UsedScore

2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee: Avoid

Owners filed 766 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee in its first five years on the road, about 518 for every 100,000 sold: 3.6× the rate of a typical Grand Cherokee year. That's more than twice a typical year, across more than one problem area.

The biggest problem area, counting serious complaints more, is the electrical system (52% of complaints, median 43,000 miles).

Complaint index
3.6×
per vehicle sold, vs. a typical Grand Cherokee year
Rank
12th of 14
1st = fewest complaints
Complaints
766
first five years; 518 per 100,000 sold
Recalls
10
campaigns
4th generation (WK2), 2011–2021 · Updated September 24, 2026 · How we rate
2011–2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee

Photo: 2011–2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee · IFCAR, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Problem areas

Ranked by severity-weighted complaints · share · median miles
  1. Electrical52% · 398 complaints · median 43,000 miles
  2. Brakes31% · 234 complaints · median 41,000 miles
  3. Engine13% · 97 complaints · median 35,000 miles
  4. Fuel and propulsion7% · 56 complaints · median 39,000 miles
  5. Lights5% · 37 complaints · median 37,000 miles
  6. Powertrain4% · 34 complaints · median 18,000 miles
  7. Steering5% · 35 complaints · median 40,000 miles
  8. Air bags2% · 14 complaints · median 52,000 miles
  9. Speed control2% · 19 complaints · median 23,000 miles
  10. Visibility2% · 16 complaints · median 44,000 miles

Bars rank problem areas by complaints weighted for severity (crashes, fires, injuries and deaths count more). A complaint can name more than one area. Mileage is reported on about half of complaints.

What owners describe

Brakes

Owners describe the brake pedal suddenly going hard or to the floor with little or no stopping power, sometimes tied to cold temperatures, which many link to a brake booster problem. Many say dealers confirmed the part needed replacement but faced long parts delays, leaving them driving with reduced confidence in the brakes.

Warning signs:
Owners describe a hard or spongy pedal, a hissing or air-release sound under the hood, abnormal noise when braking, and warning lights before the pedal failed to stop the vehicle.
What shops did:
Many owners report dealers diagnosed a faulty brake booster and replaced it, though many say the replacement part was on back order for weeks or months and some vehicles were driven unrepaired in the meantime.
Mileage:
most between 30,000 and 80,000 miles, among 155 complaints that give it

“When I applied the brakes harder I could feel the antilock brake system kick in but still not braking”

“Complete loss of braking capability. Also loud hissing noise coming from under car.”

Electrical

Owners describe their Grand Cherokees stalling unexpectedly or failing to start, sometimes with warning lights or burning smells beforehand. Many say dealers struggled to find parts or permanently fix the issue, leading to repeat visits.

Warning signs:
Owners report battery warning lights, dashboard lights flickering, burning smells, whistling or grinding noises, and slow cranking before stalling or no-start events.
What shops did:
Dealers replaced TIPMs, alternators or batteries, though many owners say the problem recurred or the dealer couldn't duplicate the issue and lacked replacement parts.
Mileage:
most between 45,000 and 95,000 miles, among 493 complaints that give it

“The engine would turn over, but it would not start. It would start again after ten minutes or so.”

“Pressing the start button caused the engine to turn over but not start”

Engine

Owners describe their 2012 Grand Cherokees stalling unexpectedly, misfiring, or having engine and electrical failures, sometimes with smoke or fire. Many say dealers struggled to diagnose or find parts, leaving vehicles unrepaired for extended periods.

Warning signs:
Many mention the check engine light illuminating, rough idle, engine revving oddly, smoke or a burning smell before stalling or the engine dying.
What shops did:
Dealers often replaced cylinder heads, fuel pump relays, TIPM units, alternators or batteries, though some owners report parts were on back order or the issue could not be recreated.
Mileage:
most between 40,000 and 100,000 miles, among 237 complaints that give it

“The vehicle stalled. The vehicle was moved to the shoulder. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and was then taken to the dealer to be inspected.”

