Jeep Grand Cherokee Years to Avoid

Why 2011, 2012, 2014 and 2015 made the avoid list

2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee

AvoidTop issue: electrical · 50% of complaints · median 49,000 miles

Owners describe brakes suddenly losing power or turning very hard to press, often after a hissing noise from the dash, plus a power module (TIPM) failure that leaves the Jeep cranking without starting or stalling while driving. Many report waiting weeks for backordered parts.

Full 2011 report ›

2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee

AvoidTop issue: electrical · 52% of complaints · median 43,000 miles

Owners describe the brake pedal suddenly going hard or dropping to the floor with little stopping power, often in cold weather and frequently linked to the brake booster. Others report stalling, no-start episodes, misfires and warning lights tied to the TIPM or alternator, with dealers facing long parts delays and repeat visits.

Full 2012 report ›

2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee

AvoidTop issue: powertrain · 25% of complaints · median 11,000 miles

Owners describe brakes that suddenly feel weak or engage on their own, transmissions slipping into neutral, shifting harshly, or rolling out of park, plus instrument clusters and warning lights failing together. Many report dealers couldn't duplicate or permanently fix these issues across repeat visits.

Full 2014 report ›

2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee

AvoidTop issue: powertrain · 44% of complaints · median 9,000 miles

Owners describe the headrest air bag popping open with no crash involved, often with a loud bang, while others report frontal air bags not deploying in real collisions. Many also describe electrical glitches causing stalling, no-starts and blank infotainment, plus a shifter that rolls away and a 9-speed that jerks and hesitates.

Full 2015 report ›

Questions owners ask

Which Jeep Grand Cherokee years should you avoid?

Counting complaints owners filed with NHTSA in each year's first five years on the road, per vehicle sold, the 2011, 2012, 2014 and 2015 Grand Cherokee drew the most: each more than twice the rate of a typical Grand Cherokee year, spread across more than one problem area. The 2013 and 2018 also ran above average; use caution with them.

What is the best year for a used Jeep Grand Cherokee?

The 2009 Grand Cherokee drew the fewest complaints for its time on the road and the number sold (0.4× the rate of a typical Grand Cherokee year), followed by the 2010 and 2019. Years from 2022 on haven't had five years on the road, so they aren't rated yet.

What is the most common problem with the Jeep Grand Cherokee?

Across every year, the problem area owners report most is the electrical system (37% of complaints), followed by the brakes (17%) and the engine (16%). A complaint can name more than one area.

Has the Jeep Grand Cherokee been recalled?

Yes. NHTSA lists 90 recall campaigns covering Grand Cherokee model years 2008 to 2026, the most recent in September 2026. Enter a vehicle's VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to see whether its repairs were done.