CarComplaints.com Notes: The 2012 Grand Cherokee hasn't seen the same complaint volume as the 2011, at least not yet.

It's worth noting both model years are part of a class-action lawsuit that focuses on a defective TIPM and a long wait for replacement parts.

The 2012 also received national attention after it failed a Swedish Magazine's "moose test". The test measures a vehicle's ability to swerve out of the way of an obstacle you wouldn't want to hit while driving down the road ... like a moose.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
4 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
52,105 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee Owner Comments (Page 1 of 5)

problem #92

Apr 042024

Grand Cherokee

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

This Jeep has had 2 recalls and repairs related to the fuel pump relay. The first recallrepair did not fix the issue, Jeep then replaced the relay again, which did not fix the issue. Then there was a NEW recall and repair, which also did not fix the issue. The car still has the exact same issues, the car will randomly stall soon after being started. I-??m not sure what to do at this point bc I feel unsafe driving this car and it is my only vehicle.

- Alexandria, VA, USA

problem #91

Feb 022024

Grand Cherokee

  • miles
While driving through the intersection after slowing down at light, vehicle completely stalled, turned off in the middle of the intersection and wouldn't start back up. I had to have it towed to dealership. I have had it in dealer prior to this incident for stalling issues just out of nowhere. They simply said they cannot find a cause. This is dangerous to me because vehicles behind me don't know that I am stalled out and almost hit me. Prior to this last time, I have been able to restart vehicle by putting in neutral and getting it to move on it's way, but still scary while vehicles behind me don't know that I was going to stall out. This last incident, I had to be pushed off of the road and then towed to dealer. Hoping they can find the cause and fix.

- Macomb, MI, USA

problem #90

Dec 272023

Grand Cherokee

  • miles
The transmission shifts strangely, and it seems like it cannot decide which gear it needs to be in for normal operations. It also causes the vehicle to stall while driving. Also, at times it stays in only one gear, and you cannot even shift gears manually. Intermittently, the vehicle starts out in a higher gear, and it doesn-??t correct itself, so acceleration is way below what it needs to be. I have been fortunate to avoid a few crashes due to the stalling.

- Allen, TX, USA

problem #89

Nov 082023

Grand Cherokee

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Estaba manejando a 35 millas y de repentes la jeep comenzó a perder fuerza y se apagó, tuve que durar como 30 minutos para que pudiera prender, porque cuando la encendía temblaba y los frenos frenos y el guía se ponían duro.

- Washington, DC, USA

problem #88

Mar 242023

Grand Cherokee

  • miles
After getting my car back from big o doge in Greenville sc I was on my way to work and stopped at a redlight when the light turned green my car just sat there and didn-??t move I pressed the gas but nothing it just revved up like it was in neutral pressed the gas to the floor nothing all of a sudden it was like it jumped and took off-??also did the same thing at a stop sign up hill and I had a car coming in the other lane as I was crossing the lane to get into the correct one-??.I had open recalls and set up for it to be checked when I arrived at the delarship they told me my recalls were closed. My car was not checked or repaired at the time how can you just cancel a recall/campaign after notification and claim parts aren-??t available but the car was never fixed? I called the delarship paid 400 for 2 diagnostics and they didn-??t put my trans cap back on so now they-??ve basically ruined my car and didn-??t fix NOTHING

- Roebuck, SC, USA

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problem #87

Dec 082022

Grand Cherokee

  • miles
My 2012 jeep SRT8 will be driving n jerking and feels unsafe think gotta be a n23 transfer case or final drive ordeal they have with different year not my year but should be and I don't feel safe at all n I paid a lot of money for this premium vehicle and getting run around and serv 4wd and traction control off n fcw off pops up after few minutes all at same time got transfer case control module coming in mail hopefully it works but if not it's gotta b update or flash transmission update but it'll literally be surging and when slowing down it'll fell like it's getting shift in wrong gear it's crazy

- Mckean , PA, USA

problem #86

Sep 282018

Grand Cherokee

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My transmission keeps clunking

- South Plainfield , NJ, USA

problem #85

Jun 092022

Grand Cherokee

  • miles
Vehicle stalled without warning. No power whatsoever. Illuminated battery light came on. Noticed a burning odor coming from vehicle. Checked engine bay and noticed heavy smoke coming from alternator for a good 10 minutes. Vehicle would not take a jump nor could I put into gear. Battery is completely dead. PCM also seems to be fried. Will have to be towed to Dealership. Called Jeep costumer care and referenced the t36 recall but my vin does not fall under it even though vehicle fits EXACT description of recall. Also noticed that many others are have same problem with Jeep and them not expanding the recall to their vin. How terrible!! This could have easily been a fatal situation. Jeep needs to take some responsibility and action!

- Laplace , LA, USA

problem #84

Apr 202022

Grand Cherokee

  • miles
Since owning this vehicle (2013), it periodically stalls while driving. There is no warning and most times I am on a highway or getting off an exit. When this happens, I have no power steering ability. I have been lucky so far and I have not caused a serious accident when these episodes have occurred. My wife refused to ride or to drive the Jeep because of this problem. I see online that other Jeep owners have experienced the same problem. I have taken it to a Jeep dealer for service since 2013 and they are never able to diagnose the root cause of this problem. This problem seems to be happening more often - I fear for my life and those around me due to this sporadic problem. Please hold Jeep responsible for getting to the root of this issue with these vehicles.

