2015 Jeep Renegade Powertrain & Transmission Problems

I am writing to report a recurring safety issue with my vehicle’s transmission. When attempting to accelerate into traffic, the engine revs high but fails to deliver power to the wheels, acting as if it is in neutral. This failure to shift into gear has occurred several times and poses a significant safety risk. I have maintained the vehicle regularly, including recent fluid changes. My research indicates that this year and model are subject to Recall 16V529000, which specifically addresses the 9-SPD 948TE automatic transmission found in my vehicle. I have no record of this recall being performed on my car.

I am driving down the road and the vehicle goes into neutral and the engine turns off. I then have to stop the vehicle and restart it. When I hit the starter button. It sputters and then starts. This has been happening irregularly 1-3 times a week since it started in December of 2025.With last time happening being on 2/16/2026.

The contact owns a 2015 Jeep Renegade. While the contact's husband was driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine seized. The contact stated several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact's husband attempted to restart the vehicle; however, the vehicle failed to restart. The contact stated that after several attempts, the vehicle eventually started. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with a failed shift solenoid number 5 control circuit range performance. The contact was informed that the shift solenoid number 5 circuit range performance needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact referenced an unknown recall; however, the VIN was not under recall. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 83,300.

When starting the car and letting it warm up for 2 minutes. The vehicle shifts hard or takes it time to shift into next gear, and while idling for less than 5 minutes, the car warms up 32 degrees. Which I do not believe the fan motor is working properly. Also took car to dealership blown trans and engine mounts.

After I filled up my tank, I drove and turned onto a busy highway. As I was turning, it felt like my car went into neutral. I had to take my foot off of the gas and looked to see if the shifter switched gears, but it was still in drive. After about 10 seconds it shifted into gear. If I did not wait for the road to be clear I could have gotten into a major accident.

Complaint Summary: I brought my 2015 Jeep Renegade Trailhawk (VIN: [XXX] ) to AutoNation CDJR Roseville on May 17, 2025, for the U90 emissions recall. The catalytic converter was replaced, and the PCM software was updated. However, the U0402 diagnostic trouble code (implausible data received from TCM) remains stored. This code has been persistent and prevents the vehicle from passing California emissions, which is required for my registration as the car was transferred from out-of-state. The service advisor initially stated that the TCM was updated, but later corrected himself and admitted the TCM already had the latest version and was not reprogrammed. I have not been given written confirmation that the TCM software or wiring was verified or addressed. I am concerned the dealership is refusing to properly resolve this under recall and is instead recommending a full transmission replacement without supporting mechanical codes or verifying the emissions system software/communication is compliant. I’m requesting FCA’s assistance, and the BAR in California to enforce the complete and proper execution of the U90 recall and resolution of the U0402 code under recall scope. Please help ensure the vehicle is brought into emissions compliance. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

The contact owns a 2015 Jeep Renegade. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle suddenly shifted into neutral independently. The contact was able to pull over to the shoulder of the roadway, where the failure persisted. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the shifter assembly tower lever. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 86,000.

The contact owns a 2015 Jeep Renegade. The contact stated while driving from a stop sign, the transmission shifted abnormally hard. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and diagnosed with a wiring harness failure and transmission failure. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was advised to take the vehicle to the dealer for assistance. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 94,900.

The contact owns a 2015 Jeep Renegade. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. There several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact also stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was jerking and hesitating while shifting between gears. The contact stated that the battery was replaced; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to an unknown local dealer where several unknown parts were replaced; however, the failure persisted. The contact stated that the vehicle had been inoperable for two months since the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.

2015 Jeep Renegade Trailhawk has a failed PTU being repaired at a cost of $3500. There are only 41,000 miles. In 2022 while still under warranty I had it in for shifting hard problems. I was told it was the thermostat which they replaced. I didn't take it back to Jeep until May,2024 due to it was only shifting hard sometimes and I figured they would not do anything. I took the car in due to hard shift and tire pressure light being on a day after it came on. Jeep fixed, a day later it came back, Jeep fixed. When I got home, TP light on again. Now they tell me the shifting is a different problem because the computer says DTC code went off a month ago saying there was a problem (and claim I have to bring in within a week). No warning lights or messages other than the tire pressure light which is still being fixed. Also see SB#21-025-19

The vehicle on multiple occasions is shifting very hard mostly in between first and second gear, and sometimes third. The vehicle jerks forward like it had been hit from the back. It has also quit moving even though it was still running on a couple of occasions. it feels as if it’s going into neutral and then back into gear.

