Some hesitation and weird shifting

[Snowdogyyz]

Took the kids out tonight in the Overland 8 speed automatic to look at Christmas lights. When driving through neighborhoods at lower speeds, there seemed to be a lot of hesitation and very strange shifting happening. It would rev pretty high and take forever to shift sometimes and other times it would hesitate a lot and seem to bog down. I turned the ESS system off with no change. Anyone else experience this? Wondering if a trip to the dealer is in order.

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[Bobzdar]

Mine started doing this in stop and go traffic and two days later was in the shop waiting for a new transmission. Took almost 4 weeks because apparently this is an issue and they don't have spares.

 

[Snowdogyyz]

Crap I hope not! I’ve been a Toyota guy for years and never had issues. But I loved the Gladiator and traded my 4Runner for it. I’ve always loved Jeeps but always hesitated due to potential transmission issues. This would really suck if that’s the case.
I’ll drive it a few more days and see what happens.

 

[Bobzdar]

Crap I hope not! I’ve been a Toyota guy for years and never had issues. But I loved the Gladiator and traded my 4Runner for it. I’ve always loved Jeeps but always hesitated due to potential transmission issues. This would really suck if that’s the case.
I’ll drive it a few more days and see what happens.

If it's new it could still be learning, mine had 14k when the issues hit. It went fast, a couple of days and it started to fail to shift completely and went into limp mode. They've been running this 8 speed for years so either they had a bad batch very early in production (mine was an april build, pre LEs, and had the driveshaft recall) or it's a one off defect. The dealer thought there may be a known issue because he said fca did not ask for a teardown and root cause like they usually do and just said to replace it despite being backordered (I was 12th in line and original estimate was ~40 days). After not hearing anything for 3 weeks and driving around rentals (on their dime), they sent me a service survey at which point I wrote in the comments that I was contemplating lemon lawing it. I got a call the next morning from the service manager saying they were sorry and my transmission had just shown up that morning (magic!). I've put about a thousand miles on the new one and it seems fine. I am not easy on my gladiator as I tow a 5k lbs airstream with it and take it off road. I had just completed a thousand mile trip the previous weekend which included some heavy off roading, but no issues off road or on the trip itself. I did not make any attempt to hide that it had been off road, it was still dirty and they found a piece of a log on the trans skid plate. They gave me no flack. It's a stock Rubicon with the only modifications being a winch and a trailer brake controller.

 

[Snowdogyyz]

Great info- thanks! I’ll drive it awhile and see how it does. I love the truck- there’s just nothing else like it. I’ve been a Toyota guy for 20 years but the Gladiator made me switch. I love everything about it so hope it’s reliable!

 

[JeepCares]

Took the kids out tonight in the Overland 8 speed automatic to look at Christmas lights. When driving through neighborhoods at lower speeds, there seemed to be a lot of hesitation and very strange shifting happening. It would rev pretty high and take forever to shift sometimes and other times it would hesitate a lot and seem to bog down. I turned the ESS system off with no change. Anyone else experience this? Wondering if a trip to the dealer is in order.

HI Steve,
Should you decide to have your dealer take a look, please feel free to send our team a PM. We would be happy to connect you with a Case Specialist to assist.
Alex
JeepCares

 

[TrailHiker]

I found when driving in slow traffic (25mph or less) or driving around neighborhood streets at 20-25mph it is easier to shiftmrhe auto into manual mode, and use 3 and 4th gear, I did this for a while, and now the Auto mode will follow the same pattern I used the Manual mode, the transmission is an adaptive type, and learns your driving style. You do not want to lug the engine/transmission nor do you want to over rev it
Cheers

 

[Snowdogyyz]

I found when driving in slow traffic (25mph or less) or driving around neighborhood streets at 20-25mph it is easier to shiftmrhe auto into manual mode, and use 3 and 4th gear, I did this for a while, and now the Auto mode will follow the same pattern I used the Manual mode, the transmission is an adaptive type, and learns your driving style. You do not want to lug the engine/transmission nor do you want to over rev it
Cheers

I’ll try that and see if it improves! Thanks for the info!

