2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee Problems

What owners report

Complaints on this model year are dominated by stalling and no-start episodes tied to the fuel pump relay inside the power module, which was covered by recall campaigns and discussed in a large share of the sampled complaints. A second cluster involves charging-system components, particularly alternator failures, along with a mix of brake, engine, and steering reports spread across the mileage range. Most sampled complaints were filed between roughly 47,000 and 165,000 miles, with many describing repeat visits and parts that were unavailable or fixes that did not last.

1. 1
   Electrical system

   Stalling and no-start from fuel pump relay (TIPM)

   • 780 complaints (47%)
   • median 75,000 mi at 5.8 yrs old (390 state mileage)
   • 36 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,250 (median of 27 quotes)
   • filed 2012–2026

   Owners describe the vehicle shutting off without warning while driving or upon coming to a stop, and sometimes failing to start after several attempts. Many say the fuel pump relay inside the power module was identified as the cause, and some report the relay was replaced more than once or that the fix did not last. Dealers are frequently described as unable to complete the recall repair because parts were unavailable, or as offering only a temporary fix. Reported across a wide range, from about 42,000 to 200,000 miles, and often described as happening after the engine is warm or shortly after starting.

   Recall 19V813000Recall 15V1150001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Ask whether the fuel pump relay recall work was completed and whether it has been redone since, and request any repair invoices. During a test drive, watch for hesitation, rough idle, or a stall when braking or turning, and confirm the engine restarts readily after shutoff.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I was driving on a city street when the vehicle lost accerlation. No check engine light. I stepped on gas it wouldn't accerlat. I then pulled the vehicle over to side of street. Put it in park and then turn it off. Then I restarted the vehicle and a lighting bolt came on dash. I couldn't gain speed, the only thing my vehicle did was roll in drive not speed at all.”

   NHTSA complaint #11395735, filed 2021-02, 99,000 miles

   “My Jeep has been stalling multiple times when trying to start it. One night when I tried to start it, it would not turn on. I brought it to the dealership and they changed the fuel relay on it, however I just brought it back 2 days ago for the same problem. They replaced it again, however when picking it up it stalled again.”

   NHTSA complaint #11404981, filed 2021-03, 145,000 miles
2. 2
   Electrical system

   Alternator failure and loss of electrical power

   • 251 complaints (15%)
   • median 78,000 mi at 5.7 yrs old (220 state mileage)
   • 76 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,500 (median of 23 quotes)
   • filed 2013–2026

   Owners describe the charging system warning light coming on, a high-pitched noise, smoke or a burning smell from the engine bay, and loss of electrical power while driving. In some cases the alternator is reported to have overheated or burned, taking the battery with it, and repairs were done at independent shops or dealers. Complaints also mention warning lights going out and power steering assist dropping away at the same time. Mostly reported between roughly 85,000 and 160,000 miles.

   Recall 17V435000Recall 14V634000

   What to check: Ask whether the alternator has been replaced and whether the vehicle's build falls under the alternator recall campaigns; a charging-system load test before purchase is inexpensive. Also look for a burnt smell or scorched wiring near the alternator.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My alternator burnt up and ruined my computer in my Jeep as well. I was driving my car and many of the lights on the dash board went out. My power steering also went out. The alternator was so hot, it crumbled and melted the casing. Chrysler will not admit to the alternator being faulty or needing to be replaced in the recall for the vehicle, stating it was not one of the alternators affected.”

   NHTSA complaint #11317283, filed 2020-03, 85,000 miles

   “I have had severe electrical problems with this car. The car randomly shuts down while I am driving which puts me and my family in very dangerous situations. It looks like there is a recall intended to address this issue but it sounds like they do not have a solution yet. The issue is getting worse and worse and I am not in a position to buy a new car right now. What do I do? (recall related incident) ts”

   NHTSA complaint #11340908, filed 2020-07, 105,000 miles
3. 3
   Engine

   Rough idle, misfire, and hesitation

   • 60 complaints (4%)
   • median 60,000 mi at 5.1 yrs old (53 state mileage)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2012–2023

   Owners describe rough idling, the engine nearly stalling at a stop, hesitation or lurching when accelerating, and the check engine light coming on. Some report a misfire traced to an ignition component, and others a faulty oil filter housing or adapter flagged by a diagnostic code. Repairs described include replacing ignition parts and the filter housing assembly. Sampled complaints fall mostly between about 50,000 and 130,000 miles.

   3 related service bulletins

   What to check: Have the check engine light scanned for stored and pending codes before buying, and ask whether the oil filter adapter or housing has been replaced. On a cold start, listen for ticking or tapping from the top of the engine.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Vehicle has no diagnostic codes showing up but has stalled on us several times almost causing accident twice now. Also pulsates at speeds around 45 and again at 60mph. Since the last stall it now has a very rough idle. We have called dealership about recall and they state yes there is one but they do not have a fix. Are we supposed to just keep driving with these safety issues ? Vehicle will stall while after driving coming to a stop at light. We lose steering ability and braking. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11315934, filed 2020-03, 60,000 miles

   “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. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11488825, filed 2022-10, 50,000 miles
4. 4
   Brakes

   Brake pedal feel and booster concerns

   Mentioned in 4 of 60 sampled complaints

   Brake-related complaints describe a hard or unusual brake pedal feel and reduced braking assistance, with some owners reporting that braking ability felt limited. Several complain that recall parts for the brake booster campaign were not yet available at the dealer. Others note vibration or noise under braking. Reported from roughly 50,000 miles upward, with several complaints involving vehicles past 100,000 miles.

   Recall 17V572000Recall 14V154000Recall 14V104000

   What to check: Ask whether the brake booster shield recall and the Ready Alert Braking update were completed. Test the pedal for firmness and travel on a cold start, and check for corrosion around the booster and for fluid weeping at the wheels.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I have been having my car randomly shut off while in drive for over a year. I'm scared of driving my own car. It has happened to me well over 25 times. I've asked the connecticut dealerships (wetmore's and northwest hills) about this multiple times and as of today they say there is no fix and they can't do anything because there is no fix for the recall. It happens when I'm driving and braking and turning left, such as turning left off a ramp or going down a hill and slowing to turn left or slowing on a big hill at a stop light. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11378384, filed 2020-12, 186,000 miles

   “The contact owns a 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact stated that the RPM fluctuated before the transmission slammed into gear. The contact stated that the ABS warning light and another unknown warning light were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and was diagnosed with transmission failure, and a failure with the accelerator pedal. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11666320, filed 2025-06, 87,000 miles

Buying note. This model year has a long list of recalls, so pull the full recall history by VIN and confirm which repairs were actually completed rather than just announced. A pre-purchase inspection that includes a charging-system test, a scan for stored codes, and a check of the brake booster and steering lines will tell you more than service records alone.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.