At approximately 60,000 miles the vehicle had just been serviced and new tires were installed. We left the next morning for a vacation. About 100 miles down the limited access highway and traveling at 65 to 70 miles per hour the dash and information touch screen began flashing and a chime began repeating. The windshield wipers began operating at high speed. (it was clear, calm and about…
2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee powertrain problems
severe 343 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
343
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
78crashes
2fires
18injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 343 powertrain complaints filed for the 2015 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
Owners have filed 343 powertrain complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Among the 20 model years of Jeep Grand Cherokee in our records for powertrain problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: The 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee has serious, well-documented powertrain and transmission control issues. The monostable electronic shifter regularly fails to engage Park, allowing vehicles to roll away—a hazard that Chrysler's 2016 recall only partially addressed. Transmission shifts to Neutral unexpectedly at highway speeds, hard shifts cause jarring lurches, and control module failures trigger multiple warning lights with no permanent fix. Diesel models have additional crankshaft sensor and head gasket problems. Buy only if you can inspect a pre-purchase diagnostic and accept that dealers may refuse warranty work claiming normal behavior.
The 2015 Grand Cherokee has a troublesome monostable shifter that does not physically lock into gear positions. It returns to center after every movement, making it nearly impossible to confirm you're actually in Park by feel alone. Owners repeatedly exit their vehicles thinking they put the car in Park, only to watch it roll downhill or backward. The shifter overshhoots easily—you aim for Park and land in Neutral or Reverse. A 2016 recall (16V240000) added auto-Park software that engages when you open the door and unbuckle, but owners say the shifter still causes confusion and rollaway incidents even after the fix. Multiple owners report the vehicle shifting unexpectedly to Neutral while driving at highway speeds (45–70 mph), cutting engine power and trapping them on the roadway until they restart. Transmission shifts are harsh and jerky, making passengers' heads snap forward on downshifts; one owner had a second transmission installed under warranty before 55k miles only to see the same problem return. Electronic control module faults trigger 480+ diagnostic codes in some cases, but dealers often cannot replicate the issues and claim the vehicle performs normally. Diesel models suffer crankshaft position sensor degradation and head gasket failures. The EPA emissions update for EcoDiesels introduced severe 2–3 second turbo lag, making intersection acceleration dangerously slow. Across the board, dealers and Chrysler frequently deny warranty service, saying these behaviors are "as designed."
Same Jeep Grand Cherokee powertrain reports on nearby years: 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2016 · 2017
Failure modes owners describe
Monostable electronic shifter - unintended gear selection
Shifter fails to engage or hold the intended gear, most commonly Park. Owners push the lever to Park but transmission stays in Reverse or Neutral. Returns to center position after each movement, making it impossible to confirm gear selection by feel alone. Causes vehicle rollaway when parked on slopes or driveways.
When: Occurs across all model years in this cluster; some failures within first few months of ownership, others after years of reliable operation
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle rolls away after driver exits and believes car is in Park; Shifter indicates Park on dashboard but car actually in Reverse or Neutral; Requires multiple attempts to achieve Park engagement; Car drifts backward or forward when parked on incline with brake released; No tactile or auditory feedback confirming gear position
Codes mentioned: No codes present in many cases; system may not register the failure
Repairs/costs cited: Recall 16V240000 (S27) reprograms transmission control module to auto-engage Park when driver door opens and seatbelt is unbuckled. Owners report this temporary fix does not solve the underlying shifter ambiguity. FCA stated permanent remedy was under development at time of recalls. Repairs include programming updates; some dealers replaced shifter assemblies.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 16V240000 (S27) issued 2016. Recall claims driver may inadvertently fail to achieve Park due to electronic shifter design that does not move like conventional shifter. Initial fix: software update enabling auto-Park on door open/seatbelt unbuckle. FCA promised reimbursement for prior repairs but owners report difficulty obtaining it. Some owners cite ongoing danger after recall completion.
Transmission shifts to Neutral unexpectedly while driving
Vehicle shifts from Drive to Neutral without driver input, particularly at highway speeds (45–70 mph). Occurs both during steady cruising and acceleration. Once in Neutral, transmission may lock in Park or become difficult to re-engage, trapping driver on roadway.
