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 1 of 14)

problem #264

Jan 172024

Grand Cherokee

  • miles

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

Vehicle was purchased 8/11/23 had it less then two weeks broke down. Was smoking, was put in shop several times. Told it was battery, then alternator. Gotten out of shop a few days later same issue. Had extended warranty, was stuck paying deductible twice even though it was in the shop for same thing. Deductible $200 twice I had to pay. Come to find out the engine had gone bad, they replaced that if I-??m not mistaken. Vehicle was in shop almost a month after we had gotten no results from the original dealership service center where we purchased the vehicle. They did not have the proper tools to repair the vehicle, ended up taking the vehicle to a dodge dealership locally. After driving the car a couple months later it started smoking and jerking again would stop and would not crank. Was taken to the dealership again, told this time it was the transmission and extended warranty would not cover it. We were sold a LEMON. Dealership knew exactly what was wrong with this they wanted to get it off their hands. This is something they know from from the start, unsafe to drive keeps smoking. We need answers fast someone is liable for the damage car they sold my son and I.

- Orlando, FL, USA

problem #263

Feb 022024

Grand Cherokee

  • miles
While driving through the intersection after slowing down at light, vehicle completely stalled, turned off in the middle of the intersection and wouldn't start back up. I had to have it towed to dealership. I have had it in dealer prior to this incident for stalling issues just out of nowhere. They simply said they cannot find a cause. This is dangerous to me because vehicles behind me don't know that I am stalled out and almost hit me. Prior to this last time, I have been able to restart vehicle by putting in neutral and getting it to move on it's way, but still scary while vehicles behind me don't know that I was going to stall out. This last incident, I had to be pushed off of the road and then towed to dealer. Hoping they can find the cause and fix.

- Macomb, MI, USA

problem #262

Jan 012021

Grand Cherokee

  • 68,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that the dashboard was wrinkled. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and making a turn, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was determined that the dashboard needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 68,000.

- Crossville, TN, USA

problem #261

Jul 032023

Grand Cherokee

  • miles

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

The camshaft has gone bad and unnatural wear to the lifters has caused the issue. Also, after researching the design of the engine, it is obvious that there is a design flaw. The camshaft does not receive sufficient oil in order to be lubricated due to its location in the engine. The vehicle only has 114,000 miles. It has been taken care of, and received the normal maintenance according to the owners manual. This particular version of the hemi engine has such failures well documented by multiple sources. Such an issue and malfunction attributes to premature engine failure. Such a significant engine design flaw can potentially cause injury to all occupants in the vehicle.

- Pensacola , FL, USA

problem #260

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 #259

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 #258

Mar 242023

Grand Cherokee

  • miles

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

After getting my car back from big o doge in Greenville sc I was on my way to work and stopped at a redlight when the light turned green my car just sat there and didn-??t move I pressed the gas but nothing it just revved up like it was in neutral pressed the gas to the floor nothing all of a sudden it was like it jumped and took off-??also did the same thing at a stop sign up hill and I had a car coming in the other lane as I was crossing the lane to get into the correct one-??.I had open recalls and set up for it to be checked when I arrived at the delarship they told me my recalls were closed. My car was not checked or repaired at the time how can you just cancel a recall/campaign after notification and claim parts aren-??t available but the car was never fixed? I called the delarship paid 400 for 2 diagnostics and they didn-??t put my trans cap back on so now they-??ve basically ruined my car and didn-??t fix NOTHING

- Roebuck, SC, USA

problem #257

Mar 182023

Grand Cherokee

  • miles
Oil pressure sensor code P0522. The engine oil pressure sensor fails before and after oil changes. This causes the oil temperature to sporadically increase and decrease psi drastically from 20 to 110 psi and vice versa. This has been confirmed with multiple OBD2 sensors along with the check engine light constantly on.

- Brookville , PA, USA

problem #256

Aug 082022

Grand Cherokee

  • miles
The contact owned a 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, she noticed a fuel odor throughout the vehicle. The contact then stated that the hood of the vehicle started to catch fire. The contact was able to navigate the vehicle off the road. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The fire department was notified, and the fire was extinguished. A fire report was filed. The contact suffered an asthma attack that required medical attention. The dealer was notified of the failure and the vehicle was towed by the dealer to a tow lot. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was deemed a total loss by the insurance company. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was unavailable.

- Baltimore, MD, USA

problem #255

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 #254

Apr 062022

Grand Cherokee 6-cyl

  • 50,000 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 30 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact had an emissions test scheduled and failed due to the check engine warning light. The contact stated that the vehicle engine was idling roughly. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the number two cylinder had been misfiring and needed to be replaced. The independent mechanic referred the contact to a dealer where she had been advised that there had been a manufacturer recall associated with the VIN, however, the recall warranty had expired. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000. The contact stated that they were never notified of the extended warranty for the vehicle.

