Worse than most Grand Cherokee years
Owners filed about 1.3 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 68,000 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 805 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The most reported problem area is the electrical system (376, 47% of complaints), followed by the brakes and stability control and the fuel system. That ranks 5th of 13 Grand Cherokee years from 2012 to 2024 for complaints. It has 10 recalls.
5 of these complaints came from Utah owners.
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Start my car searchMost reported problems
Problem areas ranked by how many complaints mention them. One complaint can name more than one area. Open an area to see what to check on a 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee before you buy.
Electrical system
376 complaintsDead batteries, warning lights, failed screens and cameras, and electrical shorts.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 68,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Test every switch: windows, locks, mirrors, seat heaters, the screen, the backup camera, Bluetooth and every USB port.
- Watch the dash at startup. Every warning light should come on briefly and then go out.
- Have the battery and charging system tested. A weak alternator or battery drain shows up here.
Tools that help
What owners said
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The vehicle’s ECM or TIPM system appears to be malfunctioning, causing intermittent no-start conditions. The engine fails to turn over even though the starter clicks, and all electrical systems are functional. The issue is temporarily…Owner complaint, filed 2025
The Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland starts upon pressing the ignition button, and will shut off when I try to put it in reverse. Some days it will shut back off immediately after cranking it up.Owner complaint, filed 2025
Brakes and stability control
159 complaintsBrakes that feel soft or grab, grinding, ABS and stability control faults.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 26,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- The pedal should feel firm and the car should stop straight without pulling, grinding or a pulsing pedal.
- The ABS and stability control lights should go out after startup and stay out.
- Look through the wheels at the rotors. A deep lip on the edge means brakes are due soon, which is a fair thing to negotiate on.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH and slowing for traffic, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the brake pedal was firm. The contact stated that added force was needed to depress the brake pedal to slow the vehicle. The contact almost had to pull onto the shoulder since…Owner complaint, filed 2024, at 72,000 miles
Brought my 2013 Jeep grand Cherokee in for braking issues, was told abs module has failed. Dealership/Mopar does not have a replacement part for the module and no aftermarket support is available. As a father with a 2y/o and a newborn, this seems unacceptable that a critical component such as the abs module is no longer available 10yrs…Owner complaint, filed 2023
Fuel system
113 complaintsHesitation, stalling, fuel smell, fuel pump and injector failures.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 73,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Smell around the engine bay and under the rear of the car for raw fuel.
- On the test drive, accelerate firmly from a stop and up a grade. Stumbling, surging or a flashing check engine light are red flags.
- Fuel pump recalls are common. Check this exact VIN for open recalls before you buy.
Tools that help
What owners said
Took my vehicle to dealership for fuel pump recall. Was told it wasn’t the actual pump but the wiring and they fixed it. Vehicle continued to have the same issues plus a new issue where the car completely stalled out while driving. I took it back, they said the parts they put on were defective but I’d still have to pay 300$. I paid the…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 196,015 miles
Recall V62/NHTSA 19V-813 that was done on my vehicle in Jan 2023 at 44607 miles failed 0n March 4 2026 the vehicle died and would not start and the repair shop had to replace the fuel pump relay again only 4,811 mile later even though it had been 3 years not many miles and of course Jeep will not reimburse me because it was over 3 years…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Engine and cooling
110 complaintsStalling, misfires, oil consumption, leaks, overheating and engine failure.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 74,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Ask the seller not to warm the car up, and start it cold. Listen for ticking, knocking or a rough idle in the first minute.
- Pull the oil dipstick and the oil cap. Low oil, a gasoline smell or a milky film on the cap are reasons to walk away or get an inspection.
- Plug in an OBD2 scanner. Stored or pending codes matter, and so do readiness monitors that show "not ready", which usually means the codes were cleared right before the sale.
- Ask for oil change records. A gap in the records on a model known for engine complaints is a negotiating point at minimum.
