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 1 of 40)

problem #788

Sep 132024

Grand Cherokee

  • miles

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

As I was driving my Jeep Grand Cherokee, I was in the process of braking in order to turn, when the power steering stopped working as the engine stalled. I was able to pull over to the side of the road, put it back in Park and was able to restart it like nothing had happened. According to other owners with a similar issue, all the symptoms describe an open Safety Recall for a failing Fuel Pump that may cause the engine to stall. However, when I search the VIN on the NHTSA website, it states that there are no open recalls. The symptoms are identical to what is outlined in the recall. The only warning that came on was "Check the Gas Cap" warning.

- Torrington, CT, USA

problem #787

Aug 142024

Grand Cherokee

  • 117,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 25-30 MPH, the windshield wipers suddenly activated and the message FCW (Forward Collision Warning) was illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact stated that the vehicle lost power immediately after the message displayed. The vehicle was shifted into neutral and towed to a Nissan dealer and was diagnosed. The contact was informed that the alternator and battery had failed and needed to be replaced. The alternator had been replaced; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 117,000.

- Baltimore, MD, USA

problem #786

Jul 042024

Grand Cherokee

  • miles
So I just bought this car from a dealer about a year now and I was driving down the fwy. Heading to work And suddenly my car turned off and my steering wheel got really hard to make any turns there was no way I could-??ve stopped in the middle of the fwy. To stop and start the engine. luckily I was able to pull over and check the car I was full on gas and I looked up common issues that could turn off a running engine checked all fuses didn-??t see any problems with it didn-??t see any sort of corrosion in the battery cables and their was no check engine on the dash board. Theirs also been times were it randomly takes a long time cranking and won-??t start right away so I literally wait for the engine to sit for a while and start the car. My guess it-??s the crankshaft position or the fuel pump going out but that-??s why I-??m here to find out if theirs any recalls related to this issue. I-??ve been told their was a recall for a relay issue

- Fontana, CA, USA

problem #785

May 122021

Grand Cherokee

  • 111,000 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 while driving approximately 40 MPH and approaching a stop light, the brake pedal was released, the accelerator pedal was depressed, and the contact discovered that the engine had shut off. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The contact shifted into park, turned off, and restarted the vehicle, and the vehicle was drivable. The contact drove the vehicle back to the residence. The contact stated that several months later the vehicle was taken to a dealer and was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 14V53000 (Electrical System) however, the failure persisted. The dealer was contacted, and the contact was informed that the fuel pump was failing and that the repair would be an out-of-pocket expense. The contact referenced NHTSA action number: EA23001 (Fuel System, Diesel); however, the vehicle was not included in the investigation. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 111,000.

- Round Rock, TX, USA

problem #784

Mar 212022

Grand Cherokee

  • miles
The 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland headlamp assembly are defective and need to safety recall. The defect poses significant risk to driver especially at night. For example, this overland no longer level the headlamp low beam at the correct level. The light only cast out about 10 feet ahead of the headlamp. Even when engaging the high beam both headlights only show a few feet further. This is unsafe and risky when driving at night as well as on roads without any streetlights. It is like driving into darkness. The low beams headlights are pointing so low to the ground that they do not illuminate the license plate of another vehicle that is 10 feet in front. Prior to failure defect there was an in-dash notice stating the computer module lost communication with the right headlamp assembly. About a month later another message displayed the computer module lost communication with the left headlamp assembly. I took vehicle to local Jeep dealer for analysis, and they confirmed that Jeep headlight assemblies would have to be replaced with an estimated cost of about $3000. I told dealer this defect is a safety risk, and it needs to be a safety recall. I have to limit significantly my night driving due to safety risk. I am asking the NHTSA and Jeep Manufacture to issue recall to fix, correct, and replace this safety defect. Thanks for your prompt attention to this safety matter. Respectfully, Owner, Grand Cherokee Overland

