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ProblemsByVinFile / 2016-JEEP-GRAND-CHEROKEENHTSA data synced 1 day ago
Jeep
2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee problems
The 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee has 308 NHTSA owner complaints and 9 active recall campaigns on file. Here's the breakdown — what's serious, what's noise, and what a working mechanic would actually do about it.
The 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee has 308 NHTSA owner complaints and 9 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). The most-reported system is powertrain at 76 complaints, typically surfacing around 38,748 miles (~$2,500 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
9
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2016 Grand Cherokee?
Avoid — the powertrain
The data says walk unless this exact vehicle has documented proof the powertrain was repaired or replaced.
Powertrain: 76 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 11,000–51,000 mi
Engine: 52 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 20,000–82,500 mi
Reliability score 5.4/10 — around the segment average
9 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★★★★★5/5
Side crash★★★★★5/5
Rollover★★★★★3/5
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: 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee SUV 2WD. 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 2016 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
powertrain — 76 owner reports
· tends to show around 38,748 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
engine — 52 owner reports
· tends to show around 57,875 mi · ~$3,100 to fix
electrical — 48 owner reports
· tends to show around 39,640 mi · ~$850 to fix
steering — 16 owner reports
· tends to show around 33,164 mi · ~$700 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: powertrain is flagged
severe on this model
, showing up around 38,748 mi.
Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — 9 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 5.4/10 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
2016 Grand Cherokee· steeringCrash
2016 Jeep grand cherrokee was making left 90 degree turn at approx 5 MPH on an a non-public city airport access road, hit a small golf cart and stopped. Damage to the golf cart was minor and consisted of broken plastic parts. Visible damage to the Jeep was a dented license…
Engine oil filter housing cracked and there was excessive and continuous oil leakage. Research on the internet shows this is a common problem as the part is made of plastic and destroyed by heat. If not fixed, the car could overheat, the engine fail, and the car stop during use…
While driving to nashville, tn we were driving between 65 - 73 MPH with speed control and hit slower traffic it felt like the vehicle lost power steering. The steering was hard to handle on the Jeep. It would pull either left or right and wouldn't seem to go straight. We…
Had a problem with your 2016 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 2014-2019 Ram 1500 and 2014-2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles equipped with 3
An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will update the powertrain control module software to maintain vehicle propulsion, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed August 3, 2023. Some owner notification letters were mailed October 31, 2023. The remaining owner notification letters will be mailed at a future date, anticipated July 2024. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 66A. This recall is an expansion of recall 20V-475.
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee, and 2014-2019 Ram 1500 vehicles equipped with 3
Fuel starvation may result in an unexpected loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the HPFP, and inspect and replace, if necessary, additional fuel system components, free of charge. Interim notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed July 21, 2022. Owner notification letters for were mailed for Jeep Grand Cherokee owners starting January 11, 2024. Owner notification letters for Ram 1500 owners were mailed March 7, 2024. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLS's number for this recall is Z46.
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles equipped with the 3
Combustion in the intake manifold can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: FCA US LLC will notify owners, and dealers will replace the EGR cooler, free of charge. Dealers will also inspect and, as necessary, replace the intake manifold. Parts are not currently available. Owners were mailed an interim notification on December 21, 2021. A second notification will be mailed when parts are available, currently expected to be around March 11, 2021. The recall began March 11, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US LLC's number for this recall is W79.
It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 5.4 out of 10 based on 308 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2016 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 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
On the NHTSA data, the 2016 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 powertrain was repaired or replaced. The record behind that call: Powertrain: 76 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 11,000–51,000 mi; Engine: 52 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 20,000–82,500 mi; Reliability score 5.4/10 — around the segment average; 9 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 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
Inspect the powertrain first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 76 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 38,748 miles. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 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 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee a good used car to buy?
It scores 5.4 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 308 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is powertrain. Typical failure occurs around 38,748 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 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is powertrain, with 76 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 38,748 miles. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The powertrain is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 38,748 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 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 308 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $2,500, 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/2016/Jeep/Grand Cherokee.
Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics.
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