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ProblemsByVinFile / 2012-JEEP-GRAND-CHEROKEENHTSA data synced 1 day ago
Jeep
2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee problems
The 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee has 1,637 NHTSA owner complaints on file — not a small number. 11 active recall campaigns.
The 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee has 1,637 NHTSA owner complaints and 11 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). The most-reported system is electrical at 774 complaints, typically surfacing around 73,938 miles (~$850 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
Jeep Grand Cherokee owner complaints by model year
Below average for the segment. Multiple systems have recurring complaints.
0
Critical
11
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2012 Grand Cherokee?
Avoid — the electrical system
The data says walk unless this exact vehicle has documented proof the electrical system was repaired or replaced.
93 fire-related complaints and 2 crash-related complaints on the electrical system
Brakes: 209 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 29,500–74,000 mi
Reliability score 4.2/10 — below the segment average
11 recall campaigns on file
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model —
not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
NHTSA crash-test safety ratings
4 / 5 overall
Overall★★★★★4/5
Frontal crash★★★★★4/5
Side crash★★★★★5/5
Rollover★★★★★4/5
Driver-assist features on the tested model:
Electronic stability control: Standard · Forward collision warning: Optional · Lane departure warning: No
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program — tested configuration: 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SUV 4WD. Stars rate crash protection in NHTSA's tests, not overall reliability — see the owner-complaint data below for what actually goes wrong.
Buying a used 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or
make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
electrical — 774 owner reports
· tends to show around 73,938 mi · ~$850 to fix
brakes — 209 owner reports
· tends to show around 51,408 mi · ~$450 to fix
engine — 118 owner reports
· tends to show around 71,371 mi · ~$3,100 to fix
steering — 99 owner reports
· tends to show around 65,958 mi · ~$700 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: electrical is flagged
severe on this model
, showing up around 73,938 mi.
Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — 11 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 4.2/10 model. The priciest documented failure is
engine (~$3,100) — get the
seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report
tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in
this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.
Photo attached — type a question or just hit Ask.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
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When owners report each system failing, in actual miles — so you can see what's likely behind you,
what's due around now, and what to budget for next. Enter your mileage to mark where you are.
"Typical" = median owner-reported failure mileage from the NHTSA complaint record for this exact
year and model. Not a maintenance schedule — a heads-up on where this model's failures cluster.
What owners are saying
recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
2012 Grand Cherokee· electrical
While driving locally on a city street, heard a low whining sound, followed by the dashboard battery warning light being illuminated. Sound increased and decreased with vehicle speed. Drove immediately home, less than a mile, parked the vehicle, opened the hood and isolated the…
My power door locks stopped working. I made an appointment to have it repaired and the day I was going to drive my jgc to the dealer, all hell broke loose. Park assist stopped working, anti skid and 4 wheel drive also indicated errors. But worse, I could not move the shifting…
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Jeep grand cherokee. While operating the vehicle, the battery sensor light suddenly illuminated for approximately ten minutes before the vehicle suddenly shut off while driving through an intersection. The cause of the failure was not diagnosed or…
Had a problem with your 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2011-2013 Dodge Durango and Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles equipped with a 3
A vehicle stall increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) will replace the affected fuel pump relay and related wire harness. Interim notices informing owners of the safety risk were mailed beginning December 19, 2019. Vehicles that experience a fuel pump failure will receive an interim repair. Owners will receive a second notice when the final remedy becomes available. Owner notification letters were mailed on December 10, 2020. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is V62.
A brake fluid leak may lengthen the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: ATI will notify owners and will replace the supercharger brackets, free of charge. The recall began on December 12, 2017. Owners may contact ATI customer service at 1-913-338-2886.
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Dodge Durango and Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles
If the brake booster shield was not installed properly, the vehicle's braking ability may be reduced, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brake booster shield, correcting the installation as necessary, free of charge. The recall began November10, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T59.
It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 4.2 out of 10 based on 1,637 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee has a higher-than-average rate of reported issues. The areas to watch are listed above. Whether it's worth owning depends on price, condition, and how much repair exposure you can absorb.
Should you avoid the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
On the NHTSA data, the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee is one to avoid unless a specific vehicle proves otherwise. The data says walk unless this exact vehicle has documented proof the electrical system was repaired or replaced. The record behind that call: 93 fire-related complaints and 2 crash-related complaints on the electrical system; Brakes: 209 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 29,500–74,000 mi; Reliability score 4.2/10 — below the segment average; 11 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
Inspect the electrical first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 774 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 73,938 miles. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee a good used car to buy?
It scores 4.2 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 1,637 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is electrical. Typical failure occurs around 73,938 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is electrical, with 774 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 73,938 miles. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The electrical is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 73,938 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Jeep Grand Cherokee has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 1,637 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $850, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.
Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database, last synced 1 day ago. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2012/Jeep/Grand Cherokee.
Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics.
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