The contact owns a 2015 Jeep Renegade. The contact stated that while leaving his garage, the battery lost power and was completely drained. The vehicle was jumpstarted. The next day, the battery was drained again. The vehicle was jumpstarted again. Additionally, the vehicle failed to shift into park(P). There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact called the local dealer and who provided with unknown recommendations. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 106,000.

Transmission when driving it sticks in 9 gear. Loss power. Two years ago the value body was replaced, then 2-3 months ago it started the same loss of power dealer checked found nothing said to drive it see if it happens again.Two week ago took it back in to the dealer and they replaced the valve body for a 2nd time. Left the shop a few hours later the same thing happened again. Driving the highway and no power. Took it right back to the dealer on Saturday. Have not heard anything from them yet.The transmission service light goes on and the check engine light.

While driving highway speed (55mph) I received a “transmission check” notification followed by “check engine” light engaging. Nothing felt different at this time. A few minutes later, I came to a full stop at a light. Upon turning green, I pressed the gas pedal to drive and the car revved, but would not move forward, as if stuck in neutral for about 10 seconds. If finally lurched forward and began to drive normally.

The vehicle engine has been shaking moderately since we purchased it. The dealer told us that is just the way the vehicle sounds and feels. Recently it has begun to shake more while stopped in traffic or at a light. The dealer told us the engine mount was broken. The vehicle has only 33,354 miles. This is a safety issue as the engine could become dislodged and cause an accident as well as the fluids would be a hazardous materials exposure endangering potential wildlife. Jeep originally told me it was covered under warranty and then later changed their mind. Either way it is a defective part of the power train and dangerous.

The contact owns a 2015 Jeep Renegade. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH after having a power train software update performed, the vehicle lost motive power and decelerated without warning. The contact pulled over to the side of the roadway. The contact restarted the vehicle several times while attempting to shift the vehicle into gear before the vehicle started operating as needed. The contact stated that the "Check Engine and Check Transmission" warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was then driven to the residence. The dealer sent out a representative to pick up the vehicle to be diagnosed. The vehicle was diagnosed and the contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The contact informed the dealer that the vehicle failure was like NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V529000 (Power Train) however, the VIN was not included. The dealer confirmed that the VIN was not under recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 72,699.

Outside Temperature Sensor fail in temperature under 31 degrees which causes check engine light to come on and disables four wheel drive to engage while driving in snowy conditions. Took Jeep to dealership repair cost $600 for a vehicle I’ve only owned for 25 days with 51,000 miles, they informed me that later down the road I will have to repeat this process again because this is a very common expensive problem in Jeep forum.

I had the factory clutch replaced on my vehicle with genuine dealer parts. After 3,000 miles the clutch failed while I was driving. That clutch was replaced with a new clutch under warranty and it also failed while I was driving after less than 300 miles. Both times the clutch failed without warning. When the clutch fails, the vehicle will not start and cannot go into gear. The first time I was turning onto a extremely busy highway and could not get my vehicle out of traffic. I am concerned that there is a design flaw in the replacement clutch parts that puts the safety of vehicle owners at risk.

The contact owns a 2015 Jeep Renegade. The contact stated that while her mother was driving 35 MPH, the vehicle unexpectedly shifted to neutral(N) without warning. The contact’s mother was able to shift back into drive(D). The vehicle was not diagnosed. The contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing the failure listed in NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V529000 (Power Train). The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The contact was referred to the NHTSA for assistance. The failure mileage was unknown.

The contact owns a 2015 Jeep Renegade. The contact stated while driving and accelerating onto the highway at 65 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and decelerated to approximately 40 MPH. The contact stated that the cabin of the vehicle smelled of gasoline. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not towed, the contact drove the vehicle to a local mechanic where it was diagnosed, but no cause for the failure was found. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 75,000.