NHTSA lists 10 safety recalls and 1,644 owner complaints for the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee. It has 1 open investigation that names this model year.
Recalled components: electrical system, brakes, and engine and cooling. Most-described problem: stalling or shutting off (339 complaints, 21%). Most-reported area: electrical system (837 complaints, 51%; median mileage when it happened: 70,000).
More complaints than most Grand Cherokee years
The 2012 drew 283 owner complaints in its first three years, against about 180 for a typical Grand Cherokee year: 1.5 times as many. It is not a year to avoid, which takes at least twice the typical count and at least 50 complaints.
Years to avoid: 2014, 2015, and 2023. Based on owner complaints, not adjusted for sales.
Data: NHTSA recall, complaint and investigation filesUpdated Oct 2, 2026
Year to avoid
10 safety recalls for the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee
Grouped by the part recalled, largest group first, newest first within each part. Summaries are NHTSA's own wording. Open a recall for what is wrong, the fix and the full notice.
Risk: A vehicle stall increases the risk of a crash.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
The fuel pump relay inside the Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM-7) may fail, causing the vehicle to stall without warning.
Fix: 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.
528,594 vehicles.
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.
Risk: 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.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
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.
Fix: 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.
442,214 vehicles.
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.
Risk: The vanity lamp wiring may short, increasing the risk of a vehicle fire.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
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.
Fix: 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.
389,252 vehicles.
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.
Risk: A vehicle stall increases the risk of a crash.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
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.
Fix: 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.
339,525 vehicles.
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.
Risk: If the alternator fails, the vehicle may stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
In the affected vehicles, the alternator may suddenly fail.
Fix: 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.
435,081 vehicles.
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.
Risk: If the vanity lamp wiring shorts, there is an increased risk of fire.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
In the affected vehicles, the wiring for the vanity lamp in the sun visor may short circuit, after a service repair is performed.
Fix: 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.
653,562 vehicles.
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.
Risk: If the brake booster shield was not installed properly, the vehicle's braking ability may be reduced, increasing the risk of a crash.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
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.
Fix: 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.
646,394 vehicles.
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Dodge Durango and Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles.
NHTSA listing: GRAND CHEROKEE. Components: Brakes; Brakes: power assist. Jeep campaign T59.
Risk: The water inside could freeze and limit the braking ability of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
The subject vehicles have a brake booster with a center shell that may corrode and allow water to get inside.
Fix: 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.
646,498 vehicles.
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.
NHTSA listing: GRAND CHEROKEE. Components: Brakes; Brakes: power assist, vacuum. Jeep campaign P14.
Risk: 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.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
Under certain braking events, the Ready Alert Braking System (RAB) may result in the driver experiencing a hard brake pedal feel.
Fix: 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.
18,780 vehicles.
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.
Risk: Connecting rod failure may lead to engine seizure which may increase the risk of a crash.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
These engines may experience connecting rod bearing failure due to debris inside the engine block.
Fix: 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.
667 vehicles.
This is chrysler safety recall number l33. or go to <a href=http://www.safercar.gov>http://www.safercar.gov</a> .
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.
NHTSA listing: GRAND CHEROKEE. Jeep campaign L33.
Questions about any of these recalls: call NHTSA's Vehicle Safety Hotline at 888-327-4236 (TTY 888-275-9171) or check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA also lists 1 equipment recall for parts sold for this vehicle, not the vehicle itself: Engine and cooling: engine, gasoline, turbo/supercharger (Accessible Technologies, Inc., 17E-061).
NHTSA investigations
NHTSA has opened 6 investigations that name the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee; 1 is still open. An investigation means NHTSA is reviewing reports of a problem. It is not a finding that the vehicle has a defect.
Desiccated air bag inflator rupture
Engineering analysis EA21002Open since Sep 17, 2021
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant - propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L.
NHTSA listing: GRAND CHEROKEE. Component: Air bags (frontal, driver side, inflator module, passenger side). This investigation names 352 models.
Active head rest inadvertent deployment
Preliminary evaluation PE19014Closed Feb 25, 2026 (opened Sep 9, 2019)
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE19014 on September 9, 2019, to investigate 128 consumer complaints alleging that the Active Head Rest (AHR) inadvertently deployed without the occurrence of a crash… NHTSA's full summary
NHTSA listing: GRAND CHEROKEE. Component: Seats (front assembly, head restraint).
Post 14V-391 headliner fires
Recall query RQ15003Closed Jul 6, 2016 (opened May 1, 2015)
In response to this investigation, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) is conducting a recall to address headliner fires that occur post 14V-391.
NHTSA ties this investigation to recall 15V-879, listed above.
NHTSA listing: GRAND CHEROKEE. Components: Electrical system; Interior lighting.
Headliner fires
Engineering analysis EA14001Closed Aug 12, 2014 (opened Jan 10, 2014)
On July 1st, 2014 Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) notified the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) that it would conduct a safety recall to remedy a wiring-related fire hazard on the headliner of approximately 661,888… NHTSA's full summary
NHTSA ties this investigation to recall 14V-391, listed above.
NHTSA listing: GRAND CHEROKEE. Components: Electrical system; Interior lighting.
Headliner fires
Preliminary evaluation PE13027Closed Jan 14, 2014 (opened Aug 19, 2013)
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has identified 5 reports of vehicle headliners catching fire at the front of the vehicle near the sun visors on Jeep Grand Cherokees.
