BestCarRank
Jeep

2016 Jeep GRAND CHEROKEE

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Above Average

Quick Summary

The 2016 Jeep GRAND CHEROKEE has 437 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.7x the segment average of 656. The most common issue is engine problems (19% of all complaints), specifically: tl* the contact owns a 2016 jeep grand cherokee. while driving various speeds, the vehicle accelerated independently and increased in rpms. the failure recurred on numerous occasions. the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. the manufacturer was notified of the failure. the failure mileage was 500. There are 9 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 13 fire reports filed.

13 fire reports 32 crash reports 13 injuries

437

Total Complaints

9

Recalls Issued

4/5

Safety Stars

0.7x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ENGINE

82 complaints
19%
  • TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY AND INCREASED IN RPMS. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 500
  • TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS
  • TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. AS THE CONTACT SHIFTED INTO THE DRIVE POSITION, THE ENGINE REVVED AND ACCELERATED UNCONTROLLABLY. THE CONTACT WAS NOT ABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A BUILDING. THE SIDE AIR BAGS ON THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE DEPLOYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS F
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 3 fire reports💥 5 crashes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY AND INCREASED IN RPMS. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 500

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2016 Jeep GRAND CHEROKEE

Based on 261 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 33K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage
0-30K
119
30-60K
91
60-100K
32
100-150K
10
150-200K
8
200K+
1

TRANSMISSION

In line with typicalmedian 32K mi · 56 reports
0-30K
26
30-60K
19
60-100K
7
100-150K
2
150-200K
2
200K+
0

ENGINE

In line with typicalmedian 40K mi · 50 reports
0-30K
20
30-60K
18
60-100K
6
100-150K
4
150-200K
1
200K+
1

ELECTRICAL

In line with typicalmedian 34K mi · 38 reports
0-30K
17
30-60K
14
60-100K
5
100-150K
0
150-200K
2
200K+
0

SPEED CONTROL

In line with typicalmedian 25K mi · 19 reports
0-30K
11
30-60K
8
60-100K
0
100-150K
0
150-200K
0
200K+
0

FUEL SYSTEM

In line with typicalmedian 42K mi · 18 reports
0-30K
6
30-60K
5
60-100K
5
100-150K
1
150-200K
1
200K+
0

BRAKES

In line with typicalmedian 10K mi · 13 reports
0-30K
9
30-60K
3
60-100K
0
100-150K
1
150-200K
0
200K+
0

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 (9)

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL13/08/2020

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Ram 1500 and 2014-2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles equipped with 3.0L diesel engines. The crankshaft position sensor tone wheel may delaminate causing the engine to lose its ability to synchronize the fuel injector pulses and cam shaft timing, possibly resulting in an engine stall.

Risk: An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: FCA US will notify owners, and dealers will update the powertrain control module software to maintain vehicle propulsion by reading the camshaft position signal in the event that the crankshaft position signal is lost, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 13, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US customer service at 1-800-853-2002. FCA US's number for this recall is W58.

Above-average theft risk

#23 most stolen in 2025

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.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2016 Jeep GRAND CHEROKEE

Live EIA prices
Per year
$2,679
Per month
$223
Per mile
22.3¢
MPG
23
City driving (worst-case MPG)
$3,243/yr
Highway driving (best-case MPG)
$2,054/yr

Based 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.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today
Current
$4.00
5-year low
$2.78
5-year high
$5.01
Since 2021
+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2016 Jeep GRAND CHEROKEE

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.
Full coverage / year
$1,680
Full coverage / month
$140
Liability only / year
$626
vs US avg
0%
How this estimate is calculated
US base full-coverage premium$1674
× state (US)1.00x
× vehicle class (suv-midsize)1.05x
× theft risk1.06x
× safety rating0.98x
× vehicle age0.92x
= Full coverage estimate$1680

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

Oil change
8K mi / 12 mo
Tire rotation
8K mi
Brake fluid
36 months
Transmission fluid
60K mi
Engine coolant
100K mi
Spark plugs
100K mi
Cabin air filter
24K mi
Engine air filter
30K mi
Differential (AWD/4WD)
20K mi

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

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)
3 yr / 36K mi
Powertrain
5 yr / 60K mi
Hybrid/EV battery
8 yr / 100K mi
Corrosion (rust perforation)
5 yr / unlimited mi
Roadside assistance
5 yr / 60K mi

These are the terms for a new Jeep. If you're buying a used 2016 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.

Estimated Repair Costs

ENGINE(~50K mi)
$500
TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)
$500
ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)
$500
FUEL SYSTEM(~50K mi)
$500
OTHER(~50K mi)
$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 437 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

  • ENGINE: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY AND INCREASED IN RPMS. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 500

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • TRANSMISSION: THE ELECTRONIC GEAR SHIFTER IN THIS VEHICLE WENT FROM PARK TO ROLLING DOWN A HILL. I WAS PARKED AND PROCEEDED TO EXIT THE VEHICLE WHEN IT STARTED ROLLING BACKWARDS. I JUMPED BACK INTO THE VEHICLE AND HIT MY RIGHT KNEE ON THE STEERING WHEEL AND DASH BOARD. TO AVOID HITTING THE PEDESTRIANS BEHIND M

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ELECTRICAL: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT HAD TO QUICKLY MANEUVER THE VEHICLE AND MADE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO GET IT TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR FURTHER INSPECTION, BUT THE DEALER DID NOT SUPPLY AN I

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • FUEL SYSTEM: LESTER GLENN DEALERSHIP, TOMS RIVER, NJ DOES NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THIS RECALL!

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • RECALLS: Verify all 9 recalls have been completed — free at any Jeep dealer
  • General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)

NHTSA Safety Rating

Overall
Frontal
Side
Rollover

At a Glance

Complaints
437
Recalls
9
Fire reports
13
Crash reports
32
Injury reports
13
Segment avg
656

Check a Specific VIN

See recalls for YOUR 2016 Jeep GRAND CHEROKEE