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

The engine power cuts of randomly while driving with no warning at all. When it happens the steering locks up veering the vehicle to the left so you have no control and at the same time the power brakes lock up and you are unable to stop the vehicle. Everything else works when this happens lights, radio, heater, air conditioning. No warning lights display. I had the vehicle with a mechanic that kept it for over 4 months to test drive and see if it would occur. It happened while he drove it but no codes show up to determine the cause. I had it towed back to my home and contacted Jeep Chrysler and they gave me a claim number to bring to my local Jeep dealer. They had it for over a week and unfortunately the jeep ran fine so once again no resolution to be able to fix. I bought the Jeep from Carvana 9/7/24 and am still paying it off but yet haven't been able to drive it for the past 15 months because it is unsafe for myself and anyone else on the roadway.

NHTSA ODI 11744558

Year: 2012 Make/Model: Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 L V8, 4WD Mileage: ~140,000 miles Date of Incident: [Insert date] Location: McKinney, Texas (near U.S. 75 exit) Description of the Safety Issue: While driving normally, the Service 4WD System warning illuminated. Seconds later, the lightning-bolt symbol (Electronic Throttle Control) appeared, and the engine stalled abruptly without warning. All power steering and power-brake assist were lost while the transmission was still in Drive. The vehicle rolled backward on a slight grade as if in neutral. Attempts to restart the vehicle failed. Even CarMax technicians, at whose lot the vehicle came to rest, were unable to start it. A strong hot/burning electrical odor was present immediately after shutdown. This indicates a possible overheating or shorting event in the electrical or fuel-relay system (TIPM or throttle-body circuit). Had this failure occurred on U.S. 75 at highway speed (80–85 mph), I would have lost steering assist and braking ability in heavy traffic — a situation that could have led to a severe collision or injury. I respectfully request that NHTSA review this case as a potential recurrence or expansion of the existing recall group. The combination of a sudden stall, complete loss of control systems, no-restart condition, and electrical-burn odor constitutes a serious and ongoing safety defect that endangers vehicle occupants and others on the roadway. Supporting Information: – CarMax technicians confirmed the vehicle would not restart. – Recent maintenance included new fuel pump, injectors, hoses, and cooling-system components (~$10 K). – Warning lights: “Service 4WD System” and “Electronic Throttle Control (lightning-bolt)” appeared immediately before stall.

NHTSA ODI 11696378

While driving the engine power randomly cuts off & steering & brakes lock up veering the vehicle to the left which causes me to have no control of my vehicle. Everything else stays on radio...lights...etc. There is absolutely no warning at all when this occurs. This has happened to me 3 times while driving almost causing me to crash. I brought it to a local Jeep dealer & they couldn't find any codes showing what the issue was. So in fear of getting into a crash that could possibly injure myself or others on the road I haven't been able to drive it safely.

NHTSA ODI 11686524

2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo In August of 2020, I brought the vehicle to my repair shop due to a leak, and hard to steer at 75061 miles. They performed a repair of the rack & pinion, power steering hose, and an alignment. On 5/23/23, I had the vehicle in a shop to check on a sqeak while turning the wheel along with a clunking sound. They reported that the rack and pinion needs to be replaced at 107184 miles. I contacted the FCA-Jeep customer care. They wanted a diagnosis at Victory CDJR dealership. On 5/31/23 at 107701 miles, the dealership found that the steering rack, and both tie rods need replacement. I contacted the FCA immediately, and they determined not covered by warranty.

NHTSA ODI 11524607

A couple week ago noticed fluid on my garage floor. It seemed to be dripping from the left front of the car. Also noticed this oil on the garage shelf which is closed to the car when I park it in the garage. Today, May 23, 2023 went to have the oil change in the car, and was told the power steering fluid was low .

NHTSA ODI 11523502

I was leaving work and made a right turn. The vehicle steering and breaks locked up and I hit a telephone pole. No warning lights illuminated. The vehicle did not stall. Serious injury could have occurred. Police report and involvement happened as it was a large accident.

