2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee Electrical System Problems

Source: NHTSA · Updated Sep 30, 2026 · 837 complaints analyzed

Owners have filed 837 complaints with NHTSA about electrical system problems on the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 51% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 70,000 miles. The words owners use most often: “chrysler dodge ram” (7% of reports).

What owners describe

Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.

  • Chrysler dodge ram: mentioned in 59 of 837 complaints (7%)
  • Fuel pump relay: mentioned in 51 of 837 complaints (6%)

How much does it cost to fix?

Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical electrical system repair on the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee at $1,400, and half of them between $1,100 and $2,000.

Based on 17 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2014–2021), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.

At what mileage do electrical system problems happen?

Based on 493 complaints that reported the odometer reading.

Under 10k miles11 · 2%
10k–25k miles27 · 5%
25k–50k miles108 · 22%
50k–75k miles119 · 24%
75k–100k miles114 · 23%
100k–150k miles98 · 20%
150k+ miles16 · 3%

How serious are the reports?

Of 837 complaints, 5 mention a crash, 94 a fire, 3 an injury.

Jeep Grand Cherokee electrical system complaints by model year

Peak: 2005, with 927 complaints
1995: 4019951996: 651997: 561998: 6019981999: 842000: 1122001: 4220012002: 852003: 552004: 14420042005: 9279272006: 7532007: 65820072008: 4732009: 472010: 4720102011: 7802012: 8372013: 37620132014: 4842015: 1382016: 6120162017: 872018: 3392019: 8420192020: 732021: 1152022: 12920222023: 1782024: 1152025: 3020252026: 4

n = 7,478 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Model yearElectrical System complaintsShare of that yearMedian miles
2026 Grand Cherokee416%10
2025 Grand Cherokee3039%—
2024 Grand Cherokee11546%14,000
2023 Grand Cherokee17845%21,545
2022 Grand Cherokee12949%20,450
2021 Grand Cherokee11528%1,812
2020 Grand Cherokee7330%12,000
2019 Grand Cherokee8423%14,000
2018 Grand Cherokee33940%27,750
2017 Grand Cherokee8724%33,451
2016 Grand Cherokee6120%33,570
2015 Grand Cherokee13810%28,000
2014 Grand Cherokee48420%37,000
2013 Grand Cherokee37647%68,000
2012 Grand Cherokee83751%70,000
2011 Grand Cherokee78048%62,568
2010 Grand Cherokee4740%85,000
2009 Grand Cherokee4734%82,675
2008 Grand Cherokee47364%78,000
2007 Grand Cherokee65859%79,000
2006 Grand Cherokee75359%90,000
2005 Grand Cherokee92745%92,000
2004 Grand Cherokee14411%92,000
2003 Grand Cherokee557%85,500
2002 Grand Cherokee856%102,600
2001 Grand Cherokee425%55,000
2000 Grand Cherokee1128%104,000
1999 Grand Cherokee845%121,181
1998 Grand Cherokee606%116,000
1997 Grand Cherokee566%151,500
1996 Grand Cherokee657%148,000
1995 Grand Cherokee406%138,000

When owners reported it

Peak: 2015, with 239 complaints
2012: 1201212013: 882014: 712014712015: 2392392016: 11120161112017: 1141142018: 592018592019: 37372020: 10120201012021: 44442022: 122022122023: 13132024: 102024102025: 10102026: 720267

n = 837 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Related recalls (6)

Electrical systemNov 14, 2019 · NHTSA campaign 19V813000 · 528,594 vehicles

Problem: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2011-2013 Dodge Durango and Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles equipped with a 3.6, 5.7, or 6.4 liter engine and previously recalled under NHTSA Recall 14V530 or 15V115. The fuel pump relay inside the Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM-7) may fail, causing the vehicle to stall without warning.

Risk: A vehicle stall increases the risk of a crash.

Fix: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) will replace the affected fuel pump relay and related wire harness. Interim notices informing owners of the safety risk were mailed beginning December 19, 2019. Vehicles that experience a fuel pump failure will receive an interim repair. Owners will receive a second notice when the final remedy becomes available. Owner notification letters were mailed on December 10, 2020. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is V62.

Electrical system:alternator/generator/regulatorJul 10, 2017 · NHTSA campaign 17V435000 · 442,214 vehicles

Problem: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Dodge Challenger, Dodge Charger, Chrysler 300, Dodge Durango, and 2012-2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles. The affected vehicles have electro-hydraulic power steering (EHPS) and are equipped with a 5.7L or a 3.6L engine and a 160, 180 or 220 amp alternator. In the affected vehicles, the alternator may suddenly fail.

