The vehicle will exhibit a service transmission/check engine warning indicator for the following transmission models: 845RE, 8HP45, 850RE, 8HP50, 8HP70, 8HP75, 8HP75-PHEV, 8HP75-LCV, 8HP90, 8HP95. Transmissions may exhibit the following diagnostic codes: P07E4, P1DB2, P0716, P1B14, P0733, P1D90, P1DB7, P1B13.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2023 Jeep Wagoneer powertrain problems
moderate 15 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
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.
Service transmission/check engine warning indicator for the 850RE, 8HP50, 8HP70, 8HP75, 8HP75-PHEV transmissions that have fault codes P07E4, P1DB2, P0716, P1B14, P0733, P1D90, P1DB7, P1B13.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Drivetrain Control Module (DTCM) Software Update Customers may experience one or more of the following: ● Rear axle bind during slow speed turning. Feels like the 4WD is active. ● While moving above 5 kph (3.1 mph) transmission goes into limp mode. This bulletin involves flashing the DTCM to the latest software level.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗The service shifter message comes on in the cluster and the lever gets stuck in park "P" and it can be present the follwoing DTC: - U11E3 - TCM Lost communication with ESM on D-PT CAN - U0103 - Lost communication with Electric Gear Shift Module - U0101- Lost communication with DTCM - U0418 - Implausible Data Received From Brake System Control Module - U0402 - Implausible data received from TCM **NOTE: Prior any shifter replacement Refer to TSB-21-016-25 2024-2025 WS - Valve Body Replacement. Recommended Diagnosis procedure: 1. Confirm if U0101 -Lost Communication with TCM or U0418 -Implausible Data Received From Brake System Control Module are present, if so check the Valve Body CAN Terminal
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Replacement components for transfer case are no longer available. To repair issue, use the following part numbers and follow the I-sheet instructions for assembly: 68738079AA - HOUSING 68738084AA - CAM 68738085AA - GEAR 68737112AA - PLATE Please note that the part numbers listed here are transfer case components, not full transfer case part numbers.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2023 Jeep Wagoneer exhibits a pattern of critical powertrain and electrical failures across 15 complaints, often appearing early in ownership. Engine stalling without warning dominates reports—vehicles shut down at intersections, while backing, or during highway driving, automatically engaging the parking brake and leaving drivers stranded. Multiple owners describe being unable to restart for several minutes. Thermostat failures causing complete engine overheating and oil pressure warnings are a recurring issue; one owner's engine was damaged beyond repair, requiring full replacement despite the thermostat being a $50 part. Jeep issued a thermostat recall, but several affected VINs were excluded.
Transmission problems appear just as severe. Owners report gears slipping, inability to accelerate, and failure to shift out of first gear *while driving*—a hazard at highway speeds. At least two cases required transmission replacement at very low mileage. One owner documented a Transmission Control Module malfunction repeated on four separate occasions, resulting in two replacements.
Electrical system failures include random power loss, entertainment system shutdown, and headlight flickering. The four-wheel-drive system has required rear differential replacement four times and transfer case replacement on at least one vehicle, yet problems persisted. One owner's Wagoneer underwent over 40 repair attempts in 250 days at the dealership. Randomly engaging parking brakes during normal freeway driving, unpredictable braking that caused driver injury, and one documented engine complete shutdown while driving round out the safety concerns.
Same Jeep Wagoneer powertrain reports on nearby years: 2022
Failure modes owners describe
Engine Stalling and Shutdown
Engine shuts off without warning during normal operation—at stop signs, traffic lights, while backing, or during sustained freeway driving. Transmission automatically shifts to park and parking brake engages. Some incidents leave vehicle unable to restart for several minutes.
When: Unpredictable; some owners report nearly every other day, others intermittently over months
Symptoms owners cite: Engine shuts off abruptly; Loss of all power and control; Transmission shifts to park automatically; Parking brake engages; Instrument cluster displays 'shift to park' message; Vehicle stranded in roadway
Codes mentioned: Battery fault message, Transmission service error, Check engine light
Repairs/costs cited: Computer replacement mentioned in one case; dealerships unable to replicate issue in others; no permanent fix achieved in narratives
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Engine Start-Stop Recall (associated with fix in one narrative); Customer Satisfaction Program 13B (Power Train) mentioned with parts availability delays
Thermostat Failure and Engine Overheating
Engine overheats during normal freeway driving, accompanied by low oil pressure warnings and excessive oil temperature readings. Oil temperature and pressure warnings trigger repeatedly under sustained highway speeds (60–65 mph) and hilly terrain. One case resulted in complete engine failure requiring replacement; another had thermostat fail as documented cause.
