PartMatchup

2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee

Counts come from unverified consumer complaints filed with NHTSA and cannot be compared between models — how to read them.

Common problems reported on the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee

Share of the 1,595 complaints on file that name each component group. A complaint can name more than one group, so the shares add up to more than 100%.
Component group Complaints Share
Electrical System 820 51.4%
Service Brakes 281 17.6%
Engine 265 16.6%
Fuel/Propulsion System 202 12.7%
Unknown or Other 108 6.8%
Power Train 96 6.0%
Steering 96 6.0%
Air Bags 41 2.6%
Vehicle Speed Control 34 2.1%
Exterior Lighting 33 2.1%
Suspension 32 2.0%
Fuel System 31 1.9%

1,595 complaints filed between December 18, 2011 and October 9, 2024.

At what mileage the Jeep Grand Cherokee failed

Mileage at which owners reported the failure. The bar spans the middle half of the reports (25th to 75th percentile); the line inside it is the median. Shared scale within this page only.
Component group Median Reports
Electrical System 70,000 490
Service Brakes 48,500 136
Engine 73,500 224
Fuel/Propulsion System 76,452 134
Power Train 61,500 76
Steering 60,000 81
Air Bags 68,000 25
Vehicle Speed Control 52,000 30
Exterior Lighting 50,000 25
Suspension 53,000 25

Across all components, half the reported failures happened before 65,000 miles, with the middle half falling between 40,000 and 94,125. Based on the 1,012 complaints (63%) that record a mileage.

A low figure does not mean the car stops working at that mileage. It means the reported failures clustered early, which most often points to a fault built into a production batch — usually the kind of thing a warranty repair or a recall campaign addresses.

How this mix compares with other model years

Share of this model year’s complaints naming each group, against the median share across all 276 model years on this site. The tick marks that typical share.
Component group Here Typical
Engine 16.6% 16.6%
Electrical System 51.4% 13.4%
Power Train 6.0% 10.2%
Unknown or Other 6.8% 10.2%
Service Brakes 17.6% 6.4%
Steering 6.0% 6.2%
Air Bags 2.6% 5.8%
Fuel/Propulsion System 12.7% 4.5%

This compares the subjects of the complaints, not how many there are. A share needs no denominator, so unlike a count it can honestly be held against a norm — but a group sitting above the typical share means people complained about that part more often relative to everything else on this car, not that the car is worse than another.

Parts named by name

Part Complaints Median mileage
Electrical System: Alternator/Generator/Regulator 26 69,000
Structure: Body 18 64,000
Fuel System, Gasoline: Delivery: Fuel Pump 8 —

Most filers pick a category and stop there; only 5% of this model year’s complaints name a specific part. This table is that minority, so treat it as detail on top of the distribution above rather than as the whole picture. A dash means too few of those complaints record a mileage to publish a median.

How serious the complaints were

Reported across all complaints on file: 33 injuries and 0 deaths. These shares sit within this model’s own complaints — they say nothing about how it compares to another model.

Recall campaigns

10 campaigns. A recall repair is free at a dealer regardless of how many owners the car has had. Check the car’s own VIN — a campaign listed here may already have been carried out on it.

19V813000 Electrical System November 14, 2019

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.

Consequence: 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.

Campaign covered 528,594 vehicles across model years 2011, 2012, 2013 — a count for the whole campaign, not for this model year alone.

17V572000 Service Brakes · Service Brakes, Hydraulic: Power Assist September 18, 2017

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.

Consequence: 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.

Campaign covered 646,394 vehicles across model years 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 — a count for the whole campaign, not for this model year alone.

17V435000 Electrical System: Alternator/Generator/Regulator July 10, 2017

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.

Consequence: 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.

Campaign covered 442,214 vehicles across model years 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 — a count for the whole campaign, not for this model year alone.

15V879000 Electrical System: Wiring · Interior Lighting December 28, 2015

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Dodge Durango and Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured December 3, 2009, to September 1, 2012. In the affected vehicles, the wiring for the vanity lamp in the sun visor may short circuit, after having been remedied for a prior recall for the vanity lamp wiring. This recall is also addressing certain vehicles that have not been remedied under that prior recall.

Consequence: The vanity lamp wiring may short, increasing the risk of a vehicle fire.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealer will install clearance for sun visor wiring, protection from sharp edges, and replace the sun visor, free of charge. The recall began on July 28, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R71.

Campaign covered 389,252 vehicles across model years 2011, 2012, 2013 — a count for the whole campaign, not for this model year alone.

15V115000 Electrical System February 27, 2015

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured September 17, 2010, to August 19, 2013, and equipped with a 3.6, 5.7 or 6.4 liter engine, and 2012-2013 Dodge Durango vehicles manufactured January 18, 2011, to August 19, 2013, and equipped with a 3.6 or 5.7 liter engine. In the affected vehicles, the fuel pump relay inside the Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM-7) may fail, causing the vehicle to stall without warning.

Consequence: A vehicle stall increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump relay with one external to the TIPM. The recall began on August 7, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R09. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 14V-530. Note: This recall has been superseded by recall 19V813.

Campaign covered 339,525 vehicles across model years 2012, 2013 — a count for the whole campaign, not for this model year alone.

14V634000 Electrical System: Alternator/Generator/Regulator October 8, 2014

Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger, Challenger, and Durango; and 2012-2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured April 22, 2010, to January 2, 2014, and equipped with a 3.6L engine and a 160 amp alternator. In the affected vehicles, the alternator may suddenly fail.