“Engine started running roughly and attempted to stall in traffic. Check engine light came on.”

Summaries are written with AI from the owner complaints shown on NHTSA's site and checked against them; quotes are word for word.

Recalls (10)

Check a VIN on NHTSA ›
  • NHTSA 19V813000November 2019528,594 vehicles

    Electrical system

    Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2011-2013 Dodge Durango and Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles equipped with a 3.6, 5.7, or 6.4 liter engine and previously recalled under NHTSA Recall 14V530 or 15V115. The fuel pump relay inside the Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM-7) may fail, causing the vehicle to stall without warning.

    Risk: A vehicle stall increases the risk of a crash.

    Fix: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) will replace the affected fuel pump relay and related wire harness.

  • NHTSA 17V572000September 2017646,394 vehicles

    Service brakes · Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist

    Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Dodge Durango and Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles. The affected vehicles had brake booster shields installed under a previous campaign to prevent water from entering the brake booster and limiting braking ability. This recall is to verify that the brake booster shield installation was performed properly.

    Risk: If the brake booster shield was not installed properly, the vehicle's braking ability may be reduced, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brake booster shield, correcting the installation as necessary, free of charge.

  • NHTSA 17V435000July 2017442,214 vehicles

    Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator

    Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Dodge Challenger, Dodge Charger, Chrysler 300, Dodge Durango, and 2012-2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles. The affected vehicles have electro-hydraulic power steering (EHPS) and are equipped with a 5.7L or a 3.6L engine and a 160, 180 or 220 amp alternator. In the affected vehicles, the alternator may suddenly fail.

    Risk: If the alternator fails, the vehicle may stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash. There is also the possibility that the alternator may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.

    Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the alternator and depending on the part number, will replace the alternator, if necessary, free of charge.

  • NHTSA 15V879000December 2015389,252 vehicles

    Interior lighting · Electrical system: wiring

    Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Dodge Durango and Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured December 3, 2009, to September 1, 2012. In the affected vehicles, the wiring for the vanity lamp in the sun visor may short circuit, after having been remedied for a prior recall for the vanity lamp wiring. This recall is also addressing certain vehicles that have not been remedied under that prior recall.

    Risk: The vanity lamp wiring may short, increasing the risk of a vehicle fire.

    Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealer will install clearance for sun visor wiring, protection from sharp edges, and replace the sun visor, free of charge.

  • NHTSA 15V115000February 2015339,525 vehicles

    Electrical system

    Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured September 17, 2010, to August 19, 2013, and equipped with a 3.6, 5.7 or 6.4 liter engine, and 2012-2013 Dodge Durango vehicles manufactured January 18, 2011, to August 19, 2013, and equipped with a 3.6 or 5.7 liter engine. In the affected vehicles, the fuel pump relay inside the Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM-7) may fail, causing the vehicle to stall without warning.

    Risk: A vehicle stall increases the risk of a crash.

    Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump relay with one external to the TIPM.

  • NHTSA 14V634000October 2014435,081 vehicles

    Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator

    Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger, Challenger, and Durango; and 2012-2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured April 22, 2010, to January 2, 2014, and equipped with a 3.6L engine and a 160 amp alternator. In the affected vehicles, the alternator may suddenly fail.

    Risk: If the alternator fails, the vehicle may stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Fix: Chrysler has notified owners, and dealers will replace the alternator, free of charge.

  • NHTSA 14V391000July 2014653,562 vehicles

    Electrical system: wiring

    Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Dodge Durango and Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured January 5, 2010, through December 11, 2013. In the affected vehicles, the wiring for the vanity lamp in the sun visor may short circuit, after a service repair is performed.

    Risk: If the vanity lamp wiring shorts, there is an increased risk of fire.

    Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and repair any damaged wiring, and install a new sun visor that properly routes the wire, free of charge.

