Jeep Grand Cherokee Headlight Problems

Owners have filed 785 complaints about lights problems with the Jeep Grand Cherokee — 3% of all Grand Cherokee complaints. The worst model years are 2000 (73), 2006 (65) and 2005 (62). Problems typically start around 72,000 miles. 6 related recalls have been issued.

785complaints
2000worst year
72ktypical miles
6related recalls
15crashes
29fires

Headlight complaints by model year

’95’96’97’98’99’00’01’02’03’04’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25’2612201817387328211528626523183157562756191014231124218161
Headlight complaints per model year, Jeep Grand Cherokee.
YearComplaintsShare of year's complaintsTypical mileage
202511%—
2024166%1,000 miles
202382%0 miles
202210%—
20214210%19,000 miles
202021%—
2019113%40,000 miles
2018233%68,000 miles
2017144%25,000 miles
2016103%54,000 miles
2015191%43,000 miles
2014562%38,000 miles
2013273%35,000 miles
2012563%50,000 miles
2011573%61,000 miles
201011%—
200932%85,000 miles
2008182%56,000 miles
2007232%61,000 miles
2006655%82,000 miles
2005623%89,000 miles
2004282%103,000 miles
2003152%132,000 miles
2002211%68,000 miles
2001283%65,000 miles
2000735%98,000 miles
1999382%90,000 miles
1998172%138,000 miles
1997182%143,000 miles
1996202%100,000 miles
1995122%80,000 miles

Which parts fail

  • Headlights
    56
  • Brake lights
    36
  • Tail lights
    23
  • Turn signal
    15
  • Turn signal › Switch
    11
  • Headlights › Concealment devices
    8
  • Back up lights
    5
  • Brake lights › Switch
    5

Components named in complaints (headlights, tail lights, turn signals, interior lights).

Mileage when the problem started

  • Under 25k
    6715%
  • 25k–50k
    6515%
  • 50k–75k
    9922%
  • 75k–100k
    7216%
  • 100k–150k
    9121%
  • 150k+
    4911%

What owners report

The contact owns a 2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that the brake pedal failed to keep the vehicle stopped while at a stop light or stop sign, allowing the vehicle to continue to roll forward. The contact stated that the taillights failed to illuminate until manually turned on. The failure occurred intermittently. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who could not determine the cause of the failure. The contact was informed to return the vehicle to the dealer if the failure occurred again. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to another dealer, Ron Carter Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram League City (3535 Gulf Fwy, League City, TX 77573) however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 1,000.

2024 Grand Cherokee · 1,000 miles · Feb 2024

I am the owner of a 2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee (WL) subject to Safety Recall 12B / NHTSA 24V-130, concerning high beam headlamps that fail to respond when the master lighting switch is set to the AUTO position. I contacted Flagship Chrysler to schedule the free recall repair. The dealer refused to perform the service, claiming my vehicle does not qualify because it lacks the Auto High Beam feature (sales code LMS). However, according to the official recall documentation, the recall applies specifically to vehicles WITHOUT the Auto High Beam Headlamps feature (sales code LMS). My vehicle does have the Auto Lights function but does not have Auto High Beam - which is precisely the condition described in the recall scope. The dealer appears to be confusing Auto Lights with Auto High Beam, and is incorrectly excluding my vehicle from a mandatory safety recall. …

2024 Grand Cherokee · Apr 2026

The contact owns a 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle with the exterior lighting dial setting in the Auto ON position, the rear taillights failed to illuminate. The contact stated that on several occasions while operating the vehicle, other drivers alerted him that the rear taillights were not illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was only present while the Auto ON light dial setting was activated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who was unable to identify the cause of the failure. The manufacturer was not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 200.

2023 Grand Cherokee · 0 miles · Nov 2022

There were no warning or check engine lights prior to the incidents below. Car was just serviced Nov 3rd 2025 for safety recall 25v-472 and 25v-576. 1st incident Dec 21, 2025: Driving 70mph on major busy interstate in MA and all of a sudden vehicle lost ALL power. It shut off completely. No lights, No warning. Had to coast over to R shoulder and wait several min before power restored. This was Very scary as traffic was heavy. 2nd incident occurred Jan 19, 2026 and was terrifying: I was driving on a curvy mountain 2 lane road at night. This road does not have much lighting. There are no shoulders or pull over lanes due to guardrails. Out of nowhere with no warning. Vehicle lost ALL power (including steering and ALL lights). Could not get out of road as everything shut off and steering locked. …

