2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee: headlights failing or too dim

Filed Jul 17, 2024 · Electrical, Lights · CT

The 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland headlamp assembly are defective and need to safety recall. The defect poses significant risk to driver especially at night. For example, this overland no longer level the headlamp low beam at the correct level. The light only cast out about 10 feet ahead of the headlamp. Even when engaging the high beam both headlights only show a few feet further. This is unsafe and risky when driving at night as well as on roads without any streetlights. It is like driving into darkness. The low beams headlights are pointing so low to the ground that they do not illuminate the license plate of another vehicle that is 10 feet in front. Prior to failure defect there was an in-dash notice stating the computer module lost communication with the right headlamp assembly. About a month later another message displayed the computer module lost communication with the left headlamp assembly. I took vehicle to local Jeep dealer for analysis, and they confirmed that Jeep headlight assemblies would have to be replaced with an estimated cost of about $3000.00. I told dealer this defect is a safety risk, and it needs to be a safety recall. I have to limit significantly my night driving due to safety risk. I am asking the federal safety agency and Jeep Manufacture to issue recall to fix, correct, and replace this safety defect. Thanks for your prompt attention to this safety matter. Respectfully, Owner, Grand Cherokee Overland

Filed Jan 8, 2021 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 135,000 miles · TN

I was driving down the road and all of a sudden all the lights on the dash lit up and then the vehicle completely shut down, with no power. This happened while I was driving, so thank god it happen late when there was no traffic. I immediately smelled electrical burning and there was absolutely no power to the vehicle. I had to have the vehicle towed to the dealership. The dealership determined that the alternator burned up and damaged the battery. This exact issue is recall t36 but jeep states that that recall does not apply to my vehicle because I have a 220amp alternator. Obviously, if my vehicle experienced the exact same symptom that the t36 recall is for, the 220amp alternator is also affected. The initial repair cost me $1500. A month later I had to have another repair for $3000, due to electrical issues, where the parking assist and blind spot assist modules went out, along with a headlamp motor assembly. It has been 3 months since that repair and now I have more electrical issues. The check engine light has come on again and I get a service 4wd system, the heat is intermittent, and my temp gauge doesn't move. I have been emailing back and forth with jeep customer care but they just keep saying that the t36 alternator issue doesn't apply to my vehicle.

Filed Nov 15, 2020 · Electrical, Engine · 108,760 miles · CA

This vehicle has on at least four separate occasions in the last 2 years just simply stopped running. To be clear, each time I was in the middle of driving somewhere and the engine would just stop. Each time, I was driving somewhere locally and on city streets. The first few times this happened, I was either stopped at a stop sign, or stopped at a red traffic light, at which, I either "felt" the engine stop, or I realized it when I went to proceed after the stop and got no reaction from the car when I hit the gas and tried to proceed on my way. These times, I simply turned off the ignition, and started the engine again. I don't remember and didn't take note of whether all electrical had turned off or not. But the most recent time this happened was very concerning. It was july 10th, approximately 11pm, and I was driving on a local boulevard at approximately 40-45mph when, again, the engine just stopped. This of course, disabled power steering and power brakes. Headlights and radio continued to work. Thankfully, I was able to safely pull over and turn on my hazards. I then turned off the ignition, and was able to start the engine again. The car has not replicated the issue since then, but I have to consider this when I take my family for a drive/trip. I have to consider their safety, and the thought that it could just stop in the middle of a turn or at high speeds on the freeway, or both, is very concerning. The fact that the engine just stops, (and doesn't sputter or shudder or shake to a stop) makes me believe this is an electrical problem.

Filed Oct 16, 2018 · Lights · 82,000 miles · NY

Bi xenon hid headlamps jeep grand cherokee passenger side headlight issues with design and expensive repair after 6 years as owner of this type of truck. Something as such an cars/trucks, bulbs or headlamp housing design shouldn't be such a issues on only 6 year old vehicle. Blub which cost over $99.99oem and $300 at the dealership just for blub part plus labor. It's such a safely issues reading many message boards on other owners having concerns driving at night with one headlight being out until the repair is made or issues are fixed with this problem. Which I feel it is a problem with the design cause of all I have read about. Online. I would like to bring this matter to attention for the many disappointed consumers dealing with such issues that is related to the safety of traveling during the evening hours. Chrysler should beware of this issues in their trucks and offer recalls if known problems with the design or wiring. Just doesn't make sense a newer type of truck only 6 year old having such a type of issues in dealing with replacement of headlamp bulb which when new doesn't work. New york n.y.

Filed Aug 4, 2018 · Lights, Transmission · 100,000 miles · VA

Takata recall leather on the dashboard comes loose, I've taken it to jeep to repair and it happend again. The adhesive dissolves and makes the leather bunch up. The front left headlight blinks for a few seconds every time engine starts. Engine stalls and doesn't start at times.

Filed Jul 28, 2018 · Electrical · 52,600 miles · TX

Wind shield wipers, over drive light and head lights on and can not turn off. Signal lights and interior lights not working.

Filed Apr 3, 2018 · Airbags, Body · 87,000 miles · SC · crash

Car was travelling on a rural road and driver fell asleep at the wheel. Hit an electrical power pole approximately 12 inches inside the drivers side head lamp at speeds approximately at 40 -45 MPH. Car then proceeded to travel another approximate 25-30 yards before turning 90 degrees and crashing the rear of the car into the corner of a block building. The driver was unhurt however the air bags failed to deploy to protect the driver.

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.

Filed Dec 3, 2016 · Electrical · 55,000 miles · WA · fire

I was backing into my driveway (jeep was in motion) and had the radio on. I was coming home from work and the commute took 30 minutes. While backing in, I heard a popping noise (similar to the noise a pop-it firework makes when it hits the ground) inside the cabin. I turned the radio off and stopped the jeep to listen to the popping. The popping stopped and I immediately smelled smoke. I then saw the smoke was coming from the right side of the center console near the heat/air controls. I threw the jeep in park, removed the keys from the ignition, and exited the vehicle. After 5 minutes, I opened the driver side door and smoke poured out. It smelled burnt but I did not see any flames (I could have missed them in the 5 minutes I was standing outside my vehicle). I turned the jeep back on in order to get it into my garage for further investigation. Upon returning the vehicle to my garage, the headlights and interior lights both turned on. I have an appointment at the jeep dealer tomorrow to investigate further. I have no aftermarket parts on the vehicle though have not yet gotten the visor recall fixed. Please provide insight if possible. Very concerned. This poses an enormous safety risk.

Filed May 21, 2016 · Lights · 50,000 miles · SC

Low beam running light goes out. Had it fix three times and light still stops working while driving. On passenger side front.

Filed May 20, 2016 · Lights · SC

Wiring to ballast in passenger side headlamp melted and malfunctioned causing entire headlamp assembly to have to be replaced for $1400.

Filed Dec 6, 2015 · Lights · 38,000 miles · MA

Automatic light sensor will turn off headlights at night while driving