Suspension, airbag, and electrical system issues are the cause of complaints received by the NHTSA from vehicle owners
The third model of the fifth generation of Jeep Grand Cherokees, Jeep says that the 2023 model continues to be “a true global icon in the premium SUV segment.” But the reality, as consumer complaints reveal, is that even icons can be problematic. 2023 owners are reporting cases of failed suspension, airbags that don’t deploy, and electrical system malfunctions that result in burning.
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In recent years, there have been a multitude of complaints about the Jeep Grand Cherokee to the National Highway Traffic Administration (NHTSA). Between October 25, 2022, and June 23, 2023, there have been 34 formal, written complaints. But they are raising alarm bells for new owners.
Those filed as suspension, airbag, and electrical system issues warrant attention. But there are also problems reported about the engine, exterior lighting, and the forward collision avoidance system.
Additionally, an owner from Alabama states that the backup camera only works 20% of the time. According to the dealership, this is a software issue that will “be fixed within 4 months.” The Grand Cherokee had less than 500 miles on the clock when the owner filed the complaint. His main concern is that, with a vehicle this large, it is “somewhat unsafe to operate until repaired.”
| Complaint Category | Number of Complaints |
|---|---|
| Suspension | |
| Electrical System | |
| Unknown Or Other | |
| Engine | |
| Steering | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking | |
| Power Train | |
| Service Brakes | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings | |
| Fuel/propulsion System |
The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee is equipped with Uconnect, a feature-rich infotainment and technology platform that should enhance the driving experience. However, some owners have reported various issues with the Uconnect system, impacting its functionality and reliability.
Several owners have experienced recurring problems with the Uconnect screen, which controls critical safety and operating systems. The screen often goes black, particularly when the vehicle is put into reverse and the backup camera is activated. This malfunction results in the loss of the backup camera and the inability to operate safety systems. Despite numerous reports, dealers have struggled to replicate the issue and find a solution, leaving owners frustrated and concerned about their safety.
Another prevalent complaint involves the Uconnect screen intermittently freezing or becoming non-responsive when the vehicle is started. This issue has primarily occurred during vehicle startup and not while driving. The unresponsive screen poses a significant problem for owners who heavily rely on the rear camera view to ensure safety while reversing. In some instances, the screen displays unfamiliar icons or fails to show any relevant information, rendering crucial features inaccessible.
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Owners have reported a wide range of electrical and connectivity issues with their Uconnect system. These problems include the failure of wireless and wired Apple CarPlay connections, unreliable Bluetooth connectivity, inaccessible navigation maps, random loss of volume or sound, and the absence of Sirius XM and FM/AM radio functionality. Additionally, the center screen is known to constantly reboot, memory settings are not retained, key fob and user profiles do not store settings properly, and the touchless liftgate feature often fails to operate.
Vehicles rely on a sound suspension system to ensure that you can steer with stability and ensure a comfortable drive. It does this by maximizing the friction between the road and the tires of the vehicle. The suspension also supports the weight of the vehicle evenly and affects the aerodynamics of the vehicle.
Jeep has installed what they portray as Jeep’s super-special Quadra-Lift Air Suspension system in Jeep Grand Cherokees. Instead of using traditional coil springs that are located at each wheel, it incorporates air springs. These allow the Jeep to be lowered or raised across a span of 4.1 inches. It’s an automatic adjustment system, so drivers don’t have to stop to raise or lower the suspension.
But they don’t give any advice on what to do when it malfunctions.
An owner of a 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee says in a complaint dated February 16, 2023, that the “Quadra-Lift Air Suspension has failed twice while being driven and once during repairs.” The Jeep has less than 1,000 miles on the clock and it’s been in the shop more than it’s been on the road. The system has been inspected by an insurance company and both inspected and worked on by a Chrysler, Dodge, and Jeep company in Texas. At the time of the complaint, there was no resolution.
The California owner of a 2023 Grand Cherokee with less than 7,000 miles on the clock has what seems to be a less complicated suspension failure. Driving at about 25-30 mph, “the passenger rear spring popped off of the vehicle and was completely disengaged from the vehicle. It popped out of the rear of the vehicle into cars behind me. There were no warning lights, no messages, lights, etc.” In addition to the spring, the owner retrieved a piece of round plastic pipe and took it to the dealership. When the complaint was filed on February 26, 2023, there had been no feedback from the dealership.
Airbags are installed in vehicles to save lives. When they fail, people get injured.
A 2023 Grand Cherokee owner from Florida was involved in a head-on collision with another car and none of the airbags deployed. The complaint states that 6 people were injured.