 

[nhjt09]

I’m new here and have been searching about this problem. I have a 2020 Overland 8sp auto that I bought in November < 3K miles. I seem to be having the exact same problem with some additional clunky shifting when cruising around 42mph +/-5 or so. The low speed shift issues are the worst (<24mph) and cause unexpected acceleration when navigating into my garage, around parking lots, parking garages, and traffic circles are awful. It’s definitely a safety issue! I initially thought some of this was “break-in” training period, but I’m well beyond that. I contacted my dealer over a week ago and they can’t even get me in until 2020-03-10.

I’m pretty disappointed as it detracts from the enjoyment of cruising around my new truck. First brand new Jeep I’ve ever bought and it might be the last. My old ‘93 YJ, although a manual transmission, was a better transmission.

 

[JeepCares]

I’m new here and have been searching about this problem. I have a 2020 Overland 8sp auto that I bought in November < 3K miles. I seem to be having the exact same problem with some additional clunky shifting when cruising around 42mph +/-5 or so. The low speed shift issues are the worst (<24mph) and cause unexpected acceleration when navigating into my garage, around parking lots, parking garages, and traffic circles are awful. It’s definitely a safety issue! I initially thought some of this was “break-in” training period, but I’m well beyond that. I contacted my dealer over a week ago and they can’t even get me in until 2020-03-10.

I’m pretty disappointed as it detracts from the enjoyment of cruising around my new truck. First brand new Jeep I’ve ever bought and it might be the last. My old ‘93 YJ, although a manual transmission, was a better transmission.

Hi @nhj09,
We are terribly sorry to hear this- feel free to send us a PM with your VIN, as we would be happy to add our additional assistance to your dealer service.

Kathryn
JeepCares

 

[JTgrayce]

Mine started doing this in stop and go traffic and two days later was in the shop waiting for a new transmission. Took almost 4 weeks because apparently this is an issue and they don't have spares.

Hello Bobzdar, I have had my 2020 JT Rubi for about 6 weeks, now at 3K. Trans starting behaving similarly to what you described here. Trouble shifting at slow speeds, strange downshifting causing a lunge forward without acceleration, and a consistent clunk at slow speed shifting. Was hoping to get your feedback or any insight about your experience with the replacement. Really appreciate it.

 

[JTgrayce]

Hello Bobzdar, I have had my 2020 JT Rubi for about 6 weeks, now at 3K. Trans starting behaving similarly to what you described here. Trouble shifting at slow speeds, strange downshifting causing a lunge forward without acceleration, and a consistent clunk at slow speed shifting. Was hoping to get your feedback or any insight about your experience with the replacement. Really appreciate it.

Thanks for reply... Has the replacement completely fixed the issue?

 

[JeepCares]

Hi @JTgrayce

We're sorry to hear that you have these concerns with your transmission. Have you visited your servicing Jeep dealer for a diagnosis? Please feel free to contact our team for assistance if you are in need of support while in service.

Darlene
Jeep Cares

 

[Bobzdar]

Hello Bobzdar, I have had my 2020 JT Rubi for about 6 weeks, now at 3K. Trans starting behaving similarly to what you described here. Trouble shifting at slow speeds, strange downshifting causing a lunge forward without acceleration, and a consistent clunk at slow speed shifting. Was hoping to get your feedback or any insight about your experience with the replacement. Really appreciate it.

So far so good, put about 7k miles on the replacement so far.

 

[Jeepyy]

Hello.
Do any of you know if this issue is ongoing at all?
I recently purchased a Sport S with max towing package (which I totally love), and have been experiencing similar issues with mine, only 900+/- miles. Hesitating at times like as if I was feathering the clutch in and out (illustration purposes only, it is an automatic) slightly, occasional clunky shifting, jerky downshifts, sometimes feeling like power drops off. All at in town speeds. All just occasionally. I took it to my local dealer and they said it didn’t have any codes and road test was normal. They gave me the “the transmission learns from your driving” spiel. They asked me if anyone else drives the Jeep, nope. Then they said sometimes you just have to floor it a couple of times for it to generate better shifting points. This is my sixth Jeep (YJ, LJ, JKU) and I've never experienced any issue like this. Any thoughts about how long it actually should take for these trannys to learn my driving habits? I feel like 900 miles is enough. Thanks for any input/opinions. OlllllllO

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