2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee Service Brakes Problems

Source: NHTSA · Updated Sep 30, 2026 · 278 complaints analyzed

Owners have filed 278 complaints with NHTSA about service brakes problems on the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 17% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 50,000 miles. The words owners use most often: “service brakes hydraulic” (42% of reports).

What owners describe

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

  • Service brakes hydraulic: mentioned in 117 of 278 complaints (42%)
  • Brake booster: mentioned in 78 of 278 complaints (28%)
  • Pedal depressed: mentioned in 18 of 278 complaints (6%)

At what mileage do service brakes problems happen?

Based on 131 complaints that reported the odometer reading.

Under 10k miles11 · 8%
10k–25k miles14 · 11%
25k–50k miles40 · 31%
50k–75k miles32 · 24%
75k–100k miles23 · 18%
100k–150k miles9 · 7%
150k+ miles2 · 2%

How serious are the reports?

Of 278 complaints, 19 mention a crash, 2 a fire, 6 an injury.

Jeep Grand Cherokee service brakes complaints by model year

Peak: 2011, with 322 complaints
1995: 119951996: 21997: 31998: 319981999: 82000: 82001: 320012002: 142003: 32004: 1420042005: 622006: 562007: 3020072008: 202009: 22010: 1020102011: 3223222012: 2782013: 14120132014: 2532015: 402016: 2220162017: 292018: 292019: 4920192020: 132021: 292022: 1320222023: 222024: 172025: 620252026: 2

n = 1,504 complaints · Source: NHTSA

When owners reported it

Peak: 2014, with 145 complaints
2012: 1201212013: 442014: 14520141452015: 48482016: 232016232017: 18182018: 112018112019: 11112020: 3202032021: 222022: 3202232023: 112024: 1202412025: 112026: 620266

n = 278 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Related recalls (3)

Service brakes; service brakes, hydraulic:power assistSep 18, 2017 · NHTSA campaign 17V572000 · 646,394 vehicles

Problem: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Dodge Durango and Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles. The affected vehicles had brake booster shields installed under a previous campaign to prevent water from entering the brake booster and limiting braking ability. This recall is to verify that the brake booster shield installation was performed properly.

Risk: If the brake booster shield was not installed properly, the vehicle's braking ability may be reduced, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brake booster shield, correcting the installation as necessary, free of charge. The recall began November10, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T59.

Service brakes; service brakes, hydraulic:power assist:vacuumApr 1, 2014 · NHTSA campaign 14V154000 · 646,498 vehicles

Problem: Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango vehicles manufactured from January 5, 2010, through September 8, 2013. The subject vehicles have a brake booster with a center shell that may corrode and allow water to get inside.

Risk: The water inside could freeze and limit the braking ability of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will add a water diverter shield to the booster after the booster has been tested to confirm it can hold an acceptable amount of vacuum pressure. If the booster inspection confirms an unacceptable loss of vacuum pressure, the booster will be replaced. Repairs will be made free of charge. The recall began on May 30, 2014. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's recall campaign number is P14.

Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slipMar 4, 2014 · NHTSA campaign 14V104000 · 18,780 vehicles

Problem: Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Dodge Durango and Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured October 11, 2011, through October 1, 2012. Under certain braking events, the Ready Alert Braking System (RAB) may result in the driver experiencing a hard brake pedal feel.

Risk: If the driver experiences a hard brake pedal, the driver may not push the pedal as intended, lengthening the distance needed to stop the vehicle and increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update the ABS module software, free of charge. The recall began on April 3, 2014. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number associated with this recall is P05.

What owners report

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

The engine / power cuts off with no warning causing steering to lock up to left & brakes lock up causing the vehicle to veer to the left and unable to use brake to stop vehicle. Happens randomly while driving which makes it unsafe to operate to drive.

Received Sep 30, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11768120

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…

Received Jun 16, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11744558

Upon starting my Jeep on the coldest day of the year back in January when I pressed the brake pedal to start it there was a loud and it reminded me, there was a recall out for the break booster pop and the pedal went all the way to the floor. It was fifteen below zero out.So I thought that it blew…

Received Jun 1, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11741339
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 service brakes problems?

No. NHTSA has 278 owner complaints about service brakes for the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee (17% 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 service brakes?

Yes: 3 safety recalls list service brakes. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.

At what mileage do service brakes problems start?

The median reported mileage is 50,000 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.

What do owners say about service brakes problems on the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee?

The most frequent phrase is “service brakes hydraulic”, in 117 of 278 complaints, followed by “brake booster” (78).

Other 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee problems

See all 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee problems or service brakes problems across all Grand Cherokee years.