Tools that help
What owners said
In November 2022 my car was over heating and i took into carmax where i purchased vehicle about a month ago. They then said they replaced the water pump/ thermostat. my car ran fine for about a year till now dec 2022 i started experiencing more overheating issues and have replace parts again because not under warrenty. i have know to…Owner complaint, filed 2024
The contact owns a 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated while driving 10 MPH, the vehicle started shuddering. The check engine warning light illuminated. The contact was able to drive to the nearby residence. The contact stated that her husband used an OBD reader to diagnose the vehicle and determined that cylinder #5 was…Owner complaint, filed 2023, at 89,000 miles
Seats and seat belts
61 complaintsBelts that will not latch or retract, seat adjusters and passenger occupancy sensors.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 80,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Pull out and latch every seat belt, and let each one retract on its own.
- Try every seat adjuster, and watch for a passenger air bag "off" light when an adult is in the seat.
Tools that help
What owners said
On August 17, 2026, while my wife was driving our 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 under normal conditions, the front passenger Active Head Restraint (AHR/headrest) suddenly and violently deployed without any collision, impact, or other apparent triggering event. I was seated in the front passenger seat and the spring-loaded head restraint…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Active head restraint deployed on drivers side while auto was moving in parking lot. This unexpected event made the driver come to a sudden stop. There was no impacts of this vehicle into any object. No injury to the driver in the parking lot but is pssible injury to driver and other in the parking lot could have happened. After…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Transmission and drivetrain
55 complaintsHarsh or delayed shifts, slipping, shuddering, CVT whine, and drivetrain clunks.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 80,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Drive it from cold if you can. Shifts should be smooth in every gear, including reverse.
- Feel for slipping (revs rise without the car speeding up), shudder at low speed and a delay when you put it in gear.
- Listen for whining, which is a common CVT complaint, and clunks when you go from drive to reverse.
- If it has 4WD or AWD, engage it on the test drive and ask when the transmission and differential fluids were last changed.
Tools that help
What owners said
This is the second time I’ve replaced the rear end differential in this car. Seems to be a know issue among mechanics that Jeep’s are know to need this rare pair oftenOwner complaint, filed 2022
The contact owns a 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds or while stopped at a stop sign, the vehicle was rough idling and would stall intermittently. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and diagnosed as compression leaks and cylinder head failure. The mechanic referred the contact…Owner complaint, filed 2021, at 128,000 miles
Lights, wipers and visibility
34 complaintsHeadlights that dim or fail, wiper and washer failures, and windshield cracks.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 36,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Check every light: headlights on low and high, fog lights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights.
- Run the wipers on every speed with washer fluid, and run the defroster front and back.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the contact noticed smoke coming from the sunroof. The contact stated that the smoke turned into flames. The contact was able to pull over and the fire department was contacted, and they were able to extinguish the fire. There were no injuries reported.…Owner complaint, filed 2022, at 115,000 miles
The contact's wife owns a 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that initially the passenger’s side headlight would intermittently flash on and off while in operation without warning. The contact then stated that both headlights would intermittently fail to illuminate while driving at various speeds without warning. The headlights…Owner complaint, filed 2021, at 90,000 miles
Air bags
33 complaintsAir bag warning lights, air bags that did not deploy, and inflator recalls.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 62,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- The air bag (SRS) light should come on at startup and go out within a few seconds. If it stays on, the system may not work in a crash.
- Air bag recalls are some of the most serious. Check this exact VIN for open recalls and get proof any recall work was done.
Tools that help
What owners said
Headset active air bags deployed when just sitting in driveway. I had no knowledge of the “warranty period “ to get it replaced otherwise i would’ve and my car has never been in an accidentOwner complaint, filed 2023
Driver side active restraint headrest airbag deployed while vehicle was in motion on a city street. No accident or impact took place to cause the deployment.Owner complaint, filed 2020, at 75,000 miles
Steering
26 complaintsLoss of power steering assist, wandering, play in the wheel and noises when turning.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 40,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Turn the wheel lock to lock while parked and listen for groaning, clicking or binding.
