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:
5 / 83
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 0
Average Mileage:
42,513 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 electrical problems

electrical problem

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2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee Owner Comments (Page 10 of 40)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #608

Dec 182017

Grand Cherokee 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 77,600 miles

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

The contact owns a 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram and dover Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram (396 us-46, rockaway, NJ 07866, (973) 366-7000) where it was diagnosed that the body throttle control and wire harness needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 77,600. The VIN was not available.

- Kenvil, NJ, USA

problem #607

Oct 102019

Grand Cherokee 6-cyl

  • 82,224 miles
On Sept 21, 2019, Jeep's tipm failed causing hatch to open without notice, and lights and turn signals to blink without activation. We had it replaced and paid for the repair even though tipms have been recalled due to fuel issues. This replacement tipm failed again, causing turn signal to fail and not operate. This "bad" tipm was replaced again on Oct 10, 2019. Problems occurred when vehicle was in operation.

- Bellbrook, OH, USA

problem #606

Sep 292019

Grand Cherokee

  • 115,000 miles
When the car is stationary it will not start when the button is pushed. The car shudders and the computer freezes. It can only start when the key is used in place of the push button. It seems as if the starter is not relaying to the fuel pump. This car underwent a big recall in March of 2017. The fuel pump, fuse box, battery and alternator were replaced. It was at the dealers for three weeks. The Jeep broke down and had smoke coming from under the hood. Unfortunately, we received the recall notice three days after the problem occurred, so we had taken it to our mechanic. Then we had to have an additional tow to the dealership. (recall R09)

- San Jose, CA, USA

problem #605

Sep 012019

Grand Cherokee

  • 122,600 miles

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

The alternator burned out, burning out also the starter, the wiring harness and the computer. This seems similar to the recall ordered for smaller Jeep engines, by our P60/NHTSA 14V-634 recall. I was driving the car when the battery light came on. The car remained in operation. I drove it to a repair shop which found the issues. When I got to the shop, I could smell a burning odor. Date of 9/1/2019 approximate.

- Fort Worth, TX, USA

problem #604

Sep 152019

Grand Cherokee

  • 81,739 miles
Warning lights on dash randomly come on and off. Back hatch randomly opens without activation. Happens when vehicle is stationary and moving.

- Bellbrook, OH, USA

problem #603

Sep 052019

Grand Cherokee 6-cyl

  • 93,200 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee. While driving 70 mph, the battery warning indicator illuminated, a chime was heard, and the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that the windows activated independently and the sun roof also started to operate independently. The contact stated that other electrical components became inoperable, the air conditioning stopped working, and the interior lighting flickered. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the alternator and battery failed. The failure caused a minor fire. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was previously repaired per NHTSA campaign number: 17V435000 (electrical system). The manufacturer was contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 93,200.

- Schaumburg, IL, USA

problem #602

Sep 012019

Grand Cherokee

  • 126,000 miles

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

Having issues with gear shifting and the major complaint is the vehicle completely shuts down without warning and I have had vehicle in multiple times for the same issue and no answers. This happens as vehicle is moving and you have to pull over with no power no steering nothing. Scary deal. This has been going on for years

- Lonsdale, MN, USA

problem #601

May 012019

Grand Cherokee

  • 117,000 miles
Vehicle struggles to start when starter button engaged.

- Whiteville, NC, USA

problem #600

Jul 012019

Grand Cherokee

  • 83,000 miles
My Jeep has an ignition/starting problem. It will try to start but just keeps turning over. After 10 seconds it will stop then it will usually start after. Online it says the timp could be the problem.

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #599

Jun 242019

Grand Cherokee 8-cyl

  • 77,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee. After the vehicle was driven for a short period of time and parked, the contact was unable to restart the vehicle after several attempts. An independent mechanic performed a diagnostic test, but was unable to retrieve a fault code. The contact was informed that the totally integrated power module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was previously repaired per NHTSA campaign number: 15V115000 (electrical system). The manufacturer and dealer were not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 77,000.

- Wrightsville, PA, USA

problem #598

May 312018

Grand Cherokee

  • 95,293 miles

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

I have had multiple lights pop up on my dash, usually after it rains, but once for no reason. I will be driving anywhere from 20-65mph and the lights will just pop up. (ABS, brake, and traction control lights) once I turn my Jeep off and back on, it disappears. But when the lights are shown, my Jeep drives a little differently.

