Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that the vehicle independently shifted out of park and into reverse. As a result, the contact's vehicle crashed into another vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed and there were no injuries. In addition, the vehicle stalled and was unable to restart. The vehicle was towed to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The technician stated that it was unknown if the transmission or the ignition needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 78,000.
I own a 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee I was traveling on the freeway a few days a go when my truck decreased in speed somewhat. I pulled off the freeway to stop at a gas station. Once stopped at the light a thick plum of smoke appeared in the aft portion of the SUV. I pulled into the gas station with screams of your truck is on fire get out. I quickly placed the truck in park jumped out and the truck continued to roll out of the gas station onto the street hitting some local construction workers nearby equipment. The rear axle case was on fire. I grabbed a c02 tank from the gas station in an attempt to stop the fire. The detroit fire department had to come to completely extinguish the fire.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee. While driving 40 MPH, the vehicle failed to accelerate while depressing the accelerator pedal. Also, the gear shifter independently shifted out of drive and into second gear. Approximately thirty minutes later, the transmission temperature gauge and the overdrive off warning indicator illuminated. The gear shifter failed to go into reverse. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the transmission failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000.
Pulled vehicle to the side of the road to check right front tire. Left gear in park with engine running, exited vehicle and was walking around the front of the vehicle when I heard a "thunk". Vehicle had shifted into reverse and was traveling down a slight incline. Attempted to enter vehicle and was knocked to the ground. Made a second attempt and again was knocked to the ground. Vehicle continued in reverse, striking a fire hydrant. I sustained various injuries and was transported to hospital by ambulance.
Consumer stated the the vehicle was in park with the emergency brake engaged and engine running. The consumer exited the vehicle then it began to roll backwards and hit a brick wall. Upon inspection the consumer noticed that the gear lever had shifted from park to reverse. The consumer contacted the dealer about gear shift problem prior to this accident.
Engine shuts off while driving. Very dangerous to shift to neutral, while rolling, and try to restart with key. Must come to a complete stop and shift to park to restart. Not so bad if you can get to the side of the road first, terrible if you have to stop in the travel lanes to restart car. Sometimes it takes up to 30 minutes to get vehicle started again.
The vehicle slipped out of gear when the consumers foot was not on the brake. The vehicle also had a problem with sudden and unexpected acceleration. The vehicle crashed into another vehicle in reverse then hit a steel pole which stopped the vehicle. The consumer requested reimbursement.
After being side-swiped I exited my vehicle leaving the engine running and the transmission in what I believed to be park. After a short time my vehicle, on its own, backed into another Jeep parked in the intersection behind me. At the time I believed I left the transmission in neutral. Sometime towards the middle of this year I read of a problem with this model stating the transmission failed to stay in park but the article further stated it was for model years up to 1999 only. Subsequently I read that later models also had this problem (a flat spot between park and reverse causing the trtansmission to hold the vehicle in park without the detent locking it in park). With this information I tried to simulate the problem on my vehicle. …
I pulled my Jeep Cherokee into the mail center in my homeowners complex; I put the Jeep in park; opened my drivers side door; got out of the car; retreived my mailbox key from the drivers side door(where I store it); turned around and put the key into the mailbox; opened my mailbox and as I was about to take the mail out of the box I hear d a noise; I turn around and my Jeep is moving backwards; I instinctively lunge at the car; hit my head on the outer edge of the open door causing a major cut requiring sutures; then the open door and moving car pin me against a post; I manage to push my way free causing more injuries to myself; spin around the outside of the pole; manage to get into thejeep;---- it jumped out of park into reverse; the open door was crushed backwards by the pole causing the property damage and I was injured in the incident as well. …
After turning into driveway, stopped about 3 feet from street, placed the gear shift in park with the engine running, opened the driver side door, leaving it open as I went to the mail box to retreive the day's mail. (this has been done routinely since purchase of the vehicle) I retreived the mail, looking at several pieces as usual and even dropped a few pieces due to the cold weather, then walked around the rear of the vehicle; all of this consumed 2 to 3 minutes and while walking past the rear of the vehicle I heard a sound typically heard in shifting gears. When I reached a position at the rear left side door, the vehicle started moving backwards; I tried to get into the car but immediately saw the daanger and backed away. The vehicle rolled out into the street, crosssing the street, and stopped upon hitting a mailbox positioned directly across the street. …
NHTSA investigations
Roll-away in reverse when parked
Daimlerchrysler has recalled the zj models to incorporate a secondary detent spring into the shifter.even though the wj 6 cyl. Vehicles use the same manual detent lever that as the vehicles in the recall population, odi believes that the wj redesigned shifter, which improves floor shifter functionality and ergonomics, helps to provide feedback to the driver to indicate whether ?park? Has or has not been…
Transmission complaints in other Grand Cherokee years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
NHTSA has 156 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 11% of the model year's 1,447 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (59 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee, though it has 6 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 56,000 miles, and 17% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 42 crashes, 1 fire and 19 injuries to transmission & drivetrain problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.