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

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

The rear differential keeps failing has been replaced 5 times in 3 years. When it fails it causes a lot of the safety features to disable, additionally it greatly affects the stability and handling of the vehicle. When this fails it’s an extremely difficult time driving the jeep and it’s quite dangerous due to the car not being stable.

NHTSA ODI 11584208

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

UNKNOWN needs to be diagnosed

NHTSA ODI 11573285

Transmission or transmission control module issue. Vehicle has an issue shifting between 3rd and 4th gears on a regular basis. Vehicle also does not shift into reverse at times and the R light just flashes. When vehicle finally shifts it jolts the vehicle very hard into gear. I have heard of multiple people with this same model vehicle having this same issue.

NHTSA ODI 11568021

I was pulling out from a side street into traffic and the transmission suddenly failed, without warning. The transmission was stuck in second or third gear and I could not accelerate to reach the flow speed of traffic. I had to immediately pull off the road and let traffic pass. The transmission could only engage in second or third gear, not reverse. I had to have the vehicle towed to the Jeep dealership and the transmission replaced at a cost of over $8,000. The original 60,000-mile drivetrain warranty was barely surpassed, and I was forced to pay the entire cost of repair. My driving consists mostly of normal commuting, about 10,000 miles per year. I do not tow any trailers and I keep the vehicle maintained at the dealership, including transmission fluid replacement per the recommended maintenance schedule. A premature transmission failure of this nature poses a safety risk due to its unpredictable and sudden nature of occurrence.

NHTSA ODI 11565687

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

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

The contact owns a 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the service power steering warning light, service transmission warning light, automatic start warning light, 4-WD warning light, ABS warning light, service electronic stability control warning light, and the service shifter warning lights were illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that the transmission failed to shift out of park (P). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 117,000.

NHTSA ODI 11524065

Failsafe transmission mode activated during driving. Computer sensed issue, put car into 3rd gear and said to stop. Turned car off and back on - issue did not replicate. No diagnostic codes stored. No issues after reboot/restart of car. Electrical/computer issue related to transmission.

NHTSA ODI 11519214

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

Got a Check engine light on, took it to near by auto parts store they hooked it up to a code reader and got a code of P105D, after doing some research it seems to be a very common issue with 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokees, makes it very uncertain if vehicle is going to still be able to drive seems like the car wants to stall out, car is stuttering, shaking, and loosing power, MPG, Battery power, and oil pressure is going crazy. Vehicle has not been inspected by a Manufacturer ect. Prior to the check engine light the vehicle would stutter, shake and seem to want to stall.

NHTSA ODI 11517914

The contact owns a 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated while driving 25-35 MPH, the messages "Service Electronic Stability Control" and "Service 4Wheel Drive" were displayed. The contact was able to continue driving; however, the vehicle lost 4-WD functionality. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred while driving and the vehicle was shuddering significantly. The contact was able to drive to his residence. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the power transfer unit (PTU) had failed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The manufacturer referred the contact to the dealer for a diagnostic test. The dealer was contacted, and an appointment was scheduled. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 61,050.

NHTSA ODI 11507628

When driving the vehicle it's like the transmission is slipping through the first few gears then all of a sudden it takes off. if you try to accelerate it just winds up and then bang it takes off. when coming to a stop it downshifts hard. When driving around a corner you slow down your foot off the pedal, then when you get through the corner you go to accelerate again and it has a dead spot, no power, it's like it died and you have nothing then again it takes right off. Really dangerous, I first thought the car was dead, with no power but then it takes off like a rocket. It acts worse when the start-stop button is depressed so that the engine stops at red lights or when the vehicle comes to a stop. If you turn that off the vehicle seems to run a little better but still cuts out. Almost like someone flicking a light switch off and on with the power of the vehicle. The dealership says they are booked out until March 25th to even take a look at it.

NHTSA ODI 11506688

My car recently started making a grinding noise that got bad really fast. I had it towed to the dealership to get a diagnostic test done. I was told that it was my transfer case that was making the noise. Now this caught me by surprise because I had no warning lamps on my dashboard or no messages alerting me of any problems that would point to it needing servicing done it just happened out the blue. Because of this problem my car has a hard time accelerating and this is no good to me because I live in Atlanta Georgia where there is nothing but Highway and hills. My car makes a constant grinding noise no matter how fast I’m going or how hard I press on the gas. With the acceleration of the vehicle being bad I have almost been in a few incidences where people have almost rear ended me. An inspection by the manufacturer has not been done as of yet. I would just like to know what can be done about this especially because my car STILL has no warning lamps and the grinding is so bad that I can no longer drive it.

NHTSA ODI 11497158

1. The vehicle was in park and it proceeded to move forward by itself. 2. The vehicle could have easily hit myself, my father or my dog. 3. I will report the incident to the dealership today. 4. There was no warning lamp present. The vehicle was on. It was in park. I had exited the vehicle and the door was closed. The vehicle then moved forward by itself and crashed into my parents' car. I had to enter the moving vehicle to address the situation.

