2012 Jeep GRAND CHEROKEE
Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report
Quick Summary
The 2012 Jeep GRAND CHEROKEE has 2323 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 3.5x the segment average of 656. The most common issue is electrical problems (36% of all complaints), specifically: i bought my band new 2012 jeep grand cherokee overland 7 months ago - brand new from the chrysler jeep dealership and about a month after i bought it i started to notice the acceleration is not 100%, the windows stop rolling up or down for hours at a time at random time, the brakes sometimes don't w. There are 11 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 139 fire reports filed.
2323
Total Complaints
11
Recalls Issued
4/5
Safety Stars
3.5x
vs Segment Avg
Known Problems(top 5 of 8)
ELECTRICAL
837 complaints- • I BOUGHT MY BAND NEW 2012 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE OVERLAND 7 MONTHS AGO - BRAND NEW FROM THE CHRYSLER JEEP DEALERSHIP AND ABOUT A MONTH AFTER I BOUGHT IT I STARTED TO NOTICE THE ACCELERATION IS NOT 100%, THE WINDOWS STOP ROLLING UP OR DOWN FOR HOURS AT A TIME AT RANDOM TIME, THE BRAKES SOMETIMES DON'T W
- • ON JUNE 2 AFTER CLEANING THE CAR AT THE CAR WASH (MANUALLY) ON THE WAY BACK TO OUR HOME ALL THE LIGHTS OF THE DASHBOARD LIT UP FOR ALL SERVICES TO BE DONE AND THE WIPERS ACTIVATED BY THEMSELVES. THE SAFETY BELTS ARE NO LONGER WORKING AND THE LIGHTS OF THE CAR ARE NOT FUNCTIONAL. YOU DO NOT HAVE BLIN
- • HUSBAND DRIVING MV TO STORE, STARTED SMELLING SHARP SMELL OF WIRES BURNING, WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM AREA AROUND THE VISOR ON DRIVERS SIDE, CAME RIGHT HOME WITH IT, SINCE SMOKE WAS BURNING HIS EYES AND NOSE, OPENED SUNROOF TO LET SMOKE OUT, IT CONTINUED SMOKING THEN STARTED TO BURN THRU MATERIAL SURR
“I BOUGHT MY BAND NEW 2012 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE OVERLAND 7 MONTHS AGO - BRAND NEW FROM THE CHRYSLER JEEP DEALERSHIP AND ABOUT A MONTH AFTER I BOUGHT IT I STARTED TO NOTICE THE ACCELERATION IS NOT 100%, THE WINDOWS STOP ROLLING UP OR DOWN FOR HOURS AT A TIME AT RANDOM TIME, THE BRAKES SOMETIMES DON'T W”
— NHTSA complaint filing
When Problems Appear on the 2012 Jeep GRAND CHEROKEE
Based on 1,467 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 65K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 60-100K miles range.
SPEED CONTROL
SEATS/RESTRAINTS
WHEELS
BRAKES
LIGHTING
AIR BAGS
Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.
Recalls (11)
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.
Fix: 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. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is V62.
Above-average theft risk
The Jeep GRAND CHEROKEE was the #23 most-stolen vehicle in the United States in 2025, with approximately 4,300 thefts reported to law enforcement.
Notes: Popular SUV; parts and tuning demand
Source: NICB Hot Wheels 2025 report + HLDI theft loss studies. Model-year ranking; not all years of this model have identical risk.
Charging Cost Calculator for 2012 Jeep GRAND CHEROKEE
Live EIA pricesBased on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.
Estimated Insurance Cost for 2012 Jeep GRAND CHEROKEE
How this estimate is calculated
Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.
Maintenance & Warranty
Recommended Jeep GRAND CHEROKEE Service Intervals
4WD Wrangler/Gladiator have shorter transfer case + differential intervals if off-roaded frequently.
"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.
Jeep New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage
These are the terms for a new Jeep. If you're buying a used 2012 GRAND CHEROKEE, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Jeep dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.
EV Incentives for 2012 Jeep GRAND CHEROKEE
Updated 2026-07Federal Tax Credit (Section 30D) — Expired 2025-09-30
Section 30D new clean vehicle credit ($7,500 max) expired for vehicles acquired after Sept 30, 2025 per Public Law (One Big Beautiful Bill Act). Vehicles acquired on or before that date remain eligible on the buyer's 2025 return. No federal purchase credit exists for post-9/30/2025 acquisitions.
State-Level Incentives (Still Active in 14 States)
Source: US Department of Energy Alternative Fuels Data Center + state DOR / DEQ program pages. Program details and eligibility limits change frequently — always verify with the linked source before purchase.
Estimated Repair Costs
Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.
🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Based on 2323 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:
- ☐ELECTRICAL: I BOUGHT MY BAND NEW 2012 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE OVERLAND 7 MONTHS AGO - BRAND NEW FROM THE CHRYSLER JEEP DEALERSHIP AND ABOUT A MONTH AFTER I BOUGHT IT I STARTED TO NOTICE THE ACCELERATION IS NOT 100%, THE WINDOWS STOP ROLLING UP OR DOWN FOR HOURS AT A TIME AT RANDOM TIME, THE BRAKES SOMETIMES DON'T W
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐BRAKES: YESTERDAY, 5 JAN 12, AS I APPROACHED A STOP LIGHT I REMOVED MY FOOT FROM THE GAS AND APPLIED THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE DID NOT SLOW DOWN AS EXPECTED. IT WAS AS IF THE ENGINE WAS FIGHTING ME. I PUT THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL AND THE RPMS SHOT UP TO ABOUT 5000 AND THEN WENT BACK DOWN. THE CRUISE CONTROL WA
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐ENGINE: I WAS GOING APPROXIMATELY 20-25 APPROACHING A SIGNAL LIGHT. I LET OFF THE GAS AND APPLIED THE BRAKE AS THE LIGHT WAS RED. AS I LET OFF THE GAS, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO REV HIGHER AND AS I APPLIED THE BRAKE I HAD TO APPLY IT HARDER AND HARDER AS THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO REV EVEN HIGHER. I BEGAN TO SMELL T
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐FUEL SYSTEM: I STARTED THE ENGINE OF MY 2012 JEEP AND AS SOON I BEGAN TRAVELING WITH THE JEEP FLUIDS POURED FROM THE MIDDLE OF THE ENGINE. I DID NOT NOTICE THIS UNTIL I STOPPED THE VEHICLE AFTER DRIVING 10 MINUTES. THE COMPUTER DID NOT SHOW ANY SIGNS OF AN ERROR OR ENGINE TROUBLE. WHEN I STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐RECALLS: Verify all 11 recalls have been completed — free at any Jeep dealer
- ☐General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)
Jeep GRAND CHEROKEE — Year Comparison
How does 2012 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.
NHTSA Safety Rating
At a Glance
- Complaints
- 2323
- Recalls
- 11
- Fire reports
- 139
- Crash reports
- 50
- Injury reports
- 27
- Segment avg
- 656
Check a Specific VIN
See recalls for YOUR 2012 Jeep GRAND CHEROKEE