- On a straight road the car should track straight with the wheel centered and no loose feeling.
- A power steering warning on the dash, even briefly, deserves a mechanic’s look before you buy.
Tools that help
What owners said
My jeep grand cherokee overland with quadra lift suspension , has had a front steering shimmy ever since I have owned it.it has had four ,four wheel alignments in six months, and is on third set of tires.there are no loose parts , I have been informed,that the five star alignment shop cannot find the problem.it starts at just over 60…Owner complaint, filed 2020, at 64,000 miles
My check engine light came on, so I took my jeep into the dealer, my jeep has approx. 61k miles, very good care taken, oil changes, etc., has not even needed new brakes yet. Dealership says ther is small evap leak in exhaust system - $285 later, the light is off. They also tell me my power steering is leaking and will go out soon, it…Owner complaint, filed 2017, at 61,000 miles
Cruise control and acceleration
22 complaintsHesitation, loss of power, sudden acceleration and cruise control problems.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 68,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- On the test drive, press the gas gently and firmly. The response should be smooth with no lag or surge.
- Set the cruise control, then use resume and cancel to make sure each one works.
Tools that help
What owners said
While driving my check engine light came on and then the electronic stability control light came on to show the system was off. I tried to accelerate but the car would not go any faster. I let off and moved to the right lane then pressed the gas again. It struggled to go but eventually did resume speed. This problem is intermittent…Owner complaint, filed 2022
The contact owned a 2013 jeep grand cherokee. The contact state that while driving at 60 MPH with the cruise control engaged, it failed to disengage while approaching a ramp. The contact depressed the brake pedal which failed to also disconnect the cruise control. The contact managed to veer to the shoulder of the road while depressing…Owner complaint, filed 2020, at 78,000 miles
Wheels and tires
19 complaintsTire failures, wheels and lug nuts, and tire pressure sensor faults.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 34,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Read the four-digit DOT date on each tire. Tires older than about six years should be replaced, whatever the tread looks like.
- Check tread depth on all four. On AWD vehicles all four tires should match.
- The tire pressure light should go out after startup.
Tools that help
What owners said
While driving on a 55 mph 4 lane roadway I experienced a loud "pop" sound followed by rapid rhythmic banging at the passenger rear area of the vehicle. Thinking a tire must have failed I got as far to the right of the roadway and stopped. When the tire was changed it was apparent that the tread delaminated involving about one half of the…Owner complaint, filed 2022
Lug nuts have started swelling or ballooning and have started breaking. 3 lug nuts have ballooned where they are no longer tight on the stud. The other lug nuts can't be removed without breaking the stud. If I'm have a flat, I may not be able to change the tire without breaking the lug stud.Owner complaint, filed 2019, at 97,000 miles
Body, doors and structure
13 complaintsRust, doors and liftgates that will not latch, leaks, and frame or structure concerns.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 30,000 miles. Parts named most: Body (7).
What to check before you buy
- Look underneath with a flashlight. Utah road salt is hard on frames, brake lines and the bottoms of doors.
- Open and close every door, the hood and the liftgate, and lock and unlock each one.
- Use a paint thickness gauge and compare panels. A panel that reads very differently from the rest has likely been repaired.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that the leather on the dashboard had started to peel. The contact stated that she would feel the heat from the engine coming through the front vents on the dashboard. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and the contact was informed that there was a recall for the failure…Owner complaint, filed 2023, at 100,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while her husband was driving there was an abnormal odor detected. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and unattended there was smoke coming from the passenger’s side rear door. The sun visor and roof were on…Owner complaint, filed 2021, at 95,000 miles
Suspension
8 complaintsClunks over bumps, broken springs, worn struts and uneven tire wear.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 80,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Drive over a few bumps and potholes slowly with the radio off and listen for clunks or rattles.
