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:
4 / 17
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
62,744 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 engine problems

engine problem

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2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee Owner Comments (Page 6 of 14)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #164

Dec 122018

Grand Cherokee

  • 70,759 miles

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

Engine stalls while driving without warning. This started in November 2018 and has happened 5 times since. Have taken it to 3 different repair shops and still no resolution. There was a recall back in 2015 #15V-115 to fix the fuel pump relay which could cause this to happen. Service was done per the recall. Have an active case with Jeep (Fiat) but they have been no help and keep sending us the Jeep dealer. Diagnostics have been done 3 times to no avail. This is a significant safety issue as the vehicle dies while driving and the steering locks up as well as the brakes. Each time this happens the vehicle is in motion going about 40mph. Has happened while going straight and while turning. The radio stays on and no warning lights appear on the dashboard.

- Perkiomenville, PA, USA

problem #163

Jan 212019

Grand Cherokee

  • 167,767 miles
Takata recall while I'm driving the vehicle it will shut off. I will put it in park and it starts back up. This is unsafe because I can be driving in traffic or be in an intersection and it just shuts off. I've taken it to have a mechanic look for any readings and nothing is coming up. It also shuts off while trying to start the vehicle up for the first time. It takes several attempts, again nothing coming up when taken to the mechanic.this has been going on for almost a year.

- Waldorf, MD, USA

problem #162

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 #161

Dec 212018

Grand Cherokee

  • 82,000 miles

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

Unknown cause of overheating. Authorized service performed by dealer. Upon initial diagnosis of vehicle no code was put out while simultaneously in active overheat mode. Multiple investigations performed by service techs were performed.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

problem #160

Dec 282018

Grand Cherokee

  • 60,000 miles
Yesterday my Jeep engine turned off twice while driving on city roads. This happened in the morning on my way to work and at night on my way home from dinner. Luckily this happened on city roads either before getting on the highway or after getting off the highway, as I take the highway daily for work. Conincidentslly both instances happened while attempting to turn right. I did not hear the engine turn off while driving, but noticed because as I was attempting to turn there was no power steering. The radio, dash and interior lights never flickered or turned off when the ingine stalled. Again, luckily I was not at a high speed when this happened and put on my hazards and was able to slowly come to a stop with the brakes but they were very slow to react. I put the car back in park and started it right up both times. Very scary experience to have the engine just shut off in the middle of traffic and panic to avoid an accident from occurring.

- Orlando, FL, USA

problem #159

Dec 112018

Grand Cherokee

  • 127,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee. While driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle stalled and the engine made an abnormal grinding sound when the vehicle was started. The contact called sharp motor company (Ford dealer) of Tennessee (1516 w college St, pulaski, tn 38478, (931) 363-2533) and was informed that the vehicle would not be serviced because a recall did not appear on NHTSA.gov. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 127,000.

- Lawrenchburg, TN, USA

problem #158

Aug 012018

Grand Cherokee

  • 87,000 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 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 #157

Dec 032018

Grand Cherokee

  • 161,334 miles
I bought this vehicle used & no problems until the recalls come rolling in but had a cylinder 2 misfire at 132,000 miles ok contacted dealership & it was fixed, but found out this was the 2nd time this has happened amongst finding out the whole engine had to be replaced from the factory. I'm now 161,334 miles & have a cylinder 2 misfire again. If it fails compression test again this will be a 3rd time the head has failed & I'm past Jeep's extended warranty to cover it. Apparently Jeep has not fixed their flaw. It spits an sputters, idles rough sometimes & I always do my maintenance when it's needed. It does it when I'm mostly parked but I can feel it when I'm stopped & idling.

- Fordoche, LA, USA

problem #156

Dec 012018

Grand Cherokee

  • 85,000 miles
When slowing the vehicle it will just silently shuts off. This happens usually at the same 5 places, 3 of them when slowing to make a right hand turn in an S turn and the other 2 going straight slowing to stop to make a left turn across traffic. I feel like it's a combination of braking, steering wheel and when its shifting into 1st since I'm either in a stopping situation or S turn situation. When this happens I loose steering and brakes causing me to go into the opposite lane of travel head on. There have been recalls on the alternator for my vehicle but mine has never been included. There has been a recall for a sensor that has been completed but did not solve the problem. This is a serious issue, my chance for a head on collision is very very scary. This happens about 6-10 times a week.

