What owners reported to NHTSA about the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee, its recalls, and what to check before you buy one.

Owners filed about 2.7 times as many complaints as a typical Grand Cherokee year. The main thing to watch is the electrical system, which half of owners reported by about 70,000 miles. Years with fewer complaints: 2016, 2017 and 2020.
Based on owner complaints to NHTSA, compared with other Grand Cherokee years from 2012 to 2024. A good year can still be a bad car, so check the one you are looking at.
Owners have filed 1,644 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The most reported problem area is the electrical system (837, 51% of complaints), followed by the brakes and stability control and the engine and cooling. That ranks 2nd of 13 Grand Cherokee years from 2012 to 2024 for complaints. It has 11 recalls.
5 of these complaints came from Utah owners.
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Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 70,000 miles.
The alternator failed. It was the Safety Recall P60 (NHTSA 14V-634) remedy alternator, installed by an authorized FCA dealer when the recall was completed on 08/30/2021, as FCA confirmed in writing. On 09/24/2026, at 41,275 miles, the vehicle had no electrical power and would not start. An independent New York State registered repair…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Alternator smoking. it is available for inspection. Filled interior of vehicle with smoke the engine stopped running while driving. Took to dealership for a 2nd sun visor recall and had them diagnose the smoking alternator. The voltage light came on just before the alternator started smokingOwner complaint, filed 2026
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 50,000 miles.
Upon starting my Jeep on the coldest day of the year back in January when I pressed the brake pedal to start it there was a loud and it reminded me, there was a recall out for the break booster pop and the pedal went all the way to the floor. It was fifteen below zero out.So I thought that it blew a brake line. I checked the lines going…Owner complaint, filed 2026
In 2018 the brake booster was tested (vacuum test), and was deemed fine, even though the part itself was placed incorrectly per the recall and could fail at any point. It was not replaced, and marked the recall as closed. Last week the part, brake booster, failed while driving. Jeep is not willing replace due to recall being closed in…Owner complaint, filed 2024
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 72,000 miles.
The camshaft has gone bad and unnatural wear to the lifters has caused the issue. Also, after researching the design of the engine, it is obvious that there is a design flaw. The camshaft does not receive sufficient oil in order to be lubricated due to its location in the engine. The vehicle only has 114,000 miles. It has been taken care…Owner complaint, filed 2023
The contact owned a 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, she noticed a fuel odor throughout the vehicle. The contact then stated that the hood of the vehicle started to catch fire. The contact was able to navigate the vehicle off the road. The check engine warning light was illuminated.…Owner complaint, filed 2023
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 77,000 miles.
Here’s the final version of your NHTSA complaint text, rewritten for clarity, precision, and compliance. You can copy and paste this directly into the “Description of the Problem” box on the NHTSA form.Recall Number: V62, Fuel Pump RelayMy Jeep is under recall V62 for the fuel pump relay. Stellantis confirmed that the recall is active…Owner complaint, filed 2026
I had my jeep’s recall for a fuel pump relay and now I have problems starting at times and I’m starting to smell fuel through my vents and even when I park my jeep inside the garage. I am very worried while I am driving it, especially I have a child with me at all times in the jeep. Please help me, I want to get this solved as soon as…Owner complaint, filed 2025
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 66,000 miles.
This Jeep has had 2 recalls and repairs related to the fuel pump relay. The first recallrepair did not fix the issue, Jeep then replaced the relay again, which did not fix the issue. Then there was a NEW recall and repair, which also did not fix the issue. The car still has the exact same issues, the car will randomly stall soon after…Owner complaint, filed 2024
The transmission shifts strangely, and it seems like it cannot decide which gear it needs to be in for normal operations. It also causes the vehicle to stall while driving. Also, at times it stays in only one gear, and you cannot even shift gears manually. Intermittently, the vehicle starts out in a higher gear, and it doesn’t correct…Owner complaint, filed 2023
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 60,000 miles.
2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo In August of 2020, I brought the vehicle to my repair shop due to a leak, and hard to steer at 75061 miles. They performed a repair of the rack & pinion, power steering hose, and an alignment. On 5/23/23, I had the vehicle in a shop to check on a sqeak while turning the wheel along with a clunking sound.…Owner complaint, filed 2023
A couple week ago noticed fluid on my garage floor. It seemed to be dripping from the left front of the car. Also noticed this oil on the garage shelf which is closed to the car when I park it in the garage. Today, May 23, 2023 went to have the oil change in the car, and was told the power steering fluid was low .Owner complaint, filed 2023
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 54,000 miles.
