2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 18about this part
- Share
- 1%of 1,644 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 20,800miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 18 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 1% of the 1,644 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 20,800 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Check engine light went on and service dept for my dealership said it was the cylinder head. Still waiting for part to be delivered. This is a known problem for chrysler since 2012. In 2012, I had to have the intermediate steering shaft replaced. Jeep was purchased new in 2/2012.”
NHTSA complaint #10554391, filed 2013-12, 12,504 miles“We loaded up to go to the desert (clear summer day with temperatures near 80 degrees fahrenheit), stopped to get gas and ice (Jeep was running the entire time) and once we got on the way there, the battery light came on, then an odd sound was heard then whitish electrical smelling smoke started pouring out of the engine compartment, this happened within 8 - 10 seconds total). I grabbed my extinguisher and popped the hood and saw that the smoke appeared to be coming from around the alternator and steam was everywhere. …”
NHTSA complaint #11197430, filed 2019-04, 89,130 miles“Having the Jeep services for a broken chair rail ($1200!) and they told me the power steering reservoir was empty and the power steering pump, reservoir, rack and pinion and hoses will need to be replaced for another $2350! I've read that this vehicle has a history of this and has created a fire hazard. This car is not 3 years old and has had fuel pump, water pump, rear latch lock and multiple recalls on other items. Dealership is raking in the cash; it very upsetting for someone who really wants to buy american made vehicles!”
NHTSA complaint #10701223, filed 2015-03, 69,045 miles“I brought my cherokee into dealer where I purchased it for a check engine light. The Jeep was looked at and the lead mechanic proceeded to tell me it would need a cylinder head. I bought this Jeep on 11/7/11 and couldn't believe what I was hearing. After reading many forums and chrysler's comments; which they don't take full responsibility for this critical issue by putting some fault on the customer. Brand new vehicle which I paid a good amount for and after 20,000 you have to rip my truck apart and now I hope for the best. …”
NHTSA complaint #10567332, filed 2014-03, 20,800 miles“I was driving on the 241 toll road up a steep hill going approximately 65 MPH and the engine down shifted into a lower gear, the engine began revving high, the RPM went high, and I lost speed. I pulled off to the side of the road. I put the vehicle in park while I called my husband because I did not know what was happening to the vehicle. I wanted to let him know in case I was stranded on the side of the road. We decided we wanted to try to get the vehicle home, if possible. I put the vehicle back in drive and got back on the highway and it did not do it again and I made it home.”
NHTSA complaint #10702534, filed 2015-03, 16,000 milesRelated recalls
- 11V487000Sep 29, 2011Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2012 chrysler vehicles, including 200 and town and country models, dodge vehicles, including charger, durango, grand…Covers: Jeep Grand Cherokee 2012, Dodge Grand Caravan 2012, Durango 2012 +4 more
Related service bulletins
- 10236933Apr 15, 2023wiTECH Small Leak Verification Test (SLVT) - P0456-EVAP SYSTEM SMALL LEAK
- 10247906Feb 22, 2023ADAPTER, Engine Oil Filter (Pentastar V6) For all 2014MY replace the Oil Filter Adapter (OFA). For any other MY review and follow instructions from the latest STAR Online…
- 10234379Feb 22, 2023ADAPTER, Engine Oil Filter (Pentastar V6) For all 2014MY replace the Oil Filter Adapter (OFA). For any other MY review and follow instructions from the latest STAR Online…
- 10234378Feb 14, 2023ADAPTER, Engine Oil Filter (Pentastar V6) For all 2014MY replace the Oil Filter Adapter (OFA). For any other MY (with mileage above 30,000) review and follow instructions from…
- 10227983Apr 2, 2022If a Mopar oil filter is not available, use a filter that meets or exceeds USCAR36 specification and is compatible with semi and full synthetic oils.
- 10220687Mar 6, 2022Customer complaints may include abnormal engine noise, rough idle, lack of power, misfire. Upon investigation, it may be found that there is excessive camshaft lobe wear/lifter…
- 10212290Mar 6, 2022Customer complaints may include abnormal engine noise, rough idle, lack of power, misfire. Upon investigation, it may be found that there is excessive camshaft lobe wear/lifter…
- 10230180Jul 6, 2021Issue involves overheating, running hot, coolant leaks and related symptoms after a Mopar replacement engine has been installed in the vehicle.
- 10221594Jul 6, 2021Issue involves overheating, running hot, coolant leaks and related symptoms after a Mopar replacement engine has been installed in the vehicle.
- 10190589Mar 31, 2021ADAPTER, Engine Oil Filter (Pentastar V6) All vehicles equipped with a 3.2L or 3.6L except for model year 2014 vehicles with leak concern: 1) Ensure the Oil Filter Adapter (OFA)…
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 1 | 0% |
| 2023 | 1 | 0% |
| 2022 | 1 | 0% |
| 2021 | 2 | 0% |
| 2020 | 6 | 2% |
| 2019 | 5 | 1% |
| 2018 | 17 | 2% |
| 2017 | 6 | 2% |
| 2016 | 8 | 3% |
| 2015 | 23 | 2% |
| 2014 | 45 | 2% |
| 2013 | 4 | 1% |
| 2012 | 18 | 1% |
| 2011 | 15 | 1% |
| 2010 | 3 | 3% |
| 2009 | 5 | 4% |
| 2008 | 39 | 5% |
| 2007 | 77 | 7% |
| 2006 | 53 | 4% |
| 2005 | 78 | 4% |
| 2004 | 55 | 4% |
| 2003 | 42 | 6% |
| 2002 | 146 | 10% |
| 2001 | 53 | 6% |
| 2000 | 178 | 12% |
| 1999 | 121 | 7% |
| 1998 | 69 | 7% |
| 1997 | 81 | 8% |
| 1996 | 88 | 10% |
| 1995 | 70 | 10% |
| 1994 | 75 | 13% |
| 1993 | 46 | 8% |
| 1991 | 1 | 17% |
| 1989 | 1 | 20% |
Other parts of the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee
837 complaintsBrakes
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 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 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