Home · 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee Srt · Complaints

What 1,637 owners told NHTSA about the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee Srt

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (1,637)Crash / fire / injury (151)Electrical system (834)Brakes (288)Engine (283)Fuel system (242)Transmission & drivetrain (101)Steering (99)Airbags (43)Speed control (35)Lights (34)Suspension (32)

Newest first · 1,637 complaints · page 36 of 66

Sep 19, 2016Electrical system

ANOTHER 2012 JEEP GC OWNER WITH THE 180AMP ALTERNATOR FAILING HERE. IT FAILED JUST LIKE MANY OTHER 160AMP AND MANY MANY 180AMP JEEP GC'S. IF THE 160AMP WAS RECALLED FOR SAFETY ISSUES THEN WHY IS THE 180AMP NOT BEING RECALLED. IS THERE A DEATH INDICATOR THAT WARRANTS A RECALL? CHRYSLER/JEEP NEED TO DO THE RIGHT THING AND RECALL THE 180AMP ELECTRICAL ISSUES AS WELL. MY JEEP FAILED ON I95 OUTSIDE OF DC AND I HAD TO PUSH IT OFF THE HIGHWAY DURING RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND NEEDS TO BE DEALT WITH PLEASE!

NHTSA ODI 10907544

Sep 16, 2016

CAR WAS MAKING HUMMING SOUND DURING A 3 MILE DRIVE TO WORK. LEAVING WORK THAT SAME EVENING, CAR HUMMED FOR A FEW MINUTES AND THE RED BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON. DROVE HOME THE 3 MILES AND MY HUSBAND COULD NOT GET ANY "CODES" TO COME UP ON THE READING DEVICE HE PLUGGED INTO THE CAR. NEXT MORNING DROVE 2 MILES AND THE LIGHT LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN, NO CODES AGAIN. TWO HOURS LATER DROVE 3 MILES TO HAIR SALON, LIGHT CAME ON AND WHEN I PARKED AND TURNED OFF MY CAR, STEAM/SMOKE STARTED COMING OUT THE FRONT OF THE HOOD. LUCKILY A PEP BOYS WAS IN SAME SHOPPING CENTER THEY CAME TO ASSIST ME. THEY TRIED TO START MY CAR TO DRIVE IT A FEW DOORS DOWN TO THEIR SHOP, CAR WAS COMPLETELY DEAD AND WOULD NOT TAKE A BATTERY CHARGE AFTER TRYING OVER AND OVER AGAIN FOR A FEW HOURS. FINALLY HAD A TOW TRUCK PICK IT UP TO MOVE A FEW DOORS DOWN TO PEP BOYS. THEY REPLACED ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY AND NOW THE LIGHT HAS COME BACK ON AGAIN, THE DAY AFTER PICKING IT BACK UP. FURTHER TESTS ARE NOT BEING DONE, BUT REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY AT A COST OF $938.

NHTSA ODI 10907075

Sep 15, 2016Electrical system

WHILE DRIVING, BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON, MADE IT TO A SAFE PLACE. TURNED OFF CAR NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER HOOD. WHEN I OPENED HOOD I COULD SEE SMOKE AND SMELL ELECTRICAL BURN AT THE ALTERNATOR. AFTER TIME PASSED, I TRIED TO CRANK CAR, MADE A TERRIBLE NOISE AND ALTERNATOR SMOKED AGAIN. HAD TOWED TO LOCAL DEALER. APPARENTLY A RECALL WAS SENT OUT ON THIS, WHEN CAR WAS IN FOR SERVICE REPAIR WAS NOT DONE? WAITING TO HEAR FROM DEALER.

