2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee Problems

Below Average Complaints

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Part of Generation 4 (WK2) — 2011–2021.

20152017
Complaints
435
per 10K Sold
20.4
US Sales
212,704
Crashes
45
Fires
11
Injuries
24
Fatalities
Recalls
8

Worst 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee Problems

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

#177 complaints

Transmission / Drivetrain

Avg mileage:34,528 mi
Crash-related:9
Fires:2
#275 complaints

Engine Problems

Avg mileage:44,784 mi
Crash-related:5
Fires:2
#358 complaints

Electrical Faults

Avg mileage:38,284 mi
Crash-related:4
Fires:2
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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee.

Transmission / Drivetrain
77
complaints
Crashes
9
Fires
2
Avg Miles
34,528
Engine Problems
75
complaints
Crashes
5
Fires
2
Avg Miles
44,784
Electrical Faults
58
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
2
Avg Miles
38,284
Fuel System
28
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
2
Avg Miles
39,900
Brakes
22
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
23,371
Unintended Acceleration
22
complaints
Crashes
6
Fires
Avg Miles
22,991
Steering Defects
14
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
33,103
Electronic Stability Control
12
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
25,914
Diesel Fuel System
12
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
61,400
Airbags
11
complaints
Crashes
6
Fires
Avg Miles
14,710
Body Structure
10
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
40,000
Headlight/Taillight Failures
8
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
39,637
Engine & Cooling
7
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
75,610
Seat-Related Issues
7
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
56,192
Wheel Issues
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
19,000
Seat Belt Issues
4
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Wipers & Visibility
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Gasoline Fuel System
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Suspension Failures
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Exterior Lighting:Headlights
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Seats:Front Assembly:Head Restraint
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical System:Software
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Forward-Collision Avoidance Issues
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System:Fuel Rail
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Power Train:Transfer Case (4-Wheel Drive)
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Hydraulic Brakes
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee

8 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~5,205,585 vehicles.

23V411000Engine & Cooling
~80,629 affected

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2019 Ram 1500 and 2014-2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles equipped with 3.0L Diesel engines. The crankshaft position sensor tone wheel may delaminate, causing the engine to lose its ability to synchronize the fuel injector pulses and cam shaft timing, possibly resulting in an engine stall.

22V406000Fuel System, Diesel:delivery:fuel Pump
~138,645 affected

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee, and 2014-2019 Ram 1500 vehicles equipped with 3.0L diesel engines. A high pressure fuel pump (HPFP) failure may introduce internal debris into the fuel system, potentially resulting in fuel starvation.

20V699000Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:emission Control:gas Recirculation Valve (egr Valve)
~28,884 affected

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles equipped with the 3.0L EcoDiesel engines. The Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) cooler may crack and allow pre-heated vaporized coolant to enter the EGR system. This mixture may combust inside the intake manifold.

20V475000Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:diesel
~58,016 affected

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Ram 1500 and 2014-2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles equipped with 3.0L diesel engines. The crankshaft position sensor tone wheel may delaminate causing the engine to lose its ability to synchronize the fuel injector pulses and cam shaft timing, possibly resulting in an engine stall.

18V332000Electrical System:software · Vehicle Speed Control:cruise Control · Electrical System:wiring
~4,815,661 affected

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Dodge Journey, Charger and Durango, RAM 2500, 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis (more than 10,000lb), 4500 Cab Chassis and 5500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Cherokee and Grand Cherokee and Chrysler 300, 2014-2019 RAM 1500, 2015-2018 Dodge Challenger, 2015-2017 Chrysler 200, 2016-2018 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis (less than 10,000 lb), 2017-2018 Chrysler Pacifica and 2018 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. These vehicles are being recalled to address a defect that could prevent the cruise control system from disengaging. If, when using cruise control, there is a short circuit within the vehicle's wiring, the driver may not be able to shut off the cruise control either by depressing the brake pedal or manually turning the system off once it has been engaged, resulting in either the vehicle maintaining its current speed or possibly accelerating.

16V814000Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
~30,183 affected

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2016 Dodge Durango and Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured February 10, 2016, to April 28, 2016 and equipped with a 3.6L engine built at the Saltillo engine plant. During the assembly of the engine, the fuel rail crossover tube may have been damaged, which, over time, may result in a fuel leak.

16V249000Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch · Power Train:automatic Transmission:park/neutral Start Interlock Switch
~32,384 affected

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured May 15, 2015 to February 19, 2016. The brake transmission shift interlock solenoid may have a loose electrical connection which could result in a loss of solenoid function.

16V168000Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc:caliper
~21,183 affected

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango vehicles manufactured December 9, 2015, to January 14, 2016. In the affected vehicles, the left front brake caliper may crack due to being made from an incorrect material.

Other Jeep Grand Cherokee Years

2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee — FAQ

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

Is the 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee reliable?
Verdict: Below Average Complaints. The 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee has 435 NHTSA complaints, 45 crash-related, and 8 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Transmission / Drivetrain with 77 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
Top reported problems: Transmission / Drivetrain (77 complaints, avg 34,528 mi); Engine Problems (75 complaints, avg 44,784 mi); Electrical Faults (58 complaints, avg 38,284 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 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 37,453 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
NHTSA complaints for the 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee include 45 crash-related reports, 11 fire reports, 24 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 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee have any recalls?
Yes — 8 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 5,205,585 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 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
Fewer complaints than typical for this model. That's a good sign, but every individual car is different — the VIN still tells you what happened to this specific one.

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.

Check Your Specific 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee

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