Adaptive Cruise Control Sensor 1) If you are replacing this part due to the cluster displaying Clean Radar Sensor in Front of Vehicle or DTC C1266 ACC Sensor Blinded, please verify that there is no blockage in front of the sensor. Blockage can occur from mud, ice, snow, front end damage, bracket damage, the sensor not attached to the bracket properly or an aftermarket fascia installed. This fault can occur intermittently in muddy or icy/snowy conditions and is considered normal operation. Under some circumstances, a misaligned sensor can also cause the C1266 DTC, please complete an alignment procedure. No replacement is required.~ 2) If you are replacing this part due to the cluster displayi
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee cruise control problems
severe 16 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $600 · see cruise control across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
16
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$600
4crashes
1injury
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering cruise control on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Knocking Sound From Instrument Panel Area Near The A-Pillar This bulletin involves adjusting the driver side hood hinge and if necessary replacing the hinge pivot bolt. The customer may experience a knocking sound from the instrument panel area near the A-pillar.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners report the 2012 Grand Cherokee stalling unpredictably during hard braking and deceleration, with complete loss of power steering and brakes—a dangerous condition that has led to near-misses at intersections and highways. Stalls occur randomly, 1–2 times per couple of weeks on average, most often in the morning or at specific trouble spots. Dealers have kept vehicles for weeks trying to reproduce the stalls and replaced fuel pump relays, wiring, and emission control parts without success. No fault codes are generated.
Cruise control systems activate unwanted braking on open highways with no obstacles present. Unintended acceleration occurs while parked, during gear shifts, and at low speeds despite brake application, with engine RPM surging to 4000 or more. In two cases, the vehicle accelerated into barriers and other vehicles. One owner reported a fractured accelerator pedal at 38,000 miles.
Additional complaints describe loss of power and throttle response requiring restart, and an ACC (Adaptive Cruise Control) sensor failure quoted at $2,000+ for parts plus $1,000+ labor with no warranty coverage. NHTSA Campaign 19V813000 (Electrical System) was issued but repair parts were unavailable when owners filed complaints. One owner reported ignition stuck in starting mode followed by uncontrolled RPM surges both parked and while driving.
Same Jeep Grand Cherokee cruise control reports on nearby years: 2011 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015
Failure modes owners describe
Engine stalling during braking/deceleration
Engine cuts out completely when braking hard, decelerating, or turning. Power steering and power brakes are lost, creating a serious safety hazard. Loss of power requires vehicle to be shifted into Park and restarted.
When: Occurs 1–2 times per couple of weeks on average; often when braking from highway speeds or turning at intersections; frequently in morning hours; owner reports dozens of incidents over multiple years
Symptoms owners cite: Complete engine stall when braking hard or decelerating; Loss of power steering; Loss of power brakes; Vehicle drifts to stop after stall; Requires shift to Park and restart to resume operation
Repairs/costs cited: One dealer replaced fuel pump relay, wiring, and emission control parts without resolving the issue. Multiple dealer visits unable to reproduce problem; no fault codes generated.
Cruise control unwanted braking
Cruise control system applies brakes suddenly and without warning while vehicle is cruising on open highway. No obstacles, radar targets, or hazards present when braking occurs.
When: Occurs while driving at highway speeds on open road
Symptoms owners cite: Brakes slam on without driver input; Occurs with no vehicles in front of the vehicle; No radar targets present; Open highway conditions with no obstacles
Unintended acceleration while stopped or parked
Vehicle accelerates on its own when parked, at idle, or during low-speed maneuvers without driver input. Engine RPM increases to high levels (up to 4000 RPM or more) unprompted. Occurs when shifting, starting, or simply parked.
When: Occurs during cold start conditions, while shifting gears, and during low-speed parking maneuvers; also occurs after vehicle is already running while parked
Symptoms owners cite: Engine RPM surges to high levels (recorded up to 4000 RPM) without throttle input; Vehicle lurches forward while brakes are applied; Occurs when shifting from Drive to Neutral; Vehicle accelerates during parking maneuvers despite brake application; Occurs at low speeds (5–8 MPH) and during parking transitions
Repairs/costs cited: One owner reported accelerator pedal fractured at 38,000 miles; technician unable to diagnose failure.
Loss of power and reduced engine response
Vehicle loses power and fails to accelerate when throttle is applied. Engine response is sluggish or absent despite accelerator input. Often accompanied by check engine light. Requires restart to restore normal operation.
When: Occurs when accelerating from stops or low speeds; also reported at highway speeds (55 MPH) when accelerating
Symptoms owners cite: Accelerator depressed but vehicle fails to respond; Check engine light illuminates; Reduced or no acceleration despite throttle input; Vehicle acts like it is in limp mode; Requires restart to restore power
Repairs/costs cited: Owner reported at 125,000 miles; also reported limp-mode conditions with same solenoid involved twice in 2016.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 19V813000 (Electrical System) issued but parts not available for repair at time of complaint.
Adaptive Cruise Control system malfunction
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) sensor fails to connect, rendering both cruise control and ACC features inoperative. System cannot be diagnosed or repaired without complete ACC module replacement.
When: Failure mileage not specified; owner has no factory warranty remaining
Symptoms owners cite: ACC sensor does not connect; Cruise control does not function; Steering wheel cruise control buttons become useless; No diagnostic clarity on root cause
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership quoted $2,000+ for ACC unit replacement plus $1,000+ labor, plus additional costs for potential wiring replacement. Warranty does not cover.
Ignition system malfunction with uncontrolled idle and acceleration
Ignition gets stuck in starting mode and will not disengage. When ignition finally starts, engine RPM increases to maximum rate uncontrollably, both while parked and while driving. Brakes cannot stop the vehicle until RPM drops after extended time.
When: Occurs after multiple ignition start attempts
Symptoms owners cite: Ignition stuck in starting mode; Engine RPM spools to maximum uncontrollably; Uncontrolled acceleration while parked; Uncontrolled acceleration while driving; Brakes ineffective at stopping vehicle when RPM is elevated; RPM remains elevated for 1 minute or more
Synthesized from 16 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had cruise control trouble with your 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the cruise control problem on the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
It's a meaningful issue. 16 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $600.
At what mileage does the cruise control typically fail?
Across the 15 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most cruise control failures cluster between 20,000 and 107,864 miles, with the median around 60,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 20,000; a quarter make it past 107,864. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $600 for cruise control repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to cruise control?
No active recalls currently cover cruise control issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2012/Jeep/Grand Cherokee.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.