NHTSA ODI 10906810

Sep 14, 2016Electrical system

ALTERNATOR SUDDENLY FAILED WHILE I WAS DRIVING DOWN BUSY INTERSTATE. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO GET TO SIDE OF ROAD WITHOUT INCIDENT. I SEE THERE IS A RECALL ON LIKE YEAR/MODELS FOR THIS VERY THING, HOWEVER MY VIN IS NOT INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL, SO I AM HAVING TO PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR TOW, ALTERNATOR AND LABOR....AND POSSIBLE NEW BATTERY AND OTHER ELECTRICAL THINGS, BECAUSE ALTERNATOR GOT HOT AND BURNED CAUSING COMPLETE ELECTRICAL SHUTDOWN OF VEHICLE, SO WE ARE STILL UNAWARE OF COMPLETE DAMAGE DONE.

NHTSA ODI 10906326

Sep 14, 2016Electrical system

BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING, STARTED LOSING POWER, VEHICLE STARTED WHINING. TURNED VEHICLE OFF WHEN I REACHED SAFE PLACE. MECHANIC RESTARTED VEHICLE AND AN AWFUL GRINDING AND SCREECHING CAME FROM UNDER HOOD AND SMOKE CAME POURING OUT FOR ABOUT 15 MINUTES. ALTERNATOR BURNT UP, BLEW OUT BATTERY, AND STILL WAITING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT THE LAST ISSUE IS PREVENTING IT FROM BEING COMPLETELY FIXED. JEEP SENT INVESTIGATOR OUT TO VIEW ISSUES, AND THEN SENT ME A LETTER SAYING SORRY THIS HAPPENED BUT NOT OUR PROBLEM. BEEN WITHOUT VEHICLE NOW FOR OVER 3 WEEKS.

NHTSA ODI 10906756

Sep 13, 2016Electrical system

IN 3/16 THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED AN ALTERNATOR FAILURE WHICH WAS REPAIRED AT A COST OF OVER $1,000. TODAY, 9/13/16, THE SAME FAILURE HAS TAKEN PLACE. I DECIDED TO GOOGLE THE ISSUE AND FOUND THAT RECALL 14V63400 (P60 FOR CHRYSLER) IS AN EXACT MATCH FOR THE VEHICLE DESCRIPTION AND THE PROBLEM. I CONTACTED CHRYSLER WAS TOLD THAT IT DOES NOT APPLY TO MY VIN!! VERY DISAPPOINTING AND UNCONSCIONABLE!

NHTSA ODI 10906173

Sep 10, 2016Airbags

AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY. IT WAS ON WHEN I WAS AT THE DEALER SO THE SERVICE CONSULTANT COULD CHECK THE CODES. HE SUGGESTED THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG INSIDE THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR. I HAVE SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE HIM TAKE THE DOOR APART AND INVESTIGATE FURTHER.

NHTSA ODI 10905496

Sep 9, 2016Electrical systemFire

MY 180 AMP ALTERNATOR BURNT OUT AND IN THE PROCESS BURNED THE COMPUTER AND OTHER PARTS BECAUSE OF THE WAY IT FRIED. WHEN I HEARD OTHERS HAD THE SAME ISSUE I WAS SHOCKED TO HEAR IT WAS NOT A RECALL YET. THEN EVEN MORE SHOCKED TO HEAR THERE IS A RECALL BUT ONLY FOR THE 160 AMP ALTERNATOR AND DOES NOT COVER THE 180 AMP MODEL. REALLY???? JEEP SHOULD TAKE MORE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ISSUE AND REPLACE ALL OF THE ALTERNATORS. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A DANGEROUS ISSUE IF IT FRIED WHEN I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND LOST POWER THE WAY I DID. MY CAR JUST COMPLETELY DIED WITH ALL OF THE POWER GOING OUT AND MY FAMILY COULD HAVE BEEN HURT. JEEP CHRYSLER ' YOU SHOULD RECALL ALSO RECALL THE 180 AMP ALTERNATORS AND REPLACE THEM PROACTIVELY BEFORE SOMEONE IS SERIOUSLY INJURED OR WORSE!

NHTSA ODI 10905132

Sep 8, 2016Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE BRAKES FAILED. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOUR TIMES, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V154000 (SERVICE BRAKES, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000.

