What 361 owners told NHTSA about the 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk

The contact owns a 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated while driving 20 MPH, the check engine warning illuminated, and there was an abnormal sound coming from the driver’s side of the engine compartment. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that cylinder #3 had misfired and a tune up was needed. The vehicle was repaired but the failure persisted. The vehicle was then taken to a different independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the cam shaft and both head gaskets needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but while in reverse(R), the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was restarted after three attempts. The vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that unstated software needed to be updated and reprogrammed. The vehicle was repaired but while stopped at an intersection the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was able to restart after waiting for a while. The vehicle was taken to the same independent mechanic again and was diagnosed and determined that the throttle body needed to be reprogrammed. The vehicle was repaired but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 86,000.

NHTSA ODI 11621259

Faulty transmission that breaks before 90K miles

NHTSA ODI 11614759

VVL solenoid was faulty, and seems to be a common problem with 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Replaced coils, spark plugs and VVL solenoids.

NHTSA ODI 11598393

The oil filter housing in the Jeep Grand Cherokee is known to have serious problems and safety concerns. The Pentastar oil filter housing used in these vehicles can crack and warp due to heat exposure and this can lead to serious oil leaks. Despite knowing about this issue, the company has never issued a recall, instead, they have discontinued the production of the Pentastar and redesigned the oil filter housing for newer vehicle models. This oil filter housing is prone to so many issues mainly because it is made from plastic, not a metal that can withstand high engine temperatures. My mechanic is replacing the plastic housing now with an Aluminum one that will withstand the heat and pressure needed to hold up. He told me that it has been a major issue for several years now and he has personally changed several of these out over the years. At one point he said it was such a big issue that he couldn't get parts to repair numerous vehicles that ended up sitting in his lot for a long time until parts become available. Everything I read online suggests that this is a major issue and one that people can't understand why Jeep has not been ordered to recall the wrongly designed housing. The safety issue on this one is potential breakdowns on highways where oil will make roadways slick and cpould also start an oil fire when oil starts to spray on the hot engine. Stranded cars will be parked on the sides of the road posing a risk to them and the other cars on the roads as well I didn't even know about the issue or that mine was failing until I had it in the shop to replace a leaking motor mount. It was during this work that they noticed the issue with the housing and told us that we need to replace it very soon. We decided to change it out and incur another 650.00 in repairs.

NHTSA ODI 11597277

A day after I bought my 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited my oil cooler spilt and oil went into my hole cooling system. Rock Top Chrysler said $5200.

NHTSA ODI 11596255

2017 Jeep grand Cherokee, 103k miles. I purchased my car new for around $45,000. All maintenance was done on time. Oil cooler assembly went out, then head gaskets, now I need a new engine. At 103k miles !Jeep has done nothing other than tell me sorry that will be $15,000 to repair. My engine is doing that loud clicking sound everyone is talking about. I’ve spoken with countless people this has happened to, some as early as 49k miles. There are videos online of mechanics bragging about how much money these engines are making them in repairs. Yet Stellantis still refuses to take responsibility for their 3.6L Pentastar V6 engine issues. Even though there is a current class action against them for it. There are full YouTube videos from mechanics explaining exactly why the 3.6L Pentastar V6 engine fails and still Stellantis chooses to take more money from consumers to fix/replace their faulty engine. Now onto functionality of my vehicle, the start/stop engine problems I see people complaining about on here are real. The first thing I did when I got into my car was turn OFF my start/stop system. 20% of the time my system worked properly when left on. The rest of the time it was dangerous. The car would shut off when hitting the breaks and stall. I would be stuck on the freeway having to restart my car. I’m lucky it never caused an accident but it is terrifying being in the middle of the street and your car just shutting off and engaging the parking break and stuck in neutral. It’s happened more times than I can count, stop lights were where my car shut off most commonly. Usually would result in cars honking and people screaming to get out of the way while I scramble to get my car to turn back on. Over all, I’m so disappointed in this company and how it chooses to treat its consumers.. I was forever a Jeep owner until this week.

NHTSA ODI 11587478

My 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee would not start. The power connection on the starter burned and I could smell smoke emanating from the vehicle. My jeep required a tow to a local garage to be fixed. Upon my Mechanic examining my vehicle, he discovered the engine also had a blown head gasket. To fix these issues is estimated to cost $5k - $6k. My jeep only has 82,000 miles on it.

