2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee: sudden loss of power

Filed Sep 25, 2026 · Electrical · NY

The alternator failed. It was the Safety Recall P60 (the federal safety agency 14V‑634) remedy alternator, installed by an authorized FCA dealer when the recall was completed on 08/30/2021, as FCA confirmed in writing. On 09/24/2026, at 41,275 miles, the vehicle had no electrical power and would not start. An independent New York State registered repair facility diagnosed the failure as "no power," "not starting," and "bad alternator (burning)," and replaced the alternator assembly the same day. The remedy alternator failed about 5 years after installation. The vehicle averages under 3,000 miles per year. The mileage at installation is in FCA's records and is UNKNOWN to me. Safety risk: the P60 recall states that these alternator diodes can fail rapidly with no output or a short to ground, which can disable ABS, electronic stability control, and the engine and body controllers, and can cause vehicle shutdown while driving and an underhood electrical fire, with limited or no warning to the driver. This failure is consistent with that description: total loss of power and a burning alternator. Had it failed while driving, the vehicle could have shut down in traffic. Warning lamps or symptoms before the failure: UNKNOWN. Availability of the removed alternator for inspection: UNKNOWN. FCA has not inspected the vehicle or the component. It declined to cover the repair, first stating that the recall was completed and no recall is open, then stating that completed recall repairs are covered for only 24 months. It made no finding that this failure differs from the recall condition. In its 14V‑634 report, FCA stated that the remedy alternators used the same diodes as its 180 amp alternator, which it said did not exhibit the condition. In 2017, FCA recalled 180 amp alternators (the federal safety agency 17V‑435) for diode thermal fatigue. I ask the federal safety agency to evaluate whether P60 remedy alternators are failing in service and whether the P60 remedy was adequate.

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 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 May 5, 2025 · Engine · CA

While driving at normal speeds the engine and everything turns off without any warning. This makes it difficult to get off the road or highway due to loss of power to steering. This happens randomly but with increasing frequency. The vehicle has been at the Jeep dealership since 12 June 2025 and I'm being told they cannot figure it out. Allegedly the dealership service center is contacting Jeep after I had to tell them to do so. Vehicle is at Crown Dodge, 6300 King Rd, Ventura, CA 93033 805‑977‑6526.

Filed Aug 20, 2024 · Electrical · 117,000 miles · MD

The contact owns a 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 25-30 MPH, the windshield wipers suddenly activated and the message FCW (Forward Collision Warning) was illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact stated that the vehicle lost power immediately after the message displayed. The vehicle was shifted into neutral and towed to a Nissan dealer and was diagnosed. The contact was informed that the alternator and battery had failed and needed to be replaced. The alternator had been replaced; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 117,000.

Filed Aug 1, 2023 · Electrical · CA

My 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee (Jeep GC) frequently and numerously experiences sudden shutdowns while driving. Consequently, not only do I lose power to various electrical features, but the power steering assist and power brake booster also become inoperative. This issue has been acknowledged by Jeep for other model years, but regrettably, they have failed to accept responsibility for it for the 2012 model, despite its significant impact on safety. Interestingly, there is a known safety recall by the federal safety agency for the 2008 Jeep GC related to a Wireless Ignition Node Module (Safety Recall P57 / the federal safety agency 14V‑567). This raises concerns about potential similarities between the issues experienced in different model years. Numerous individuals have reported similar problems in online forums and posts. In an effort to address the issue, I have reached out to Jeep's customer service and my local dealership. However, both entities seem unwilling to acknowledge the existence of a broader systemic problem, claiming no knowledge of the root cause. It is essential for Jeep to take responsibility and promptly address this serious safety concern in all affected model years, ensuring the safety and peace of mind of their customers.

