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2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee problems: engine and transmission complaints and recalls
56% of relevant owner complaints filed with NHTSA on the 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee are about the engine, transmission or fuel system. That is a model-level pattern, not bad luck.
Worse than 75% of the 1,790 model years we track (2010–2023).
Excludes 22 airbag, lighting and seat-belt recall complaints that would otherwise mask the signal (unadjusted: 52%).
Does the 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee have transmission problems?
Owner complaints say yes, as a model-year pattern. 163 of 289 relevant complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee concern the engine, transmission or fuel system (56%), and the largest group is filed under power train (78). For comparison, the 2015 scores 48% and the 2017 scores 58%. On a test drive, check for shuddering, slipping, delayed or harsh shifts, or a whine at speed. This describes the model year, not any one car: a well-maintained or already-repaired example can be fine, and a clean model year can still have a bad car in it.
Complaints by component
The years either side
Manufacturers fix things mid-generation. A bad year next to a clean one is common; the fix usually arrived in between.
How the 2016 compares with other Jeep Grand Cherokee years
Of the 14 Jeep Grand Cherokee years with enough complaints to score, the 2016 is the 2nd-worst on engine and transmission share (56%). The worst is the 2017 (58%), the best the 2018 (27%). By volume, the 2016 drew 311 complaints (163 drivetrain), against 1,361 for the 2015 and 364 for the 2017.
Jeep Grand Cherokee years to avoid and best years →
2010 Grand Cherokee problems · 2011 Grand Cherokee problems · 2012 Grand Cherokee problems · 2013 Grand Cherokee problems · 2014 Grand Cherokee problems · 2015 Grand Cherokee problems · 2016 · 2017 Grand Cherokee problems · 2018 Grand Cherokee problems · 2019 Grand Cherokee problems · 2020 Grand Cherokee problems · 2021 Grand Cherokee problems · 2022 Grand Cherokee problems · 2023 Grand Cherokee problems
The rest of the picture on the 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee
- The mileage where it happens. When owners of the 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee said the problem showed up, and the range most of them fell in.
- What the repair costs. Typical transmission repair ranges, to price into your offer.
- Cleaner alternatives. Similar cars and nearby years with a better record.
- Up to 15 owner reports, with the ones about your car's own engine first.
- What to ask the seller and what to check on the test drive, for this car.
- Two cars side by side, if you are deciding between them.
What one owner reported
One of 163 drivetrain complaints. The full report shows up to 15, with quotes about the engine in the car you are looking at first.
2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee engine and transmission recalls
Yes. NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns on the 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee involving the engine, transmission or fuel system, out of 9 in total. A recall is the manufacturer admitting a defect and paying to fix it; whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN, which the full report checks. The owner complaints above are a separate record and often point at problems that never became a recall.
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2019 Ram 1500 and 2014-2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles equipped with 3.0L Diesel engines. The crankshaft position sensor tone wheel may delaminate, causing the engine to lose its ability to synchronize the fuel injector pulses and cam shaft timing, possibly resulting in an engine stall.
Risk: An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will update the powertrain control module software to maintain vehicle propulsion, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed August 3, 2023. Some owner…
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee, and 2014-2019 Ram 1500 vehicles equipped with 3.0L diesel engines. A high pressure fuel pump (HPFP) failure may introduce internal debris into the fuel system, potentially resulting in fuel starvation.
Risk: Fuel starvation may result in an unexpected loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the HPFP, and inspect and replace, if necessary, additional fuel system components, free of charge. Interim notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed July 21, 2022.…
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles equipped with the 3.0L EcoDiesel engines. The Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) cooler may crack and allow pre-heated vaporized coolant to enter the EGR system. This mixture may combust inside the intake manifold.
