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 electrical problems

electrical problem

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2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee Owner Comments (Page 20 of 40)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #401

Feb 122016

Grand Cherokee

  • 37,040 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

In Feb 2016 was driving through town and my dashboard and Jeep started acting crazy and it just totally died as I tried pulling into gas station, was now blocking entrance/exit. Totally dead, couldn't put it in neutral and hazards didn't work. Replaced tipm costing me $1300. Then in Oct 2016, Jeep dashboard started going crazy again and died as I'm driving and turning in the middle of an intersection! everything dead, no hazards, lights anything and it was pitch black. I was lucky I didn't get hit. Now they said it was battery even though I argued that it wasn't, I said it was the tipm again. They replace battery, but battery light came on right after I left dealer. Then they said it was the alternator. Got it replace but it wasn't the alternator, it was the tipm again! they covered that since I just paid for it in February. Faulty tipm's caused my Jeep to totally die as I'm driving - twice!! if I was on a highway, it would have been horrific. And both times I had my kids in the Jeep with me. Absolutely unacceptable. Never buying a Jeep again. This is so dangerous.

- Smithtown, NY, USA

problem #400

Nov 142016

Grand Cherokee

  • 58,990 miles
2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee suffered rapid failure of alternator after being driven for 2 miles after oil change from dealer. Smoked for15 minutes after being turned off. Resulted in total shutdown of the electrical system

- Gretna, LA, USA

problem #399

Jun 212016

Grand Cherokee

  • 48,000 miles
Electrical short in passenger side sun visor caught the interior of the vehicle on fire while parked in our garage. We had noticed a burning smell a week earlier and my wife had seen smoke in the passenger cabin. We immediately took it to the dealer and they kept it four days before returning it to us, blaming a rodent nest in the ventilation fan. Three days later it caught fire.

- Westville, IN, USA

problem #398

Aug 012015

Grand Cherokee 4WD 8-cyl

  • 86,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Within the span of approximately 15 months, the engine has randomly turned off 8 times in the middle of driving. When this occurs, the car loses power steering and braking, making it difficult to control, aside from the fact that the car can not safely be moved to a safe emergency stop location. The car has been to the dealership numerous times, but with no solution. The dealer has performed all recalls and software updates, but these have not solved the problem. The dealer has stated that they cannot replicate the problem, so therefore cannot fix it. Chrysler customer care was contacted and a case manager was assigned to the case. The case manager instructed the dealership to drive the car, which they had done before, to try to replicate the problem. They were unable to do so and the case manager has stated that there is nothing that can be done if the problem cannot be replicated. When asked what to do in the event the vehicle causes an accident, the case manager stated to contact him at that point and he will take the case "to the next level". in short, the car must be involved in an accident before Chrysler is willing to do anything. At this point, we are not comfortable driving this car for which we are paying a lot of money and are not being offered any solutions.

- Old Saybrook, CT, USA

problem #397

Oct 292016

Grand Cherokee

  • 46,000 miles
NHTSA campaign number: 14V634000 / Chrysler recall P60 already exists but that is for 160 amp mine is 180 amp, I think that is the only difference. My Jeep died and would not start up again. All power was lost 100%, luckily my family and I were stopped at a gas station getting sodas. It sounds exactly like the same issue of the recall that is already out but also effects my Jeep with the 180 amp alternator. According to Chrysler that is the only difference in the two models. Mine is a 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee with a 3.6L

- Glen Carbon, IL, USA

problem #396

Oct 282016

Grand Cherokee

  • 105,000 miles
The same exact thing as recall P60 except my model supposedly has a 180amp alternator. I can't be for sure since the tag was almost completely melted when the alternator was removed. Pulling into a parking lot the electrical system just started flashing and going haywire. The vehicle quit working. When I popped the hood, the alternator was so hot it was almost glowing.

- Winnsboro, TX, USA

problem #395

Jul 022015

Grand Cherokee

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact received a recall for the ignition switch two years ago, but the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The NHTSA campaign number was unknown. The contact had not experienced a failure.

- Austin, TX, USA

problem #394

Oct 142016

Grand Cherokee 4WD 8-cyl

  • 94,000 miles
I have a 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee limited, 5.7L engine. Purchased the vehicle used. At approximately 60,000 miles (2015) the Jeep begin to randomly stall while driving. It always happened within 10 minutes of leaving my house. Fuel levels good, didn't matter if turning left or right. Vehicle stalled, causing steering to lock. Almost in 3 accidents. Only remedy was to put it in park, Jeep would start right back up. This happened in June, August and October. After October stall, I took to the Jeep dealership. The dealership couldn't find anything unusual, and replaced the battery. The trailer taillights were not working and they recommend replace tipm. Things were fine until September 2016. On Sept 2 Jeep stalls turning right, full tank of gas. On Sept 6 - stalls slightly turning into suicide lane. Back to dealership. Dealership has it from 9/7-9-9. can't replicate it, and no errors come up. They do replace recall sun visors. Sept 18 - stalls going straight on road. Again, this is in the morning, and within 10 minutes of leaving my house. Saturday Oct 14. Jeep stalls again around noon time. Hadn't driven it since Friday 1pm, the day before. Full tank of gas. Died while slowing down towards a red light, going straight. Almost rear ended as a result. The dealership cant diagnose one thing that happens randomly. There is a plethora of complaints online regarding the tipm and alternator in this Jeep. My VIN isn't covered by the recalls, but it sounds like a tipm would remedy the situation. This vehicle is unsafe to drive, and Chrysler isn't helping.