NHTSA listing: GRAND CHEROKEE. Components: Electrical system; Interior lighting.
Power steering hose failure
Preliminary evaluation PE12020Closed Dec 7, 2012 (opened Jul 19, 2012)
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) analyzed complaint data provided by Chrysler as well as complaints submitted to ODI from consumers.
NHTSA listing: GRAND CHEROKEE. Component: Steering (hydraulic power assist, hose, piping, and connections).
A preliminary evaluation is NHTSA's first step, to gather information and decide whether to look further. An engineering analysis is a deeper review, usually opened after a preliminary evaluation. A recall query is a review of whether a recall covered the right vehicles or whether its fix works. NHTSA lists investigations by make, model and model year only, so one can apply to only some versions of a model, such as one engine; its summary says which.
What owners report
Owners have filed 1,644 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Grand Cherokee. Below, they are sorted by the problems owners describe and by the areas NHTSA files them under. NHTSA does not verify complaints.
Problems owners describe
Stalling or shutting off339 · 21%
Median 75,000 miles at failure, from 271 reports with mileage
Smoke or a burning smell140 · 9%
Median 67,000 miles at failure, from 129 reports with mileage
Won't start119 · 7%
Median 72,000 miles at failure, from 99 reports with mileage
Loss of power or limp mode82 · 5%
Median 90,000 miles at failure, from 65 reports with mileage
Check engine light80 · 5%
Median 60,000 miles at failure, from 59 reports with mileage
Fuel pump failures77 · 5%
Median 76,000 miles at failure, from 57 reports with mileage
Power steering problems or locked steering63 · 4%
Median 78,000 miles at failure, from 51 reports with mileage
Brake failure or a soft or hard pedal40 · 2%
Median 46,000 miles at failure, from 37 reports with mileage
Most named: alternator/generator/regulator (26) · Median 70,000 miles at failure, from 493 reports with mileage
Brakes289 · 18%
Median 49,000 miles at failure, from 138 reports with mileage
Engine285 · 17%
Median 74,000 miles at failure, from 225 reports with mileage
Fuel and propulsion system216 · 13%
Median 76,500 miles at failure, from 134 reports with mileage
Powertrain102 · 6%
Median 65,500 miles at failure, from 78 reports with mileage
Steering100 · 6%
Median 60,000 miles at failure, from 81 reports with mileage
Air bags43 · 3%
Median 73,200 miles at failure, from 26 reports with mileage
Unknown or other120 · 7%
Median 80,000 miles at failure, from 72 reports with mileage
A complaint can name more than one area, so shares add up to more than 100%. Mileage is shown where at least 15 owners reported it.
Jeep Grand Cherokee recalls and complaints by model year
The highlighted bars are the 2012 model year. Newer model years have had less time on the road, so their counts are lower. Counting complaints filed in each model year's first three years, the 2014 Grand Cherokee drew the most (829) and the 2012 drew 283.
Owner complaints
2012: 1,644 complaintsTap or drag across the chart for other years.
Show as a table
Owner complaints by model year, Jeep Grand Cherokee
Model year
Complaints
2010
118
2011
1,641
2012
1,644
2013
804
2014
2,376
2015
1,361
2016
310
2017
364
2018
854
2019
368
2020
239
2021
487
2022
483
2023
578
2024
306
2025
115
2026
45
Safety recalls
2012: 10 recallsTap or drag across the chart for other years.
Show as a table
Safety recalls by model year, Jeep Grand Cherokee
Model year
Recalls
2010
5
2011
6
2012
10
2013
9
2014
18
2015
9
2016
8
2017
5
2018
10
2019
7
2020
3
2021
16
2022
24
2023
23
2024
18
2025
5
2026
6
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for each version it tested. Rollover risk is NHTSA's estimate of the chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
What are the most common 2012 Grand Cherokee problems?
In the 1,644 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee, the problems described most are stalling or shutting off (339), smoke or a burning smell (140), and the engine not starting (119). NHTSA does not verify complaints, and one complaint can describe several problems.
Is the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee safe?
In NHTSA crash tests every tested version of the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee earns 4 stars overall. The table above lists each tested version.
Is NHTSA investigating the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
Yes. NHTSA has 1 open investigation that names the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee: desiccated air bag inflator rupture (EA21002, opened Sep 17, 2021). It has closed 5 others. An investigation is not a finding that the vehicle has a defect.
How do I check if my Grand Cherokee has an open recall?
Enter the 17-character VIN from your dashboard, door jamb or registration at nhtsa.gov/recalls. The lookup lists unrepaired recalls for that exact vehicle. Safety recall repairs are free at Jeep dealers for vehicles up to 15 years old from first sale.
Sources and method
NHTSA recalls file (NHTSA datasets), dated Oct 2, 2026; every campaign checked against NHTSA's recalls API.
NHTSA owner complaints file, dated Oct 2, 2026. Counted by complaint number, so a complaint naming three components counts once in the total.
NHTSA investigations file, dated Oct 2, 2026. Defect petitions, which ask NHTSA to open an investigation, are listed apart and only while open. Audit queries, which check whether a company met its recall and reporting duties rather than whether a vehicle has a problem, are not listed.
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP).
NHTSA model names covered: GRAND CHEROKEE.
Complaint counts are unverified owner reports. They rise with sales volume and time on the road, so compare model years with care. How we build these pages. Spotted an error? Tell us.