- Falmouth, ME, USA

problem #83

Jan 142022

Grand Cherokee

  • miles
I have an on going issue with the vehicle stalling while slowing down for intersections, roundabouts and exit ramps. This has been happening since 2018. The vehicle traveling around 35-25 decelerating, the RPMs will just drop to zero and the engine will shut off. No warning lights, codes or indication I have lost power. Latest incident was on 1/14/22 in Mukwonago, WI after have only driven the vehicle for about 10 minutes. Coming from a 55 zone donw to a stop at an intersection the vehicle stalled with no warning around 30-25 MPH. 1/16/22 I was entering a roundabout and saw the RPMs dropping below idle to zero and was able to stop the stall by shifting the transmission into neutral. RPMs immediately went back to idle.

- Waterford, WI, USA

problem #82

Dec 272021

Grand Cherokee

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Symptoms are identical to recall W47, Where loss of engagement between transmission and the differential inside PTU (Power Transfer Unit)

- Spring, TX, USA

problem #81

Mar 242021

Grand Cherokee

  • 127,797 miles
My car began shuddering, the deal of driving a boat almost, feeling like the transmission is in a lower gear but not as rough. The dealer preformed recall repair fsa 14M02tsb 16-0129 today in denton. I drove home the 35 mi. And, although improved still felt the same. My boyfriend researched other bulletins and recalls. Then jacked the car up and saw a leak relating to 14M01tsb. I called but was told since I have 127798 mi and it has been more than 10 hrs, this no longer applies. There was no warning or coded related to these issues and I feel that these 2 issues are related to each other and 1401tsb should be extended to accommodate customers who have this issue but weren't aware as diagnostics do not show there is a problem and the leak is not severe enough to notice driveway spots. The only code of my car is an oxygen sensor code that showed up after the dealer repair today. I have seen many people who has this exact same issue therefore it is an ongoing problem that Jeep manufacturers are fully aware of. I request that the previous 14M01 be extended to cover all parts, repairs and labor related to this issues for these vehicle owners. I am just outside the coverage of this bulletin and had my boyfriend not jacked up the vehicle and checked himself after researching the bulletins, we would still be unaware of the actual problem. I, and other owners need the problems address in bulletin 14M01 remedied by warranty extension or other satisfactory means to cover a problem that the manufacturer is fully aware of.

- Gainesville, TX, USA

problem #80

Mar 072021

Grand Cherokee

  • 88,500 miles
When in motion (has happened multiple times on the highway) the engine will stall and the engine cuts off randomly while driving. No error codes or warnings come on, power steering and power brakes no longer function either but the radio stays on. Dealer has replaced the fuel pump relay twice but its not fixed. Because the computer doesn't recognize an error the dealer has said they can't diagnose it as an issue. But Jeep forums widely show that many people are still having this issue..

- Milwaukee, WI, USA

problem #79

Sep 122020

Grand Cherokee

  • 80,100 miles
While travelling on the interstate at approx 70 mph, the vehicle lost torque and lost ability to accelerate and had a loud knocking noise while hitting gas pedal. Vehicle is only 80,100 of 100,000/5 year powertrain warranty. Dealer would not warranty this powertrain issue even though the VIN has multiple earlier powertrain warranty items completed. Dealer diagnosed as front transfer case internally failed, and front drive shaft has failed. My independent mechanic indicated this failure is common and may also require a front differential replacement. The dealer initially diagnosed as front differential failure but determined it to be the transfer case. Parts are not readily available due to this being a common failure (4+ weeks for parts). A font drive shaft and transfer case failures are very dangerous and can cause the vehicle to crash.

- Atlanta, GA, USA

problem #78

May 022020

Grand Cherokee

  • 20 miles
4X4 activate always in city street. Seat both front vinil broke, fluid water on the roof back when rainin. Sistem hidraulic dont lower the Jeep. Dificult to starter.

- Barceloneta, PR, USA

problem #77

Aug 042020

Grand Cherokee

  • 78,000 miles
A fuel pump relay failure result in a no-start condition.

- Boerne, TX, USA

problem #76

Jun 132020

Grand Cherokee 6-cyl

  • 83,000 miles
In a pull forward park spot, shifted to reverse to back out. Car lurched backward very fast. Crossed the road, stopped by a 4' X 6' post set in the ground. The collision broke the post and cracked my car's rear bumper. I put my foot on the brake, but it could not control the speed. Thankfully, no people were in the road. No injuries. This was pin a commercial farm, where people can harvest the fruits and vegetables. The road is blacktop. My car left skid marks across the width of the road. It was a frightening event for me and my friend. I called my car dealer later to ask if there had been any incidents like this...shifting into reverse and the car zipped off- out of control. Tech said ' no'.

- San Leon, TX, USA

problem #75

Jul 302017

Grand Cherokee

  • 30,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle loss motive power and stalled without warning. The vehicle was taken to the westgate Chrysler Dodge Ram located at 6421 old westgate rd, raleigh, nc 27617, where the fuel pump was replaced under NHTSA campaign number: 15V115000 (electrical system) however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the same dealer and the contact was informed that the VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 19V813000 (electrical system) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

- Raleigh, NC, USA

problem #74

Aug 012019

Grand Cherokee

  • 81,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled without warning. The failure recurred. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 81,000.

- Atlanta, GA, USA

problem #73

Jan 082020

Grand Cherokee

  • 100,000 miles
TL- the contact owns a 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving, the vehicle hesitate and failed to accelerate. No warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to planet Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram dealer, (400 E central St, franklin, MA 02038, (508) 520-1550) but was not diagnosed or repaired. The VIN was included in NHTSA recall campaign number; 19V813000 (electrical system). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact part was not available for the repair. The part needed for the repair will become available within a year and was provided case number. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000. VIN tool confirmed part not available.

- Bellinghan, MA, USA

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