2012 Jeep GRAND CHEROKEE: complaints, problems and recalls

THE FOLLOWING DANGEROUS CONDITION IN THE 2012 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE HAS BEEN RAISED BY MANY DRIVERS ALL OVER THE INTERNET AND JEEP REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THERE IS A PROBLEM. NAMELY, THE HEADLIGHT SYSTEM IS TILTED DOWN SO VISIBILITY DISTANCE IS VERY LOW. THERE IS ABOUT 25 TO 30 FEET OF VISIBILITY THEN THERE IS A BLACK WALL OF DARKNESS IN FRONT OF THE CAR. YOU CAN'T DRIVE THE CAR SAFELY AT NIGHT ON UNLIT ROADS. JEEP REFUSES TO ADMIT THEY KNOW OF ANY PROBLEM DESPITE THE COUNTLESS PEOPLE ON THE INTERNET THAT CLAIM THEY HAVE THIS PROBLEM AND HAVE…

Owner-reported narrative. 100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10440301 at NHTSA ↗

I WAS GOING APPROXIMATELY 20-25 APPROACHING A SIGNAL LIGHT. I LET OFF THE GAS AND APPLIED THE BRAKE AS THE LIGHT WAS RED. AS I LET OFF THE GAS, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO REV HIGHER AND AS I APPLIED THE BRAKE I HAD TO APPLY IT HARDER AND HARDER AS THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO REV EVEN HIGHER. I BEGAN TO SMELL THE BRAKES BURNING AS THEY TRIED TO HOLD THE CAR BACK. FORTUNATELY I HAD THE FORESIGHT TO PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL. IT CONTINUED TO REV FOR ABOUT 5 SECONDS AND THEN WENT DOWN TO NORMAL. IT HAS HAPPENED ONCE. NO WARNING LIGHTS WENT ON. THE DEALER SAI…

Owner-reported narrative. 4,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10440899 at NHTSA ↗

YESTERDAY, 5 JAN 12, AS I APPROACHED A STOP LIGHT I REMOVED MY FOOT FROM THE GAS AND APPLIED THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE DID NOT SLOW DOWN AS EXPECTED. IT WAS AS IF THE ENGINE WAS FIGHTING ME. I PUT THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL AND THE RPMS SHOT UP TO ABOUT 5000 AND THEN WENT BACK DOWN. THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS NOT ENGAGED AND MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE, NOT ON THE GAS. TODAY, AS I WAS COASTING TOWARDS AN INTERSECTION, FOOT OFF THE GAS, I STEPPED ON THE BRAKE AND AGAIN THE ENGINE REVVED UP CAUSING ME TO HAVE TO PRESS VERY HARD ON THE BRAKE TO STOP. AFTER …

Owner-reported narrative. 560 miles reported. Look up ODI 10442757 at NHTSA ↗

PREPARING TO BACK FROM MY GARAGE, I STEPPED ON THE BRAKE AND PLACED THE SELECTOR IN REVERSE. DESPITE MY HOLDING FIRMLY ON THE BRAKE, THE JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE MOVED BACKWARDS AS IF SLIDING ON ICE. IT COLLIDED, AT A SLOW SPEED, WITH A CAR PARKED OPPOSITE ON THE DRIVEWAY. WHILE CONTINUING TO APPLY THE BRAKE, I MOVED THE SELECTOR INTO DRIVE IN ORDER TO PULL FORWARD AWAY FROM THE OTHER VEHICLE. THE JEEP LUNGED FORWARD WITH THE FRONT TIRES REMAINING STATIONARY AND SLIDING ALONG THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE STONE COLUMN BETWEEN THE TWO…

Owner-reported narrative. 1,640 miles reported. Look up ODI 10445037 at NHTSA ↗

WE PURCHASED A NEW JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE WITH 5 MILES ON IT. UPON LEAVING THE DEALERSHIP THE ENGINE BEGAN MAKING A STRANGE NOISE. WE BROUGHT THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER AND THE MECHANIC TOLD US TO LEAVE THE CAR. IT'S 5 DAYS LATER AND ALL WE KNOW SO FAR IS THAT THEY HAVE REMOVED THE FRONT END OF THE TRANSMISSION AND THEY ARE STILL WORKING ON IT. WE DON'T HAVE THE CAR. ADDITIONALLY, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WAS NOT FLUSH WITH THE BODY OF THE CAR. WE ASKED THEM TO LOOK AT THE DOOR TO SEE IF IT WAS NOT INSTALLED PROPERLY. THEY OFFERED TO HAV…

Owner-reported narrative. 5 miles reported. Look up ODI 10448574 at NHTSA ↗

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 JEEP CHEROKEE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DECELERATE AND WOULD NOT EXCEED 30 MPH. THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE ON THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. AFTER RESTARTING, THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO ACCELERATE NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS AND THE TECHNICIAN UPDATED THE COMPUTER. THE FAILURE CONTINUED AFTER THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,200.

