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

My Son just bought the car from a private party. On our way home the engine light and a lightning bolt icon illuminated on the dash, followed by the vehicle going into limp mode. We had the vehicle scanned for codes and it came back with P0336 (crankshaft position sensor performance). After much investigation online, we found out that this is a known issue with the crankshaft position sensor and, most importantly, the tone wheel on the back of the engine. We looked up recalls on the vehicle and found a safety recall had been issued. While some vehicles affected received replacement of the tone wheel and sensor, others just received a software update. This particular vehicle received the software update. The issue is that the magnetic material on the tone wheel delaminates from the tone wheel. This is a costly repair that should have been fixed correctly from the beginning, not just a software patch. It is a safety concern because it is dangerous when you are traveling at highway speeds and it goes into limp mode.

NHTSA ODI 11747770

6 months ago, I was driving on the interstate and the ESC system light came on, the vehicle lost power/ability to accelerate, and would only allow acceleration after pulling over and restarting the car. This happened several more times on the interstate, and when the ESC system kicked in it would suddenly lurch the car down about 15 mph and leave no ability to accelerate, causing near collisions at high rates of speed. After eventually taking it to the dealership, it turned out to be failed lifters on the driver's side cam shaft, a known design issue that has apparently plagued the Pentastar engines. This all happened in spite of meticulous maintenance and no warning signs from the engine whatsoever. How is such a significant, known design defect that causes such dangerous driving conditions never been flagged for a recall?

NHTSA ODI 11693421

Many engine related problems. Have proof of related problems and/also I have prof of me repairing the vehicle my self in present day

NHTSA ODI 11609537

My instrument cluster (where the speed, gas level, engine temperature, etc. Is displayed) had completely blacked out. It was periodically coming on. But it's not coming on at all anymore. I've taken it to the dealership, had it replaced (with a used part), had the wiring checked, also tried reprogramming the instrument cluster. Nothing has worked. There was a recall for this same exact problem, with the same exact vehicle except my vehicle was manufactured 3 months after the recall notice called for vehicle manufactured through Aug 2013 my was November 2013. I feel that my vehicle also should've been part of that recall notice.

NHTSA ODI 11608673

We have a 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee with a 5.7L Hemi engine. Today on XXX, we were moving slowly in traffic on a street in Linden, New Jersey, and suddenly the vehicle accelerated by itself. My wife pressed on the brakes all the way to the floor but the vehicle kept jumping forward - the engine was revving and trying to move the vehicle forward while my wife was firmly pressing on the brake pedal. Because we were in stop and go traffic, the vehicle eventually lurched into the car in front of us and caused an accident. The front of our vehicle was damaged as was the rear of the car in front of us. This sudden acceleration has happened a few times in the last 3 years. During the previous instance of this sudden acceleration, on [XXX] we also hit a car in stop and go traffic. The air bags deployed and we had extensive repairs done because of that. This happened another time as well. During that instance, we did not hit anything, and the only way we were able to stop the car was by switching the gearshift to the Park position. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11594496

I am driving on the highway and my vehicle goes into neutral on its own it’s very dangerous and almost caused an accident from what I was reading there was a recall for the software for the transmission this happened quite a few times and needs fixing

NHTSA ODI 11572104

NHTSA recall # 23V-411 (FCA#66A) was performed, but did not fix the issue with lost power. Even though the recall "fix" didn't work, FCA said that the proper fix wasn't covered, because the vehicle isn't under warranty. According to the dealership, the tone wheel needs replaced, and they said FCA should cover the cost.

NHTSA ODI 11571484

Our car was stopped and then engine started intermittently lunging forward for no reason. Rear ended the car in front of us and had to use the emergency brake to stop the car. Jeep Corp sent an independent inspector to check the car but only shared the car was drivable and didn't say there was a problem. They wouldn't share the computer findings with us or the dealer, only that is was drivable. They also wouldn't allow the dealer to see the computer while it was being tested. The car is currently parked and we bought another car. Waiting for Jeep to cover replacing parts or do something to the Jeep before it has another accident.

