2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk SUV Problems and Complaints

Jeep has anchored a special position in the history of automobiles for bringing the first-ever off-roading vehicle in the globe and that too during an ongoing crisis while the second World War was raging. With time, the vehicles from Jeep have evolved into more rugged and capable but the brand has managed to keep its off-roading heritage intact through its products. In a present highly-saturated market where the European and the Japanese car makers have gained a fair chunk of the SUV market, Jeep is still going strong with its portfolio of SUVs with the most iconic of them being the Jeep Wrangler. However, Jeep can be considered as the Land Rover of the US when it comes to the overall reliability of the vehicles while prioritizing the off-roading aspect. The Grand Cherokee succeeded the Wagoneer, a luxury 4x4 SUV from the brand that was on sale from the 60s through the early 90s. 

The Grand Cherokee faced some heat and criticism during its fourth-gen model where the stability and handling of the SUV around the corners were deemed to be dangerous and under certain testing parameters that were quite normal and can happen about any time while driving, the test vehicles performed rather poorly with showing a high tendency to rollover. Whereas, its rivals back then such as the Volvo XC90 performed brilliantly. From the following model years, the mechanicals of the SUV was improved while preserving the rugged nature of the vehicle. Nevertheless, the sales figures improved gradually, and even to this day, the vehicle sells in respectable numbers despite the cutthroat competition in its segment. The Jeep Grand Cherokee also received the Chrysler’s insane 707-horsepower supercharged V8 motor under the guise of Trackhawk back in 2018 and the 2022 version of the vehicle will retain the similar powertrain with a redesigned interior and exterior. The price for the 2022 Grand Cherokee Trackhawk will start from $91,665, putting it on a slightly affordable price point as compared to its rivals which include the Land Rover Range Rover Sport SVR, the Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 S 4MATIC, and the Porsche Cayenne Turbo.

Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk user complaints and problems

Jeep vehicles are not exactly known for their reliability, especially post 2006 and 2007. The prime reason is the introduction of modern technology within the vehicles and the brand’s inability to ensure their reliability of them. The Jeep Grand Cherokee doesn’t have a clean performance in the reliability aspect either with the early models such as the 2012 model facing as much as more than 1,500 complaints regarding multiple issues. The Trackhawk version of the Grand Cherokee has seen much lower sales figures as compared to its regular models hence, its reports are also lesser but it does share all the parts with the regular Grand Cherokee apart from the powertrain. The Jeep Grand Cherokee transmission problems were quite high on 2017 and 2018 models while the 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee problems also included plenty of transmission problems too, indicating it as an underlying issue.

Engine problems

• Random stalling of engine: This was quite a serious problem with the Grand Cherokee and the vehicle received a plethora of problems in its 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020 models. All the complaints throughout the model years mentioned one common problem, the powertrain stalls randomly even when driving at high speeds, causing a serious safety concern. In most cases, the engine failed to start right in the middle of busy traffic, causing both safety concerns and inconveniences to other road users. These random engine shutdown occurrences also led the affected vehicles to lose their electrical system completely, seizing the power steering system and the brakes too.
• Transmission issues: Alongside the engine issues, the complaints about the transmission were also quite high as well. All the complaints regarding the same mentioned more or less similar issues throughout the aforementioned model years. The most common issue was the transmission failure while driving followed by the transmission coming out of drive mode to park mode, performing jerky shifts, and ceasing to work randomly while driving leading to an engine stall.

Safety problems

• Airbags failing to deploy: Airbags failing to deploy issue is quite common with modern vehicles nowadays and is quite a serious one. The Jeep Grand Cherokee also faced several complaints regarding the same throughout several model years. All the complaints mentioned the airbags failing to deploy in the event of a crash and causing injuries to the driver or the occupants.
• Unnecessary deployment of head restraint system: There were a handful of reports that mentioned this issue. The problem was that after starting the vehicle or while driving, the head restraint system of the vehicle would activate on the front co-passenger seat causing temporary and blunt injuries to the occupants.
• Brake failure: Much like the airbag issue, the brakes failing to stop a vehicle is also common nowadays. In the case of the Grand Cherokee, the complaints also mentioned that in emergencies, the brakes of the affected vehicles failed to stop the vehicle. Even in some cases, a complete electronics failure of the vehicle also resulted in the brakes becoming inoperable as well.

