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Transmission trouble 2015 3.2 Limited

21K views 33 replies 12 participants last post by  rumrunner  
#1 · (Edited)
So I just very recently purchased a 2015 Cherokee Limited 3.2. I am pretty sure I am starting to have transmission problems. When accelerating up a hill from a stop it seems to want to stick in 3 gear, then when coming to a stop it wants to downshift hard. Also when accelerating it clunks into gear.

So it seems to downshift hard and has a clunk when accelerating.

My buddy said that I should check the transmission fluid but I am unsure that would do anything.

Is there anything I can do? According to the car fax, it has all the recalls and flashes done. But they were done in 2016 I believe. My VIN will be below if anyone wants to double-check if there is anything I may have missed or anything the dealer should have done.

I have read recently on this forum that there is a procedure for throttle calibration or throttle relearning I can try, basically just put the key in the run cycle and hold the gas for 20 seconds, then slowly let off the gas, then start. I also have a weird wobble that happens at low speeds. But I am not sure if that is actually a transmission or drivetrain issue.

If all else fails am I stuck with buying a brand-new transmission?

1C4PJMDS1FW556905

So searching for TSB I have come across the FCA Warranty Extension # X90 warranty extension, unfortunately, I don't think that this bulletin will apply to my Cherokee, which has 108xxx miles on it. I also am not the original owner of the vehicle.

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#2 ·
The low speed wobble is addressed here: Official wobble fix TSB

I noticed a similar problem on my 2016 Latitude 3.2 with AD1 (manufactured July 2015) but took a copy of the TSB to the dealer and had the half-shafts replaced during warranty period at no charge. It's almost at 115k miles now, but fortunately the transmission has performed well since a flash was done by a dealer early on.


So I just very recently purchased a 2015 Cherokee Limited 3.2. I am pretty sure I am starting to have transmission problems. When accelerating up a hill from a stop it seems to want to stick in 3 gear, then when coming to a stop it wants to downshift hard. Also when accelerating it clunks into gear.

So it seems to downshift hard and has a clunk when accelerating.

My buddy said that I should check the transmission fluid but I am unsure that would do anything.

Is there anything I can do? According to the car fax, it has all the recalls and flashes done. But they were done in 2016 I believe. My VIN will be below if anyone wants to double-check if there is anything I may have missed or anything the dealer should have done.

I have read recently on this forum that there is a procedure for throttle calibration or throttle relearning I can try, basically just put the key in the run cycle and hold the gas for 20 seconds, then slowly let off the gas, then start. I also have a weird wobble that happens at low speeds. But I am not sure if that is actually a transmission or drivetrain issue.

If all else fails am I stuck with buying a brand-new transmission?

1C4PJMDS1FW556905

So searching for TSB I have come across the FCA Warranty Extension # X90 warranty extension, unfortunately, I don't think that this bulletin will apply to my Cherokee, which has 108xxx miles on it. I also am not the original owner of the vehicle.

View attachment 221910
 
#6 ·
The low speed wobble is addressed here: Official wobble fix TSB

I noticed a similar problem on my 2016 Latitude 3.2 with AD1 (manufactured July 2015) but took a copy of the TSB to the dealer and had the half-shafts replaced during warranty period at no charge. It's almost at 115k miles now, but fortunately the transmission has performed well since a flash was done by a dealer early on.
I don't see that in my TSB recalls list. But the dealership I called said I also had no recalls or TSBs to be done. Unless they were lying to me and just didn't want to do it. I am totally unsure what I what has been done to the vehicle concerning recalls besides the 4 listed in my above post.

Is TSB's lifetime of the vehicle are they free? Does it still have to be under warranty for the TSB to be applied?
 
#4 ·
Do you think my jeep is still covered under that bulletin? I don't think I have had that done yet. But I just very recently purchased this vehicle.

Could I get your thoughts on the extended warranty thing?
Hi @JeepIsMe , there are others with more experience on the extended and MaxCare warranties than me but my understanding is the car had to have them already. They can't be added onto a use car post-purchase.

  • Any leaking fluid from under the car? (if there's a cover on the bottom of the car, it might need to be removed. Any fluid on the outside bottom of the transmission or PTU case? )
  • How many miles on the car? The transmission fluid is supposedly 'lifetime' (a period not really defined). Still, any fluid can get old in time but generally if the fluid is not low, you shouldn't be having fluid-issues unless super-high mileage. (e.g. pushing 200k)
  • Do you notice the shift issue more if on an incline (up/down) as opposed to level ground?
  • When did you purchase the car? Does your State have any implied warranties on used-car sales even in the dealer/place you purchased it at sold it 'as-is'?
 
