Electrical System
NHTSA campaign 19V813000 · 2019 · reported 11/14/2019
A vehicle stall increases the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee Problems & Recalls
Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026
High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Electrical System — runs 4.5× the fleet median for that category across the 2547 model-years tracked on this site.
1,637Complaints
11Recalls
46Crashes
104Fires
35Injured
0Deaths
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
Is this problem acknowledged?
The most-reported problem — Electrical System (49% of complaints) — is covered by 6 NHTSA recall campaigns.
Electrical System complaints here are 4.5× the median for that category across the 2547 model-years tracked on this site.
3 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 3 rest on owner reports alone.
| Complaint category | Reports | Official status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 802 · 49% | Recalled | Recall 19V813000 · Recall 17V435000 · Recall 15V879000 · Recall 14V391000 · Recall 15V115000 · Recall 14V634000 |
| Engine | 283 · 17.3% | Recalled | Recall 17E061000 · Recall 11V487000 |
| Service Brakes | 277 · 16.9% | Recalled | Recall 17V572000 · Recall 14V154000 · Recall 14V104000 |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 215 · 13.1% | No official action | — |
| Steering | 99 · 6% | Investigation closed | PE12020 |
| Power Train | 98 · 6% | No official action | — |
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Complaints by component
Percentages are the share of the 1,637 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
Recalls — 11 campaigns
Electrical System:alternator/generator/regulator
NHTSA campaign 17V435000 · 2017 · reported 07/10/2017
If the alternator fails, the vehicle may stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash. There is also the possibility that the alternator may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline:turbo/supercharger
NHTSA campaign 17E061000 · 2017 · reported 10/19/2017
A brake fluid leak may lengthen the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Service Brakes
NHTSA campaign 17V572000 · 2017 · reported 09/18/2017
If the brake booster shield was not installed properly, the vehicle's braking ability may be reduced, increasing the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Electrical System:wiring
NHTSA campaign 15V879000 · 2015 · reported 12/28/2015
The vanity lamp wiring may short, increasing the risk of a vehicle fire. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Service Brakes
NHTSA campaign 14V154000 · 2014 · reported 04/01/2014
The water inside could freeze and limit the braking ability of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Electrical System:wiring
NHTSA campaign 14V391000 · 2014 · reported 07/02/2014
If the vanity lamp wiring shorts, there is an increased risk of fire. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Electrical System
NHTSA campaign 15V115000 · 2015 · reported 02/27/2015
A vehicle stall increases the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip
NHTSA campaign 14V104000 · 2014 · reported 03/04/2014
If the driver experiences a hard brake pedal, the driver may not push the pedal as intended, lengthening the distance needed to stop the vehicle and increasing the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Engine And Engine Cooling
NHTSA campaign 11V487000 · 2011 · reported 09/29/2011
CONNECTING ROD FAILURE MAY LEAD TO ENGINE SEIZURE WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Electrical System:alternator/generator/regulator
NHTSA campaign 14V634000 · 2014 · reported 10/08/2014
If the alternator fails, the vehicle may stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What owners report
“THERE HAVE BEEN FOUR INCIDENTS WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE AT SPEED FROM 35 TO UPWARDS OF 70 MPH, MY 2012 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE WITHOUT WARNING…”NHTSA complaint 10604764 — filed 06/20/2014 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
“THE CAR WOULD NOT START. WAS TOLD THAT THE TOTAL INTEGRATED POWER MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.”NHTSA complaint 10594056 — filed 05/26/2014 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
“2012 GRAND CHEROKEE V8 OVERLAND SUMMIT. ENGINE WON'T START AT RANDOM TIMES. ENGINE JUST CRANKS AND CRANKS BUT WON'T FIRE. LET IT SIT FOR A…”NHTSA complaint 10563666 — filed 02/10/2014 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Complaint trend by year filed
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
Electrical system issues are the most-reported category, cited in 802 of 1,637 NHTSA complaints (49%), followed by engine (283), service brakes (277), fuel/propulsion system (215). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
How many complaints does the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee have?
1,637 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 46 involved a crash, 104 involved a fire, and 35 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.
Does the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee have any recalls?
Yes — 11 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 19V813000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Has NHTSA acted on the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee's reported problems?
3 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.
Is a complaint proof of a defect?
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/14/2026.
