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2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee brakes problems
severe
Owners of the 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee have filed 100 NHTSA complaints about the brakes at roughly $450 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of September 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.See brakes across all vehicles →
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.
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango vehicles manufactured from January 5, 2010, through September 8, 2013
The water inside could freeze and limit the braking ability of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will add a water diverter shield to the booster after the booster has been tested to confirm it can hold an acceptable amount of vacuum pressure. If the booster inspection confirms an unacceptable loss of vacuum pressure, the booster will be replaced. Repairs will be made free of charge. The recall began on May 30, 2014. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's recall campaign number is P14.
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Dodge Durango and Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured October 11, 2011, through October 1, 2012
If the driver experiences a hard brake pedal, the driver may not push the pedal as intended, lengthening the distance needed to stop the vehicle and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update the ABS module software, free of charge. The recall began on April 3, 2014. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number associated with this recall is P05.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering brakes 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.
Service Bulletin9004351Feb 2021
PLATE - CLUTCH PRESSURE For 68RFE trans use selective fit pressure plates between the overdrive and reverse clutch packs and hence use all three 52119929A$, 52119930A$, 04799116A$ maintain clearance For 65RFE & 66RFE no selectives for this pressure plate: 65RFE use 04799116A$ 66RFE use 52119929A$
PLATE - CLUTCH PRESSURE For 68RFE trans use selective fit pressure plates between the overdrive and reverse clutch packs and hence use all three 52119929A$, 52119930A$, 04799116A$ maintain clearance For 65RFE & 66RFE no selectives for this pressure plate: 65RFE use 04799116A$ 66RFE use 52119929A$
Front Brake Squeak/Squeal Noise This bulletin involves replacing the front brake rotors. The customer may describe a high frequency front brake squeal or squeak, at approximately 8.4kHz. Noise may be intermittent, so not always possible to duplicate.
Front Brake Squeak/Squeal Noise This bulletin involves replacing the front brake caliper guide pin bushings. The customer may describe a front brake squeak/squeal noise at cold temperatures or with cold brakes after sitting. Noise is most prevalent during a low-speed stop with light brake pedal effort.
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Brake booster corrosion and water intrusion dominate complaints on this model. Chrysler issued recall 14V154000 in mid-2014 after the brake booster shell was found to ingest water in wet conditions, causing rust and loss of vacuum assist. The fix should have been straightforward, but owners encountered months-long parts shortages—dealers got only 1–4 boosters per month with waiting lists of 30–800+ customers. Many never got the recall done before winter when freezing would make the problem worse.
Worse, owners who did complete the 2014 recall report the replacement booster failing again within 2–3 years, with complete brake loss at highway speeds and in cold weather. At that point, Chrysler denies coverage, claiming the recall was already done. Several owners spent $700 out of pocket to fix what should have been a one-time repair.
Beyond the booster, the Ready Alert Braking (RAB) system fails with hard pedals and inadequate braking response, and some owners report intermittent pedal freeze at highway speeds—dealers cannot diagnose it. Early 2013 models experienced brake failure at just 1,500–2,400 miles with no root cause found. Service appointments are routinely missed, parts orders never called back, and mechanics aren't available to do the work—one owner waited 3 hours only to be told there weren't enough technicians.
Same Jeep Grand Cherokee brakes reports on nearby years: 2011 · 2012 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016
Failure modes owners describe
Brake booster water intrusion and corrosion (primary recall)
Brake booster shell ingests water in wet conditions (rain, snow, fog, car washing) causing corrosion, loss of vacuum assist, and total or partial braking failure. Failure occurs most often in freezing temperatures when moisture freezes inside the booster. Owners report being unable to stop, needing to pump brakes repeatedly, and having mushy or nonresponsive pedals.
When: Typically 2-4 years after original recall repair; failures reported in 2016-2017 on vehicles that had recall work done in 2014. Mileage range 10,000-72,000.
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal goes to floor with no stopping power; Hard/firm brake pedal requiring excessive force; Brake pedal seized or frozen, won't respond; Brakes fail to slow vehicle at all speeds (20-70 mph); Loss of braking effectiveness in cold/wet weather; Vacuum leak hissing sound; Pedal feels spongy after bleeding ABS
Codes mentioned:14V154000, 17V572000
Repairs/costs cited: Brake booster and master cylinder replacement required. Owners report $700 out-of-pocket costs when repeat failure occurs outside warranty. ABS system bleeding needed after booster replacement.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 14V154000 issued in June-July 2014; replacement boosters themselves later found to be defective and also recalled. Repair covered under warranty only if recall not yet performed; owners who completed the recall are denied coverage on repeat failures, citing the repair was already completed.
Ready Alert Braking (RAB) system failure - hard pedal and loss of stopping power
Ready Alert Braking system fails to engage or provide proper braking response, causing hard brake pedal and inadequate vehicle deceleration. System designed to warn of obstacles ahead and ready the brakes; failure creates dangerous delay in actual braking.
When: Failures reported 2014-2016, approximately 2 years into ownership. One crash caused injuries (broken ankle) when brakes failed.
