Automatic gearbox Jeep: problems by model and engine

Documented faults, from most to least important

Severity × frequency. Below each one, the Jeep models it appears in.

- Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalJeep Grand Cherokee WK2Confusing automatic gear selector: risk of leaving the car without Park engagedYes: in 2016 FCA recalled about 1.13 million vehicles with the ZF 8-speed gearbox because the selector always returns to its central position and confuses the driver, who can get out without having engaged Park and let the car roll away. In Europe it only affects the Grand Cherokee; the remedy is a software update and it is free.
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalZF 8HPMechatronic failure as the gearbox ages (sometimes with reverse)Yes, although in a minority of cases: there are documented ZF 8HP mechatronic failures on BMW after 120,000-130,000 km, costing €1,400 to €3,500, and also control unit or electronic selector faults on Audi and Land Rover.Repair: €1,400–€3,500
In Grand Cherokee WK2
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalJeep Grand Cherokee WK2Premature wear of the five-speed automatic gearbox (up to 2013)AUTO BILD says the Mercedes five-speed automatic gearbox fitted to the Grand Cherokee up to 2013 ages prematurely with fast driving and heavy towing use, and that for that reason quite a few gearboxes had to be replaced. Since 2013 the car has a ZF eight-speed gearbox.
- Medium severityFrequency: CommonJeep Compass MPAbrupt shifts and jerking in the 9-speed ZF automatic gearbox (4x4 versions)Yes: two independent sources, one German and one French, repeatedly document abrupt, jerky gear changes in the 9-speed ZF automatic gearbox of the four-wheel-drive versions, especially between the middle gears at town speeds.
- Medium severityFrequency: CommonZF 8HPJerking and hesitation when changing gear, sometimes needing reprogrammingYes: on BMW, Audi, Jaguar and Alfa Romeo there are accounts of jerking, hesitation or harsh shifts with the ZF 8HP. It is usually due to ageing oil or the calibration of the mechatronics, and the dealer often fixes it -not always first time- by reprogramming the gearbox control unit.
In Grand Cherokee WK2
- Critical severityFrequency: RareJeep RenegadeThe 9-speed automatic gearbox can shift into neutral unexpectedly (built 2014-2015)Yes: on cars with the 9-speed automatic gearbox built in 2014-2015, insufficient crimping in the gearbox wiring could cause an unexpected shift into neutral and the resulting loss of drive.
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalJeep Cherokee KLGearshift jolts and unexpected neutral in the 9-speed automatic gearboxA British workshop identifies the ZF 9-speed automatic gearbox in the Cherokee as Jeep's most reported gearshift fault: jolts when engaging gear, jerking, hesitation when pulling away and unexpected drops into neutral, with causes attributed mainly to software.
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalZF 8HPOil leaks from the gearbox gaskets or sumpYes: on the BMW 1 Series and the Jaguar F-Pace there are accounts of oil leaks from the ZF 8HP gearbox gaskets, in one case already at 40,000 km. If it is not repaired soon, the loss of pressure can speed up internal wear and lead to the jerking or mechatronic failure of the related faults.Repair (garage): €1,000–€2,000
In Grand Cherokee WK2

By Jeep model

Open yours to see only the faults that affect it, by engine and by year.

Engines and gearboxes involved

ZF 8HP3 faults

Frequently asked questions

What faults with the automatic gearbox do Jeep cars have?

In 4 models from Jeep there are 8 documented faults with the automatic gearbox. The most important: confusing automatic gear selector: risk of leaving the car without Park engaged, mechatronic failure as the gearbox ages (sometimes with reverse) and premature wear of the five-speed automatic gearbox (up to 2013). Each fault has its own page with the affected years and versions, the symptoms and the repair cost.

Which Jeep models have the most problems with the automatic gearbox?

Jeep Grand Cherokee WK2 (5 faults), Jeep Cherokee KL (1 fault), Jeep Renegade (1 fault) and Jeep Compass MP (1 fault).

Which Jeep engines have faults with the automatic gearbox?

ZF 8HP (3 faults).