Recall R71 was marked as completed on this vehicle, but the headliner caught fire exactly as described in the original defect narrative. SUV caught fire, blew up and took out four other vehicles and a parking structure.
2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee: fire, smoke or burning smell
75 of the 1,645 complaints about the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee describe fire, smoke or burning smell.
- owner complaints
- 75
- of this car's complaints
- 5%
- typical repair cost reported
- $1,000
- typical mileage
- 63,500
- recalls
- 5
Is there a fix? There are 5 recalls and 43 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below
Fire, smoke or burning smell by model year
What owners say
The contact owns a 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact became aware of smoke coming from the engine compartment. The contact stated there a large amount of smoke coming from the alternator. Additionally, the vehicle had no electrical power. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with a failed alternator. The contact was informed that the alternator was burned. The contact was informed that the alternator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was being repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.
The contact owned a 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while idled, her husband released the brake pedal to accelerate when the vehicle rear-ended another vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact’s husband pulled the vehicle off the road and turned off the vehicle when the electrical started to malfunction. The contact stated that the doors were inadvertently locked while her husband was inside the vehicle. The contact then stated that the doors failed to unlock. The local authorities were notified of the failure and were able to remove the contact’s husband from the vehicle as the contact started to notice smoke at the hood of the vehicle. The contact then stated that the vehicle caught fire and disintegrated into flames. No injuries were sustained. No medical attention was required. A police report was filed. The fire department was notified, and the fire was extinguished. The vehicle was towed to a collision lot and deemed a total loss by the insurance company. The dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000.
Passenger side vanity mirror caught fire. My eyes started burning and smoke filled the car shortly after starting the car. I was sitting in the car waiting for the rain to slow down before I started driving other wise I would have been driving when I realized what was happening.
Vehicle stalled without warning. No power whatsoever. Illuminated battery light came on. Noticed a burning odor coming from vehicle. Checked engine bay and noticed heavy smoke coming from alternator for a good 10 minutes. Vehicle would not take a jump nor could I put into gear. Battery is completely dead. PCM also seems to be fried. Will have to be towed to Dealership. Called Jeep costumer care and referenced the t36 recall but my vin does not fall under it even though vehicle fits EXACT description of recall. Also noticed that many others are have same problem with Jeep and them not expanding the recall to their vin. How terrible!! This could have easily been a fatal situation. Jeep needs to take some responsibility and action!
I was driving home from work and entering a highway merging into traffic at about 50mph, all was operating normally the Jeep was accelerating and I was turning the steering wheel to merge into the traffic. Suddenly without warning there was a noise from under the hood that can best be described as a "pop" which was followed by a burning smell and power loss. I managed to coast out of traffic and onto the shoulder of a 12 lane highway and called my roadside assistance who when they arrived immediately said it was the alternator without even lifting the hood. The incident occurred without warning on a major highway with busy traffic which could have easily resulted in an accident for myself and others. The Jeep was taken to the dealer who diagnosed an alternator diode failure, which also damaged the battery I had recently replaced. i authorized the repair which was accomplished without any issues, I have attached the paid invoice for this repair which totaled $874.06 +/-.
I was driving to work one morning, when I began to smell something burning. I then saw smoke coming from under the hood. I immediately pulled over, on the side of the street, turned the vehicle off, and popped the hood. I saw that the alternator was literally on fire! It then, burned out and began to smoke. I then, disconnected the battery and called a tow truck. Needless to say, I had to replace the alternator. I thought this was random, until I saw the issue online. I contacted the chrysler, dodge, jeep dealership where I purchased the vehicle, but they said they knew nothing of this issue. Can I be reimbursed for the purchase of the replacement alternator?
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 jeep grand cherokee. The contact stated that while driving home the alternator failed and caught on fire. The contact pulled over into a tire stop and they put out the fire. The vehicle was then towed to a dealer classic chrysler dodge jeep ram fiat of arlington (1111 I-20 frontage rd, arlington, tx 76018 682‑206‑3532). They stated that there were no recalls on the vehicle. They replaced the engine and that caused damage to the vehicle computer. The burnt alternator and PCM were replaced as well. These repairs were at the contact's expense. The manufacturer stated the same that there was no recall and gave the contact a case number. They called the contact back later and said they would not do anything else for the contact. The failure mileage was 140,000. *bf
Altanater caught on fire while driving resulting in damages
When the car is stationary it will not start when the button is pushed. The car shudders and the computer freezes. It can only start when the key is used in place of the push button. It seems as if the starter is not relaying to the fuel pump. This car underwent a big recall in march of 2017. The fuel pump, fuse box, battery and alternator were replaced. It was at the dealers for three weeks. The jeep broke down and had smoke coming from under the hood. Unfortunately, we received the recall notice three days after the problem occurred, so we had taken it to our mechanic. Then we had to have an additional tow to the dealership. (recall r09)
While driving vehicle, noticed a smoke smell of something burning. Couldn't put a finger on it until later while driving the car filled with smoke coming from the passenger side headliner and burn hole in liner. Pulled over and pulled headliner down and saw flames and smoke. Put fire out. Called dealership and there was a recall that had been done by them on our vehicle for the vanity mirror electrical problem previous to this incident. They took our vehicle and gave us a rental at their expense until further investigation of this incident..
Takata recall my visor caught fire while I was driving, vehicle shakes when stopped, check engine light remains on after numerous maintence check ups
Service bulletins that may apply
- Connector kit Before ordering this connector repair kit 68018957A$, check it in the Mopar Connector Repair...
- No Start Intermittently, Vehicle Requires Multiple Keyless Push To Start Attempts To Start Vehicle,...
- Leather Instrument Panel (IP) Cover Delaminating
- No Start Intermittently, Vehicle Requires Multiple Keyless Push To Start Attempts To Start Vehicle
- (X81) Leather Instrument Panel Top Pad Delaminating
- Flash: HVAC System Enhancement
- Hands Free Module Prompts Begin Erroneously.
- Summary to be provided on a future date.
Related recalls
Electrical system
- What is wrong
- 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 the federal safety agency 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.
- Remedy
- 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.
Recall number 19V813000 · Recall details
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Remedy
- 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.
Recall number 17V435000 · Recall details
Electrical system
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Remedy
- 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.
Recall number 15V115000 · Recall details
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Remedy
- 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.
Recall number 14V634000 · Recall details
Electrical system: wiring
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Remedy
- 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.
Recall number 14V391000 · Recall details
Questions about the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee fire or smoke
Is fire, smoke or burning smell a common problem on the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
75 of 1,645 owner complaints about the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee (5%) mention fire, smoke or burning smell. The model year with the most reports is 2012.
How much does it cost to fix fire, smoke or burning smell on the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $1,000 (median of 5 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
There are 5 recalls and 43 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee
Stalling 310Fuel pump 189Won't start 102Check engine light 94Loss of power 79Power steering loss 39Wipers 33Brake failure 31Key fob 27Jerking 24Warning lights 21Engine failure 20Headlights 20Misfire 20Whining noise 18Hesitation 17Overheating 17ABS 13No deployment 13Airbag light 12Battery drain 11Knocking 11Sudden acceleration 10Steering lock-up 9Grinding brakes 7Adaptive cruise 6Slipping 6Door locks 5Fuel gauge 5Harsh shifting 5Won't shift 5
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