Jeep Grand Cherokee Engine and Engine Cooling Problems
Owners have filed 1,310 complaints with NHTSA about engine and engine cooling problems on the Jeep Grand Cherokee across 30 model years. The 2000 model year has the most (178). The words owners use most often: “cooling fan” (7% of reports).
- 1,310engine and engine cooling complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 13mention a crash
- 17mention an injury
- 8related recalls
- $1,650typical repair cost reported by owners
- 40%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Cooling fan: mentioned in 98 of 1,310 complaints (7%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical engine and engine cooling repair on the Jeep Grand Cherokee at $1,650, and half of them between $930 and $2,300.
Based on 58 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2000–2015), 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 engine and engine cooling problems happen?
Based on 807 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 1,310 complaints, 13 mention a crash, 38 a fire, 17 an injury.
Jeep Grand Cherokee engine and engine cooling complaints by model year
| Model year | Engine and Engine Cooling complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 Grand Cherokee | 1 | 0% | 100,000 |
| 2023 Grand Cherokee | 1 | 0% | 21,722 |
| 2022 Grand Cherokee | 1 | 0% | — |
| 2021 Grand Cherokee | 2 | 0% | 46,116 |
| 2020 Grand Cherokee | 6 | 3% | 69,000 |
| 2019 Grand Cherokee | 5 | 1% | 95,000 |
| 2018 Grand Cherokee | 17 | 2% | 86,000 |
| 2017 Grand Cherokee | 6 | 2% | 92,000 |
| 2016 Grand Cherokee | 8 | 3% | 125,000 |
| 2015 Grand Cherokee | 23 | 2% | 116,769 |
| 2014 Grand Cherokee | 45 | 2% | 144,116 |
| 2013 Grand Cherokee | 4 | 0% | 69,950 |
| 2012 Grand Cherokee | 18 | 1% | 20,800 |
| 2011 Grand Cherokee | 15 | 1% | 21,517 |
| 2010 Grand Cherokee | 3 | 3% | 2,750 |
| 2009 Grand Cherokee | 5 | 4% | 40,000 |
| 2008 Grand Cherokee | 39 | 5% | 31,000 |
| 2007 Grand Cherokee | 77 | 7% | 38,000 |
| 2006 Grand Cherokee | 53 | 4% | 35,260 |
| 2005 Grand Cherokee | 78 | 4% | 28,500 |
| 2004 Grand Cherokee | 55 | 4% | 51,206 |
| 2003 Grand Cherokee | 42 | 6% | 66,000 |
| 2002 Grand Cherokee | 146 | 10% | 68,390 |
| 2001 Grand Cherokee | 53 | 6% | 76,000 |
| 2000 Grand Cherokee | 178 | 12% | 91,000 |
| 1999 Grand Cherokee | 121 | 7% | 96,500 |
| 1998 Grand Cherokee | 69 | 7% | 141,000 |
| 1997 Grand Cherokee | 81 | 8% | 119,000 |
| 1996 Grand Cherokee | 88 | 10% | 116,250 |
| 1995 Grand Cherokee | 70 | 10% | 135,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (8)
Structure:frame and members; fuel system, gasoline; engine and engine cooling:cooling system:radiator assembly
Model years: 2024
Problem: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Grand Cherokee L vehicles. The radiator crossmember bolts may not be properly secured, which can lead to improper air bag deployments and a fuel leak during a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 208, "Occupant Crash Protection" and 301, "Fuel System Integrity."
Risk: An improper air bag deployment can increase the risk of injury. A fuel leak can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and secure the crossmember bolts as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 9, 2025. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recall is D1B.
Engine and engine cooling
Model years: 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020
Problem: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2019 Ram 1500 and 2014-2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles equipped with 3.0L Diesel engines. The crankshaft position sensor tone wheel may delaminate, causing the engine to lose its ability to synchronize the fuel injector pulses and cam shaft timing, possibly resulting in an engine stall.
Risk: An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will update the powertrain control module software to maintain vehicle propulsion, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed August 3, 2023. Some owner notification letters were mailed October 31, 2023. The remaining owner notification letters will be mailed at a future date, anticipated July 2024. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 66A. This recall is an expansion of recall 20V-475.
Engine and engine cooling:exhaust system:emission control:gas recirculation valve (egr valve)
Model years: 2021
Problem: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021 Dodge Durango, Jeep Grand Cherokee WK, 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee, and 2021-2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vehicles equipped with 3.6L engines. The exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve may stick open, resulting in an unexpected loss of drive power.
