2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee
BUILT 2026-08-02

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Jeep Grand Cherokee Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2012 highlighted. 1989: 5 complaints 1989 1990: 5 complaints 1991: 6 complaints 1992: 3 complaints 1993: 555 complaints 1994: 588 complaints 1994 1995: 719 complaints 1996: 893 complaints 1997: 991 complaints 1998: 1028 complaints 1999: 1638 complaints 1999 2000: 1447 complaints 2001: 883 complaints 2002: 1476 complaints 2003: 761 complaints 2004: 1294 complaints 2004 2005: 2051 complaints 2006: 1280 complaints 2007: 1108 complaints 2008: 733 complaints 2009: 138 complaints 2009 2010: 117 complaints 2011: 1639 complaints 2012: 1637 complaints 2012 2013: 799 complaints 2014: 2367 complaints 2014 2015: 1340 complaints 2016: 306 complaints 2017: 361 complaints 2018: 837 complaints 2019: 356 complaints 2019 2020: 224 complaints 2021: 396 complaints 2022: 247 complaints 2023: 371 complaints 2024: 231 complaints 2024 2025: 59 complaints 2026: 8 complaints 2026
2012: 1637 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19895
19905
19916
19923
1993555
1994588
1995719
1996893
1997991
19981028
19991638
20001447
2001883
20021476
2003761
20041294
20052051
20061280
20071108
2008733
2009138
2010117
20111639
20121637
2013799
20142367
20151340
2016306
2017361
2018837
2019356
2020224
2021396
2022247
2023371
2024231
202559
20268

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 49%

49% of complaints: electrical system — 802 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE BATTERY INDICATOR SUDDENLY ILLUMINATED AND A WHINING NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE ENGINE AREA.

NHTSA ODI report, 20171101

ENGINE 17%

17% of complaints: engine — 283 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE BATTERY INDICATOR SUDDENLY ILLUMINATED AND A WHINING NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE ENGINE AREA.

NHTSA ODI report, 20171101

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE CONTACT GLANCED INTO THE REAR VIEW MIRROR AND NOTICED SMOKE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. IMMEDIATELY THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD.

NHTSA ODI report, 20120614

BACKING OUR BOAT INTO DRIVEWAY, CAR HAD BEEN RUNNING ABOUT 20 MINUTES AND ENGINE UNDER HOOD STARTED SMOKING, FLUID THEN DRIPPED TO DRIVEWAY AND CAUGHT FIRE, EXTENDED INTO FULL ENGINE COMPARTMENT ENGINE ENTIRELY DESTROYED.

NHTSA ODI report, 20120521

SERVICE BRAKES 17%

17% of complaints: service brakes — 277 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 13%

13% of complaints: fuel/propulsion system — 215 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN WHEN SLOWLY BEING DRIVEN IN REVERSE IN DRIVEWAY. SHOT BACKWARDS AND EVENTUALLY HIT TREE AND STOPPED. THIS WAS NOT USER ERROR. THE FLOOR MAT WAS NOT STUCK. ALL THIS WAS CHECKED.

NHTSA ODI report, 20171105

STEERING 6%

6% of complaints: steering — 99 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20111228 — 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

Remedy: CHRYSLER WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE ENGINE FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT NOVEMBER 18, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

Campaign 11V487000 — check if this car was fixed

2012 — complaint volume: 1637
I 20120719 — PE (closed 20121207)

Power steering hose failure

I 20130819 — PE (closed 20140114)

Headliner Fires

I 20140110 — EA (closed 20140812)

Headliner Fires

R 20140403 — service brakes, hydraulic

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.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update the ABS module software, free of charge. The recall began on April 3, 2014. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number associated with this recall is P05.

Campaign 14V104000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20140530 — service brakes, service brakes, hydraulic

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.

Remedy: 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.

Campaign 14V154000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20140825 — electrical system

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.

Remedy: 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. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403.

Campaign 14V391000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20140925 — DP (closed 20150724)

Totally Integrated Power Module Failure

R 20150227 — electrical system

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...

Remedy: Chrysler has notified owners, and dealers will replace the alternator, free of charge. The recall began on February 27, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is P60.

Campaign 14V634000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20150501 — RQ (closed 20160706)

Post 14V-391 Headliner Fires

R 20150807 — 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...

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump relay with one external to the TIPM. The recall began on August 7, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R09.

Campaign 15V115000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20160728 — electrical system, interior lighting

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.

Remedy: 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. The recall began on July 28, 2016.

Campaign 15V879000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20171110 — service brakes, service brakes, hydraulic

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Dodge Durango and Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brake booster shield, correcting the installation as necessary, free of charge. The recall began November10, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403.

Campaign 17V572000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20171212 — engine and engine cooling

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.

Remedy: ATI will notify owners and will replace the supercharger brackets, free of charge. The recall began on December 12, 2017. Owners may contact ATI customer service at 1-913-338-2886.

Campaign 17E061000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20180212 — electrical system

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.

Remedy: 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. The recall began February 12, 2018.

Campaign 17V435000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20190909 — PE (closed 20260225)

Active Head Rest Inadvertent Deployment

R 20201210 — 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.

Remedy: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) will replace the affected fuel pump relay and related wire harness. Interim notices informing owners of the safety risk were mailed beginning December 19, 2019.

Campaign 19V813000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20210917 — EA (open)

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (802 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine issues (283 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for service brakes issues (277 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 11V487000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 14V104000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 14V154000 (service brakes, service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 14V391000 (electrical system) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 14V634000 (electrical system) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 15V115000 (electrical system) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 15V879000 (electrical system, interior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 17V572000 (service brakes, service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 17E061000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 17V435000 (electrical system) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 19V813000 (electrical system) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2025 ▲ 2010 ▲ 2009

WORST YEARS

■ 2014 ■ 2005 ■ 1999

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee is rated "significantly worse".

What are the most common problems with the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee?

The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 49% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee have?

11 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.