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 11 of 40)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #588

Dec 012018

Grand Cherokee

  • 130,000 miles

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

Intermittently, when pushing push button ignition car attempts to start and immediately stalls. Only will start again if running through push button with foot off the ignition to cycle through. Battery in key fob replaced and intermittent issue continues. Dealership confirmed no open recalls for Jeep, however confirmed that fuel pump relay was replaced under recall prior to vehicle purchase. Reading other recalls on NHTSA I see there was a large recall, with same symptoms, for this make and model of vehicle for external relay from tipm to fuel pump. Dealership claims this recall does not show for my VIN and cannot fix vehicle with recalled part even if I pay for it. They advised I replace tipm and fuel pump and maybe it will work. This is not acceptable.

- Orion, MI, USA

problem #587

Mar 282019

Grand Cherokee

  • 112,000 miles
Having issues starting the vehicle will attempt to start but will not turn over as if the fuel pump or relay is not kicking in. Vehicle was parked attempted to start has an extended crank.

- Tempe, AZ, USA

problem #586

Mar 272019

Grand Cherokee

  • 111,200 miles
While driving down the road going 45 the engine has cut out and we have lost all power to the vehicle. We narrowly avoided an accident by pulling over and restarting the vehicle. The vehicle has done this three times and it doesn't seem to be during any specific time, or lengthy of travel. It has happened randomly.

- Salem, OR, USA

problem #585

Dec 292018

Grand Cherokee

  • 116,000 miles

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

Alternator failed due to recall. I was not notified of this until after having failed and needing to be towed after being stranded on the side of the road in the middle of the night. All the cars functions had completely failed. The car was unable to be moved to a safe place, doors were locked, leaving my dogs locked and gated into the cargo area until lowing assistance arrived. Since the alternator was fixed I have had multiple visits to the dealership for replacement of battery, Jeep failing two more times while driving down the road, needing additional towing assistance. Multiple electrical malfunctions continue to occur, including: Forward collision warning, "brake warning flashing for no apparent reason. The passenger side heat failed needing to be replaced. All of the seat heaters within the vehicle have failed needing to be replaced. Most recently the drivers seat move forward function has stopped working, make the vehicle difficult and unsafe to drive as it is not at the appropriate drive distance. Contact to dealer to discuss fixing issues as they are electrical and most likely due to recall of the alternator. Jeep dealer declined that it was a related issue and that Jeep are known for these issues. Car is felt to be unreliable and unsafe to continue to drive at this point with the unknown reasons and causes for the recurrent malfunctions.

- Rockland, ME, USA

problem #584

Jan 242019

Grand Cherokee

  • 101,000 miles
Red indicator light looking like a battery came on about 3 miles from destination. Within another mile, other warning lights began to come on. Wipers came on (yes, they came on, not off). Then navigation screen went blank. Next car lost all power while driving. Suddenly lost steering, brakes, etc. Even emergency flashers would not activate. Smelled like something was burning. Nearby repair shop stated the alternator had burned-up and killed the battery. Repair shop replaced alternator and battery, but warning light came on again with smell of something once again burning within 2 miles of repair shop. Returned vehicle to repair shop, but they are not capable of fixing some type of computer module. This vehicle had a safety recall (number T36). I received at least 2 notices from Jeep (fca), but in each case was told parts were not available to resolve this safety recall (alternator diode thermal fatigue) [T36/NHTSA 17V-435]. I also brought the vehicle to jeff wyler Jeep Chrysler (southgate, ky) where I purchased the vehicle and they said parts were not available to resolve the problem. I was told they would notify me when parts become available, but never received any notification. Now, the car suddenly lost all power while driving as described above. Had this happened at night, on the highway, someone could easily have been killed. In summary, when vehicle came to a complete stop, without power, it was on a city street, and I was making a turn onto a smaller street with the hope of getting out of traffic.

- Cold Spring, KY, USA

problem #583

Nov 012018

Grand Cherokee 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 54,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee. In cold weather, the engine failed to immediately start. Napleton's arlington heights Jeep (1155 w. dundee rd, arlington heights, il) was notified of the failure. The contact indicated that the vehicle was previously serviced per NHTSA campaign number: 15V115000(electrical system) in which the fuel pump relay was replaced. However, once the temperatures became colder, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified, but no assistance was offered. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 54,000.

- Lake Zurich, IL, USA

problem #582

Jan 052019

Grand Cherokee

  • 60,000 miles

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

Vehicle loses all power when slowing down or stopped. Lose ability to steer. Have to restart the vehicle.

- Watertown, WI, USA

problem #581

Jan 112019

Grand Cherokee

  • 14,000 miles
Car's tipm has been messing up. They say there hasn't been a recall on my model for that and another says it has been fixed. My car won't start at times, my horn honks at random times and just today my car stalled while on the interstate. I know the tipm had been a problem with these vehicles but I cant get any help with mine without paying out of pocket. I've about had it with my Jeep.

- Coushatta, LA, USA

problem #580

Dec 262018

Grand Cherokee

  • 40,530 miles
While driving locally on a city street, heard a low whining sound, followed by the dashboard battery warning light being illuminated. Sound increased and decreased with vehicle speed. Drove immediately home, less than a mile, parked the vehicle, opened the hood and isolated the location of the whining sound to the alternator area. At this time I could also smell a burning odor (being an electrician).I put a meter to the battery terminals and recorded a voltage of 11.5, indicating that the alternator had failed. There were no visible signs of smoke that I could see as the time was about 9pm. But the smell of an electrical issue was clearly present.