Risk: An unexpected loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the EGR valve assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 23, 2022. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is Z31.
Engine and engine cooling:exhaust system:emission control:gas recirculation valve (egr valve)
Model years: 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019
Problem: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles equipped with the 3.0L EcoDiesel engines. The Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) cooler may crack and allow pre-heated vaporized coolant to enter the EGR system. This mixture may combust inside the intake manifold.
Risk: Combustion in the intake manifold can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: FCA US LLC will notify owners, and dealers will replace the EGR cooler, free of charge. Dealers will also inspect and, as necessary, replace the intake manifold. Parts are not currently available. Owners were mailed an interim notification on December 21, 2021. A second notification will be mailed when parts are available, currently expected to be around March 11, 2021. The recall began March 11, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US LLC's number for this recall is W79.
Engine and engine cooling:engine:diesel
Model years: 2014, 2015, 2016
Problem: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Ram 1500 and 2014-2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles equipped with 3.0L diesel engines. The crankshaft position sensor tone wheel may delaminate causing the engine to lose its ability to synchronize the fuel injector pulses and cam shaft timing, possibly resulting in an engine stall.
Risk: An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: FCA US will notify owners, and dealers will update the powertrain control module software to maintain vehicle propulsion by reading the camshaft position signal in the event that the crankshaft position signal is lost, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 13, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US customer service at 1-800-853-2002. FCA US's number for this recall is W58.
Engine and engine cooling
Model years: 2012
Problem: Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2012 chrysler vehicles, including 200 and town and country models, dodge vehicles, including charger, durango, grand caravan and journey models and jeep grand cherokee vehicles manufactured from august 31, 2011, through september 13, 2011, that are equipped with 3.6l engines. These engines may experience connecting rod bearing failure due to debris inside the engine block.
Risk: Connecting rod failure may lead to engine seizure which may increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners and replace the engine free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or about november 18, 2011. Owners may contact chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Engine and engine cooling:cooling system:fan
Model years: 2000, 2002
Problem: On certain sport utility vehicles, the plastic blades of the electric motor driven cooling fan may separate and penetrate the shroud.
Risk: If this occurs while the hood is open, a person in the vicinity of the engine could be struck by the blade and injured.
Fix: Dealers will replace the electric cooling fan modules free of charge. The recall began on september 4, 2006. Owners may contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Engine and engine cooling:exhaust system:emission control
Model years: 2002
Problem: Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles. The onboard vapor recovery system vent hose may have been misrouted. This could allow water to enter the canister which can cause fuel to spill out of the filler tube when refueling the tank.
Risk: Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source could result in a fire.
Fix: Dealers will inspect (and reposition as necessary) the vent hose. If the vent hose is found in the bent down position, and the vehicle has been driven more than 20 miles, the canister assembly will be replaced. Owner notification began december 3, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
The contact owned a 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while her son was driving approximately 40-45 MPH, the electronic control warning light illuminated before the failure. The contact pulled over and turned off the vehicle; however, the vehicle independently restarted. The contact…
The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was large puff of smoke coming from the driver's side of the vehicle while coming to a stop. The contact became aware of a brake fluid leak, causing a complete loss of brake pressure…
The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that since the vehicle was purchased, there was an abnormally strong coolant odor coming from the vehicle. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the coolant reservoir was recently refilled, and the odor…
The contact's daughter owns a 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under previous ownership under NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V699000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the recall repair failed to prevent a recall-related failure 15,000 miles later. The contact…
The contact owns a 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 20 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle jerked and lost power. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the failure could not be replicated. The vehicle was…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Jeep Grand Cherokees have engine and engine cooling problems?
No. NHTSA has 1,310 owner complaints about engine and engine cooling for the Jeep Grand Cherokee. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Jeep Grand Cherokee engine and engine cooling?
Yes: 8 safety recalls list engine and engine cooling. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
How much does it cost to fix engine and engine cooling problems on the Jeep Grand Cherokee?
Owners report a typical cost of $1,650 (half paid between $930 and $2,300), from 58 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about engine and engine cooling problems on the Jeep Grand Cherokee?
The most frequent phrase is “cooling fan”, in 98 of 1,310 complaints.
Other Jeep Grand Cherokee problems
- Electrical System problems (7,478)
- Power Train problems (4,329)
- Engine problems (2,879)
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic problems (2,328)
- Air Bags problems (2,201)
- Seats problems (1,613)
- Service Brakes problems (1,504)
- Visibility problems (1,454)
See all Jeep Grand Cherokee problems.