Jeep Grand Cherokee Best and Worst Years (2005–2025)
Across 21 model years and 16,742 complaints, 2014 and 2015 rank worst with complaint indexes of 100 and 95, driven by electrical, engine and transmission problems. 2010 and 2017 are the Best years, while 2005, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, and 2018 are rated Avoid.
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.
Avoid 2005Avoid 2011Avoid 2012Avoid 2014Avoid 2015Avoid 2018Best 2010Best 2017
- Model years
- 21
- 2005–2025
- NHTSA complaints
- 16,742
- Recall campaigns
- 87
- Crashes reported
- 791
- Fires reported
- 346
- Top problem area
- Electrical System
Grand Cherokee Complaint Index by year
Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.
Jeep Grand Cherokee problems and recalls by year
| Year | Verdict | Index | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Recalls | Top issue | MPG | NCAP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Avoid | 80 | 2,051 | 82 | 24 | 3 | Electrical System | 15 | — |
| 2006 | Caution | 65 | 1,280 | 47 | 7 | 4 | Electrical System | 15 | — |
| 2007 | Caution | 60 | 1,108 | 31 | 11 | 5 | Electrical System | 15 | — |
| 2008 | Good | 40 | 733 | 23 | 5 | 4 | Electrical System | 15 | — |
| 2009 | Good | 5 | 138 | 4 | 0 | 2 | Electrical System | 15 | — |
| 2010 | Best | 0 | 118 | 10 | 4 | 5 | Electrical System | 16 | — |
| 2011 | Avoid | 85 | 1,640 | 53 | 61 | 6 | Electrical System | 18 | 4★ |
| 2012 | Avoid | 90 | 1,642 | 46 | 105 | 10 | Electrical System | 16 | 4★ |
| 2013 | Caution | 50 | 802 | 23 | 27 | 9 | Electrical System | 16 | 4★ |
| 2014 | Avoid | 100 | 2,375 | 150 | 40 | 18 | Engine | 19 | 5★ |
| 2015 | Avoid | 95 | 1,359 | 128 | 21 | 9 | Transmission & Powertrain | 19 | 5★ |
| 2016 | Caution | 10 | 310 | 27 | 7 | 8 | Engine | 21 | 5★ |
| 2017 | Best | 20 | 364 | 26 | 3 | 5 | Engine | 19 | 5★ |
| 2018 | Avoid | 75 | 853 | 42 | 10 | 10 | Electrical System | 21 | 4★ |
| 2019 | Good | 30 | 367 | 17 | 4 | 7 | Brakes | 19 | 5★ |
| 2020 | Good | 35 | 238 | 24 | 5 | 3 | Electrical System | 17 | 5★ |
| 2021 | Caution | 55 | 403 | 20 | 8 | 12 | Electrical System | 17 | 5★ |
| 2022 | Caution | 15 | 260 | 6 | 1 | 13 | Electrical System | 21 | — |
| 2023 | Caution | 70 | 386 | 14 | 3 | 21 | Electrical System | 22 | — |
| 2024 | Caution | 45 | 241 | 10 | 0 | 16 | Electrical System | 22 | 5★ |
| 2025 | Caution | 25 | 74 | 8 | 0 | 4 | Electrical System | 22 | 5★ |
Grand Cherokee years to avoid: what went wrong
2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Index 100 · 2,375 complaints · 18 recalls
The 2014 model year is the single worst in the lineup, with a complaint index of 100 and the highest complaint count at 2,375. Engine complaints lead at 23%, followed closely by Electrical System at 22% and Transmission & Powertrain at 20%, with a median failure mileage of 25,248 for transmission issues. NHTSA recorded 150 crashes, 138 injuries, and 18 recall campaigns, including crankshaft sensor and EGR cooler defects on diesel engines. Owners reported engine fires shortly after delivery, seat track failures after rear-end collisions, and vehicles catching fire within days of purchase.
2014 engine problems →2014 electrical system problems →2014 transmission & powertrain problems →
2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee Index 95 · 1,359 complaints · 9 recalls
The 2015 model ranks 2nd worst with a complaint index of 95. Transmission & Powertrain complaints lead at 26% of 1,359 total, with a low median failure mileage of 11,567 miles, followed by Structure & Body at 25%. NHTSA recorded 128 crashes and 93 injuries, along with 9 recall campaigns covering diesel fuel pump and EGR cooler defects. Owners reported vehicles lurching forward when shifting out of reverse, rolling away after being placed in park, and airbags failing to deploy in low-speed crashes. Low failure mileage on transmission complaints stands out for this year.
