Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee
NHTSA data on file today
The 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee has 11 NHTSA recall campaigns and 1,644 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
NCAP overall rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars, averaged across 2 NHTSA-tested trims.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #19V813000 Fuel Pump Relay May Fail Resulting In a Stall NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #17E061000 Supercharger Bracket may Damage ABS Line NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #17V572000 Incorrectly Installed Brake Booster Shield NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #17V435000 Alternator may Fail Resulting in Engine Stall NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #15V879000 Vanity Lamp Short may Result in Fire NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #15V115000 Fuel Pump Relay may Fail Resulting in Stall NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #14V634000 Alternator may Fail Resulting in Engine Stall NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #14V391000 Vanity Lamp Short may Result in Fire NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #14V154000 Loss of Power Brake Assist NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #14V104000 Hard Brake Pedal may Lengthen Stopping Distance NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #11V487000 ROD BEARING FAILURE NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Electrical System 837 complaints
- Engine 285 complaints
- Service Brakes 278 complaints
- Fuel/Propulsion System 216 complaints
- Unknown or Other 120 complaints
- Power Train 102 complaints
Of the 1,644 complaints on file, 46 report a crash and 105 a fire; across all 1,644 complaints, owners report 35 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Below average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $7,000–$12,000AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee's overall reliability is below average, marked by significant electrical system issues, including alternator failures and fuel pump relay problems. Service brake and engine concerns also have high complaint counts, indicating frequent failures and safety risks. Despite recalls addressing these issues, the persistent nature suggests a need for caution.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alternator | 60,000–90,000 miles | $400–$800 | very common |
| Fuel pump relay | 50,000–80,000 miles | $200–$500 | common |
| Brake booster | 70,000–100,000 miles | $300–$600 | common |
| Engine cooling | 60,000–90,000 miles | No reliable estimate | occasional |
| Vanity lamp wiring | 30,000–60,000 miles | $100–$250 | occasional |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Oil and filter change
- Brake fluid replacement
- Transmission fluid change
- Spark plug replacement
- Drive belt inspection
- Coolant flush
- Air filter replacement
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Hard brake pedal feel
- Electrical issues affecting starting
- Stalling without warning
- Alternator warning light
- Engine overheating signs
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.