Right front blinker burns out plus the socket burnt also, I replaced both parts around 10/25/2024 and the same thing happened..Owner complaint, filed 2025
When turning on the right front turn signal my emergency flashers come on instead of the turn signal. Fog lights doesn't work at all. Wind shield wipers come on randomly whether it is raining or not. These all happen when driving the vehicle. Sometimes the vehicle will turn off right after starting. I have to re-start.Owner complaint, filed 2020, at 79,000 miles
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 73,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving 45 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle stalled while driving around a sharp curve, causing the contact to crash into a tree. There was severe front vehicle damage due to the crash. The contact stated that no air bags deployed. The contact…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 106,000 miles
On or about December 15 2020 my wife was on her way to work and hit a water puddle and hydroplaned at 60 miles per hour and lost control and hit the wall head on at 55 mph and no airbags deployed I have the car in my front yardOwner complaint, filed 2023
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 53,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2012 jeep grand cherokee. The contact stated while driving at 55 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed, the rpm increased however, the vehicle failed to respond. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 19v813000 (electrical system) however, the part to do…Owner complaint, filed 2020, at 125,000 miles
My acc sensor will not connect therefore my cruise control does not work, leaving useless buttons on my steering wheel. We have no idea what is wrong with the whole system. Took it to the dealership and while they were doing recall work, they checked it. Said I would have to buy the $2,000+ acc unit and then it would probably be $1,000+…Owner complaint, filed 2019, at 88,000 miles
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 53,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated while driving 15 MPH, the vehicle would shake uncontrollably while driving over a bump in the roadway. There were no warning lights illuminated. The dealer was notified of the failure and an appointment was scheduled for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was not notified…Owner complaint, filed 2022, at 120,000 miles
Driving Service air suspension light came on then front end dropped as pulled into driveway and put in park. Turned car off then on and suspension didn’t lift towed to mechanic and air suspension was changed. Air suspension light came on not even two years later saying service suspension towed to shop and they said Transfer Case Control…Owner complaint, filed 2021
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 69,000 miles. Parts named most: Body (19).
Paint above windshield has deteriorated and has rust bubbles. Paint first looked almost burnt then turned white/grey in color. The sun roof stopped working shortly after. Spot has increasingly become bigger and bigger. It has doubled in size in less than 3 months. I have had nothing but issues with this vehicle.Owner complaint, filed 2021
The contact owns a 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated while driving approximately 5 MPH and when depressing the brake pedal, the contact heard a crack underneath the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and diagnosed with needing the sub frame bolts replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was…Owner complaint, filed 2021, at 200,000 miles
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 61,000 miles.
The driver's seat headrest active head restraint deployed open while I was putting items into the back seat from the passenger side. The car was stationary, but running, but hadn't been jarred or hit to provoke the deployment. The plastic tabs on the inside are broken, and I'm not able to reset the headrest into position, and essentially…Owner complaint, filed 2020, at 110,000 miles
The passenger side active headrest restraint deployed while car was parked in my driveway and not in use. It can not be repaired. Plastic is broken inside.Owner complaint, filed 2020
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 43,000 miles.
Corrosion on the hubs of all the wheels has been an issue with my car just about 1 year after purchasing it brand new. This is not just a problem with my jeep. I have noticed on many jeeps in my area. It is not an issue that the warranty covers despite being a new car. This seems like a [VIN] issue.Owner complaint, filed 2017, at 12,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 jeep grand cherokee. While driving approximately 70 MPH, the contact heard an usual noise and the vehicle began to vibrate violently. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the lug nuts on the rear passenger wheel fractured and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired…Owner complaint, filed 2016, at 56,000 miles
My 2012 jeep SRT8 will be driving n jerking and feels unsafe think gotta be a n23 transfer case or final drive ordeal they have with different year not my year but should be and I don't feel safe at all n I paid a lot of money for this premium vehicle and getting run around and serv 4wd and traction control off n fcw off pops up after…Owner complaint, filed 2022
I was driving down the road and all of a sudden all the lights on the dash lit up and then the vehicle completely shut down, with no power. This happened while I was driving, so thank god it happen late when there was no traffic. I immediately smelled electrical burning and there was absolutely no power to the vehicle. I had to have the…Owner complaint, filed 2021, at 135,000 miles
Compare the 2012 with other years before you choose one. Tap a year to see its problems.
Each car is rated against its own other years, since popular models always get more complaints than rare ones.
| Car | Vs. its other years | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee | Among the worst years | 11 |
| 2012 Toyota Highlander | About average | 2 |
| 2012 Honda Pilot | One of the better years | 9 |
| 2012 Ford Explorer | One of the better years | 7 |
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.
Accessible Technologies, Inc. (ATI) is recalling certain ProCharger Superchargers, model numbers AB037A-100, AB037A-100P, and A037A-100B, sold for installation on 2012-2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 and SRT vehicles. The supercharger mounting bracket may contact and damage the ABS line, possibly resulting in a brake fluid leak.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The most reported problem areas on the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee are the electrical system (837 complaints), the brakes and stability control (308 complaints) and the engine and cooling (302 complaints).
One of the worst Grand Cherokee years. Owners filed about 2.7 times as many complaints as a typical Grand Cherokee year. The main thing to watch is the electrical system, which half of owners reported by about 70,000 miles. Years with fewer complaints: 2016, 2017 and 2020. Based on owner complaints to NHTSA, compared with other Grand Cherokee years from 2012 to 2024. A good year can still be a bad car, so check the one you are looking at.
NHTSA lists 11 recalls for the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The most recent, from Nov 2019, covers the electrical system. Recalls cover the whole model year, so check the VIN of the car you are looking at to see which are still open.
Half of the owners who reported a problem with the electrical system gave a mileage of about 70,000 miles or less. Half of the owners who reported a problem with the brakes and stability control gave a mileage of about 50,000 miles or less. Plenty of cars have these problems later or never, so ask for service records.
The Grand Cherokee years with the most complaints compared with the rest are 2012, 2014 and 2015. Years with clearly fewer complaints are 2016, 2017 and 2020. Years from 2022 on are too new to rate fairly yet.
These problems are for the model year as a whole. Here is how to find out about the one you are looking at.
We inspect the car with a scan tool and paint gauge, read the history report and tell you whether it is worth the asking price, before you hand over any money.