Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
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 owned a 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while idled, her husband released the brake pedal to accelerate when the vehicle rear-ended another vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact's husband pulled the vehicle off the road and turned off the vehicle when the electrical started to malfunction. The contact stated that the doors were inadvertently locked while her husband was inside the vehicle. The contact then stated that the doors failed to unlock. The local authorities were notified of the failure and were able to remove the contact's husband from the vehicle as the contact started to notice smoke at the hood of the vehicle. The contact then stated that the vehicle caught fire and disintegrated into flames. No injuries were sustained. No medical attention was required. A police report was filed. …
The contact owns a 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, the vehicle was idling rough idle almost causing the vehicle to stall. The contact stated that while depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle seemed to operate and run normally. The contact stated that the check engine and the electronic throttle control warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that after shifting into drive(D) and accelerating to approximately 10 MPH, the vehicle hesitated, revved, and then lunged forward. Additionally, the contact noted that the vehicle had been consuming an unusual amount of coolant that required him to add about one gallon of coolant per month. The contact stated that there was no leaks or puddles of coolant around the vehicle when the vehicle was parked in the driveway. …
The contact owns a 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start as intended. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a local independent mechanic to be diagnosed, but the cause of the failure could not be determined. The contact stated that the failure persisted, and the vehicle was towed to another local independent mechanic for a second opinion. The mechanic diagnosed that the fuel pump had experienced a short circuit, and the 150 AMP Mega fuse needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired at the owner's expense; however, the failure persisted. The contact stated that while driving approximately 59 MPH with cruise control activated, the vehicle decelerated unintendedly. The contact shifted to neutral(N), but the vehicle lost motive power. …
The contact owns a 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to restart the vehicle within 15 minutes and drove to his destination. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware that the VIN was associated with NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V813000 (Electrical System) however, it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact then called DeCozen Chrysler Jeep Dodge RAM (225 Bloomfield Ave, Verona, NJ 07044, [phone]) and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact continued to experience failure. The contact towed the vehicle to the first dealer and associated the failure experienced with the recall. The dealer confirmed that parts were still not available. …
The contact owns a 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH and approaching a stop light, the brake pedal was released, the accelerator pedal was depressed, and the contact discovered that the engine had shut off. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The contact shifted into park, turned off, and restarted the vehicle, and the vehicle was drivable. The contact drove the vehicle back to the residence. The contact stated that several months later the vehicle was taken to a dealer and was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 14V53000 (Electrical System) however, the failure persisted. The dealer was contacted, and the contact was informed that the fuel pump was failing and that the repair would be an out-of-pocket expense. …
The contact owns a 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V813000 (Electrical System). The contact took the vehicle to local dealer and had the recall repair completed. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that after the repair, the vehicle would intermittently fail to start. The contact stated that the Electronic Throttle Control (ETC) warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to start the vehicle on the second attempt. The contact took the vehicle back to the local dealer however, the mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure. The contact stated he continued to experience the failure. The contact took the vehicle back to local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the fuel pump to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. …
The contact owns a 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving approximately 5 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed while slowing down; however, the RPM elevated to 5,500 RPM. The contact stated that excessive force was needed to depress the brake pedal. The vehicle was stopped, turned off, restarted, and operated normally. Additionally, the remote start feature was not operating properly. After remote starting the vehicle, the brake pedal was difficult to depress. The contact also stated that a phone call was ringing through the radio even though the phone was not in use. The contact researched online and believed that the vehicle had been hacked. The local dealer was contacted, and the contact was informed that the vehicle could not be hacked. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 94,000.
The contact owns a 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH, the check electrical system warning light illuminated; and engine started to make a high-pitched noise. The contact drove his vehicle to his residence and noticed a burning odor after exiting the vehicle. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the alternator needed to be replaced and the battery needed to be recharged due to the faulty alternator. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle had not been repaired. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V435000 (Electrical System). The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.
The contact owns a 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving, the vehicle stalled without warning. Additionally, the vehicle failed to start-up on several occasions. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 19V813000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the TIPM needed to be replaced. The contact called the local dealer who stated that the part was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure however, no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 77,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
The contact owns a 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact that while starting the vehicle, there was an abnormal clicking sound coming from the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle lost power and would not immediately restart. The vehicle restarted after waiting for a while. No warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the failure recurred several times. The contact then received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V813000 (Electrical System) which he associated with the failure. The local dealer was contacted but was unable to schedule the recall repair due to the parts not being available. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000. (Recall Related Incident) TS
Related recalls
Electrical system
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.
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.
Electrical system › Alternator/generator/regulator
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.
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.
Electrical system
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.
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.
Electrical system › Alternator/generator/regulator
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.
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.
Show 1 more recall
Electrical system › Wiring
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.
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.
NHTSA investigations
Post 14V-391 Headliner Fires
In response to this investigation, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) is conducting a recall to address headliner fires that occur post 14V-391.On December 22, 2015 FCA notified the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) of safety recall 15V-879 to remedy potential headliner fires occurring in 389,252 model year (MY) 2011-2013 Dodge Durango and Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured from December 3, 2009 to September…
Headliner Fires
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has identified 5 reports of vehicle headliners catching fire at the front of the vehicle near the sun visors on Jeep Grand Cherokees.Customers reported a range of fire conditions ranging from minor overheating to an open flame at the headliner and/or sun visor material while driving the vehicle.
Headliner Fires
On July 1st, 2014 Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) notified the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) that it would conduct a safety recall to remedy a wiring-related fire hazard on the headliner of approximately 661,888 model year (MY) 2011-2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango vehicles manufactured between January 5, 2010 and December 11, 2013 (see NHTSA Safety Recall 14V-391), with notifications to begin in…
Totally Integrated Power Module Failure
In a letter dated August 21, 2014, the Center for Auto Safety (CAS) petitioned the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to initiate a defect investigation of alleged failures associated with the Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM) installed in Chrysler SUV?s, trucks, and vans beginning in the 2007 model year.
Electrical complaints in other Grand Cherokee years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
NHTSA has 837 complaints about the electrical system of the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 51% of the model year's 1,644 complaints. The component named most often is alternator/generator/regulator (26 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee electrical problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 19V-813 (electrical system, Nov 14, 2019); NHTSA recall 17V-435 (alternator/generator/regulator, Jul 10, 2017); NHTSA recall 15V-115 (electrical system, Feb 27, 2015). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 70,000 miles, and 8% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 5 crashes, 94 fires and 3 injuries to electrical system 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.