NHTSA ODI 11503002

Vehicle has inexplicably, and randomly stalled, and lost power steering and power brakes while operating. This has happened on multiple occasions, during random times of the day/season, while in movement, and while stopped at a traffic light/stop sign. There is no rhyme or reason to how or when this happens, and frustratingly cannot not be reproduced by a mechanic or dealership. When it happens, all other systems that were operating continue to operate (eg. radio stays playing, climate control (AC or heat), and the instrument panel doesn't indicate that anything is abnormal. Safety is a huge concern, as its difficult to control and/or slow the vehicle down, and we have barely avoided collisions. It has been taken to a dealer on multiple occasions, but to no avail, as the condition could not be reproduced. Other than the dealership's service department, the vehicle or component has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others. There were NO warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure. We took ownership from the vehicles first and only other owner (my father in law) upon his passing back in April 2018. The condition happened within months of taking ownership, and has happened at least 8-10 times since then. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. We would like to sell the vehicle (for this, AND other reasons), but do not feel comfortable selling an unsafe vehicle to anyone. We have incurred rental car costs while the car is in the shop for diagnosis. Upon a quick search online, there was quite a bit of evidence of this condition happening with others.

NHTSA ODI 11451273

While driving down a main road, the power steering went out, the brakes locked up, and the accelerator locked up. I had to put the car in park and then turn it off and back on. Yes, it is available for inspection. My safety was put at risk because since my brakes were not working, it means my brake lights also were not, meaning someone would not have seen me stopping and I could have been rear-ended. Others were put at risk because my car could have hit someone else. This has happened 4 other times on different dates and a Jeep dealer has done a fuel pump relay BYPASS twice, but the fuel pump itself was never replaced. There were no warning lamps or messages to warn me about the problem before it failed. I am terrified to drive my own car. This needs to be addressed asap.

NHTSA ODI 11443850

TL* HE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HER HUSBAND DROVE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE LOSS ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO KENDELL DODGE CHRYSLER JEEP RAM (13355 SOUTHWEST 137TH AVE MIAMI FL 33186, (786)231-2000) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH THE LOSS OF COMMUNICATION TO THE POWER STEERING. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 141,000.

NHTSA ODI 11405831

WHEN IN MOTION (HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES ON THE HIGHWAY) THE ENGINE WILL STALL AND THE ENGINE CUTS OFF RANDOMLY WHILE DRIVING. NO ERROR CODES OR WARNINGS COME ON, POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES NO LONGER FUNCTION EITHER BUT THE RADIO STAYS ON. DEALER HAS REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP RELAY TWICE BUT ITS NOT FIXED. BECAUSE THE COMPUTER DOESN'T RECOGNIZE AN ERROR THE DEALER HAS SAID THEY CAN'T DIAGNOSE IT AS AN ISSUE. BUT JEEP FORUMS WIDELY SHOW THAT MANY PEOPLE ARE STILL HAVING THIS ISSUE..

NHTSA ODI 11399808

I HAVE BEEN HAVING MY CAR RANDOMLY SHUT OFF WHILE IN DRIVE FOR OVER A YEAR. I'M SCARED OF DRIVING MY OWN CAR. IT HAS HAPPENED TO ME WELL OVER 25 TIMES. I'VE ASKED THE CONNECTICUT DEALERSHIPS (WETMORE'S AND NORTHWEST HILLS) ABOUT THIS MULTIPLE TIMES AND AS OF TODAY THEY SAY THERE IS NO FIX AND THEY CAN'T DO ANYTHING BECAUSE THERE IS NO FIX FOR THE RECALL. IT HAPPENS WHEN I'M DRIVING AND BRAKING AND TURNING LEFT, SUCH AS TURNING LEFT OFF A RAMP OR GOING DOWN A HILL AND SLOWING TO TURN LEFT OR SLOWING ON A BIG HILL AT A STOP LIGHT. THE CAR COMPLETELY STOPS. THE BRAKES STOP WORKING AND POWER STEERING IS LOST. THEN I HAVE TO PUT IT IN PARK AND WHEN I PRESS START IT RESTARTS. BUT THIS IS DANGEROUS. I ALSO HAVE A SPECIAL WARRANTY I PAID FOR AND BECAUSE THERE IS A RECALL THE DEALERSHIP SAID MY WARRANTY THAT I PAID $4K FOR IS USELESS BECAUSE OF THE RECALL. DOES SOMEONE HAVE TO DIE FOR THIS TO MATTER?

NHTSA ODI 11378384

THE ENGINE STALLED COMPLETELY WHILE I WAS AT A TRAFFIC SIGNAL, PREPARING TO MAKE A TURN ONTO A BUSY HIGHWAY. LOSS OF POWER TO BRAKES & STEERING SINCE THE ENGINE COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN. I SHIFTED THE VEHICLE INTO PARK, STARTED THE ENGINE AGAIN, SHIFTED INTO DRIVE BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE. EVENTUALLY (IN A MATTER OF SECONDS) THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD AND I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY DRIVE HOME.

