Jeep transmission repairs can cost next to nothing, but replacement will leave you with a significant bill. Depending on the problem, you could end up spending $50 to $5,600.

Jeeps are vehicles for the adventurous. Their sturdy build allows for off-road forays, tackling rough roads and treacherous terrain with ease. But tough as they might be, they’re not invincible. Transmission problems are not common in all Jeep models, but there are a few that are more susceptible.

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brings you the facts about how much repairing versus replacing your transmission might cost, as well as routine maintenance you can do to help avoid problems in the first place. And we’ll round that out with some tips to save money on your

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How much does a Jeep transmission repair cost?

The exact nature of your transmission problem will dictate the cost of the repair. The specific model you own and where you choose to have it serviced matter, too. Generally, you can expect to spend somewhere in the range of $50 to $5,600.

Since that doesn’t exactly narrow it down, let’s get into some specifics.

Replacing your Jeep transmission is the most expensive route. On the lower end, it can cost around $1,800. The higher end brings you all the way up to $5,600 if you need an

eight-speed transmission with a torque converter

for your PHEV.

Even worse news—that’s only for parts. Labor could cost anywhere from $1,000 to $1,200 or more. Because transmission replacement is an involved, time-intensive process, your vehicle will probably need to stay at the shop overnight, meaning higher labor prices.

On the complete opposite end of the spectrum is an oil pressure switch replacement. Should this be the cause of your transmission woes, you can rest assured you won’t be breaking the bank. It costs $56 to $68 on average and takes less than 15 minutes to repair.

Or you could just need a transmission fluid service, in which case your total cost is an estimated $110 to $134. Don’t make the mistake of thinking cheaper repairs are any less important, though. You should bring your car to a shop as soon as possible if your transmission begins having problems.

Because Jeeps are such hardy vehicles, they can have longer lifespans and go for 100,000, 200,000, or even 300,000 miles. Unfortunately, transmissions rarely last so long, and they wear down faster with constant off-roading. So go out and take on the world—just remember that it comes with a price!

MORE:

How many miles can a Jeep last?

What does a transmission do?

All this talk about transmissions, but what is their actual purpose? Transmissions take power generated by the engine and transfer it to the driveshaft. The greater your speed, the more power the driveshaft requires, so when your transmission breaks down, that leads to a disconnect between how hard you pump the gas and how fast the car actually goes.

Most Jeeps these days come with an automatic transmission, meaning you don’t have to worry about shifting gears or using the clutch. But for drivers who still want a more hands-on driving experience, both the 2023

Jeep Gladiator

and 2023

Jeep Wrangler

offer six-speed manual transmissions on some of their trims.

Is it cheaper to repair or replace a transmission?

It is much cheaper to repair your transmission than to replace it. Even so, if a replacement is necessary, there are ways you can save some money.

Buying a part from the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) is going to be the most expensive route. Factory dealers charge a premium for their parts since they are guaranteed to be high-quality.

If you’re fine straying away from the OEM, you can find rebuilt or remanufactured transmissions, often for a fraction of the original price. No need to worry about a dip in quality here, either. Remanufactured transmissions are built to OEM specifications, so they should work just as well as the originals! The cost will depend on the model, of course, but you can find remanufactured transmissions for as low as $1,700.

Another option is to try to find salvaged parts. These are used transmissions taken from old vehicles, so they won’t be quite as reliable as OEM or remanufactured transmissions.

Another drawback is location. Salvage yards are not mobile, and they’re not in every city—if you find a part that works for you, you’re going to have to get there to pick it up. Availability is also dependent on what cars have been salvaged—your particular transmission might not be available.

Salvage yards make up for these drawbacks by being cheap, with some transmissions costing only $600 to $700.

Does it cost more to repair a manual transmission or an automatic?

Like with most things, the transmission with fewer moving parts is cheaper to maintain. Because manual transmissions are simpler than automatic ones, they cost less to fix.

That means unless you have a Jeep Wrangler or a Jeep Gladiator, you’ll be dealing with automatic prices.

MORE:

Should I buy an automatic or manual car?

Common Jeep transmission problems and what years are affected

The good news here is that most Jeep models don’t have a history of transmission issues. However, there are a few that had severe enough and common enough problems to prompt recalls. The models affected by these recalls are:

Jeep Wrangler

Even more unfortunate, these problems have plagued Jeep for years. The earliest transmission-related recall was in 2005 and the most recent was in 2021. Here are the problems encountered by each model along with the years that were affected.

Jeep Cherokee:

2021: Transmission oil cooler hoses were not properly cured, allowing for fluid leakages.

2019: Improper welding impeded communication between the transmission and the driveshaft.

2014-2017: Equipment wear impeded communication between the transmission and the front wheels.

2014-2015: Faulty transmission wire harness led to an abrupt and unexpected shift to neutral. (Shared with 2015 Renegade.)

Jeep Grand Cherokee:

2018: The wrong transmission park lock rod was installed, leading to vehicles’ continued movement while in Park. (Shared with 2018 Jeep Wrangler.)

2016: A non-functional solenoid locked the vehicle in Park or Neutral, rendering it unable to move.

