2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee has a complaint index of 50 and rank 11 of 21 model years, earning a Caution verdict. Electrical System issues dominate with 384 complaints (48% share), plus 9 recall campaigns, mostly for wiring and fuel pump relays.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 50/100
- #11 of 21 Grand Cherokee years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 802
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 9
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 23
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 27
- Injuries
- 28
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 16
- 14 city / 20 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 28 / 1
Top 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System384 (48%)
- Brakes159 (20%)
- Engine126 (16%)
- Fuel System111 (14%)
- Structure & Body70 (9%)
- Other63 (8%)
- Transmission & Powertrain55 (7%)
- Airbags33 (4%)
- Steering26 (3%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires26 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report sudden brake failure at low speeds, causing the vehicle to roll into gates, trees, or other vehicles.
- Some describe the transmission unexpectedly shifting from park to neutral, allowing the vehicle to roll away on its own.
- Others report the vehicle lurching into full-throttle reverse with brakes that would not respond, resulting in a collision.
- Side airbags reportedly failed to deploy during side-impact crashes at moderate speeds.
- Several owners noticed smoke coming from the vanity lamp wiring while the vehicle was parked, tied to a later recall repair.
2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee recalls
9 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.
2013 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.
2013 compared with other Grand Cherokee years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2013 model has a complaint index of 50 and ranks 11th of 21 model years, placing it in the Caution category rather than Good or Avoid.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
- Electrical System complaints are the largest category, with 384 complaints making up 48% of all reports, including wiring and fuel pump relay issues covered by multiple recalls.
- Does the 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee have brake problems?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 159 brake complaints (20% share) with a median failure mileage of 26,298 miles, and owners describe brake failure at low speeds in some sample complaints.
- How many recalls does the 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee have?
- NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns for the 2013 Grand Cherokee, most involving the Electrical System such as fuel pump relays, alternators, and vanity lamp wiring.
- How does the 2013 model compare to other Grand Cherokee years?
- The 2013 model's complaint index of 50 is better than 2011, 2012, 2014, and 2015, which are all rated Avoid with indexes between 85 and 100, but worse than 2009, 2010, and 2017, which are rated Good or Best.