- Enfield, CT, USA

problem #783

Jul 172024

Grand Cherokee

  • miles
Re: AQ14-003-FCA-Consent-Order-7-24-2015 & 2019 Safety Recall [Manufacturer Recall Number V62 & NHTSA Recall Number 19V-813]. FCA hasn't been in compliance with either of them regarding 'my' vehicle. 2015 Consent Decree implies should have been notifying car owners of any type of recall. 2017 recall was cancelled & 2019 safety recall was issued 4 years after the decree, 1 year after I bought the car, a safety recall was issued. Wasn't notified. 2 years later "I" contacted FCA (now Stellantis) to get my vehicle remedied by repair or replacement. Parts were shipped to a dealership but they used it on one of their customers. I asked for another set of parts. After that, absolutely nothing has happened up to now. Keep in mind FCA had my information (email, phone & address) either from me emailing or speaking with a customer rep. It's been over 3 years since last heard from FCA. On my side I no longer have ability to contact them directly since they became Stellantis. 49 U.S.C. ? 30166(f); 49 C.F.R. ?? 573.6(c)(10); 577.5(a), 577.7(c)(1), & 49 U.S.C. ? 30165(a)(1); 49 C.F.R. ? 578.6(a) NHTSA fined FCA/Stellantis > $100 million for 'not' making an effort to send recall notifications of any type of recalls directly to owners of their vehicles within a reasonable amount of time also to remedy the issue. If they don't comply $7,000 per violation & only remedy is replacing the vehicle in question. It's exact issue! Been over 7 years waiting within a reasonable remedy, it never happened. This is a safety issue. I was assured it'd be fixed, never was. I'm putting my life at risk & others driving. Unbelievably the part sent to me the dealership without my consent & knowledge gave it to one of their customers. I called to complain & expected another part to be sent out to another dealership. It never happened. I never spoke to anyone at FCA since then 3 years ago. There doesn't need to be a lengthy investigation. It shows my recall status as open. Proof of noncompliance.

- Greensburg, PA, USA

problem #782

Apr 012024

Grand Cherokee

  • miles

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

clockspring malfunction causing horn, cruise control, and air bag not functioning

- Trenton, OH, USA

problem #781

Oct 152023

Grand Cherokee

  • miles
The contact owns a 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the temperature gauge started to indicate that the vehicle was overheating. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact also stated that the failure began one month after receiving the vehicle back from the dealer following a recall repair. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V813000 (Electrical System); the VIN was included, but the vehicle had already been repaired under the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Burlington, NJ, USA

problem #780

Aug 012023

Grand Cherokee

  • miles
The contact owns a 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V813000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

- Wolfeboro, NH, USA

problem #779

Jun 202023

Grand Cherokee

  • miles
We were about an hour away from home (in the mountains) and our Jeep had been running fine. We had stopped for a while and when we got back to our Jeep and started it, just about every warning light on the dash board came on and wouldn-??t go off (the brake light, check engine, airbag, ABS, etc.) The middle of the dash was also flashing different messages-??-??service park assist and service power steering-??. We started to drive and the car was jerking really hard while it was shifting gears. We think it was getting stuck in a high gear because it would hardly drive after we stopped at a stoplights. We turned our hazards on and just tried to make it to an auto parts shop. Our windshield wipers were automatically coming on and the speedometer and RPM needle were both going up and down really quickly. We spent just shy of two long months without our Jeep while it was in the shop. The mechanic ultimately replaced the clock spring and the TPIM. Meanwhile, I joined a Jeep Grand Cherokee Facebook group and it seems like this is a pretty common issue in Jeep Grand Cherokees. It was a costly repair and was very difficult for us to go without our second car for two months. I really feel like this issue needs to be addressed by Jeep.

