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full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee lighting problems
severe Owners of the 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee have filed 10 NHTSA complaints about the lighting, typically surfacing around 59,000 miles at roughly $250 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See lighting across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
10
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$250
| Model year | lighting complaints |
|---|---|
| 2009 Grand Cherokee | 3 |
| 2011 Grand Cherokee | 16 |
| 2012 Grand Cherokee | 11 |
| 2013 Grand Cherokee (this page) | 10 |
| 2014 Grand Cherokee | 37 |
| 2015 Grand Cherokee | 16 |
| 2016 Grand Cherokee | 7 |
| 2017 Grand Cherokee | 7 |
1crash
1injury
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering lighting 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.
Flash: Gear Shift Indicator System Enhancements This bulletin involves reprogramming the Power Control Module (PCM) with new software. A small number of customers may experience improper gear shift point indications displayed in the EVIC if the paddle shift mode is selected on the steering wheel.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Flash: Gear Shift Indicator System Enhancements This bulletin involves reprogramming the Power Control Module (PCM) with new software. A small number of customers may experience improper gear shift point indications displayed in the EVIC if the paddle shift mode is selected on the steering wheel.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗MIL Illumination: P0300, P0302, P0304 or P0306 (X56 Warranty Extension) This bulletin involves checking for excessive cylinder leakage and replacing the cylinder head if necessary. Customers may experience a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illumination. Upon further investigation the Technician may find that any the following Diagnostic Trouble Codes have been set: P0300- Multiple Cylinder Misfire P0302- Cylinder 2 Misfire P0304- Cylinder 4 Misfire P0306- Cylinder 6 Misfire
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners report several distinct lighting failures in the 2013 Grand Cherokee. Daytime running lights fail intermittently or permanently—some go out on one side only, others fail on both sides at once. One owner had the issue recur six times total even after dealer repairs. Headlights themselves malfunction: one passenger-side headlight won't illuminate during daytime but works at dusk with automatic sensors; another vehicle's both headlights intermittently fail to illuminate while driving at various speeds, then return after seconds.
A recurring complaint centers on inadequate headlight beam reach and aim. Multiple owners report the headlights don't shine far enough down the road for safe nighttime driving, even after dealer adjustments. One owner states the vehicle is unsafe above 50 mph due to this, with only 30 feet of visibility despite dealer alignment to factory spec. Another cites brake and fog lights also burning out repeatedly, suggesting a possible electrical issue.
One complaint mentions both daytime running lights becoming inoperable and dashboard buttons lighting up unintentionally when any one is pressed, suggesting possible wiring or module-level problems. Water in rear turn signal assemblies after car wash is mentioned as a possible contributing factor to that failure.
Same Jeep Grand Cherokee lighting reports on nearby years: 2011 · 2012 · 2014 · 2015
Failure modes owners describe
Daytime Running Lights Inoperable
Daytime running lights fail to illuminate, either permanently or intermittently, on one or both sides of the vehicle.
When: As early as 12,000 miles; two months of ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Daytime running light goes out; Both daytime running lights become inoperable at various speeds; Intermittent operation, then permanent failure; Failure recurs multiple times even after repair
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer replaced lights; bulbs confirmed good; repeated replacement needed as issue recurred five times for one vehicle
Headlight Intermittent Failure
Headlights fail to illuminate while driving, then return after a few seconds, occurring at various speeds without warning.
When: Approximately 90,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Passenger side headlight intermittently flashes on and off without warning; Both headlights intermittently fail to illuminate while driving; Lights return after a few seconds of non-operation
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle not yet repaired; dealer not notified
Daytime Headlight (Passenger Side) Won't Illuminate During Day
Passenger-side headlight fails to illuminate during daytime running light mode but functions normally when dusk sensor activates brighter lamp operation.
When: Several months into ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Passenger side headlamp does not come on in daytime; Works only when automatic dusk feature activates; Issue did not appear initially
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer quoted $500 for ballast and assembly replacement
Inadequate Headlight Beam Reach and Aim
Headlights do not project light far enough down the road for safe nighttime visibility, even after dealer alignment adjustments to factory specification.
When: During normal nighttime driving
Symptoms owners cite: Headlights don't shine down the road far enough to see at safe distance; Only approximately 30 feet of visibility possible; High beams also insufficient for practical use; Issue persists across multiple owner conversations
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer adjusted headlights per Jeep criteria; adjustments did not improve visibility
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Chrysler stated the beam pattern is acceptable per factory spec
Rear Turn Signal Intermittent Failure
Right rear directional/turn signal fails intermittently, particularly after car wash or water exposure.
When: Within two months of ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Right rear directional goes out intermittently; Bulb confirmed good; Works when assembly removed but fails when reinstalled; Failure associated with car wash exposure
Repairs/costs cited: Assembly removed and tested; works outside vehicle but fails once reinstalled
Driving and Fog Lights Repeatedly Burn Out
Driving lights and fog lights burn out repeatedly, with multiple failures requiring replacement at significant cost.
When: During vehicle ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Driving lights burn out; Fog lights burn out repeatedly; Pattern observed in multiple vehicles on the road
Repairs/costs cited: Repair cost approximately $2,000; shop noted frequent cracked radiators in similar-era vehicles, suggesting possible thermal or electrical root cause
Synthesized from 10 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had lighting 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 lighting problem on the 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
It's a meaningful issue. 10 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $250.
At what mileage does the lighting typically fail?
Across the 8 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most lighting failures cluster between 21,000 and 80,000 miles, with the median around 59,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 21,000; a quarter make it past 80,000. 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 $250 for lighting 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 lighting?
No active recalls currently cover lighting 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/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.