Risk: If the alternator fails, the vehicle may stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash. There is also the possibility that the alternator may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.

Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the alternator and depending on the part number, will replace the alternator, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began February 12, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T36.

Interior lighting; electrical system:wiringDec 28, 2015 · NHTSA campaign 15V879000 · 389,252 vehicles

Problem: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Dodge Durango and Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured December 3, 2009, to September 1, 2012. In the affected vehicles, the wiring for the vanity lamp in the sun visor may short circuit, after having been remedied for a prior recall for the vanity lamp wiring. This recall is also addressing certain vehicles that have not been remedied under that prior recall.

Risk: The vanity lamp wiring may short, increasing the risk of a vehicle fire.

Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealer will install clearance for sun visor wiring, protection from sharp edges, and replace the sun visor, free of charge. The recall began on July 28, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R71.

Electrical systemFeb 27, 2015 · NHTSA campaign 15V115000 · 339,525 vehicles

Problem: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured September 17, 2010, to August 19, 2013, and equipped with a 3.6, 5.7 or 6.4 liter engine, and 2012-2013 Dodge Durango vehicles manufactured January 18, 2011, to August 19, 2013, and equipped with a 3.6 or 5.7 liter engine. In the affected vehicles, the fuel pump relay inside the Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM-7) may fail, causing the vehicle to stall without warning.

Risk: A vehicle stall increases the risk of a crash.

Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump relay with one external to the TIPM. The recall began on August 7, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R09. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 14V-530. Note: This recall has been superseded by recall 19V813.

Electrical system:alternator/generator/regulatorOct 8, 2014 · NHTSA campaign 14V634000 · 435,081 vehicles

Problem: Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger, Challenger, and Durango; and 2012-2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured April 22, 2010, to January 2, 2014, and equipped with a 3.6L engine and a 160 amp alternator. In the affected vehicles, the alternator may suddenly fail.

Risk: If the alternator fails, the vehicle may stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Chrysler has notified owners, and dealers will replace the alternator, free of charge. The recall began on February 27, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is P60.

Electrical system:wiringJul 2, 2014 · NHTSA campaign 14V391000 · 653,562 vehicles

Problem: Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Dodge Durango and Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured January 5, 2010, through December 11, 2013. In the affected vehicles, the wiring for the vanity lamp in the sun visor may short circuit, after a service repair is performed.

Risk: If the vanity lamp wiring shorts, there is an increased risk of fire.

Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and repair any damaged wiring, and install a new sun visor that properly routes the wire, free of charge. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is P36.

What owners report

Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.

The alternator failed. It was the Safety Recall P60 (NHTSA 14V-634) remedy alternator, installed by an authorized FCA dealer when the recall was completed on 08/30/2021, as FCA confirmed in writing. On 09/24/2026, at 41,275 miles, the vehicle had no electrical power and would not start. An…

Received Sep 25, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11766856

My 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee suddenly was stalling, and would not re-start, especially when turning the steering. AAA Tech diagnosed as High Diode Ripple Voltage in the Alternator, damaging the Battery. Needed to Replace both Alternator and Battery at a cost of $1068. Car was recalled under T36, and…

Received Sep 10, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11763496

Alternator smoking. it is available for inspection. Filled interior of vehicle with smoke the engine stopped running while driving. Took to dealership for a 2nd sun visor recall and had them diagnose the smoking alternator. The voltage light came on just before the alternator started smoking

Received Sep 10, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11763270
Jeep Grand Cherokee
Jeep Grand Cherokee (WL) in Stuttgart. Representative photo; appearance varies by model year. Photo: Alexander-93, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Frequently asked questions

Do all 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokees have electrical system problems?

No. NHTSA has 837 owner complaints about electrical system for the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee (51% of the 1,644 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.

Was there a recall on the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee electrical system?

Yes: 6 safety recalls list electrical system. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.

At what mileage do electrical system problems start?

The median reported mileage is 70,000 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.

How much does it cost to fix electrical system problems on the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee?

Owners report a typical cost of $1,400 (half paid between $1,100 and $2,000), from 17 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.

What do owners say about electrical system problems on the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee?

The most frequent phrase is “chrysler dodge ram”, in 59 of 837 complaints, followed by “fuel pump relay” (51).

Other 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee problems

See all 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee problems or electrical system problems across all Grand Cherokee years.