VehicleVerdict

2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee engine problems

The 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee has 301 engine complaints filed with NHTSA — 13% of the year's total, and roughly flat versus the prior model year.

301

Engine complaints

13%

Share of year

4

Crash-involved

2

Related recalls

Engine complaints by year

Grand Cherokee engine complaints by model year450 complaints1989: 2 complaints1991: 2 complaints1992: 2 complaints1993: 58 complaints1994: 89 complaints1995: 84 complaints1996: 110 complaints1997: 110 complaints1998: 87 complaints1999: 151 complaints2000: 219 complaints2001: 73 complaints2002: 178 complaints2003: 60 complaints2004: 90 complaints2005: 212 complaints2006: 179 complaints2007: 246 complaints2008: 146 complaints2009: 27 complaints2010: 24 complaints2011: 358 complaints2012: 301 complaints2013: 108 complaints2014: 450 complaints2015: 220 complaints2016: 82 complaints2017: 105 complaints2018: 135 complaints2019: 65 complaints2020: 52 complaints2021: 61 complaints2022: 49 complaints2023: 80 complaints2024: 99 complaints2025: 15 complaints2026: 3 complaints
Grand Cherokee engine complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

17E061000EngineOctober 19, 2017 · 99 units

Defect

Accessible Technologies, Inc. (ATI) is recalling certain ProCharger Superchargers, model numbers AB037A-100, AB037A-100P, and A037A-100B, sold for installation on 2012-2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 and SRT vehicles. The supercharger mounting bracket may contact and damage the ABS line, possibly resulting in a brake fluid leak.

Consequence

A brake fluid leak may lengthen the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

ATI will notify owners and will replace the supercharger brackets, free of charge. The recall began on December 12, 2017. Owners may contact ATI customer service at 1-913-338-2886.

11V487000EngineSeptember 29, 2011 · 667 units

Defect

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.

What owners report

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · May 20, 2012 · fire

Common questions

How many engine complaints does the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee have?

NHTSA has 301 complaints about the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee engine — 13% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee engine?

Yes — 2 NHTSA recall campaigns for this model year are tied to the engine: 11V487000, 17E061000.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.