When: Intermittent, unpredictable; some incidents at low mileage (3600 mi), others at higher mileage (103k+). Can occur after recalls completed.
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle suddenly loses engine power while driving at highway speeds; Transmission shifts to Neutral without any shifter movement; Engine continues running but no drive to wheels; Check engine light may illuminate after event; Message 'Shift Not Allowed – Vehicle Speed Too High' appears on display; After stopping, transmission may lock in Park or require restart to re-engage Drive; No warning before shift occurs
Codes mentioned: P0336 (Crankshaft Position Sensor circuit malfunction, diesel models), Multiple transmission-related codes reported but diagnostics often show no fault
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers unable to replicate in most cases. Owner reports include alternator replacement, battery recharge, bracket tightening, ECM replacement, transmission valve body replacement. Multiple visits required; some remain unresolved. One diesel owner cited failed crankshaft tone wheel (part of P0336 diagnosis).
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 16V240000 (S27) does not address mid-drive Neutral shifts in most cases. Owners report Chrysler case managers unresponsive or claiming vehicle performs as designed. No specific factory bulletin or additional recall identified for this failure mode in narratives.
Hard, jerky transmission shifts with noise and lurch
Transmission shifts between gears with excessive force, making loud thudding or clunking sounds. Downshifts from higher gears to lower are especially harsh. Occurs during acceleration, deceleration, and stopping. Some owners report transmission replaced under warranty only to see problem recur within 25k miles.
When: Can begin at delivery or within first months; some intermittent initially then worsen. Recurring after warranty repairs.
Symptoms owners cite: Loud metal thud or clunk when shifting gears; Jerky, jarring shifts causing occupants' heads to snap forward; Seatbelts catch as bodies lurch forward on hard downshifts; Hard slam from 1st to 2nd gear during acceleration; Harsh downshift when braking or coming to stop; Stuttering forward motion after stop; Transmission hesitation or lag when accelerating from standstill
Codes mentioned: No codes typically present or diagnostic scan shows no fault
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer performed transmission replacement under factory warranty (at least one owner had second transmission installed by 55k miles). Software updates applied multiple times without lasting resolution. Some dealers attributed to 'normal transmission behavior' and declined service.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No specific recall issued for hard shifting. Chrysler case managers told owners problem was 'normal' or 'vehicle performs as intended.' Software updates offered but widely reported as ineffective by owners.
Loss of engine power / limp mode at highway speed
Engine suddenly loses power and vehicle enters limp mode, restricting speed to 20–45 mph. Occurs without warning. Affects both gas and diesel engines. Diesel models cite crankshaft position sensor failures and tone wheel degradation; gas models cite electronic throttle control and ECM issues.
When: Intermittent; some incidents during normal highway driving, others during acceleration or merging
Symptoms owners cite: Engine power cuts out abruptly; Vehicle slows to 20–45 mph and will not accelerate beyond that; Check engine light illuminates or message 'Service Electronic Throttle Control' appears; Message 'Diesel Power Reducing' (diesel models); Dashboard shows oil pressure warning or throttle body error; RPM may surge but vehicle does not accelerate; No acceleration response to throttle pedal despite engine running
Codes mentioned: P0336 (Crankshaft Position Sensor – primarily diesel), P026C (Fuel Injector Circuit), Electronic Throttle Control faults, Multiple codes (480–600+) on some vehicles
Repairs/costs cited: Diesel: fuel injectors replaced, fuel tubes cleaned, crankshaft tone wheel replacement (per Transport Canada W68 recall). Gas: alternator replaced, ECM replaced, computer reprogrammed, throttle body serviced. One diesel owner: fuel injectors, fuel tubes, DTC P026C cleared, stationary regeneration performed; repeated after 75 miles. Repairs often temporary or ineffective.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Diesel: Transport Canada issued recalls W68 (PCM software update and tone wheel replacement) in Feb 2021, but U.S. NHTSA recall (if issued) not cited in narratives. Gas: no specific recall mentioned. Manufacturer investigator stated external factors caused one failure (transmission fire); dealer denied liability.
