NHTSA lists 11 safety recalls and 1,644 owner complaints for the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Most complaints involve electrical system (837) and engine (285). The EPA rates it 14–19 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 4 stars overall.
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.
Accessible Technologies, Inc. (ATI) is recalling certain ProCharger Superchargers, model numbers AB037A-100, AB037A-100P, and A037A-100B, sold for installation on 2012-2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 and SRT vehicles. The supercharger mounting bracket may contact and damage the ABS line, possibly resulting in a brake fluid leak.
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.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Complaints for each Grand Cherokee model year we’ve synced.
| Model year | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 1,342 |
| 1997 | 1,380 |
| 1998 | 1,429 |
| 1999 | 2,004 |
| 2000 | 1,829 |
| 2001 | 1,111 |
| 2002 | 1,476 |
| 2003 | 761 |
| 2004 | 1,295 |
| 2005 | 2,051 |
| 2006 | 1,297 |
| 2007 | 1,109 |
| 2008 | 734 |
| 2009 | 138 |
| 2010 | 118 |
| 2011 | 1,640 |
| 2012 | 1,644 |
| 2013 | 805 |
| 2014 | 2,388 |
| 2015 | 1,369 |
| 2016 | 312 |
| 2017 | 364 |
| 2018 | 855 |
| 2019 | 370 |
| 2020 | 241 |
| 2021 | 410 |
| 2022 | 377 |
| 2023 | 408 |
| 2024 | 254 |
| 2025 | 80 |
| 2026 | 32 |
“The alternator failed. It was the Safety Recall P60 (NHTSA 14V-634) remedy alternator, installed by an authorized FCA dealer when the recall was completed on 08/30/2021, as FCA confirmed in writing. On 09/24/2026, at 41,275 miles, the vehicle had no electrical power and would not start. An independent New York State registered repair facility diagnosed the failure as "no power," "not starting," and "bad alternator (burning)," and replaced the alternator assembly the same day. The remedy alternator failed about 5 years after installation. The vehicle averages under 3,000 miles per year. The mileage at installation is in FCA's records and is UNKNOWN to me. Safety risk: the P60 recall states that these alternator diodes can fail rapidly with no output or a short to ground, which can disable ABS, electronic stability control, and the engine and body controllers, and can cause vehicle shutdown while driving and an underhood electrical fire, with limited or no warning to the driver. This failure is consistent with that description: total loss of power and a burning alternator. Had it failed while driving, the vehicle could have shut down in traffic. Warning lamps or…”
“The engine / power cuts off with no warning causing steering to lock up to left & brakes lock up causing the vehicle to veer to the left and unable to use brake to stop vehicle. Happens randomly while driving which makes it unsafe to operate to drive.”
“The engine power cuts of randomly while driving with no warning at all. When it happens the steering locks up veering the vehicle to the left so you have no control and at the same time the power brakes lock up and you are unable to stop the vehicle. Everything else works when this happens lights, radio, heater, air conditioning. No warning lights display. I had the vehicle with a mechanic that kept it for over 4 months to test drive and see if it would occur. It happened while he drove it but no codes show up to determine the cause. I had it towed back to my home and contacted Jeep Chrysler and they gave me a claim number to bring to my local Jeep dealer. They had it for over a week and unfortunately the jeep ran fine so once again no resolution to be able to fix. I bought the Jeep from Carvana 9/7/24 and am still paying it off but yet haven't been able to drive it for the past 15 months because it is unsafe for myself and anyone else on the roadway.”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Cherokee 2WD Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 | 23 | 19 | $3,400 | 468 |
| Grand Cherokee 4WD Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L · All-Wheel Drive | 16 | 23 | 19 | $3,400 | 468 |
| Grand Cherokee 2WD Auto 6-spd, 8 cyl, 5.7 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 | 20 | 16 | $4,600 | 555 |
| Grand Cherokee 4WD Auto 6-spd, 8 cyl, 5.7 L · 4-Wheel Drive | 13 | 20 | 15 | $4,900 | 592 |
| Grand Cherokee SRT8 4WD Auto 5-spd, 8 cyl, 6.4 L · 4-Wheel Drive | 12 | 18 | 14 | $5,700 | 635 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
11 safety recalls as of Nov 3, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 1,644 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (837), engine (285), service brakes (278). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee at 14–19 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (5 versions rated).
NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4 out of 5 stars overall.