Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power windows, windshield, wipers, mirrors, sunroof).
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).
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. …
Dashboard pad cover is wrinkling and detaching from the dashboard top. The area most effected is on the passenger side. The covering has detached about 2 inches away from the windshield and has detached from the air vent cover. The detachment has caused the air vent cover to rise. The air vent cover is no longer flush with the top of the dashboard. While driving, the distortion in the dashboard pad covering and air vent cover distracts from my peripheral view and when I'm checking the right side or viewing the right view mirror. The service dealer at Koons Tysons Corner, VA was notified in May 2020. I was told there had been a recall to repair the dashboard pad, but parts were on order and there was a backlog for repairs. On December 28, 2021, the service center stated the Dashboard Pad Replacement was expected June 2022. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee. While driving at 65 MPH, the front passenger side visor behind the headliner caught fire. The contact stated that the passenger side column, the visor, and the headliner with various wires had to be ripped off to stop the fire. The contact extinguished the fire. The contact was injured, but medical attention was not required. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 54,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee. 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 newnan peachtree Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram (53 hollz pkwy, newnan, ga 30265, [phone]) where it was confirmed that the part was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated the vehicle failed to start immediately and required several attempts to start. The failure recurred consistently. The contact stated that the windshield wipers also failed to operate at the desired speed in inclement whether with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failures. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that the battery warning indicator illuminated. Also, the vehicle failed to start several times without warning and the battery had to be recharged several times. While driven over un-leveled Land, the vehicle stalled and various warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer (blackhawk motors, 1621 s marquette rd, prairie du chien, wi 53821, [phone]) where it was diagnosed that the alternator assembly failed and further repairs May be required. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign numbers: 17V435000 (electrical system), 14V634000 (electrical system), and 15V115000 (electrical system). In addition, the VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: (visibility). The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The approximate failure mileage was 87,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that the rear windshield wiper was inoperable. The vehicle was taken to savage 61 Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram located at 4645 pottsville pike, reading, pa 19605, [phone], to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the windshield wiper motor was defective and also that TIPM (totally integrated power module) was the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was informed that the part was $1200-$1300 parts and labor. The manufacturer was not contacted or made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 68,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee. While driving 50 MPH, the windshield had a loose connection that created an abnormal noise and vibration. The vehicle was taken to cabrera auto (carr #2 km 82.2 salida expreso hatillo, pr-2, arecibo, 00614, puerto rico, 787-333-84100) to be serviced per an unknown transmission recall. The dealer was informed of the windshield failure, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired due to the diagnostic fee. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 70,500.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that the vehicle was able to start but failed to shift out of park. In addition, the windshield wipers failed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who indicated that the transmission module, the wiper motor and the (TIPM) totally integrated power module failed. The vehicle was repaired. The contact was not included in NHTSA campaign numbers: 15V115000 (electrical system). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 75,000.
When parked, I tried to lock car using key fob, which armed the alarm but did not lock the doors. I tried using master power lock on driver side door to lock it, but this didn't work either (none of the doors will lock). Separately, after leaving this parked spot, I tried using the windshield washers while driving to clean the windshield, but the sprayers did not work. Only the wiper blades activated. After a diagnostic test by repair shop, I'm told the totally integrated power module needs to be replaced.
Window & Wiper complaints in other Grand Cherokee years
Frequently asked questions
How common are window & wiper problems on the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
NHTSA has 29 complaints about the windows, wipers & sunroof of the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 2% of the model year's 1,644 complaints. The component named most often is windshield (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee window & wiper problems?
No. NHTSA lists no windows, wipers & sunroof 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 window & wiper problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 68,000 miles, and 17% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 1 fire and 1 injury to windows, wipers & sunroof 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.