THROTTLE BODY – NONE
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee engine problems
severe Owners of the 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee have filed 13 NHTSA complaints about the engine at roughly $3,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See engine across all vehicles →
| Model year | engine complaints |
|---|---|
| 2019 Grand Cherokee | 30 |
| 2020 Grand Cherokee | 30 |
| 2021 Grand Cherokee | 17 |
| 2022 Grand Cherokee | 19 |
| 2023 Grand Cherokee (this page) | 13 |
| 2024 Grand Cherokee | 27 |
| 2025 Grand Cherokee | 4 |
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering engine 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.
THROTTLE BODY – NONE
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗BOLT - HEX FLANGE HEAD
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗PHEV Engine Replacement XC2 Warranty Extension Customers must experience a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illumination and the vehicle must exhibit/set one or more of the following Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs): ● P2336 - Cylinder 1 Above Knock/Combustion Vibration Sensor Threshold. ● P2337 - Cylinder 2 Above Knock/Combustion Vibration Sensor Threshold. ● P2338 - Cylinder 3 Above Knock/Combustion Vibration Sensor Threshold. ● P2339 - Cylinder 4 Above Knock/Combustion Vibration Sensor Threshold. The customer may also describe the following: ● A knocking noise from the engine compartment This bulletin involves replacing the engine.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗ID-26-24 (XC2) 2.0L PHEV Engine - Select 2024 - 2025 Jeep Wrangler (JL) and 2023 - 2025 Grand Cherokee/ Grand Cherokee L (WL)
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners report a mix of critical engine and powertrain failures affecting early 2023 Grand Cherokees. One complaint centers on unresolved piston malfunction dating to September 2023, with multiple dealer visits failing to address or even properly document the issue. More alarming is a fire originating from the engine at 27,000 miles that destroyed a residence and caused hospitalization.
Power loss and rough running are recurring themes: owners describe extreme rough idle especially after refueling, inability to accelerate safely, strange engine noise under load, and complete loss of power at highway speeds. Engine overheating with warning messages has occurred, and at 197 miles one owner experienced check-engine light followed by stalling after ECM reset.
Transmission problems include unintended acceleration while braking and repeated failure to shift out of first gear, creating dangerously high RPM conditions. Engine mounts have failed within 7,000 miles of ownership; one service advisor noted this is a known common issue across all Grand Cherokee models.
A battery fire and sudden-stop recall (68C) exists but owners report parts shortages, lack of loaner vehicles, and indefinite wait times for repairs. Multiple owners say dealers cannot replicate intermittent issues despite six or more visits, and some dealers have declined diagnostics citing cost concerns.
Same Jeep Grand Cherokee engine reports on nearby years: 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2024
Failure modes owners describe
Piston/Internal Engine Malfunction
Unspecified piston malfunction reported to dealership multiple times since September 2023 with no resolution. Dealer unable or unwilling to document the condition adequately; problem persists across multiple warranty service visits spanning over one year.
When: Started September 2023, continued through September 2024
Symptoms owners cite: Piston malfunction (specific symptoms not detailed in complaint)
Repairs/costs cited: Unresolved across multiple dealer visits; vehicle repeatedly left in shop for extended periods with no loaner vehicle provided
Engine Fire
Engine originated fire destroyed residence, vehicle, and caused hospitalization. Fire marshal identified engine as fire origin. Occurred at approximately 27,000 miles.
When: At approximately 27,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Loud bang from engine; Engine fire
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle destroyed by fire; no repair attempted
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer not notified by owner; insurance company handled claim
Rough Running / Loss of Power / Poor Acceleration
Vehicle runs extremely rough and fails to accelerate properly, especially after refueling. Engine makes strange noise under load and loses power. Condition creates hazardous driving situations including near-accidents at intersections and inability to merge safely.
