2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee problems and complaints
Owners have filed 1644 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The most-reported areas: Electrical System (837), Service Brakes (308), Engine (285).
Key takeaways
- 1644 owner complaints on file with NHTSA.
- 46 involve a crash, 105 a fire, 35 reported injuries.
- Complaints are unverified owner reports; recalls are confirmed defects.
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 837 | 51% |
| Service Brakes | 308 | 19% |
| Engine | 285 | 17% |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 216 | 13% |
| Unknown Or Other | 120 | 7% |
| Power Train | 102 | 6% |
| Steering | 100 | 6% |
| Air Bags | 43 | 3% |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 35 | 2% |
| Exterior Lighting | 34 | 2% |
| Fuel System | 33 | 2% |
| Suspension | 32 | 2% |
One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SUV 4WD | 4/5 | 4/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SUV 2WD | 4/5 | 4/5 | 5/5 | 3/5 |
Latest complaints, as filed
Owner-written and unverified by NHTSA.
Steering,service Brakes,engine - filed 2026-09-30
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.
Electrical System - filed 2026-09-25
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 r...
Unknown Or Other - filed 2026-09-24
Recall R71 was marked as completed on this vehicle, but the headliner caught fire exactly as described in the original defect narrative. SUV caught fire, blew up and took out four other vehicles and a parking structure.
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More for the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee
Complaints are reports filed by owners with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. NHTSA publishes them without verifying them, and counts rise with how many cars were sold, so compare years of the same model rather than different models. Crash ratings are NHTSA's own 5-Star Safety Ratings results.