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 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who diagnosed that the fuel pump relay was faulty. The fuel pump relay was replaced but the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was towed back to the dealer who replaced the fuel pump, and the vehicle was repaired. While driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local service center who diagnosed the vehicle with power train failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failures. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 130,000.
The contact owns a 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The contact was able to pull to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle failed to restart. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 126,000.
Carbon like smell entering cabin, engine stalling, and check engine light on. Ginn Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in Covington Georgia stated they performed the recall repairs for the fuel relay wiring harness in June 2022 and the brake booster recall fix last week. The break booster recall is still showing unrepaired, and the stalling, fumes entering the inside of the Jeep is worse. The Jeep did not have a check engine light show up until after it left the CDJR service center. Due to dispute with the dealership that sold the vehicle putting an extended warranty in the paperwork, that I was not provided in writing yet its cost was added to the Jeep, the CDJR service center claimed the Jeep required $5700 worth of work to its HEMI V8 5.7L engine but they could not begin the work until I consented to the warranty providers $450.00 fee to teardown the engine for further diagnostics. …
Recall 14V5300 - replacing fuel pump relay to prevent vehicle not starting and stalling was performed in November 2021. It has not solved the problem. Th Grand Cherokee still does the same thing. I replaced the relay that was replaced in the recall. No help. Chrysler Corp. did not fix the problem. A new recall needs to happen. This Grand Cherokee has stalled slowing down to come to a stop and when slowing down to turn at an intersection. This is very dangerous. It could cause an accident at the intersection. This recall needs to be revisited or a new recall needs to happen to solve this problem. Thank you [redacted]
My vehicle has been leaking transmission fluid, this has caused shifting problems as well as ac problems i have done hours of research and its seems to be a common problem with 2011 jeep cherokee and i feel this need to be investigated! From what Ive read there seems to be welding issues and thats where the leaks are at. I have taken my vehicle for an inspection and the ac condensor needs to be replaced. I have taken for a second opinion and the same was discovered. After $750.00 later! I have grandchildren that i drive in this vehicle and am concerned about their safety as well as mine.
Tl* the contact owned a 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee. After backing into the driveway and attempting to place the vehicle in park, the vehicle accelerated in reverse without warning. As a result, the person behind the vehicle was struck and pinned underneath the tires. The victim was fatally injured. The vehicle accelerated all the way through the garage and traveled up a three foot high concrete wall behind the garage where it finally came to a stop. There were no warning indicators illuminated prior to the failure. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to one ten towing and then towed to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was declared a total loss. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 130,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that after the vehicle was parked by his spouse, his spouse exited the vehicle and twelve minutes later the vehicle rolled away and crashed into the neighbors garage. There was minimal damage to the vehicle and the garage. There was no injuries sustained. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed nor repaired. A local dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was contacted and informed of the failure, case number: 59742830. The approximate failure mileage was 63,862.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee. While driving 10 MPH, the four wheel drive failed and caused the vehicle to slide down a hill and crash into a ditch. The service four wheel drive warning light illuminated. There were no injuries and a police report was not filed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who stated that no repairs were needed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 49,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee. While the gear shifter was in the park position, the vehicle rolled away in reverse and crashed into the rear of another vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. There were no injuries and a police report was not filed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 114,000.
Our 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee has exhibited multiple instances of sudden unintended acceleration (sua). It has occurred to my wife, one of our sons who is and aerospace engineer and myself on different days at different speeds and locations. I personally have experienced it on two occasions, one of which caused a minor accident as I was backing out of a parking space, with my foot on the brake put the car in drive and it lunged forward of its own accord, there were two other people in the car and a witness outside the car who reported it just lunged and the brake lights were still on. Chrysler inspected the car, found nothing and has closed the case. I called Chrysler and asked that we discuss the issue they said they found noting, fixed noting and thus the case is closed. …
Transmission complaints in other Grand Cherokee years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
NHTSA has 90 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 5% of the model year's 1,642 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission › control module (tcm/pcm/tecm) (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2011 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 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 64,000 miles, and 18% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 6 crashes, 1 fire and 1 injury and 2 deaths 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.