The best Grand Cherokee years to buy are 2016 and 2020. Avoid the 2012 and 2014: they have more than twice the average complaint rate, with electrical failures, stalling, brake problems and a long list of recalls.
Best years: 20162020 Years to avoid: 20122014
Every Grand Cherokee year compared
20121062Watch out2013462Average20141299Watch out2015700Watch out2016147Good year2017151Good year2018380Average2019152Good year2020115Good year2021199Good year2022206Good year2023-Too new to judge2024-Too new to judge
Owner complaints per 100,000 cars sold. Lower is better. The newest years have had less time to collect complaints, so they are marked too new to judge.
Known Grand Cherokee problems
Year by year
| Year | Complaints | Per 100k sold | Recalls | Top issue | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 320 | - | 18 | Electrical | Too new to judge |
| 2023 | 604 | - | 21 | Electrical | Too new to judge |
| 2022 | 460 | 206 | 13 | Electrical | Good year |
| 2021 | 507 | 199 | 16 | Electrical | Good year |
| 2020 | 241 | 115 | 3 | Electrical | Good buy |
| 2019 | 370 | 152 | 7 | Brakes | Good year |
| 2018 | 855 | 380 | 11 | Electrical | Average |
| 2017 | 364 | 151 | 6 | Engine | Good year |
| 2016 | 312 | 147 | 9 | Transmission and drivetrain | Good buy |
| 2015 | 1,371 | 700 | 10 | Transmission and drivetrain | Watch out |
| 2014 | 2,388 | 1,299 | 19 | Electrical | Skip this year |
| 2013 | 805 | 462 | 10 | Electrical | Average |
| 2012 | 1,644 | 1,062 | 11 | Electrical | Watch out |
About the Grand Cherokee
The Grand Cherokee is a comfortable, capable SUV that tows well. Its record swings widely by year. Early years of the 2011-2021 generation were plagued by power module (TIPM) faults that caused stalling, no-starts and fuel pump trouble, and 2014 added an eight-speed transmission with its own early problems. From 2016 on the complaint rate falls sharply.
- 2011-2015: Early fourth generation. 2012 and 2014 are among the most complained-about SUVs of the decade.
- 2016-2021: Later fourth generation. Much more reliable; 2016, 2017, 2019 and 2020 are all good picks. 2018 is average.
- 2022 on: Fifth generation. Too early to judge; early complaints are moderate.
Grand Cherokee warranty extensions and special coverage
Carmakers sometimes extend the warranty on a part that fails too often, or pay for a fix outside a recall. These notices come from the dealer bulletins Jeep files with NHTSA. 3,567 Grand Cherokee bulletins are on file in total.
2022–2024 · bulletin 11029667
High Voltage Battery Pack Replacement XU1 Warranty Extension Customers must experience a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illumination and the vehicle must SYMPTOM: exhibit/set one or more of the following Diagnostic Trouble Co...
High Voltage Battery Pack Replacement XU1 Warranty Extension Customers must experience a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illumination and the vehicle must SYMPTOM: exhibit/set one or more of the following Diagnostic Trouble Co...
2023, 2024 · bulletin 11032844
PHEV Engine Replacement XC2 Warranty Extension Customers must experience a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illumination and the vehicle must exhibit/set one or more of the following Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs): P2336 - Cyl...
PHEV Engine Replacement XC2 Warranty Extension Customers must experience a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illumination and the vehicle must exhibit/set one or more of the following Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs): P2336 - Cyl...
2014–2018 · bulletin 10180277
Active Head Restraint (AHR) Inadvertent Deployment - X88 Warranty Extension This bulletin involves inspecting the sled bracket striker pin and possibly replacing a front seat AHR that has inadvertently deployed.
Active Head Restraint (AHR) Inadvertent Deployment - X88 Warranty Extension This bulletin involves inspecting the sled bracket striker pin and possibly replacing a front seat AHR that has inadvertently deployed.
2014–2018 · bulletin 10218581
3.0L Diesel Crankshaft Tone Wheel Loss of Signal - X95 Warranty Extension This bulletin involves replacing the crankshaft tone wheel.
3.0L Diesel Crankshaft Tone Wheel Loss of Signal - X95 Warranty Extension This bulletin involves replacing the crankshaft tone wheel.
2012–2017 · bulletin 10166578
Dash and Door Appliques Delaminating - X77 Warranty Extension This bulletin involves replacing carbon fiber interior trim appliques that have suffered delamination issues.
Dash and Door Appliques Delaminating - X77 Warranty Extension This bulletin involves replacing carbon fiber interior trim appliques that have suffered delamination issues.
2014–2016 · bulletin 10162518
V08/v11 epa and carb approved emissions modification and extended warranty note: vins live may 3rd , 2019 ; dealer instructions to publish may 7th , 2019
V08/v11 epa and carb approved emissions modification and extended warranty note: vins live may 3rd , 2019 ; dealer instructions to publish may 7th , 2019
2014, 2015 · bulletin 10190718
Front Outboard Seat Belts May Not Retract Properly - X90 Warranty Extension This bulletin involves inspecting both of the front seat belt retractor D-rings for cracks, whitening or witness marks on the plastic overmolds.
