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.
Jeep stalls suddenly while driving with no indication other than the loss of power steering. This occurs repeatedly at different speeds ranging from 15 mph in the city to 60 mph on the highway. Stalling has occurred when slowing down and also while turning.
The alternator went out when the vehicle was on a mountain road creating a very unsafe situation. The vehicle stopped dead without any warning. This resulted in replacement of the alternator, battery and the computer chip. Total of $2,000 plus towing. This vehicle has a 180 amp alternator and the same year and vehicle with a 160 amp alternator currently has a recall but for some crazy reason the 180 amp alternator has not been recalled. The recall should be extended to the 180 amp alternator.
The contact owns a 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee. When the vehicle was started, the contact heard a whining noise and smelled a burning odor. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the alternator, thermostat, and battery failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The local dealer (ganley Chrysler of Aurora 161 w. garfield road, Aurora, oh 44202) stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 17V435000 (electrical system). The manufacturer was notified and confirmed that the VIN was excluded from the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 102,000....updated 10/23/17 updated 11/20/2017
The contact owns a 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed to a dealer (franklin Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, 1124 murfreesboro rd, franklin, tn 37064, (615) 614-8243) who stated that the alternator assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was excluded from NHTSA campaign numbers: 17V435000 (electrical system) and 14V634000 (electrical system). The manufacturer provided no solution other than having the dealer replace the part. The approximate failure mileage was 149,000.
Was driving the car fine on the highway at 50 mph. The lights flickered and an emergency repair notice flashed on the dash. At that point, an air suspension warning light and other lights came on. The car went dead suddenly, no lights, no nothing. Complete loss of electricity. When I stopped I could smell smoke. Was able to safely get out of the car and had it towed to the dealer. Dealer says the alternator is dead and possibly the PCM (drive train computer) is dead. Total repairs for $2300. They issued a safety recall for these alternators but because there is no open recall for my car, the dealer is not budging. There should be a recall for all the alternators 160 and 180. My infant son was in the back seat when the car died. This is unacceptable.
- Smyrna, GA, USA
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The contact owns a 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee. After being driven and then parked, the battery and check engine warning indicators illuminated. The contact immediately turned the engine off and a strong burning odor was present. The contact opened the hood and noticed smoke emerging from the alternator. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. An independent mechanic (evelio auto electric and fuel injection in vega baja, puerto rico) diagnosed that the alternator failed and needed to be replaced along with the battery. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 17V435000 (electrical system). The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was not diagnosed by the manufacturer's mechanic. The approximate failure mileage was 71,000.
Was driving and arrived at destination, every thing was perfectly fine exited the vehicle and was gone for about 30 min. On return found vehicle completely without any electrical power had to be towed and found out alternator shorted out frying the battery as well as computer.I was informed that there are Grand Cherokee being recalled for this problem but it doesn't seem to affect my VIN number even though I have experienced this very problem
The contact owns a 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee. While operating the vehicle, the instrument panel gauges suddenly began to flicker and illuminate before the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the alternator malfunctioned and damaged the battery. Both components would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified and stated that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 17B435000(electrical system), although the failures were identical. The local dealer (brubaker Dodge in montgomery, Alabama) was also notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000.
While driving home from work during rush hour traffic on the highway, the red battery light came for the first time since I owned the vehicle. Within minutes of the light appearing, the Jeep's air conditioning went off, all warning lights appeared on the dashboard and the windshield wipers turned on (without prompting them). All three of these things happened within seconds of each other so I tried to pull over to the side of the highway but the Jeep lost all power and stalled in the right lane of the highway. There was absolutely zero power so I was unable to turn my hazard lights on or put the car in neutral to roll to the breakdown lane (see attached picture). I then had to exit the Jeep into oncoming rush hour traffic in the left lane and luckily made it safety to the shoulder where I called 911 and triple a for a tow. The Jeep was towed to my local mechanic who said the alternator failed and that he had to unplug it from the battery since it was still producing excessive heat hours after it arrived there. I then called the fca customer service and referenced recall T36, since the exact same thing happened as the description provided (although I did not have any recalls on my VIN). They put me in touch with the local Jeep dealership to set up an appt so I paid for another tow there. The next day I receive a call from the service dept that my alternator failed, which drained my battery, which broke my module powertrain control computer totaling $2,134 in repairs. They cannot confirm nor deny that my Jeep is part of recall T36, but regardless since my VIN does not have any recalls on it, that I have to pay in full and that if down the road there is a recall that I will get reimbursed. I then call the fca customer service back and they check their internal system and confirm that I am not part of recall T36 and there are no outstanding recalls for my Jeep.
The contact owns a 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was not inspected and diagnosed by a dealer. In addition, the vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 15V879000 (electrical system, interior lighting). The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was not available. Parts distribution disconnect.