Owner-reported narrative. 2,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10452558 at NHTSA ↗

TURNED ONTO STATE HIGHWAY WHEN ENGINE BEGAN TO MAKE SEIZURE NOISE AND TEMPERATURE MOVED TOWARD H WITH SHAKING AND LOST POWER FROM ENGINE. I PUT ON EMERGENCY BLINKERS, REMOVED FOOT FROM ACCELERATOR, TAPPED BRAKES, WITH NOISE CONTINUING, WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE AGAIN WITH NO POWER OCCURRING. I DRIFTED SLOWING DOWN THE HIGHWAY A FEW HUNDRED FEET, TURNED ONTO A SIDE ROAD, WITH VIOLENT ENGINE SEIZURE NOISE CONTINUING AND TURNED OFF VEHICLE. VEHICLE RESTARTED WITHOUT A PROBLEM. I GOT VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER TO BE CHECKED SINCE I PURCHASED T…

Owner-reported narrative. 592 miles reported. Look up ODI 10453998 at NHTSA ↗

BACKING OUR BOAT INTO DRIVEWAY, CAR HAD BEEN RUNNING ABOUT 20 MINUTES AND ENGINE UNDER HOOD STARTED SMOKING, FLUID THEN DRIPPED TO DRIVEWAY AND CAUGHT FIRE, EXTENDED INTO FULL ENGINE COMPARTMENT ENGINE ENTIRELY DESTROYED. *TT ...UPDATED 07/19/12 *BF CHRYSLER AGREED TO REPLACE THE VEHICLE UNDER WARRANTY. UPDATED 07/19/12

Owner-reported narrative. 1,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10459178 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2011-09-29 (September 29, 2011)

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 3.6L ENGINES. THESE ENGINES MAY EXPERIENCE CONNECTING ROD BEARING FAILURE DUE TO DEBRIS INSIDE THE ENGINE BLOCK.

Consequence: CONNECTING ROD FAILURE MAY LEAD TO ENGINE SEIZURE WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: 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.

Reported: 2014-03-04 (March 4, 2014)

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. Under certain braking events, the Ready Alert Braking System (RAB) may result in the driver experiencing a hard brake pedal feel.

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

Reported: 2014-04-01 (April 1, 2014)

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 subject vehicles have a brake booster with a center shell that may corrode and allow water to get inside.

Consequence: The water inside could freeze and limit the braking ability of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: 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.

Reported: 2014-07-02 (July 2, 2014)

Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Dodge Durango and Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured January 5, 2010, through December 11, 2013. In the affected vehicles, the wiring for the vanity lamp in the sun visor may short circuit, after a service repair is performed.

Consequence: If the vanity lamp wiring shorts, there is an increased risk of fire.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and repair any damaged wiring, and install a new sun visor that properly routes the wire, free of charge. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is P36.

Reported: 2014-10-08 (October 8, 2014)

Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger, Challenger, and Durango; and 2012-2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured April 22, 2010, to January 2, 2014, and equipped with a 3.6L engine and a 160 amp alternator. In the affected vehicles, the alternator may suddenly fail.

Consequence: If the alternator fails, the vehicle may stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Chrysler has notified owners, and dealers will replace the alternator, free of charge. The recall began on February 27, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is P60.

Reported: 2015-02-27 (February 27, 2015)

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured September 17, 2010, to August 19, 2013, and equipped with a 3.6, 5.7 or 6.4 liter engine, and 2012-2013 Dodge Durango vehicles manufactured January 18, 2011, to August 19, 2013, and equipped with a 3.6 or 5.7 liter engine. In the affected vehicles, the fuel pump relay inside the Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM-7) may fail, causing the vehicle to stall without warning.

Consequence: A vehicle stall increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump relay with one external to the TIPM. The recall began on August 7, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R09. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 14V-530. Note: This recall has been superseded by recall 19V813.

Reported: 2015-12-28 (December 28, 2015)

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Dodge Durango and Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured December 3, 2009, to September 1, 2012. In the affected vehicles, the wiring for the vanity lamp in the sun visor may short circuit, after having been remedied for a prior recall for the vanity lamp wiring. This recall is also addressing certain vehicles that have not been remedied under that prior recall.

Consequence: The vanity lamp wiring may short, increasing the risk of a vehicle fire.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealer will install clearance for sun visor wiring, protection from sharp edges, and replace the sun visor, free of charge. The recall began on July 28, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R71.

Reported: 2017-07-10 (July 10, 2017)

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Dodge Challenger, Dodge Charger, Chrysler 300, Dodge Durango, and 2012-2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles. The affected vehicles have electro-hydraulic power steering (EHPS) and are equipped with a 5.7L or a 3.6L engine and a 160, 180 or 220 amp alternator. In the affected vehicles, the alternator may suddenly fail.

Consequence: If the alternator fails, the vehicle may stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash. There is also the possibility that the alternator may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the alternator and depending on the part number, will replace the alternator, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began February 12, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T36.

Reported: 2017-09-18 (September 18, 2017)

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Dodge Durango and Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles. The affected vehicles had brake booster shields installed under a previous campaign to prevent water from entering the brake booster and limiting braking ability. This recall is to verify that the brake booster shield installation was performed properly.

Consequence: If the brake booster shield was not installed properly, the vehicle's braking ability may be reduced, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: 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.

Reported: 2019-11-14 (November 14, 2019)

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2011-2013 Dodge Durango and Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles equipped with a 3.6, 5.7, or 6.4 liter engine and previously recalled under NHTSA Recall 14V530 or 15V115. The fuel pump relay inside the Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM-7) may fail, causing the vehicle to stall without warning.

Consequence: A vehicle stall increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) will replace the affected fuel pump relay and related wire harness. Interim notices informing owners of the safety risk were mailed beginning December 19, 2019. Vehicles that experience a fuel pump failure will receive an interim repair. Owners will receive a second notice when the final remedy becomes available. Owner notification letters were mailed on December 10, 2020. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is V62.