Automatic Transmission Park/neutral Start Switch problems of the 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee - part 1

Vehicle went into full throttle reverse as it was shifted out of "park". Vehicle is equipped with a brake interlock that prevents shifting out of park without brake being applied. Vehicle left rubber marks from all four wheels for several feet before I was able to being it under control. Application of both feet to brake pedal didn't stop the acceleration and problem vanished as quickly as it appeared. All indications nominal after the event, but am now very concerned of personal liability in the event of an injury. This is a very dangerous situation and I can say with absolute certainty that the accelerator was not touched. One other detail I might mention is that as I was engaging the brake pedal to shift into reverse, something registered that the pedal "felt funny". I've attempted to recreate the problem. . . Using the brake with the engine off to remove any vacuum assist, then starting. . . Normal shifts from park to reverse. . . Nothing. My profession and training allows me to be somewhat objective in this matter. I have to assume that somehow the pedal "feeling" for the brakes and the instant throttle increase are related. Since there is no mechanical connection, it would lead me down the path of an electronics malfunction. I will inform Chrysler and the dealer as soon as business hours start on Monday, but I write this in case I am the "victim" of a similar event before the vehicle is repaired.

While idling in my mother-in-law's garage my Jeep jumped into drive and slammed into the garage wall. I was told by Chrysler that it was not a mechanical error.

The automatic transmission shifts into 1-2 very roughly. Took to the dealer and was told that the transmition needed to be replaced. Brake rotors are worn very severly and car shakes when brakes are applied.

After turning into driveway, stopped about 3 feet from street, placed the gear shift in park with the engine running, opened the driver side door, leaving it open as I went to the mail box to retreive the day's mail. (this has been done routinely since purchase of the vehicle) I retreived the mail, looking at several pieces as usual and even dropped a few pieces due to the cold weather, then walked around the rear of the vehicle; all of this consumed 2 to 3 minutes and while walking past the rear of the vehicle I heard a sound typically heard in shifting gears. When I reached a position at the rear left side door, the vehicle started moving backwards; I tried to get into the car but immediately saw the daanger and backed away. The vehicle rolled out into the street, crosssing the street, and stopped upon hitting a mailbox positioned directly across the street. This is a slight downward slope to our driveway close to the street while the mailbox is on an upward slope, about two or three feet above street level. The entire left side of the vehicle was damaged severely due to its collision with mail box. When I got back into the vehicle after the collision, I saw that the gear shift was in the reverse postion. Two weeks earlier the same unepected gear shift movement from park to reverse occurred in my garage and the car began to move backward. Being in the vehicle I was able to apply the brakes and reposition the gear shift in the park. I was alarmed by the incident but dismissed it as an exception.

I pulled my Jeep cherokee into the mail center in my homeowners complex; I put the Jeep in park; opened my drivers side door; got out of the car; retreived my mailbox key from the drivers side door(where I store it); turned around and put the key into the mailbox; opened my mailbox and as I was about to take the mail out of the box I hear d a noise; I turn around and my Jeep is moving backwards; I instinctively lunge at the car; hit my head on the outer edge of the open door causing a major cut requiring sutures; then the open door and moving car pin me against a post; I manage to push my way free causing more injuries to myself; spin around the outside of the pole; manage to get into thejeep;---- it jumped out of park into reverse; the open door was crushed backwards by the pole causing the property damage and I was injured in the incident as well. Now I find out that Grand Cherokees and laredos have these reported incidents of jumping into reverse and I think these problem autos should be taken off the road; this could have been a tragic scene because this mail center is usually busy and if there was a child or someone behind my car or another auto behind me when this happened it could have been fatal; for me as well--I'm lucky I wasn;t knocked out.

Vehicle slips out of park into gear, and accelerates forward and or in reverse.

While parked vehicle jumped into reverse and rolled backwards, hitting mailboxes. This was second time this had happened. Have yet to contact dealer. Please add VIN.

While idling in park, the vehicle rolled into reverse, resulting in a collision.

Vehicle was parked with engine running, park brake not applied, and suddenly vehicle went backwards, consumer was able to jump in and shut engine off.

The car was idling in park and it suddenly slipped into reverse. The driver had been out of the car for about 15 seconds when the vehicle apparently slid into either reverse or neutral. Fortunately, the driver chased the car down, jumped into the car and was able to maneuver the car away from students who were walking nearby. Otherwise there could have been a catastrohpe.

Consumer was in front of vehicle with engine running and emergency brake not applied, vehicle suddenly went forward. Consumer ended up underneath vehicle, but was not injured.

Vehicle was in park/ engine running/ emergency brake not applied. And vehicle suddenly went in reverse, consumer and passenger ran after vehicle trying to stop it. After about 80 feet consumer was able to jump into vehicle and applied brake. Driver and passenger suffered neck and facial injuries.