NHTSA ODI 11564008

While using cruise control and traveling at a speed of approximately 70 miles per hour on the highway, my car accelerated on its own and ai had I had to hit the brakes. I was thankfully able to slow it down, to which the entire car shuts down. The vehicle completely shut off and would not start. I had to have it towed to Jeep and they told me it was not one, but BOTH fuel pumps had failed. They charged me over $1700.00. There is currently a recall for this very issue and Jeep made no attempt to fix it. I had no idea there was even a recall for this until now and this happened a few years ago.

NHTSA ODI 11556331

When accelerating on to the highway the vehicle will not go above the speed you were entering the highway on. For example entering the highway at 40mph and trying to get to 65mph and it will not go. Have to release the foot from the gas and then reapply foot to gas pedal. Most recent occurrence the vehicle hesitated much long resulting in oncoming cars almost rear ending me and having to drive in the breakdown lane until it picked up speed.

NHTSA ODI 11538063

The contact owns a 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle suddenly shifted into neutral and lost motive power. The contact received Police assistance when the vehicle failed to immediately restart. The contact was then able to pull the vehicle to the shoulder of the roadway. The transmission and check engine warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who was unable to determine the cause of the failure due to a lack of power. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V332000 (Electrical System, Vehicle Speed Control) for which the VIN was included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 176,000.

NHTSA ODI 11534778

The contact owns a 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving on the highway at various speeds, the accelerator pedal was depressed but the vehicle slowed down and lost motive power. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who was unable to duplicate the failure. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ODI 11495193

Car is not reporting accurate speed, 20mph or more on display and shifting my be affected

NHTSA ODI 11487475

Driving down the road in the middle of the night- the entire dash went black and only warning lights blinking across. Several error messages appeared and went black again.

NHTSA ODI 11479175

Cruise control Didn’t disengage and continue to accelerate. Tried to apply brakes but they went straight to the floor and didn’t work. Placed the car into neutral and kept trying brakes until they started to come back. With the car continuing to accelerate went into breakdown lane and rubbed up against guardrail to avoid car in front.

NHTSA ODI 11468071

The contact owns a 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that the vehicle was operated by diesel fuel. The contact stated while merging onto the highway the accelerator pedal was depressed however, the vehicle failed to increase to 75 MPH. The contact stated that the ECS warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that he was able to continue to drive to the residence. The contact reviewed his service record and found out that his spouse had taken the vehicle to the dealer prior for the same failure. The paperwork stated they were unable to duplicate the failure. No repairs were completed. The contact stated that he was awaiting an appointment with the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 57,000.

NHTSA ODI 11441453

I was driving to and my car began shaking and would not let me go over 10 miles per hour. I was towed in to the dealership and was told that my pcm and tcm wasn't functional.

NHTSA ODI 11436409

Purchased vehicle in 2014 and from the start Vehicle occasionally fails to increase speed when acceleration is increased. Under 30000 miles vehicle lost power moving at very low speed. Problem diagnosed at Arrigo Sawgrass as Powertrain Control Module failure. It is a risk if vehicle not responding to increased speed when needed. My research indicates that thousands of 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokees in an Australian Batch were recalled for Powertrain Control Module Fault and the failure of my vehicle under 30000 miles seems to match with these recalls and should be carefully looked at for possible recall as well

NHTSA ODI 11434265

The headrest deployed for absolutely no reason. The car was parked and unoccupied. Upon entering the vehicle we immediately noticed the headrest was popped out. I'm thankful I wasn't driving at the time!

NHTSA ODI 11431121

LEFT HEAD CYCLINDER IN ENGINE CRACKED WITH COOLANT LEAKING TO ENGINE. 2011-2013 WERE EXTENDED ON WARRANTY FOR THIS BUT NOT THE 2014 YET. TO FIX THE 1 ISSUE APPARENTLY REQUIRES REPLACING SEVERAL OTHER PARTS RESULTING IN A ASTRONOMICAL BILL. WHEN GOT BACK FROM GETTING CHECKED OUT THE ENGINE NOW MAKES A TICKING SOUND. ALSO GEAR SHIFT ISSUES WHERE THE CAR WILL SAY IN DESIRED GEAR AND WON'T GO INTO PARK AND STALL OUT. THE SECOND WAS A RECALL BUT MY VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. GEAR SHIFT ISSUE HAPPENS AT RANDOM AND HAS LEFT ME IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET.