Electronic shifter ambiguity and overshoot design
Monostable shifter returns to center position after every movement, offering no tactile feedback about current gear. Combined with light actuation (no button press required for some shifts), drivers easily bump shifter into unintended gears while reaching for phone, radio, glove compartment, or coins. Overshoot is common—driver intends Drive but lands in Park or Neutral.
When: Design issue present from vehicle introduction; occurs in various driving and parking situations
Symptoms owners cite: Shifter moves to unintended gear when driver inadvertently bumps it (reaching for items on console); Overshoot when trying to select specific gear (e.g., intending Park, landing in Neutral or Reverse); No audible beep or haptic confirmation after shift; Dash display is difficult to see in peripheral vision when driving; Shifter button does not require depression to shift from Drive to Neutral; No mechanical 'detent' or 'gate' to stop at each gear position
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers acknowledged design but told owners to 'be more careful' or 'look at display.' No repair offered for design flaw. Recall 16V240000 does not address ergonomic design; it only adds auto-Park software.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: FCA maintained the design is not defective and that driver error or inattention is responsible. No engineering change or redesigned shifter offered as factory remedy in these narratives, though 2016+ models received updated shifter design.
Transmission control module (TCM) or engine control module (ECM) electrical failures
Control modules malfunction, causing erratic transmission behavior, check engine lights, and loss of power. One owner experienced 480+ diagnostic codes on a single scan. ECM replacement does not always resolve; multiple modules may need replacement or reprogramming.
When: Can occur early in vehicle life or after 100k+ miles; often triggered after recall service
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light illuminates with or without drivability issue; Multiple fault codes present on diagnostic scan; Wipers turn on/off randomly, radio cuts out, interior lights flicker; Messages flash: 'NO BUS,' 'SERVICE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL,' 'SERVICE SHIFTER,' 'AUTO PARK DISABLED'; Transmission behavior unpredictable: shifts late, hard, or into wrong gear; Vehicle enters limp mode or loses power; Issues persist or recur after module replacement
Codes mentioned: P026C (Fuel Injector Circuit), P0335 / P0336 (Crankshaft Position), Electronic Throttle Control codes, General CAN bus ('NO BUS') errors, 480+ codes reported by one owner
Repairs/costs cited: ECM replacement, alternator replacement, computer reprogramming/software updates. Dealers put 600+ miles on some vehicles with diagnostic equipment trying to replicate issues. One owner's alternator replacement did not resolve the problem; later module may have been the true fault. Multiple visits required in many cases.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer case managers largely unresponsive. FCA told some owners issues could not be confirmed without permanent replication and refused to service without proof. Chrysler Capital (in leased vehicle case) denied involvement; dealer said Chrysler Capital approval needed to swap vehicle.
Transmission stuck in Neutral or unable to shift out of Neutral
After engine start or while driving, transmission becomes trapped in Neutral or refuses to shift into Drive or Park. Brake pedal must be fully applied and in some cases vehicle must be restarted multiple times before transmission responds.
When: Intermittent; some incidents within first weeks of leasing, others random
Symptoms owners cite: Engine starts but transmission will not engage any gear; Shifter moves but transmission does not respond; 'Service Transmission' or 'Service Parking Brake' message appears; Check engine light illuminates; Loud thunk or clunk when transmission finally engages after restart; Vehicle sluggish or lurching when it finally moves; Multiple restarts required to clear condition
Codes mentioned: Transmission-related codes, but often no codes logged
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission valve body replacement (backordered in one case, 7–10 day wait). Multiple restarts and brake manipulation required to work around issue. Temporary fixes did not last.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall or technical service bulletin identified in narratives for this specific failure.
Uncontrolled acceleration and stuck throttle pedal
Engine and vehicle accelerate without driver input or throttle pedal becomes mechanically stuck in open position. Can occur during normal driving or merging on highway. Pedal may be unresponsive to release attempts, forcing driver to shift to Neutral or brake hard.