NHTSA ODI 10904691

Sep 8, 2016Electrical system

ALTERNATOR BURNS OUT AND FAILS SUDDENLY WHILE DRIVING. THERE ARE KNOWN PROBLEMS WITH SIMILAR PARTS ON JEEP VEHICLES. THE MANUFACTURER IS AWARE. I SUBMITTED A CLAIM TO FIAT JEEP AND THEY REFUSED TO REIMBURSE ME, FOR NOW.

NHTSA ODI 10904786

Sep 6, 2016Electrical systemInterior LightingFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE AND DRIVING FOR APPROXIMATELY FOUR MINUTES, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE AND FLAMES COMING FROM THE CENTER CONSOLE WHERE THE SUN ROOF CONTROLS WERE LOCATED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT WHERE THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED. A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS AWAITING REPAIRS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V879000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, INTERIOR LIGHTING), BUT THE REMEDY WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,000. ..UPDATED 10/28/16 *BF UPDATED 10/31/16.*JB

NHTSA ODI 10903841

Aug 24, 2016Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. SHORTLY AFTER THE VEHICLE RECEIVED A BRAKE BOOSTER REPAIR, THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED BRAKE FAILURE. WHILE PULLING INTO THE DRIVEWAY AND ATTEMPTING TO APPLY THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. THE CONTACT HAD TO TURN OFF THE VEHICLE TO PREVENT THE VEHICLE FROM MOVING ANY FURTHER. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE BOOSTER FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,000.

NHTSA ODI 10898154

Aug 24, 2016Electrical system

2012 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED INTO AN ADVANCE AUTO PARTS THINKING IT WAS JUST A BATTERY ISSUE. THEY TURNED THE CAR OFF, HOOKED UP THE COMPUTER AND RESTARTED THE CAR. WHEN CAR WAS RESTARTED, IT MADE HORRIBLE SCREECHING NOISES UNDER THE HOOD. THEY SHUT THE CAR OFF, GOT THE COMPUTER READING, AND THEN SMOKE CAME POURING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD.. LOST ALL POWER EXCEPT WINDSHIELD WIPERS AUTOMATICALLY CAME ON. IT SMOKED FOR ABOUT 15 MINUTES. HAD CAR TOWED TO MY MECHANIC. THE ALTERNATOR SPIKED SUCH HIGH VOLTAGE THAT IT BURNT UP THE ALTERNATOR, BURNED THE METAL ID TAG ON THE ALTERNATOR BEYOND RECOGNITION AND BURNED UP MY BATTERY SO BAD THAT THE BATTERY WARPED. CHRYSLER INFORMED ME THAT MY ALTERNATOR WAS A 180 AMP, BUT WE CAN'T READ THE BURNT UP TAG ON THE ALTERNATOR SO I'M NOT EXACTY SURE WHAT AMP IT IS. I WAS TOLD MY 3 DIFFERENT MECHANICS THAT WE ARE LUCKY MY CAR DIDN'T CATCH ON FIRE.

