Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 mph when traffic began to back up. When the contact was attempting to get into the left lane, the vehicle's ahead suddenly stopped. The contact depressed the brake pedal, however, the vehicle suddenly accelerated forward causing them to rear-end the vehicle in front. The air bags did not deploy. There was damage to the vehicle in front where their entire rear end was crushed inward. The contact's vehicle was towed. A police report was filed. There were no injuries. There was no medical attention needed. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 131,000.
The contact owns a 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact stated that the RPM fluctuated before the transmission slammed into gear. The contact stated that the ABS warning light and another unknown warning light were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and was diagnosed with transmission failure, and a failure with the accelerator pedal. The accelerator pedal was replaced, and other unknown parts were replaced on the transmission. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, while driving 30 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed but failed to stop the vehicle immediately and the vehicle stalled. After several attempts, the vehicle was able to restart. …
We were about an hour away from home (in the mountains) and our Jeep had been running fine. We had stopped for a while and when we got back to our Jeep and started it, just about every warning light on the dash board came on and wouldn't go off (the brake light, check engine, airbag, ABS, etc.) The middle of the dash was also flashing different messages..."service park assist and service power steering". We started to drive and the car was jerking really hard while it was shifting gears. We think it was getting stuck in a high gear because it would hardly drive after we stopped at a stoplights. We turned our hazards on and just tried to make it to an auto parts shop. Our windshield wipers were automatically coming on and the speedometer and RPM needle were both going up and down really quickly. We spent just shy of two long months without our Jeep while it was in the shop. …
I was driving and the battery light came on with a chime, within seconds the car smelled hot, the air conditioning went out, road hazard lights on dash indicating flat tire came on, windshield wipers were going on and off at different speeds and windows were opening and closing and then did not work at all. I got the car into the driveway as I was en route to our home. As I got car to the driveway I lost all power. I had the same thing happen in 2019 - Report # 11255268. I do not know where to go to get the vehicle repaired or it the old recall will apply to this problem once again. Should I have the car towed to a dealer? I have my own private mechanic that addressed the problem in 2019. Please contact me asap. I don't know what the plan of action should be. Can I bring it to my own mechanic or does it need to go to a dealer. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated while driving at 55 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed, the RPM increased however, the vehicle failed to respond. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 19V813000 (electrical system) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that jacksonville Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge and Ram located at (11101 nurseryfields dr, jacksonville, fl 32256), exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. Parts distribution disconnect. The failure mileage was 125,000. * (recall related incident) ts
Tl* the contact owned a 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that when the vehicle was parked and shifted into reverse, the vehicle accelerated rapidly without warning and crashed. The contact suffered a fractured nose that injured the sinus cavities and a fractured rib. Medical attention was required. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed and towed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 120,000. Updated 05/10/16 updated 05/24/18
I was pulling into a parking spot and transitioning the vehicle to park when the vehicle accelerated. I had my foot pressed firmly on the brake but it did not stop and it went up and over a parking barrier into another parked vehicle.
1. Jeep dies for no reason when decelerating it happens at highway speeds when taking the foot of the gas it last happened on highway 1 on a big curve, steering and brakes lost power on a cliff side road.(scared me and the family 1/2 to death) it has happened on the dumbarton bridge in commute traffic it also happens when decelerating on off ramps or coasting to stop lights. You need to completely stop the car put it in park and press on the brake to restart it. This in traffic is also dangerous Jeep says 10 things May cause it and they will not fix try any of then because they cannot pinpoint which one it is. 2. Cruise control slams on the breaks for no reason. Another dangerous problem no cars in front of me, open highway, no overhead bridges or guard rails in sight and the brakes slam on.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while parking with the brakes engaged, the vehicle erroneously accelerated and traveled over a bush, a hill, crossed a four lane road and then crashed into a tree. The contact indicated that the air bags failed to deploy and the engine continued to rev after the contact exited the vehicle. The contact then removed the key to shut off the engine. The contact suffered a bruised chest during the incident but did not require medical treatment. A police report was taken at the scene. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 53,500. Updated 11/21/14 the consumer stated the vehicle was put in park, before she exited, with the engine still running. Updated 12/02/14
Tl- the contact owns a 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle experienced an unintended acceleration. In addition, the engine revved but failed to accelerate on several occasions. The contact stated that NHTSA campaign number: 14V154000 (service brakes , service brakes, hydraulic) was received in May of 2014, NHTSA campaign number 14V391000 (electrical system) was received in August of 2014 and NHTSA campaign number: 14V636000 (electrical system) in December of 2014. The dealer informed that the parts were not available and no estimated date for receiving the parts could be given. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 25,000. Djr
Acceleration complaints in other Grand Cherokee years
Frequently asked questions
How common are acceleration problems on the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
NHTSA has 35 complaints about the speed control & acceleration of the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 2% of the model year's 1,644 complaints. The component named most often is accelerator pedal (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee acceleration problems?
No. NHTSA lists no speed control & acceleration recall for the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee, though it has 10 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee acceleration problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 53,000 miles, and 32% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 6 crashes, 0 fires and 2 injuries to speed control & acceleration problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.