- East Amherst, NY, USA

problem #393

Oct 062016

Grand Cherokee

  • 61,000 miles
2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee stopped in the middle of the road with the engine losing power, warning lights flashing with the smell of hot or burning electrical wiring entering the cabin. I was lucky I was on a city street going about 30mph, and not on the interstate moving at a faster pace. I had the car towed to the dealership and was told the next day that the alternator needed to be replaced, at a cost of over $1,000. I was told it was a difficult job to replace the alternator. Based on youtube videos, it should not have taken more than around 30-40 minutes. The alternator was available for $405-$450 from numerous mopar oems online. The dealership charged me over $730 and labor of over $250 for a total of over $1,000. The recall was for the 160amp, for the same exact stated situation that I had with the 180amp, so it was not covered. This is a safety hazard that should have been included in the recall. The Chrysler/Jeep dealership seems to using this as an opportunity to gouge the public.

- Plano, TX, USA

problem #392

Oct 072016

Grand Cherokee

  • 50,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee. While driving, the 180 amp alternator failed and caused the vehicle to stall. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was determined that the VIN was excluded from NHTSA campaign number: 14V634000 (electrical system). The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 50,000.

- Corona, CA, USA

problem #391

Oct 112012

Grand Cherokee

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15V879000(electrical system, interior lighting); however, the parts to do the repair were unavailable. The manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

- Tomah, WI, USA

problem #390

Aug 222016

Grand Cherokee

  • 37,609 miles
While driving a whining noise started. Then battery light came on. System started it indicate system shutting down. Drove straight to dealer and was informed the alternator was burnt out and the battery shot. I complained to fca. Their esponse there is a recall on 160 amp alternators but it.does not apply to my vehicle because it has a 180 amp alternator.

- Staten Island, NY, USA

problem #389

Oct 062016

Grand Cherokee

  • 98,380 miles
Battery died and dealer replaced battery and performed recall repair for sun visor wiring. Within first 20 miles, while in motion on atlanta rd. In smyrna, Georgia, cabin filled with smoke from electrical fire beneath front passenger seat, which is where battery is located.

- Kennesaw, GA, USA

problem #388

Aug 202016

Grand Cherokee

  • 32,000 miles
The contact owned a 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee. After the vehicle was started, smoke emitted across the top of the interior windshield. The vehicle caught fire and the fire department extinguished the flames. A police report was filed and no injuries were sustained. The vehicle was destroyed. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 15V879000 (electrical system, interior lighting). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 32,000.

- Florham, NJ, USA

problem #387

Oct 012016

Grand Cherokee

  • 90,000 miles
Yet another defective alternator. Was driving on city road and could smell something burning in engine. Pulled over and thought my car was on fire from the amount of smoke coming from the engine. Alternator locked up. Couldn't start vehicle after I stopped.

- Hamden, CT, USA

problem #386

Dec 152012

Grand Cherokee

  • miles
Sun visor recall, have turned in 2 recalls allready to the tomah wi dealer, but no call to come in and get it fixed.

- Kendall, WI, USA

problem #385

Sep 262016

Grand Cherokee

  • 50,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee. While driving 35 mph, the battery warning indicator illuminated and the vehicle stalled. The contact was not able to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the alternator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V634000 (electrical system). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 50,000.

- Vienna, VA, USA

problem #384

Sep 212016

Grand Cherokee

  • miles
It's been several months since I've requested my local Jeep dealer to install the visor recall upgrade. He has the replacement parts but keeps outing me off saying he needs a special tool or part to complete this service ! sounds like vs to me. This is about safety ! what is going on ?

- Burnet, TX, USA

problem #383

Sep 132016

Grand Cherokee

  • 84,400 miles
Another 2012 Jeep gc owner with the 180amp alternator failing here. It failed just like many other 160amp and many many 180amp Jeep gc's. if the 160amp was recalled for safety issues then why is the 180amp not being recalled. Is there a death indicator that warrants a recall? Chrysler/Jeep need to do the right thing and recall the 180amp electrical issues as well. My Jeep failed on I95 outside of DC and I had to push it off the highway during rush hour traffic. This is a safety hazard and needs to be dealt with please!

- Ellicott City, MD, USA

problem #382

Sep 142016

Grand Cherokee

  • 178,000 miles
While driving, battery light came on, made it to a safe place. Turned off car noticed smoke coming from under hood. When I opened hood I could see smoke and smell electrical burn at the alternator. After time passed, I tried to crank car, made a terrible noise and alternator smoked again. Had towed to local dealer. Apparently a recall was sent out on this, when car was in for service repair was not done? waiting to hear from dealer.

- Rifle, CO, USA

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