- Brooklyn, NY, USA

problem #579

Dec 102018

Grand Cherokee

  • 58,000 miles
Car has a hard time starting after sitting, then won't start at all, have to wait 30-40 minutes etc... (tipm)

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

problem #578

Dec 072018

Grand Cherokee

  • 118,000 miles

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

I've noticed lately that while making turns in my overland summit with a 5.7L hemi, that the Jeep will stall out and die in the middle of the maneuver. This only happens when making turns. I have to shift into neutral and apply the brakes and press the push start to turn the engine back over. It always starts back up but this is starting to become a real concern. I asked 2 different Dodge Chrysler Jeep supervisors about this and they claim to have never heard of anything like this, even though there is an active recall for this very thing. They now say my vehicle wasn't affected even though the symptoms are the exact same thing.

- Haysville, KS, USA

problem #577

Aug 012018

Grand Cherokee

  • 87,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that the vehicle was not experiencing any failures until the vehicle was serviced for NHTSA campaign numbers: 15V115000 (electrical system) and 17V435000 (electrical system). The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start and suddenly stalled before entering the highway. The failure had occurred three times previously. The police department had to assist with towing the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle had been towed twice before by a warranty company. The dealer (kelly Jeep Chrysler Dodge Ram, 175 pelham St, methuen, MA 01844, (978) 683-8775) was notified of the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer more than twice after the recall repair failed. The dealer was unable to determine the cause of the failures. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The approximate failure mileage was 87,000.

- Andover, MA, USA

problem #576

Oct 152018

Grand Cherokee

  • 105,000 miles
Car completely shut off. No power to entire car. Found out it was a faulty alternator that was under recall.

- Washington, DC, USA

problem #575

Nov 052018

Grand Cherokee

  • 106,000 miles
The fuel pump was replaced per recall and now the new external fuel pump is completely failed and my Jeep won't start at all. Sometimes it will start and other times I will be driving down the road or highway and the vehicle will just stall and turn off on me. Someone has to do something about this.

- Fredericksburg, VA, USA

problem #574

Oct 012018

Grand Cherokee

  • 90,000 miles
This Jeep had the fuel pump recall done on it which was for the tipm relay built in fails causing these Jeep and durangos to stall out. Well now the whole module is bad per the dealer. This failure is worst than the relay failure. The Jeep stalled out while being parked and would not start again also while not working sitting in my garage the Jeep tried to start on its own and lights and horn going off. Jeep was already sued over this and I have been reading forms with many other customers still having this issue and these modules should have been replaced not placing a bandaid on the relay while the whole module is garbage which is now costing me 1600 and we haven't been able to drive it for a month since she was scared to be left stranded or having the car stall while driving. Please bring this up with them I already emailed asking for help on this problem since they never addressed it the first time it was brought up.

- Grand Forks, ND, USA

problem #573

Sep 142018

Grand Cherokee 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 66,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee. While driving 55 mph, several warning indicators began to flash on the instrument panel and there was an abnormal smoke odor in the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to monroeville Chrysler Jeep (located at 3651 william penn hwy, monroeville, pa 15146, (412) 856-1422) and repaired per nets campaign number: (electrical system). After the vehicle was repaired, the contact experienced several failures. The contact stated that the shift selector failed to operate, there was an abnormal clicking sound emitting from the transfer case, the engine control module was melted, and the battery exploded. The contact stated that the ecma and battery were replaced; however, the clicking sound still persisted and the shift selector was also still inoperable. An appointment was scheduled to have the vehicle diagnosed at memorabilia Chrysler Jeep. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 66,000.

- East Pittsburgh, PA, USA

problem #572

Sep 212018

Grand Cherokee

  • 100,085 miles
Jeep will not start from either using the keyfob or on dash start button. Vehicle cranks and attempts to start. Battery is new and charged. Possible tipm issue.

- Haughton, LA, USA

problem #571

Sep 112018

Grand Cherokee

  • 120,000 miles
Starter turns over but wont crank and leaves me stranded. Horn goes off at random times. Windows and door locks sometimes wont work. Google says its the tipm. Happens while vehicle is moving and non moving. Has happend multiple times.

- Coushatta, LA, USA

problem #570

Sep 062018

Grand Cherokee

  • 56,000 miles
While driving vehicle, noticed a smoke smell of something burning. Couldn't put a finger on it until later while driving the car filled with smoke coming from the passenger side headliner and burn hole in liner. Pulled over and pulled headliner down and saw flames and smoke. Put fire out. Called dealership and there was a recall that had been done by them on our vehicle for the vanity mirror electrical problem previous to this incident. They took our vehicle and gave us a rental at their expense until further investigation of this incident..

- Campbellsport, WI, USA

problem #569

Aug 042015

Grand Cherokee 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 78,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee. While driving approximately 40 mph down an incline, the vehicle stalled without warning and there was a complete loss of braking ability. The contact managed to stop the vehicle. Hanlees Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Napa (333 soscol avenue, Napa, California 94559, (707) 690-9600) was made aware of the failure and replaced the wiring harness and external fuel pump relay. The contact stated that the failure recurred twice. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 78,000. Consumer stated engine quit and loss of power steering and power brakes. Updated 11/26/18

- Napa, CA, USA

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