2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
87/100
#3 most-complained of 16 Grand Cherokee years
The 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee has a Complaint Index of 87, ranking 3rd-worst out of 16 model years. NHTSA lists 1,642 complaints, 10 recalls, and 105 fires, with Electrical System issues making up 52% of complaints.
- Complaints
- 1,642
- Recalls
- 10
- Crashes / fires
- 46 / 105
- Injuries / deaths
- 35 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 16
- 14 city / 20 hwy
Top 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System848 (52%)
- Engine325 (20%)
- Brakes307 (19%)
- Fuel System248 (15%)
- Other133 (8%)
- Transmission & Powertrain102 (6%)
- Steering99 (6%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires52 (3%)
- Airbags43 (3%)
- Structure & Body39 (2%)
What owners report
- Owners report burning smells and smoke coming from the sun visor and ceiling area near the rear-view mirror, in some cases followed by flames.
- Some drivers describe the engine compartment smoking and catching fire shortly after startup or while driving at highway speed.
- Several complaints describe the vehicle lurching or moving on its own when shifting into reverse or drive, even with the brake pedal applied.
- One owner reported a minor rack-and-pinion steering leak that was left unaddressed and later led to a loss of power steering and a crash.
- An owner reported the airbags failing to deploy in a low-speed rear-end crash, followed by electrical malfunctions and doors that would not open.
2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee recalls
10 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 19V813000Nov 14, 2019Electrical System528,594 vehicles
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. The fuel pump relay inside the Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM-7) may fail, causing the vehicle to stall without warning.
Risk: A vehicle stall increases the risk of a crash.
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. Vehicles that experience a fuel pump failure will receive an interim repair. Owners will receive a second notice when the final remedy becomes available. Owner notification letters were mailed on December 10, 2020. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is V62.
- NHTSA 17V572000Sep 18, 2017Brakes646,394 vehicles
Service brakes
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.
Risk: If the brake booster shield was not installed properly, the vehicle's braking ability may be reduced, increasing the risk of a crash.
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. Chrysler's number for this recall is T59.
- NHTSA 17V435000Jul 10, 2017Electrical System442,214 vehicles
Electrical system:alternator/generator/regulator
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.
Risk: If the alternator fails, the vehicle may stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash. There is also the possibility that the alternator may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
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. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T36.
2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 14 MPG
- Highway
- 20 MPG
- Combined
- 16 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $4,600
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Gasoline or E85
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2012 compared with other Grand Cherokee years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee a bad year?
- Compared to other Grand Cherokee model years, 2012 ranks 3rd-worst out of 16 years tracked, with a Complaint Index of 87 and a verdict of Avoid based on NHTSA complaints and recalls.
- What is the most common problem with the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
- Electrical System issues are the top problem area, accounting for 848 complaints, or 52% of all complaints, and 95 of the 105 reported fires.
- Does the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee have recalls?
- NHTSA lists 10 recalls for the 2012 Grand Cherokee, most involving the Electrical System, including fuel pump relay wiring, alternator wiring, and sun visor wiring recalls, plus two Brakes recalls for the brake booster shield.
- At what mileage do 2012 Grand Cherokee problems typically show up?
- The median mileage at failure across all reported problems is 65,000 miles, with Electrical System failures reported at a median of 70,000 miles.
- How does the 2012 Grand Cherokee compare to the 2014 model?
- The 2014 Grand Cherokee has a higher Complaint Index of 100 and more complaints (2,375) than the 2012's 1,642 and Complaint Index of 87, though both are rated Avoid.