repaired · 2022 Q3
Electrical system
Risk. A vehicle stall increases the risk of a crash.
2012 Jeep Grand CherokeeProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 1,645 owner complaints about the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee, most often about the electrical system. It is covered by 10 safety recalls, and for recall 19V-813 the manufacturer reports only 41% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through November 7, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: Cutlass, CC0.
Complaints by system
Where the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee has problems
1,645 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
837Electrical system98 crash/fire/injury
285Engine21 crash/fire/injury
278Service brakes21 crash/fire/injury
216Fuel/propulsion system5 crash/fire/injury
102Power train
100Steering
43Air bags
35Vehicle speed control
34Exterior lighting
27722 other systems19 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 837 | 98 |
| Engine | 285 | 21 |
| Service brakes | 278 | 21 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 216 | 5 |
| Power train | 102 | 6 |
| Steering | 100 | 5 |
| Air bags | 43 | 12 |
| Vehicle speed control | 35 | 6 |
| Exterior lighting | 34 | 10 |
| 22 other systems | 277 | 19 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
10 recalls
2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
repaired · 2019 Q1
Service brakes
Risk. If the brake booster shield was not installed properly, the vehicle's braking ability may be reduced, increasing the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2019 Q2
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator
Risk. If the alternator fails, the vehicle may stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2017 Q4
Electrical system: wiring
Risk. The vanity lamp wiring may short, increasing the risk of a vehicle fire.
Show 6 more recalls
repaired · 2016 Q4
Electrical system
Risk. A vehicle stall increases the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2016 Q2
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator
Risk. If the alternator fails, the vehicle may stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2015 Q4
Electrical system: wiring
Risk. If the vanity lamp wiring shorts, there is an increased risk of fire.
repaired · 2015 Q3
Service brakes
Risk. The water inside could freeze and limit the braking ability of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2015 Q3
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
Risk. If the driver experiences a hard brake pedal, the driver may not push the pedal as intended, lengthening the distance needed to stop the vehicle and increasing…
no report yet
Engine and engine cooling
Risk. CONNECTING ROD FAILURE MAY LEAD TO ENGINE SEIZURE WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Jeep.
Mileage at failure
When do electrical system problems start?
70kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 493 electrical system complaints. 77% were reported before 100,000 miles.
51under 30k miles379under 100k miles114100k miles or more
Owner-reported costs
What owners say repairs cost
Dollar amounts owners wrote in their complaints when describing a repair or a quote. These are not price estimates; a system is shown only when at least 8 owners mentioned a cost.
Electrical system
30 owners mentioned a cost$1,225median
Middle half: $958 – $2,075
Steering
8 owners mentioned a cost$2,000median
Middle half: $1,525 – $2,513
If a problem is covered by a recall, the dealer fixes it for free. Some manufacturers also reimburse owners who paid for a repair before a recall was announced.
Best & worst years
2012 vs. every other Grand Cherokee year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Grand Cherokee median. How we score
5555887198939911,0281,6381,4478831,4767621,2952,0521,2801,1097341381181,6411,6458052,3921,3723133648573712414142704102588137
'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee safety ratings
2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SUV 4WD in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
★★★★★Overall rating
Frontal crash★★★★★
Side barrier★★★★★
Side pole★★★★★
- Rollover: 4 stars (16.8% risk)
- Stability control: Standard
- Forward collision warning: Optional
- Lane departure warning: No
7 investigations
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee, and the recalls they led to.
- Totally Integrated Power Module FailureNo recall
- Headliner FiresLed to recall 14V-391
- Desiccated Air Bag Inflator RuptureOpen
- Power steering hose failureNo recall
- Headliner FiresNo recall
- Active Head Rest Inadvertent DeploymentNo recall
- Post 14V-391 Headliner FiresLed to recall 15V-879
In owners' words
What Grand Cherokee owners report
Recent electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
The alternator failed. It was the Safety Recall P60 (NHTSA 14V-634) remedy alternator, installed by an authorized FCA dealer when the recall was completed on 08/30/2021, as FCA confirmed in writing. On 09/24/2026, at 41,275 miles, the vehicle had no electrical power and would not start. An…
My 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee suddenly was stalling, and would not re-start, especially when turning the steering. AAA Tech diagnosed as High Diode Ripple Voltage in the Alternator, damaging the Battery. Needed to Replace both Alternator and Battery at a cost of $1068. Car was recalled under T36, and…
Alternator smoking. it is available for inspection. Filled interior of vehicle with smoke the engine stopped running while driving. Took to dealership for a 2nd sun visor recall and had them diagnose the smoking alternator. The voltage light came on just before the alternator started smoking
Own a 2012 Grand Cherokee?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.