- Loveland , CO, USA

problem #778

Jul 282023

Grand Cherokee

  • miles

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

My 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee (Jeep GC) frequently and numerously experiences sudden shutdowns while driving. Consequently, not only do I lose power to various electrical features, but the power steering assist and power brake booster also become inoperative. This issue has been acknowledged by Jeep for other model years, but regrettably, they have failed to accept responsibility for it for the 2012 model, despite its significant impact on safety. Interestingly, there is a known safety recall by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2008 Jeep GC related to a Wireless Ignition Node Module (Safety Recall P57 / NHTSA 14V-567). This raises concerns about potential similarities between the issues experienced in different model years. Numerous individuals have reported similar problems in online forums and posts. In an effort to address the issue, I have reached out to Jeep's customer service and my local dealership. However, both entities seem unwilling to acknowledge the existence of a broader systemic problem, claiming no knowledge of the root cause. It is essential for Jeep to take responsibility and promptly address this serious safety concern in all affected model years, ensuring the safety and peace of mind of their customers.

- Folsom, CA, USA

problem #777

Mar 152023

Grand Cherokee

  • miles
The Grand Cherokee shut down while driving on the highway. It was like the ignition turned off. I pulled over and could not start the car. After 30 minutes the push button ignition finally worked. This has happened at least three times and is intermittent, but dangerous enough that you lose power to the vehicle. The problem is with the wireless ignition node.at times the push button or remote start up feature will not start the engine. But once it does, it randomly shuts it down as if communication is lost or the key is not recognized, even with the FOB key in close proximity. No warning indication is given nor is it reported as a code to be analyzed. It-??s not the FOBs, not the batteries in the FOBs, and not the other remote capabilities such as remote keyless entry. It is only push button (keyless) ignition and remote ignition that won-??t start the vehicle. The severity is that once you do get it started and driving, it randomly with no warning shuts down causing you to coast wherever you are. I was fortunate to avoid a serious accident two of the times this happened on a major highway.

- Allen, TX, USA

problem #776

Jun 182021

Grand Cherokee

  • 55,000 miles
The contact owned a 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while idled, her husband released the brake pedal to accelerate when the vehicle rear-ended another vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact-??s husband pulled the vehicle off the road and turned off the vehicle when the electrical started to malfunction. The contact stated that the doors were inadvertently locked while her husband was inside the vehicle. The contact then stated that the doors failed to unlock. The local authorities were notified of the failure and were able to remove the contact-??s husband from the vehicle as the contact started to notice smoke at the hood of the vehicle. The contact then stated that the vehicle caught fire and disintegrated into flames. No injuries were sustained. No medical attention was required. A police report was filed. The fire department was notified, and the fire was extinguished. The vehicle was towed to a collision lot and deemed a total loss by the insurance company. The dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000.

- Albany, NY, USA

problem #775

Apr 012023

Grand Cherokee

  • miles
I just recently purchased this used 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The problem I am experience, while driving at 74 mph the engine just shuts off. The vehicle would not restart for about 15 minutes. This has happened at least daily. The mechanic shop has checked the engine completely over. However they are stumped, The shop was able to repeat the problem but there are no codes. I know there was a recall on the fuel pump relay and then another on the relay. My mechanic has replaced the fuel pump relay but it still happens. I was reading in numerous blogs of this issue happening to many people. This past saturday night I was coming home from my second job when the car stalled out in the construction zone of 696 in Detroit, I can't tell you how many cars came close to killing me. This problem needs to be fixed by Jeep but there seems to be no movement, I'd hate to see people killed over this KNOWN issue. I know last Saturday night was the most fearful night of my life.

- Hazel Park, MI, USA

problem #774

Mar 302023

Grand Cherokee

  • miles
Was stopped at light and 2012 Jeep Cherokee lost all power and engine stalled. Lost lights, radio, heat and engine. It did restart after a minut or two. A week later, while driving, car began lagging/running rough. I felt I could not drive faster than 25 mph. Drove to Jeep dealer. Dealer is telling me it will cost more than $1500 to fix. I suspect this is a problem with the fuel pump relay....

