2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee: engine stalls while driving

Filed Sep 10, 2026 · Electrical, Transmission · AZ

My 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee suddenly was stalling, and would not re-start, especially when turning the steering. AAA Tech diagnosed as High Diode Ripple Voltage in the Alternator, damaging the Battery. Needed to Replace both Alternator and Battery at a cost of $1068. Car was recalled under T36, and the repair has a repeat failure again. Jeep Declined to repair or re-imburse the repair costs. More importantly its still a major safety issue, and Jeep is failing their legal obligation to provide a permanent fix, not a temporary fix.

Filed May 26, 2026 · IL

Alternator overheated and vehicle stalled. Smoke was seen coming out from alternator. Incidentbandbvehicke details are consistent with FCA Recall T36. Looking to include vehicle in recall.

Filed Jan 16, 2026 · Electrical, Transmission · 190,000 miles · NC

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The vehicle was repaired under the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 19V813000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), but the failure worsened. The contact stated that after the vehicle was retrieved from the dealer, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, a week after the vehicle was repaired, the traction control warning light, the check engine warning light, and the yellow light with an arrow across were illuminated. The message "Service 4-WD" was displayed on the instrument panel. In addition, the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal, and the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to coast to the side of the road and failed to restart. The contact left the vehicle on the side of the road. The following day, the contact sent someone to pick up the vehicle, and the vehicle restarted. The vehicle was taken to the residence. The contact called the dealer and was informed that a diagnostic cost would be charged, and the contact refused. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to coast to the side of the side of the road. The vehicle was restarted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The contact was informed that the transmission had failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact requested a field inspector to inspect the vehicle. The manufacturer stated that the dealer stated that the failure was not related to the recall, and no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was approximately 190,000.

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 28, 2025 · Airbags · 106,000 miles · IN · crash

The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving 45 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle stalled while driving around a sharp curve, causing the contact to crash into a tree. There was severe front vehicle damage due to the crash. The contact stated that no air bags deployed. The contact had not sustained any injuries. No medical attention was required. The contact stated that a police report was not filed due to the police department not showing up. The vehicle was towed to the residence by the contact's spouse. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 106,000.

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.

Filed Oct 29, 2025 · Engine, Steering · TX

Year: 2012 Make/Model: Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 L V8, 4WD Mileage: ~140,000 miles Date of Incident: [Insert date] Location: McKinney, Texas (near U.S. 75 exit) Description of the Safety Issue: While driving normally, the Service 4WD System warning illuminated. Seconds later, the lightning-bolt symbol (Electronic Throttle Control) appeared, and the engine stalled abruptly without warning. All power steering and power-brake assist were lost while the transmission was still in Drive. The vehicle rolled backward on a slight grade as if in neutral. Attempts to restart the vehicle failed. Even CarMax technicians, at whose lot the vehicle came to rest, were unable to start it. A strong hot/burning electrical odor was present immediately after shutdown. This indicates a possible overheating or shorting event in the electrical or fuel-relay system (TIPM or throttle-body circuit). Had this failure occurred on U.S. 75 at highway speed (80–85 mph), I would have lost steering assist and braking ability in heavy traffic — a situation that could have led to a severe collision or injury. I respectfully request that the federal safety agency review this case as a potential recurrence or expansion of the existing recall group. The combination of a sudden stall, complete loss of control systems, no-restart condition, and electrical-burn odor constitutes a serious and ongoing safety defect that endangers vehicle occupants and others on the roadway. Supporting Information: – CarMax technicians confirmed the vehicle would not restart. – Recent maintenance included new fuel pump, injectors, hoses, and cooling-system components (~$10 K). – Warning lights: “Service 4WD System” and “Electronic Throttle Control (lightning-bolt)” appeared immediately before stall.

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 Sep 25, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · NY

Alternator causing engine stall also electrical issues

Filed Aug 11, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · NY

I have 2 issues with this vehicle issue#1 the tire pressure sensor acts up on the front driver side tire pressure goes down to the low 20s then when driving it goes up to 43 and then back down to the 20s , the other is that I was driving from Pennsylvania to New York and the car stalled in New Jersey with no warning I was at the far left side of the highway and came close to getting rear ended twice real bad (my girlfriend who was and is pregnant) was on the passenger seat was hysterically crying because of how close we came to having an accident that would’ve cost us our lives , the car took 5 minutes to start again and we were escorted to safety by tow company that saw us through the cameras they have on the bridges very thankful to them escorting us cause we surely would have died that night

Filed Jul 25, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · IL

While driving the road whether highway our town… my vehicle will stall out. I can’t safely pass because my car loses power.. check engine light starts blinking then traction control lights come on and then battery light. I have to turn the car off after turning flashers on put it in park and restart after a few seconds. This vehicle is VERY UNSAFE to DRIVE.