YearToAvoid

2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee Brakes Problems

NHTSA lists 307 brake complaints for the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 19% of all complaints that year, tied to 21 crashes, 3 fires, and 10 injuries. Median mileage at failure was 50,000. Three brake-related recalls (17V572000, 14V154000, 14V104000) cover booster shields and ABS module software.

Brakes complaints
307
19% of 1,642
Crashes reported
21
Fires reported
3
Injuries reported
10
Median mileage
50,000 mi
Related recalls
3

Typical brake symptoms owners report

  • Brake pedal is depressed but the vehicle fails to stop or slow at low speeds, leading to low-speed collisions.
  • Drivers report sudden loss of all braking power at highway speed, with the pedal offering no response.
  • Brake pedal travels to the floorboard, sometimes traced to brake pads or the brake booster needing replacement.
  • Vehicle rolls backward or slides forward while the brake pedal is held firmly, especially when shifting between reverse and drive.
  • Owners connect brake failures to the ABS module or brake booster recall parts that were previously inspected or replaced by a dealer.
  • Complete brake loss occurs shortly after starting to drive, resulting in the vehicle being towed and recall parts identified afterward.

When 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee brake complaints were filed

First complaint Jan 6, 2012, latest Jun 16, 2026.

2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee brakes complaints: complaints filed per quarter612012 Q12014 Q12015 Q32017 Q12018 Q42020 Q42023 Q1
307 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2012 Q1 to 2026 Q2; peak 2014 Q3 (61).

Brakes recalls for the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee

  1. 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.

  2. NHTSA 14V154000Apr 1, 2014Brakes646,498 vehicles

    Service brakes

    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.

    Risk: The water inside could freeze and limit the braking ability of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

    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. If the booster inspection confirms an unacceptable loss of vacuum pressure, the booster will be replaced. Repairs will be made free of charge. The recall began on May 30, 2014. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's recall campaign number is P14.

  3. NHTSA 14V104000Mar 4, 2014Brakes18,780 vehicles

    Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip

    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.

    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.

    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.

Brakes complaints by Grand Cherokee model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 201015 (13%)
  2. 2011347 (21%)
  3. 2012307 (19%)
  4. 2013159 (20%)
  5. 2014292 (12%)
  6. 201549 (4%)
  7. 201636 (12%)
  8. 201740 (11%)
  9. 201868 (8%)
  10. 2019118 (32%)
  11. 202013 (5%)
  12. 202130 (7%)
  13. 202215 (6%)
  14. 202328 (7%)
  15. 202417 (7%)
  16. 20256 (8%)

Frequently asked questions

Are brake problems common on the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
Yes. NHTSA lists 307 brake complaints for this model year, which is 19% of all complaints filed for the 2012 Grand Cherokee.
Is there a brake recall for the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
There are three brake-related recalls: 17V572000 and 14V154000 cover the brake booster water diverter shield, and 14V104000 covers an ABS module software update. None require the owner to stop driving immediately.
At what mileage do brake failures happen on the 2012 Grand Cherokee?
NHTSA data shows a median mileage at failure of 50,000 miles for brake complaints on this model year.
Did the brake problems cause crashes or injuries?
Yes. NHTSA records 21 crashes, 3 fires, and 10 injuries connected to brake complaints on the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee.
How does the 2012 Grand Cherokee compare to other years for brake complaints?
The 2012 model's 19% share is close to 2011 (21%) and 2013 (20%), but higher than most later years like 2015 (4%) and 2020 (5%).

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.