2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee Engine Problems
NHTSA logged 325 engine complaints for the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 20% of all complaints that year, including 18 fires, 9 crashes, and 4 injuries. Median mileage at failure was 68,000. A related recall (11V487000) covers engine replacement.
- Engine complaints
- 325
- 20% of 1,642
- Crashes reported
- 9
- Fires reported
- 18
- Injuries reported
- 4
- Median mileage
- 68,000 mi
- Related recalls
- 1
Typical engine symptoms owners report
- Owners report engine compartment fires that start with smoke or a burning smell, sometimes escalating to visible flames while driving or shortly after parking.
- Some report the engine revving unexpectedly on its own while the vehicle is parked or shifting into reverse, leading to sudden unintended movement and crashes.
- Several describe sudden loss of power or stalling at low speed (25-40 mph) accompanied by a battery warning light, followed by total electrical failure and smoke near the engine.
- Owners note the vehicle would not restart after stalling, with the alternator and battery cited as failed components tied to engine bay smoke or fire.
- One report describes decelerating engine performance at highway speed (about 70 mph) along with warning lights before smoke and flames appeared from the engine compartment.
When 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee engine complaints were filed
First complaint Dec 21, 2011, latest Jul 31, 2026.
Engine recalls for the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee
- NHTSA 11V487000Sep 29, 2011Engine667 vehicles
Engine and engine cooling
Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2012 chrysler vehicles, including 200 and town and country models, dodge vehicles, including charger, durango, grand caravan and journey models and jeep grand cherokee vehicles manufactured from august 31, 2011, through september 13, 2011, that are equipped with 3.6l engines. These engines may experience connecting rod bearing failure due to debris inside the engine block.
Risk: Connecting rod failure may lead to engine seizure which may increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners and replace the engine free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or about november 18, 2011. Owners may contact chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Engine 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 many engine complaints does the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee have?
- NHTSA lists 325 engine complaints for the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee, which is 20% of the 1,642 total complaints filed for that model year.
- Is there an engine recall for the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
- Yes. Recall campaign 11V487000 covers the engine on 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles; Chrysler's remedy was to replace the engine free of charge. It is not a do-not-drive or park-outside recall.
- At what mileage do engine problems typically show up?
- The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for engine complaints on this model year is 68,000 miles.
- Did the engine problems cause fires or crashes?
- NHTSA data tied to this engine complaint group shows 18 fires, 9 crashes, and 4 injuries reported for the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee.
- How does the 2012 model compare to other Grand Cherokee years for engine complaints?
- The 2012 model's engine complaints made up 20% of its total complaints, lower than 2011 (24%), 2014 (23%), and much lower than 2024 (45%), based on NHTSA's year-by-year breakdown.