Experiencing a “key fob not detected” issue with your 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee can be frustrating, especially when you’re on the road. Like many Jeep owners, I recently encountered this problem and attempted some dealer-suggested fixes, but unfortunately, they weren’t successful. One dealer advised touching the key fob to the start/stop button, which I tried, but it didn’t work. Another suggestion was to pry off the start/stop button cap, thinking there might be a backup key ignition underneath. However, I soon realized that the 2015 models no longer have this backup mechanical ignition, and in the process of trying, I almost damaged my ignition system.
Currently, my 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee is stuck in Nevada while I’m in Arizona, waiting for parts, as even the dealership couldn’t initially start the vehicle. This situation raises questions about whether this is a simple computer glitch or if external factors like RF interference could be the cause. Key fobs operate on frequencies like 315MHz and 434MHz, and some sources suggest that the 315MHz frequency can be susceptible to jamming from other electronic devices.
Searching online, I’ve found numerous reports of this “key fob not detected” problem in 2014-2015 Jeep Grand Cherokees and Dodge Chargers. My biggest concern is that this issue occurred shortly after driving on a remote backcountry road. If the key fob system had failed in a truly isolated location, vehicle recovery would have been incredibly difficult and costly, possibly requiring a helicopter.
It seems modern vehicle technology is advancing faster than mechanics’ training, often leading to module replacements as the default solution. If the root cause is a software bug, simply replacing parts won’t fix the underlying issue. Furthermore, for a brand that markets vehicles as “go-anywhere,” the absence of a mechanical backup to start the vehicle is a significant oversight. Without a reliable alternative, owners are entirely dependent on the electronic key fob system, even in situations where it might fail, leaving them stranded.