Electrical problems

• Infotainment system issues: Other than the powertrain and the safety system issues, the Jeep Grand Cherokee has also faced several complaints regarding its in-cabin electronics too. Most of the reports mentioned some serious issues with the infotainment system of the vehicles. After a couple of years or more, the infotainment display screen would become delaminated which would result in ghost touches, hampered visibility, and inability to control the system when required. Some of the complaints also stated that the radio would malfunction too along with other connectivity options such as Bluetooth malfunctioning too.

2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk recalls

The questionable reliability of the Jeep Grand Cherokee, especially during the third-gen model, resulted in dwindling sales while post-generation upgrade, the deficit was fulfilled. However, the record of the Grand Cherokee shows that the vehicle has a rather disturbing history and the reports are more than adequate to keep one away from buying a new Grand Cherokee. The brand did issue several recalls to fix the complained problems but some of them such as the transmission issues were quite repetitive and appeared on the recent 2020 model sharting from the 2017 model.

Recall Date	NHTSA Campaign ID	Component Affected	Recall Issue	Explanation
January 11, 2018	18V048000	FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE	Fuel Line Separation may Cause Fire	If the fuel line separates, the engine may stall, increasing the risk of a crash. In addition, a fuel line separation increases the risk of an engine compartment fire and injury.
May 1, 2018	18V280000	POWER TRAIN	Incorrect Transmission Park Rods Installed	If the incorrect park lock rod is installed, the transmission may not shift into 'PARK' and keep the vehicle from moving, increasing the risk of unintended vehicle movement and the risk of a crash.
May 17, 2018	18V332000	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	Cruise Control cannot be Cancelled	If the vehicle maintains its speed or accelerates despite attempts to deactivate the cruise control, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
August 9, 2018	18V524000	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	Voltage Regulator may Fail and Cause Stall	A vehicle stall can increase the risk of a crash.
October 29, 2018	18V759000	EQUIPMENT	Accelerator Pedal may be Trapped by Floor Mat	If the floor mat prevents the accelerator pedal from returning to idle, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
October 29, 2018	18E097000	EQUIPMENT	Accelerator Pedal may be Trapped by Floor Mat	If the floor mat prevents the accelerator pedal from returning to idle, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
November 12, 2020	20V699000	ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING	EGR Cooler May Crack	Internally Combustion in the intake manifold can increase the risk of a fire.
March 26, 2020	20V183000	POWER TRAIN	Front Differential Pinion Gears May Wear	A sudden loss of power while driving or loss of the transmission PARK function can increase the risk of a crash.
April 2, 2020	20V191000	BACK OVER PREVENTION	Rearview Image Can Remain on Display/FMVSS 111	The lingering rearview image can distract the driver, increasing the risk of a crash.

What model year of the Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk to avoid?

Based on the reports from the NHTSA, the Jeep Grand Cherokee has had a rather problematic powertrain along with malfunctioning transmission units. Moreover, the electrical problems of the vehicle were quite pronounced on the models from 2017, 2018, and 2019. As such, it is best to avoid the Grand Cherokee Trackhawk from these model years along with the 2020 model year too.

Should you buy a used Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk?

The Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk is the most powerful Jeep you can find in pure stock form in the market in the sub-100k price segment. It offers a thrilling performance as well as almost all the utilities of the regular Grand Cherokee. Hence, the SUV can be a real highway cruising companion too apart from being a track monster. And the used car market isn’t ever short on used examples of this vehicle too. But buying a used example might land you in unforeseen troubles given the long-term reliability of the Grand Cherokees. On the contrary, you can opt for the Cayenne Turbo which has a solid track record but will cost you significantly more.