NHTSA ODI 10898378

Aug 23, 2016Electrical system

THE ALTERNATOR ON MY 2012 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE SUDDENLY FAILED WITHOUT ANY WARNING CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL WHILE DRIVING, BURNING ODOR ENTERED THE INTERIOR OF VEHICLE, ALTERNATOR WAS SMOKING. ON 8/13/16 I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE THERE WAS A SUDDEN BURNING ODOR THAT ENTERED THE VEHICLE ALONG WITH SLIGHTLY INCREASED BELT DRIVEN WHINE NOISE. WITHIN A COUPLE OF MINUTES THE BATTERY WARNING LIGHT CAME ON IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWED BY THE VEHICLE ENGINE STALLING. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER, OPENED THE HOOD, BURNING ODOR AND SMOKE ARISING FROM ALTERNATOR. I WAS ABLE TO GET CAR TO START UP AGAIN AFTER 15 MINUTES AND DRIVE LESS THAN A MILE TO MY HOUSE. CONTINUED BURNING ODOR AND ALTERNATOR WHINE NOISE. CONTACTED CHRYSLER/JEEP CUSTOMER SERVICE SPOKE TO REPRESENTATIVE AND REPORTED PROBLEM. I WAS INFORMED THAT MY VEHICLE HAD THE 180 AMP ALTERNATOR. THE 160 AMP ALTERNATOR FOR THE MODEL AND YEAR OF MY VEHICLE WAS RECALLED UNDER P60 RECALL. I WAS INFORMED BY REP THAT BECAUSE MY ALTERNATOR WAS 180 IT WAS NOT PART OF RECALL. DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND OUT THAT THE FAILURE OF MY 180AMP ALTERNATOR WAS EXACTLY THE SAME REASON WHY THE 160AMP WAS RECALLED EARLIER FOR MODEL AND YEAR OF MY VEHICLE. GOT THE VEHICLE TOWED TO JEEP DEALERSHIP WHO CONFIRMED ALTERNATOR FAILED. SPOKE AGAIN TO JEEP CUSTOMER SERVICE WHO STATES THE ALTERNATOR FOR MY VEHICLE WAS NOT PART OF RECALL CASE#29914869. NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED BY THE MANUFACTURER. THE SUDDEN FAILURE OF THE ALTERNATOR ON THIS MODEL AND YEAR HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED AND RECALLED FOR THE 160 AMP VERSION, SIMILAR FAILURE IS OCCURRING ON THE 180 AMP VERSIONS AND NEED TO BE RECALLED TO REMEDY THE DANGEROUS SITUATION OF SUDDEN STALLING WHILE DRIVING AND FIRE RISK THAT EXISTS FROM EXCESSIVE HEAT OF THE ALTERNATOR DUE TO SUDDEN FAILURE. MY VEHICLE IS METICULOUSLY MAINTAINED AND JUST PASSED MULTI POINT DEALER INSPECTION 2 WEEKS PRIOR.

NHTSA ODI 10898021

Aug 23, 2016Electrical systemVisibility & wipers

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V879000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, INTERIOR LIGHTING); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED. UPDATED 10/04/16*LJ

NHTSA ODI 10898059

Aug 22, 2016Electrical system

THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND I HAD A DIAGNOSTIC TEST THAT SHOWED CAR WAS FINE AND ALL I NEEDED WAS MORE COOLANT. AFTER CAR WAS TOPPED OFF WITH MORE COOLANT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINED ON. NEXT THE BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON AND THE BATTERY WAS TESTED AND DEEMED IN GOOD CONDITION .. THEN THE CAR STALLED AND WOULD NOT TURN ON UNTIL IT RECEIVED A BATTERY JUMP .. IT THEN TURN ON AND COMPLETELY OFF AND WOULD NOT RESTART. THE ALTERNATOR HAS BEEN DEEMED THE PROBLEM AND I AM REQUESTING MY CAR BE FIXED UNDER THE 2012 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE ALTERNATOR RECALL

NHTSA ODI 10897620

Aug 22, 2016Electrical system

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V634000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 80,000. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.

NHTSA ODI 10897633

Aug 19, 2016

FOR THE LAST 30,000 MILES THE CAR STALLS WHILE DRIVING; MOSTLY WHEN SLOWING DOWN TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES AND THEY CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. THE CAR IS NOW DOING IT MORE OFTEN AND I AM CONCERNED THAT I CAN GET IN A CAR ACCIDENT. THIS WEEK STOPPED ON MONDAY AUGUST 15TH AND THURSDAY, AUGUST 18TH BOTH TIMES DURING A RIGHT TURN; THE FIRST IN THE AFTERNOON TURNING ON CITY STREET AND TODAY TURNING FROM THE HIGHWAY, FROM A SPEED OF 55MPH TO 25MPH. THE CAR HAS 58,000 MILES AND I DON'T FEEL SAFE DRIVING IT. EVERY TIME I SLOW DOWN FOR A TURN, I AM CONCERNED THAT THE CAR MAY STOP. THE DEALER HAS HAD THE CAR FOR OVER A WEEK TWICE AND THEY CAN'T FIND THE PROBLEM. WHAT SHOULD I DO NEXT?

