2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee: key fob or push-button start problems

Filed Oct 21, 2025 · Engine, Fuel system · NV

In August 2025 my 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo lost engine power and stalled while driving 15 mph. There was no warning. I was able to restart the car and drive. Then while driving in traffic at 45 mph on 18 Oct 2025, my Jeep abruptly lost engine power and stopped, putting my safety and the safety of my passenger at great risk as I had several cars behind me. Again, the Jeep stalled without warning. I was able to put my emergency warning lights on, then after 30 seconds, I put the car in park and restarted the engine with no problem. The Jeep drove normally. This unexpected loss of power while driving at speed in traffic on Hwy 431 could have been catastrophic. This incident appears to be linked to two previous Fuel Pump Relay recalls, the most recent being V62/the federal safety agency 19V‑813. My Jeep was repaired by the Jeep dealer under both of these recalls which were prompted by no-start conditions and ENGINE STALL CONDITIONS. It appears the FCA repair has been ineffective as my Jeep has experienced two engine stalls while driving and does have intermittant problems with start up. This most recent problem has not yet been confirmed by a dealer as the Jeep Dealer cannot see my vehicle for another 2 weeks, which puts my safety at risk. There were no warning lamps or messages before the abrupt engine stalls while driving. However, for the past 6 months, I had had intermittant instances of the car not starting immediately, particularly in the morning. I would turn the key fob a few times before my Jeep would start. But it always started.

Filed Oct 31, 2019 · Electrical, Engine · 100,000 miles · AL

When I press the push start and the brake, the engine will stall and not turn over. It has happened multiple times in the 4 years I've had it. The last time I tried to start it, it would not crank. I used jumper cables to try and revive the battery. Doing this reverted power back to my vehicle, yet it would still not turn over. I then had to put the keyfob into the ignition and try it manually. Still nothing worked and my car will not turn over and start. It makes one click, and then nothing.

Filed Jun 3, 2019 · Electrical · NJ

I have taken my jeep in to the dealership three times for an issue with regards to the engine cranking but not starting. The dealership has replaced the key fob and it is still not acting right. Today june 3, 2019 will make the fourth time taking my truck in for the same problem.

Filed May 14, 2019 · Engine, Fuel system · 106,225 miles · OH

Push button start does not work. Fuel pump is not working properly to allow the vehicle to start. The vehicle has stalled out on a freeway. Will not start while stationary. I have to tap the fuel pump in order to start the vehicle

Filed May 2, 2019 · Electrical, Engine · PA

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 jeep grand cherokee. While the vehicle was parked, the contact was unable to start the vehicle with the main key fob. The contact stated that the spare key fob had to be used. Also, while driving unknown speeds, the vehicle started to stall. The vehicle was taken to scranton dodge chrysler jeep ram (located at 1146 wyoming ave, scranton, pa 18509, (570) 344-1261) where it was diagnosed that the key fob needed to be replaced. The part was replaced in december of 2018, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the receiver needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was not provided.

Filed Apr 9, 2019 · Electrical · 130,000 miles · MI

Intermittently, when pushing push button ignition car attempts to start and immediately stalls. Only will start again if running through push button with foot off the ignition to cycle through. Battery in key fob replaced and intermittent issue continues. Dealership confirmed no open recalls for jeep, however confirmed that fuel pump relay was replaced under recall prior to vehicle purchase. Reading other recalls on the federal safety agency I see there was a large recall, with same symptoms, for this make and model of vehicle for external relay from tipm to fuel pump. Dealership claims this recall does not show for my VIN and cannot fix vehicle with recalled part even if I pay for it. They advised I replace tipm and fuel pump and maybe it will work. This is not acceptable.

Filed Nov 10, 2018 · Engine, Fuel system · 108,000 miles · GA

The truck continues to stall while operating and does not turn over when trying to restart. This prevents a quick reaction to being stalled when slowing to enter or exit at an intersection. On most occasions, the car will not start and continues to crank when either using the push start, manual key fob, or auto start. It cannot be moved once stalled. If you attempt to restart too quickly or after several attempts, it will flood. This same issue was included in a previous recall for the fuel pump relay. However, it did not resolve the issue. The same behavior is experienced and is very dangerous. To provide history of failed recalls, the brake shield recall was corrected by two seperate recalls and was also a very dangerous safety issue that prevents driver control over the vehicle when stopping. The stalling occurs when coming to a stop or stopping, and when performing strong turns. These types of turns are done frequently at intersections with on coming traffic. It is very dangerous because you don't even have the ability to restart the vehicle to escape the danger.

Filed Sep 24, 2018 · Electrical · 100,085 miles · LA

Jeep will not start from either using the keyfob or on dash start button. Vehicle cranks and attempts to start. Battery is new and charged. Possible tipm issue.

Filed Apr 12, 2018 · Electrical, Engine · 118,000 miles · NC

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 jeep grand cherokee. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced multiple failures, such as the four wheel drive and windshield wipers would activate independently, the traction control and engine indicators illuminated, and the key fob failed to start the engine. The contact replaced the vehicle battery herself; however, the failures persisted. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer for diagnostic testing or repairs. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The failure mileage was 118,000.

Filed Mar 8, 2018 · Electrical, Visibility · 98,000 miles · CO

When parked, I tried to lock car using key fob, which armed the alarm but did not lock the doors. I tried using master power lock on driver side door to lock it, but this didn't work either (none of the doors will lock). Separately, after leaving this parked spot, I tried using the windshield washers while driving to clean the windshield, but the sprayers did not work. Only the wiper blades activated. After a diagnostic test by repair shop, I'm told the totally integrated power module needs to be replaced.

Filed Sep 12, 2017 · Electrical, Fuel system · 88,000 miles · NJ

While on a nearby highway the vehicle stalled out on me. I was able to get into shoulder and after, immediately after stalling out I attempted to start the car right away, it took about 4 attempts for vehicle to start up again. Took vehicle to the dealership they first diagnosed it being an issue with the key fob battery after being replaced the vehicle ran for about a week then the original problem reoccurred. This time in town in the middle of an intersection. Vehicle was not able to start and had to get vehicle towed. After taking it bake to the dealer they informed me that there was an issue with the primary and secondary fuel pumps.

Filed Feb 1, 2017 · Electrical, Engine · 159,000 miles · CA

2012 jeep grand cherokee overland became possessed. While driving on the freeway, lights began flashing on dash, occasional lurches from transmission, one headlight goes out at night. When I pull over and turn the car off, it will not start. It was as though everything is dead. No response from any button on the key. After about 5 minutes, the headlights began flashing and horn bleating as though emergency. I pressed the "panic" button on the key fob and it stopped. Car now started. I drove a few miles then everything began going crazy again. When I stopped, with car still running, windshield wipers began working as though on intermittent. Then they began wiping fast. I tried turning the wipers on or off, to no avail. They were working with their own mind. Dangerous! I had no idea, while driving on the freeway, if both headlights would suddenly go out (it was night while I was driving) instead of just one, transmission damage may occur (what was causing the lurching?). When I pulled over.