NHTSA ODI 11331892

THIS IS MY THIRD TIME EXPERIENCING THIS SYSTEM FAILURE. EACH TIME WHILE DRIVING AND THE VEHICLE IN MOTION, THE TRUCK SHUTS OFF. EACH TIME THIS HAS ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT AS I WAS TURNING ONTO A STREET. THE FIRST TIME IT SHUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING WAS AS I EASY SLOWING DOWN TO STOP AT A RED LIGHT AND LOST ALL CONTROLS AS THE VEHICLE DIED. I DID NOT ACCIDENTALLY TOUCH ANYTHING. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE BOUT IT ASAP. IT TURNS OFF UNWARRANTED WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK AND PRESS THE START BUTTON TO TURN THE VEHICLE BACK ON. I DO NOT KNOW WHAT PART IS CAUSING THIS PROBLEM. IT HAPPENS OUT OF NOWHERE OCCASIONALLY AND NOT EVERYDAY EITHER.

NHTSA ODI 11318755

A FAMILY MEMBER IN ANOTHER STATE OWNED AND PAMPERED THIS VEHICLE FOR MANY YEARS, PRIOR TO MY ACQUIRING IT. RECENTLY THE HOSE TO THE POWERING STEERING PUMP BLEW OFF WHILE SHE WAS DRIVING IT (NON HIGHWAY) AND IT WAS TAKEN IN TO BE SERVICED (THROUGH THE DEALERSHIP), WELL AFTER THEIR INITIAL REPAIR, WE WERE TOLD THAT DURING THEIR TEST DRIVE "AFTER" THAT REPAIR, THE HOSE HAD AGAIN BLOWN OFF SO MORE DAYS WERE NEEDED WITH THE VEHICLE TO AGAIN REPAIR THE ISSUE. A FEW DAYS LATER WE WERE CALLED AND TOLD THAT ISSUE HAD BEEN SOLVED AND THAT WE COULD RETRIEVE THE VEHICLE. THAT SAME NIGHT, I, WHILE SITTING IN THE VEHICLE (WITH IT IN IDLE), HEAR A "POP" WHICH TURNS OUT TO BE THE HOSE AGAIN, MIND YOU, EACH TIME THIS HAPPENS, THE PUMP SPEWS POWER STEERING FLUID ALL OVER THE ENGINE, THIS PARTICULAR NIGHT I EVEN FOUND IT ON THE UNDERSIDE OF THE ENGINE ROOF. WELL THE CAR WAS AGAIN SENT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP THE NEXT DAY, THEY HAD IT APPROXIMATELY 3 DAYS BEFORE AGAIN WE GOT THE CALL THAT THE REPAIRS HAD BEEN COMPLETED, WE WERE TOLD THAT THIS TIME IT WAS DUE TO PROBABLY WHAT WAS A FAULTY POWER STEERING PUMP, WHICH THEY REPLACED. TWO DAYS LATER I TOOK POSSESSION OF THE VEHICLE AS THE ORIGINAL OWNER (FAMILY MEMBER) WAS TOO CONCERNED ABOUT DRIVING IT AGAIN. THANKFULLY MY DRIVE BACK TO MY STATE (2 DAYS LATER) WENT UNEVENTFUL, HOWEVER, 2 DAYS AFTER BEING HOME AND DRIVING IT (NON HIGHWAY), SURE ENOUGH I HEAR THAT FAMILIAR "POP" AND AGAIN THE HOSE HAS BLOWN OFF, POWER STEERING FLUID EVERYWHERE, ALONG WITH MY SANITY. I SEE THAT THIS WAS A KNOWN ISSUE BACK IN 2012 BUT IT NEVER BECAME A RECALL, BUT, A FIX WAS IMPLEMENTED, SO IF THIS IS THE CASE WHY IS THIS HAPPENED WITH THE SAME PIECE OF EQUIPMENT NUMEROUS TIMES AND THE DEALERSHIP CAN'T SEEM TO SOLVE THIS KNOWN ISSUE??

NHTSA ODI 11311698

POWER STEERING LINE HAS A SLOW LEAK THAT SEEMS TO BE COMMON AMONG THE JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE, DODGE DURANGO VEHICLES AROUND THE 2011- 2013 YEAR. VEHICLES SEEM TO BE EXPERIENCING THIS ISSUE ANYWHERE FROM 40K TO 100K MILES. SOME PEOPLE HAVE HAD THESE LINES REPLACED AND HAVE STILL HAD A LEAK.