Front Outboard Seat Belts May Not Retract Properly - X90 Warranty Extension This bulletin involves inspecting both of the front seat belt retractor D-rings for cracks, whitening or witness marks on the plastic overmolds.
2012–2014 · bulletin 10170403
Leather Instrument Panel (IP) Cover Delaminating - X81 Warranty Extension This bulletin involves replacing upper leather IP covers that have suffered delamination issues.
Leather Instrument Panel (IP) Cover Delaminating - X81 Warranty Extension This bulletin involves replacing upper leather IP covers that have suffered delamination issues.
2012, 2013 · bulletin 10139664
MIL Illumination: P0300, P0302, P0304 or P0306 (X56 Warranty Extension) This bulletin involves checking for excessive cylinder leakage and replacing the cylinder head if necessary.
MIL Illumination: P0300, P0302, P0304 or P0306 (X56 Warranty Extension) This bulletin involves checking for excessive cylinder leakage and replacing the cylinder head if necessary.
Ask a dealer to check a specific car by VIN. Extensions usually have a time or mileage limit.
Government investigations into the Grand Cherokee
NHTSA opens an investigation when complaints point to a possible safety defect. Some end in a recall and some close without one.
Recall 23V-413 Post Remedy Failures Open
Recall query RQ25005 · 2021–2023 · opened Dec 2025 · led to recall 26V051
On June 8, 2023, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles US, LLC (FCA) filed Safety Recall 23V-413 affecting certain 2022–2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee and2021–2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vehicles to address rear coil springs that may not have been properly installed during vehicle production.
Recall query RQ25005 · 2021–2023 · opened Dec 2025 · led to recall 26V051
On June 8, 2023, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles US, LLC (FCA) filed Safety Recall 23V-413 affecting certain 2022–2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee and2021–2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vehicles to address rear coil springs that may not have been properly installed during vehicle production.
High pressure fuel pump failure Open
Engineering analysis EA23001 · 2014–2020 · opened Mar 2023 · led to recall 24V957
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE21-021 on October 14, 2021, to investigate incidents alleging a stall/loss of motive power as a result of high-pressure fuel pump failures in certain model year (MY) 2019-2020 Ram 2500, 3500, 4500, and 5500 heavy duty trucks equipped with 6.7L Cummins turbodiesel en...
Engineering analysis EA23001 · 2014–2020 · opened Mar 2023 · led to recall 24V957
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE21-021 on October 14, 2021, to investigate incidents alleging a stall/loss of motive power as a result of high-pressure fuel pump failures in certain model year (MY) 2019-2020 Ram 2500, 3500, 4500, and 5500 heavy duty trucks equipped with 6.7L Cummins turbodiesel en...
Pedestrian alert sounds Closed
Defect petition DP22005 · 2022 · opened Jan 2023, closed Aug 2023 · led to recall 22V063000
NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States.
Defect petition DP22005 · 2022 · opened Jan 2023, closed Aug 2023 · led to recall 22V063000
NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States.
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture Open
Engineering analysis EA21002 · 2012–2019 · opened Sep 2021
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L.
Engineering analysis EA21002 · 2012–2019 · opened Sep 2021
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L.
Seat Belt Retraction Closed
Preliminary evaluation PE19011 · 2014, 2015 · opened Sep 2019, closed May 2021
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this Preliminary Evaluation to investigate complaints alleging improper retraction of the front seat belts (driver or passenger) due to the plastic guide of the D-ring cracking in model year (MY) 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles.
Preliminary evaluation PE19011 · 2014, 2015 · opened Sep 2019, closed May 2021
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this Preliminary Evaluation to investigate complaints alleging improper retraction of the front seat belts (driver or passenger) due to the plastic guide of the D-ring cracking in model year (MY) 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles.
Active Head Rest Inadvertent Deployment Closed
Preliminary evaluation PE19014 · 2012–2019 · opened Sep 2019, closed Feb 2026
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE19014 on September 9, 2019, to investigate 128 consumer complaints alleging that the Active Head Rest (AHR) inadvertently deployed without the occurrence of a crash or other rear impact event in model year (MY) 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango vehicles.Whe...
Preliminary evaluation PE19014 · 2012–2019 · opened Sep 2019, closed Feb 2026
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE19014 on September 9, 2019, to investigate 128 consumer complaints alleging that the Active Head Rest (AHR) inadvertently deployed without the occurrence of a crash or other rear impact event in model year (MY) 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango vehicles.Whe...
Vehicle rollaway, engine on Closed
Engineering analysis EA16002 · 2014, 2015 · opened Feb 2016, closed Jun 2016 · led to recall 16V240000
On April 22, 2016, Fiat Chrysler Automotive US LLC, (FCA) submitted a Defect Information Report (DIR) to NHTSA regarding a defect that could result in unattended vehicle rollaway with the engine running in approximately 811,586 model year (MY) 2012 to 2014 Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300 vehicles and MY 2014 to 2015 ...