2015 transmission & powertrain problems →2015 structure & body problems →2015 engine problems →
2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee Index 90 · 1,642 complaints · 10 recalls
With a complaint index of 90 and a rank of 3rd worst, 2012 shows Electrical System complaints at 52% of its 1,642 total, followed by Engine at 20% and Brakes at 19%. NHTSA recorded 105 fires this year, the highest fire count among all Grand Cherokee years, alongside 10 recall campaigns covering alternator and brake booster issues. Owners described rack-and-pinion leaks affecting steering control, unexpected electrical malfunctions after minor collisions, and vehicles rolling despite the transmission being in park. The high fire count and electrical complaint share place 2012 near the bottom of the rankings.
2012 electrical system problems →2012 engine problems →2012 brakes problems →
2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee Index 85 · 1,640 complaints · 6 recalls
The 2011 model carries a complaint index of 85, ranking 4th worst. Electrical System problems account for 49% of its 1,640 complaints, with engine issues at 24% and brakes at 21%; median failure mileage for electrical complaints is 62,250. NHTSA recorded 61 fires and 6 recall campaigns for this year, including fuel pump relay and wiring issues. Owners reported engine fires shortly after purchase, sudden loss of steering control, and warning lights appearing within the first few hundred miles. The combination of fire counts and electrical complaint volume drives this year's low ranking.
2011 electrical system problems →2011 engine problems →2011 brakes problems →
2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee Index 80 · 2,051 complaints · 3 recalls
The 2005 Grand Cherokee has a complaint index of 80 and ranks 5th worst of 21 years. Electrical System complaints make up 46% of its 2,051 total complaints, with a median failure mileage of 90,600 miles. Structure & Body issues follow at 24%. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns, including one covering an ignition switch defect that can affect airbag operation. Owners describe engine surges, brake pedal confusion, and airbags failing to deploy in low-speed crashes. The mix of electrical and structural complaints, combined with reported crashes and fires, keeps this year at the bottom of the lineup.
2005 electrical system problems →2005 structure & body problems →2005 engine problems →
2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee Index 75 · 853 complaints · 10 recalls
The 2018 model has a complaint index of 75, ranking 6th worst. Electrical System complaints dominate at 41% of 853 total, with a median failure mileage of 27,750 miles, and Engine complaints follow at 20% with a much lower median of 15,050 miles. NHTSA recorded 10 recall campaigns, including an ABS module malfunction and diesel engine fuel pump issues. Owners described brake failures on inclines leading to crashes, fuel odors and stalling shortly after purchase, and engine fires occurring within days of delivery. The low failure mileages suggest problems surfacing early in ownership.
2018 electrical system problems →2018 engine problems →2018 transmission & powertrain problems →
Most common Jeep Grand Cherokee problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.
- Electrical System6,966 (42%)
- Engine3,568 (21%)
- Transmission & Powertrain2,312 (14%)
- Other1,909 (11%)
- Brakes1,849 (11%)
- Structure & Body1,783 (11%)
- Fuel System1,410 (8%)
- Airbags823 (5%)
- Steering773 (5%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires587 (4%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- What years of the Jeep Grand Cherokee should I avoid?
- NHTSA data points to 2005, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, and 2018 as the years to avoid, with 2014 (complaint index 100) and 2015 (complaint index 95) ranking worst out of 21 model years.
- What is the best year for the Jeep Grand Cherokee?
- 2010 and 2017 are rated Best, with complaint indexes of 0 and 20 respectively, the lowest in the lineup of 21 model years covered.
- Is the 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee reliable?
- The 2014 model year has the highest complaint index (100) and complaint count (2,375) of any Grand Cherokee year, with 18 recall campaigns and 150 reported crashes, so it ranks worst based on NHTSA data.
- What is the most common problem area for the Grand Cherokee overall?
- Across all years, the Electrical System accounts for 42% of the 16,742 total complaints, followed by Engine at 21% and Transmission & Powertrain at 14%.
- Are newer Grand Cherokee model years problem-free?
- No. Years 2021 through 2025 are all rated Caution, with several capped due to recall campaigns requiring dealer visits, including Do Not Drive or Park Outside recalls in 2022, 2024, and 2025.