When: Intermittent, unpredictable; some incidents during specific maneuvers (merging, passing) others random
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle accelerates to unsafe speed (80–85 mph) without driver pressing pedal; Throttle pedal does not respond to release (stuck in depression); Loud bang when throttle finally releases or corrects; Requires shifting to Neutral or hard braking to regain control; Floor mat may be partially responsible but problem persists after trimming
Repairs/costs cited: Floor mat trimmed (temporary). Dealer unable to duplicate in most cases; no permanent repair offered.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall or TSB identified. Dealer blamed floor mat or driver error.
Crankshaft position sensor failure (diesel EcoDiesel engines)
Crankshaft tone wheel degrades or position sensor fails, causing loss of engine power on highway. Affects 2014–2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee EcoDiesel and RAM 1500 EcoDiesel. Vehicle enters limp mode (20–45 mph max) and cannot be driven at normal speed. Recall W68 (Canada) addresses tone wheel and PCM software; U.S. NHTSA recall status unclear from narratives.
When: Affects vehicles with 3.0L EcoDiesel; one incident at ~7000 miles post-repair
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden loss of power while cruising at highway speed (70 mph); Check engine light illuminates; Vehicle limps at 20–45 mph max speed; Unable to accelerate further; construction or barriers may prevent safe exit; Crankshaft position sensor reading fails or tone wheel cannot be read; No warning before failure
Codes mentioned: P0335 (Crankshaft Position Sensor Circuit), P0336 (Crankshaft Position Sensor Circuit malfunction)
Repairs/costs cited: Transport Canada Recall W68 (issued Feb 2021): tone wheel replacement and/or PCM software update. Repair must be done at Jeep/Chrysler dealer. One owner's vehicle not included in U.S. NHTSA recall despite matching symptom profile.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Transport Canada: issued Safety Recall W68 (RC-RW68-20 and RC-RW58-20) for loss of crankshaft position. U.S. NHTSA: one owner reports vehicle should have been included but was not.
EGR system malfunction (diesel models with Recall W79)
Exhaust Gas Recirculation system fails on EcoDiesel engines, triggering malfunction indicator light. Recall W79 exists but some dealers decline to perform it, instead replacing fuel injectors and clearing codes. Subsequent failure occurred 75 miles after fuel injector service, causing extreme power loss, smoke, and near-total loss of vehicle.
When: One incident Dec 2020, discovered Jan 2021
Symptoms owners cite: Malfunction indicator light comes on; Vehicle limp or reduced power; Fuel injectors restricted (found during diagnosis); After injector replacement and code clear, extreme power loss and smoke billow from hood on road test; Low oil pressure warning (though oil level normal); Throttle body error; Smoke enters cabin through HVAC vents
Codes mentioned: P026C-00 (Fuel Injector Circuit)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer declined to perform Recall W79 (EGR system repair). Instead: all fuel injectors replaced, fuel tubes replaced. DTC P026C cleared. Stationary regeneration performed. Vehicle failed catastrophically 75 miles later. Subsequent dealers unable or unwilling to examine vehicle. FCA case opened but no resolution provided.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall W79 exists for EGR system but dealer declined to use it. Investigator found external cause for fire (gasket replaced after fire). FCA case manager unresponsive.
Transmission fire hazard
Transmission cover gasket failure allows fluid to leak and ignite, causing fire under vehicle while driving. No warning indicators present before flame appearance.
When: One incident at 28k miles
Symptoms owners cite: Flames visible underneath vehicle while driving 60 mph; No warning indicators illuminated before fire; Fire extinguishes on its own or by external intervention
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission cover gasket replaced, transmission fluids replaced. Technician stated original gasket was fire hazard.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer investigator attributed fire to external factor (not manufacturing defect). Dealer cleared to drive; vehicle later taken to different dealer and repaired under this assessment.
Post-recall persistence of shifter and transmission issues
Recall 16V240000 (S27) completed, but vehicles continue to experience the original failure—difficulty entering or remaining in Park, unexpected Neutral shifts, or erratic transmission behavior. Auto-Park feature engages unintentionally while driving at highway speeds.