#7 ·
Remove the under shield and clean the area good. then when dry and check the area again . if nothing then take a test drive acouple times around the block then check again if you can pin point the leak. the oil filter adapter you installed can also be defective . check that valley to see if dry and no oil..
 
#8 ·
The valley is dry, and the oil filter housing seems to be doing good at this point in time. It was installed in October 2022. I do have an oil leak from the top engine gaskets I think. I have purchased these gaskets Intake Manifold Gasket (Lower and Upper) and Valve Cover Gasket (Includes VVT Solenoid Seals, Camshaft Sensor Seals, Spark Plug Tube Seals). I did not install all of them due to an unforeseen problem at the time.

I was told to take my car to a carwash that has an undercarriage rinse. So far I have done so 12 times. But I haven't had a chance to check if the bottom where I found the leaks were wet. I also have no driveway spots when I park.
 
#9 ·
Hi Jeeplsme, Sounds to me like the 2nd gear down shift delete. If you start from a long dead stop and it shift 1-2-3-4 and so on, but if you are going 30 plus miles an hour and slow down to 2-3 MPH and it stays in 3rd, it was a software flash done by the dealer to remove the 2nd gear down shift. Hangs in 3rd. gear.

So "operating as designed" BS dealer reasoning.
 
#10 ·
Hi Jeeplsme, Sounds to me like the 2nd gear down shift delete. If you start from a long dead stop and it shift 1-2-3-4 and so on, but if you are going 30 plus miles an hour and slow down to 2-3 MPH and it stays in 3rd, it was a software flash done by the dealer to remove the 2nd gear down shift. Hangs in 3rd. gear.

So "operating as designed" BS dealer reasoning.
Curious, why would they delete the second gear downshift?
 
#11 ·
I believe it has something to do with a C-ring or 2nd gear D ring? breaking. It's been a while. Many early models like mine, 2014/2015 had this 2nd gear deleted by the dealer to help prevent transmission failure.
 
#15 ·
C-clutch snap ring. That was the failure point on the first batches of the 9-speed (builds from early 2014 to early May 2015). I believe the very first KLs had an original ZF-9 and were immune to this (before they started putting Chrysler built ZF-9s in the Cherokee). Removing 2nd gear from coasting downshift apparently removes some stress on the snap ring.
 
#16 ·
ps: the above assumes you're already done the updates (which you said you did) and there are no P-codes (Powertrain) that point to a specific issue such as the example screenshot below. If you have AlfaOBD it's a good tool to use.

View attachment 221932
View attachment 221933
I didn't do the updates myself. They were done when the TSBs were released. I don't seem to have the symptoms specific like you mentioned, or in the picture.
 
#17 ·
It's been a while since I posted. But I still have the same problem, on Friday I am going to have my transmission fluid level checked, However not at a dealership and just going to a shop in town that I trust. If all else fails I will take my vehicle to the dealer to see what can be done. But I am assuming that nothing short of new transmission will be able to fix this.

Remanned transmission or rebuilt transmission? Which would be the best way?

Other than the transmission the vehicle is in fine shape.
 
#19 ·
Hi Guys, New to the club. Just bought a 2015 TH 3.2 (only 51k) a month ago after much research. I very much appreciate the wealth of knowledge all of you share. Thank You! I hope to be able to contribute in some way.

I had found that the bad c-ring was for "KL vehicles built on or after June 26, 2013 (MDH 0626XX) and on or before December 1, 2014 (MDH 1201XX) equipped with a 2.4L engine (sales code ED6 or ED8) or 3.2L engine (sales code EHB) " based on the service bulletin link below. Fortunately, mine was built after. I am not sure if Jeep was doing the reprogramming to help this ring for any kl or just those in that range. I had talked to my service department, they can't tell if any of those reprograms were done without bringing it in. Their guidance was unless there is shifting problems, leave it alone. Mine mostly shifts fine, with an occasional firm shift. Mine uses 2 gear now, so I am hesitant to have them do a reflash and loose 2nd. Am I wrong with that?

Concerning fluid, I am going to do a drain and fill and set the level. Even though mileage is low, ZF recommends replacing fluid at 8 years (see 2nd link below for a good discussion of Mopar ATFs through the years, our info is near the end). I am using ZF Lifeguard 8, not 9. Mopar 8/9 is LG8 (green). LG9 is blue. I am not a fan of mixing different types. If I owned since new, I probably would be confident in what is in there, but when buying used, you never know what may have happened before you owned it. If I were you, I would start with renewing the fluid and ensure level is correct.


