The Jeep is one of the world’s most beloved vehicles. Jeeps have been used for military purposes, off-roading, everyday driving, and more. But for all the prestige tied to the vehicle, the brand has dealt with its fair share of issues. It has been reported that Jeep transmission problems have plagued owners for years.
It has been our experience that certain models have experienced a variety of transmission and engine problems that can impact their safety and functionality. If you live in California and have purchased or leased a defective Jeep, California lemon law might be on your side.
In this post, we want to discuss the main Jeep transmission problems we’ve seen, the impacted models, and what affected owners can do.
Let’s dive in.
What Are the Common Jeep Transmission Problems?
Jeep transmission problems have many different symptoms. These issues may include (but are not limited to):
- Oil leaks
- Poor engine performance
- Trouble accelerating
- Poor response times
- Hard shifting
- Shaking/shuddering
- Stalling
- Overheating
- Delayed gear engagement
- Loss of power
One of the telltale signs of Jeep transmission problems involves unexplained leakage. This can oftentimes go unnoticed because the leak tends to pool underneath the vehicle out of sight. If you have a hunch your transmission is faulty, take a look under the vehicle for signs of wetness, drips, or pools of liquid.
The fluid from a faulty transmission typically has a pink or orange color to it. But in the scenario the transmission is damaged, the color can be a lot darker. Now, to the untrained eye, it can be difficult to pinpoint the source of a leak – and trace it back to the transmission. If you’re unsure, have a mechanic take a look.
If the vehicle is still covered under warranty, take it to a Jeep authorized repair facility, typically a Jeep, Dodge, or Chrysler dealership, to examine the transmission.
Other Signs of Jeep Transmission Problems
A healthy transmission should make your Jeep ride smoothly. If the vehicle is experiencing unexplained jerking, stopping, or jumping, it can be a sign of Jeep shifting problems – the transmission is slipping while changing gears.
Long pauses while shifting gears is another common sign of Jeep transmission problems we have seen.
The most important thing to do if you’re experiencing any of the problems noted above is to stop driving as soon as possible and get the vehicle examined with professional Jeep transmission troubleshooting. Some Jeep owners may continue to drive even after noticing problems, but this can be not only dangerous to the driver, but to others on the road.
What Models Are Affected by Jeep Transmission Issues?
We have seen that Jeep transmission problems are not limited to one model. Some of the models and years we’ve seen plagued by transmission issues include:
- Jeep Cherokee (2015-2020)
- Jeep Grand Cherokee (2015-2020)
- Jeep Compass (2015-2020)
- Jeep Renegade (2015-2020)
- Jeep Wrangler (2015-2020)
Jeep transmission problems are nothing new to Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, the manufacturer of Jeep vehicle lines. The automaker has made several powertrain and hardware refinements, recalls, software updates, and even full transmission replacements. Unfortunately, these remedies do not always fix the underlying problem.
What Are Your Options?
If you’re experiencing Jeep transmission problems on a purchased or leased vehicle, you may be entitled to benefits under California lemon law. Lemon law was enacted to hold automakers accountable for selling vehicles with faulty parts. However, the vehicle must meet the state’s criteria of a lemon, which (in California) are:
- The vehicle is experiencing a defect that substantially impairs its use, value or safety; and
- The vehicle is covered under the original manufacturer or dealership warranty when the defect is reported; and
- The manufacturer has been given a reasonable number of unsuccessful repair attempts to remedy the defect (usually at least two); or
- The vehicle has been out of service for repairs for 30 or more days (not consecutive); and
- The defect was not caused by driver abuse or neglect.
A big gray area in lemon law is what exactly defines a “substantial” defect. Substantial is determined on a case-by-case basis, and a good lemon law attorney will be able to help you make this determination.
Fortunately, the Jeep transmission problems we have seen almost always qualify as substantial defects. If the vehicle meets the state’s criteria of a lemon, the manufacturer is required to provide a full buyback.
What is Included in a Lemon Law Buyback for Jeep Transmission Problems?
Assuming your Jeep transmission problems warrant a lemon claim, your lemon law attorney will fight for you to get reimbursed for every penny spent on the vehicle. This includes (but is not limited to):
- The full price of the vehicle – minus a mileage offset
- The down payment
- All monthly payments made
- The remaining balance of the loan
- All official costs related to the vehicle
- Sales tax
- Registration
- Etc.
- All incidental costs related to the lemon
- Cab fares
- Towing fees
- Hotel stays
- Meals
- Etc.
- All legal and court costs
Lastly, the manufacturer is required to pay for the fees your attorney charges.
This is why most lemon law lawyers work on a contingent fee agreement. But, contrary to other areas of law, this does not mean they make a percentage of the total settlement – and won’t ask lemon victims for any out-of-pocket costs upfront. In other words, even if you can’t afford to hire an attorney, you can still hire the best lemon attorney on the market.
What’s Next?
If you are struggling with Jeep transmission problems and aren’t sure what to do, we’re here to help.
Chances are, you’re dealing with a defective vehicle for the first time. You may have never even heard of lemon law before you started experiencing problems. As experienced lemon law attorneys, we see this all the time.
The first steps in seeking justice for lemon are the most crucial. To make matters worse, manufacturers have no problem giving you false information – which could ruin your claim.
We would much rather see consumers talk to an attorney to familiarize themselves with the process. Even if you don’t have a valid lemon claim, our lawyers at Cline APC are happy to provide guidance. Call our office at 888-982-6915, send an email to info@clineapc.com, or fill out a free case evaluation.
