So, I was at my buddy's house and we were all shooting skeet and having a good time. My dad decided to make me move my jeep (he's lazy and wouldn't walk 50 extra feet to get his gun). So, I was parked on an incline, facing downhill, put the jeep in reverse and in very low revs I had quite a bit of shudder. However, this morning I drove off the side of my driveway, which is a steeper hill, same reverse, no shudder. Anyone know why this happens? Jeep is completely stock (haven't finished payments yet :/ )

 

They all do it.

 

Sounds like your hill assist kicking in. Mine does it in my drive way all the time.

 

I have spoken to the Service Manager at the Jeep Dealer about this and his response was: "They all do that, don't worry about it."
Well, I've never had a truck or car that did that before, including Dodge trucks.
Poor design I would say and because Jeep knows about it and refuses to address it - I'd say it may become a class action suit at some point, particularly if the weak trannys they put in our Jeeps start imploding.
There have been rumors of a Jeep Tranny coolant recall. Not sure that would resolve this issue though.

 

What does the shuddering feel like? I have an '08 and I've never felt it before or after my tranny cooler. Even when I back my trailer up my fairly steep driveway I don't feel any shaking or vibrating.

 

Thanks for the replies!

I, too have heard its normal. My buddies that I wheel with all have 1990's Xj's and they all say that Chrysler tranny's are weak and will do that. I think they should redesign it to be stronger, because that's ridiculous.

The shuddering feels like a group of people are pushing the jeep perfectly horizontal from the rear. Haven't tried in 4wd

 

What's that feel like? In forward gears, it feels normal-ish, but I don't think I've experienced it in reverse to my knowing.

P.S. My dad was in the jeep and he thought I was slipping....I know I wasn't. He doesn't put much faith in me or my jeep :P

 

Its a Jeep thing. All the JK's do it. Solution, gas it.

 

I concur. Just gas it. my 09 JKU shudders also in reverse going up even a minimal incline- when i am barely tapping on the gas. Like if you are backing out of a parking spot uphill. but if i give it more gas it is fine.

im curious about the hill assist factor. Someone else said other vehicles dont do this, and I have to agree the JK is the only vehicle Ive been in that acts this way "normally". But Im pretty sure Ive not been in non-Jeep vehicle that has had a "hill assist" capability.

 

Mines a 2011 auto and also does it on an incline. I turned hill assist off via the computer and noticed a slight difference however I Just got used to it by giving more gas