NHTSA ODI 11310481

MY JEEP ALL OF A SUDDEN STALLED RIGHT BEFORE A SHARP CORNER CAUSING PANIC AND LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. MY FAMILY IS SCARRED AND MY WIFE DOES NOT TRUST DRIVING THE VEHICLE ESPECIALLY AFTER NOT EVEN A WEEK LATER WE RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER STATING VEHICLE CAN STALL BUT THERE'S NO SOLUTION!!!! WHEN THE JEEP STALLED I DROVE INTO A DITCH UNABLE TO OVER POWER THE ALL OF A SUDDEN TIGHT STEERING AND NOW I HAVE SUSPENSION PROBLEMS!

NHTSA ODI 11292477

SOUND COMING FROM STEERING COLUMN WHEN TURNING. DEALER DIAGNOSTIC IDENTIFIED A FAILING STEERING RACK AND PINIONS. NEED TO REPLACE.

NHTSA ODI 11280747

WHILE SLOWING DOWN TO MAKE SHARP TURNS THE VEHICLE WILL SPONTANEOUSLY SHUT OFF CAUSING THE POWER STEERING AND BREAKING TO NOT WORK. THERE ARE NO ERROR CODES THAT COME UP AND THE RADIO AND AIR/HEAT CONTINUE TO WORK. THE ONLY REASON YOU KNOW THE CAR SHUT OFF IS BECAUSE THE BREAKS AND POWER STEERING WON'T WORK. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES BUT YOU CAN NEVER RECREATE THE PROBLEM ON CUE. IT JUST HAPPENS RANDOMLY WITHOUT WARNING. THIS HAS HAPPENED BOTH COMING OFF THE HIGHWAY RAMP AROUND A TURN AND ON A NORMAL BACK ROAD STREET GOING AROUND A TURN. THE LAST TIME THIS HAPPENED WAS 11-13-2019

NHTSA ODI 11280311

IN 2016, MY 2012 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE LAREDO HAD ABOUT 38K MILES WHEN I FOUND OUT THAT MY VEHICLES RACK AND PINION HAD A "MINOR LEAK" THAT THEY SERVICE CENTER RECOMMENDED I "KEEP AN EYE ON." THIS WAS SOMETHING I REALLY NEEDED TO SAVE FOR BECAUSE IT WOULD COST $3000 TO REPAIR AND I HAD JUST PURCHASED THE VEHICLE! LESS THAN A WEEK LATER I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE I LOST POWER STEERING WHILE DRIVING WITH MY FAMILY. THIS FORCED ME TO REPLACE THE RACK AND PINION AS WELL AS FURTHER DAMAGE. THIS IS PRETTY UNUSUAL FOR A CAR WITH MILEAGE THAT LOW. ADDITIONALLY, IT IS RIDICULOUS THAT THIS ISSUE HASN'T BEEN A SUFFICIENT IMPETUS FOR INVESTIGATION CONSIDERING HOW UBIQUITOUS THAT EXACT CLAIM IS AMONG JGCL OWNERS. THESE COMMON CLAIMS SUGGEST THAT THE ISSUE ISNT CAUSED BY THE DRIVER, BUT IS IN FACT, A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT. APPROPRIATELY, THE MANUFACTURER IS OBLIGATED TO REMEDY THIS DEFECT.. THE CONSUMER STATED THE ALTERNATOR FAILED AND CAUSED A FIRE. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED TO BE REIMBURSED FOR THE REPAIRS AS THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED THE FAILURE DESCRIBED IN A RECALL. *JS *JS*DT*JB

NHTSA ODI 11265351

POWER STEERING LINES LEAKED AT 80K ( JANUARY 2019 DEALER REPAIRED ) NOW 7 MONTHS LATER (AUGUST 2019) BOTH LINES ARE LEAKING AGAIN.. IT'S GOING IN ON THE 19TH FOR REPAIR BUT SOMEONE TOLD ME THEIR IS A HUGE FIRE HAZARD WITH THIS FLUID LEAKING AND HAS CAUSED MAJOR CAR FIRES AND STEERING FAILURE. IS THERE OR WAS THERE A RECALL AT SOME POINT WITH THE 2012 GRAND CHEROKEE TO FIX THIS ISSUE PERMANENTLY ?I BOUGHT THIS TRUCK IN 2017 SO I'M UNAWARE OF A RECALL ABOUT THE POWER STEERING ISSUES. MY JEEP WAS SERVICED AT LAGERS OF MANKATO MN ..

