Jeep Grand Cherokee Best and Worst Years (2010–2025)
NHTSA data flags 2011, 2012, 2014, and 2015 as the Jeep Grand Cherokee years to avoid, with complaint indexes of 80, 87, 100, and 93 out of a possible high tied to electrical, engine, and transmission problems. The best years by contrast are 2010, 2016, 2017, and 2020, each with a complaint index of 20 or lower.
Avoid 2011Avoid 2012Avoid 2014Avoid 2015Best 2010Best 2016Best 2017Best 2020
- Model years
- 16
- 2010–2025
- NHTSA complaints
- 11,432
- Recall campaigns
- 77
- Crashes reported
- 604
- Fires reported
- 299
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Best | 0 | 118 | 10 | 4 | 4 | Electrical System | 16 | — |
| 2011 | Avoid | 80 | 1,640 | 53 | 61 | 6 | Electrical System | 18 | 4★ |
| 2012 | Avoid | 87 | 1,642 | 46 | 105 | 10 | Electrical System | 16 | 4★ |
| 2013 | Caution | 60 | 802 | 23 | 27 | 9 | Electrical System | 16 | 4★ |
| 2014 | Avoid | 100 | 2,375 | 150 | 40 | 18 | Engine | 19 | 5★ |
| 2015 | Avoid | 93 | 1,359 | 128 | 21 | 9 | Transmission & Powertrain | 19 | 5★ |
| 2016 | Best | 7 | 310 | 27 | 7 | 8 | Engine | 21 | 5★ |
| 2017 | Best | 13 | 364 | 26 | 3 | 5 | Engine | 19 | 5★ |
| 2018 | Caution | 67 | 853 | 42 | 10 | 10 | Electrical System | 21 | 4★ |
| 2019 | Good | 33 | 367 | 17 | 4 | 7 | Brakes | 19 | 5★ |
| 2020 | Best | 20 | 238 | 24 | 5 | 3 | Electrical System | 17 | 5★ |
| 2021 | Good | 47 | 403 | 20 | 8 | 12 | Electrical System | 17 | 5★ |
| 2022 | Good | 27 | 260 | 6 | 1 | 13 | Electrical System | 21 | — |
| 2023 | Caution | 73 | 386 | 14 | 3 | 21 | Electrical System | 22 | — |
| 2024 | Caution | 53 | 241 | 10 | 0 | 16 | Electrical System | 22 | 5★ |
| 2025 | Good | 40 | 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, 2,375 complaints, and 18 recall campaigns — the most of any year. Engine problems lead at 23% of complaints (median failure mileage 51,000), followed by Electrical System (22%, median 38,000 miles) and Transmission & Powertrain (20%, median 25,248 miles). This year also had 150 crashes and 138 injuries reported, the highest injury count of all years. Recalls address a diesel crankshaft sensor issue, a high-pressure fuel pump defect, and an EGR cooler crack. Owners describe engine fires and seats coming loose after low-speed impacts.
2014 engine problems →2014 electrical system problems →2014 transmission & powertrain problems →
2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee Index 93 · 1,359 complaints · 9 recalls
The 2015 model carries a complaint index of 93 across 1,359 complaints, ranking 2nd worst, with 128 crashes and 93 injuries reported. Transmission & Powertrain issues top the list at 26% of complaints, with a notably low median failure mileage of 11,567 miles, followed by Structure & Body (25%) and Engine (19%). Nine recall campaigns apply, including diesel engine sensor and fuel pump issues shared with the 2014 model. Owners describe vehicles rolling or lurching unexpectedly after being shifted into park, sometimes leading to low-speed collisions.
2015 transmission & powertrain problems →2015 structure & body problems →2015 engine problems →
2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee Index 87 · 1,642 complaints · 10 recalls
The 2012 Grand Cherokee ranks 3rd worst with a complaint index of 87 across 1,642 complaints and 10 recall campaigns. Electrical System problems account for 52% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 70,000 miles; Engine issues follow at 20% and Brakes at 19%. NHTSA recorded 105 fire reports for this year. Recalls cover the same fuel pump relay issue as 2011 plus an alternator inspection/replacement campaign. Owners describe rack-and-pinion leaks affecting steering, airbags failing to deploy in crashes, and engine fires starting shortly after the vehicle was running.
2012 electrical system problems →2012 engine problems →2012 brakes problems →
2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee Index 80 · 1,640 complaints · 6 recalls
The 2011 model carries a complaint index of 80 and 1,640 complaints, ranking 4th worst of all 16 years covered. Electrical System issues make up 49% of complaints for this year, with a median failure mileage of 62,250 miles, followed by Engine problems (24%) and Brakes (21%). NHTSA logged 61 fire reports and 2 deaths tied to this model year. Six recall campaigns apply, including a fuel pump relay/wire harness replacement and a brake booster shield correction. Owners describe unexpected engine fires, sudden loss of steering control, and warning lights appearing shortly after purchase.
2011 electrical system problems →2011 engine problems →2011 brakes problems →
Most common Jeep Grand Cherokee problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group. A complaint naming two components counts once in each.
- Electrical System4,049 (35%)
- Engine2,573 (23%)
- Transmission & Powertrain1,590 (14%)
- Other1,583 (14%)
- Brakes1,540 (13%)
- Fuel System1,299 (11%)
- Structure & Body1,116 (10%)
- Airbags588 (5%)
- Steering588 (5%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires436 (4%)
Frequently asked questions
- What years of Jeep Grand Cherokee should I avoid?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the years to avoid are 2011, 2012, 2014, and 2015. The 2014 model year has the highest complaint index at 100, followed by 2015 at 93, 2012 at 87, and 2011 at 80.
- What is the best year for the Jeep Grand Cherokee?
- According to NHTSA complaint data, 2010, 2016, 2017, and 2020 are rated Best, with complaint indexes of 0, 7, 13, and 20 respectively — the lowest in the lineup.
- What is the most common problem with the Jeep Grand Cherokee?
- Across all 16 model years covered, Electrical System issues are the most reported problem, making up 35% of all 11,432 complaints, followed by Engine issues at 23%.
- Does the Jeep Grand Cherokee have engine recalls?
- Yes. The 2014 and 2015 model years are covered by recalls for a diesel crankshaft position sensor defect, a high-pressure fuel pump failure, and an EGR cooler crack, among 77 total recall campaigns across all years.
- How many total complaints does the Jeep Grand Cherokee have?
- NHTSA lists 11,432 complaints across model years 2010-2025, along with 77 recall campaigns.