 
#20 ·
Hi Guys, New to the club. Just bought a 2015 TH 3.2 (only 51k) a month ago after much research. I very much appreciate the wealth of knowledge all of you share. Thank You! I hope to be able to contribute in some way.

I had found that the bad c-ring was for "KL vehicles built on or after June 26, 2013 (MDH 0626XX) and on or before December 1, 2014 (MDH 1201XX) equipped with a 2.4L engine (sales code ED6 or ED8) or 3.2L engine (sales code EHB) " based on the service bulletin link below. Fortunately, mine was built after. I am not sure if Jeep was doing the reprogramming to help this ring for any kl or just those in that range. I had talked to my service department, they can't tell if any of those reprograms were done without bringing it in. Their guidance was unless there is shifting problems, leave it alone. Mine mostly shifts fine, with an occasional firm shift. Mine uses 2 gear now, so I am hesitant to have them do a reflash and loose 2nd. Am I wrong with that?

Concerning fluid, I am going to do a drain and fill and set the level. Even though mileage is low, ZF recommends replacing fluid at 8 years (see 2nd link below for a good discussion of Mopar ATFs through the years, our info is near the end). I am using ZF Lifeguard 8, not 9. Mopar 8/9 is LG8 (green). LG9 is blue. I am not a fan of mixing different types. If I owned since new, I probably would be confident in what is in there, but when buying used, you never know what may have happened before you owned it. If I were you, I would start with renewing the fluid and ensure level is correct.


Hi there :)

Just going from memory and also because I have a 2015... Build date is important for a 2015 because there was a cutoff as to when the transmission flashes to remove 3-2-1 happens. From memory, this build date is May 4 2015. From May 4 onwards, there was no flash or recall for the transmission. I've never had one done on mine, it was never offered via wiTECH.

Your build date is on two different labels on the B pillar driver's side, if I recall. One label has year/month, trhe other has day and time (I think). So if your build date is post May 3 2015, you should be fine.
 
#28 ·
Have similar issues Jeeplsme. I have a 2014 Jeep Cherokee Latitude 3.2L V6 that I purchased 2 years ago for my daughter first car. It has about 94,000 miles on it now. As I have read on the forums it has the Fiat 9 speed transmission that had so many issues. The jeep currently comes to a rugged stop when shifting to down to complete a stop. I would say its 3rd to 1st. I just had my local dealership look at it and they are saying I need a new transmission which is about $7800K. I have owned multiple Jeeps in the past with no issues so I thought it would be a great car for my daughter but now this has turned into a huge problem as I still owe about $5K on the car and looking at a $7K repair job. I was interested in this 100,000 mile powertrain extension bulletin that was given so I called Jeep consumer affairs to discuss, and they said it was no longer valid on my vehicle as of September 2020. They offered no other assistance. Really disappointed as I have owned 2 other Jeeps but this will be my last.
 
#29 ·
I have a 2014 Jeep Cherokee Latitude 3.2L V6 that I purchased 2 years ago for my daughter first car. It has about 94,000 miles on it now. As I have read on the forums it has the Fiat 9 speed transmission that had so many issues. The jeep currently comes to a rugged stop when shifting to down to complete a stop. I would say its 3rd to 1st. I just had my local dealership look at it and they are saying I need a whole new transmission which is about $7800K after performing all the PCM and TCM resets and performing the quicklearn. I have owned multiple Jeeps in the past with no issues so I thought it would be a great car for my daughter but now this has tuned into a huge problem as I still owe about $5K on the Jeep and looking at a $7K repair job. I was interested in this 100,000 mile powertrain extension bulletin so I called the Jeep consumer affairs to discuss sand they said the extension ended on my vehicle in September 2020. They offered no other assistance. This was my 3rd Jeep purchase and will be my last. Very disappointed in the manufacturer.
 
#32 ·
Yes they checked all fluids. There are plenty of owners of this model that have the same issues. So much so they issued a recall and replaced the transmission after doing a series of software updates and valves repairs. If you have a 2014 or 2015 you could have the same issue. There is a cutoff date out there somewhere when Jeep actually fixed the issue .
 
#33 ·
Mine had the flashes dine but not recalled. The flashes didn't work I had 2 wrecks. It went into gear and I ran into a parked car at my mother's. Then the big one happened. I was doing 65 on 285 in Atlanta switching lanes and a flash and all power was gone I wound up plowing into a parked car on the side of the road . No brakes steering I just was waiting for impact. Spun me around right ba k into the middle of the 4 lanes facing the cars coming at me . If I would have had a passenger they would have been killed luckily know one was. . So I'm sol