Risk: Combustion in the intake manifold can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: FCA US LLC will notify owners, and dealers will replace the EGR cooler, free of charge. Dealers will also inspect and, as necessary, replace the intake manifold. Parts are not currently available. Owners were mailed…
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Ram 1500 and 2014-2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles equipped with 3.0L diesel engines. The crankshaft position sensor tone wheel may delaminate causing the engine to lose its ability to synchronize the fuel injector pulses and cam shaft timing, possibly resulting in an engine stall.
Risk: An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: FCA US will notify owners, and dealers will update the powertrain control module software to maintain vehicle propulsion by reading the camshaft position signal in the event that the crankshaft position signal is lost,…
Accessible Technologies, Inc. (ATI) is recalling certain ProCharger Superchargers, model numbers AB037A-100, AB037A-100P, and A037A-100B, sold for installation on 2012-2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 and SRT vehicles. The supercharger mounting bracket may contact and damage the ABS line, possibly resulting in a brake fluid leak.
Risk: A brake fluid leak may lengthen the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: ATI will notify owners and will replace the supercharger brackets, free of charge. The recall began on December 12, 2017. Owners may contact ATI customer service at 1-913-338-2886.
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2016 Dodge Durango and Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured February 10, 2016, to April 28, 2016 and equipped with a 3.6L engine built at the Saltillo engine plant. During the assembly of the engine, the fuel rail crossover tube may have been damaged, which, over time, may result in a fuel leak.
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source, can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine assembly for damage to the fuel rail crossover tube, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on December 23, 2016. Owners may…
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured May 15, 2015 to February 19, 2016. The brake transmission shift interlock solenoid may have a loose electrical connection which could result in a loss of solenoid function.
Risk: If the solenoid loses function, the transmission may lock in the Park or Neutral position when the vehicle comes to a stop, possibly rendering the vehicle disabled in traffic, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the shifter assembly, free of charge. The recall began on May 27, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this…
2 other recalls on this model year (airbags, lighting, brakes and the rest)
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns filed against this year, make and model; one of NHTSA's listings did not answer when this page was built, so the list may be incomplete. Checked October 3, 2026.
Checking one particular 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee? This page is about the model year. Accidents, title brands and odometer records belong to the individual car, and that is what a vehicle history report covers.
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Does the 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee have transmission problems?
Owner complaints say yes, as a model-year pattern. 163 of 289 relevant complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee concern the engine, transmission or fuel system (56%). Before buying one, have an independent mechanic check the transmission and ask the seller whether it has been repaired or replaced.
What is the most common problem with the 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
Going by NHTSA owner complaints, the most common problem filed against the 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee is power train: 78 of 311 complaints (25%) name it, followed by engine (76) and electrical system (61). A complaint can name more than one component, so these overlap.
Is the 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee reliable?
On the engine and transmission, owner complaints point to a weak spot: 56% of relevant complaints filed with NHTSA concern the drivetrain (high signal). That is worse than 75% of the 1,790 model years we track. Among the 14 Jeep Grand Cherokee years we score, it ranks 2nd-worst. Complaint data describes the model year, not one car, and it says nothing about trim, paint or electronics outside the drivetrain; an independent inspection still decides it.
Are there engine or transmission recalls on the 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
Yes. NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns on the 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee involving the engine, transmission or fuel system, out of 9 in total: 23V411000 (engine and engine cooling), 22V406000 (fuel system, diesel: delivery: fuel pump), 20V699000 (engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: gas recirculation valve (egr valve)), and more. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.
Which Jeep Grand Cherokee years are better?
Among the Jeep Grand Cherokee years we track, the 2018 (27%), the 2013 (30%) and the 2023 (31%) have a lower engine and transmission complaint share than the 2016 (56%). Manufacturers fix things mid-generation, so the year before or after can be a different car. Every year side by side: https://thelanecheck.com/cars/jeep-grand-cherokee
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Check a VINExperimental model-level information. This is not a vehicle inspection, vehicle-history report, financial advice or purchase recommendation. It describes patterns across a model year, not the condition of any individual vehicle. Combined across 2 body styles NHTSA files separately.