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.
2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee steering problems
100 complaints (6% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 60,000. 5 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 100
- of this car's complaints
- 6%
- typical mileage
- 60,000
- crashes
- 5
- recalls
- 0
Which part fails
- Hydraulic power assist system2
- Hydraulic power assist: hose, piping, and connections1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+
Jeep Grand Cherokee steering problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee steering
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Related investigations
Power steering hose failure
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) analyzed complaint data provided by Chrysler as well as complaints submitted to ODI from consumers. ODI's analysis identified a total of 24 unique reports indicating power steering hose blow-offs resulting from a dislodged power steering cooler turbulator fin in some early production vehicles.According to Chrysler, a dislodged fin can occur when the turbulator is inserted into the power steering cooler or loaded into the assembly machine.A dislodged fin may block the flow of power steering fluid creating excess back-pressure in the power steering system leading to the possibility of a return hose blow-off.Chrysler and its power steering cooler supplier, Dana, modified the cooler assembly process to address factors that may contribute to hose blow-offs. The redesigned turbulator assembly stations were completely implemented in production by April 2012.During PE12-020, Chrysler identified occurrences where the power steering return hose may blow-off at the power steering cooler.This is a condition that typically occurs early in the life of the vehicle with 65% occurring at less than 2,000 miles and 96% occurring with less than 8,000 miles. The data also shows that 88% of the conditions occurred with less than 4 months in service. Over 50% of the blow-off complaints occurred on vehicles with build dates between November 22, 2011 and December 23, 2011. None of the conditions occurred with more than 12,000 miles or 7 months in service. Chrysler?s complaint analysis indicates up-to 14 additional vehicles may experience the hose blow off condition.None of the 24 unique reports with the hose blow-off condition alleged smoke or fire in the engine compartment. In the event of a blow-off, it is highly unlikely for power steering fluid to reach any of the ignition sources in the engine compartment and result in an engine fire. Complaint analysis identified five reports alleging engine compartment fires that resulted from other or unknown causes, including one attributed to an overheated transmission fluid. Two fires of unknown cause cited in the opening resume for PE12-020 involved vehicles equipped with V8 SRT 6.4L engines which are not equipped with the steering system affected by the turbulator fin concern. ODI will continue to monitor field experience in Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles equipped with that engine.There have been no reports of loss of steering control, crashes or injuries as result of this condition.Additionally, all affected vehicles that may have experienced a hose blow-off condition were repaired under Chrysler?s 3 year/36,000 mile manufacturer?s warranty at no cost to the owner and supplier?s process improvements put in place have eliminated the likelihood of power steering hose blow offs. There is no indication of loss of motive power or unreasonable safety risk associated with the alleged defect in the subject vehicles. This preliminary evaluation is closed.The ODI reports cited above can be viewed at www-odi.the federal safety agency.dot.gov/owners/Searchreference under the following identification numbers (ODI Nos.): 10465379, 10461736, 10459178.
PE12020
What 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
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.
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.
While driving the engine power randomly cuts off & steering & brakes lock up veering the vehicle to the left which causes me to have no control of my vehicle. Everything else stays on radio...lights...etc. There is absolutely no warning at all when this occurs. This has happened to me 3 times while driving almost causing me to crash. I brought it to a local Jeep dealer & they couldn't find any codes showing what the issue was. So in fear of getting into a crash that could possibly injure myself or others on the road I haven't been able to drive it safely.
2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo In August of 2020, I brought the vehicle to my repair shop due to a leak, and hard to steer at 75061 miles. They performed a repair of the rack & pinion, power steering hose, and an alignment. On 5/23/23, I had the vehicle in a shop to check on a sqeak while turning the wheel along with a clunking sound. They reported that the rack and pinion needs to be replaced at 107184 miles. I contacted the FCA-Jeep customer care. They wanted a diagnosis at Victory CDJR dealership. On 5/31/23 at 107701 miles, the dealership found that the steering rack, and both tie rods need replacement. I contacted the FCA immediately, and they determined not covered by warranty.
A couple week ago noticed fluid on my garage floor. It seemed to be dripping from the left front of the car. Also noticed this oil on the garage shelf which is closed to the car when I park it in the garage. Today, May 23, 2023 went to have the oil change in the car, and was told the power steering fluid was low .
I was leaving work and made a right turn. The vehicle steering and breaks locked up and I hit a telephone pole. No warning lights illuminated. The vehicle did not stall. Serious injury could have occurred. Police report and involvement happened as it was a large accident.
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.
While driving down a main road, the power steering went out, the brakes locked up, and the accelerator locked up. I had to put the car in park and then turn it off and back on. Yes, it is available for inspection. My safety was put at risk because since my brakes were not working, it means my brake lights also were not, meaning someone would not have seen me stopping and I could have been rear-ended. Others were put at risk because my car could have hit someone else. This has happened 4 other times on different dates and a Jeep dealer has done a fuel pump relay BYPASS twice, but the fuel pump itself was never replaced. There were no warning lamps or messages to warn me about the problem before it failed. I am terrified to drive my own car. This needs to be addressed asap.
Tl* he contact owns a 2012 jeep grand cherokee. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the steering wheel became difficult to turn. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that her husband drove the vehicle back to the residence. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the vehicle loss electronic power steering. The vehicle was taken to kendell dodge chrysler jeep ram (13355 southwest 137th ave miami fl 33186, (786)231-2000) where it was diagnosed with the loss of communication to the power steering. The contact was informed that the VIN was not under recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 141,000.
Questions about the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee steering
Does the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee have steering problems?
Owners have filed 100 complaints about the steering of the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 6% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee steering problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 60,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee steering?
There is no recall for this problem on this model year.
What year does the Jeep Grand Cherokee have bad steering?
The Jeep Grand Cherokee model years with the most steering complaints are 2021 (102 complaints), 2012 (100 complaints) and 2011 (86 complaints).
Other 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee problems
Electrical 837Engine 302Brakes 289Fuel system 248Transmission 102Lights 56Airbags 43Acceleration 35Suspension 32Visibility 32Body 26Driver assistance 25Seat belts 12Seats 12Tires 10Wheels 10Locks 1
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