Symptoms owners cite: Hard brake pedal requiring added force to depress; Brake pedal firm and difficult to apply; Vehicle fails to slow as needed despite pedal application; BRAKES warning light displayed on instrument panel; System fails to ready brakes for upcoming stops
Codes mentioned:14V104000
Repairs/costs cited: RAB system replacement required. Chrysler denies some repairs citing VIN does not match build records showing RAB installed, despite owner documentation and dealership test drive demonstrations confirming system was present.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 14V104000 issued in 2014 for hard pedal due to RAB failure. Chrysler refuses to honor some claims, telling owners their vehicle was not built with RAB despite physical evidence and dealer confirmation. One owner told to contact insurance rather than manufacturer.
Brake pedal freeze/lock on highway (intermittent)
Brake pedal locks or freezes solid at highway speeds, becoming immovable and unresponsive to foot pressure. Occurs intermittently; pedal regains function after releasing and reapplying pressure multiple times. Dealers unable to replicate issue or find root cause.
When: Multiple occurrences at highway speeds (40-70 mph); some owners report 6+ instances. Early 2014 models reported issue at 1,500 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal locked/frozen and will not move; No braking response when pedal depressed; Pedal regains function only after release and reapplication; Occurs intermittently, not consistently reproducible; Affects normal highway braking
Repairs/costs cited: No repair completed; dealers unable to diagnose. Master cylinder and vacuum assembly hose were replaced on one vehicle without resolving the issue. Owners continue to drive with unresolved intermittent brake failure.
Brake booster recall service delays and parts shortage
Massive parts shortage and supply chain collapse for brake booster recall 14V154000. Dealers receive only 1-4 parts per month; waiting lists of 30-800+ customers; repair timelines extend from initial June 2014 announcement through September 2014 and beyond with no parts ETA. Some dealers unable to staff recalls; others never contact customers about scheduled appointments.
When: May-September 2014 initial shortage; delays extend into 2015 and beyond. One owner reports waiting from June 2014 with no resolution by December 2014.
Symptoms owners cite: Parts unavailable at dealer; Waiting lists with 30-800+ vehicles ahead; Only 1-4 parts delivered per month per dealer; No estimated time for parts arrival; Dealer loses customer on handwritten waiting list; Dealer unable to staff recall work; Confirmed appointments cancelled due to lack of mechanics
Codes mentioned:14V154000
Repairs/costs cited: No parts available for repair during critical time window. Owners left with defective brakes during winter months when freezing and moisture issues most critical.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Chrysler acknowledged 'controlled recall' but unable/unwilling to expedite parts production. Manufacturer tells owners parts are 'on the way' for months with no updates. Chrysler support line dismisses owner safety concerns; some supervisors unreachable. Later replacement booster parts also recalled.
Early brake failure in new vehicle (pre-recall era)
Complete brake failure on nearly-new vehicles before recall program was announced or applied. Owners experience sudden loss of all braking function at low speeds (1 mph, parking lot) requiring emergency evasion. Repeat failures within weeks on same vehicle.
When: March-April 2013; very low mileage (2,410 miles, 1,500 miles). Failures occurred before June 2014 recall.
Symptoms owners cite: No brake pressure at all when pedal applied; Vehicle does not stop despite pedal depression; Brake pedal not responding; Multiple failures within weeks on same vehicle
Repairs/costs cited: Vacuum pump replacement on one vehicle; no repairs completed on others. Dealers claim 'nothing wrong with brakes' and hold owner responsible for damage from failures.
Synthesized from 100 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer
allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting
6 most recent
brakes
· filed 12/30/2014
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Jeep grand cherokee. The contact stated that NHTSA campaign number: 14v154000 (service brakes , service brakes, hydraulic) was received in june of 2014, NHTSA campaign number: 14v391000 (electrical system) was received in august of 2014, and NHTSA campaign number: 14v634000 (electrical system) was received in december of 2014. The dealer was contacted on multiple…
brakes
· filed 12/30/2014
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Jeep grand cherokee. The contact received a notification for NHTSA campaign number: 14v154000 (service brakes, service brakes, hydraulic) and stated that the part needed was unavailable to repair the vehicle. The dealer was unable to inform when the part would become available. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.
brakes
· filed 12/29/2014
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Jeep grand cherokee. The contact received a notification of NHTSA campaign number: 14v154000 (service brakes, service brakes, hydraulic) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The VIN was not available. The…
brakes
· filed 12/27/2016
In 2014 had a brake booster recall on my vehicle. All parts were replaced related to the brake booster in may of 2014. On the first below freezing temperature of the season in 2016 my brakes failed when trying to stop at an intersection I went 20 feet pass the stop sign until I was able to stop. Luckily no other vehicles were at the intersection at this time. As I kept pumping the brakes while…
brakes
· filed 12/26/2014
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Jeep grand cherokee. The contact received a notification of NHTSA campaign number: 14v154000 (service brakes, service brakes, hydraulic) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The VIN was not available. The…
brakes
· filed 12/23/2014
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Jeep grand cherokee. The contact received a notification for NHTSA campaign number: 14v154000 (service brakes , service brakes, hydraulic) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The VIN was not available. The…
Had brakes trouble with your 2013 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 brakes problem on the 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
It's a meaningful issue. 100 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $450.
At what mileage does the brakes typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $450 for brakes 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 brakes?
Yes — 3 active recall(s) cover brakes 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/2013/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.