Consequence: If the alternator fails, the vehicle may stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Chrysler has notified owners, and dealers will replace the alternator, free of charge. The recall began on February 27, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is P60.

Campaign covered 435,081 vehicles across model years 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 — a count for the whole campaign, not for this model year alone.

14V391000 Electrical System: Wiring July 2, 2014

Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Dodge Durango and Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured January 5, 2010, through December 11, 2013. In the affected vehicles, the wiring for the vanity lamp in the sun visor may short circuit, after a service repair is performed.

Consequence: If the vanity lamp wiring shorts, there is an increased risk of fire.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and repair any damaged wiring, and install a new sun visor that properly routes the wire, free of charge. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is P36.

Campaign covered 653,562 vehicles across model years 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 — a count for the whole campaign, not for this model year alone.

14V154000 Service Brakes · Service Brakes, Hydraulic: Power Assist: Vacuum April 1, 2014

Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango vehicles manufactured from January 5, 2010, through September 8, 2013. The subject vehicles have a brake booster with a center shell that may corrode and allow water to get inside.

Consequence: The water inside could freeze and limit the braking ability of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will add a water diverter shield to the booster after the booster has been tested to confirm it can hold an acceptable amount of vacuum pressure. If the booster inspection confirms an unacceptable loss of vacuum pressure, the booster will be replaced. Repairs will be made free of charge. The recall began on May 30, 2014. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's recall campaign number is P14.

Campaign covered 646,498 vehicles across model years 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 — a count for the whole campaign, not for this model year alone.

14V104000 Service Brakes, Hydraulic: Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip March 4, 2014

Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Dodge Durango and Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured October 11, 2011, through October 1, 2012. Under certain braking events, the Ready Alert Braking System (RAB) may result in the driver experiencing a hard brake pedal feel.

Consequence: If the driver experiences a hard brake pedal, the driver may not push the pedal as intended, lengthening the distance needed to stop the vehicle and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update the ABS module software, free of charge. The recall began on April 3, 2014. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number associated with this recall is P05.

Campaign covered 18,780 vehicles across model years 2012, 2013 — a count for the whole campaign, not for this model year alone.

11V487000 Engine and Engine Cooling September 29, 2011

CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 CHRYSLER VEHICLES, INCLUDING 200 AND TOWN AND COUNTRY MODELS, DODGE VEHICLES, INCLUDING CHARGER, DURANGO, GRAND CARAVAN AND JOURNEY MODELS AND JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM AUGUST 31, 2011, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 13, 2011, THAT ARE EQUIPPED WITH 3.6L ENGINES. THESE ENGINES MAY EXPERIENCE CONNECTING ROD BEARING FAILURE DUE TO DEBRIS INSIDE THE ENGINE BLOCK.

Consequence: CONNECTING ROD FAILURE MAY LEAD TO ENGINE SEIZURE WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: CHRYSLER WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE ENGINE FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT NOVEMBER 18, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

Campaign covered 667 vehicles across model year 2012 — a count for the whole campaign, not for this model year alone.

NCAP crash-test ratings

Variant Overall Frontal Side Rollover
2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SUV 4WD 4 4 5 4
2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SUV 2WD 4 4 5 3

Ratings are out of 5 stars.

Pre-purchase inspection checklist

Written and checked by someone who does this work; it is not derived from the data. The complaint counts decide only the order: the assemblies this model’s owners complain about most come first.

Electrical system

Related complaint groups: Electrical System (820), Exterior Lighting (33)

With the car parked

On the road

Red flags

Engine and cooling system

Related complaint groups: Engine (265), Engine and Engine Cooling (17)

Come to a cold car. A warmed-up engine hides a hard start, smoke and knocking. If the car is already warm, that is a yellow flag: ask for 30–40 minutes to let it cool. A refusal to let it cool is a red flag.

With the car parked

On the road and after

Red flags

Brakes

Related complaint groups: Service Brakes (281)

With the car parked

On the road

After the drive

Red flags

Cost if it needs work: Moderate. Confirm actual cost against local prices at the time of purchase.

Suspension, control arms, steering

Related complaint groups: Steering (96), Suspension (32)

With the car parked

On the road

Red flags

Cost if it needs work: Low to moderate. Depends on what turns out to be the source. Plus an alignment after the replacement.

Automatic transmission

Related complaint groups: Power Train (96)

Checking the fluid level during an inspection is usually not possible — many cars need a lift, some have no dipstick at all, and Honda’s procedure differs from the rest. So this assessment is built on behavior, not on fluid.

With the car parked

On the road

Questions for the seller

Red flags

Cost if it needs work: Expensive. The most expensive of the likely assemblies; a repair is often comparable to the value of the car.

Axles and CV joints

Related complaint groups: Power Train (96)

With the car parked

On the road

Cost if it needs work: Relatively low. A good indicator of how the car has been treated overall.

Airbags and the VIN recall check

Related complaint groups: Air Bags (41), Seat Belts (11)

The most reliable procedure in this library — it does not depend on hearing, experience or inspection conditions.

Required procedure

Inspection

The Jeep Grand Cherokee year by year

Model year Complaints Median mileage Recalls
2011 1,620 63,000 6
2012 (this page) 1,595 65,000 10
2013 775 67,000 9
2014 2,264 50,000 18
2015 1,228 38,305 9

Read the mileage column down this table with care. A newer year has simply been driven less, so its median sits lower for that reason alone — the figure is censored from above by how long the cars have been on the road, not only by how they were built. The same applies to the complaint counts: an older year has had more years in which to collect them.

Where the mileage figure does compare cleanly is between different models of the same year, which have had the same time to accumulate miles.

Other Jeep model years

All model years