- Heidrick, KY, USA

problem #597

Jun 222019

Grand Cherokee

  • 114,000 miles
My engine light has decided to light up in my Jeep randomly one day after starting it. After scanning it, it shows code P0522. The research I have done has shown it usually shows the oil light when it is that code. So as a result, I have had my oil changed again and I have ordered a oil pressure sensor/sender hoping that will fix all my problems which will be installed next Sunday (7/7/2019). I also had to change the water pump because it had a crack in it, the thermostat just for precautionary measures, and the belt because it had a tear in it about half the size of the width. All of this to try to figure out the problem with the engine light and the scanner showing the code P0522. So we will see if that actually fixes the problem.

- Heidrick, KY, USA

problem #596

Jun 242019

Grand Cherokee

  • 88,000 miles
Takata recall tipm corrosion/failure. To date, multiple fuses have blown resulting in system failure and needed replacing. I was advised due to the substantial amount of corrosion in the tipm module, the result may lead to system wide short and possible failure of all electronic systems.

- Brick, NJ, USA

problem #595

Jun 232019

Grand Cherokee 8-cyl

  • miles
Electrical stability control does not work properly it sways from and rear. Mainly when it rains. Electrical system a problem between signal lights and the radio, when the signals are use the radio goes off"?? lift suspension system operate by itself, up and down on his own, and that problem prevents for the SUV to be aligned; also there is a shaking on steering wheel when above 55mph. I don?T know if this unit was taken for service on any other subject like; air bags, steering components, front suspension or any other campaign of recalls. I"M the third owner and have to find out the hard way. Sincerely [xxx] usa. Retired information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Toa Baja, PR, USA

problem #594

Jun 082019

Grand Cherokee

  • 136,500 miles
Vehicle would crank my not start. This was an intermittent problem. On June 8, 2019, the vehicle failed and required to be towed to a service station. The problem was diagnosed as a failure of the total integrated power module (tipm).

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #593

May 252019

Grand Cherokee

  • 110,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee. While the vehicle was parked, it took multiple attempts to start the engine. The vehicle was taken to an unknown dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 110,000.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #592

May 082019

Grand Cherokee

  • miles
I have taken my Jeep in to the dealership three times for an issue with regards to the engine cranking but not starting. The dealership has replaced the key fob and it is still not acting right. Today June 3, 2019 will make the fourth time taking my truck in for the same problem.

- West Berlin, NJ, USA

problem #591

May 152019

Grand Cherokee

  • 107,636 miles
Tipm failures, ipm systems failure, PCM multiple failures and back order on steering wheel module... dealer can't fix

- East Orange, NJ, USA

problem #590

Dec 012018

Grand Cherokee

  • miles
The contact owns a 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee. While the vehicle was parked, the contact was unable to start the vehicle with the main key fob. The contact stated that the spare key fob had to be used. Also, while driving unknown speeds, the vehicle started to stall. The vehicle was taken to scranton Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram (located at 1146 Wyoming ave, scranton, pa 18509, (570) 344-1261) where it was diagnosed that the key fob needed to be replaced. The part was replaced in December of 2018, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the receiver needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was not provided.

- Claks Summit, PA, USA

problem #589

Apr 292018

Grand Cherokee

  • 89,130 miles
We loaded up to go to the desert (clear summer day with temperatures near 80 degrees Fahrenheit), stopped to get gas and ice (Jeep was running the entire time) and once we got on the way there, the battery light came on, then an odd sound was heard then whitish electrical smelling smoke started pouring out of the engine compartment, this happened within 8 - 10 seconds total). I grabbed my extinguisher and popped the hood and saw that the smoke appeared to be coming from around the alternator and steam was everywhere. I also noticed that the motor was overheated (but no temperature light and no fans were turning). We turned around and made it the 3 blocks back to the house when the Jeep died and without power steering and brakes we almost collided with a parked car. We parked it in the middle of the street to cool off and to obtain assistance to push it into my garage. It was found that my alternator had a diode that shorted to ground. Please actually read the following: There are at least 38 other complaints concerning the same chain of events on NHTSA website. Alt shorts, destroys the battery, and tipm/PCM. Fca refuses to expand 1 of 3 open recalls to include my make/model and many others. NHTSA refuses to actually hold Jeep/fca accountable. Check P60-14V634 (alternator had bad diodes and shorted to ground) expanded multiple times, T36-17V435 (alternator had bad diodes and shorted to ground)expanded multiple times, T75-17V741 (alternator had bad diodes and shorted to ground). The data in NHTSA data shows that from years 2007 to 2018, fca us, llc models badged 2012 had the highest percent of total recalls of any year owning 18% of the 24,053,941 total recalls fca family had. How does this not flag the NHTSA to fight for us? the NHTSA fined fca 120,000,000 for their addmitted unefectual recall process. I have so much more data. Sad.

- Grand Junction, CO, USA

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