CarComplaints.com Notes: The 2012 Grand Cherokee hasn't seen the same complaint volume as the 2011, at least not yet.
It's worth noting both model years are part of a class-action lawsuit that focuses on a defective TIPM and a long wait for replacement parts.
The 2012 also received national attention after it failed a Swedish Magazine's "moose test". The test measures a vehicle's ability to swerve out of the way of an obstacle you wouldn't want to hit while driving down the road ... like a moose.
10.0
really awful
Crashes / Fires:
5 / 83
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 0
Average Mileage:
42,602 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee overland became possessed. While driving on the freeway, lights began flashing on dash, occasional lurches from transmission, one headlight goes out at night. When I pull over and turn the car off, it will not start. It was as though everything is dead. No response from any button on the key. After about 5 minutes, the headlights began flashing and horn bleating as though emergency. I pressed the "panic" button on the key fob and it stopped. Car now started. I drove a few miles then everything began going crazy again. When I stopped, with car still running, windshield wipers began working as though on intermittent. Then they began wiping fast. I tried turning the wipers on or off, to no avail. They were working with their own mind. Dangerous! I had no idea, while driving on the freeway, if both headlights would suddenly go out (it was night while I was driving) instead of just one, transmission damage may occur (what was causing the lurching?). when I pulled over.
Letter from consumer regarding issues with their 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee due to a recall; seeking reimbursement. The consumer stated on December 8, 2016, the vehicle would not start. After an unsuccessful attempt by aaa to jump start it, the consumer had the vehicle towed aaa service center. Upon diagnostics, it was determined the problem needed repaired by an authorized Jeep dealer. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was determined the alternator shorted out and drained the battery. The dealer also found the starter circuit internal to timp to be open. The dealer replaced the battery and alternator and installed a new PCM and timp and reprogrammed both modules at a cost of $ $2,636.54. The consumer is seeking reimbursement as a result of the recall he discovered on the internet.
The contact owns a 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that the alternator caused an electrical fire. The instrument panel warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was not able to be restarted. A police report was not filed and there were no injuries. The vehicle was towed to a local mechanic who diagnosed that the alternator had a short circuit. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 38,010.
The contact owns a 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee. While driving 35 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact stated that the fuel pump fractured and caused a host of electrical failures in the vehicle. In addition, the vehicle would not accelerate and smoke appeared under the hood of the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 60,000.
The contact owns a 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired per NHTSA campaign numbers: 14V154000 (service brakes, service brakes, hydraulic), 15V115000 (electrical system), and 15V879000 (electrical system, interior lighting). The contact later found out that the repairs were not completed. While driving approximately 70 mph, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was not available.
- Medford, GA, USA
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I was driving down a busy road in our town today. The battery light came on. Approximately 10 minutes later while still driving, the lights on dash started flashing on and off, seatbelt alarm started going off, windshield wipers started working without turning on. The radio turned off. I lost power steering. The vehicle shut off while still driving down the road. I had no power breaks--seemed to almost stop working. I was fortunate to get on side of road in grass to keep from getting hit by another car. If there had not been a grassy area there would have been an accident. The vehicle then was completely shut down--door locks would not work- tried to put key fob in ignition and could not get it back out--was unable to get back gate opened. I had to have car towed to dealership where I was told it was the alternator which in turned destroyed the gel type battery. I was also informed this was not covered under the alternator recall due to not matching my VIN number. I was first quoted $2,000 to cover the damage. I am very upset due to the fact that there could have been a serious car accident today. I am thankful my child was not in the car with me. I think it is terrible that the recall does not include the alternator in this 2012 grand Jeep Cherokee when the description of what "could" happen did happen to me today. I feel that Chrysler/Jeep should cover this damage in the recall of the alternator.
On 10/15 at approximately 9:30 pm a fire was noted with smoke coming out of hood while entering my garage. I shut off engine and thick white smoke filled garage. Aaa was called and came at 10:15 pm. Aaa tech diagnosed it as an electrical fire and refused to touch the car. Aaa was subsequently called on 10/26 when car was towed to Jeep dealer. Alternator, PCM ( electrical "brain") and battery( which was fairly new) were replaced at a cost of $1141.82 complaint filed with Jeep - complaint #30355332. Jeep declined responsibility.