  • NHTSA 14V154000April 2014646,498 vehicles

    Service brakes · Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: vacuum

    Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango vehicles manufactured from January 5, 2010, through September 8, 2013. The subject vehicles have a brake booster with a center shell that may corrode and allow water to get inside.

    Risk: The water inside could freeze and limit the braking ability of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will add a water diverter shield to the booster after the booster has been tested to confirm it can hold an acceptable amount of vacuum pressure.

  • NHTSA 14V104000March 201418,780 vehicles

    Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip

    Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Dodge Durango and Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured October 11, 2011, through October 1, 2012. Under certain braking events, the Ready Alert Braking System (RAB) may result in the driver experiencing a hard brake pedal feel.

    Risk: If the driver experiences a hard brake pedal, the driver may not push the pedal as intended, lengthening the distance needed to stop the vehicle and increasing the risk of a crash.

    Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update the ABS module software, free of charge.

  • NHTSA 11V487000September 2011667 vehicles

    Engine and engine cooling

    Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2012 chrysler vehicles, including 200 and town and country models, dodge vehicles, including charger, durango, grand caravan and journey models and jeep grand cherokee vehicles manufactured from august 31, 2011, through september 13, 2011, that are equipped with 3.6l engines. These engines may experience connecting rod bearing failure due to debris inside the engine block.

    Risk: Connecting rod failure may lead to engine seizure which may increase the risk of a crash.

    Fix: Chrysler will notify owners and replace the engine free of charge.

A recall only helps if the repair was done. Enter the vehicle's 17-character VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup before you buy.

Service bulletins

Jeep sent NHTSA 258 service bulletins and other notices to dealers covering the 2012 Grand Cherokee. These are repair instructions, not recalls. Warranty extensions and bulletins about its top problem areas:

  • 9100226 · September 2023Connector kit Before ordering this connector repair kit 68018957A$, check it in the Mopar Connector Repair Kit Website to confirm part number and applicability.
  • 1804823 · April 2023wiTECH Small Leak Verification Test (SLVT) - P0456-EVAP SYSTEM SMALL LEAK
  • 9003357a · February 2023ADAPTER, Engine Oil Filter (Pentastar V6) For all 2014MY replace the Oil Filter Adapter (OFA).
  • 9003357A · February 2023ADAPTER, Engine Oil Filter (Pentastar V6) For all 2014MY replace the Oil Filter Adapter (OFA).
  • 9003357 · February 2023ADAPTER, Engine Oil Filter (Pentastar V6) For all 2014MY replace the Oil Filter Adapter (OFA).
  • S2209000004 · April 2022If a Mopar oil filter is not available, use a filter that meets or exceeds USCAR36 specification and is compatible with semi and full synthetic oils.
  • S1709000010 RevB · March 2022Customer complaints may include abnormal engine noise, rough idle, lack of power, misfire.
  • S1709000010RevB · March 2022Customer complaints may include abnormal engine noise, rough idle, lack of power, misfire.

All 2012 Grand Cherokee bulletins on NHTSA ›

Questions owners ask

Is the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee reliable?
Owners filed 766 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee in its first five years on the road, about 518 for every 100,000 sold: 3.6× the rate of a typical Grand Cherokee year. That's more than twice a typical year, across more than one problem area. Ratings compare Grand Cherokee years with each other using complaints filed with NHTSA; they don't measure every problem owners have.
What are the most common 2012 Grand Cherokee problems?
Owners' complaints most often involve the electrical system (52%), the brakes (31%) and the engine (13%). A complaint can name more than one area.
Has the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee been recalled?
Yes. NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns for the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee, the most recent in November 2019 (electrical system). Enter the vehicle's VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to see whether the repairs were done.

Sources

Owner complaints, recalls and manufacturer communications from NHTSA's public data files, as of September 24, 2026. Complaints are counted once each, over the model year's first 60 months on the road. UsedScore is not affiliated with NHTSA or Jeep. The 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee on NHTSA.gov · How we rate