- Stamford, CT, USA

problem #253

Jun 092022

Grand Cherokee

  • miles
Vehicle stalled without warning. No power whatsoever. Illuminated battery light came on. Noticed a burning odor coming from vehicle. Checked engine bay and noticed heavy smoke coming from alternator for a good 10 minutes. Vehicle would not take a jump nor could I put into gear. Battery is completely dead. PCM also seems to be fried. Will have to be towed to Dealership. Called Jeep costumer care and referenced the t36 recall but my vin does not fall under it even though vehicle fits EXACT description of recall. Also noticed that many others are have same problem with Jeep and them not expanding the recall to their vin. How terrible!! This could have easily been a fatal situation. Jeep needs to take some responsibility and action!

- Laplace , LA, USA

problem #252

Feb 162022

Grand Cherokee

  • miles
car shuts off while driving 2times in 3 weeks

- Cherry Hill, NJ, USA

problem #251

Jan 142022

Grand Cherokee

  • miles
I have an on going issue with the vehicle stalling while slowing down for intersections, roundabouts and exit ramps. This has been happening since 2018. The vehicle traveling around 35-25 decelerating, the RPMs will just drop to zero and the engine will shut off. No warning lights, codes or indication I have lost power. Latest incident was on 1/14/22 in Mukwonago, WI after have only driven the vehicle for about 10 minutes. Coming from a 55 zone donw to a stop at an intersection the vehicle stalled with no warning around 30-25 MPH. 1/16/22 I was entering a roundabout and saw the RPMs dropping below idle to zero and was able to stop the stall by shifting the transmission into neutral. RPMs immediately went back to idle.

- Waterford, WI, USA

problem #250

Jan 052022

Grand Cherokee

  • miles
I did the fuel pump relay recall and the problem that it was supposed to fix isn-??t fixed.I-??ll be driving along and the jeep will stall as I-??m driving when turning off the highway and exit, the power steering and power brakes cut out I pull over put the jeep in park and it starts right up.Then it-??s ok for a couple of weeks and it happens again no engine light or close faults. Jeep needs to correct this problem as it is very dangerous

- West Babylon, NY, USA

problem #249

Jan 022022

Grand Cherokee

  • miles
The recall is V62 but after the recall was preformed the vehicle is doing the exact same thing. While slowing down and braking the vehicle will stall without warning, with the vehicle not running the steering and braking systems are disabled which makes getting out of danger impossible. The vehicle needs to come to a complete stop, be put in park, then be restarted. This will be the third time this happened. I had the recall done then I had to pay the second time to get it fixed and now I need to bring the vehicle back to the dealership for the same issue. Chrysler will take no responsibility for the issue.

- Manchester, CT, USA

problem #248

Dec 262021

Grand Cherokee 8-cyl

  • miles
My 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland with 5.7 hemi has had all recalls and the one for fuel pump relay V62/NHTSA 19V-813 completed Aug 2021. It is still shutting off while driving with no warning. This has occurred 3 times since August with the most recent being on Dec 26th 2021 in Leesburg Va. Stalls while driving causing the power steering to not function as well as the brakes. This engine power turns off randomly at around 10-15 mph (when making turns, stopping and/or decelerating) but there are no warning lights that appear on the dash. All electrical power to the car still functions and the engine stall is not noticeable until applying pressure to the brakes or trying to steer the wheels. Once i get the vehicle manually stopped and put the gear shift in Park, hit the start button, the vehicle starts up every time and will run for weeks or months before it happens again. Very dangerous. This recall needs to be reconsidered as this did not solve the issue. Matter of time before it is involved in a crash.. Taking to dealership tomorrow 27th or 28th. [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Leesburg, VA, USA

problem #247

Sep 132021

Grand Cherokee

  • miles
I went to the dealership and was informed the fuel pump relay recall is not available. My Jeep Has been misfiring, stalling, vibrating, and I am smelling gas fumes when I drive.

- Miami, FL, USA

problem #246

Nov 132019

Grand Cherokee

  • miles
Purchased this vehicle used 11/13/2019 and was advised of a fuel pump relay recall (V62). It's now Sept 8th 2021 and I've still not been advised by my dealer that parts are available. They claim that they're only able to order one recall kit/week.

- Port Byron, IL, USA

problem #245

Jul 012021

Grand Cherokee

  • 77,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving, the vehicle stalled without warning. Additionally, the vehicle failed to start-up on several occasions. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 19V813000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the TIPM needed to be replaced. The contact called the local dealer who stated that the part was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure however, no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 77,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

- Flowery Branch, GA, USA

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