Plate - Planetary
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2009 Jeep Grand Cherokee powertrain problems
severe 19 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
19
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
1crash
When does it fail?
Of the 19 powertrain complaints filed for the 2009 Jeep Grand Cherokee, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
No new NHTSA powertrain complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 12 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering powertrain on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Transmission Kit with Torque Converter 1. All Promaster (VF) 3.6L/62TE equipped vehicles. If the transmission bracket to the transmission case fasteners are removed during servicing, the fasteners (Part Number 06511385A$) are one-time usage. Vehicles built prior to 10/23/2015 requires Service Kit PN 68461214AA; includes Transmission Isolator PN 68264483AA, and Adaptation Bracket 68264479AA and Fastener Service Kit PN 68329056AA Vehicles built after on or after 10/23/2015 will require only the Fastener Service Kit PN 68329056AA. 2. All 3.6L/62TE equipped vehicles. If the vehicle you are repairing has a crack in the flex plate or failed pump bushing inspect and confirm that both (2) dowel pins
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗NAG1 Transmission Before installing the transmission with the engine, check for dowel pins (2) for alignment. If the pins are missing request to add the dowel pin first and then install the transmission
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗NAG1 Transmission Before installing the transmission with the engine, check for dowel pins (2) for alignment. If the pins are missing request to add the dowel pin first and then install the transmission
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗4WD Lamp Illuminated and Diagnostic Trouble Code C140F Active in Final Drive Control Modules (FDCM) Memory This bulletin involves verifying FDCM software level and then flash reprogramming of the FDCM with new software. Customers may indicate that the ?Service 4WD? indicator in the instrument cluster is illuminated. They may also indicate that the transfer case will not shift from 4WD High, 4WD Low, and/or Neutral once the lamp is illuminated. Further investigation identifies that a Diagnostic Trouble Code C140F is stored or active in the Final Drive Control Modules (FDCM) Memory
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2009 Grand Cherokee's powertrain suffers from a cascade of interconnected failures, with the N23 recall emerging as a central problem. After this FDCM software update, multiple owners report the transfer case refuses to shift into Neutral or engage 4WD Low—the exact modes needed for towing, which several owners bought the vehicle specifically to do. Dealers reset fault codes repeatedly, but the problem returns within days or weeks. Owners have made multiple visits (7–11 trips in some cases) at their own expense, with no permanent fix. One owner spent nearly $900 out-of-pocket on actuator replacement and resets before the problem recurred.
Beyond the recall, owners report transmission disengaging while driving at highway speeds, forcing them to restart the engine in traffic. One documented code P2767 points to internal servo issues. Others describe the vehicle rolling backward when placed in Drive or parked on inclines—a safety issue on purchase that dealers attributed to engineering deficiency but never resolved.
Unintended acceleration during parking attempts, downshift failures that overheat the transmission, electrical power loss to the transmission, and unexpected deceleration round out the complaints. Manufacturers have been notified in multiple cases but have not provided effective remedies.
Same Jeep Grand Cherokee powertrain reports on nearby years: 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2010 · 2011
Failure modes owners describe
Transfer case will not shift into Neutral or 4WD Low after N23 recall
After the N23 software recall (FDCM update), owners report the transfer case fails to engage Neutral mode (needed for towing) or 4WD Low range. Multiple dealers cannot resolve it; some perform repeated resets that fail shortly after. The recall itself appears to eliminate this functionality intentionally in software, though owners report the underlying cause may be hardware-level issues like cracked circuit boards. One owner reports this problem also occurs in reverse—transfer case shifting to Neutral unexpectedly while in Drive and moving.
When: After August 2013 N23 recall; failures occur within 3–11 service visits over months; pre-recall no issues reported
Symptoms owners cite: Transfer case will not shift into Neutral when selected; Cannot engage 4WD Low range; Service 4WD System warning light appears; Transfer case unexpectedly shifts into Neutral while vehicle is in Drive and moving; Multiple trips to dealer; fault codes reset but problem returns within days to weeks
Repairs/costs cited: One owner paid $91.17 for actuator reset and $789.30 for transfer case actuator replacement, only to have the same failure recur. Dealer reperforms N23 recall (software reset). Some dealers charge for these attempts; others do not. No permanent fix documented.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Chrysler safety recall N23/NHTSA 13V-175 (FDCM software update). Owners note Chrysler refuses public responsibility. Dealer service managers report inability to keep resetting fault codes. Some owners report black-market swap of pre-updated FDCM modules or discussion of FDCM code hacking to restore functionality.
Transmission disengages while driving; enters limp mode or loss of drive
Transmission loses drive engagement without warning while vehicle is moving at any speed. Vehicle must be placed in Park, engine shut off and restarted to regain drivability. One owner also reports transmission shifting to lower (second) gear at highway speeds, which the owner manual calls limp mode—requiring same restart procedure. Occurs unexpectedly on highways, rural roads, inclines, flat surfaces, turns—with no apparent pattern.