NHTSA ODI 11413509

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

ON 9/23/20 MY 2014 GRAND JEEP CHEROKEE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN CAUSING ME TO CRASH INTO A FOUNTAIN WALL. I WAS PARKING AND ALMOST AT A COMPLETE STOP WHEN MY CAR WENT HAYWIRE. IT FELT AS IF I GOT HIT FROM BEHIND, MY DASH LIT UP, MY ENGINE REVVED REAL LOUD AND MY CAR LUNGED FORWARD. THERE WAS ENOUGH FORCE TO LIFT MY FRONT END AND PLACE IT ON THE 2ND TIER OF THE FOUNTAIN WALL. I WAS IN A TIGHT PARKING AREA AT THE HIALEAH GARDENS BUILDING DEPARTMENT. PLEASE GOOGLE EARTH THE PARKING LOT TO UNDERSTAND THE PARKING LOT AND HOW COMPACT IT IS. I HAD AN INVESTIGATION DONE ON MY CAR AND RECEIVED A VERY GENERIC RESPONSE VIA EMAIL REGARDING THE FINDINGS AND THAT CHRYSLER / JEEP WERE NOT LED TO BELIEVE THAT THE INCIDENT WAS DUE TO A MANUFACTURING RESPONSIBILITY. NOT ONE PERSON HAS CALLED ME TO DISCUSS. JEEP IS VERY LUCKY MY KIDS WERE NOT IN THE CAR AND THAT I DIDN'T KILL ANYONE OR MYSELF. CUSTOMER CARE HAS BEEN A JOKE. THEY TOLD ME THAT I CAN REQUEST CALL BACKS BUT IT WILL NEVER HAPPEN. I HAVE A RIGHT TO KNOW WHAT THE INVESTIGATION SHOWED ON MY CAR. MY CAR ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN! I CANNOT GET ANY RESPONSE FROM THE CHRYSLER / JEEP ON THE INVESTIGATION OF THE LITTLE BLACK BOX AND HOW THEY CAME UP WITH THEIR DECISION. I BELIEVE THEY SEND THESE GENERIC EMAILS OUT TO SHUT YOU UP AND HOPE NOTHING FURTHER COMES ABOUT. THEY KNOW WE HAVE NO MEANS OF TALKING TO ANYONE AND GET AWAY WITH HAVING DEFAULTED SUV'S. THEY GET AWAY WITH LYING AND BEING UNOBTAINABLE. I HAVE ADDITIONAL PICTURES IF YOU NEED TO SEE THEM

NHTSA ODI 11363048

I HAVE BEEN GETTING AN ERROR ON MY VEHICLE THAT SAYS "SERVICE FOUR WHEEL DRIVE SYSTEM" AND AN ERROR THAT SAYS " SERVICE ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM". I'VE DONE SOME RESEARCH ONLINE AND SEE OTHER PEOPLE ARE HAVING THIS PROBLEM WITH A DRAGGING OF THE MOTOR INTO THE NEXT GEAR AND A HESITANT JERK SOMETIMES. I FOUND OUT THAT THE RIGHT SPEED SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IS JEEP DOING ANYTHING TO REIMBURSE CUSTOMERS THAT HAD TO PAY OUT OF POCKET.

NHTSA ODI 11352607

WHEN DRIVING ON THE ROAD AND COMING TO A STOP NO PROBLEM UNTIL IT'S NEEDED TO ACCELERATE THEN THE TRUCK WILL HESITATE. WHEN GOING FROM A STOP SIGN AND MAKING A LEFT OR RIGHT THEN JEEP WILL HESITATE REAL BAD AND THE VEHICLE WILL TAKE AWHILE TO GET UP TOO SPEED

NHTSA ODI 11351134

TRANSMISSION SHIFTS GEARS IRRATICALLY BUT NOT ALL THE TIME. IT CAN BE A DELAYED SHIFT AS I'M ACCELERATING OR ROUGH FEELING SHIFT AS THE TRANSMISSION AUTOMATICALLY MOVES THROUGH THE GEARS. OCCURS AT VARIOUS LOW END SPEEDS (E.G. 0 - 40 / 50 MPH)

NHTSA ODI 11322803