NHTSA ODI 10897036

Aug 19, 2016Steering

MY STEERING WILL AT VARIOUS TIMES, SHAKE WILL DRIVING, SOMETIMES VIOLENTLY. THE SHAKING GETS WORSE IF I APPLY THE BRAKES. THIS IS AN OFF AND ON PROBLEM AND DOES NOT OCCUR EVERYDAY. IT MOSTLY OCCURS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS (55 MPH+) I HAVE VIDEO OF THIS OCCURRING AVAILABLE FOR VIEWING.(MP4 FORMAT) I HAVE BEEN TO THE JEEP DEALER (THOMPSON CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP IN EDGEWOOD MARYLAND) 3 TIMES (HAVE SHOWN THEM THE VIDEO) IN THE LAST YEAR TRYING TO GET THIS CORRECTED, BUT THEY CAN'T FIGURE OUT WHAT'S WRONG. I'M AFRAID THAT THIS PROBLEM WILL ONE DAY CAUSE ME TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT WHERE I WILL NOT BE ABLE TO CONTROL THE STEERING WHILE DRIVING.

NHTSA ODI 10897110

Aug 19, 2016Electrical system

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE ALTERNATOR FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AND HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE ALTERNATOR FAILED AND CAUSED OTHER PARTS TO ALSO FAIL. THE ALTERNATOR, ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE, AND BATTERY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FAILURE WAS DIRECTLY RELATED TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V634000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA IN ORDER TO HAVE THE VIN INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000.

NHTSA ODI 10897161

Aug 18, 2016Electrical systemInterior Lighting

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V279000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, INTERIOR LIGHTING); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI 10896870

Aug 17, 2016Electrical systemInterior Lighting

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V879000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, INTERIOR LIGHTING); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI 10896580

Aug 16, 2016Electrical system

CAR LOST COMPLETE POWER IN PARKING LOT. ALTERNATOR FAILED AND SHORTED AND DRAINED THE BATTERY. ALTERNATOR WAS STILL HOT AFTER SEVERAL HOURS AND A BURNT ODOR COULD BE DETECTED. LUCKILY IT DID NOT CATCH FIRE AS OTHERS HAVE WHEN THIS FAILURE OCCURRED. WHEN THE ALTERNATOR FAILED IT SHORTED THE BATTERY AND ALSO THE PCM. JEEP HAS A CURRENT RECALL OUT ON THE 160 AMP ALTERNATOR FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM, BUT SINCE THIS IS THE 180 AMP THEY ARE WASHING THEIR HANDS OF THE SITUATION. PCM'S ARE ON A HUGE BACK ORDER AND TOOK SEVERAL DAYS AND A MULTIPLE PHONE CALLS TO FIND SOMEONE WILLING TO SELL ME ONE. AFTER THE FIRST ROUND OF REPAIRS BEFORE THE PCM WAS REPLACED THE CAR DIED WHILE BEING DRIVEN BY THE MECHANIC. HAVING A CAR THAT COULD RANDOMLY DIE WHILE BEING DRIVEN NEEDS TO BE TAKEN MORE SERIOUSLY BY JEEP/CHRYSLER.

NHTSA ODI 10896198

Aug 16, 2016Electrical system

TWO ISSUES SUDDEN ENGINE STALL START BUTTON FAILS TO START JEEP

NHTSA ODI 10896368

Aug 15, 2016Electrical systemInterior Lighting

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V879000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, INTERIOR LIGHTING); HOWEVER, THE PART FOR THE RECALL WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. UPDATED 10/18/16*LJ UPDATED 10/19/16.*JB

NHTSA ODI 10895909

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How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee Srt verdict →