The 2016 Grand Cherokee brake complaints center on three major categories. First: rear brake calipers seize repeatedly, causing severe overheating, smoke, burning smell, and vehicle vibration—sometimes eight dealership visits haven't resolved it. The system fails without warning lights, and Jeep Customer Care has stated the issue is not known to them.
Second: the automatic emergency braking system deploys hard stops at highway speeds and during low-speed reversing with no obstructions visible. Owners report this happening multiple times per vehicle, causing sudden jolting that injured owners with spinal conditions.
Third: front brake squeaking occurs continuously in stop-and-go traffic from early ownership (5,000 miles) but dealerships claim inability to duplicate or repair it. One owner also reported their brake pedal plastic cover detaching during braking, causing unintended acceleration and a collision.
Additionally, two recall campaigns (16V249000 and 16V168000) apply to service brakes and powertrain, but parts distribution failures have prevented repairs on multiple vehicles.
Failure modes owners describe
Rear brake caliper seizing and overheating
Rear brake calipers (driver side initially, then passenger side) seize repeatedly, causing wheels to overheat severely, emit smoke, and create burning smell. Vehicle shakes violently during braking. Multiple dealership visits and repairs have not resolved the issue. No warning lights precede failure.
When: Intermittent, recurring after repair; both drive and passenger rear sides affected over time
Symptoms owners cite: Wheels overheat and emit smoke; Burning brake smell; Vehicle vibration and shaking during braking; Wheel nearly catches fire; Occurs without warning lights
Repairs/costs cited: Dealerships have repaired calipers multiple times; same failure recurs. Eight dealership visits documented.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Jeep Customer Care stated 'this is not a known issue' and dismissed safety concerns
Automatic emergency braking false activation
Proximity warning/automatic braking system deploys hard braking without obstacle present. Occurs both at highway speed and during low-speed reversing on driveways with no obstructions visible on camera. System activates multiple times per vehicle.
When: At 3,500 miles, 10,340 miles, and recurring during reverse with slight driveway incline
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden hard braking at highway speed (45 mph); Emergency stop activation without obstruction; Vehicle slowed to 10 mph on level highway with no traffic; Brake alarm engages when backing up driveway; False activation during reversing
Codes mentioned: 16V249000 (Power Train, Service Brakes, Hydraulic), 16V168000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership disconnected backup system as temporary measure. No permanent repair documented.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA recall campaigns 16V249000 and 16V168000 issued but parts distribution disconnect prevented completion
Front brake caliper failure
Driver side front brake caliper failed at low mileage. Caliper required replacement but parts were unavailable due to distribution issues affecting recall completion.
When: 7,039 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Squeaking noise when depressing brake pedal at 10 mph
Codes mentioned: 16V249000, 16V168000
Repairs/costs cited: Caliper replacement needed; repair not completed due to parts unavailability
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA campaigns 16V249000 and 16V168000 applied; parts distribution disconnect prevented repair
Brake pedal plastic covering detachment
Plastic covering on brake pedal detached when depressed, causing driver's foot to slip onto accelerator pedal. Resulted in vehicle crashing into neighbor's garage at low speed.
When: 26,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Plastic brake pedal cover detaches during braking; Foot contacts accelerator pedal unintentionally; Unintended acceleration resulting in crash
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership (McKinney Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram and Mazda, Easley SC) could not diagnose cause. Vehicle not repaired.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified; case number provided. Owner directed to insurance claim.
Continuous front brake squeaking
Front brakes squeak persistently and continuously during stop-and-go traffic. Occurs from new (5,000 miles) and continues despite dealership claim of repair. Dealership unable to duplicate on second visit at 10,000 miles.
When: From 5,000 miles onward; recurring in stop-and-go traffic
Symptoms owners cite: Squeaking noise during braking; Continuous occurrence in stop-and-go traffic; Present from early ownership
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership claimed repair at 5,000 miles but problem persists. Second visit at 10,000 miles resulted in no repair (could not duplicate).
Loss of brake pedal function
While stopped at traffic light with vehicle ahead, vehicle began moving slowly despite driver's foot firmly on brake. Driver had to shift from Drive to Park to stop vehicle.
When: Mileage not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal unresponsive at traffic light; Vehicle creeps forward despite firm brake pressure; Loss of braking authority
Synthesized from 12 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer
allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.