Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, no cause for the failure was found. The dealer informed the contact that the battery charge was extremely low. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, and was informed that the alternator had failed. The alternator was replaced. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, while stopped at a traffic light, the vehicle sputtered and stalled. The vehicle was pulled over to the side of the road. A tow truck arrived on the scene, and while the tow truck driver was attempting to jump-start the vehicle, sparks were coming from the battery. …
The contact owns a 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated while driving 10 MPH, the vehicle started shuddering. The check engine warning light illuminated. The contact was able to drive to the nearby residence. The contact stated that her husband used an OBD reader to diagnose the vehicle and determined that cylinder #5 was misfiring. The contact stated that her husband replaced the fuel pump relay. The contact stated that after replacing the fuel pump relay, the OBD reader indicated that cylinder #7 was misfiring. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in a recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 89,000.
The contact's mother owns a 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while her mother was driving 50 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but the mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure. In addition, the failure recurred, and the stuck throttle body warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle started to shake with an abnormal knocking sound coming from the driver's and passenger's side of the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic but was not yet diagnosed. The dealer was not made aware of the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 187,546.
I was on the highway and the truck escalated in speed then it would decreased In speed . (61 mph to 45-41mph. Then it decreased speed all the way to a complete stop. Then burst into flames in front of truck. Truck made crackling sounds and proceeded to burn all the way back to the back seats of truck.
Vehicle has stalled over twenty times, whether driving on the highway over 60 mph or driving locally within 20 MPH. Initially stalled December 25, 2022 while driving home on Christmas Day with my entire family, driving full speed on the highway. I felt the stall and pulled over as quickly as I could. Attempted to restart several times and engine would crank but not start until after 5-7 attempts and several minutes. Since then I continue to experience the same stalling and attempts to restart vehicle. Took to service center multiple times and they are unable to determine the issue. Fuel pump relay was changed twice by the dealership. I had to pay $1500 one time as they said the cost was not covered, which is ridiculous since the problem reoccurred many times after that. Most recently, fast forward to almost 1.5 years later and the issue is still occurring. …
Vehicle sent for recall repair and service on June 12, 2023 at Northland Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, 14100 West Eight Mile Rd, Oak Park, MI 48237. Vehicle serviced date release on June 19, 2023. Vehicle was serviced by Nathan Marghalle Lic# M271087 and service advisor 1479 Trevor Szymanski. The service department stated that the vehicle substained a gross malfunction because of bad alternator and bad pcm in the vehicle. Service department advisor parts were repaired and fixed. The vehicle was driven home and parked next day the vehicle wouldn't start and no power to vehicle having presented same issues that was deemed repaired and fixed but isn't functioning at all. Called service dealership and no solution was given at the time of contract, then called Jeep customer service number spoke with representative about the same issues with the vehicle after service. …
The vehicle (2013 GC Trailhawk ) engine stalls while driving. The electrical remains on but engine oil error comes on and I can feel there is missing as if engine is not getting enough fuel, there is no power when you accelerate and the engine stalls. My safety is put in risk because this happens while driving on the highway and normal streets. I have taken it to my Jeep dealer (John Hughes, Perth, Australia ) and they too claimed to have never heard of this issue. Fuel pump relay was already repalced some time back. The issue continues and they claim they cannot figure out the problem. The engine will re-start after about 10 minutes powered off and drives fine until the next time it stalls, which has become more frequent. There is no warning when the engine will stall, it just stops running. …
The vehicle engine stalls while driving. The electrical remains on, however the engine stalls. My safety is put in risk because this happens while driving on the highway and normal streets. I have taken it to the dealer (Glendale Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram 10070 Manchester Road, St. Louis, Mo. 63122 (3140 965-5100) they claimed to have never heard of this issue, but informed me there was a recall on the Fuel Pump Relay. They replaced, however the issue continues and they claim they cannot figure out the problem. I did receive a letter from FCA-Fiat Chrysler Automobiles regarding the recal-P54(NHTSA14V-530) or safety recall R09 (NHTSA 15V-115). The engine will re-start after about 15 minutes and drives fine until the next time it stalls, which has become more frequent. There is no warning when the engine will stall, it just stops running. …
My 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee equipped with the 3.6L Pentastar v6 has a persistent cylinder 2 misfire (P0302). The cylinder 2 spark plug, ignition coil, and fuel injector have already been replaced, but the misfire continues. Diagnostic testing with a scan tool confirmed that cylinder 2 accumulated 61 misfires during a single test while cylinders 1,3, 4, 5, and 6 recorded zero, and the misfire monitor reported " Fail this trip" the vehicle can appear to drive normally despite the active misfire. I became aware that Chrysler issued warranty bulletin x56 concerning the 3.6L left cylinder head on certain 2011- 2013 vehicles including select 2013 Jeep grand Cherokees. I contact a jeep dealer and advise that my VIN is not included in that warranty extension. …
Engine complaints in other Grand Cherokee years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
NHTSA has 110 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 14% of the model year's 805 complaints. The component named most often is cooling system › radiator assembly (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee, though it has 9 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 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 74,000 miles, and 23% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 6 fires and 1 injury to engine & cooling 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.