How Do I Know If My Jeep Transmission Is Bad? (Let’s See)

Over the years, the FCA (Fiat-Chrysler Automobiles) Group has recalled thousands of Jeeps because of transmission problems.

These problems are prevalent from 2015 to 2020 and even some recent Jeep Cherokee, Grand Cherokee, and Wrangler models. 

Early detection and correction of these issues save Jeeps owners bigger complications and ultimate breakdown of their vehicles.

If you own one of these vehicles, you should be on the lookout for signs that suggest a defective transmission.

You can tell if your Jeep’s transmission is faulty from simple telltale signs and, in worst-case scenarios, transmission malfunctions. These indicators range from warnings such as illuminated check engine lights and transmission fluid leaks to, more dangerously, slipping gears. The severity of these symptoms estimates the level of deterioration of the vehicle’s transmission system.

What Are the Signs That a Transmission Is Going Bad?

 A vehicle with a declining transmission shows this by some transmission defects and system malfunctions. Read more to know whether My Jeep Shocks Are Bad or not?

Below are some of the common signs that show that a transmission is going bad:

#1. Check Engine Light

The check engine light on a vehicle’s dashboard illuminates when there is a problem with the engine.

It could also light up to signal problems with other car systems, transmission problems inclusive.

Therefore, a steady or flashing check engine light is an indication that your vehicle’s transmission is going bad. 

#2. Slow Starting

Slow starting in cars is a sign of various issues, not just a bad transmission. Therefore, professional diagnoses may be required to ascertain if a transmission problem is responsible.

However, when your vehicle fails to or delays starting, it could mean something’s gone awry with your transmission. 

#3. Transmission Noise

Inadequate lubrication will lead to friction between gears and clutch packs. As a result, these parts grind against one another and cause weird noises in the transmission.

Over time, the friction will lead to the wearing out of these parts, resulting in other problems.

Therefore, noises from transmissions are signs that your transmission is going bad and needs urgent attention. 

#4. Delayed Movement

When your vehicle delays moving even after you press the accelerator, it is a sign of transmission failure.

Delayed movements require urgent attention as it poses huge risks to one’s safety while driving.

#5. Hard Shifting

When you shift your vehicle into gears, it is supposed to be as smooth as possible.

Unfortunately, when this is not the case, the system is not well lubricated due to low transmission fluid.

In a manual transmission, it is indicated by difficulty in switching gears. In an automatic transmission, jerks or delay while accelerating is the sign.

Whatever the case, hard shifting is a symptom of a bad transmission and needs to be looked at urgently.

#6. Grinding Gears

Damaged transmission synchronizers and worn-out clutch may induce grinding noise in gears.

Something is wrong when you feel this in your manual transmission or hear it in your automatic transmission.

#7. Burning Smell

A burning smell from the transmission indicates burning transmission fluid due to the overheating of the transmission.

That is because the car pump is not circulating the fluid in the transmission. This unpleasant smell is one of the obvious signs that a vehicle’s transmission is bad.

#8. Surging Movement

Contaminations and dirt hinder the proper flow of fluid in the transmission. The outcome of dirty transmission fluid is overheating the transmission and burning of the fluid, as noted earlier.

Among other problems caused by this is a surging or jumping movement of the car.

Other car issues will likely carry similar results, so a proper check is required to determine if it is a transmission problem. If it is, attend to it immediately.

#9. Leaking Transmission Fluid 

A transmission fluid leak is one of the most obvious telltale signs of a faulty transmission.

It is also an indicator of serious damage to the transmission, which, if overlooked, will cause total transmission breakdown.

Check your transmission immediately if you notice a red fluid beneath your vehicle. It could signify a transmission fluid leak and, consequently, a low transmission fluid level.

#10. Slipping Gears

A normal transmission remains in the gear into which it has been manually or automatically switched.

A transmission that slips in and out of gear or forces the vehicle into neutral during drives is defective.

A delay in acceleration, engine revving, and harsh responses during gear change suggest slipping gears. 

This sign is perhaps the most dangerous indicator of a faulty transmission.

Even if you’ve been ignoring other signs of transmission malfunction, you can’t possibly let this go unattended.

You have to check it out immediately, as doing otherwise will have disastrous consequences.

How Do You Know if Your Jeep Transmission Is Going Out?

The best way to know if your Jeep transmission is going out is by thorough checks for transmission failure.

Spotting transmission issues early enough by checking can save the transmission from breakdown and save Jeep owners transmission replacement costs.

The underlying problem responsible for most transmission problems is issues with transmission fluid.

These issues include contaminated or dirty transmission fluid, low transmission fluid levels, and transmission fluid leaks notable, among others.

Therefore, it is important to check the fluid from time to time to ensure that it’s in proper condition.

If the problem is dirty transmission fluid, I recommend a transmission fluid flush or change.

You can follow the steps below to change your transmission fluid.

• Turn on your vehicle for some minutes to set an optimal temperature for draining the fluid. After this, turn the ignition off, raise the vehicle and get under the transmission pan.
• Next, loosen the bolts of the transmission pan beginning from one side. Doing this tilts the pan and allows the fluid to drain. Next, loosen the other bolts gradually, remove the pan and empty it of the remaining fluid.
• Tidy up the gasket surfaces on the transmission housing and the pan. Rid the pan for contaminants such as metal shavings with solvent.
• Remove the transmission filter and replace it with the new one.
• Join the pan and the new gasket using oil-soluble grease.
• Fasten the pan to its place with the bolts. Tighten the bolts in a spiral pattern.
• Lower the car and put in fresh transmission fluid to the recommended level.
• Turn on the vehicle once more to warm it up. Next, turn it off and then inspect it for leaks. If there’s none, turn on the car again and run it to test the transmission by shifting through the gears.

Transmission fluid leaks constitute a bigger problem than a dirty fluid or low fluid. Leaking fluid is a sign of damage to pan gaskets or other seals in the transmission and the torque converter.

These problems require professional repair and can cost around $150 for seal replacement and $1,000 for a torque converter.

Routine checks on the transmission system help diagnose transmission problems early. If you identify these problems early, you can correct them with minimal costs.

Otherwise, you will have to spend as much as $3,400 on transmission replacement costs.

5 Signs Your Transmission Has a Serious Problem

Conclusion

Transmission problems are reportedly common in Jeep vehicles, notably in the Jeep Grand Cherokee, Jeep Cherokee, and Jeep Wrangler models.

Owners of these vehicles should be wary of the signs of these problems, which I have exhaustively discussed here.

Early detection can save them a lot of stress, while ignorance of these signs can cost them thousands.