2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee: battery drain or dead battery

Filed Dec 7, 2017 · Electrical · 15,000 miles · CA · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 jeep grand cherokee. While driving 25 MPH, the vehicle stopped operating without warning. A burning odor and smoke emitted from the engine. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The battery was drained completely and the vehicle could not be restarted. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the alternator failed and drained the battery. The vehicle was repaired by the independent mechanic. The manufacturer and a local dealer were not contacted. The vehicle was included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 17v435000 (electrical system). The failure mileage was 15,000.

Filed Sep 30, 2017 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 50,000 miles · SC · fire

Alternator / electrical issues- november 4, 2016 my wife was taking our son to school when she began getting a burning smell from under the hood. After dropping off my son, she pulled over and noticed smoke coming from under the hood. She cut the car off, initially thinking it just overheated. We left the car in the school parking lot overnight hoping it would start up the next day. I tried to start the car, but it wouldn't start and the key got stuck in the ignition. After having it towed to a mechanic, we learned that the alternator suddenly failed, draining the battery and causing the engine stall. This is my second time submitting this complaint with no response from your organization.

Filed Jul 10, 2017 · Electrical · 70,000 miles · IA

The alternator on our jeep had the same issue as the p60 recall for this model year and engine equipped with the 160 amp alternator. Our vehicle has the 180 amp alternator and is not covered. My question/complaint is that if the chrysler warranty rep told me that she is seeing this issue more and more than why isn't the 180 amp alternator covered under the warranty also. The car was running perfectly fine and instantly started squealing very loudly and we could smell the electrical issue we are unsure of a fire issue but it looked like the alternator could have started something else..luckily we were able to pull the vehicle over and when I lifted the hood the alternator was pouring out smoke and had soot around the cooling fins. We returned to the vehicle 3 hours later and we could still smell the burnt wire smell. Our dealer tried to jump start using a power pack and it instantly drained two power packs that can jump seams from a dead battery. Our vehicle had to be towed to the dealer. Now we are waiting to find out what our charged will be. As I said earlier, the chrysler warranty rep said that this is being reported more and more and she advised me to file a complaint hoping that a recall will be started due to the number of complaints they are seeing. Is there anything I can do in the meantime while I spend 500$ on a tow and a alternator? Thank you [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).?

Filed Jun 30, 2017 · Electrical · 143,000 miles · PA

Sudden loss of all power while driving on highway. Smoke, power brake and steering failure, battery drained. Very dangerous!!

Filed May 22, 2017 · Driver assistance · 65,000 miles · SC

Here are the issues I had with my truck which align with issues noted in recalls; tipm ' electrical issues in march 2015, the electrical component to the truck key malfunctioned after owning the truck for about 6 months. This malfunction did not allow me to lock the car using the key. I had the key battery replaced thinking that would fix the problem, but the key malfunctioned again one week later. Sun visor and fuel pump recall- december 12, 2015 I had an appointment with keffer jeep on east independence boulevard to have both recalls looked at. I was told they were both taken care of. Alternator / electrical issues- november 4, 2016 my wife was taking our son to school when she began getting a burning smell from under the hood. After dropping off my son, she pulled over and noticed smoke coming from under the hood. She cut the car off, initially thinking it just overheated. We left the car in the school parking lot overnight hoping it would start up the next day. I tried to start the car, but it wouldn't start and the key got stuck in the ignition. After having it towed to a mechanic, we learned that the alternator suddenly failed, draining the battery and causing the engine stall. When I experienced these issues with the truck on 11/4, my mechanic took the truck to state line jeep in fort mill, sc to get the computer reprogrammed. During that visit, my mechanic was told that the visor recall was still open which makes me wonder if the fuel pump issue was ever properly resolved. There are multiple alternator recalls for this truck, but not one specific to my VIN number.

Filed Feb 1, 2017 · Electrical · SC

Letter from consumer regarding issues with their 2012 jeep grand cherokee due to a recall; seeking reimbursement. *smd the consumer stated on december 8, 2016, the vehicle would not start. After an unsuccessful attempt by aaa to jump start it, the consumer had the vehicle towed aaa service center. Upon diagnostics, it was determined the problem needed repaired by an authorized jeep dealer. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was determined the alternator shorted out and drained the battery. The dealer also found the starter circuit internal to timp to be open. The dealer replaced the battery and alternator and installed a new PCM and timp and reprogrammed both modules at a cost of $ 2,636.54. The consumer is seeking reimbursement as a result of the recall he discovered on the internet.

Filed Oct 7, 2016 · Electrical · 98,380 miles · GA · fire

Battery died and dealer replaced battery and performed recall repair for sun visor wiring. Within first 20 miles, while in motion on atlanta rd. In smyrna, georgia, cabin filled with smoke from electrical fire beneath front passenger seat, which is where battery is located.

Filed Aug 16, 2016 · Electrical · 90,000 miles · IN

Car lost complete power in parking lot. Alternator failed and shorted and drained the battery. Alternator was still hot after several hours and a burnt odor could be detected. Luckily it did not catch fire as others have when this failure occurred. When the alternator failed it shorted the battery and also the PCM. Jeep has a current recall out on the 160 amp alternator for this exact problem, but since this is the 180 amp they are washing their hands of the situation. Pcm's are on a huge back order and took several days and a multiple phone calls to find someone willing to sell me one. After the first round of repairs before the PCM was replaced the car died while being driven by the mechanic. Having a car that could randomly die while being driven needs to be taken more seriously by jeep/chrysler.

Filed Dec 18, 2014 · Brakes, Electrical · 50,000 miles · MI

Battery light came on after approximately 5 miles of driving after starting the car, on 10/5/14. This pattern continued for two days, and on the morning of 10/8/14 the car stopped running completely while I was pulling into the parking lot of the auto shop to have it looked at. While driving, I lost power steering and ABS before the car stalled completely a few moments later. I had to have the alternator replaced with only 50,000 miles on the vehicle. Several days later I learned of a new recall on chrysler vehicles due to alternator problems, and today I learned my vehicle was not a part of this recall because I have a 180 amp alternator, and those recalled were 160 amp. I am choosing to report this incident because I believe the failure of my alternator could have caused serious injury to myself or other drivers if I had been traveling at high speed when the battery died, and I believe the 180 amp alternators should be investigated for a possible recall.

Filed Sep 20, 2014 · 30,000 miles · FL

Fuel pump continues to run after car shut off. Result is a dead battery and my car in the shop.

Filed Nov 10, 2013 · Electrical · 5,000 miles · CA

The battery keeps dying/vehicle won't start/dies while idling. My jeep has a push button start, when pushed, the car will cycle through the ignition process (about 15-30 seconds) but won't start. After that the battery is drained enough not to cycle through ignition process. This first started shortly after original purchase of vehicle and I have been forced to keep on a charger, which only works some of the time. I have to have insurance send roadside to jump car at least once a week. It has also started up just to die as soon as it is put into gear, warm or cold. Jeep claims there is nothing wrong with battery or electrical system. This is my wife's car and I am worried that it will stall out with her and 2 year old son inside.