[voiceofstl]

the 9-speed has been great in my Chrysler Pacifica. I've liked it a lot more than the Chrysler 62TE, which has shifted like garbage in a few vehicles I've owned.

Chrysler partnering with ZF is probably one of the smarter things they've done. They made a mistake partnering with JATCO for a bit (those CVTs were garbage). The other transmission deals (Hyundai and Aisin) have been OK.

my 2016 Caravan the 6 speed has been smooth as silk.

 

[MJS73]

We have a 2016 Renegade and a 2021 Cherokee and neither has had any issues or problems. Of course, people that have had a problem with something are far more likely to post than people that have not so the problem voices seem to be all that get heard. One of the big drawbacks of the internet and forums.

 

[ImperialCrown]

I end any transaxle service with a Quicklearn. Then Drivelearn (adaption-learn) adjusts as you drive.

 

[Bob Lincoln]

The one thing that was kinda odd but not a big deal was this. Traveling say under 20mph, and you'd step on the gas lightly, it was in a very high gear, tach around 1k rpm. Which I thought was to high a gear, but it quickly went to a lower gear. It may just be the nature of the beast.

My Grand caravan runs like that in economy mode. But I can turn a button on or off.

 

[Richard in Idaho]

My 2014 Cherokee with V-6 has never bee harsh. I don't feel most shifts. However it seems to hold 4th to long. It will run about 2,000 PRMs at 35 MPH for a block or so then shift up to 6th. Again these are not harsh. I am am getting good MPG considering that I set at red lights a lot.

 

[ImperialCrown]

There was a software update for the 2014 KL. It listed 'Stuck in Gear 4' as one of the possible symptoms.

 

[Powdered Toast Man]

Ninth gear being useless makes it sound to me like someone chose the wrong axle ratio... or maybe insufficient aerodynamics?

I've had the same experience with 9th gear in my 200.

I've had my 2015 200S 3.6L since 2016. Transmission has always performed great for me.

 

[Elroy the Brave]

Is it accurate to say that the consensus is that the 9 speed works great with a V6, but shifts harshly with smaller 4 cylinder engines?

I've personally been impressed by the 9-Speed, much more so than the clunky shifting 62te.

Also, what is the story on Stellantis recently using a Hyundai sourced 8 speed with the Jeep Compass? Is there a shortage of available 9 speeds, or is there some other reason Stellantis did that?

 

[Bob Lincoln]

Clunky shifting 62TE? I have that with the 4-cyl in my 2011 and my wife's 2012, and our 2013 Caravan with 3.6L, and they all shift GREAT. Very smooth. The only clunkiness is when using Autostick mode and when you slow to a stop, the 2-1 shift is harsh. Other than that it's great.

 

[Elroy the Brave]

Clunky shifting 62TE? I have that with the 4-cyl in my 2011 and my wife's 2012, and our 2013 Caravan with 3.6L, and they all shift GREAT. Very smooth. The only clunkiness is when using Autostick mode and when you slow to a stop, the 2-1 shift is harsh. Other than that it's great.

My experience has been that the 62te is a clunky shifting transmission. Not smooth, especially when slowing to a stop for some reason.

I wouldn't know about AutoStick. Never used it.

Though it has been very reliable in 2 vehicles that had it. One was in a 2008 Town and Country and it seemed the worst of the 2.

 

[Donte Lindsey]

My experience has been that the 62te is a clunky shifting transmission. Not smooth, especially when slowing to a stop for some reason.

I wouldn't know about AutoStick. Never used it.

Though it has been very reliable in 2 vehicles that had it. One was in a 2008 Town and Country and it seemed the worst of the 2.

It could just be me but it seems all Chrysler transmissions are clunky especially when slowing down to a stop.

 

[Adventurer55]

It could just be me but it seems all Chrysler transmissions are clunky especially when slowing down to a stop.

The 8sp in rwd/awd isn't at all.

