2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 285about this part
- Share
- 17%of 1,644 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 74,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 285 complaints about the engine of the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 17% of the 1,644 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 74,000 miles. 4 of these say a crash was involved and 17 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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“Car began to sputter and rise in rpms and missing gear going into nuetral and causing dangerous situations in traffic runs at 2 rpms in ideal standpoint now car is leaking fluids and service 4wheel drive lights on I read that there are recalls for this issue in other keeps but not for my VIN number and this is a manufacturer problem”
NHTSA complaint #11186855, filed 2019-03, 171,800 miles“With only 50,800 miles check engine light produced several codes. I took this vehicle to 3 different places for a diagnostic test. They said it was power steering / A/C coolant leaking. With the 2nd diagnoses they found a leak with the auxiliary cooler (transmission fluid). So I had a complete transmission flush work done, but it's still leaking..”
NHTSA complaint #11079990, filed 2018-03, 50,843 miles“The engine stalled completely while I was at a traffic signal, preparing to make a turn onto a busy highway. Loss of power to brakes & steering since the engine completely shut down. I shifted the vehicle into park, started the engine again, shifted into drive but the vehicle would not move. Eventually (in a matter of seconds) the vehicle lunged forward and I was able to safely drive home.”
NHTSA complaint #11331892, filed 2020-07, 112,000 miles“I have owned this vehicle for 3 years, and in that time it has randomly lost all power while driving 5 different times, making it hard to turn off the road. I have to pull over and restart the vehicle. There is no warning, it just dies. I am not finding a recall concerning this, but there should be. I have read several other complaints about the same issue.”
NHTSA complaint #11130501, filed 2018-09, 94,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 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…
- 10180203Aug 1, 2020No Start Intermittently, Vehicle Requires Multiple Keyless Push To Start Attempts To Start Vehicle
- 10162466May 3, 2019Oil Filter Adapter If replacing Oil Filter Adapter due to oil leak, please be aware a seal kit is available for repair. If replacing due to missing Spring Loaded Check Valve, a…
- 10130087Aug 24, 2016PSU Exhaust Phaser 05048043AB If replacing the Exhaust Phaser for the following codes: P0340 Cam Missing/Camshaft Sensor Circuit and/or P0345 Cam Missing/Camshaft Sensor Circuit…
- 10144868Mar 31, 2015Idler Pulley Noise During Cold Start This bulletin involves replacing the idler pulley. The customer may describe a loud high frequency noise that happens within 20 seconds of…
- 10148573Jan 7, 2015Idler Pulley Noise During Cold Start This bulletin involves replacing the idler pulley. The customer may describe a loud high frequency noise that happens within 20 seconds of…
- 10062950Oct 3, 2014Summary to be provided on a future date.
- 10141215Jul 4, 2014Flash: Difficult to Start Engine In Cold Ambient Temps When Using the Block Heater. Also Includes Powertrain System Enhancements This bulletin involves selectively erasing and…
- 10141214Jul 4, 2014Flash: Surge, Shudder or Pulsation at Highway Speeds This bulletin involves selectively erasing and reprogramming the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) with new software.This is an…
- 10062949Oct 9, 2013Summary to be provided on a future date.
Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 22 | 71% |
| 2025 | 23 | 29% |
| 2024 | 109 | 43% |
| 2023 | 86 | 21% |
| 2022 | 51 | 19% |
| 2021 | 61 | 15% |
| 2020 | 50 | 21% |
| 2019 | 64 | 17% |
| 2018 | 125 | 15% |
| 2017 | 102 | 28% |
| 2016 | 76 | 24% |
| 2015 | 204 | 15% |
| 2014 | 409 | 17% |
| 2013 | 106 | 13% |
| 2012 | 285 | 17% |
| 2011 | 344 | 21% |
| 2010 | 21 | 18% |
| 2009 | 22 | 16% |
| 2008 | 107 | 15% |
| 2007 | 170 | 15% |
| 2006 | 124 | 10% |
| 2005 | 134 | 7% |
| 2004 | 35 | 3% |
| 2003 | 16 | 2% |
| 2002 | 26 | 2% |
| 2001 | 19 | 2% |
| 2000 | 34 | 2% |
| 1999 | 22 | 1% |
| 1998 | 14 | 1% |
| 1997 | 15 | 2% |
| 1996 | 17 | 2% |
| 1995 | 3 | 0% |
| 1994 | 3 | 1% |
| 1993 | 1 | 0% |
| 1989 | 1 | 20% |
Other parts of the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee
837 complaintsBrakes
289 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 29, 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