YearToAvoid

2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Caution The 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee has 310 complaints and a complaint index of 10, but it carries a Caution verdict because of 8 recall campaigns requiring a dealer visit. It ranks 19th worst of 21 model years, with Engine problems the top complaint area (102 complaints, 33%).

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
10/100
#19 of 21 Grand Cherokee years
Verdict
Caution
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
310
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
8
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
27
reported in complaints
Fires
7
Injuries
18
Top issue
Engine
Best nearby year
2017
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
21
18.5 city / 25.5 hwy
Injuries / deaths
18 / 0

Top 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Engine102 (33%)
  2. Transmission & Powertrain78 (25%)
  3. Electrical System69 (22%)
  4. Fuel System45 (15%)
  5. Brakes36 (12%)
  6. Other31 (10%)
  7. Structure & Body22 (7%)
  8. Steering16 (5%)
  9. Airbags11 (4%)
  10. Suspension, Wheels & Tires10 (3%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Engine revs or the vehicle accelerates unexpectedly when shifting into drive, sometimes leading to a crash.
  • Vehicle surges forward unexpectedly after the auto stop/start feature shuts the engine off and it restarts.
  • Transmission gets stuck in drive and cannot be shifted into park, followed by sudden unintended acceleration.
  • Driver-side airbags deploy and leak a chemical substance that causes skin irritation on contact.
  • Rear liftgate reopens on its own after closing, with no audible warning chime, while backing up.
2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee complaints: complaints filed per quarter172016 Q12017 Q32019 Q12020 Q32022 Q12023 Q32025 Q12026 Q3
310 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2016 Q1 to 2026 Q3; peak 2016 Q4 (17).

2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee recalls

8 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 23V411000Jun 8, 2023Engine80,629 vehicles

    Engine and engine cooling

    Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2019 Ram 1500 and 2014-2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles equipped with 3.0L Diesel engines. The crankshaft position sensor tone wheel may delaminate, causing the engine to lose its ability to synchronize the fuel injector pulses and cam shaft timing, possibly resulting in an engine stall.

    Risk: An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will update the powertrain control module software to maintain vehicle propulsion, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed August 3, 2023. Some owner notification letters were mailed October 31, 2023. The remaining owner notification letters will be mailed at a future date, anticipated July 2024. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 66A. This recall is an expansion of recall 20V-475.

  2. NHTSA 22V406000Jun 9, 2022Fuel System138,645 vehicles

    Fuel system, diesel:delivery:fuel pump

    Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee, and 2014-2019 Ram 1500 vehicles equipped with 3.0L diesel engines. A high pressure fuel pump (HPFP) failure may introduce internal debris into the fuel system, potentially resulting in fuel starvation.

    Risk: Fuel starvation may result in an unexpected loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the HPFP, and inspect and replace, if necessary, additional fuel system components, free of charge. Interim notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed July 21, 2022. Owner notification letters for were mailed for Jeep Grand Cherokee owners starting January 11, 2024. Owner notification letters for Ram 1500 owners were mailed March 7, 2024. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLS's number for this recall is Z46.

  3. NHTSA 20V699000Nov 12, 2020Engine28,884 vehicles

    Engine and engine cooling:exhaust system:emission control:gas recirculation valve (egr valve)

    Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles equipped with the 3.0L EcoDiesel engines. The Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) cooler may crack and allow pre-heated vaporized coolant to enter the EGR system. This mixture may combust inside the intake manifold.

    Risk: Combustion in the intake manifold can increase the risk of a fire.

    Remedy: FCA US LLC will notify owners, and dealers will replace the EGR cooler, free of charge. Dealers will also inspect and, as necessary, replace the intake manifold. Parts are not currently available. Owners were mailed an interim notification on December 21, 2021. A second notification will be mailed when parts are available, currently expected to be around March 11, 2021. The recall began March 11, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US LLC's number for this recall is W79.

See all 8 recalls for the 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee →

2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee fuel economy and fuel cost

City
18.5 MPG
Highway
25.5 MPG
Combined
21 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$3,850
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Diesel
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.

2016 compared with other Grand Cherokee years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2014Avoid1002,3751819
2015Avoid951,359919
2016Caution10310821
2017Best20364519
2018Avoid758531021

All Jeep Grand Cherokee years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee reliable?
NHTSA data gives the 2016 model a complaint index of 10, one of the lower scores among Grand Cherokee years, but it is still rated Caution because it has 8 recall campaigns requiring a dealer visit.
What problems does the 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee have?
Owners most often reported Engine issues (102 complaints, 33% of the total), followed by Transmission & Powertrain (78 complaints, 25%) and Electrical System (69 complaints, 22%).
Does the 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns for the 2016 Grand Cherokee, covering the engine, fuel system, electrical system, and brakes, including a brake caliper recall and a shift interlock solenoid recall specific to this model year.
How does the 2016 Grand Cherokee compare to other years?
It ranks 19th worst out of 21 model years with data, meaning most other years have higher complaint counts; 2010 (Best, index 0) and 2017 (Best, index 20) are lower-risk years for this model.
What is the fuel economy of the 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
EPA rates it at 21 mpg combined (18.5 city / 25.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,850.

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.