2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee Electrical Problems

Which parts fail

• Alternator/generator/regulator
  12
• Ignition › Switch
  2
• Wiring
  2
• Instrument cluster/panel
  1
• Ignition › Module
  1
• Starter assembly
  1

Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  407%
• 25k–50k
  15027%
• 50k–75k
  15728%
• 75k–100k
  9016%
• 100k–150k
  10218%
• 150k+
  204%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

The contact owns a 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated while his wife was driving approximately 30 MPH she observed that the check battery light had illuminated. The contact stated that his wife had smelled a burning smell and returned to the residence. The contact stated that he started the vehicle and was checking the battery using a volt meter and he noted that it was only showing 12.1 volts. The contact turned the vehicle off and was returning tools to his workshop when he noted a burning smell. The contact opened the hood and observed a stream of white smoke emitted from the alternator and suddenly the alternator had burst into flames. The contact stated that he extinguished the flame using a garden hose and disconnected the battery terminals due to a clicking sound he heard coming from the alternator. …

The contact owned a 2011 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH around a bend in the roadway, the vehicle inadvertently lost all motive power. As a result, the contact lost control of the vehicle, leaving the road and coming to a complete stop after colliding with a barrier wall. The air bags did not deploy. No warning lights were illuminated. A police report was filed, and no injuries were reported. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard and deemed a total loss by the contact's insurance provider. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V813000 (Electrical System), but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 110,000.

The contact owns a 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact received a recall notice for NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V813000 (Electrical system). The contact took the vehicle to the dealer where an inspection was performed that confirmed that the fuel pump relay needed replacement. The contact was then informed that parts were on backorder and to call back in a month to schedule an appointment. The contact returned in a month and was informed that parts were still on backorder and to try other dealers to see if they might have parts. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure and informed him to call other dealers for assistance. …

The contact owns a 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle shut off inadvertently. The contact was able to pull over to an open lane, where the vehicle stopped. The vehicle failed to restart. The contact's husband charged the battery with a portable charger, and the vehicle restarted. The contact was able to continue driving. The contact's husband replaced both the battery and the alternator; however, the failure recurred a week later. The battery warning light was illuminated. The contact's husband replaced the alternator; however, the failure persisted. Additionally, the contacted stated that the check engine warning light and the brake warning light were illuminated. …

The contact owns a 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH and making a turn, the vehicle inadvertently stalled. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact shifted into neutral, pressed the START/STOP button, and the vehicle restarted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer several times however, the dealer informed the contact that they were unable to duplicate the failure. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V813000 (Electrical System) and the recall repair was performed; however, the failure reoccurred a week later. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer who informed the contact that the part for the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure. …

2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Alternator shorted and/or failed diode causing a fire under the hood. Started the vehicle and heard a strange noise from under the hood. Turned the vehicle off and opened the hood. Upon opening the hood smoke bellowed out. I could see an electrical component inside the alternator glowing red. The component glowed red and smoked until the battery was completely drained. While the vehicle didn't start on fire if it had this could have caused a large amount of damage as at the time of the incident the vehicle was parked inside a airport parking garage. Jeep has a recall for 2012 - 2014 models. The 2011 model year needs to be added to the recall. The failed alternator is available for inspection. …

The contact owns a 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V813000 (Electrical System) however, the dealer informed the contact that the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated while driving approximately 20-25 MPH, the vehicle would not exceed 25 MPH and was shuddering. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that she was able to continue to drive to her destination. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The dealer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the failure was not related to the recall. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

The contact owns a 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated while driving at 5 MPH and making a right turn, the vehicle stalled. The Forward Collision Warning light illuminated. The contact veered to the side of the road and parked the vehicle. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and continued to drive. The contact became aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V813000 (Electrical System). The vehicle was taken to the dealer for the recall repair and the dealer replaced the fuel pump relay; however, the failure recurred six months later. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the Total Integration Power Module (TIPM) had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and advised the contact to follow up with the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.

The contact owns a 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact received a notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V813000 (Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that shortly after starting the engine, the vehicle experienced a loss of motive power. The check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was repaired under NHTSA Campaign: 17V572000; however, parts were not available for NHTSA Campaign: 19V813000(Electrical System). In addition, the local dealer advised the contact that the vehicle was in need of a fuel pump replacement. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 141,000.

The contact owns a 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was smoke was coming from under the hood. The contact pulled into a parking lot to inspect the vehicle and became aware that the alternator was burning red hot. The battery warning light illuminated. The vehicle was inspected by a local independent mechanic who was nearby during the failure, and it was determined that the alternator had overheated. Upon further investigation, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V435000 (Electrical System); however, the VIN was not included. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired because the VIN was not under recall. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 125,000.

Related recalls

NHTSA investigations

Electrical complaints in other Grand Cherokee years