My power door locks stopped working. I made an appointment to have it repaired and the day I was going to drive my jgc to the dealer, all hell broke loose. Park assist stopped working, anti skid and 4 wheel drive also indicated errors. But worse, I could not move the shifting arm out of park. I had to have it dragged out of my garage by a local towing service. The dealer said it was a faulty tipm and had to be replaced. Once it is replaced, they can check on the power door lock issue. I've read the this is a pretty common problem for the 2012 jgc. In fact, it must be because the dealer said that he probably wouldn't be able to get a replacement part for at least a month. If this had happened on a recent trip to nyc, my family would have been stuck god knows where.
Hi my 2012 Jeep I was driving home from work and suddenly my truck lost of power. And truck shot down completely. Had to have my truck to my house. I am thinking there might be a alternator/electrical problem. I checked my VIN on the recall please can call me on my number and how to proceed this manner thank you
Took my 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee to arrigo Chrysler Dodge Jeep for 2 recalls in September 2016 one wiring issue in the visor and one fuel pump relay. Dealer informed me recalls were remedied. December 16, 2016 I was experiencing problems starting vehicle and problems with vehicle sputtering while driving and while stopped. Took car back to arrigo to diagnose problem. Was told problem was fuel pump relay at cost of approximately $650. Expressed my concerns that although recalls were recorded as "performed" in their system, car was not properly repaired. Service advisor told me there was nothing else wrong with my vehicle and the recall actually took place June 2015. That is incorrect as I called fca and they in fact verified that in their system, recall was entered as "completed" in September 2016 at same dealer, arrigo. Called arrigo and service advisor said he re-checked the vehicle and the fuel pump relay was actually in good shape, it was serviced in September 2016. He said the reason the check engine light was on was because the software needed updated and the check engine light would be okay and the vehicle was performing "as it is designed to work" having no other problems. I hesitantly paid $75 to have the "software updated" to avoid the $150 diagnostic fee if there is no service. One hour after I paid and left the dealer the check engine light came on and the vehicle began acting exactly like it had before "servicing" at the dealer. Also later in the evening I tried starting the car and noticed the car would continue to crank without turning the vehicle on. Again, the same problem I had before I took my car in. I believe no action was taken in repairing recall issues and they are trying to make customers pay ($650 in my case) to actually make the repairs.
Alternator failed while going down the freeway at 65 mpg, resulting in loss of steering and braking. Alternator is 180 amp model. Vehicle has only 80,384 miles. Alternator failure occurred without any warning, and resulted in battery failure as well. Total cost for two components: $900 plus labor through dealership.
Alternator burned up while vehicle on. Vehicle was being driven down city road and when I stopped smoke and burn smell observed. It was found that there was an internal fault in the alternator, which shorted out the battery, starter and ECM (computer). Car had to be towed for repair. Jeep would not compensate $2,624 in repairs and $267 car rental since it was not on recall.
I was backing into my driveway (Jeep was in motion) and had the radio on. I was coming home from work and the commute took 30 minutes. While backing in, I heard a popping noise (similar to the noise a pop-it firework makes when it hits the ground) inside the cabin. I turned the radio off and stopped the Jeep to listen to the popping. The popping stopped and I immediately smelled smoke. I then saw the smoke was coming from the right side of the center console near the heat/air controls. I threw the Jeep in park, removed the keys from the ignition, and exited the vehicle. After 5 minutes, I opened the driver side door and smoke poured out. It smelled burnt but I did not see any flames (I could have missed them in the 5 minutes I was standing outside my vehicle). I turned the Jeep back on in order to get it into my garage for further investigation. Upon returning the vehicle to my garage, the headlights and interior lights both turned on. I have an appointment at the Jeep dealer tomorrow to investigate further. I have no aftermarket parts on the vehicle though have not yet gotten the visor recall fixed. Please provide insight if possible. Very concerned. This poses an enormous safety risk.
