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 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH, the vehicle jerked, and the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. In addition, the contact stated there was an abnormal sound coming from the power train. The message "Transmission Overheated" was displayed on the instrument panel. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, while stopped at a traffic light, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal before the vehicle stalled. Additionally, there was an abnormal sound coming from underneath the vehicle. The contact stated that the gear shift lever failed to operate as intended. The message "Transmission Overheated" was displayed. The contact waited until the transmission had cooled down and the vehicle was restarted. …
The contact owns a 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while making a U-turn at approximately 4 MPH, there was an abnormal sound from underneath the vehicle. The contact stated that the "Service 4WD" warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle lost motive power. The contact depressed the accelerator pedal; however, the vehicle failed to respond. The contact received help from a co-worker who checked the vehicle and informed her that the driveshaft had fractured. The contact was able to turn the vehicle off but was unable to shift the vehicle into park(P). The contact had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the driveshaft had fractured due to a failure with the PTU in the transmission. The vehicle was not repaired. …
The contact owns a 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while accelerating from a complete stop at a stop sign at approximately 5 MPH, the contact heard an abnormally loud banging sound followed by an abnormal grinding sound coming from underneath the vehicle, near the driver's feet. The vehicle then shifted to neutral and failed to move. The contact was able to turn off the vehicle after disconnecting the ECM. The contact was able to push the vehicle to the side of the road with assistance, and the vehicle was left on the side of the road overnight. The vehicle was towed to a certified mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the sheer pins and the power transfer unit (PTU) connection had failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V011000 (Power Train). …
The contact owns a 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving out of the driveway, the transmission unexpectedly shifted into neutral. The shift to park message was displayed on the screen. The shifter became stuck and failed to shift to park(P). The vehicle was restarted. While driving 55 MPH, the message "Shift to Park" was displayed. The "Vehicle was at too high a Speed" message was displayed. The vehicle failed to shift into park. The vehicle failed to move. The drive warning light was flashing, accompanied by an abnormal dinging sound. Upon further research, the contact was able to link the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V011000 (Power Train). The contact called the local dealer, who confirmed that the VIN was not under recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. …
The contact owns a 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated while driving 25-35 MPH, the messages "Service Electronic Stability Control" and "Service 4Wheel Drive" were displayed. The contact was able to continue driving; however, the vehicle lost 4-WD functionality. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred while driving and the vehicle was shuddering significantly. The contact was able to drive to his residence. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the power transfer unit (PTU) had failed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The manufacturer referred the contact to the dealer for a diagnostic test. The dealer was contacted, and an appointment was scheduled. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 61,050.
The contact owns a 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. In addition, several warning lights illuminated, and the vehicle lost motive power. The vehicle was restarted; however, the electronic stability control and 4WD features were inoperable. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a possible power transfer unit failure. The contact stated that the dealer was uncertain about the diagnostic due to conflicting diagnostic codes. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000.
The contact owns a 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while attempting to shift into park(P) to exit the vehicle, the vehicle started moving backwards down the slanted driveway. The contact depressed the brake pedal, and the vehicle stopped. The contact then started the vehicle and shifted into park(P). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. On another occasion, while driving at an undisclosed speed or while the vehicle was stopped, the vehicle hesitated and jerked while shifting from a lower to a higher gear. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V011000 (Power Train). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 76,000.
The contact owns a 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission was slipping. Additionally, the contact stated that the transmission failed to shift into park(P) intermittently. The transmission warning light was illuminated. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the transmission was replaced. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V011000 (Power Train); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. No further information was available. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 77,000.
The contact owns a 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, the transmission slipped and failed to shift into second and third gear. The vehicle jerked violently. On another occasion, the transmission was stuck in second gear with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact was able to drive to the residence. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The failure mileage was approximately 89,500.
The contact owns a 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the service power steering warning light, service transmission warning light, automatic start warning light, 4-WD warning light, ABS warning light, service electronic stability control warning light, and the service shifter warning lights were illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that the transmission failed to shift out of park (P). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 117,000.
Transmission complaints in other Grand Cherokee years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
NHTSA has 88 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 24% of the model year's 364 complaints. The component named most often is transfer case (4-wheel drive) (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee, though it has 5 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 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 45,000 miles, and 30% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury 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.