When: Issues occur after recall completion; some appear within weeks
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle still rolls after shifter placed in Park and driver exits; Auto-Park engages while driving at 30+ mph, throwing car into Neutral or Park unexpectedly; Transmission still shifts hard or jerks; Multiple attempts still required to engage Park; Transfer case internally explodes in one case (possibly related to repeated Auto-Park engagements)
Codes mentioned: Messages: 'VEHICLE SPEED TOO FAST TO SHIFT INTO PARK,' 'AUTOPARK DISABLED'
Repairs/costs cited: Recall software update does not fully resolve shifter ambiguity or transmission control issues. One owner had transfer case fail after repeated Auto-Park activations.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Chrysler stated vehicle performs as intended. Offered no additional remedy beyond initial recall. One owner requested lemon law return; refused.
Diesel engine head gasket and exhaust system failures
EcoDiesel engine experiences head gasket failure followed by multiple cascading failures (radiator, cooling cord, exhaust system). Occurs across 2014–2018 models; some vehicles fail three times within warranty period.
When: Can occur early (before 100k miles); recurring failures in same vehicle
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle enters limp mode (restricted power) while driving; Diesel power reducing warning indicator illuminates; Vehicle decelerates to 20 mph or below and will not accelerate; Head gasket failure detected during diagnosis; Exhaust system blockage or failure; Multiple components fail concurrently
Codes mentioned: Limp mode activation codes
Repairs/costs cited: Head gasket, engine, radiator, cooling cord replaced under powertrain warranty. Diesel exhaust system cleaned or replaced. Despite repairs, failures recurred (at least 3–4 times in one vehicle). Dealer informed owner vehicle 'should not be driven' after final repair.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Repairs completed under powertrain warranty but failures are chronic. No long-term solution offered; manufacturer case opened but inaction reported.
EPA diesel emissions settlement update—degraded turbo lag and safety concerns
Following EPA diesel settlement and mandated emissions software update, 2015 EcoDiesel engines exhibit 2–3 second turbo lag and severe drivability loss. Acceleration from stops becomes dangerously delayed. Drivers report white-knuckle experience pulling into intersections and merging onto highways.
When: Immediately after software update (post-settlement in 2015–2016)
Symptoms owners cite: Engine dead off the line, no immediate throttle response; 2–3 second turbo lag at all speeds; Driver must give more throttle than normal, then receives massive surge of full power; Vehicle behaves erratically in turns due to delayed then sudden power; Pulling into busy intersections extremely dangerous—vehicle crawls then lurches; Merging onto freeways white-knuckle experience
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer sympathetic but stated corporate turned its back on complaints. No firmware reversal or adjustment offered.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: FCA settlement documents claimed 'no loss of power, no impact on drivability or smoothness, no change in mileage.' Owners report all three claims are false. Dealers acknowledge problem but cite corporate refusal to address. Owner suggested settlement should be voided and vehicles bought back.
Synthesized from 343 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 6 most recent
The contact owns a 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle unintendedly shifted to neutral(N) and stalled in the middle of the road. The contact stated that he depressed the brake pedal, shifted the vehicle to park(P) and turned off the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle was restart the vehicle after 10-15 seconds. The vehicle…
2015 Jeep grand cherokee. Consumer writes in regards to transmission electronic shift lever recall repair issues. *smd the dealer claimed the recall was performed. However, the recall letter the consumer received stated the recall was not complete. *jb
The contact owns a 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated while driving 15 MPH, the vehicle was jerking and lost motive power. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact pulled off the road and contacted the dealer. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was…
Placed vehicle into park took foot off the brake before turning vehicle off. Vehicle then began to drive forward striking concrete barrier at fuel station. Minor damage to front bumper of vehicle.
Purchased Jeep sept. 2015. Received notice of recall. Took in aug.2016. Never any problem until they updated it. Since then,it has went into park when trying to back up, when in n, refuses to go into park. After several attempts, finally does. Very concerned it will decide to jump into park when I'm on interstate going 65 MPH. Took it in again and they ckd it out and said nothing wrong. I'm not…
Had powertrain trouble with your 2015 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 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
It's a meaningful issue. 343 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 235 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 6,000 and 46,000 miles, with the median around 14,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 6,000; a quarter make it past 46,000. 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/2015/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.