Problems · NHTSA complaints

2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee problems

Owners filed 1,644 complaints about the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee with NHTSA between Dec 2011 and Sep 2026. The most-cited component is electrical system (837).

Complaints
1,644
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
46
Reported by owners
Fires
105
Reported by owners
Injuries
35
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Electrical system837
  2. Engine285
  3. Service brakes278
  4. Fuel/propulsion system216
  5. Power train102
  6. Steering100
  7. Air bags43
  8. Vehicle speed control35
  9. Exterior lighting34
  10. Suspension32
  11. Service brakes, hydraulic30
  12. Fuel system, gasoline27
  13. Structure26
  14. Electronic stability control (esc)22

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 3, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20112
201220
201332
2014229
2015343
2016181
2017182
2018123
2019131
2020178
202190
202232
202335
202417
202528
202621

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Electrical system

837 reports5 crashes94 fires6 related recalls
“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…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 25, 2026Electrical systemODI 11766856

Engine

285 reports4 crashes17 fires
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 30, 2026Steering, Service brakes, EngineODI 11768120

Service brakes

278 reports19 crashes2 fires2 related recalls
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 16, 2026Steering, Service brakes, EngineODI 11744558

Fuel/propulsion system

216 reports4 crashes1 fire
“Here’s the final version of your NHTSA complaint text — rewritten for clarity, precision, and compliance. You can copy and paste this directly into the “Description of the Problem” box on the NHTSA form.Recall Number: V62 – Fuel Pump RelayMy Jeep is under recall V62 for the fuel pump relay. Stellantis confirmed that the recall is active and that the remedy is listed as “available” in their system.However, Stellantis has not provided the recall repair. The recall agent told me: • “If the part is discontinued, you will be looking for an aftermarket part.” • “I cannot look [up discontinuation] in my system.” • “We need to hear it from the dealership.” • “We can try filing for reimbursement.”These statements conflict with 49 U.S.C. § 30120, which requires the manufacturer to remedy the defect without charge, even if the part is discontinued, and to provide repair, replacement, or refund if repair cannot be completed.Stellantis is shifting responsibility to me to locate parts, refusing to verify part availability, and delaying the recall remedy. The recall remedy is listed as available, yet Stellantis will not provide it.I am requesting NHTSA intervention to ensure…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 17, 2026Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11765136

Power train

102 reports4 crashes2 fires
“My 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee suddenly was stalling, and would not re-start, especially when turning the steering. AAA Tech diagnosed as High Diode Ripple Voltage in the Alternator, damaging the Battery. Needed to Replace both Alternator and Battery at a cost of $1068. Car was recalled under T36, and the repair has a repeat failure again. Jeep Declined to repair or re-imburse the repair costs. More importantly its still a major safety issue, and Jeep is failing their legal obligation to provide a permanent fix, not a temporary fix.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 10, 2026Power train, Electrical systemODI 11763496

Steering

100 reports5 crashes1 fire
“Year: 2012 Make/Model: Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 L V8, 4WD Mileage: ~140,000 miles Date of Incident: [Insert date] Location: McKinney, Texas (near U.S. 75 exit) Description of the Safety Issue: While driving normally, the Service 4WD System warning illuminated. Seconds later, the lightning-bolt symbol (Electronic Throttle Control) appeared, and the engine stalled abruptly without warning. All power steering and power-brake assist were lost while the transmission was still in Drive. The vehicle rolled backward on a slight grade as if in neutral. Attempts to restart the vehicle failed. Even CarMax technicians, at whose lot the vehicle came to rest, were unable to start it. A strong hot/burning electrical odor was present immediately after shutdown. This indicates a possible overheating or shorting event in the electrical or fuel-relay system (TIPM or throttle-body circuit). Had this failure occurred on U.S. 75 at highway speed (80–85 mph), I would have lost steering assist and braking ability in heavy traffic — a situation that could have led to a severe collision or injury. I respectfully request that NHTSA review this case as a potential recurrence or expansion…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 29, 2025Steering, Power train, EngineODI 11696378
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.