Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2009 Jeep Grand Cherokee owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Transmission will disengage while driving at any given speed. The only way to correct it is to coast to a stop, put the transmission in park then shut off the engine and restart. Only then will car become drivable again. This is extremely hazardous when on the interstate or expressway. Check engine light comes on and a code p2767 is always present when this occurs. My Jeep mechanic says its an expensive repair as the transmission has an internal servo short and has to be disassembled to repair it. My Jeep only has 56,685 on the odometer. Not covered under warranty and I am told is a common problem with this model transmission. Someone is going to get killed trying to coast to a stop or accelerating to get onto a interstate when the transmission shuts down. Happens at any speed. Turning, going straight, highway or rural roads, bumps or no bumps, uphill or downhill. Comes without warning. …
While attempting to park vehicle, with only brake being applied, and motor allowed to idle, vehicle accelerated. All attempts to stop vehicle by hard application of foot brake failed, and vehicle collided with a building. Subsequent investgation by insurance adjuster determined the vehicle was fast idling, possibly a tps issue. Despite many complaints to various Jeep authorized servicers, none ever disclosed a problem with this issue. Since new, the vehicle transmission has always had a tendency to grab when approaching a steep incline at idling speed, with sudden acceleration if gas pedal is gently depressed.
Tl contact owns a 2009 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle decelerated without any warning. The contact mentioned that the vehicle was exhibiting the same failures as mentioned in recall NHTSA campaign number: 13V175000 (electrical system, power train). However, the VIN number was not included. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was awaiting to be diagnosed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 26,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Jeep Grand Cherokee. While the vehicle was in the park position with the keys out of the ignition, it began to independently roll backwards. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 13V175000 (electrical system, power train). The failure mileage was 60,000. The VIN was unavailable.
While driving the car the car looses the ability to steer and drops into neutral. The dealership swears that they can't duplicate the problem. I took it in for the n23 recall today and as I was driving into the dealership it happened again - yet they still couldn't duplicate the problem. Now I'm worried that my 4wd won't work
Vehicle shifts into lower2nd gear while driving at highway speeds according to owners manual this is called limp mode and needs to be stopped placed in park and turn ignition off and restarted to continue driving this has happened to me and others
My car is driving okay but it's having some electrical issues and it shuts down.
Jeep shifted to neutral upon startup and rolled downhill in park. (jan. 2013) note there is a recall on this issue Chrysler/Jeep "n23". I had not had the recall service performed. I scheduled the recall service, which was done at bosak Jeep, merrillville in, in February 2013. The service is a software update to the final drive control module (fdcm). The reason for this complaint is to state that the software update performed eliminates specific functionality from the vehicle, namely 4-wheel drive low range and neutral modes (Jeep being towed/transfer case disconnect). The elimination of these functionalities is creating a "black market" of owners who are swapping out the updated fdcms with pre-updated ones; and has initiated discussion of persons "hacking" the fdcm code to regain the functionalities. …
While driving my car suddenly would not go into gear, I had to put my car in neutral my driving. Engine light came on as well. This happened approximately three days after I had the recall done for the transfer case at champion Chrysler dealership. I took it back in July and they told me I needed a new transfer case which I ended spending a 1000 to replace. Picked up the car and as soon as I drove it off the same things happened. I had to shift to neutral before going into 3rd gear. Took the car back to champion chrsyler again and they said it was the solenoid. I just spent another 1000 to get that fixed. They said this should definitely fix the problem. Spoke to Chrysler corp. On first incident and service mgr no luck. Spoke to service mgr on 2nd fix and no luck. Long story short getting the recall fix cost me 2000 when it suppose to be free of charge. …
I brought my vehicle into my dealership for a recall that I was suggested to do. The recall # is: n23. Now, there is another problem with low gear 4x4 and neutral position. I cannot use these modes. This is a common problem, we found out through the dealer, that happens after I have brought in my vehicle for the original( n23) recall. I called Chrysler and they advised me to go back to my dealership. I went back to my dealership and they just said they can't keep resetting this fault code. I told the bbb about this, and they suggested I go back to my dealership, Chrysler told them that, and they closed my case. How do I drive my vehicle safely now. I can't use my gears for which I bought this SUV for. What do I do now? Please help me. I seem to be getting the run-around. (apparently, searching n23 problems on "google" will show there are many others with the same issue). Thank you.
Transmission complaints in other Grand Cherokee years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2009 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
NHTSA has 23 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2009 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 17% of the model year's 138 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2009 Jeep Grand Cherokee transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2009 Jeep Grand Cherokee, though it has 2 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 2009 Jeep Grand Cherokee transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 57,000 miles, and 17% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 0 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.