- Lancaster, PA, USA

problem #155

Nov 082018

Grand Cherokee

  • 108,000 miles
The truck continues to stall while operating and does not turn over when trying to restart. This prevents a quick reaction to being stalled when slowing to enter or exit at an intersection. On most occasions, the car will not start and continues to crank when either using the push start, manual key fob, or auto start. It cannot be moved once stalled. If you attempt to restart too quickly or after several attempts, it will flood. This same issue was included in a previous recall for the fuel pump relay. However, it did not resolve the issue. The same behavior is experienced and is very dangerous. To provide history of failed recalls, the brake shield recall was corrected by two seperate recalls and was also a very dangerous safety issue that prevents driver control over the vehicle when stopping. The stalling occurs when coming to a stop or stopping, and when performing strong turns. These types of turns are done frequently at intersections with on coming traffic. It is very dangerous because you don't even have the ability to restart the vehicle to escape the danger.

- Albany, GA, USA

problem #154

Oct 142018

Grand Cherokee

  • 60,000 miles

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

1. Jeep dies for no reason when decelerating it happens at highway speeds when taking the foot of the gas it last happened on highway 1 on a big curve, steering and brakes lost power on a cliff side road.(scared me and the family 1/2 to death) it has happened on the dumbarton bridge in commute traffic it also happens when decelerating on off ramps or coasting to stop lights. You need to completely stop the car put it in park and press on the brake to restart it. This in traffic is also dangerous Jeep says 10 things may cause it and they will not fix try any of then because they cannot pinpoint which one it is. 2. cruise control slams on the breaks for no reason. Another dangerous problem no cars in front of me, open highway, no overhead bridges or guard rails in sight and the brakes slam on.

- San Carlos, CA, USA

problem #153

Oct 062018

Grand Cherokee

  • 105,768 miles
The vehicle has now had it's 3rd water pump replacement, Jeep has put a warranty extension on the water pump's for the 13-17 model years and I have a 2012 with the same effected part and Jeep refuse's to pay for something they know its a problem, they won't do anything for me and I have had to have it fixed by an independent repair shop. The warranty extension is X73 from Jeep.

- Ashland, MA, USA

problem #152

Aug 082018

Grand Cherokee

  • 40,625 miles
Algunos de los motores de los vehculos 3.6 vvt pentastar Jeep gran cheroke presentan un defecto de fabricacin en la cual SE identifico en un 0.5 % de la fabricacin entre 2011 Y 2012 una falla en la culata lado izquierdo lo cual produce fallos de encendido con los cdigos P0304 -P0302 -P0306 Y P0300 fallos de encendido los cuales pese a tratarse de reparar estos cdigos no SE pueden reparar por que la nica manera de solucionar ES cambio de la culata lado izquierdo hecho que crhysler lo reconoce en un boletn de servicio del ao 2014 boletn de servicio del ao 2014 nmero 09-002-14 rev.B donde lo especifican claramente Y ademas extienden la garanta a 10 aos O 240000 km. Siendo el caso de mi vehculo que presenta esta falla por lo que segn mi garanta (warranty repor for sud America ) la tengo pendiente con el cdigo (X56 ) 3.6L left cilinder head extendida por 10 aos O 239,850 kmsy mala combustin de gasolina que la bota cruda Y esto produce la falla del catalizador por lo cual las emisiones de gases al ambiente son muy txicos lo cual daa el medio ambiente. Mi vehculo ha sido revisado por el concesionario en peru SE han hecho las pruebas correspondientes Y si van a asumir la reparacin de acuerdo a la garanta pero ES el caso que la central de eeuu. Indicaron que no hay stock del repuesto hay lista de espera de mas de 120 casos en espera mientras tanto los consumidores nos vemos agravados con el exceso de consumo de combustible Y el ecosistema del planeta al tacho por las emisiones contaminantes. ES increble que tenga 2 meses en espera de la auto parte que por derecho deben de reparar ya que ES una falla de fabricacin Y ellos la reconocen. Y no dar respuestas sin fecha mientras el medio ambiente sufre la contaminacin sin retorno. ES U claro atentado contra el medio ambiente