- Check the tires for uneven wear on the inside or outside edges, a sign of alignment or suspension trouble.
- Look behind the wheels for oily, wet shocks or struts.
Tools that help
What owners said
On 5/18/26 at 6:45 am Eastern Time While driving, both left and right sides of the rear lower control arms completely detached from the vehicle due to severe internal rust perforation of the rear subframe/cradle assembly. The structural mounting bracket on the subframe snapped off entirely, causing a catastrophic suspension failure and a…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Vehicle was stationary, sitting in parking lot after driving on highway for 4 hours. Air bag suspension exploded, causing very loud noise and vehicle suspension to drop to almost the tire. Vehicle inoperable after incident. Very hazardous to be near when air bag suspension popped/exploded.Owner complaint, filed 2020, at 85,000 miles
Driver assist systems
7 complaintsPhantom braking, false collision warnings, and lane keeping or backup sensors that act up.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 38,000 miles. Parts named most: Warnings (5).
What to check before you buy
- Where it is safe, try the adaptive cruise and lane keeping on the test drive and watch for sudden braking or warnings with nothing there.
- Check the windshield in front of the camera and the bumper sensors for cracks, chips or poor repairs.
- Ask whether the windshield has been replaced. The camera has to be recalibrated afterward, and many shops skip it.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while depressing the accelerator pedal, there was a delay, and the vehicle lunged forward. The RPM was extremely high. The brake pedal was depressed, but the vehicle was slow to respond. The contact stated that while driving, the vehicle pulled to the left and crossed…Owner complaint, filed 2024, at 8,000 miles
The few sensor is no longer functional jeep no longer stops in its own sensor states its dirty. Dashboard is warped leather bubbled offOwner complaint, filed 2022
Jeep Grand Cherokee complaints by year
Compare the 2013 with other years before you choose one. Tap a year to see its problems.
Compare with similar 2013 midsize SUVs
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee | Worse than most years | 10 |
| 2013 Toyota Highlander | About average | 3 |
| 2013 Honda Pilot | One of the better years | 6 |
| 2013 Ford Explorer | Worse than most years | 12 |
2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee recalls
Electrical system
- 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.
Full recall summary
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.
Engine and cooling Turbo / supercharger
- Risk
- A brake fluid leak may lengthen the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- ATI will notify owners and will replace the supercharger brackets, free of charge.
Full recall summary
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.
Brakes
- 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.
Full recall summary
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.
Electrical system Alternator / generator / regulator
- Risk
- If the alternator fails, the vehicle may stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash.
- 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.
Full recall summary
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.
Electrical system Wiring
- 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.
Full recall summary
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.
Electrical system
- 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.
Full recall summary
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.
Electrical system Alternator / generator / regulator
- 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.
Full recall summary
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.
Electrical system Wiring
- 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.
Full recall summary
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.
Brakes
- 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.
Full recall summary
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.
Brakes Antilock / traction control / electronic limited slip
- 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.
Full recall summary
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.
2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee questions
What are the most common problems with the 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
The most reported problem areas on the 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee are the electrical system (376 complaints), the brakes and stability control (159 complaints) and the fuel system (113 complaints).
Is the 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee a good year to buy?
Worse than most Grand Cherokee years. Owners filed about 1.3 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 68,000 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.
How many recalls does the 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee have?
NHTSA lists 10 recalls for the 2013 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.
At what mileage do 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee problems start?
Half of the owners who reported a problem with the electrical system gave a mileage of about 68,000 miles or less. Half of the owners who reported a problem with the brakes and stability control gave a mileage of about 26,000 miles or less. Plenty of cars have these problems later or never, so ask for service records.
Which Jeep Grand Cherokee years should I avoid?
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.
Check the exact car
These problems are for the model year as a whole. Here is how to find out about the one you are looking at.
Looking at a 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
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