2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee Engine Problems

84 owners have reported engine & cooling problems with the 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee to NHTSA — 27% of all 311 complaints for this model year. The typical failure happened around 41,000 miles. That ranks #20 of 32 Grand Cherokee model years for engine complaints (a typical year has 105). 3 related recalls have been issued.

84complaints
41ktypical miles
3related recalls
5crashes
3fires
2injuries

Mileage when the problem started

  • Under 25k
    1733%
  • 25k–50k
    1733%
  • 50k–75k
    714%
  • 75k–100k
    36%
  • 100k–150k
    510%
  • 150k+
    24%

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 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 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. …

136,000 miles · May 2023

The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle suddenly jolted, lost power, and went into LIMP Mode, almost causing a rear-end crash. The message "Service Electronic Throttle Control" was displayed. The vehicle was pulled over to the shoulder and inspected, but no cause was immediately determined. The vehicle was driven to the residence in LIMP Mode. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where codes associated with the crankshaft position sensor and intake manifold runner were retrieved, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V475000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 256,000.

256,000 miles · Mar 2026

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's daughter owns a 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under previous ownership under NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V699000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the recall repair failed to prevent a recall-related failure 15,000 miles later. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, there was an abnormal coolant odor entering the cabin of the vehicle. The contact stated that upon further inspection, there was coolant leaking onto the floor. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer and remained with the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 125,000.

125,000 miles · May 2026

The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact became aware of an oil leak coming from the engine. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was discovered that oil had leaked into the coolant tank. The dealer was then notified of the failure and an appointment was scheduled to have the vehicle inspected. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that there was no recall on the VIN related to the failure. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for further assistance. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

130,000 miles · Mar 2024

The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle began to vibrate, and he heard an abnormal noise. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to drive to his destination. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the camshaft to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired but was pending repairs. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 82,500.

83,000 miles · Oct 2021

The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while the vehicle was idling, or at a complete stop, the vehicle was shuddering with the check engine warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact used a code reader and retrieved a DTC for a stuck intake valve in the high lift position. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to a local dealer to have the vehicle diagnosed. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 111,000.

111,000 miles · Feb 2025

The contact's son owns a 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee. While the owner was driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact was informed that the vehicle had been running rough and idling roughly prior to the warning light becoming illuminated. The owner had taken the vehicle to a local dealer to be diagnosed. The dealer retrieved DTC: P0303 (Misfire in Cylinder #3). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 129,045.

129,000 miles · Oct 2025

The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated while driving approximately 75 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The check engine warning light had remained illuminated. The contact was able to veer off to the side of the road where the vehicle was towed to a certified mechanic. The certified mechanic diagnosed that the high-pressure fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle had been repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 41,000.

41,000 miles · Jan 2022

Related recalls

Engine and engine cooling

NHTSA recall 23V-411 · Jun 8, 2023 · 80,629 vehicles

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.

Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Emission control › Gas recirculation valve (EGR valve)

NHTSA recall 20V-699 · Nov 12, 2020 · 28,884 vehicles

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

NHTSA recall 20V-475 · Aug 13, 2020 · 58,016 vehicles

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,…

Engine complaints in other Grand Cherokee years

’95’96’97’98’99’00’01’02’03’04’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25’2673105968314321172172579021217724614627243593021104482218410814169566251861072319
Engine complaints per model year, Jeep Grand Cherokee.

Frequently asked questions

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

NHTSA has 84 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 27% of the model year's 311 complaints.

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

Yes — NHTSA recall 23V-411 (engine and engine cooling, Jun 8, 2023); NHTSA recall 20V-699 (gas recirculation valve (egr valve), Nov 12, 2020); NHTSA recall 20V-475 (diesel, Aug 13, 2020). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

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

Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 41,000 miles, and 33% before 25,000 miles.

Is it dangerous?

Owners linked 5 crashes, 3 fires and 2 injuries 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.