Transmission drops into neutral or downshifts on its own

What got replaced

Few of these reports name the part that was replaced.

Recalls and investigations

One recall on the transmission and drivetrain covers the 2014 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.

All 19 recalls on the 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee, with the owner complaints on each recalled system

NHTSA investigations into the transmission and drivetrain on the Grand Cherokee

When it happens

The middle half of failures fell between 49,000 and 119,825 miles, from the 27 reports that gave a mileage.

What owners wrote

“When driving my vehicle goes into neutral when I press the gas to accelerate when coming to stop at a red light and trying to accelerate again vehicles switch to neutral”

Filed Apr 4, 2024

“I was driving and pressed on the gas to go and my car shifted into neutral and wouldn't let me go. I almost got hit by a truck due to this. Luckily he swerved to avoid me. Also my seat belt pulls out but won't retract on passenger side door.”

Filed Mar 14, 2023

“the transmission will drop in gear from 8th to 4th will have to pull over and turn car off then on will reset works fine in manual but in automatic itll shift on its own”

Filed Aug 5, 2022

Guide Paid for this repair before a recall covered it? How recall reimbursement works

Other problems on this car

• Seat belt or seat problems 501 reports
• Engine stalls or loses power while driving 203 reports
• Airbag warning light or recall 178 reports
• Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 114 reports
• Check engine light or misfire 95 reports
• Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 89 reports
• Battery dies or the car will not start 78 reports
• Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard 67 reports
• Rolls away in Park or will not shift out of Park 54 reports
• Engine overheats or leaks coolant 48 reports
• Diesel fuel system or injector problems 44 reports
• Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing 42 reports
• Multiple warning lights come on at once 42 reports
• Fuel pump failure 41 reports
• Traction control or StabiliTrak light comes on 40 reports
• Engine leaks oil 40 reports
• Vehicle fire 34 reports
• "Shift to Park" or "Service Shifter" warning comes on 32 reports
• Power steering cuts out or goes heavy 29 reports
• A/C blows warm or the compressor fails 29 reports
• Suspension noise, struts or alignment 29 reports
• Brakes on its own (automatic emergency braking) 28 reports
• Driveshaft, axle or transfer case problems 26 reports
• Headlights too dim or fail 25 reports