When engine was idling and gear shift indicator was in park, vehicle jumped out of park and started rolling backwards in reverse. Consumer was able to stop vehicle before any injury or crash could occur. Dealership has examined vehicle, but could not determine a cause for this problem. Please provide any additional information / attachments. *note: gear shift indicator did not show correct gear that vehicle was in.

Vehicle was parked with engine running, emergency brake not applied. Vehicle suddenly took off in reverse, hitting a person and then a building. Person was seriously injured, damage to vehicle was $1700. 00. Consumer states that his foot was on the brakes while vehicle was in motion.

Put car in park. With engine running stepped out of car. Transmission shifted into reverse and car started rolling backward. Driver was knocked down and injured while trying to reach in car to apply brake by hand.

While leaving vehicle idling and in park, vehicle jumped into reverse and started to move, but consumer jumped in and stepped on brakes, preventing vehicle from moving. Consumer was injured in accident.

Vehicle was parked/engine running/ emergency brake not applied, and vehicle suddenly went backward and hit a tree. Damage to vehicle was $ 5800. 00.

I put the vehicle in reverse in a parking lot, went backwards then put it in drive to go forward and it still went backward and I hit a telephone pole. When I looked down the gear shift was in reverse and not in drive.

Pe 01 021/roll away in park: while idling in park position in driveway vehicle inadvertently jumped out of gear into drive and hit two parked vehicles in garage; dealer was notified. Feel free to provide any further information on this matter.

Vehicle was in park when exiting and it suddenly jumped out of park gear into reverse, causing vehicle to crash into a tree before stopping.

Vehicle jumped out of gear from park to reverse, accelerating almost 30 mph. Dealer previously replaced transmission for "it was not grounded properly". Please add additional information.

Consumer had put vehicle in park while it was idling, consumer saw that vehicle was going in reverse and tried to jump in to stop it, however it ran into another vehicles door and stopped. Rotors have been turned before warranty ended due to vehicle was jerking while braking, consumer also states that the hotline is worthless, she stated she could not get through and then when she did, she was on hold for 15-20 minutes.

Had vehicle parked in driveway with both left side doors open. Was taking child out of vehicle when shift lever popped out of park into reverse and started to roll backwards down the driveway. Vehicle hit a neighbor's vehicle. No injuries.

Consumer put vehicle in park while still running, consumer went into house for about 2 minutes/ vehicle jumped into reverse/ started to roll backwards, and hit an oak tree. Drivers side door came off. Consumer has contacted dealer.

Vehicle was parked with engine running, emergency brake not applied. Vehicle suddenly went backward and into a sign post. Consumer jumped in, and shut off engine. Damage to vehicle was $ 1200. 00.

While on side of the road consumer left vehicle running in park. About 2 minutes later, vehicle had jumped in reverse and started to roll down the hill. Consumer has contacted dealer. Please provide any further information. While driving the vehicle jumped from drive to neutral, the dealer has been unable to find the problem. Nlm.

The Jeep was placed into park. While it was idling my wife steped out of the car to talk to a friend. With my two children in the back seat the car began rolling backwards down a hill. By the grace of g-d the car turned and crashed into another car and then into a fence. No one was hurt but the car was badly damaged. Please contact me if anyone can suggest what my legal rights are in this matter. Sincerely ray moses raymo176@aol. Com.

Pe 01 021: vehicle was parked. Consumer heard a clicking sound just before vehicle rolled out of driveway into a parked car;. Manufacturer was notified. Feel free to provide any further details on this matter.

Vehicle was left running and in park on a very steep driveway. After getting completely out of car consumer reached in to grab something when vehicle started to roll backwards. While trying to get into vehicle, it was moving so fast consumer suffered to nose, bruises on shoulders and right leg, injuries. Until it hit a large tree and an officer arrived shut the vehicle off.

The shifter button will not release, which indicates the vehcile is in park. The automobile was never left running, but the operator could not remove the key as the mechanisms indicated that the car was not in park.

While stopping at light vehicle jumped from drive to reverse and brakes locked. Contaced dealer, and dealer stated nothing to be done.

Vehicle shifted into reverse from park, causing it to hit a pier and roll into a lake.

While vehicle was in park and idling, the vehicle slipped into reverse, and crashed into a building before stopping,contacted dealer. Consumer stated prior to the accident he was having problems the the key/ shifter lock mechanism trying to take the key out of the ignition after turning off engine, dealer replaced a faulty bracket.

While consumer was parked at a gas station preparing to fuel up vehicle, vehicle jumped from park to reverse, rolling back toward driver. Vehicle rolled approximately 15 feet before coming to a complete stop. Vehicle was not parked on an incline. Dealer has been contatced. Consumer got knocked down by the drivers door and got dragged about 15 feet.

While parked transmission jumped out of park and went into drive. Vehicle took off, almost ran over driver,but was pulled out by a friend. Nonetheless driver suffered a broke ankle and was treated at hospital. There was a lot of damage to vehicle.