When: Intermittent across multiple months of ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Rough idle/running; Loss of power on acceleration; Inability to reach highway speed; Strange engine noise under load; Almost stalls at intersections
Repairs/costs cited: Six dealer visits; unable to replicate or repair the issue; owner has video evidence of problem
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Chrysler and Jeep refused to help per owner
Engine Overheating
Temperature gauge spiked to extreme levels with 'Engine Overheating' message displayed while driving at 70 MPH. Vehicle lost motive power and had to be pulled over.
When: At approximately 21,722 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Temperature gauge extreme high; Engine overheating warning message; Loss of motive power
Repairs/costs cited: Local dealer did not diagnose or repair
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer was notified
Check Engine Light / Stalling
Check engine warning light illuminated while driving. After ECM reset at dealer, failure recurred and vehicle stalled. Dealer unable to duplicate failure during diagnostics.
When: At approximately 197 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light illumination; Vehicle stalling; ECM malfunction
Codes mentioned: Check Engine light
Repairs/costs cited: ECM reset performed at dealer; issue recurred
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer not notified
Loss of Power / Unknown Warning Messages
Vehicle lost motive power at 70 MPH with two unknown messages displayed on instrument panel. Dealer declined diagnostics due to cost concerns.
When: At approximately 50,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Loss of automotive power; Unknown warning messages on display
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer did not diagnose or repair due to stated cost concerns
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer not notified
Unintended Acceleration / Transmission Shift Hesitation
Vehicle accelerates unexpectedly while driver's foot is on brake at traffic light, nearly causing collision. When intentionally accelerating, transmission fails to shift from first gear properly, creating dangerous high-RPM condition.
When: Intermittent during normal driving
Symptoms owners cite: Unintended acceleration while braking; Transmission stuck in first or second gear; Excessively high RPM in lower gears; Transmission shift hesitation
Repairs/costs cited: Owner must stop vehicle, shut down engine, and restart to clear condition
Transmission Gear-Lock / High RPM Condition
Transmission randomly will not shift from first gear to second gear, causing dangerously high RPM conditions. Vehicle nearly hit from behind on multiple occasions due to inability to accelerate properly. Dealer has been unable to replicate or fix the issue.
When: Intermittent during normal driving
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission will not shift from first to second gear; Excessively high RPM in first gear; Inability to accelerate safely
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer unable to duplicate issue; workaround is to pull over, shut off engine, and restart
Engine Mount Failure
Engine mounts have failed twice within first 7,000 miles of ownership (at 3,825 and 6,583 miles). Service advisor indicates this is a known common issue across all 2023 Grand Cherokee models with expectation of future replacements needed.
When: At 3,825 miles and 6,583 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Engine mount failure
Repairs/costs cited: Engine mounts replaced twice in first 7,000 miles; further replacements anticipated
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Service advisor acknowledged as common design issue
Battery Fire / Power Loss Recall (68C)
Recall 68C addresses potential battery fire hazard and sudden stop-in-motion safety risk. Owners report inability to obtain timely repairs due to parts shortages, lack of loaner/rental vehicles, and lack of manufacturer urgency. One owner left without transportation indefinitely awaiting replacement battery.
When: Recall service required
Symptoms owners cite: Potential battery fire hazard; Sudden stop in motion risk
Codes mentioned: Recall 68C
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement battery needed; parts unavailable at dealerships; no loaner vehicles offered; indefinite service wait times
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 68C issued; however, manufacturer not providing compensation or expedited parts availability
Hybrid System Power Loss / Warning Messages
Vehicle loses power with 'Maintenance on Hybrid System' warning message and red wrench icon appearing on display. Power loss lasts approximately 1.5 minutes before system recovers and message clears.
When: Intermittent during operation
Symptoms owners cite: Loss of power during operation; Hybrid system maintenance warning message; Red wrench warning icon
Codes mentioned: Hybrid system maintenance code
Synthesized from 13 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Common questions
How serious is the engine problem on the 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
It's a meaningful issue. 13 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $3,100.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Based on the 13 complaints filed, engine issues most often appear around 32,907 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine 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 engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine 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.