2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 102about this part
- Share
- 6%of 1,644 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 65,500miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 102 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 6% of the 1,644 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 65,500 miles. 4 of these say a crash was involved and 2 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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“Hello, was hoping you could guide me. I have been having issues with my Jeep shutting off while driving. I could be on the freeway at a light or exiting the freeway and it shuts off. This issue has been going since the end of 2016. I decided to take it to another dealer they now say they have found a problem, but now Jeep is saying since I am over my miles they cannot cover the charges. Can you please help?”
NHTSA complaint #11088930, filed 2018-04, 34,000 miles“I have less than 76k miles on my Jeep. I have been the only owner, taking exceptional care of my Jeep, always getting oil changes on time and maintenance with very few city miles on my Jeep and I am having to pay 10k for a new motor and camshaft.”
NHTSA complaint #11234035, filed 2019-07, 76,000 miles“While in traffic transmission starts to kick as if trying to get into gear.. Only happens while in slow traffic of about 10-20 MPH.. At normal running speeds all is well. I don't know if any known transmission recalls exist for my vehicle”
NHTSA complaint #11182228, filed 2019-02, 162,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11010205Oct 30, 2024Plate - Planetary
- 10228020Apr 2, 2022Customer Satisfaction Notification V51 Reprogram Powertrain Control Module
- 10229031Mar 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…
- 10194007Apr 17, 2021No Start Intermittently, Vehicle Requires Multiple Keyless Push To Start Attempts To Start Vehicle, Intermittent Key Not Detected Message
- 10221150Apr 16, 2021Gear Ratio DTC?s, Transmission Shift Concerns, Does Not Shift At Times, Shudders
- 10221097Apr 7, 2021Transmission Kit with Torque Converter 1. All Promaster (VF) 3.6L/62TE equipped vehicles. If the transmission bracket to the transmission case fasteners are removed during…
- 10121826Nov 9, 2016Steering Column If vehicle comes in for steering column replacement, verify column installed. Go to Info Column in Star Parts and open the flow chart to determine which column is…
- 10150546Apr 18, 2015RBZ Or RHB Radio Software Enhancements This bulletin involves upgrading the software on the RBZ or RHB Radio. The customer may experience one or more of the following. ? When…
- 10229966Oct 22, 2014MIL Illumination For P0730 And Transmission Shift Enhancements
- 10139799Oct 22, 2014FLASH: MIL Illumination For P0730 And Transmission Shift Enhancements This bulletin involves selectively erasing and reprogramming the Transmission Control Module (TCM) with new…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 12 | 38% |
| 2025 | 13 | 16% |
| 2024 | 31 | 12% |
| 2023 | 40 | 10% |
| 2022 | 37 | 14% |
| 2021 | 59 | 14% |
| 2020 | 39 | 16% |
| 2019 | 47 | 13% |
| 2018 | 75 | 9% |
| 2017 | 88 | 24% |
| 2016 | 78 | 25% |
| 2015 | 353 | 26% |
| 2014 | 475 | 20% |
| 2013 | 55 | 7% |
| 2012 | 102 | 6% |
| 2011 | 90 | 5% |
| 2010 | 22 | 19% |
| 2009 | 23 | 17% |
| 2008 | 77 | 10% |
| 2007 | 196 | 18% |
| 2006 | 173 | 14% |
| 2005 | 253 | 12% |
| 2004 | 54 | 4% |
| 2003 | 35 | 5% |
| 2002 | 58 | 4% |
| 2001 | 102 | 12% |
| 2000 | 156 | 11% |
| 1999 | 386 | 24% |
| 1998 | 426 | 41% |
| 1997 | 254 | 26% |
| 1996 | 280 | 31% |
| 1995 | 247 | 34% |
| 1994 | 118 | 20% |
| 1993 | 99 | 18% |
| 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 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 Nov 1, 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