2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee Electrical Problems

61 owners have reported electrical system problems with the 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee to NHTSA — 20% of all 311 complaints for this model year. The typical failure happened around 35,000 miles. That ranks #23 of 32 Grand Cherokee model years for electrical complaints (a typical year has 112). One related recall has been issued.

61complaints
35ktypical miles
1related recalls
4crashes
3fires
1injuries

Which parts fail

  • Software
    1
  • 12V/24V/48V battery
    1

Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).

Mileage when the problem started

  • Under 25k
    1745%
  • 25k–50k
    1026%
  • 50k–75k
    513%
  • 75k–100k
    411%
  • 100k–150k
    00%
  • 150k+
    25%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

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.

0 miles · Aug 2023 · fire · 1 injury

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

55,000 miles · Jul 2022 · fire

The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while slowing down and coming to a stop, the vehicle stalled. There were rats detected in the vehicle that chewed the interior wires. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the wires were damaged. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V406000 (Fuel System, Diesel) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. VIN tool confirms parts not available. The failure mileage was approximately 157,000.

157,000 miles · Jun 2022

The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was jumpstarted and taken to an independent mechanic, where it was determined that the battery needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred two weeks later. The battery was replaced a second time; however, the failure persisted. The battery was replaced a third time. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not diagnosed nor repaired. The contact related the failure to an unknown recall. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 87,000.

12V/24V/48V battery · 87,000 miles · Jun 2023

The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that the A/C system was inoperable. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the blower motor fuse was burned, melted, and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred several times. The mechanic replaced the blower motor fuse several times; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.

150,000 miles · Jun 2023

My first report (#11396370) was made to you in February 2021. The recall was started in 2020 and as of this date my jeep dealer does not have the parts to repair my vehicle. According to reports, I am driving a "time bomb" ready to burst into flames and threatening the safety and lives of me, my family, and my passengers. To make things worse jeep has notified me that the "U-Connect" emergency contact system will become degraded and inoperable in the coming months making it impossible for me to contact "911" or the jeep emergency assistance contact system. The latter being a paid service (similar to GMC's "On-Star" system) for which they have not promulgated any remedy, any thought of a remedy, or attempt to provide any remedy. THE BOTTOM LINE: I am driving a "time bomb" without a here to fore active emergency contact system with no resolution or parts available from Jeep. …

Jun 2020

Car shut down without warning while i was driving in traffic. Car locked it shelf out and was not drivable. Had to have it towed to local Jeep Dealer. They looked into it and determined that the alternator failed and fried a fuse block as well. the Repair cost just over $1500. There is a recall out for Grand Cherokee's from 2012 to 2014 for the same issue. P60 / NHTsA 14v634. I know my jeep is a 2016 but i feel like this is the same issue.

Jul 2023

Terrible band aid like fix of the software "update" truck runs awful, .The fuel pump recall has me worried about safety concerns, the transmission tune feels unsafe for new drivers and the big , loss of value, and lack of reliability it took 2 months for a recall. I am a disabled combat veteran on a fixed income I can not afford such maintenance and the lack of reliability

Apr 2023

This Jeep has electrical malfunctions that causes problems with the entire functioning of the vehicle. The ignition often doesn't work, indicator warning lights suddenly flash, and worse yet, the brakes will come on in the middle of driving. Once incident made me fear for my life because the brakes suddenly came on while I was driving on the highway.

Sep 2022

There is a water leak in the rear cargo compartment of the jeep. Searching on-line I saw that there were numerous complaints of water leaking which may cause an electrical fire. There was suppose to be a recall on 2014 - 2016 Jeeps but when I entered my VIN # it did not come up. I am afraid my vehicle will catch on fire with this water leaking.

Aug 2023

Related recalls

Electrical system › Software

NHTSA recall 18V-332 · May 17, 2018 · 4,815,661 vehicles

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.

Electrical complaints in other Grand Cherokee years

’95’96’97’98’99’00’01’02’03’04’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25’264065566084112428555144927753658472474778083737648513861873398474115130179115315
Electrical complaints per model year, Jeep Grand Cherokee.

Frequently asked questions

How common are electrical problems on the 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee?

NHTSA has 61 complaints about the electrical system of the 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 20% of the model year's 311 complaints. The component named most often is software (1 mentions).

Is there a recall for 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee electrical problems?

Yes — NHTSA recall 18V-332 (software, May 17, 2018). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

At what mileage do 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee electrical problems start?

Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 35,000 miles, and 45% before 25,000 miles.

Is it dangerous?

Owners linked 4 crashes, 3 fires and 1 injury 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.