The Lemon Index

All cars · Jeep Grand Cherokee · 2012

2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Advanced data.

The raw numbers: engines, recall campaign numbers, failure mileage and manufacturer communications.

Lemon Index374100 = average car
Complaints626NHTSA, first 3 years
Sold154,734U.S. model year
Per 100K sold405complaints
Year rank#21 of 23#1 = fewest complaints

Engines and drivetrains 5

EngineTransmissionDriveCity / hwy / combinedFuelFuel cost/yr
3.6L 6-cylAuto 5-spdRWD17 / 23 / 19Regular$3,300
3.6L 6-cylAuto 5-spdAWD16 / 23 / 19Regular$3,300
5.7L 8-cylAuto 6-spdRWD14 / 20 / 16Midgrade$4,450
5.7L 8-cylAuto 6-spd4WD13 / 20 / 15Midgrade$4,750
6.4L 8-cylAuto 5-spd4WD12 / 18 / 14Premium$5,550

EPA test versions for this model year. Fuel cost is the EPA's current estimate, not the price in that year.

Failure mileage by system

Half of owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 40,000 and 94,900 miles. Median 65,000, from 1,017 complaints with a mileage.

SystemMedianMiddle halfComplaints
Electrical70,00044,000–96,900493
Engine74,00040,800–100,700225
Brakes50,00027,500–75,000131
Fuel or ev drive system76,50043,100–106,600134
Transmission & drivetrain65,50033,000–98,00078

Mileage owners typed into their NHTSA complaint, all complaints for this model year. People report some problems late, so read it as a range.

Complaints by system

SystemShare of complaints
Electrical51%
Brakes32%
Engine12%
Fuel or ev drive system7%
Steering5%

One complaint can name more than one system, so shares can add to more than 100%.

Severity, all complaints

TotalCrashesFiresInjuriesDeathsTows
1,6444610524097

As reported by owners to NHTSA. Not verified.

Recall campaigns 11

  • 19V813000 Nov 2019 Electrical System

    Defect. Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2011-2013 Dodge Durango and Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles equipped with a 3.6, 5.7, or 6.4 liter engine and previously recalled under NHTSA Recall 14V530 or 15V115. The fuel pump relay inside the Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM-7) may fail, causing the vehicle to stall without warning.

    Risk. A vehicle stall increases the risk of a crash.

    Remedy. Chrysler (FCA US LLC) will replace the affected fuel pump relay and related wire harness. Interim notices informing owners of the safety risk were mailed beginning December 19, 2019. Vehicles that experience a fuel pump failure will receive an interim repair. Owners will receive a second notice when the final remedy becomes available. Owner notification letters were mailed on December 10, 2020

  • 17E061000 Oct 2017 Engine And Engine Cooling / Engine / Gasoline / Turbo/Supercharger

    Defect. Accessible Technologies, Inc. (ATI) is recalling certain ProCharger Superchargers, model numbers AB037A-100, AB037A-100P, and A037A-100B, sold for installation on 2012-2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 and SRT vehicles. The supercharger mounting bracket may contact and damage the ABS line, possibly resulting in a brake fluid leak.

    Risk. A brake fluid leak may lengthen the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy. ATI will notify owners and will replace the supercharger brackets, free of charge. The recall began on December 12, 2017. Owners may contact ATI customer service at 1-913-338-2886.

  • 17V572000 Sep 2017 Service Brakes

    Defect. Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Dodge Durango and Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles. The affected vehicles had brake booster shields installed under a previous campaign to prevent water from entering the brake booster and limiting braking ability. This recall is to verify that the brake booster shield installation was performed properly.

    Risk. If the brake booster shield was not installed properly, the vehicle's braking ability may be reduced, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy. Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brake booster shield, correcting the installation as necessary, free of charge. The recall began November10, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T59.

  • 17V435000 Jul 2017 Electrical System / Alternator/Generator/Regulator

    Defect. Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Dodge Challenger, Dodge Charger, Chrysler 300, Dodge Durango, and 2012-2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles. 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. In the affected vehicles, the alternator may suddenly fail.

    Risk. If the alternator fails, the vehicle may stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash. There is also the possibility that the alternator may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.

    Remedy. Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the alternator and depending on the part number, will replace the alternator, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began February 12, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T36.

  • 15V879000 Dec 2015 Electrical System / Wiring

    Defect. Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Dodge Durango and Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured December 3, 2009, to September 1, 2012. 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. This recall is also addressing certain vehicles that have not been remedied under that prior recall.

    Risk. The vanity lamp wiring may short, increasing the risk of a vehicle fire.

    Remedy. Chrysler will notify owners, and dealer will install clearance for sun visor wiring, protection from sharp edges, and replace the sun visor, free of charge. The recall began on July 28, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R71.

