2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee engine problems
284 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the engine on the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee — 17% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“Problem was Oil Filter housing made of plastic. It was cracked and no warning light that oil had leaked out. Car SUDDENLY DECELERATED as I was merging into traffic on freeway causing vehicles coming up behind to brake rapidly including a semi truck which had been 200 yards back. I rolled onto…”
filed Jul 31, 2026
“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…”
filed Jun 16, 2026
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Related recalls
- Engine and Engine CoolingCampaign 11V487000 · Sep 29, 2011
Engine problems in other Grand Cherokee years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 Grand Cherokee | 19 | 30% |
| 2024 Grand Cherokee | 101 | 43% |
| 2023 Grand Cherokee | 81 | 21% |
| 2022 Grand Cherokee | 50 | 20% |
| 2021 Grand Cherokee | 60 | 15% |
| 2020 Grand Cherokee | 48 | 21% |
| 2019 Grand Cherokee | 61 | 17% |
| 2018 Grand Cherokee | 120 | 14% |
| 2017 Grand Cherokee | 101 | 28% |
| 2016 Grand Cherokee | 76 | 25% |
| 2015 Grand Cherokee | 199 | 15% |
| 2014 Grand Cherokee | 406 | 17% |
Other reported problem areas on the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.