NHTSA Complaint #11430860 — 2014 JEEP CHEROKEE

The vehicle, a 2014 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk presently has 80,000 miles. The vehicle has every option available including keyless entry and start. The problem is intermittent and has been for over 5 years. Occasionally I get a “Key FOB not detected” message on the center screen, while one or sometime two key FOBs are in the vehicle. Sometimes it happens when I first enter the vehicle and try to start the engine. When this happens I must press the start button with the key FOB. Some time it happens while the engine is running and the key FOB is still in the vehicle, when either the driver’s side door or the front passenger door is opened and closed. If I am stopped and someone opens and closes the front passenger side door, the message appears and regardless of the situation around the vehicle, I must shift the vehicle into park, turn off the engine and restart the engine by pressing the start button with the FOB. Sometimes I must unbuckle my seat belt so that I can retrieve the key FOB from a pocket. Years back while the vehicle was still under warranty the dealer insisted that the issue was key FOB battery related even though I had the same issue with both key FOBs with new batteries. I strongly believe the issue is software related. The vehicle has all the latest software updates installed. I have been thinking of trading-in or selling the vehicle but I am concern that this safety issue will have a negative effect on the value of my Jeep.