When: During freeway driving at sustained highway speeds; one case after approximately 30–40 minutes of driving
Symptoms owners cite: Excessive oil temperature warning light; Low oil pressure warning; Engine temperature gauge climbs slowly; Vehicle feels like it is not shifting properly; RPM lingers at 3000–3500 rpm; Engine damage or complete failure
Codes mentioned: Overheating warning light, Low oil pressure warning, Oil engine light
Repairs/costs cited: Thermostat replacement; one case required complete engine replacement after thermostat failure; thermostat described as cheap $50 part by owner
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Thermostat issue acknowledged as known problem by dealership; recall issued (26B notice) but not all VINs included; no recall for some affected vehicles
Transmission Failures and Shifting Issues
Transmission experiences multiple failure modes: gears slip, vehicle unable to accelerate, unable to shift out of first gear during driving, or unexpected downshifting in traffic. Some vehicles required transmission replacement; others show gear slipping accompanied by noise and check engine light.
When: Low mileage (one case at <1,500 miles); unpredictable occurrence during highway driving or acceleration attempts
Symptoms owners cite: Gears slipping; Unable to accelerate on highway; Unable to shift out of first gear while driving; Unexpected downshifting in traffic; Noisy transmission; Check engine light; Vehicle must be pulled over
Codes mentioned: Check engine light, Transmission service error
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission replacement performed in at least two documented cases; one owner had two transmissions replaced
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Transmission Control Module malfunction identified; manufacturer refusing to acknowledge in at least one case per owner allegation
Automatic Parking Brake and Shift-to-Park Engagement
Vehicle randomly and unexpectedly shifts into park and engages parking brake during normal highway and stop-and-go traffic driving, without driver input. Occurs when attempting to accelerate from standstill or during traffic maneuvers. Requires driver to manually shift back to drive and release parking brake under the dash.
When: Randomly; reported more than a dozen times over ownership period
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle shifts into park unexpectedly; Parking brake engages without input; Audible beep from vehicle; Dash warning light stating 'shifting into park'; Occurs in inopportune traffic situations
Codes mentioned: Dash warning light for shift to park
Repairs/costs cited: No repair attempts documented in narratives
Four-Wheel-Drive and Transfer Case Failures
Four-wheel-drive system experiences ongoing unresolved issues despite repeated repair attempts. Rear differential has been replaced four times and front transfer case replaced once, yet problems persist.
When: Ongoing throughout ownership; no specific mileage mentioned
Symptoms owners cite: Four-wheel-drive system malfunction; Differential and transfer case failures
Repairs/costs cited: Rear differential replaced four times; front transfer case replaced once; vehicle has undergone over 40 documented repair attempts total
Unexpected Braking and Brake System Issues
Random and unexpected braking incidents, including automatic engagement of brakes while reversing with no obstruction present, and sudden braking during normal driving causing driver injury. Brake warning light appears after engine work, traced to spilled brake fluid during repairs.
When: Random unpredictable incidents; one case late July; brake warning appeared immediately after engine replacement
Symptoms owners cite: Random automatic braking; Brakes engage while reversing with no obstruction; Sudden braking during driving; Brake warning light
Codes mentioned: Brake warning light
Repairs/costs cited: Brake fluid refilled after engine replacement; dealership attributed to spilled fluid during engine work
Electrical System Failures and Power Loss
Vehicle experiences complete electrical system failures with loss of power and control, including shutdown of entertainment system, headlights flickering/flashing, and loss of all instrument cluster power. Rear camera blackouts during reversing in some cases.
When: Unpredictable; one case at parking lot, another in driveway, another while driving
Symptoms owners cite: Complete loss of power; Entertainment system shuts off; Headlights flicker or flash unexpectedly; Instrument cluster loses power; Rear camera blackouts during reversing; Engine stutters and intermittently shuts off; Driving lights shut off intermittently
Codes mentioned: Battery fault message
Repairs/costs cited: No specific repairs documented except computer replacement in one case
Oil Pump Solenoid Failure
Oil pump solenoid failure with complete oil pump replacement required. Identified as engine lubrication system failure with potential for catastrophic engine damage and loss of power.
When: Not specified in narrative
Symptoms owners cite: Oil pump solenoid malfunction; Potential for complete oil pump failure
Repairs/costs cited: Oil pump replacement performed
Synthesized from 15 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
For the past five months, the vehicle has stalled nearly every other day, including while backing out of driveways or parking spaces and when slowing to stop. Each time, the engine suddenly shuts off without warning, the transmission automatically shifts into Park, and the emergency brake engages. An engine warning light appears with a “battery fault” message. The repeated engine shutdowns and…
The Wagoneer with 20,000 miles very suddenly started to overheat, then quickly redlined on the dash board. Car shut down at dark night intersection. Needed to be towed to dealer. Dealer diagnosed that the ENGINE needs to be replaced. WTF. Waiting for Jeep Claims rep to contact me. Case # 94698805. No word on ETA of replacement engine. Expecting a long term rental car. NOT HAPPY I'm financing at…
On the highway and interstate highway, during stop in stop-and-go traffic, the vehicle randomly automatically shifts into park and apply the parking brakes when attempting to accelerate from standstill. This only happens when you try to move again after stopping, and the vehicle is shifted into park in the most inopportune times. It requires you not only to shift it back to drive with your…
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2023 Jeep Wagoneer?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 15 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
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.