Battery light came on dash while driving. Driver suspected low battery voltage. Vehicle battery was replaced. After a mile or so of driving battery light came on again, with a high pitched whine from the engine and burning smell. Alternator failure was diagnosed. Alternator and serpentine belt were replaced. Owner found out subsequently, that although this vehicle was not covered by the Jeep alternator recall, it is the same year and model of others that were covered. Repairs cost $250 for the battery, and approximately $1100 for the alternator, belt and labor. Owner believes that this vehicle shares the same fault as the recalled vehicles.
Car started normally however, once I began driving, a number of diagnostics errors were displayed on the screen. I started to smell as though something was burning so I returned home. A few minutes after that, the entire car went dead. No power at all. I could not even lock the door. I see that there was a recall P60 / NHTSA 14V-634 related to the alternator and the description of events that could occur with that, was pretty close to what I experienced this morning. However, when I researched this with fca, I was told that my VIN was not a part of that recall. So now, I am thinking that I may have this defective equipment in my vehicle. I have to have the car towed to a local dealership for a diagnostic review but over the phone, the service rep believed that it sounds like an alternator/battery issue. I have also read numerous complaints from other Jeep owners about similar problems. I want to be covered in case this turns out to be an issue where my vehicle should have been included in the alternator recall but was not. I was lucky that the failure occurred before I got away from my home and on the freeway.
Vehicle was serviced for recalls approximately 2 months ago after the vehicle stalled while driving. Yesterday, the vehicle began to smell like burned rubber and stalled while I was driving approximately 35 miles per hour in rush hour traffic. The vehicle completely died and needed towing to dealership. The dealership says alternator is burned up, along with computers and battery and do not acknowledge the ongoing issues with the alternator or electrical system in this model. This is not covered under the alternator recall according to the dealership and they maintain this is very different from the recall issues (although it acts the same). Very scary and dangerous.
As I was entering an expressway on ramp when Jeep slowed down, wipers came on, turn signals started flashing erratically. It slowed to crawl as I had to inch my way to the side of the road and I could not fully get out of road. A utility truck stopped and placed cones around my car to keep it from being hit until tow truck arrived. I since learned that most of the 2012 alternators were recalled but not the 180 amp alternators but it appears it is the exact same problem and I have learned from my mechanic and other websites that many other 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee's with 180 amp alternators are having same issue as the ones equipped with the 160 amp alternators. The alternator, battery and computer controlling alternator all had to be replaced at a cost of $2,000. The dealer wanted $3,000.
Car stalled while driving down the road. Lost all power. Took it in for repair, $4K of repairs including tipm, PCM, alternator and battery. Jeep unwilling to help in cost of repairs.
The contact owns a 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced a loss of power while being operated at various speeds. The failure occurred without warning. The dealer could not duplicate the failure. Prior to the failure, the vehicle experienced similar failures and was reminded per NHTSA campaign number: 15V115000 (electrical system). The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 104,566.
I haven't had any trouble with my car. I was going to my dads when a battery light popped up. I was less than mile from his house. When I got to his house I cut the car off so my dad could check under the hood but he didn't see anything wrong with it. When I cranked the car back up my radio was cutting on and off, I cut the air on low and it started blowed heat out the defrost, and the windshield wipers start going off by theirselves. I cut the car off again so it would stop. When I tried to cut the car back on it wouldn't crank. My dad hooked it up to a battery charger because he thought the battery was dead. We got it cranked and left his house to take it straight to the Jeep dealership. We got about a mile down the rode and the lights were flickering, the steerwheel locked up and the car cut off. Under the hood started smoking. We were stranded on the side of the rode with my 4 year old son in the back seat. We had two people stop to try and jump the battery off but it was completely dead. We called a tow trunk and they towed it to there shop. They hooked up to there machines and said it was the alternator. Now I've paid $800 to get the alternator replaced. When the alternator went out it fried my power module control.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Lake Arrowhead, CA, USA