Filed Jun 9, 2023 · Electrical · TX

The Grand Cherokee shut down while driving on the highway. It was like the ignition turned off. I pulled over and could not start the car. After 30 minutes the push button ignition finally worked. This has happened at least three times and is intermittent, but dangerous enough that you lose power to the vehicle. The problem is with the wireless ignition node.at times the push button or remote start up feature will not start the engine. But once it does, it randomly shuts it down as if communication is lost or the key is not recognized, even with the FOB key in close proximity. No warning indication is given nor is it reported as a code to be analyzed. It’s not the FOBs, not the batteries in the FOBs, and not the other remote capabilities such as remote keyless entry. It is only push button (keyless) ignition and remote ignition that won’t start the vehicle. The severity is that once you do get it started and driving, it randomly with no warning shuts down causing you to coast wherever you are. I was fortunate to avoid a serious accident two of the times this happened on a major highway.

Filed May 22, 2023 · Acceleration, Lights · IL

I was driving and the battery light came on with a chime, within seconds the car smelled hot, the air conditioning went out, road hazard lights on dash indicating flat tire came on, windshield wipers were going on and off at different speeds and windows were opening and closing and then did not work at all. I got the car into the driveway as I was en route to our home. As I got car to the driveway I lost all power. I had the same thing happen in 2019 - Report # 11255268. I do not know where to go to get the vehicle repaired or it the old recall will apply to this problem once again. Should I have the car towed to a dealer? I have my own private mechanic that addressed the problem in 2019. Please contact me asap. I don't know what the plan of action should be. Can I bring it to my own mechanic or does it need to go to a dealer. Please call or send me an e mail as soon as possible as I am without a vehicle. My number is [XXX] or e mail me at [XXX]. OR [XXX]. or use both e mails. Thank you! INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

Filed Apr 7, 2023 · Electrical, Engine · NV

Was stopped at light and 2012 Jeep Cherokee lost all power and engine stalled. Lost lights, radio, heat and engine. It did restart after a minut or two. A week later, while driving, car began lagging/running rough. I felt I could not drive faster than 25 mph. Drove to Jeep dealer. Dealer is telling me it will cost more than $1500 to fix. I suspect this is a problem with the fuel pump relay....

Filed Feb 9, 2022 · Brakes, Steering · CA

Vehicle has inexplicably, and randomly stalled, and lost power steering and power brakes while operating. This has happened on multiple occasions, during random times of the day/season, while in movement, and while stopped at a traffic light/stop sign. There is no rhyme or reason to how or when this happens, and frustratingly cannot not be reproduced by a mechanic or dealership. When it happens, all other systems that were operating continue to operate (eg. radio stays playing, climate control (AC or heat), and the instrument panel doesn't indicate that anything is abnormal. Safety is a huge concern, as its difficult to control and/or slow the vehicle down, and we have barely avoided collisions. It has been taken to a dealer on multiple occasions, but to no avail, as the condition could not be reproduced. Other than the dealership's service department, the vehicle or component has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others. There were NO warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure. We took ownership from the vehicles first and only other owner (my father in law) upon his passing back in April 2018. The condition happened within months of taking ownership, and has happened at least 8-10 times since then. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. We would like to sell the vehicle (for this, AND other reasons), but do not feel comfortable selling an unsafe vehicle to anyone. We have incurred rental car costs while the car is in the shop for diagnosis. Upon a quick search online, there was quite a bit of evidence of this condition happening with others.

Filed Jan 16, 2022 · Engine, Transmission · WI

I have an on going issue with the vehicle stalling while slowing down for intersections, roundabouts and exit ramps. This has been happening since 2018. The vehicle traveling around 35-25 decelerating, the RPMs will just drop to zero and the engine will shut off. No warning lights, codes or indication I have lost power. Latest incident was on 1/14/22 in Mukwonago, WI after have only driven the vehicle for about 10 minutes. Coming from a 55 zone donw to a stop at an intersection the vehicle stalled with no warning around 30-25 MPH. 1/16/22 I was entering a roundabout and saw the RPMs dropping below idle to zero and was able to stop the stall by shifting the transmission into neutral. RPMs immediately went back to idle.