Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Vehicle is currently at a Jeep dealership for the 8th time with another Brake Concern. Brakes repetitively seize causing brakes to rapidly overheat, smoke emitting from the wheel, about to catch fire. Two Dealerships have failed to "duplicate the concern" until I get it there with the wheel about to catch on fire. Initially the drive side rear was the problem, 2 months after having the car returned to me, the passenger side rear began doing the same thing. I have contacted Jeep Customer Care and my concerns over the safety of the vehicle have been dismissed, they stated "this is not a known issue, if you have any other questions or concerns please contact us again". There have been no warning lights from the vehicle, it will be operating fine one trip, and the next trip you will stop after a short drive a cloud of smoke will be coming from the wheel, and the smell of burning brakes. …
The gear selector assembly (shifter indicator) failed in accordance with current recall S28 for 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokees. The lights stopped illuminating suggesting corruption/inability to flash repair and the "Service Shifter" warning message appeared on the dash. The dealer indicated the vehicle is immediately unsafe for operation stating that the PRNDM indicator operates important features beyond just illumination of the PRNDM display such as driving signals, lights including reverse lights, backup camera, etc and that the vehicle is not currently recognizing all gears. Jeep dealer indicated this is a common failure and indicative of S28 recall but could not provide reasoning why vehicle was not included in the notice.
Brakes repetitively seize, causing the wheels to overheat and the vehicle to shake while braking, putting the vehicle at risk of fire, reduced brake performance, and brake failure. Two different dealerships have confirmed from the problem at various points, the brakes are "repaired" and then have the same failure with the same components again. There are no warnings that the brakes are seizing other than the smell of burning brakes, or smoke coming from the wheel.
Tl* the contact owns a 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee. After the brake pedal was depressed, the plastic covering the brake pedal detached, which resulted in the contact depressing the accelerator pedal. As a result, the vehicle crashed into the neighbor's garage. There were no injuries and a police report was not filed. Mckinney Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram and Mazda (4574 calhoun memorial hwy, easley, sc) could not diagnose the cause of the failure. The manufacturer was notified and provided case number: [redacted]. The contact would have to go through his insurance company. The failure mileage was approximately 26,000.
The backup system was faulty. 1. When in the reverse mode the back up camera senses when an object is close and initiates the bracks. 2. I put in reverse and checked around including the screen and started to back up and the brakes jolted and stopped the Jeep when there was nothing in site to indicated any thing there. It jolted me and I have a spinal condition and it hurt. I did it again to see if it was a fluk and it did it again. I picked my wife up and we went to the dealer which we paid cash for it only 2 weeks earlier and the sales tested and it did the same thing, wife was in the Jeep and it jolted her and she also as a spinal injury and had just gotten a spinal injection. Then the owner of the dealership disconnected the back ups system and made an appointment withe service in 2 weeks. I think they should take it back as a lemon and reimburse me the full amount. ? …
Tl* the contact owns a 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle shutoff without warning. The contact coasted the vehicle to the side of the road and restarted the vehicle to resume normal driving. The contact had taken the vehicle to snethkamp Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram (11600 telegraph rd, redford charter twp, mi 48239) on two separate occasions however, the dealer was unable to duplicate the failure. The contact also stated that the vehicle made an abnormal noise upon depressing the brake pedal as well as upon acceleration after a complete stop. The manufacturer had been notified of the failure and they referred her back to the same dealer for an appointment. The vehicle remained in the possession of the dealer. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was 51,000.
While driving 30mph along with moderate traffic in the left lane of the main road in a 25mph zone at 2:30 pm on a dry 60 degree day, the light at an intersection turned red and traffic was stopping. As my daughter pressed on the brakes to stop the car, the car was not stopping. She slammed on the brakes 2 times and by the time she slammed on the brakes the third time, the car crashed into the car in front of her. The car she crashed into full force at 30mph crashed into the truck in front of her and then pushed into the center turning lane and my daughter's car then crashed into the next vehicle which was a box truck with a metal bar across its back. No air bags deployed. My daughter was trapped in her car but eventually found a way to get out. The car was totaled.
Tl* the contact owns a 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee. While driving 10 MPH and depressing the brake pedal, the brakes made a squeaking noise. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the driver side caliper failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 16V249000 (power train, service brakes, hydraulic) and 16V168000 (service brakes, hydraulic). The parts needed for the repair were not available. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 7,039. Parts distribution disconnect.
Tl* the contact owns a 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while attempting to accelerate from a stop light, the vehicle failed to move without warning. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16V249000 (power train, service brakes, hydraulic) and stated that the parts for the repairs were 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 failure. The failure mileage was 33,000. Part distribution disconnect.
Since car was purchased brand new in May 2016, the front brakes squeaked. Took car back to dealer for repair at 5,000 miles dealer stated repair to brake was made. However, problem continues and happens all the time during stop and go traffic. Took car back to dealer at 10,000 miles. Dealer claims they could not duplicate noise and no repairs were made. However squeak occurs all the time during stop and go traffic. Something is certainly wrong with the brakes.
Related recalls
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.
Brake complaints in other Grand Cherokee years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
NHTSA has 25 complaints about the brakes of the 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 8% of the model year's 311 complaints. The component named most often is pedals and linkages (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee brake problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 16V-168 (caliper, Mar 23, 2016). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 10,000 miles, and 62% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 1 fire and 2 injuries to brakes 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.