The contact owns a 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee. While driving 65 mph, the battery warning indicator illuminated and the vehicle lost power. The contact stated that the power steering, power locks, brakes, and windshield wipers failed to operate as intended. The vehicle was towed to autonation Chrysler Jeep arapahoe (located at 9980 E arapahoe rd, englewood, co 80112 (303) 900-0794), but was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 17V435000 (electrical system). The manufacturer was contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 97,000.
The contact owns a 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact had just parked the vehicle at home when she observed an abnormal burning odor without warning. The contact observed smoke coming from the engine. The contact opened the hood and observed that the alternator was smoking and black. The dealer (dutch miller Dodge, 339 maccorkle ave, sw, South charleston, wv, 25303) was contacted at 304-343-7700 and stated that there was no recall information. The dealer also stated that the contact could schedule an appointment and referred her to the manufacturer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that due to her 180 amp alternator, the vehicle was not included in the recall. The contact stated that the recall states that 180 amps were included. The manufacturer stated that they would escalate the case and have a case manager call her back. The manufacturer did not provide a case number. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 17V435000 (electrical system). The failure mileage was 106,400.
I started the Jeep and was headed home on the city street I had only driven.5 miles and it began to make a loud whistling sound as I pulled into my street. Then the Jeep began to shake and drive very rough. I parked, turned off the car and smelled smoke when I opened the hood the alternator was smoking, it smelled so bad and took over 20 minutes to get it to cool down and keep it from catching fire. I have lost all power in the Jeep.
After starting the vehicle, a loud whining noise came from what was determined to be the alternator. The alternator probably short circuited resulting in the destruction of the wiring system to include the vehicle computer system. A burning odor was noticed from the wiring system under the hood ( engine compartment). The entire electrical system failed requiring the vehicle to be towed to the nearest Jeep dealer. This episode happened while the vehicle was in motion traveling approximately 1 mile. The vehicle was then parked with the distinct odor of burning. The vehicle is now at the Jeep dealership awaiting diagnosis.
Smelled smoke using A/C, battery light went on, took to dealer, 180 amp alternator burned out, also caused burn out of battery. Car just died, shut down, on road. Dealer replaced battery and alternator. My alternator not apparently part of original 160 amp recall so it was not covered. $980 repair bill. Car had 62,000 mi., always service at dealer. There are hundreds of similar incidents on internet, no recall for all these alternators? seems to be rather dangerous when car just shuts down while driving. My case was not life threatening.
During my drive home from another town where I work approx 30 minutes away my alternator shorted out and blew out the battery. I was extra lucky and did not wreck but then when my husband got there to jump the vehicle it started the jumper cables completely on fire!!! we were able to get the fire out and get it to a parts store. The alternator is completely broken and who knows what else it burned while the alternator was burning up. You could smell burning wires even hours after the incident. When I contacted about the recall issue they said my Jeep was not covered under the alternator recall taking effect August 24, 2017 yet my alternator did exactly what the effected alternators are doing the only difference was I was able to not wreck my vehicle. Then it almost caused an even worse issue by starting things on fire and burning up who knows what else in the vehicle. Why is my vehicle not included in this recall!!!"?" I was driving on a small highway. I included a photo of the jumper cables after they were caught on fire.
The vehicle suddenly in a left turn lane at a intersection had the alternator light come on. The Jeep then suddenly died and omitted a odor of something burning. The Jeep would not budge at that point and was compliantly stuck with no power. I couldn't even push the vehicle out of the intersection because the wheels lock up, along with everything else. Luckily it did not catch on fire, but I smelled smoke. I had people yelling and honking at me because I was in their way, they even yelled at the police officer there to help. The vehicle was taken to a licensed chyrsler dealer...from there it was diagnosis with a shorted out alternator, which also shorted out the computer and battery. The extended warranty covered the alternator and computer, but the battery was not covered. That is $247 to purchase the battery and the $100 extended insurance deductible. There is a recall P60 on this year Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge durango, but that is the 160 amp alternator, ours has the 180 amp. The problem I experienced was exactly what the recall was issued for. I believe my vehicle and others need to be recalled before they short out and catch on fire.
The contact owns a 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that the battery warning indicator illuminated. Also, the vehicle failed to start several times without warning and the battery had to be recharged several times. While driven over un-leveled land, the vehicle stalled and various warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer (blackhawk motors, 1621 S marquette rd, prairie du chien, wi 53821, (608) 326-8400) where it was diagnosed that the alternator assembly failed and further repairs may be required. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign numbers: 17V435000 (electrical system), 14V634000 (electrical system), and 15V115000 (electrical system). In addition, the VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: (visibility). The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The approximate failure mileage was 87,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
When I was driving on the high way.my Grand Cherokee stalled then stopped.after a short time it started again and I drove it to the mopar service centre of the dealer. The dealer told me that the car was not recalled for detective alternator. So they will replace the alternator and drained battery at my expense and also charge for the labour cost. I find this very strange and unjustified. The car maybe was not recalled but the fault now is exactly what the recall was for. So how come they refuse to replace what was originally recalled. This is against the rules and regulations of NHTSA. Please guide me.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Sacramento, CA, USA