 

[ImperialCrown]

Shift-bump is nice when it can be mitigated with a software flash or a quicklearn.
Make sure that the fluid in the transmission is the right stuff & in good condition.
It isn't nice when a transmission has to come out & apart to adjust clutch pack clearances & replace seals.
https://atracom.blob.core.windows.net/gears/2008/2008-01/2008_1_52.pdf
They all can do it. It tends to happen in the lower gears at lower speeds. One customer with an A-604 said that his 2-1 bump could knock him out of the seat at times. He wasn't exaggerating. 😲

My first drive with the 9-speed was in a rental 2.4L 200. I really liked how I was already in 3rd gear after crossing an intersection from a stop.

 

[Doug D]

My experience has been that the 62te is a clunky shifting transmission. Not smooth, especially when slowing to a stop for some reason.

We had the 62TE in two Journey's ('09 & '10 SXT's) mated to the 3.5L V6 - very smooth and not clunky.

 

[Donte Lindsey]

The 8sp in rwd/awd isn't at all.

That's not an actual Chrysler transmission. I was referring to Chrysler transmissions that were created inhouse.

 

[Bob Lincoln]

It could just be me but it seems all Chrysler transmissions are clunky especially when slowing down to a stop.

Well, I've had 6 different Chrysler products with automatics over the last 46 years, and a million miles - 2 3-spd Torquflites, a 4-spd A-500, and 3 6-spd 62TEs. Never once did any of them shift 'clunky', especially on downshift, unless there was a serious fluid leak. Your experience may vary.

 

[Adventurer55]

That's not an actual Chrysler transmission. I was referring to Chrysler transmissions that were created inhouse.

Okay, well I've had Chrysler designed units from 727s,904, A500 and 518, Ultradrives, 46re and 47re. Not one clunked downshifting any worse then other makes.

 

[Powdered Toast Man]

Clunky shifting 62TE? I have that with the 4-cyl in my 2011 and my wife's 2012, and our 2013 Caravan with 3.6L, and they all shift GREAT. Very smooth. The only clunkiness is when using Autostick mode and when you slow to a stop, the 2-1 shift is harsh. Other than that it's great.

We had the 62TE in two Journey's ('09 & '10 SXT's) mated to the 3.5L V6 - very smooth and not clunky.

I had that transmission in my '11 Journey. It's... not great with the 3.6L and/or AWD. You really don't realize how poorly suited it is to the 3.6L until you drive a vehicle with the 9 speed mated to the same engine. Acceleration, responsiveness, and mileage are all markedly improved with the 9. Once you've driven the Pentastar mated to the 9sp, the older 62TE feels like you're driving through molasses.

 

[Bob Lincoln]

I had that transmission in my '11 Journey. It's... not great with the 3.6L and/or AWD. You really don't realize how poorly suited it is to the 3.6L until you drive a vehicle with the 9 speed mated to the same engine. Acceleration, responsiveness, and mileage are all markedly improved with the 9. Once you've driven the Pentastar mated to the 9sp, the older 62TE feels like you're driving through molasses.

Well, to each his own. I replaced a 92 Dakota 3.9L V-6 4-spd, 242K miles, that got 19 mpg highway, and 17 mpg mixed driving, with a 2013 Grand Caravan with 3.6L and 6-speed, 162K miles. I find it very well suited to the engine. I have nearly the same weight vehicle, but 100 hp more, better gearing at both ends of the spectrum, much better acceleration than the truck. First two tankfuls, I got a calculated 24.3 and 25.4 mpg in mixed driving, vs the computer-indicated 25.4 and 26.0 mpg. The third tankful so far indicates 26.7 mpg. It runs very smoothly, shifts great. No molasses.

 

[Donte Lindsey]

Okay, well I've had Chrysler designed units from 727s,904, A500 and 518, Ultradrives, 46re and 47re. Not one clunked downshifting any worse then other makes.

Well the ones I had did and so did the ones in others that I've ridden in. I didn't mention other automakers. I always thought it was a Chrysler quirk.