NHTSA ODI 11586700

I have replaced the water pump three times costing me close to $1000.00. No warning light has came on only the smell when it is leaking that my fiancé recognizes. So in this case do I have to wait until it starts to overheat and I am stranded on the side of the road? Why am I replacing an obvious faulty part? I also know that I am not the only jeep owner within the year of mine that has had this problem that Jeep doesn’t recognize? If needed I can provide copies of my receipts and dealership paperwork. Also why are the new water pumps protected with a warranty? Each water pump I had installed could have defects.

NHTSA ODI 11584870

Issue with transmission/transmission control module. Jeep has a hard time shifting from Reverse, after 3 tries the gear is lost and vehicle must be shut down in order to try again. Once engaged, it'll "BANG" loudly, cause the tires to squeal, and then reverse is granted. Also have an issue going between 3rd and 4th gears. To shift, we have to increase pressure in the transmission, sometimes getting the RPM up to 6k before shifting is allowed. After three unsuccessful attempts, all gears are lost and you have to get down to 33 mph in order to gain 3rd gear back or you have to pull over and restart the vehicle.

NHTSA ODI 11578009

While driving on the freeway, in the fast lane, with children in the car the car lost all ability to accelerate, and lights came on. We had to coast to the side of the road and stop the car on the shoulder. We were almost hit while stuck there waiting for a tow truck. Nothing in the car worked, we were lucky to get one car window down as it was 103 degrees. We couldn't get out of the car bc we had two toddlers in car seats and no where safe to go. So we sat there praying and called family to come get us since we couldn't get kids into tow truck. Towed car to jeep and jeep wouldn't even look at it bc they were 3 weeks out diagnosis so we towed to closest mechanic and spent 2k to replace fuel pump. No warning lights messages or symptoms before. 6 months later the car started to shake when turned on and we took it to local mechanic who said I hope you have an extended warranty since jeep has known problems with cylinders and gaskets. We immediately took it to Jeep who said the head cylinders were blown and it was leaking. The car only has 60,000 miles so to have a terrifying situation on the freeway and then issues with the engine was equally scary when it is our family car.

NHTSA ODI 11576396

Car has always run great till last week, turned off Jeep then tried to start-brake is hard, steering is locked, push button lights up acc and run but wont start, fob is good battery, car batteries are new, service tech at dealer cant figure out Im without a vehicle now for a week so far????

NHTSA ODI 11554945

The exhaust manifold bolts cracked on my jeep Grand Cherokee hemi 5.7L which has caused a "tick" sound and my 7yr old can smell gas while inside the vehicle. We have taken to dealerships who refuses to fix under warranty. I called Dodge jeep of Tomball and They say it's not covered emissions. They also say it's common issue with the Hemi's. The problem is only getting worst and causes my son to have headaches. The problem is noticed on startup and acceleration.

NHTSA ODI 11549730

The Jeep transmission wont go into gear, loses power ,wont go into reverse, speeds up on its own and doesn't go into drive or losses power

NHTSA ODI 11544759

vehicle will randomly shut off with out warning, error message occurs about gears cant be switched and shuts off

NHTSA ODI 11540315

I was on the highway and the vehicle shut off. On another incident I was driving the vehicle and the power steering wen out on the vehicle. On another incident after the power steering went out the vehicle put a notice on the dash to put the vehicle in park when the vehicle was already in park. I tried to turn the vehicle off and it would not allow me to do so. Then after repaired multiple times the battery started to over charge to 21 voltage. At this point, the vehicle is just not safe to drive.

NHTSA ODI 11536985

Was traveling in the fast lane of highway when the engine just stopped. Able to coast to shoulder of highway. Put car in park and tried to restart the engine. It would not restart. Gas tank was 1/4 full. Had to be towed. The same situation happened in Feb 2020 but the weather was bad and the dealer could not find a problem so it was blamed on the moisture in the electrical system.

NHTSA ODI 11529953

I came to a stop at a red light. The vehicle engine turned off and then right back on with out me taking my foot off the brake. Once the light turned green I pressed the gas and the entire car shut off. I didn’t have any lights for hazards, couldn’t roll down my windows or unlock the doors. It also wouldn’t go into park so I had to put on the emergency brake.