Engineering analysis EA16002 · 2014, 2015 · opened Feb 2016, closed Jun 2016 · led to recall 16V240000
On April 22, 2016, Fiat Chrysler Automotive US LLC, (FCA) submitted a Defect Information Report (DIR) to NHTSA regarding a defect that could result in unattended vehicle rollaway with the engine running in approximately 811,586 model year (MY) 2012 to 2014 Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300 vehicles and MY 2014 to 2015 ...
Powered vehicle rollaway Closed
Preliminary evaluation PE15030 · 2014, 2015 · opened Aug 2015, closed Feb 2016
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE15-030 on August 20, 2015,to investigate 14 complaints alleging incidents of rollaway after intended shifts to Park in Model Year (MY) 2014 and 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokees vehicles.
Preliminary evaluation PE15030 · 2014, 2015 · opened Aug 2015, closed Feb 2016
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE15-030 on August 20, 2015,to investigate 14 complaints alleging incidents of rollaway after intended shifts to Park in Model Year (MY) 2014 and 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokees vehicles.
Software security vulnerability Closed
Recall query RQ15004 · 2014, 2015 · opened Jul 2015, closed Jan 2016 · led to recall 15V508000
On July 23, 2015, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) launched Safety Recall 15V-461 to remedy security vulnerabilities in approximately 1.4 million model year (MY) 2013 through 2015 vehicles equipped with Uconnect head units (HU) 8.4A (RA3 radio) and 8.4AN (RA4 radio) manufactured by Harman International.On July 24, 20...
Recall query RQ15004 · 2014, 2015 · opened Jul 2015, closed Jan 2016 · led to recall 15V508000
On July 23, 2015, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) launched Safety Recall 15V-461 to remedy security vulnerabilities in approximately 1.4 million model year (MY) 2013 through 2015 vehicles equipped with Uconnect head units (HU) 8.4A (RA3 radio) and 8.4AN (RA4 radio) manufactured by Harman International.On July 24, 20...
False Positive Automated Braking Closed
Preliminary evaluation PE15021 · 2014, 2015 · opened Jun 2015, closed Sep 2016
On June 1, 2015, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE15-021 to investigate 9 complaints alleging incidents of unintended braking in model year (MY) 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles, including 2 alleging incidents of full ABS braking.ODI expanded the scope to include MY 2015 Gra...
Preliminary evaluation PE15021 · 2014, 2015 · opened Jun 2015, closed Sep 2016
On June 1, 2015, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE15-021 to investigate 9 complaints alleging incidents of unintended braking in model year (MY) 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles, including 2 alleging incidents of full ABS braking.ODI expanded the scope to include MY 2015 Gra...
Post 14V-391 Headliner Fires Closed
Recall query RQ15003 · 2012–2014 · opened May 2015, closed Jul 2016 · led to recall 15V879000
In response to this investigation, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) is conducting a recall to address headliner fires that occur post 14V-391.On December 22, 2015 FCA notified the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) of safety recall 15V-879 to remedy potential headliner fires occurring in 389,252 model year (MY) 20...
Recall query RQ15003 · 2012–2014 · opened May 2015, closed Jul 2016 · led to recall 15V879000
In response to this investigation, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) is conducting a recall to address headliner fires that occur post 14V-391.On December 22, 2015 FCA notified the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) of safety recall 15V-879 to remedy potential headliner fires occurring in 389,252 model year (MY) 20...
Totally Integrated Power Module Failure Closed
Defect petition DP14004 · 2012, 2013 · opened Sep 2014, closed Jul 2015
In a letter dated August 21, 2014, the Center for Auto Safety (CAS) petitioned the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to initiate a defect investigation of alleged failures associated with the Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM) installed in Chrysler SUV's, trucks, and vans beginning in the 20...
Defect petition DP14004 · 2012, 2013 · opened Sep 2014, closed Jul 2015
In a letter dated August 21, 2014, the Center for Auto Safety (CAS) petitioned the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to initiate a defect investigation of alleged failures associated with the Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM) installed in Chrysler SUV's, trucks, and vans beginning in the 20...
Grand Cherokee vs rivals
Questions
What is the best year for the Jeep Grand Cherokee?
2016 and 2020. The best Grand Cherokee years to buy are 2016 and 2020. Avoid the 2012 and 2014: they have more than twice the average complaint rate, with electrical failures, stalling, brake problems and a long list of recalls.
Which Jeep Grand Cherokee years should I avoid?
2012, 2014. These drew far more owner complaints per car sold than the Jeep Grand Cherokee average.
What is the TIPM problem on the Grand Cherokee?
The Totally Integrated Power Module controls power to the fuel pump and other systems. On 2011-2014 models it can fail, causing no-starts, stalling and random electrical faults. A replacement costs about $1,000 to $1,800; a fuel pump relay recall covered part of the problem.
Based on 10,241 complaints filed by owners with U.S. safety regulators for model years 2012 to 2024, and U.S. sales by calendar year. How we score.