When: At various mileages; one owner reports 56,685 mi, another at highway speeds without mileage specified
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission disengages and vehicle coasts to a stop; Engine RPMs increase but vehicle does not move; Check Engine light illuminates; Vehicle shifts into lower (second) gear at highway speeds; Occurs without warning at any speed, on any road condition
Codes mentioned: P2767
Repairs/costs cited: One owner reports mechanic diagnosis of internal servo short requiring transmission disassembly. Not covered under warranty. Described as common problem for this transmission model. Owner describes as expensive repair but no cost provided.
Vehicle rolls backward when placed in Drive or Park on incline
Vehicle rolls backward without warning when shifted into Drive, or rolls backward while parked on an incline. Occurs on new vehicles and continues across multiple dealer visits with no resolution. One dealer attributed failure to engineering deficiency but did not repair it.
When: Since purchase; reported at very low mileages (500 mi, 4,531 mi, 13,000 mi current)
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle rolls backward when shifted into Drive; Vehicle rolls backward while in Park position; Occurs on inclines; No warning before rollback
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle taken to dealer four times; no repair completed. One dealer attributed it to engineering deficiency.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer did not offer assistance in at least one case.
Unintended acceleration when brakes applied (idle-related)
Vehicle accelerates while owner applies brake only and motor is idling, during parking attempt. Hard brake application fails to stop vehicle; collision with building results. Subsequent investigation suggests possible throttle position sensor (TPS) issue and fast idling. Owner also notes transmission has tendency to grab when approaching steep incline at idle speed with gentle throttle input.
When: At idle; during parking attempt
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle accelerates despite brake pedal application; Hard brake application ineffective; Fast idling suspected; Transmission grabs when approaching steep incline at idle with gentle throttle input
Repairs/costs cited: Insurance adjuster investigation identified possible TPS issue. No dealer ever disclosed problem despite many complaints.
Transmission downshift failure and overheat condition
Transmission will not downshift when braking, causing vehicle to overheat. Occurs on 2009 Grand Caravan (variant of same platform). Dealer identified circuit defect in downshift mode requiring repair, but repair was ineffective and failure continued. Manufacturer made aware but did not resolve.
When: At ~20,000 mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission will not downshift when brakes applied; Vehicle overheats when brakes applied at speed
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer attempted repair of downshift circuit; repair unsuccessful.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer made aware; no resolution provided.
Electrical system failure affecting transmission power; wiring harness defect
Vehicle fails to start (completely dead). Battery replacement resolves for 3 days, then problem recurs. Dealer diagnosis reveals insufficient voltage to transmission, requiring wiring harness replacement—described as very expensive. Owner expresses concern transmission could fail while driving due to voltage loss.
When: Unknown initial onset; failure/diagnosis occurred after 3 days of battery replacement
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle will not start; Completely dead electrical state; Insufficient voltage reaching transmission after battery replacement attempt
Repairs/costs cited: Wiring harness replacement; described as very expensive. Owner has lifetime powertrain warranty and believes this likely covered this repair.
Unexpected deceleration while driving
Vehicle decelerates without warning while driving. Owner notes this matches failures described in recall 13V-175 (electrical/powertrain). Vehicle awaiting dealer diagnosis at report time.
When: At 26,000 mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle decelerates without warning
Repairs/costs cited: Awaiting diagnosis at dealer time of report.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer not notified; vehicle matches recall 13V-175 symptoms.
Electrical shutdown during driving
Vehicle shuts down while driving due to electrical issues. Minimal detail provided.
When: Unknown
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle shuts down while driving; Electrical system issues
Synthesized from 19 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 5 most recent
Had transfer case recall completed in october had no problem before now cannot put transfer case into neutral. Had car back to my dealer 7 different times twice they kept it for a few days when I get home it will not go into neutral also car was in a dealer in lansing mi. Once and it was in a henderson nv dealer it is now dec. 29 and it will not go into neutral had it in nevada 2 times. Jeep…
Vehicle shifts into lower2nd gear while driving at highway speeds according to owners manual this is called limp mode and needs to be stopped placed in park and turn ignition off and restarted to continue driving this has happened to me and others
Vehicle would not start. Completely dead. Vehicle was towed to dealer. Dealer said battery was bad. Replaced battery. Vehicle was ok for 3 days. Same problem occurred. This time dealer found vehicle was not getting proper voltage to transmission. Needed wiring harness replaced. Very expensive repair job. Lucky for me I have a "lifetime" warranty on power train. I am wondering if the…
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Jeep grand cherokee. While the vehicle was in the park position with the keys out of the ignition, it began to independently roll backwards. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 13v175000 (electrical system, power train). The failure mileage was 60,000. The VIN was…
My car is driving okay but it’s having some electrical issues and it shuts down.
Had powertrain trouble with your 2009 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2009 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
It's a meaningful issue. 19 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $2,500.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Across the 14 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 29,718 and 80,000 miles, with the median around 56,685. A quarter of owners report trouble before 29,718; a quarter make it past 80,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2009/Jeep/Grand Cherokee.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.