2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee engine problems

Filed Sep 30, 2026 · Brakes, Engine · NJ

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.

Filed Jul 31, 2026 · Engine · MI

Problem was Oil Filter housing made of plastic. It was cracked and no warning light that oil had leaked out. Car SUDDENLY DECELERATED as I was merging into traffic on freeway causing vehicles coming up behind to brake rapidly including a semi truck which had been 200 yards back. I rolled onto shoulder with warning lights activated. Pure luck it was not a major accident. Had it fixed at local mechanic in area and was told it is common problem on several makes of vehicles. Mechanic replaced with aluminum one. Gave me a reduced price of $1200.

Filed Jun 16, 2026 · Brakes, Engine · NJ

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, radio, heater, air conditioning. No warning lights display. I had the vehicle with a mechanic that kept it for over 4 months to test drive and see if it would occur. It happened while he drove it but no codes show up to determine the cause. I had it towed back to my home and contacted Jeep Chrysler and they gave me a claim number to bring to my local Jeep dealer. They had it for over a week and unfortunately the jeep ran fine so once again no resolution to be able to fix. I bought the Jeep from Carvana 9/7/24 and am still paying it off but yet haven't been able to drive it for the past 15 months because it is unsafe for myself and anyone else on the roadway.

Filed Feb 18, 2026 · Brakes, Electrical · 94,000 miles · GA

The contact owns a 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving approximately 5 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed while slowing down; however, the RPM elevated to 5,500 RPM. The contact stated that excessive force was needed to depress the brake pedal. The vehicle was stopped, turned off, restarted, and operated normally. Additionally, the remote start feature was not operating properly. After remote starting the vehicle, the brake pedal was difficult to depress. The contact also stated that a phone call was ringing through the radio even though the phone was not in use. The contact researched online and believed that the vehicle had been hacked. The local dealer was contacted, and the contact was informed that the vehicle could not be hacked. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 94,000.

Filed Feb 2, 2026 · Engine · FL

See attached document for complaint.

Filed Jan 19, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · NJ

All dashboard lights came on while cherokee shut off on the parkway yet allowing me to steer to the side shoulder. Is this a symptom of total integrated power module TIPM.

Filed Jan 16, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · NC

I brought my vehicle to the Jeep of concord for a fuel pump relay recall and oil change on 11/12/25. Prior to 11/12 the vehicle did not experience any of the issues described below. On 11/13/25, a dealership representative sent an inspection video stating the vehicle was in immaculate condition following the recall repair. However, within less than 24 hours, the check engine light illuminated, and additional issues began occurring intermittently. After the recall work, the vehicle began experiencing intermittent warning lights, including service four wheel drive, traction control, and check engine. These warnings appear unpredictably and are sometimes accompanied by loss of vehicle functions, creating unsafe driving conditions. The vehicle has also experienced overheating since these issues began. Sometimes turning the vehicle off and then on would temporarily correct the problem if it would recrank. The failures occur intermittently, making them difficult to reproduce or diagnose, and they pose serious safety risks, including the potential for sudden loss of power, steering assistance, or drivability while the vehicle is in motion. On multiple occasions, the issues have left me stranded. I returned the vehicle to the dealership on 1/8/26. On 1/9/26, I received an inspection video from the dealership identifying a transmission issue for the first time. The rep stated they “double-checked” the recall wiring but confirmed that no manufacturer engineer inspected the vehicle, despite my request to escalate this as a STAR case due to safety concerns. The intermittent warning lights, overheating, and transmission concerns remain unresolved and Stellantis refused to escalate the issue. The dealership currently retains possession of my vehicle. I am concerned the recall repair may have been performed wrong or inadequately inspected, resulting in ongoing intermittent safety-related failures affecting multiple vehicle systems. I am requesting that the federal safety agency investigate & confirm

Filed Dec 22, 2025 · Engine, Fuel system · NV

Two similar incidents to report during week of Dec 15th 2025 on surface streets: Was driving 25 mph when 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee just came to a complete stop -- without any warning signs of a problem. Vehicle stalled with no engine power and loss of power steering. I could not steer the vehicle to the side of the road. Was just stuck. The emergency lights did work. I put the vehicle in park and restarted the engine after about 30 seconds. The vehicle drove normally therafter. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN CATASTROPHIC IS IF I HAD BEEN ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY WITH TRAFFIC. This same stalling of the vehicle with no power or steering ability has happened 2 other times before earlier in 2025. The Dealer insists there is no recall, but this looks like the same problem that this Jeep had in 2019 when the dealer replace the fuel pump relay as part of a previous recall. Obviously that recall was not effective.

Filed Dec 14, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · IA

The cuts off in the Middle of the street in front of a school .The vehicle will not start up.I try to Crank it on vehicle make a loud screeching sound like metal to metal .Dash lights 4wd pop on then a lightning symbol came on.The vehicle wont change gears steering wheel lock ,wheels lock ,The front left turning signal does not work all the other lights do.My wife and I avoided a collision when the vehicle shut off while driving .Thank God no one were hurt.Bought this vehicle in October 2025.

Filed Nov 8, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · OH

When driving the vehicle it just stalls. No warning and all power is lost including power steering which makes it VERY dangerous to all occupants of the vehicle and others on the road.