2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed Apr 27, 2026 · Brakes, Electrical · PA · fire

Abs module malfunctioned and caught on fire

Filed Mar 31, 2026 · Brakes · TN

Brakes repetitively seize, causing the wheels to overheat and the vehicle to shake while braking, putting the vehicle at risk of fire, reduced brake performance, and brake failure. Two different dealerships have confirmed from the problem at various points, the brakes are "repaired" and then have the same failure with the same components again. There are no warnings that the brakes are seizing other than the smell of burning brakes, or smoke coming from the wheel.

Filed Aug 21, 2023 · Body, Electrical · MI

There is a water leak in the rear cargo compartment of the jeep. Searching on-line I saw that there were numerous complaints of water leaking which may cause an electrical fire. There was suppose to be a recall on 2014 - 2016 Jeeps but when I entered my VIN # it did not come up. I am afraid my vehicle will catch on fire with this water leaking.

Filed Jan 1, 2023 · Brakes · TN

Vehicle is currently at a Jeep dealership for the 8th time with another Brake Concern. Brakes repetitively seize causing brakes to rapidly overheat, smoke emitting from the wheel, about to catch fire. Two Dealerships have failed to "duplicate the concern" until I get it there with the wheel about to catch on fire. Initially the drive side rear was the problem, 2 months after having the car returned to me, the passenger side rear began doing the same thing. I have contacted Jeep Customer Care and my concerns over the safety of the vehicle have been dismissed, they stated "this is not a known issue, if you have any other questions or concerns please contact us again". There have been no warning lights from the vehicle, it will be operating fine one trip, and the next trip you will stop after a short drive a cloud of smoke will be coming from the wheel, and the smell of burning brakes. As the brake continues to heat up while you are driving, the vehicle will begin to violently shake and vibrate.

Filed Aug 3, 2022 · Electrical, Engine · 55,000 miles · FL · fire

The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving approximately 15 mph the vehicle suddenly began to lose automotive power before stalling. Moments later while attempting to restart the engine smoke and flames were seen coming from under the hood of the vehicle. A contact used a fire extinguisher to extinguish the flames and the fire department was called to the scene. During the incident, no injuries were reported. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer but the cause of the failure was unknown. The manufacturer was also contacted regarding the incident. The failure mileage was 55,000

Filed Oct 30, 2021 · Electrical, Engine · WA

My first report (#11396370) was made to you in February 2021. The recall was started in 2020 and as of this date my jeep dealer does not have the parts to repair my vehicle. According to reports, I am driving a "time bomb" ready to burst into flames and threatening the safety and lives of me, my family, and my passengers. To make things worse jeep has notified me that the "U-Connect" emergency contact system will become degraded and inoperable in the coming months making it impossible for me to contact "911" or the jeep emergency assistance contact system. The latter being a paid service (similar to GMC's "On-Star" system) for which they have not promulgated any remedy, any thought of a remedy, or attempt to provide any remedy. THE BOTTOM LINE: I am driving a "time bomb" without a here to fore active emergency contact system with no resolution or parts available from Jeep. Someone needs to report and inquire about the above cited Jeep issues.

Filed Nov 22, 2020 · Engine, Fuel system · 70,000 miles · FL · fire

While driving the vehicle and towing my boat (approx 4500lbs) for the previous hour or so on state highway between 50-65 MPH with some stoplights (not interstate), the check engine light (cel) came on and the driver interface on the instrument cluster came on displaying something to the effect of "service electronic throttle control system". Continued driving approximately 2 miles to get to an intersection to turn off the main road. Once stopped at the stoplight I noticed slight smoke coming from the left front corner of the hood by the headlight. I placed the vehicle in park, put the hazards on and pulled the hood release. By the time I exited the vehicle and made my way around the door to the hood, thick black smoke was billowing from all around the hood and flames were noticed coming through body gaps and the grill. Within 30 seconds the entire engine bay and hood was engulfed in flames. I did manage to get the boat unhooked and pushed back and documented with photos. This is the third time these indications (cel) and driver interface displayed the exact same indications. The first time it resolved upon shutting down the vehicle. The second time, it was brought to the dealer. Approx 1 month prior to the fire the dealer found nothing on inspection and reset the code. The code was for excessive egr flow. Additionally the dealer performed any outstanding recalls on the vehicle. This vehicle was equipped with the 3.0 eco diesel engine and was bought new, dealer, serviced its entire time and had approximately 70k miles on it. I have no doubt this was directly rated to an egr problem that these particular engines have had issues with directly resulting in the fire.

Filed Sep 21, 2020 · 49,700 miles · MD · fire

On 9/20/20 at approx 4:30pm est, as we left a parked position and began exiting a parking lot, we suddenly smelled a strong odor that was similar to the smell of burning clutch plates, we then observed black smoke coming through the front passenger vent. I immediately put the vehicle in park where it stood, my husband exited the vehicle and I went to the back to leash and remove my two dogs from the back seat. Once my dogs were safely out of the vehicle, I handed the leash to my husband, went back to the vehicle and turned off the engine, removed our cell phones and my purse and stood back from the vehicle. When no flames were observed, we opened the hood and observed black smoke and smelled the same scent similar to burning clutch plates. The smoke appeared to be coming from the back of the engine near the fire wall. I waited approximately 5 minutes and when no further smoke or any other signs of a fire were observed I restarted the vehicle to move it from the travel lane, the vehicle started and appeared to run as normal and no codes were showing on the dash. I immediately shut the vehicle back off after moving it approximately 30 feet to a safe parking place and called for towing. The truck was transported to criswell chrysler in thurmont, md some time that evening. I spoke with a customer service person, luke, at criswell and described what had happened. Around 4:45pm on 9/21/20 I was told the technician had found multiple burn holes in my "intake manifold". Having owned a ram1500 ecodiesel and having had the egr cooler recalled on that vehicle, it came to me that this jeep could be having the same issue. I am convinced that if we had been driving down the highway, whatever caused the intake manifold to burn, could have caused a catastrophic fire event, putting the lives of myself and my family in danger. I have filed with fca, case number 77286484