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.
The contact owns a 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 17V435000 (electrical system); however, the part for the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
The contact owns a 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously included in NHTSA campaign number: 15V115000 (electrical system), for which the fuel pump relay was replaced. Approximately two years after receiving the repair, the contact began to notice that the vehicle would crank, but failed to start. The contact would have to make several attempts to start the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to Chrysler fullerton (located at 1044 us route 22, East summerville, NJ, 08876; 908-722-2500) where it was diagnosed that the fuel pump relay failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that they were unable to provide another repair. The approximate failure mileage was 78,000.
My car turns off while driving differnt times of the day could be in the morning or could be during the day. It just shuts off with no sign the lights are on in the front the radio is still on its happened several times. Some times does not want to start randomly... this is my 3rd time taking it into the dealer with this same issue and they keep saying nothing is wrong with it. This last time I was on the freeway and it just shut off. I just want them to repair it. The fist time I took it in I want to say I was under the warranty miles around 34 or 36000 I am going to confirm with the dealer.
The contact owns a 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at 30 mph, the vehicle experienced a loss of power. The battery warning indicator illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 17V435000 (electrical system) however, the parts to do the repair were unavailable. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic because it was not operable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and provided the case number 32304339 and that the recall parts would not be made available until next year.the failure mileage was approximately 94,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
The contact owns a 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee. While driving approximately 30 mph, the battery warning indicator illuminated and a humming noise was heard underneath the hood. The driver saw flames under the hood and the vehicle immediately shut down. There were no injuries. Neither a police report nor a fire report were filed. The manufacturer and dealer were contacted (westbury Dodge in westbury, NY, 855-477-5588) and stated that there was no recall. The failure was not diagnosed. The failure mileage was 77,000.
- Oceanside, NY, USA
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The contact owns a 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee. While operating the vehicle, the charging system warning indicator illuminated and the vehicle suddenly shut off. During the incident, the ABS and stability control systems were disabled. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the 180 amp alternator was faulty and damaged the battery and PCM, which included melting the electrical wiring. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V634000 (electrical system) that included 160 amp alternators only. The local dealer was not notified. The failure mileage was 91,000.
My Jeep just caught fire coming from the sun roof. It started smoking fast and then quick fire coming down from the sun roof. The vehicle was in motion while it started smoking. I parked it and then the flames started coming out fast and hard. The consumer stated the insurance company determined the fire may have been caused by work done at a local body shop resulting in a wiring short. The insurance company filed recovery documents against the company. The vehicle was totaled.
Jeep stalls suddenly while driving with no indication other than the loss of power steering. This occurs repeatedly at different speeds ranging from 15 mph in the city to 60 mph on the highway. Stalling has occurred when slowing down and also while turning.
The alternator went out when the vehicle was on a mountain road creating a very unsafe situation. The vehicle stopped dead without any warning. This resulted in replacement of the alternator, battery and the computer chip. Total of $2,000 plus towing. This vehicle has a 180 amp alternator and the same year and vehicle with a 160 amp alternator currently has a recall but for some crazy reason the 180 amp alternator has not been recalled. The recall should be extended to the 180 amp alternator.
The contact owns a 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee. When the vehicle was started, the contact heard a whining noise and smelled a burning odor. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the alternator, thermostat, and battery failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The local dealer (ganley Chrysler of Aurora 161 w. garfield road, Aurora, oh 44202) stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 17V435000 (electrical system). The manufacturer was notified and confirmed that the VIN was excluded from the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 102,000....updated 10/23/17 updated 11/20/2017
The contact owns a 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed to a dealer (franklin Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, 1124 murfreesboro rd, franklin, tn 37064, (615) 614-8243) who stated that the alternator assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was excluded from NHTSA campaign numbers: 17V435000 (electrical system) and 14V634000 (electrical system). The manufacturer provided no solution other than having the dealer replace the part. The approximate failure mileage was 149,000.
Was driving the car fine on the highway at 50 mph. The lights flickered and an emergency repair notice flashed on the dash. At that point, an air suspension warning light and other lights came on. The car went dead suddenly, no lights, no nothing. Complete loss of electricity. When I stopped I could smell smoke. Was able to safely get out of the car and had it towed to the dealer. Dealer says the alternator is dead and possibly the PCM (drive train computer) is dead. Total repairs for $2300. They issued a safety recall for these alternators but because there is no open recall for my car, the dealer is not budging. There should be a recall for all the alternators 160 and 180. My infant son was in the back seat when the car died. This is unacceptable.
