Most common 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee problems
Share of the 311 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Jeep Grand Cherokee complaints by model year
Best Grand Cherokee years: 2016, 2020, 2017. Years to avoid: 2014, 2012, 2011, 2024, 2023. Compare all years →
2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee recalls (8)
Engine and engine cooling
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2019 Ram 1500 and 2014-2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles equipped with 3.0L Diesel engines. The crankshaft position sensor tone wheel may delaminate, causing the engine to lose its ability to synchronize the fuel injector pulses and cam shaft timing, possibly resulting in an…
Remedy: Dealers will update the powertrain control module software to maintain vehicle propulsion, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed August 3, 2023.
Fuel system, diesel › Delivery › Fuel pump
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee, and 2014-2019 Ram 1500 vehicles equipped with 3.0L diesel engines. A high pressure fuel pump (HPFP) failure may introduce internal debris into the fuel system, potentially resulting in fuel starvation.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the HPFP, and inspect and replace, if necessary, additional fuel system components, free of charge. Interim notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed July 21, 2022.
Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Emission control › Gas recirculation valve (EGR valve)
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles equipped with the 3.0L EcoDiesel engines. The Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) cooler may crack and allow pre-heated vaporized coolant to enter the EGR system. This mixture may combust inside the intake manifold.
Remedy: FCA US LLC will notify owners, and dealers will replace the EGR cooler, free of charge. Dealers will also inspect and, as necessary, replace the intake manifold. Parts are not currently available.
Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Diesel
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Ram 1500 and 2014-2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles equipped with 3.0L diesel engines. The crankshaft position sensor tone wheel may delaminate causing the engine to lose its ability to synchronize the fuel injector pulses and cam shaft timing, possibly resulting in an engine…
Remedy: FCA US will notify owners, and dealers will update the powertrain control module software to maintain vehicle propulsion by reading the camshaft position signal in the event that the crankshaft position signal is lost,…
Electrical system › Software
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Dodge Journey, Charger and Durango, RAM 2500, 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis (more than 10,000lb), 4500 Cab Chassis and 5500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Cherokee and Grand Cherokee and Chrysler 300, 2014-2019 RAM 1500, 2015-2018 Dodge Challenger, 2015-2017 Chrysler 200, 2016-2018 RAM 3500 Cab…
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the software, and perform a software flash on the engine or powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began June 4, 2018.
Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2016 Dodge Durango and Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured February 10, 2016, to April 28, 2016 and equipped with a 3.6L engine built at the Saltillo engine plant.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine assembly for damage to the fuel rail crossover tube, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on December 23, 2016.
Show 2 more recalls
Power train › Automatic transmission › Park/neutral start interlock switch
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured May 15, 2015 to February 19, 2016. The brake transmission shift interlock solenoid may have a loose electrical connection which could result in a loss of solenoid function.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the shifter assembly, free of charge. The recall began on May 27, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc › Caliper
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango vehicles manufactured December 9, 2015, to January 14, 2016. In the affected vehicles, the left front brake caliper may crack due to being made from an incorrect material.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front left brake caliper and depending on its casting date, replace it, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on May 12, 2016.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 3 possible defects involving the 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee:
Active Head Rest Inadvertent Deployment
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE19014 on September 9, 2019, to investigate 128 consumer complaints alleging that the Active Head Rest (AHR) inadvertently deployed without the occurrence of a crash or other rear impact event in model year (MY) 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango vehicles.When ODI opened the investigation, ODI was aware of thirteen alleged injuries.A small number of Early…
High pressure fuel pump failure
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE21-021 on October 14, 2021, to investigate incidents alleging a stall/loss of motive power as a result of high-pressure fuel pump failures in certain model year (MY) 2019-2020 Ram 2500, 3500, 4500, and 5500 heavy duty trucks equipped with 6.7L Cummins turbodiesel engines.
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited.
What 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee owners say
Engine & cooling all 84 →
The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving approximately 15 mph the vehicle suddenly began to lose automotive power before stalling. Moments later while attempting to restart the engine smoke and flames were seen coming from under the hood of the vehicle. A contact used a fire extinguisher to extinguish the flames and the fire department was called to the scene. During the incident, no injuries were reported. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer but the cause of the failure was unknown. The manufacturer was also contacted regarding the incident. The failure mileage was 55,000
The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated while driving approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle overheated, and the vehicle decelerated to 45 MPH. The engine hot message was displayed. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the radiator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. While driving and making a turn, the temperature gauge needle rose to the high mark. The contact was able to pull over. The vehicle was towed to the same local dealer, where the radiator and hoses were replaced. The mechanic informed the contact to add additional coolant to the reservoir. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure persisted. While driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle overheated. The vehicle was towed back to the same local dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. …
Transmission & drivetrain all 78 →
The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the contact was unable to shift the vehicle out of 4WD-Low. The vehicle hesitated while attempting to accelerate. The 4WD warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the failure was due to a faulty transfer case and transfer case control module. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and determined that the VIN was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 123,000. The contact stated simple 1, 2, or 3 tire change throws your transfer case off and it becomes bad. It needs to be replaced at the cost of over $4,000.00.
The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated while slowing to a stop from 5th gear to 1st gear, the vehicle bucked forward. Additionally, the vehicle would jolt forward while driving. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who reset an unknown module in the vehicle. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.
Electrical system all 61 →
The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at 30 MPH, he smelled smoke emanating from the rear passenger seat. After a visual inspection, he observed a fire. The local fire department was able to extinguish the fire. A police and fire report was filed, but no injuries were reported. The contact stated he sustained a nondescript fire-related injury to his right leg but did not seek medical attention. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who determined an electrical software system wiring fault. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving approximately 15 mph the vehicle suddenly began to lose automotive power before stalling. Moments later while attempting to restart the engine smoke and flames were seen coming from under the hood of the vehicle. A contact used a fire extinguisher to extinguish the flames and the fire department was called to the scene. During the incident, no injuries were reported. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer but the cause of the failure was unknown. The manufacturer was also contacted regarding the incident. The failure mileage was 55,000
2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.0L 6-cyl turbo diesel | 8-speed automatic | RWD | 22 / 30 / 25 |
| 3.0L 6-cyl turbo diesel | 8-speed automatic | 4WD | 21 / 28 / 24 |
| 3.6L 6-cyl | 8-speed automatic | RWD | 19 / 26 / 21 |
| 3.6L 6-cyl | 8-speed automatic | 4WD | 18 / 25 / 21 |
| 5.7L 8-cyl | 8-speed automatic | AWD | 14 / 22 / 17 |
| 6.4L 8-cyl | 8-speed automatic | AWD | 13 / 19 / 15 |
EPA ratings. Class: SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee a good car?
Based on 311 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2016 Grand Cherokee rates better than average: 63% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Grand Cherokee at the same age. It is one of the best Grand Cherokee years by this measure. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
The engine & cooling — 84 complaints, 27% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the transmission & drivetrain (78) and electrical system (61).
How many recalls does the 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee have?
There are 8 recalls for the 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee, the most recent from June 8, 2023 (engine and engine cooling). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Jeep Grand Cherokee?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2016, 2020 and 2017. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2014, 2012, 2011, 2024 and 2023. See the full Jeep Grand Cherokee years comparison.
At what mileage do 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 32,000 miles; 71% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.