“The fire department and police department were concerned and shocked that they did not deploy. They cut the wiring to the battery for fear it would deploy late and I was injured in the car with a firefighter holding my neck. My car was a total loss.”
A South Carolina owner reports in an NHTSA complaint that she smelled “a burning odor” while sitting in the front driver’s seat while parked. There weren’t any warning lights or messages. She “saw smoke coming from the left edge of the backrest of the driver’s seat.” She was able to “put out the smoke with her hand,” but burned her finger while doing this.
Despite the injury, she didn’t need medical attention, but the vehicle was towed to the dealer. Jeep sent out a fire inspector who diagnosed the vehicle but did not provide any information to the owner, whose Jeep had only about 311 miles on the clock.
If you think your 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee might be a lemon, you can contact Lemberg Law and we will assess your problems free of charge. We have helped many lemon car owners reach settlements with automakers and may be able to do the same for you. Ultimately, the law makes Jeep pay the legal costs for lemon law cases.
If you need some help, please fill in our online contact form or call our Helpline.
Brian Jones spent more than 30 years working as an ASE Certified Master Tech and Parts Specialist at multiple dealerships. Brian has become an authority in the industry, traveling across the country to consult for car dealerships and contributing his expertise as a writer for several major automotive publications. In his spare time, Brian enjoys working on pickup trucks, muscle cars, Jeeps and anything related to motorsports.
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Bought a 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe in March, and after couple of days I had it the switching between electric and thermal engine was generating a massive bump that my head bumped into the head rest, bring it back to the shop they fix it within 2 days saying the system needed an update, couple of months later I had the same issues that Laura described with the power steering and all the dashboard lighting up like a Christmas tree, car had to be towed and another 2 days in the shop, another software update. Now with 6,082 miles on the car is in the shop again, this time the a/c wasn’t working so I wait 2 weeks as the damaged parts which need to be replaced were not available and I was assured that today I will get the car back, but it turns out that now the Evaporator Core is leaking and “We had to order an evaporator core. We aren’t sure when we are going to get that part, but we will need to keep your Jeep here” this was the answer I got by text message from the service department, so will be probably another 2 weeks, if not more, until I will get the car back.
is my 3rd Jeep and I never had issues with the previous 2 but this car is a disaster……
Had my 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee for 2 months with less than 3000 miles on it. One day I drove it about an hour from home with no issues. When I went to drive back home my car wouldn’t start. Then I had smoke coming into the cabin with a plastic burning smell. The car had to get towed to the nearest dealer. Upon inspection the battery failed, the starter melted, and a number of other things. It took two weeks for the repairs to be completed. I picked up the car after it was “fixed” and on my drive home the dashboard started lighting up all of these error messages (airbags, antilock brakes, amongst other key safety features). I took it back to the dealership and they had it for three days. They said they did a computer alignment and it was fixed. On my drive home from that service the dashboard was doing the same thing. It has now been in the shop for almost another week. I feel like this car is a complete lemon is definitely unsafe to drive. Chrysler customer care has been useless! I get constant pushback about needing a rental car and reimbursement for said rental car. So far I am out of pocket $1600 in rental fees and haven’t been reimbursed a dime. Additionally, I am making lease payments on a brand new vehicle that I cannot even drive!
In January we purchased a 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L edition. It is a lemon I have 6446 miles on it. The auto stop/ start has NEVER worked. We live in the south so a warning message appears on the center of the digital screen saying that the cabin is cooling/ heating and will not work. I have brought it to the dealer where we purchased it in Myrtle Beach SC and made an appointment to have it repaired but then we both caught a cold so I had to cancel it. I have taken two trips to NJ which would give the cabin plenty of time to cool off or heat up and still nothing. Well today it rained and we went out and those dashboard lights are lighting up like a Christmas tree. The lane departure assist is not working. One light had a star near a fender which I assume that beware of blind spots or you will get in a accident and another one lights up. I don’t know what it meant. I called the dealer and it can’t go into shop till June 6 2023. Why pay almost $60,000 for a piece of crap. I am disappointed in my jeep. You pay so much money for it and must wait almost 2 weeks to be repaired when it SHOULD NOT have broke down to begin with!
I have a 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee with 5000 miles on it- I went to pull out of my garage this morning, and could not turn the wheel, it was locked- I turned the car off then on- all the warning lights were going off
the mileage was blinking, lane assist, power steering service light- when the tow guy arrived he was able to to force the wheel which unlocked it- he said I had the wheel turned too far?- it was parked straight in my garage and I was never able to even turn it when backing up this morning. Waiting on the dealership