  • 15V115000 Feb 2015 Electrical System

    Defect. Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured September 17, 2010, to August 19, 2013, and equipped with a 3.6, 5.7 or 6.4 liter engine, and 2012-2013 Dodge Durango vehicles manufactured January 18, 2011, to August 19, 2013, and equipped with a 3.6 or 5.7 liter engine. 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.

    Risk. A vehicle stall increases the risk of a crash.

    Remedy. Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump relay with one external to the TIPM. The recall began on August 7, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R09. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 14V-530. Note: This recall has been superseded by recall 19V813.

  • 14V634000 Oct 2014 Electrical System / Alternator/Generator/Regulator

    Defect. Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger, Challenger, and Durango; and 2012-2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured April 22, 2010, to January 2, 2014, and equipped with a 3.6L engine and a 160 amp alternator. In the affected vehicles, the alternator may suddenly fail.

    Risk. If the alternator fails, the vehicle may stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy. Chrysler has notified owners, and dealers will replace the alternator, free of charge. The recall began on February 27, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is P60.

  • 14V391000 Jul 2014 Electrical System / Wiring

    Defect. Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Dodge Durango and Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured January 5, 2010, through December 11, 2013. In the affected vehicles, the wiring for the vanity lamp in the sun visor may short circuit, after a service repair is performed.

    Risk. If the vanity lamp wiring shorts, there is an increased risk of fire.

    Remedy. Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and repair any damaged wiring, and install a new sun visor that properly routes the wire, free of charge. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is P36.

  • 14V154000 Apr 2014 Service Brakes

    Defect. Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango vehicles manufactured from January 5, 2010, through September 8, 2013. The subject vehicles have a brake booster with a center shell that may corrode and allow water to get inside.

    Risk. The water inside could freeze and limit the braking ability of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy. Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will add a water diverter shield to the booster after the booster has been tested to confirm it can hold an acceptable amount of vacuum pressure. If the booster inspection confirms an unacceptable loss of vacuum pressure, the booster will be replaced. Repairs will be made free of charge. The recall began on May 30, 2014. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1

  • 14V104000 Mar 2014 Service Brakes, Hydraulic / Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip

    Defect. Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Dodge Durango and Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured October 11, 2011, through October 1, 2012. Under certain braking events, the Ready Alert Braking System (RAB) may result in the driver experiencing a hard brake pedal feel.

    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 the risk of a crash.

    Remedy. Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update the ABS module software, free of charge. The recall began on April 3, 2014. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number associated with this recall is P05.

  • 11V487000 Sep 2011 Engine And Engine Cooling

    Defect. 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 MANUFACTURED FROM AUGUST 31, 2011, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 13, 2011, THAT ARE EQUIPPED WITH 3.6L ENGINES. THESE ENGINES MAY EXPERIENCE CONNECTING ROD BEARING FAILURE DUE TO DEBRIS INSIDE THE ENGINE BLOCK.

    Risk. CONNECTING ROD FAILURE MAY LEAD TO ENGINE SEIZURE WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

    Remedy. CHRYSLER WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE ENGINE FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT NOVEMBER 18, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

NHTSA investigations

StatusSubjectOpenedClosed
OpenDesiccated air bag inflator rupture2021–
ClosedActive head rest inadvertent deployment20192026
ClosedPost 14v-391 headliner fires20152016
ClosedTotally integrated power module failure20142015
ClosedHeadliner fires20142014
ClosedHeadliner fires20132014

Manufacturer communications 258

Jeep filed 258 service communications for this car with NHTSA.

  • 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…

Crash ratings by version

VersionOverallFrontSideRollover
Jeep Grand Cherokee SUV 4WD★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆
Jeep Grand Cherokee SUV 2WD★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★★★★★☆☆

Safety equipment

Electronic stabilityForward collision warningLane departure warning
StandardOptionalNo

YouTube repair topics

100 videos about the 2011–2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 21.5M views.

TopicVideosViews
Infotainment, battery & electrical112.2M
Gauges, lights & wiring52.2M
Driveshaft, axles & 4x4101.2M
Transmission & shifter3578K
Heat, A/C & blend door4439K
Spark plugs & ignition coils2392K
Cooling system2285K
Oil leaks & gaskets1207K

Nearby model years

YearLemon IndexComplaintsSoldTop system
2009532350,328Tires
2010282684,635Transmission & drivetrain
2011453674127,744Electrical
2012374626154,734Electrical
2013153324174,275Electrical
2014476958183,786Electrical
2015235447195,958Transmission & drivetrain

Sources: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications; EPA fuel economy data; YouTube video titles. Complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.

Updated

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