PERFORMED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED OR INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,000.

NHTSA ODI 11310148

THE JEEP RANDOMLY WON'T START AND BRAKE PEDAL IS FIRM THIS STRANDED ME 6 TIMES AND DEALER CAN'T FIGURE OUT BECAUSE NOTHING DISPLAYS AND THEN IT WORKS I HAVE HEARD SENSORS AND BRAKE BOOSTERS BUT NEITHER ARE ON RECALLS

NHTSA ODI 11309318

TL* THE CONTACT'S WIFE OWNS A 2014 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FLOOR NO CONSEQUENCE. THE VEHICLE EVENTUALLY STOPPED THE CONTACT'S WIFE WAS TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, WHEN ATTEMPTED TO STOP, THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FLOOR. NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR A DIAGNOSTIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,000.

NHTSA ODI 11308926

ELECTRICAL STOPS WORKING, SOFTWARE MALFUNCTIONS OF COMPUTER. SHUTS OFF OR SHOWS SERVICE FOR 911 PHONE. POWER STEERING DOESN'T WORK AND BRAKES ARE HARD AND FLUTTER.

NHTSA ODI 11291560