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Electrical systemPart report

2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee Electrical system Problems

Complaints
837about this part
Share
51%of 1,644 total for the year
Median mileage
70,000miles
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 837 complaints about the electrical system of the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 51% of the 1,644 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 70,000 miles. 5 of these say a crash was involved and 94 a fire, according to the filers. 5 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“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

“Feb 13 2020. Wife and I were driving our vehicle on public street in olympia, wa. While at a stop light, the vehicle did a total power fail. Everything stopped, even the dome lights. With the help of strangers, the vehicle was pushed onto business parking lot to wait for tow. Battery tested good, alternator was removed and tested good.”

NHTSA complaint #11319891, filed 2020-03, 157,000 miles

“I have a 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee that is under a recall v62?NHTSA 19v-813 for an issue with the fuel pump relay. The manufacturer does not have a remedy yet for this issue. I have had difficulty starting the vehicle while stationary for 3 days in a row. On the fourth day, I am now unable to start the vehicle, while stationary.”

NHTSA complaint #11339352, filed 2020-07, 74,454 miles

“I have had multiple lights pop up on my dash, usually after it rains, but once for no reason. I will be driving anywhere from 20-65mph and the lights will just pop up. (ABS, brake, and traction control lights) once I turn my Jeep off and back on, it disappears. But when the lights are shown, my Jeep drives a little differently.”

NHTSA complaint #11228258, filed 2019-06, 95,293 miles

“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

Related recalls

Related service bulletins

Electrical system: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2026619%
20253139%
202411646%
202318245%
202213049%
202111528%
20207431%
20198423%
201833940%
20178724%
20166220%
201513810%
201448520%
201337647%
201283751%
201178048%
20104740%
20094734%
200847364%
200765859%
200675359%
200592845%
200414411%
2003557%
2002856%
2001425%
20001128%
1999845%
1998606%
1997566%
1996657%
1995406%
1994386%
19935410%
1990120%

Other parts of the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee

Brakes
289 complaintsEngine
285 complaintsFuel system
248 complaintsOther or unknown
121 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
102 complaintsSteering
100 complaintsAir bags
43 complaintsVehicle speed control
35 complaintsExterior lighting
34 complaintsSuspension
32 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
32 complaintsBody and structure
26 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology