Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2016 Jeep Renegade owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
recently while driving to work at a traffic light as i rolled i heard my car start to accelerate and the check engine light came on. I began to observe, and found out that the gearbox does this when it is downshifted from 5th to 4th gear. of course I didn't hit the car in front several times. the presence of such errors as u0402 and C2502. i went to the dealer but the dealer had never heard of this and only did a software update on the transmission and engine. but it didn't help, they changed the oil in the transmission, no result either, they gave me a document and said that the reason was the electricity. after searching the entire Internet, I saw that Cherokee had such a phantom acceleration for 14-15 years. and really the problem is inside the transmission. i want to fix this problem because the dealer doesn't know what to do.
My customer satisfaction number is W20. I have been waiting since December 2022 to get the catalytic converter replaced. I was told there were 2 people ahead of me. Everytime I called I was told they were still trying to reach the people. They did update the software but now my Jeep is sluggish. I have to force the gas pedal to force the accelerator to the floor to pick up speed. So my gas mileage is very bad. I hope the engine does not go waiting so long to get a defective part replaced. I am in Arkansas now and will be until my Mom gets out of the hospital. I want to get my Jeep fixed now. I am close to Batesville and Jonesboro Arkansas. Please tell me where I can take my Jeep to get it repaired or do I take the recall card to any Jeep dealer. I feel I have waited long enough.
When car is backed up and put into drive the transmission hesitates. While coming to a stop the transmission has small jerks while downshifting. Also upon pulling out anytime you are stopped it looses power and then jumps forward. While driving as it changes gears it hesitates then switches and feels like I'm driving with someone learning how to drive a manual. This should not be happening around 67k miles. It's going to cause a wreck.
The jerking, delayed take off reported originally that was supposedly corrected with a motor replacement STILL happens. Spoken with multiple other Renegade drivers and tow truck drivers, the transmission appears to be the issue. Each recorded visit to the dealership has reported transmission ok. My safety is my absolute #1 concern. Want transmission checked, rechecked, repaired, replaced or whatever makes my driving life safe as possible.
Check engine light on. ECM (engine control computer) malfunction. Dealer first denied any problems with vehicle even with check engine light on. So I took to it to independent service center, which confirm problem. By providing the service center report, the dealer then confirm problem. Problems/symptoms occur 2 days after financing vehicle.
I recently had the following situation. Tuesday, Dec. 13th, 2022 a big storm hit, showered snow on us ALL day. My Jeep was parked with the passenger side to the north... just setting the scene. Rain, ice, & snow coated my Renegade when I left work and I noticed that the dash temp reading was not working. I didn't need 4WD on the drive home. Wednesday morning, I started up and got a "service engine" notification with solid engine light. The snow was slick enough on the roads that I attempted to put it into 4WD but couldn't. THINKING that the engine light was on due to a 4WD issues, I babied it from my home to the dealership. I was told that a solid engine light means not critical and I should be able to drive it until my appointment on the 21st. Then I was advised to go to an auto parts store to have a free diagnostic. I had to wait until Friday. …
While driving on the freeway at approximately 65 mph with my family in the vehicle, including my fianc e, my [redacted] son, and my fianc e's mother, the engine suddenly began making a grinding noise that lasted approximately 10 seconds. The engine then began knocking, and the vehicle abruptly shut off, leaving me unable to continue driving. I was forced to maneuver toward the nearest available safe location, but there was no immediately safe place to pull over. I narrowly avoided being hit by other vehicles while trying to get off the freeway and ultimately had to stop on an offramp. This sudden engine failure created a serious safety hazard for my entire family and other motorists. I had to arrange an Uber to transport my fianc e, my young son, and my fianc e's mother home while I remained in an unsafe location near the freeway waiting for a tow truck. …
Vehicle was purchased May 16, 2016. On August 6, 2016 the vehicle completely shut off while traveling 60 MPH down the interstate. The electronic traction control light came on and the 4-wheel drive lights shutoff completely. It only traveled approximately 20-30 feet before coming to a complete stop. All the lights on the dashboard came on and stayed on. After the stop, the driver was able to put the vehicle in park and attempted to restart the vehicle to remove it from the interstate. The vehicle did not restart, did not turn over; absolutely nothing happened. Shortly after the complete shutoff, the vehicle was hit by another vehicle. Now that the vehicle is in the shop, the body shop is also unable to start the vehicle. They have replaced the air bag assembly and seat belts and the light indicating the fuel shutoff is still on.
Vehicle accelerated on its own. Driver took foot off the brake from dead stop and the Renegade suddenly accelerated on its own without touching the accelerator. The insturment panel flashed and flickered various trouble indications and then stopped with the message to service the electric emergency brake.
While driving my 2016 Jeep Renegade trailhawk on a city street it began accelerating rapidly on its own. I began engaging the brakes to try to slow the vehicle initially and the engine continued to the point of redline. I attempted to shift the car into neutral but the command center kept overriding my input; I was finally able to jam the car into neutral by slamming the palm of my hand into the shifter driving forcing the neutral shift. I was able to pull off to the should of the road where the car continued running at redline for several minutes while I attempted to stomp on the accelerator hoping to get the vehicle to disengage. Due to the electronic controls you cannot turn the car off while in neutral and the engine running at such high rpms. After roughly 10 attempts at stomping on the accelerator hoping to get the vehicle to respond it dropped to a standard idle. …
Transmission complaints in other Renegade years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2016 Jeep Renegade?
NHTSA has 74 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2016 Jeep Renegade, 17% of the model year's 431 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2016 Jeep Renegade transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2016 Jeep Renegade, though it has 1 recall 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 Renegade transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 19,000 miles, and 58% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 0 fires and 7 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.