NHTSA ODI 11480976

Driving down the highway and power/acceleration did not work. I had to cross lanes of traffic to pull over the vehicle.

NHTSA ODI 11480701

Problem in transfer case, can’t use 4WD, ACC and FCW are not working. My car has only 41000 miles and I am reading about many, many others having the same problem. Jeep should recall this problem!! Thank you

NHTSA ODI 11478587

I noticed a clanking noise when backing out of my drive. Dealership reported that they have had this issue a couple of times. The nut holding the drive shaft and transmission together backed off and has damaged the drive shaft, yoke, and flange causing the drive shaft to move around this the clanking noise I’ve been hearing. My vehicle has been in the shop for 4 months know because they are unable to find the flange needed to complete the repairs. I have owned this vehicle less than a year and am being told that this has been turned over to Chrysler to handle now since the part is not manufactured anywhere.

NHTSA ODI 11478075

The transfer case on this Jeep failed at just over 64,000 miles. As the service center tried to repair, they were unable to locate rebuilt/certified transfer cases due to high demand. A new transfer case was purchased. The core charge (fee to return old transfer case) for the service center was $1000 indicating to me that the old, failed transfer case is in high demand for rebuilds due to a common failing part. The failure of this part locks the vehicle in 4WD low. The cost of repair for me was over $2500.

NHTSA ODI 11471703

My wife and kids almost got killed in this vehicle twice this week due tot The Can Bus electrical communication network stop working. It completely stopped on the highway while driving 70 mph and almost caused a multiple car accident. All the controller icons lighted up on the dash board and the car shifter and transmission stopped working. I towed it to the dealership and paid 700.00 for a new shifter. The next day the vehicle did the same thing. This is a dangerous situation that needs to be recalled ASAP. Someone is going to get killed driving one of these vehicles. I researched this problem and numerous reviews found on the same issue 2014-2022 all electric Can Bus operated drivetrains jeep. Please recall my 2017 Jeep before it kills my family and you will have a astronomical law suit on your hands. Mr. Tyrone Albert.

NHTSA ODI 11469531

OIL COOLER FAILURE, CAUSING OIL TO GO INTO THE COOLANT SYSTEM AND MIX. COMPLETELY DRAINING ALL OIL FROM MY ENGINE AND LEAKING FROM AND UNKNOW SEAL IN THE COOLANT SYSTEM. AT NO TIME DID MY VEHICLE WARN ME OF THE ISSUE. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, NO OVERHEATING LIGHT AND I DROVE MY VEHICLE FROM HOME TO WORK WHICH IS ABOUT 60 MILES (SALISBURY, MD TO LEWES, DE) . THIS LEFT ME STRANDED AT WORK AND UNKNOW DAMAGE TO MY VEHICLE BECAUSE OF NO "CAUTION" LIGHTS. THE LEAKING OIL COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ENGINE FIRE WITH ALL THE OIL DRAINING OUT AND INTO THE COOLANT SYSTEM AND OVER HEATING MY ENGINE.

NHTSA ODI 11467961

The contact owns a 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated while driving 20 MPH on a local street, the vehicle shifted abnormally hard and the transmission made a loud banging sound. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact pulled over and took the vehicle to an independent mechanic, where it was determined that several transmission clutches needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.

NHTSA ODI 11459084

I have a 2017 Jeep GC Limited with 55K miles that had the "Service Shifter" warning light come on. Vehicle ran fine no issues. Made appt. with local Jeep Dealership and drove the Jeep in yesterday (03/29/22). Ran just fine, I just wanted the light cause diagnosed and fixed. Dealership ran a diagnostic on it and informed me it needed an updated software flash. Conducted the Flash. NOW... the vehicle is inoperable without a complete Electronic Shift Module (ESM) replacement. They could not even reverse what they did so I could drive home. What they did was IRREVERSIBLE and I would have to leave the car there until they could find a NEW ESM and install it for $900! I had to take a Uber home and have no vehicle. This is not right for a vehicle with only 55K miles that was running just fine into the Jeep dealership. This is a very common problem on JEEP Cherokees. If ESM is known defective part by JEEP and is a Safety risk since many owners have the shifter lock up while driving the vehicle and cannot shift without shutting down the vehicle several times in the middle of traffic. Please help!

NHTSA ODI 11458946

The vehicle had a complete shutdown while being driven. While driving on the highway, several dashboard warning lights began to appear. Within seconds afterwards, the headlights went out, along with the dashboard lights and radio. The vehicle became difficult to steer and then the vehicle lost all power, and could not be restarted. The vehicle was picked up from the dealership the day prior to this occurrence, and the PCM had just been replaced. The vehicle had been towed to the dealership just short of two weeks earlier, after it wouldn't start, having replaced the battery, and experiencing the passenger front window to randomly go down. This incident fortunately did not result in any crash or injury, however, it is only a matter of time if it isn't correctly diagnosed and fixed, as this problem results in an extremely hazardous condition.

NHTSA ODI 11451761