- Lima, FL, USA

problem #151

Sep 292018

Grand Cherokee

  • 20,000 miles
Vehicle in motion, but decelerating from higher speed to a stop or lower speed. Engine shuts off. No warning/dash lights come on everything else (radio, lights) continue to work. The only way to know the engine is no longer running is the power steering and power brakes don't work and the RPM on the tachometer go to zero. Car typically will re-start with no issue, but will almost immediately stop again. When the car sits for about 15-20 minutes, it'll start right up and drive fine. There has not been a pattern, other than slowing down. It's stalled on me the following times and situations: * slowing down to turn right off the highway - was raining, started right up after stall ran fine (2014) * slowing down to a complete stop at an intersection, would restart, but not stay running. Waited 20 minutes for towtruck and the vehicle started right up. (2016) * slowing to a stop for light in town, started right up, but would not remain running, waited 20 minutes ran fine (2016) * stalled in stopped traffic. Started right up was able to drive to a parking lot but stalled again and would not restart for 15-20 minutes. Ran fine once started again. (2017) * stalled in stop and go traffic on I-95 in philadelphia. Started right up again, but had to wait 20 minutes for it to remain running (03/2018) * stalled when coming to a stop for stop sign. Wouldn't start right up. Had to wait 15-20 minutes then it started and ran fine. (09/29/2018) have taken to the Jeep dealer on the three earlier occasions, however, they indicate that they are unable to replicate the situation and there are no engine codes to review - therefore they are unable to correct the situation. So I have been driving the vehicle as is, but after the last two times of this occurring I must remedy the issue. Assistance will be greatly appreciated.

- Elmhurst Township, PA, USA

problem #150

Sep 042018

Grand Cherokee

  • 109,000 miles
Engine failing while driving but I was able to safely remove vehicle from the road to avoid crash. Issue is the engine rod bearing failure. Recall for same issue came out in 2011 but my VIN was not included. NHTSA campaign id number: 11V487000

- Atlanta, GA, USA

problem #149

Sep 202018

Grand Cherokee

  • 94,000 miles
I have owned this vehicle for 3 years, and in that time it has randomly lost all power while driving 5 different times, making it hard to turn off the road. I have to pull over and restart the vehicle. There is no warning, it just dies. I am not finding a recall concerning this, but there should be. I have read several other complaints about the same issue.

- Colorado City, AZ, USA

problem #148

Sep 182018

Grand Cherokee

  • 108,660 miles
Upon doing regular oil change the oil filter adapter cracked and the spring came out. The oil filter adapter now requires replacement. There is a known service bulletin for the problem from Chrysler. Reference #09-003-13 * date of issue = 10/26/13

- Fairfield, PA, USA

problem #147

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

problem #146

Aug 072018

Grand Cherokee

  • 65,000 miles
Fuel pump, recall done but not effective. Almost three times a week, the Jeep Grand Cherokee does not start or stalls right after starting. This is when I am parked and will just keep cranking and not start. The dealer wants to charge me to replace the fuel pump and does not acknowledge the recall is faulty. Driving on the highway, the car stalled on me for no reason and then took 5 minutes of cranking to finally start again. Luckily I was not in the middle lane on I95. At first it happened once or twice a week, now it is almost everyday.

- Greenwich, CT, USA

problem #145

Jul 262018

Grand Cherokee

  • 127,000 miles
The automatic charging system light came on 2 hours into driving North on the highway to Wisconsin from Chicago. There was no human action that correlated with the light coming on. It simply came on when going consistent speed on the highway in no traffic. I learned from the driver's manual that this most likely meant that the alternator had failed and I needed to get assistance immediately. I took the car into a repair shop on a Thursday where it would remain for 10 days as things began to unfold. The employees of the repair shop could identify no fault in the alternator after thorough inspection and driving tests. The warning light had turned off. However, after it had been cleared of all inspection and turned on, there was an enormous failure in the car causing it to smoke. Without warning, the alternator caused such a massive short that it not only failed itself, but also broke the car's engine computer. I come to find out that there was a recall by Chrysler (T36) for this specific issue and included 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee's. I was never made aware of this recall but there is no question that this failure is specific to the manufacturing errors by Chrysler Jeep. There have been a total of 10 recalls on the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 3 of which have been specific to this vehicle, and clearly, now a 4th. This could have been a been an incredibly dangerous situation and the failure by Chrysler to notify me or include my vehicle in their recall is preposterous. I have documentation regarding repair and claims attached. More info and claim documents available upon request.

- Chicago, IL, USA

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