The contact owns a 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee. After being driven and then parked, the battery and check engine warning indicators illuminated. The contact immediately turned the engine off and a strong burning odor was present. The contact opened the hood and noticed smoke emerging from the alternator. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. An independent mechanic (evelio auto electric and fuel injection in vega baja, puerto rico) diagnosed that the alternator failed and needed to be replaced along with the battery. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 17V435000 (electrical system). The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was not diagnosed by the manufacturer's mechanic. The approximate failure mileage was 71,000.
Was driving and arrived at destination, every thing was perfectly fine exited the vehicle and was gone for about 30 min. On return found vehicle completely without any electrical power had to be towed and found out alternator shorted out frying the battery as well as computer.I was informed that there are Grand Cherokee being recalled for this problem but it doesn't seem to affect my VIN number even though I have experienced this very problem
The contact owns a 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee. While operating the vehicle, the instrument panel gauges suddenly began to flicker and illuminate before the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the alternator malfunctioned and damaged the battery. Both components would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified and stated that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 17B435000(electrical system), although the failures were identical. The local dealer (brubaker Dodge in montgomery, Alabama) was also notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000.
While driving home from work during rush hour traffic on the highway, the red battery light came for the first time since I owned the vehicle. Within minutes of the light appearing, the Jeep's air conditioning went off, all warning lights appeared on the dashboard and the windshield wipers turned on (without prompting them). All three of these things happened within seconds of each other so I tried to pull over to the side of the highway but the Jeep lost all power and stalled in the right lane of the highway. There was absolutely zero power so I was unable to turn my hazard lights on or put the car in neutral to roll to the breakdown lane (see attached picture). I then had to exit the Jeep into oncoming rush hour traffic in the left lane and luckily made it safety to the shoulder where I called 911 and triple a for a tow. The Jeep was towed to my local mechanic who said the alternator failed and that he had to unplug it from the battery since it was still producing excessive heat hours after it arrived there. I then called the fca customer service and referenced recall T36, since the exact same thing happened as the description provided (although I did not have any recalls on my VIN). They put me in touch with the local Jeep dealership to set up an appt so I paid for another tow there. The next day I receive a call from the service dept that my alternator failed, which drained my battery, which broke my module powertrain control computer totaling $2,134 in repairs. They cannot confirm nor deny that my Jeep is part of recall T36, but regardless since my VIN does not have any recalls on it, that I have to pay in full and that if down the road there is a recall that I will get reimbursed. I then call the fca customer service back and they check their internal system and confirm that I am not part of recall T36 and there are no outstanding recalls for my Jeep.
The contact owns a 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was not inspected and diagnosed by a dealer. In addition, the vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 15V879000 (electrical system, interior lighting). The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was not available. Parts distribution disconnect.
The contact owns a 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee. While driving 65 mph, the battery warning indicator illuminated and the vehicle lost power. The contact stated that the power steering, power locks, brakes, and windshield wipers failed to operate as intended. The vehicle was towed to autonation Chrysler Jeep arapahoe (located at 9980 E arapahoe rd, englewood, co 80112 (303) 900-0794), but was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 17V435000 (electrical system). The manufacturer was contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 97,000.
The contact owns a 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact had just parked the vehicle at home when she observed an abnormal burning odor without warning. The contact observed smoke coming from the engine. The contact opened the hood and observed that the alternator was smoking and black. The dealer (dutch miller Dodge, 339 maccorkle ave, sw, South charleston, wv, 25303) was contacted at 304-343-7700 and stated that there was no recall information. The dealer also stated that the contact could schedule an appointment and referred her to the manufacturer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that due to her 180 amp alternator, the vehicle was not included in the recall. The contact stated that the recall states that 180 amps were included. The manufacturer stated that they would escalate the case and have a case manager call her back. The manufacturer did not provide a case number. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 17V435000 (electrical system). The failure mileage was 106,400.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Middlesex, NJ, USA