Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I'm not sure what components malfunctioned but my vehicle is in a body shop currently getting work done from the accident I was recently in. The safety of my cousin and I was put into risk when I was driving on the highway and I hydroplaned on the highway and did a 180 degree turn but luckily no one hit me and I didn't hit anyone else. I slammed on the concrete median which is what stopped my vehicle on the highway leaving my vehicle with 9 thousand in damages. I filed an insurance claim and is now getting fixed like I mentioned. Prior to the accident I had noticed the car shifting to the left and dramatically declining acceleration and a loud pop by the front driver tire. That is the best way to describe what the car does. So on the day of the incident I believe the car did what I just explained and it caused me to hydroplane and I'm in fear it is going to happen again. …
Twice in recent months the car accelerated on its own while idling. I received no warning or message. Both times the car surged forward a short distance. I applied the brake both times, but it didn't seem to have much effect. The car seemed to slow on its own. My search of the internet uncovered many instances of sudden unintended acceleration involving the Jeep Cherokee, some resulting in severe injury/property damage, so it is definitely a safety issue. There have been many complaints, over many years, about this same problem, but I could not find mention of a recall notice or service advisory. Apparently there has been no definitive identification of the cause. I would gladly have the car inspected, but suspect that the problem can not be easily reproduced. I have had the vehicle for 5 years and only experienced this problem twice. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee. While driving low speeds, the accelerator pedal suddenly traveled to the floorboard, the vehicle accelerated, and crashed into a fence. There were no warning indicators illuminated. There were no injuries and a police report was not filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The local dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer retrieved the black box and provided case number: [redacted]. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The failure mileage was 45,848. Ap consumer states that incident happened after coming out of a car wash. Consumer states that foot was not on the gas when vehicle accelerated and smashed into the fence. When vehicle hit the fence it started revving up before slowing down to a normal idle. Vehicle was towed to tilton auto body where the damage was repaired. …
Tl* the contact owned a 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that the vehicle was parked inside a garage facing forward. While the brake pedal was depressed, the contact pushed the start button and the vehicle suddenly accelerated at approximately 30 MPH into the front lawn. The vehicle struck a tree stump with the front passenger side wheel, went airborne approximately seven feet off the ground, and landed on the other end of the driveway. The vehicle kept accelerating and crashed into a building on the property. There were no injuries and a police report was not filed. The contact managed to switch the gear into park and stop the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was destroyed and towed. The approximate failure mileage was 11,600. ..updated 06/08/17 ....updated 06/21/17 updated 7/5/18
Tl* the contact owns a 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee. While operating the vehicle, the eco indicator suddenly illuminated. The driver stopped the vehicle and discovered that the transmission was stuck in the drive position and could not be switched to the park position. The vehicle suddenly experienced unintended acceleration and crashed into a building. The front end of the vehicle sustained significant damage, but the air bags did not deploy. The driver sustained a neck injury, which required medical attention. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was taken to cole motors in blue field, wv, but the cause of the failure could not be determined. The manufacturer was notified. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 25,000. Updated 11/03/17 consumer stated car ran away emergency brake and foot brake was on updated 7/18/18
The car operated well at first start. Early in the day, it drove 30+ miles. After being parked for 6+ hours in a flat public parking lot, it was turned on and put into reverse to back out of the stall. Upon lightly releasing the brake, the car accelerated at a high speed (approx 20mph) and hit a parking pillar. A large amount of damage was done to the back end, including bumper, hatch, safety reinforcement bar and floor board all had to be replaced.
Tl* the contact owns a 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while reversing from the driveway, the vehicle accelerated and crashed into a garage. The air bags did not deploy. The contact sustained unknown injuries that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent shop. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 211. ....updated 09/19/16
Tl* the contact owns a 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee. When the accelerator pedal was depressed from a stop, the engine restarted and hesitated to respond. The failure occurred without warning. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, but the failure was unable to be duplicated. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 6,002. ...updated 12/28/16 **** updated 01/10/17 updated 01/11/17. The consumer stated it is undetermined what caused the failure to occur and when it would occur. The driver must remember to press the override button on the dash when the engine was restarted. …
Vehicle was park at drive thru atm. Vehicle was placed back into drive and as. Take brake was released, vehicle accelerated without gas pedal being pressed. Vehicle went into forward motion rapidly and brake had to be applied to stop vehicle. Same incident happened again a short time later when pulling onto street. Prior the vehicle would go into neutral without warning. As vehicle was attempting to cross busy highway, the vehicle went into neutral at detrimental time while traffic was oncoming. Shifting into neutral then back to drive had no effect. Vehicle engine had to be turned off then back on to get vehicle to go back in drive. This occurrence happened on three separate occasions. Dealer ship was notified and they replace a wire harness. Dealership was notified regarding acceleration issue and the vehicle was towed to them. …
The vehicle lost all acceleration...on a highway...in a tunnel...surrounded by large trucks. The vehicle coasted out of the tunnel and made it to the nearest siding. No buttons were pushed and the controls where not touched. Both hands were on the wheel during the trip through the tunnel. Once pulled over, it was discovered that the engine was on, but did not respond to the pedal. Turning off and restarting the vehicle allowed the pedal to function again. This was purchased brand new only two and half weeks prior. This vehicle was brought to two dealers and has been with them for the past two weeks. The problem can not be diagnosed, so no repair was completed by Chrysler. I expect this dangerous event to reoccur. I do not feel safe in this particular vehicle and will not drive it. Chrysler has only offered words of consolation.
Acceleration complaints in other Grand Cherokee years
Frequently asked questions
How common are acceleration problems on the 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
NHTSA has 22 complaints about the speed control & acceleration of the 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 7% of the model year's 311 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee acceleration problems?
No. NHTSA lists no speed control & acceleration recall for the 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee, though it has 8 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 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee acceleration problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 25,000 miles, and 47% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 6 crashes, 0 fires and 2 injuries to speed control & acceleration 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.