2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee Problems

High Complaint Volume

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Part of Generation 4 (WK2) — 2011–2021.

20112013
Complaints
2,314
per 10K Sold
138.2
US Sales
167,458
Crashes
72
Fires
144
Injuries
50
Fatalities
Recalls
10

Worst 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#1802 complaints

Electrical Faults

Avg mileage:69,962 mi
Crash-related:5
Fires:83
#2282 complaints

Engine Problems

Avg mileage:74,037 mi
Crash-related:4
Fires:17
#3273 complaints

Brakes

Avg mileage:53,011 mi
Crash-related:19
Fires:2
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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee.

Electrical Faults
802
complaints
Crashes
5
Fires
83
Avg Miles
69,962
Engine Problems
282
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
17
Avg Miles
74,037
Brakes
273
complaints
Crashes
19
Fires
2
Avg Miles
53,011
Fuel System
213
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
1
Avg Miles
78,642
Transmission / Drivetrain
98
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
2
Avg Miles
66,720
Steering Defects
98
complaints
Crashes
5
Fires
1
Avg Miles
63,522
Airbags
42
complaints
Crashes
11
Fires
Avg Miles
82,062
Headlight/Taillight Failures
34
complaints
Crashes
Fires
10
Avg Miles
57,335
Unintended Acceleration
34
complaints
Crashes
6
Fires
Avg Miles
60,407
Suspension Failures
32
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
63,622
Hydraulic Brakes
30
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
Avg Miles
42,708
Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator
26
complaints
Crashes
Fires
13
Avg Miles
79,847
Electronic Stability Control
22
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
65,683
Interior Lighting
22
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
2
Avg Miles
57,333
Wipers & Visibility
21
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
56,705
Gasoline Fuel System
19
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
151,431
Body Structure
19
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
2
Avg Miles
72,546
Engine & Cooling
16
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
25,025
Seat Belt Issues
12
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
34,060
Seat-Related Issues
12
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
84,002
Tire Defects
10
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
35,300
Other Equipment
9
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Fuel Pump
9
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
85,929
Wheel Issues
9
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
45,000
Structural Problems
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
88,231
Fuel System, Diesel:Delivery:Fuel Pump
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Visibility
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical System:Instrument Panel:Fuel Gauge
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee

10 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~4,100,567 vehicles.

19V813000Electrical System
~528,594 affected

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.

17V572000Brakes · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist
~646,394 affected

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.

17V435000Electrical System:alternator/generator/regulator
~442,214 affected

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.

15V879000Interior Lighting · Electrical System:wiring
~389,252 affected

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.

15V115000Electrical System
~339,525 affected

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.

14V634000Electrical System:alternator/generator/regulator
~435,081 affected

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.

14V391000Electrical System:wiring
~653,562 affected

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.

14V154000Brakes · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:vacuum
~646,498 affected

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.

14V104000Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip
~18,780 affected

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.

11V487000Engine & Cooling
~667 affected

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.

Other Jeep Grand Cherokee Years

2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee reliable?
Verdict: High Complaint Volume. The 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee has 2,314 NHTSA complaints, 72 crash-related, and 10 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Electrical Faults with 802 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
Top reported problems: Electrical Faults (802 complaints, avg 69,962 mi); Engine Problems (282 complaints, avg 74,037 mi); Brakes (273 complaints, avg 53,011 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 68,112 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
NHTSA complaints for the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee include 72 crash-related reports, 144 fire reports, 50 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee have any recalls?
Yes — 10 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 4,100,567 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
This year has a higher-than-normal complaint volume. It's not an automatic no, but focus inspection on the top reported issue (electrical faults) and verify open recalls have been addressed.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full Jeep Grand Cherokee reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

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