Noises During Shifting problems of the 2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee

When accelerating from a stopped position, vehicle feels sluggish, as though it is starting from second or third gear. When stopping, a loud clunking noise is heard. Rough and erratic shifting is felt as the transmission downshifts. With a vehicle with less than 27,000 miles on it, the transmission does not seem to be working normally (at least as normal as any other automatic transmissions I have had over the years). I have read several other complaints posted that express similar problems, but have not seen any resolution from Jeep other than telling their customers that this is normal operation. This troubles me and does not give me much confidence in their ability to troubleshoot the problem. I want a record of the problem for future reference.

I purchased/ leased a Jeep Grand Cherokee 3/24/01. The day after I drove it off the lot, I noticed a problem with the transmission. The transmission, when down-shifting from 2nd to 1st gear shifted very, very hard- so hard that there was a loud thumping/banging noise that was quite audible and distracting, and also this abnormal shifting caused the car to lurch forward. I immediately called the dealer to express my concern over a new vehicle with such a rough transmission. I was assured by the service dept. That all the new electronic transmissions started off rough the 1st thousand miles, and that it needed to break in. I gave them the benefit of the doubt, although I was very skeptical; never in my life having experienced such a horribly rough transmission- esp. On a brand new vehicle. After 1000 miles, there was no improvement, and I took the vehicle in to be evaluated. I was assured by the mechanic that all the Grand Cherokees transmissions are like this- it's a build up of the hydrolic fluids or something. I once again believed them (not really) and went on my way. The vehicle continued to do this, the sound getting very loud and quite startling at times while in traffic. It also is quite embarassing with passengers in the car who also have become quite startled by the loudness and sheer force of the lurching. I took my vehicle in a second time for evaluation only to be told, nothing was wrong. It is my feeling that this is a severe defect of some sort. In all my years of driving, I have never experienced such problems- except maybe from a manual transmission that bucked. I am planning to take my car in yet a third time and demand the problem be resolved, or I will be invoking my rights under the lemon laws. In light of the recent problems with Grand Cherokees, and their shifting into gear while idling, I cannot say that I am surprised. My vehicle also when shifted into reverse, sometimes makes a very loud clunking, rough shift. Please advise.

When shifting from park to any other gear, the transmission makes a loud clunking sound , along with a "moan" which continues until I take my foot totally off the brake. Never have a problem while vehicle is underway. Taken to dealer twice and told that this is normal for an electronic transmission. I have had "lesser" vehicles with over 100,000 miles on them and they never made such noises. People actually turn and look toward my vehicle if I happen to be in a populated area and need to shift the automobile. To say the least, it is annoying and embarassing.