Of the 118 engine complaints filed for the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee,
here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 mi.
0-25k
0 (0%)
25-50k
0 (0%)
50-75k
4 (100%)
75-100k
0 (0%)
100-125k
0 (0%)
125-150k
0 (0%)
150k+
0 (0%)
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted.
Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits
and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Owners have filed 118 engine complaints against 1 active recall — roughly 118 complaints per campaign.
No new NHTSA engine complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 8 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2012 Chrysler vehicles, including 200 and town and country models, Dodge vehicles, including charger, durango, grand caravan and journey models and Jeep grand cherokee vehicles manufactured from august 31, 2011, through september 13, 2011, that are equipped with 3
Connecting rod failure may lead to engine seizure which may increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners and replace the engine free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or about november 18, 2011. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
What owners are reporting
4 most recent
engine · 60,000 mi
· filed 12/31/2017
At approximately 60,000 miles, both engine mounts failed. The problem presented as a rough idle condition but was actually the motor mounts.
engine · 50,000 mi
· filed 12/31/2017
At approximately 50,000 my vehicle developed an exhaust leak.
engine · 50,000 mi
· filed 12/30/2019
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Jeep grand cherokee. While driving approximately 50 MPH, gray smoke appeared under the hood. The manufacturer and dealer were not notified. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 50,000.
engine · 60,000 mi
· filed 12/29/2018
Yesterday my Jeep engine turned off twice while driving on city roads. This happened in the morning on my way to work and at night on my way home from dinner. Luckily this happened on city roads either before getting on the highway or after getting off the highway, as I take the highway daily for work. Conincidentslly both instances happened while attempting to turn right. I did not hear the…
Had engine 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 engine problem on the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
It's a meaningful issue. 118 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $3,100.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Across the 94 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 34,543 and 97,000 miles, with the median around 68,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 34,543; a quarter make it past 97,000. 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 $3,100 for engine 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 engine?
Yes — 1 active recall(s) cover engine issues on this vehicle. Recall fixes are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status. Use the VIN decoder at the top of the page to check if your specific vehicle is affected.
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.