- Incline Village, NV, USA

problem #773

Jul 012019

Grand Cherokee

  • miles
I had purchased my 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 hemi in June 2019. Shortly thereafter, I was driving on the highway when the vehicle stalled out and the wheel became very hard to control. I managed to avoid causing a major accident and made it to the side of the highway where I then sat for over 4 hours stranded. After trying to start my Jeep it just started up out of the blue and I drove home. I was nervous to drive it but I had no other mode of transportation. Over the next few months it would increasingly stall out. Sometimes in mid turn, sometimes on the expressway and sometimes just not start at all. A recall came out and I was able to have the truck " repaired ". Not even a month later it started to do the same thing. Stalling in mid drive. not starting at all or starting in Neutral only. I took it to a different dealership and paid over 300$ for them to do a diagnosis. Their diagnosis consisted of a " walk around " and taking a video of the vehicle. What a waste of money. As I was going to leave the dealership the vehicle wouldn't start. Then after an hour it suddenly started. I had advised service about it and they said that I can leave the vehicle and have them look at it when they had time which they said would be 4 days from then. I said you just looked at it and did nothing and I had to pay 300$ for nothing to be diagnosed. I was able to get the car home and then the car didnt start for a week then started.. would drive it then stalled and have to have it towed home a couple of times. Now the truck has been sitting in my driveway not able to start at all. The fuel pump relay was supposed to be replaced by two recalls I believe. Nothing was fixed and infact it only had made it worse probably causing damage to the rest of my vehicle. I am lucky I didnt crash, or even kill someone because of this. It is extremely dangerous and to not have the part fixed correctly nor even remedied with a replacement of the TIPM is unbelievable.

- Lake Grove , NY, USA

problem #772

Jul 012021

Grand Cherokee

  • miles
The contact's mother owns a 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The vehicle owner received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V813000 (Electrical System). The vehicle was taken to a local dealer for the recall repair; however, the contact was then informed that the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The vehicle was not repaired, and an oil change was completed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

- Roanoke, VA, USA

problem #771

Feb 012023

Grand Cherokee

  • miles
The last recall was for a fuel system relay jumper wire harness. The truck will start and shut off multiple times in a row before it will stay running. It is very random and can happen 8x in a row then not do it gain for a month or week. No warning lights or codes are given and it's completely random. It's gotten worse after the recalled part was installed and now I'm being told I have to replace the entire TIPM and not just that wire harness that was the original recall a couple years ago.. This is a huge issue with Chrysler/ jeeps and it is across multiple years and vehicles- really wish someone would issue a recall being its such a common problem and it's the vehicles brain basically and very expensive and scary to have random no starts - you never know when it's gonna happen.

- Mankato, MN, USA

problem #770

May 022022

Grand Cherokee

  • 110,800 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, the vehicle was idling rough idle almost causing the vehicle to stall. The contact stated that while depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle seemed to operate and run normally. The contact stated that the check engine and the electronic throttle control warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that after shifting into drive(D) and accelerating to approximately 10 MPH, the vehicle hesitated, revved, and then lunged forward. Additionally, the contact noted that the vehicle had been consuming an unusual amount of coolant that required him to add about one gallon of coolant per month. The contact stated that there was no leaks or puddles of coolant around the vehicle when the vehicle was parked in the driveway. The contact had driven the vehicle to an independent mechanic who attempted to download data from the computer but was unable to find any failure data on the engine "DTC" data. The mechanic retrieved fault code number: P0627 (PCM Engine Control Module). The independent mechanic was unable to repair the vehicle. The contact stated that the independent mechanic researched online and related one of the failures to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V813000 (Electrical System). The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 110,800.

- Harmony, NC, USA

problem #769

Sep 302022

Grand Cherokee

  • miles
Passenger side vanity mirror caught fire. My eyes started burning and smoke filled the car shortly after starting the car. I was sitting in the car waiting for the rain to slow down before I started driving other wise I would have been driving when I realized what was happening.

- Baytown, TX, USA

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