The Lemon IndexAll cars · Jeep Grand Cherokee
2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee.
The 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee is one of the worst years by owner complaints: 626 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 374, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about electrical, it has 11 recalls, and it gets 14 to 19 mpg combined. The best Jeep Grand Cherokee year is 2010.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
Fixes owners look up most.
From 100 YouTube videos about the 2011–2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 21.5M views. The 2012 is the same generation.
- Infotainment, battery & electrical2.2M views
Jeep Grand Cherokee Battery Replacement - 2011-2022LJs Garage · 634K views · 11 videos - Gauges, lights & wiring2.2M views
Jeep Grand Cherokee Headlight Bulb Replacement (2011-2019)Inspiring Builds · 893K views · 5 videos - Driveshaft, axles & 4x41.2M views
Shifting The Transfer Case In and Out of Neutral On a 2018 Jeep Grand CherokeeBusMaster99 · 264K views · 10 videos - Transmission & shifter578K views
How to Use Transmission Oil Dipstick 2011-2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee 3.6L V6TRQ · 218K views · 3 videos
Show 4 more
- Heat, A/C & blend door439K views
How to Replace HVAC Blend Door Actuator 2011-2021 Jeep Grand CherokeeTRQ · 127K views · 4 videos - Spark plugs & ignition coils392K views
Jeep Grand Cherokee Spark Plug Replacement | 2018 WK2 3.6LOutJeeping · 211K views · 2 videos - Cooling system285K views
How to Replace Radiator 2011-2021 Jeep Grand CherokeeTRQ · 195K views · 2 videos - Oil leaks & gaskets207K views
How to Replace Oil Filter Housing and Cooler 2011-2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee 3.6L V6TRQ · 207K views
Before you buy, watch
Jeep Grand Cherokee Common Problems - 2011-2022 WK2Kurt of Trades · 497K views
Top 5 Problems Jeep Grand Cherokee 2011-2021 4th Generation1A Auto: Repair Tips & Secrets Only Mechanics Know · 472K views
Is The Jeep Grand Cherokee V6 2014-2021 Reliable?! What You Need To Know! 3.6 V6, 4WD, OverlandLJs Garage · 290K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them.
How serious. Out of 1,644 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Jeep Grand Cherokee year. 2012 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 40K to 94K miles on the car (1,017 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- electrical complaints mostly came at 44K–96K miles
- engine complaints mostly came at 40K–100K miles
- brakes complaints mostly came at 27K–75K miles
Recalls 11
- electrical 2019
The fuel pump relay inside the Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM-7) may fail, causing the vehicle to stall without warning.
- engine 2017
The supercharger mounting bracket may contact and damage the ABS line, possibly resulting in a brake fluid leak.
- brakes 2017
The affected vehicles had brake booster shields installed under a previous campaign to prevent water from entering the brake booster and limiting braking ability.
Show all 11 recalls
- electrical 2017
The affected vehicles have electro-hydraulic power steering (EHPS) and are equipped with a 5.7L or a 3.6L engine and a 160, 180 or 220 amp alternator.
- electrical 2015
In the affected vehicles, the wiring for the vanity lamp in the sun visor may short circuit, after having been remedied for a prior recall for the vanity lamp wiring.
- electrical 2015
In the affected vehicles, the fuel pump relay inside the Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM-7) may fail, causing the vehicle to stall without warning.
- electrical 2014
In the affected vehicles, the alternator may suddenly fail.
- electrical 2014
In the affected vehicles, the wiring for the vanity lamp in the sun visor may short circuit, after a service repair is performed.
- brakes 2014
The subject vehicles have a brake booster with a center shell that may corrode and allow water to get inside.
- brakes 2014
Under certain braking events, the Ready Alert Braking System (RAB) may result in the driver experiencing a hard brake pedal feel.
- engine 2011
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 CHRYSLER VEHICLES, INCLUDING 200 AND TOWN AND COUNTRY MODELS, DODGE VEHICLES, INCLUDING CHARGER, DURANGO, GRAND CARAVAN AND JOURNEY MODELS AND JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE VEHICLES MA…
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Jeep told dealers about
Jeep sent dealers 258 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- 2012-2015 jeep grand cherokee: at approximately 8.4khz the customer may describe a high…
- Squeal Noise From Front Of Vehicle When Braking This bulletin involves verifying the front…
- MIL Illumination: P0300, P0302, P0304 or P0306 (X56 Warranty Extension) This bulletin involves…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- OpenDesiccated air bag inflator rupture2021
- ClosedActive head rest inadvertent deployment2019–2026
- ClosedPost 14v-391 headliner fires2015–2016
- ClosedTotally integrated power module failure2014–2015
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jeep Grand Cherokee SUV 4WD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Jeep Grand Cherokee SUV 2WD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $3400–5700 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 3.6L 6-cyl, 5.7L 8-cyl, 6.4L 8-cyl.
In owners' words
Erratic electrical issues. Heated seats stopped working. Back up camera not working. Keep getting error message that key battery is low even though battery was changed. Right rear taillight sporadically working.
2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee owner · NHTSA complaint 10654494
More owner reports
Car shut off while driving with no control of the vehicle.
NHTSA complaint 10725086
Jeep attempts to start when start is pushed. Engine turns but will not start. Occasionally it starts and then quickly shuts down. Other times it starts and runs perfectly.
NHTSA complaint 10682654
Quick answers
Is the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee reliable?
No, it is one of the worst by government complaints. It drew 3.7× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 374; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Jeep Grand Cherokee year by this measure is 2010.
What are the most common 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (51%), brakes (32%) and engine (12%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee have?
11 safety recalls (latest: electrical). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee get?
14 to 19 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee safe?
NHTSA gave it 4 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
At what mileage do 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 40,000 and 94,900 miles. The middle report was at 65,000 miles, from 1,017 complaints.
Does the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee cost in fuel a year?
About $3400 to $5700 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee have?
3.6L 6-cyl, 5.7L 8-cyl, 6.4L 8-cyl.
What Jeep Grand Cherokee year is better than the 2012?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2010, 2019 and 2020.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works