2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee: loss of power steering

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 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 Jul 17, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · NY

2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee HEMI. As traveling whether on highway or on streets no matter the speeds the Jeep tends to just stall out out of no where especially when braking and coming to a stop it completely shuts off, no engine, no steering and then must have to engage into park or neutral to push to start up the Jeep again. It is very dangerous and scary any time it happens and even more so when happens on highway. It has been an on going issue since I bought the vehicle in NOV. 2018 but only happens every once in a while and out of the blue when it does. I did reached out several years ago to the manufacturer Mopar Jeep Chrysler but they had no solution for me. I had a case number with them but it was so long ago I cannot remember now. I did have the recall on the fuel pump relay in which I thought that would resolve my issue but unfortunately it did not and I still experience this Jeep stalling out at any point while driving, onto braking, and then to the stop. Any help? Thanks

Filed Sep 14, 2024 · Electrical, Fuel system · CT

As I was driving my Jeep Grand Cherokee, I was in the process of braking in order to turn, when the power steering stopped working as the engine stalled. I was able to pull over to the side of the road, put it back in Park and was able to restart it like nothing had happened. According to other owners with a similar issue, all the symptoms describe an open Safety Recall for a failing Fuel Pump that may cause the engine to stall. However, when I search the VIN on the federal safety agency website, it states that there are no open recalls. The symptoms are identical to what is outlined in the recall. The only warning that came on was "Check the Gas Cap" warning.

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 Jan 24, 2023 · WA

I recently hit 100k and my jeep has been stalling. The first time it happened I was goi g about 45mph then stopped in traffic. I went to accelerate and nothing. It didn’t sputter and no lights came on saying anything was wrong. Input it in park, pushed the button and it started back up. A few weeks later, I pushed the button to start it and nothing happened. It did not even turn over. Again, I was able to push the button and start it. The most recent time, a month or so after, I came off the freeway and was slowing down. Again nothing to alarm me of it dying, just died and my power steering went out. I pulled over, put it in park and restarted it without issues.

Filed Apr 20, 2022 · Electrical, Fuel system · ME

Since owning this vehicle (2013), it periodically stalls while driving. There is no warning and most times I am on a highway or getting off an exit. When this happens, I have no power steering ability. I have been lucky so far and I have not caused a serious accident when these episodes have occurred. My wife refused to ride or to drive the Jeep because of this problem. I see online that other Jeep owners have experienced the same problem. I have taken it to a Jeep dealer for service since 2013 and they are never able to diagnose the root cause of this problem. This problem seems to be happening more often - I fear for my life and those around me due to this sporadic problem. Please hold Jeep responsible for getting to the root of this issue with these vehicles.

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 Dec 15, 2021 · Brakes, Steering · VA

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.

Filed May 10, 2021 · Fuel system · 207,000 miles · VA

I have been waiting for nearly one year for jeep to provide recall parts for recall v62 fuel pump relay. My dealer is williamsburg chrysler jeep dodge in williamsburg, virginia. The problem this recall corrects is intermediate stalling, which results in a loss of power steering and could result in loss of control of the vehicle. My jeep stalled on 10 may and over the last few years this has occurred countless other times. My dealer

Filed Mar 3, 2020 · Engine, Fuel system · 60,000 miles · CA

Vehicle has no diagnostic codes showing up but has stalled on us several times almost causing accident twice now. Also pulsates at speeds around 45 and again at 60mph. Since the last stall it now has a very rough idle. We have called dealership about recall and they state yes there is one but they do not have a fix. Are we supposed to just keep driving with these safety issues ? Vehicle will stall while after driving coming to a stop at light. We lose steering ability and braking. We are usually going straight and on city street or coming off freeway

Filed Feb 20, 2020 · Electrical · 84,000 miles · PA

The vehicle was in motion and a message indicating the park assist needed serving came on. In .5 of a mile my driver's seat belt light came on, even though I had the seat belt secured. I drove another .5 of a mile and many additional lights came on in my vehicle. I pulled it off the road and my power steering went out. Then the windshield wipers came on and the car stopped working. It would not turn on again. The alternator and battery were both replaced. The same exact thing happened the next day. My alternator was melted when the garage looked at my car after towing the second time.