Problems · NHTSA complaints

2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee problems

Owners filed 312 complaints about the 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee with NHTSA between Feb 2016 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is power train (78).

Complaints
312
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
27
Reported by owners
Fires
7
Reported by owners
Injuries
18
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Power train78
  2. Engine76
  3. Electrical system62
  4. Fuel/propulsion system28
  5. Vehicle speed control23
  6. Service brakes22
  7. Steering16
  8. Air bags12
  9. Fuel system, diesel12
  10. Electronic stability control (esc)12
  11. Seats11
  12. Structure11
  13. Exterior lighting10
  14. Engine and engine cooling8

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
201643
201731
201827
201933
202038
202116
202221
202347
202422
202517
202617

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

Power train

78 reports9 crashes2 fires1 related recall
“Tone wheel failure resulting in vehicle not operating as intended. Required repair of which FCA stated the repair was not covered by the recall issued against the vehicle.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 27, 2026Power train, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11720847

Engine

76 reports5 crashes2 fires
“The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle suddenly jolted, lost power, and went into LIMP Mode, almost causing a rear-end crash. The message "Service Electronic Throttle Control" was displayed. The vehicle was pulled over to the shoulder and inspected, but no cause was immediately determined. The vehicle was driven to the residence in LIMP Mode. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where codes associated with the crankshaft position sensor and intake manifold runner were retrieved, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V475000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 256,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 5, 2026EngineODI 11722187

Electrical system

62 reports4 crashes3 fires1 related recall
“The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving 55 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended with the vehicle shaking erratically. The vehicle was taken to O’Reilly’s where the vehicle was diagnosed with CAM box failure. The contact was informed that the CAM box needed to be replaced. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V332000 (Electrical System, Vehicle Speed Control); however, the VIN was not associated with the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 23, 2026Electrical system, Vehicle speed controlODI 11773237

Fuel/propulsion system

28 reports3 crashes2 fires
“I was stuck in traffic as a result of a road being closed while they cleared another incident. Creeping along, the Jeep with it's engine pause shutting down until I removed my foot off the gas and then engaging so I could move forward a foot or two. Keeping in mind this feature has been throwing errors and I've taken it to the shop twice in the last 6 months with no results, and another appointment scheduled within a few days of the accident. Car in front of me moved forward, I took my foot off the gas, and the self start struggled, and then burst into life at a full throttle. I stomped on my break and tried to steer away, but nicked the corner of the car in front of me, and tangled with their bike rack. But slowed enough there were no air bags deployed. But still, this has become MY fault because of some faulty feature in a car and I get to pay an increase in premiums despite 25 years of no accidents. Is it going to take people getting hurt before this feature can be fixed or at least disabled as a default?”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 2, 2025Fuel/propulsion systemCrash reportedODI 11691025

Vehicle speed control

23 reports6 crashes
“I'm not sure what components malfunctioned but my vehicle is in a body shop currently getting work done from the accident I was recently in. The safety of my cousin and I was put into risk when I was driving on the highway and I hydroplaned on the highway and did a 180 degree turn but luckily no one hit me and I didn't hit anyone else. I slammed on the concrete median which is what stopped my vehicle on the highway leaving my vehicle with 9 thousand in damages. I filed an insurance claim and is now getting fixed like I mentioned. Prior to the accident I had noticed the car shifting to the left and dramatically declining acceleration and a loud pop by the front driver tire. That is the best way to describe what the car does. So on the day of the incident I believe the car did what I just explained and it caused me to hydroplane and I'm in fear it is going to happen again. I have taken it to another shop after the accident because my vehicle would not start and a different shop said they heard the noise but could not figure out what it was. When I get my vehicle back I planned on taking it to a recall center but I decided to make this report first. There were no…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 12, 2024Steering, Vehicle speed control, Unknown or otherCrash reportedODI 11565065

Service brakes

22 reports1 crash
“Brakes repetitively seize, causing the wheels to overheat and the vehicle to shake while braking, putting the vehicle at risk of fire, reduced brake performance, and brake failure. Two different dealerships have confirmed from the problem at various points, the brakes are "repaired" and then have the same failure with the same components again. There are no warnings that the brakes are seizing other than the smell of burning brakes, or smoke coming from the wheel.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 31, 2026Service brakesODI 11728175
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.