2005: A loose seal allowed water into the transmission.

Jeep Wrangler:

2018-2020: The clutch pressure plate was prone to overheating and fracturing.

2018: The wrong transmission park lock rod was installed, leading to vehicles’ continued movement while in Park. (Shared with 2018 Grand Cherokee.)

2012-2013: Wear of the transmission oil cooler line resulted in fluid leakage.

2007-2009: A transmission fluid temperature warning system was not installed, leading the fluid to boil over onto the engine.

2005-2006: A shift could slip out of position and cause the vehicle to lose its ability to be put into Park. (Shared with 2005-2006 Liberty.)

Jeep Renegade:

2015: Faulty transmission wire harness led to an abrupt and unexpected shift into Neutral. (Shared with 2014-2015 Cherokee.)

Jeep Liberty:

2005-2006: A shift could slip out of position and cause the vehicle to lose its ability to be put into Park. (Shared with 2005-2006 Wrangler).

It may seem terrible at first, but there is a silver lining if your vehicle is included in one of these recalls. Manufacturers are required to fix these problems at no cost to the owner, so head over to your dealership and get your transmission in tip-top shape.

MORE: What is the best Jeep SUV?

Signs your Jeep transmission is going bad

Ideally, your mechanic will tell you if your transmission looks like it’s having trouble at your 60,000-mile transmission fluid check—but most car owners don’t have the time or money to follow their manual’s service schedule to a T. Here are some things to watch out for while you’re driving:

Noise: Whining noises that increase with your RPMs can indicate something is wrong. Alternatively, grinding noises during gear changes are also a sign of trouble.

Failure to accelerate: Because of the relationship between the transmission and the driveshaft, if your transmission is out, the car won’t receive enough power to pick up speed.

Overheat warnings: Keep an eye on your dashboard. You should always take your car in for a check-up if warning lights pop up.

Fluid leakages: Fresh transmission fluid is red. Pink, orange, or rusty fluid may puddle under your vehicle when something is broken.

Slipping out of gear: Rough gear changes should be checked on as soon as they start occurring. It might not be related to your transmission, but it’s a problem you want to get fixed promptly.

If you don’t want to take your Jeep to a paid mechanic without knowing what’s wrong, you can go to an auto parts store like AutoZone or Advance Auto Parts. They can run a diagnostic scan on your vehicle to give you an idea of what’s wrong—but they can’t fix it.

MORE:

The most common Jeep problems

What to do if your Jeep transmission fails

If you receive a

transmission diagnostic trouble code

, it’s time to go to a fully functioning auto shop. Since problems of this nature can stop your vehicle from functioning—sometimes in the middle of traffic—they are serious and need to be addressed immediately.

It’s best to go straight to a dealership for any issues relating to a model recall, as they are obligated to fix the problem without charge. Otherwise, however, going to a trusted mechanic or a transmission specialist will likely reduce your bill.

MORE:

How to read car OBD codes

How to maintain your Jeep transmission

Want to get the most mileage out of your Jeep as possible? Then you need to stay on top of its service schedule. Every model has slightly different recommendations for how many months or miles to wait before getting your next oil change, tire rotation, or transmission fluid flush—so you should check your owner’s manual for the best way to treat your specific vehicle.

Generally speaking, you can expect to need a transmission fluid and filter replacement every 60,000 to 65,000 miles or every five years, whichever comes first. You should err on the lower end of that mileage if you’re doing a lot of off-roading, as it puts more strain on your vehicle.

Note that if you have a manual transmission instead of an automatic, Jeep recommends more frequent fluid changes—every 48,000 miles or 36 months. Again, this is especially important if you use your vehicle for heavy-duty driving.

How to check transmission fluid

If you want to really stay on top of things, you can check your transmission fluid every month to make sure it’s maintaining its proper red color. This will also allow you to see if the level is getting low, so you can top it up if needed. This process is just as easy as checking your oil—as long as you have a dipstick—and will only take a few minutes.

Start your car and let it run for a few minutes so the fluid has time to expand and the level is more accurate.

Locate the dipstick. Oftentimes, this will be next to your oil dipstick. If you can’t find it, try checking your owner’s manual for its location.

Pull it out and check the color. If it’s not red or you see contaminants in the fluid, schedule a trip to your mechanic right away.

Assuming all is well with the color, wipe the dipstick clean, then reinsert it.

Pull it out once more to check the fluid level. It should hit the “full” line. If it doesn’t, you’ll want to add some.

Use a funnel to add the recommended transmission fluid for your Jeep.

Recheck the level. Once it hits the “full” line, you’re finished!

Should you not be able to find a dipstick, you probably have what’s called a “sealed transmission.” You’ll have to take your vehicle to a service technician to have things dealt with.

How to save on Jeep insurance costs

There’s no getting around it—regular vehicle maintenance is the best way to save yourself money in the long run. But did you know that regularly shopping for car insurance can do the same thing?

It’s true! Life changes like going away to college or getting married can open up opportunities for car insurance discounts, or an insurance company might adjust its rates to become more competitive.

The bad news? Comparison shopping is a long, tedious process that involves a lot of phone calls and headaches. The good news?

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