Jeep Transmission Problems: The REAL Truth

Danielle S
Jan 22, 2021

With a longstanding automotive history dating back to the 1940s, Jeep has come a long way over the years. With vehicles originally designed for use in World War II, Jeep now boasts a diverse line of passenger vehicles providing the same rugged durability and versatility of its early models.

Still, if you’re thinking about buying a Jeep, you might want to know, “are there any major Jeep transmission problems I should be aware of?”   

There have been numerous transmission issues reported by owners of such models as the Cherokee, Grand Cherokee, Wrangler, and Compass. These include:  

  • Improper shifting 
  • “Service shifter” warning lights illuminating 
  • Vehicle rollaway incidents 
  • Transmissions slipping 
  • Manual transmission defects 

Before you buy a used Jeep, take the time to familiarize yourself with some of these common issues that have not been formally recalled. We’ve outlined them in detail for you below, along with possible repairs for each defect where applicable.

More about Jeep Transmissions

Car Transmission Closeup

Over the years, Jeep has offered its rugged vehicles in a few different transmission configurations. Earlier model years, like the 2011 Wrangler, were equipped with a standard six-speed manual or an optional four-speed automatic when sold new.

In more recent model years, like the2018 Grand Cherokee, you’ll find a standard eight-speed automatic transmission, which is designed to allow for even smoother shifting and acceleration. Jeep’s newest transmission, a nine-speed automatic, first became available in the 2016 Cherokee.

You can learn more about Jeep’s nine-speed automatic transmission and how it works in this YouTube video.

Common Jeep Transmission Problems

2015 Jeep Cherokee: Transmission not Shifting Properly

NHTSA Complaint IDs: 11354767, 11354765

There have been a number of complaints about the transmission on the 2015 Cherokee not shifting properly. In one September 2020 complaint, an owner reports that the transmission is “kicking” every time it shifts and that the vehicle occasionally loses power.

A similar NHTSA complaint also reports that the car “jerks into motion” after hesitating when it is initially started. This owner claims that the vehicle sometimes “jerks so hard like you were rear-ended.”

Although the vehicle has been taken to the dealership for inspection, mechanics have been unable to diagnose the problem.

2015 Jeep Cherokee: “Service Shifter” Warning Light

NHTSA Complaint IDs: 11354141, 11354307

Multiple 2015 Jeep Cherokee owners have also complained about recurring issues with the vehicle’s “service shifter” warning light illuminating on the dashboard.

One owner reports that this message displayed on the instrument panel along with the shift option warning lights. This problem has reportedly disappeared and reappeared several times.

Another owner filed a complaint about a similar issue in September of 2020, alleging that the warning lights come on after the engine is started.

This owner reports that the warning will go away when the switch is turned on and off several times but has not mentioned whether the issue has been assessed by a mechanic.

2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee: Vehicle Rollaway Incidents

NHTSA Complaint IDs: 11181292, 11196140

The 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee has also seen its share of complaints about the transmission. One recurring and dangerous issue seems to be the vehicle slipping out of gear and rolling away.

In an NHTSA complaint filed in February of 2019, the owner of a 2016 Grand Cherokee states that after the vehicle was stopped and put into park, he or she exited the vehicle; the vehicle then began rolling backward without warning.

A similar incident was reported in April of 2019 when the owner of a 2016 Grand Cherokee filed a complaint that the vehicle rolled away after it was parked in a driveway. The vehicle reportedly struck a person’s home and caused significant damage, but the dealer has been unable to recreate or diagnose the problem.

2016 Jeep Compass: Transmission Slipping

Source: Vehicle History Reviews

Several Vehicle History reviews report issues with the 2016 Jeep Compass SUV’s transmission. One reviewer, Alaze R., mentions having transmission issues but does not specify any details.

Two other reviewers, Jennifer R. and Kaitlyn T., report that the transmissions on their 2016 Compasses will occasionally slip or stall. However, neither reviewer has reported having the issue diagnosed by a mechanic.

2017 Jeep Wrangler: Manual Transmission Issues

NHTSA Complaint IDs: 11254252, 11291001, 11300541

Car Manual Transmission Shifter

Several NHTSA complaints have been filed over issues with the 2017 Jeep Wrangler’s manual transmission. One owner reported in September of 2019 that the car “pops out of reverse and grinds terribly.”

The dealer has allegedly told the owner that the transmission may need to be entirely rebuilt to resolve the issue.

This is similar to a more recent NHTSA complaint filed in January of 2020, where the owner of another 2017 Jeep Wrangler with manual transmission reported that the vehicle will pop out of reverse and grind gears constantly.