2023 Grand Cherokee · Jan 2026

The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated while depressing the accelerator pedal and attempting to overtake another vehicle. The RPM was extremely elevated; however, the vehicle failed to respond as intended. The contact pulled over to the shoulder of the roadway and restarted the vehicle before resuming normal driving. The contact became aware that, when shifting between automatic and manual driving modes, the vehicle operated normally without hesitating. The vehicle was taken to several dealers on several occasions; however, the dealer was unable to duplicate the failure or determine the cause of the failure. In addition, the headlights occasionally shut off unexpectedly while driving at night. The contact would pull over and wait for the headlights to return before resuming normal driving. …

2021 Grand Cherokee · Headlights · 50,000 miles · Apr 2025

The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that he had to manually hold the high-beam headlights switch with his left hand while driving for the high-beam headlights to operate as needed. The contact stated that the high-beam headlights would deactivate and not operate as needed without the switch being held. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer and made them aware of the failure, but the vehicle was not repaired. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V797000 (Exterior Lighting) however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100.

2021 Grand Cherokee · 0 miles · Aug 2021

The contact owns a 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V838000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle made an abnormal grinding sound. The electronic stability control (ESC), traction control, and check engine warning lights were illuminated. Additionally, the brake lights illuminated while the vehicle was turned off. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the vehicle was not yet diagnosed or repaired. The dealer informed the contact that parts were not yet available for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 125,000. …

2019 Grand Cherokee · 125,000 miles · Dec 2024

The contact owns a 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V838000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The contact stated that while the vehicle was turned off, the brake lights remained illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that when the vehicle was started, the ABS and ESC warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the VIN was under recall and go to the dealer for assistance. The vehicle was then taken to another independent mechanic who was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was then taken to a dealer where it was determined that parts were not available for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.

2019 Grand Cherokee · Brake lights · 40,000 miles · Nov 2024

Related recalls (6)

Exterior lighting › Headlights

NHTSA recall 24V-130 · Feb 22, 2024 · 9,433 vehicles

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Jeep Grand Cherokee L vehicles. When the master headlight switch is set to the AUTO position, the driver may be unable to quickly activate the high beams.

Remedy: Dealers will reconfigure the vehicle high beam parameters, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 7, 2024. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403.

Exterior lighting › Tail lights

NHTSA recall 22V-544 · Jul 28, 2022 · 99,186 vehicles

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee and 2021-2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vehicles. The tail light side marker assemblies may be damaged and not illuminate.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace both body-mounted tail light assemblies, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 8, 2023.

Exterior lighting › Lighting control module › Software

NHTSA recall 21V-950 · Dec 9, 2021 · 36,929 vehicles

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vehicles equipped with smart lighting modules (SLM). An incomplete SLM software update may cause one or both headlights to become inoperable.

Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the SLM software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 23, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403.

Exterior lighting › Headlights

NHTSA recall 21V-797 · Oct 14, 2021 · 7,082 vehicles

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vehicles not equipped with automatic high beams. When the master lighting switch is set to the auto position, the high beam headlights will not activate unless the master lighting switch is first changed to the 'on" position.

Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the vehicles, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 28, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403.

Interior lighting

NHTSA recall 15V-879 · Dec 28, 2015 · 389,252 vehicles

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Dodge Durango and Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured December 3, 2009, to September 1, 2012. In the affected vehicles, the wiring for the vanity lamp in the sun visor may short circuit, after having been remedied for a prior recall for the vanity lamp…

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealer will install clearance for sun visor wiring, protection from sharp edges, and replace the sun visor, free of charge. The recall began on July 28, 2016.

Show 1 more recall

Exterior lighting

NHTSA recall 13V-289 · Jul 2, 2013 · 4,242 vehicles

Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2014, non-SRT trimmed, Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured January 14, 2013, through March 20, 2013 equipped with premium headlamps. In the affected vehicles, when switching between daytime running lights and parking lights, electrical spikes may cause the parking lamps to turn off.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update the Central Body Controller software, free of charge. The recall BEGAN ON September 12, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753.

Frequently asked questions

Which Jeep Grand Cherokee years have headlight problems?

By NHTSA complaints, the 2000 (73), 2006 (65), 2005 (62), 2011 (57) and 2012 (56) model years. Headlight complaints make up 5% of all complaints for the 2000.

Is there a recall for Jeep Grand Cherokee headlight problems?

Yes — 6 recalls, including 24V-130 (headlights, Feb 22, 2024); 22V-544 (tail lights, Jul 28, 2022); 21V-950 (software, Dec 9, 2021). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.

At what mileage do Jeep Grand Cherokee headlight problems start?

Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 72,000 miles; 30% happened before 50,000 miles.

What part fails most often?

Owners most often name the headlights (56 mentions), followed by the brake lights (36).

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.