NHTSA ODI 11528012

The motor has blown in my 2017 Jeep Cherokee Laredo. My radiator and starter as well as my fuse panel. This car needs $11,0000 worth of work

NHTSA ODI 11518180

My car loose power engine light and sometime A orange light . Vibration and cheking and clicking Temperature engine go up when start ac come down. I already change spark plug sprockets coil Water pump thermostat . I have same problem . Leaking oil. The inspection failed Code 0302 105

NHTSA ODI 11517219

While driving dashboard displayed “shift to P then desired gear.” I stopped on the side of the road. Placed vehicle into park and tried to turn off the vehicle. The vehicle wouldn’t turn off, Displayed “vehicle not in park” Then I placed the vehicle into drive and the dashboard displayed again “shift to P then desired gear.” I was unable to turn off the vehicle no matter what gear I had it on. The check engine light was on, also the service 4WD, service shifter and the stability control. The vehicle also wouldn’t drive forward or reverse. At one point wouldn’t even park. The engine was stuck running for almost 3 hours until I was able to get someone out to pull a plug to shut the engine off. A diagnostic test was done while all the lights listed previously were still on. And no code would appear on the screen. Vehicle was towed and awaiting service.

NHTSA ODI 11513695

Early engine wear on 3.6L v6. Heavy rocker arm and lifter noise.

NHTSA ODI 11498392

Purchased the car brand new back in 2017. In 2020, while driving normally, the car loss power and would not accelerate and started to have rough idles then auto stop/start came on followed by check engine. Brought it to the mechanic for diagnose and told me that there is a misfire on cylinder 2 and VVT sensor needs to be replaced. Brought it to the dealer and they fixed the issue. Two years after (present) at 100K miles, The car started to have the same issue. Yes it was high mileage but it was driven responsibly along with timely and proper maintenance from the dealer. The car started to have rough starts and white smoke on cold start. And on August 26, 2022 the car would not start. Got it towed to the dealer and told me that it has a bad starter. I was quoted for almost $2000. Once they got it to start after 3 weeks, they noticed the white smoke, the diagnosed it and told me that It has a blown head gasket. The car was driven responsibly and never overheated. They quoted me for $4600 just for the head gasket replacement. They still have my car and haven't decided what to do as it is very frustrating to think that in a short period of time, the car just gave up on us and will leave a huge hole in our pocket. It is our family car and now realized that Jeep (FCA/Stellantis) don't care about their customers because I have seen the same exact reports like mine. I don't get why it's not a recall yet. Please! Make this a recall because it's leaving families to have more financial hardship because of faulty engines that Jeep brand created.

NHTSA ODI 11489156

THE 2014 - 2017 Jeep grand cherokee as well as many other chrysler mad 3.6lL v engines are all either past their standard warranty period or are approaching it. The problem i have specifically is that my car has under 50 k miles and i have a receipt showing it was bought in november of 2017, there for still under Jeeps powertrain warranty, and the headgasket is failing. ive been to multiple accredited mechanics before taking the vehicle to jeep how performed all the necessary test to concludits the gasket needs to be replaced. i then took it to a dealership who said " On thes 3.6L engines it extremely common for this to happen." i was then quoted 3k for the repair and dropped my car off. after 2 weeks of them having my car and me calling daily for updates i was finally told the car needs a new motor. which would cost 11k. I denied and called chrysler claims department who told me its out of warranty and I would have to pay out of pocket for the repairs before they would look into "how much they might be able to reimburse me" after searching online I've noticed this is a huge problem for many people. it seems as though Chrysler made an engine that will last 50 k miles and then have catastrophic engine failures. you might timed obsolescence. any way i hope this issue is looked into because this company, Chrysler is putting thousands of middle class Americans out of a vehicle or potentially into debt. hope to hear back soon [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ODI 11486289

As I slow down close to a stop the car loses all power. The car will coast along with no power. I have to verve to the side of the road. The car has no power to accelerate . If I shut off the engine the computer reboots and everything is fine. I have submitted this problem to Jeep and nhtsa previously. I bought this car new from the dealer in 2017 and have had this problem starting in year one. Jeep updated the software back then. It only occurs about 1-2 times a year, but causes a very dangerous issue when it occurs.

NHTSA ODI 11484668

The contact owns a 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while stopped at a stop light, she depressed the accelerator pedal to activate the Auto START/STOP feature; however, a message stating, "Stop Safely Vehicle Will Shut Off Soon” was displayed and the vehicle failed to restart. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 61,000.

NHTSA ODI 11482013