In this case, however, the issue was diagnosed as a defective shifter that is being replaced under warranty.

Owner Reviews

accountCircle K Snedeker on February 27, 2023
2017 Jeep Wrangler Sport transmission failure at 40k
Fortunately this happened while I was taking the garbage to the street and not when I had a car full of kids in the middle of the night. The Jeep was used primarily for around town driving; it was never off-roaded. This is a stock Jeep, minus tires and oil changes so having a major component fail so early into its expected life span was a shock. And of course, it failed 1 year after the warranty expired. While Fiat-Chrysler agreed to cover half the cost as a 'courtesy', I still don't think that's fair given I'm on the hook for $3300 to cover what is most likely a manufacturing defect. I'll just rely on my 100k mile Audi to get us around and call this my first and last Chrysler product. Will fix and sell. What a disappointment.
accountCircle Dennis Davis on June 15, 2023
2017 Wrangler Sahara
I bought a used 2017 Wrangler Sahara with 76K on the odometer.At first I was happy with the purchase but at around 85K I was left on side of the road in a snow storm waiting on a tow truck because the transmission suddenly went out! So I had it towed to the dealership and for $2700 they replaced the servos and sent me on my way but three days later it went out again and I was told the whole transmission had to be replaced! After 100 days of sitting a new transmission still wasn’t coming so I bought a used transmission for $2800 and had my local garage put it in for $2900! Now I have to do a whole tune up $700 ! Last Jeep I’ll ever own!
accountCircle Dennis Bowman on March 29, 2022
Love My Jeep Recon
2017 Jeep Wrangler, Rubicon, Recon w/ 6 speed manual transmission. 59,000 miles no transmission or clutch problems. Warranty replaced right side head at 52,000 miles (two burned exhaust valves). I purchased the Mopar "Unlimited Warranty" with the Jeep. I use "Road Trip" to record every fuel purchase. Used 3,164 gallons in 59,035 miles = 18.65 mpg! Mostly in town driving. That is the advantage of a manual transmission. It is very easy to mis-shift 6th gear and try to engage reverse at 60 mph. Did it once, awful grind but it did not hurt anything. Drained the gear oil and found no debris.
accountCircle Angela Lashley on February 9, 2022
G8trgrl74@gmail.com
2015 compass Altitude doesn't want to shift stays at 4-6k rpms esometimes ECM was flashed still having issues, also caused vehicle to shut off at 75mph gave a hot oil code after this was done my local dealership can't seem to fix told me to replace a $700 sensor but if I do it'll happen again & I'd have to keep replacing it, the transmission cooler is the problem I believe but they won't replace or switch when the hot oil code light came on there was coolant on top of the motor no oil was leaking no hoses were cracked but I'm a woman what do I know the dealership keeps blowing me off
accountCircle R Jackson on February 5, 2022
2017 Jeep Wrangler manual transmission gear grind
Just bought 2017 Jeep Wrangler Sport, with 6speed manual trans, test driving the Jeep , never went on the highway, after completing the purchase, on my way home shifting into 6th gear grinding and hard to engage the gear, immediately turned around, took the Jeep back to the dealer, now they have sent it away to another Jeep dealer, the transmission needs to be rebuilt, consideing to just scrap the deal after reading this is an ongoin and common issue with these manual trans Jeeps, it only has 18,000 miles,definetly having secong thoughts about keeping this vehicle
accountCircle Dennis Bowman on March 29, 2022
Love My Jeep Recon
2017 Jeep Wrangler, Rubicon, Recon with 6 speed manual transmission. 59,000 miles with no transmission or clutch problems. Warranty replaced right side head (two burned exhaust valves) at 52,000 miles. Purchased Mopar's unlimited warranty for $2,300. Will keep this Jeep forever. I use "Road Trip" to record every gas purchase... So far 3,164 gals of gas resulting in 18.73 mpg!
accountCircle Alyssa Broyles on August 30, 2022
2016 Jeep Cherokee Latitude
88k miles and having major transmission slipping issues exactly like this article talks about, I got the service shifter error message for the first time tonight while driving, all of the gears lit up red and it scared me to death, it has been having issues shifting gears...I was quoted $500 to do a transmission fluid flush but no idea if this would even fix the issue.
avatar Danielle S
Danielle S. is a writer with more than 10 years of experience covering the automotive industry. She lives in Indiana ("The Crossroads of America") but enjoys road-tripping around the country whenever she gets the chance.
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