NHTSA ODI 11242616

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN IN EITHER DIRECTION. UPON INSPECTION, THE OWNER DISCOVERED THAT THE POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKED FROM THE POWER STEERING PUMP. ONE STEP AUTO CHRYSLER OF FORT WALTON (541 MARY ESTHER CUT OFF, FORT WALTON BEACH, FL) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

NHTSA ODI 11234356

I RECENTLY PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE AND IT COMPLETELY SHUTS OFF UNEXPECTEDLY. WHEN IT DOES IT AFFECTS BOTH THE BRAKING AND THE STEERING. THE FIRST TIME I WAS STOPPED AT A LIGHT AND WAS AN EASY FIX BUT THE 2ND TIME I WAS GETTING OFF AN EXIT AROUND 50 MPH. I HAVE YOUNG CHILDREN AND NOW I AM SCARED TO DRIVE THEM AROUND IN IT. I KNOW IN NOT THE ONLY ONE THIS IS HAPPENS, THERE'S COMPLAINTS ALL OVER THE INTERNET. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL BEFORE SOMEONE DIES.

NHTSA ODI 11233473

THE FIRST TIME MY POWER STEERING WHEN OUT I HAD STOPPED TO DO SOMETHING. GOT BACK IN MY JEEP AND THOUGHT I HAD A FLAT BECAUSE IT WAS SO HARD TO TURN THE WHEEL. GOT OUT TO LOOK AND EVERYTHING WAS FINE. GOT BACK IN, DROVE IT AROUND A NEIGHBORHOOD STREET AND STEERING RETURNED TO NORMAL. HAD A MECHANIC TOP OFF THE POWER STEERING FLUID AND WAS FINE FOR MONTHS. YESTERDAY WAS LEAVING TO GOT TO THE STORE AND JUST BEFORE I GOT OUT ONTO A BUSY HWY THE POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING. THIS TIME I COULD NOT BUDGE IT. I CALL MY MECHANIC FRIEND. BY THE TIME HE GOT THERE THE STEERING WAS NORMAL AGAIN. HE CHECKED THE LEVEL AND WAS FINE. IF I HAD GOTTEN OUT ONTO THE HWY AND THIS HAPPENED I WOULD HAVE BEEN A SITTING DUCK. THIS IS A 2012 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE WITH 80,000 MILES ON IT.

NHTSA ODI 11229226

MY VEHICLE HAS DECIDED TO START BOGGING AROUND 35MPH. IT HAS CONTINUALLY DONE THIS FOR A WEEK AND HAS DECIDED TO START DRIVING HORRIBLE. IT DOES NOT DRIVE LIKE IT HAS BEEN. WE ARE GOING TO CHECK WHAT THE PROBLEM MIGHT BE SUNDAY (7/7/2019) AND ATTEMPT TO FIX. MY JEEP IS NO LONGER COVERED UNDER WARRANTY.

NHTSA ODI 11228253

ENGINE STALLS FOR NO REASON UNDER BRAKING AND DECELERATION. HAPPENS MORE OFTEN WHEN BRAKING AND TURNING. LOSS OF POWER STEERING WHEN IT HAPPENS. DOES NOT HAPPEN FREQUENTLY , MORE OFTEN IN THE COLD WHEN THE CAR HAS BEEN STARTED. CANT REPLICATE IT WHEN CAR IS HOT. DANGEROUS WHEN IT HAS HAPPENED ON EXIT RAMPS AS CAR HAS TO BE CONTROLLED WITH NO POWER STEERING AND CAR HAS TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP, PUT IN PARK WHERE IT HAS ALWAYS RESTARTED. PEOPLE BEHIND ME NOT HAPPY WHEN STOPPING ON EXIT RAMPS. HAVE BROUGHT TO DEALER AFTER IT HAS HAPPENED AND THE CAR HAS NOT THROWN ANY CODES. THERE IS NOT REAL PATTERN TO THIS STALLING, BUT, HAVING TO STOP THE CAR TO RESTART IT POSSES A DANGER OF GETTING REAR ENDED. HAPPENS AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 30 TO 60. HAPPENS MOST FREQUENTLY IN ROTARIES (ROUNDABOUTS) WHEN SLOWING DOWN TO ENTER.

NHTSA ODI 11209509