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 18 of 40)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #448

Jun 012017

Grand Cherokee 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 62,407 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 alternator failed while driving 45 mph. In addition, the windshield wipers engaged independently, the lights on the instrument panel flashed and immediately became dim, and the engine stalled. The contact also noticed a burning rubber odor inside the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to hill view motorist Chrysler dealer in luxor, Pennsylvania (724-834-8440) where it was diagnosed that the alternator failed and caused the battery and power train control module to burn. The vehicle was repaired and the alternator, battery, and power train control module were replaced. The manufacturer stated that the alternator in the vehicle was one hundred eighty amps and was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V634000 (electrical system). The failure mileage was 62,407. Updated 08/04/17

- Luxor, PA, USA

problem #447

Jun 032017

Grand Cherokee

  • 113,002 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee. While the vehicle was parked with the air conditioner and radio still operable, the contact exited the vehicle. Upon returning to the vehicle, he noticed that the air conditioner and radio stopped working, but the windshield wiper blades were moving at slow speed. The contact shifted into drive, but the vehicle was moving slowly and the steering wheel seized. The vehicle was stopped, shifted into park, turned off, and failed to restart. The voltage warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with a faulty alternator and battery that needed replacement. The parts were replaced, but the mechanic noticed that the computer was damaged and could not be repaired. The vehicle was towed to another independent mechanic who diagnosed that the PCM needed replacement and there was an alternator recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact had the vehicle towed to jt Chrysler Dodge Ram of lexington (located at 4838 sunset blvd, lexington, SC 29072 (803) 957-2010) for repairs. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 15V674000 (electrical system). The failure mileage was 113,002.

- Columbia, SC, USA

problem #446

Jun 022017

Grand Cherokee

  • 62,000 miles
We have had this Jeep grand cheroke service three times and before having it service, the car has cut off while driving on the highway without warning.

- Bronx, NY, USA

problem #445

Jun 012017

Grand Cherokee

  • 69,000 miles

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

While driving on freeway, battery warning light lit up, followed by (incorrect) error messages on instrument cluster menu that driver seatbelt was unfastened. All electrical equipment in the vehicle ceased operation, including ac and stereo. I pulled off of freeway and opened hood to find the alternator smoking heavily. This was the exact same failure situation described in Chrysler recall P60, but because my alternator was 180amp instead of 160amp, it was not covered by the P60 recall. The alternator had to be replaced. The alternator failure also resulted in a blown-out PCM, which had to be replaced. This is an extremely dangerous failure that could have caused a car fire, or traffic accident. Chrysler recall P60 should include the 180amp alternators, as well, because they have the same fault and safety issues.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #444

Jun 012017

Grand Cherokee

  • 82,000 miles
Although a recall on the 160 amp alternator my 180 amp alternator failed exactly like the 160 - smoke and left me in traffic, failed while driving in houston traffic. There are hundreds of cases with the 180 online but fca will not do anything unless you say so. So for now $1995 out of my pocket. M.carcomplaints.com/Jeep/grand_cherokee/2012/engine/engine.shtml next source

- Katy, TX, USA

problem #443

Apr 182017

Grand Cherokee

  • 30 miles
My alternator and then my ECU computer were damaged exactly in the same way that was described in the P60 recall. Unfortunately I realized that my VIN is not listed in the recall. How can I get reinbursed from the dealer all the expenses that I paid if my VIN is not in the recall although it has the same damaged that is described in the P60 bulletin, please advise marcelo

- Miami, FL, USA

problem #442

May 242017

Grand Cherokee

  • 80,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee. While driving at unknown speeds, the instrument cluster lights flashed and the engine stalled. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer and dealer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 80,000.

- Carteret, NJ, USA

problem #441

May 222017

Grand Cherokee

  • 82,000 miles
180 amp alternator experienced catastrophic failure causing total loss of all power, battery failure, PCM failure and smoking and burning smell from engine compartment. Experienced loud whinning from alternator while driving immediately prior to failure. Ultimate failure occured as car pulled into parking spot. This is the same issue experienced by 160 amp alternator under recall. It is extremely dangerous and Chrysler/Jeep should be required to fix these issues.

- Lynnfield, MA, USA

problem #440

May 012016

Grand Cherokee

  • 75,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee. While driving various speeds and making a sharp turn in either direction, the vehicle suddenly shut off and the driver had to push the start button to restart the engine. The contact indicated that the failure occurred on multiple occasions. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but no failure could be found. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 75,000.

- Wild Wood, MO, USA

problem #439

Apr 252017

Grand Cherokee

  • 104,000 miles
Alternator failed with no warning lights. Heavy smoke poured from engine bay. Faulty alternator caused PCM failure. Vehicle was in motion with no issue. Stopped for gas. Upon restart, vehicle had hard start and then began smoking.

- Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

problem #438

Feb 102017

Grand Cherokee 6-cyl

  • miles

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

I took my car for three recalls one of them was the brake booster. They called me the other day to pick it up. I went and they told me everything is fixed. The problem wasn't fixed. I almost crashed 4 times and I had to call a tow truck. I called the dealer and they said if I want them to look at the car and find the problem they would charge me. I told him it's the brake booster and showed him a video to prove it. He declined to help me...updated 06/06/17

- Dearborn, MI, USA

problem #437

Mar 242017

Grand Cherokee

  • 54,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee. While driving 40 mph, all the warning indicators illuminated and the vehicle stalled and lost power. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the alternator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the check engine indicator illuminated. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 54,000.

- Brooklyn, NY, USA

problem #436

Apr 142017

Grand Cherokee

  • 67,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee. While driving approximately 60 mph the battery warning indicator illuminated. The contact smelled an abnormal burning odor and noticed white smoke. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the failure was identical to NHTSA campaign number: 14V634000 (electrical system). The manufacturer was notified and stated that the vehicle was not included in the recall due to the manufactured date and the amp of the alternator. The approximate failure mileage was 54,900. Updated 06/13/17 consumer stated independent mechanic removed & replaced alternator w/ new factory alternator and stated that after removed the old, he did in fact smell a burnt smell on the alternator. Updated 9/27/18

- Dartmouth, MA, USA

problem #435

Apr 142017

Grand Cherokee

  • 64,000 miles
I had the car for 3 years and didn't have any issues. Last Saturday evening 4/14/17 we had just gotten home from running to the store and black smoke started to come up from the front right side of the hood. I backed the car out of the garage and went around the car to see what the issue was. Saw sparks, grabbed my son from the back ran and called 911. With in 5 min the front of the Jeep was on fire. Took 30 min to put out and the car is totalled.

- Batavia, IL, USA

problem #434

Jul 012014

Grand Cherokee

  • 60,000 miles
This vehicle will stall while you are in drive and driving. There is no indication that the car has stalled. Lights and radio are one. When you go to break, the car will not stop. The following do not work, breaks, emergency break, power steering and throwing the car in park. You have to coast until you stop and hope you do not hit anything. Once you stop, the car will restart. This is a know issues with this vehicle. It has been in over 3 times to get fix. It does have a recall but that has not fixed the problem. It is currently a deadly weapon.

- Monee, IL, USA

problem #433

Feb 212017

Grand Cherokee

  • 96,776 miles
While driving to work one day, I noticed a humming noise coming from the front of the vehicle, shortly before arriving at work the battery light came on so I dropped off the car at a local mechanic to have it looked at. They called me back to say the alternator had went out and would need replaced. After replacing the alternator, my Jeep wasn't starting, so they had to replace the battery and explained the alternator had fried and took the battery out with it. Once the battery was replaced, the Jeep still wouldn't start and couldn't locate the keys (although it was physically in the ignition), they said my Jeep would need to be towed to a Jeep dealership to get the powertrain control module replaced because they couldn't program the replacement module. After getting it towed and having the powertrain control module replaced it is running fine again. In summary, the alternator went out and shorted both the battery and the powertrain control module in the process. In total nearly $1600 worth of parts and labor. A recall exists for several other Jeep models due to this same issue, however my vehicle's VIN isn't listed in the recall.

- Rosemount, MN, USA

problem #432

Mar 162017

Grand Cherokee

  • 62,000 miles
My vehicle shut down while I was driving making a left-hand turn about 5 mph and started smoking under the hood as I investigated the alternator was smoking and the vehicle would not start and has no power I had to have it towed to the dealer massey yardley service plantation fl. - (recall related incident)

- Davie, FL, USA

problem #431

Mar 132017

Grand Cherokee

  • 88,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee. While driving approximately 55 mph, the vehicle lost power and subsequently shut down. The malfunction indicator illuminated. The vehicle was shifted into park and restarted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the fuel pump relay was replaced; however, the failure recurred several times. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 15V115000 (electrical system) and 15V879000 (electrical system, interior lighting). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failures. The failure mileage was approximately 88,000.

- Redwood, NY, USA

problem #430

Mar 042017

Grand Cherokee

  • 81,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee. While driving at unknown speeds, the contact heard abnormal noises coming from the vehicle. The battery warning indicator illuminated and the vehicle lost power. The contact was unable to open the doors. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the alternator, belt, and battery needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 81,000.

- Staten Island, NY, USA

problem #429

Mar 072017

Grand Cherokee

  • 49,000 miles
The owns a 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee. While the contact's wife was attempting to park at 5 mph, the battery warning indicator illuminated. The driver smelled a strong smoke odor and observed smoke coming from the front passenger side. The driver exited the vehicle. The fire department was not contacted and there were no flames present. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the alternator, computer, and fuses failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V634000 (electrical system). The approximate failure mileage was 49,000.

- Bayamon, PR, USA

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