2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee Electrical System Problems
NHTSA lists 848 Electrical System complaints for the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 52% of all 1,642 complaints that year, with 95 fires and 5 crashes reported. Six related electrical recalls exist, covering the fuel pump relay, alternator, and sun visor wiring. Median mileage at failure is 70,000.
- Electrical System complaints
- 848
- 52% of 1,642
- Crashes reported
- 5
- Fires reported
- 95
- Injuries reported
- 3
- Median mileage
- 70,000 mi
- Related recalls
- 6
Typical electrical symptoms owners report
- Owners report smoke and burning-plastic smells coming from around the sun visor area, sometimes progressing to visible flames near the headliner.
- Several owners describe the sunroof or parking-assist system malfunctioning at the same time smoke appeared, suggesting a wiring short spreading through the ceiling harness.
- Some complaints describe the alternator failing along with a battery warning light, burning odor from air vents, and abnormal noise near the front passenger side.
- Owners report dealers being unable to locate the source of a persistent burning smell before the vehicle later caught fire.
- One complaint describes airbags failing to deploy in a crash while the electrical system malfunctioned afterward, with doors becoming inoperable.
When 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee electrical complaints were filed
First complaint Dec 18, 2011, latest Sep 10, 2026.
Electrical System recalls for the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee
- 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 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.
- NHTSA 15V879000Dec 28, 2015Electrical System389,252 vehicles
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. In the affected vehicles, the wiring for the vanity lamp in the sun visor may short circuit, after having been remedied for a prior recall for the vanity lamp wiring. This recall is also addressing certain vehicles that have not been remedied under that prior recall.
Risk: The vanity lamp wiring may short, increasing the risk of a vehicle fire.
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. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R71.
- NHTSA 15V115000Feb 27, 2015Electrical System339,525 vehicles
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 January 18, 2011, to August 19, 2013, and equipped with a 3.6 or 5.7 liter engine. In the affected vehicles, 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 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. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 14V-530. Note: This recall has been superseded by recall 19V813.
- NHTSA 14V634000Oct 8, 2014Electrical System435,081 vehicles
Electrical system:alternator/generator/regulator
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 and a 160 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.
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.
- NHTSA 14V391000Jul 2, 2014Electrical System653,562 vehicles
Electrical system:wiring
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. In the affected vehicles, the wiring for the vanity lamp in the sun visor may short circuit, after a service repair is performed.
Risk: If the vanity lamp wiring shorts, there is an increased risk of fire.
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. Chrysler's number for this recall is P36.
Electrical System complaints by Grand Cherokee model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- How common are electrical problems in the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
- NHTSA lists 848 Electrical System complaints for the 2012 model year, which is 52% of all 1,642 complaints filed for that year, the highest share among the model years listed.
- Is there a recall for electrical issues on the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
- Yes. Six recalls tied to the Electrical System apply to the 2012 model, covering the fuel pump relay (campaigns 19V813000 and 15V115000), the alternator (14V634000), and sun visor wiring (15V879000 and 14V391000).
- Do the electrical problems involve fires?
- NHTSA data for this model year shows 95 fires and 3 injuries reported among the Electrical System complaints, along with 5 crashes.
- At what mileage do these electrical failures happen?
- The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for this problem area is 70,000 miles.
- Is 2012 the worst year for this issue?
- Among the years listed, 2012 has the highest share of complaints tied to the Electrical System at 52%, compared to 49% in 2011 and 48% in 2013.