Jeep Grand Cherokee Reliability Problems

Grand Cherokee owners have made 3,038 complaints over 29 model years. Using our PainRank™ system we've ranked it dead last in overall reliability, with significant electrical and engine concerns.

9 Common Jeep Grand Cherokee Problems

A list of some of the most common issues Grand Cherokee owners have to deal with.

  1. Valve Stem Corrosion

    Fiat-Chrysler made a mistake by using aluminum valve stems in some of their early tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS). The aluminum stem and metal cap are highly susceptible to corrosion from salt and other contaminates.

    Continue reading article "Valve Stem Corrosion" Two corroded valve stems

  2. EcoDiesel Emissions

    Fiat-Chrysler has agreed to pay over $800 million in fines and compensation for using defeat devices in 3-liter EcoDiesel engines. The settlement includes an average payout of $2,800 for each of the affected owners and lessees.

    Continue reading article "EcoDiesel Emissions" Smoke coming out of a tailpipe

  3. uConnect Hacks

    Automakers have been swapping out mechanical parts for electronic control units, setting up in-car wifi networks, and connecting infotainment systems to cloud-based services. So it was only a matter of time before these technologies got hac…

    Continue reading article "uConnect Hacks" Infotainment screen with uConnect loaded

  5. Jeep TIPM Electrical Problems

    If you've heard of a TIPM, chances are you own a vehicle from Fiat-Chrysler (FCA). Think of it like a command center for all the electrical functions of your car, and in FCA's case a very, very disfunctional one.

    Continue reading article "Jeep TIPM Electrical Problems" A TIPM pulled apart to show complicated electronics

  6. Death Wobble

    The death wobble is a creative term coined by Jeep owners that describes a situation when the front axle begins violently oscillating, causing the car to shake (or wobble) in a manner which makes the vehicle hard to control.

    Continue reading article "Death Wobble" A red Wrangler climbing over rocks

  7. Window Regulator Failure

    Without the window regulator, power windows become useless. That's exactly what has happened to thousands of Jeep owners; hundreds have complained about their windows falling into the door, sometimes at highway speeds!…

    Continue reading article "Window Regulator Failure" A missing Jeep window that's all taped up

  8. Rear Impact Fire Defect

    Millions of Jeep vehicles have a gas tank that is positioned in such a way that it is highly vulnerable to being punctured during a rear-impact accident. The combination of leaking fuel and sparks caused by collisions can easily set the car…

    Continue reading article "Rear Impact Fire Defect" A Jeep on fire on the side of the road

  9. Jeep e-Shift Design Defect

    FCA's electronic gear shifter is confusing because it violates basic design guidelines for vehicle controls. It has caused numerous rollaways and even deaths. So why did FCA make the switch?…

    Continue reading article "Jeep e-Shift Design Defect" Overhead view of Jeep gear shifter

What Grand Cherokee Owners Complain About

Sometimes it helps just to tally up the complaints and see where the biggest stacks are. Use this information to learn about troublespots or to run for the hills.

Worst Issues

What Breaks the Most

Years to Avoid

Full Lists on CarComplaints.com

Grand Cherokee Generations

The Grand Cherokee has 4 generations, each with their own issues. Using the same PainRank™ system we've determined that you're better off avoiding the 4th generation (2011–2021).

Grand Cherokee Key Numbers

  1. 3,038 complaints

    Running tally of owner grievances filed to CarComplaints.com.

  2. 1,168 service bulletins

    Documenting the process of troubleshooting common problems.

  3. 96 recall campaigns

    Time-sensitive, free repairs for widespread safety problems.

Grand Cherokee Class-Action Lawsuits

The Grand Cherokee has been named as a class vehicle in the following lawsuits.

  • Motion to dismiss

    Nuwer, et al., v. FCA US LLC, et al.

    1. Motion to dismiss

      According to the automaker, the Ram C/V owner who says his Chrysler headrest deployed can't bring his Arizona Consumer Fraud Act claim because he waited too long, making his claim time-barred. Chrysler argues a fraud claim must be brought within one year of when the cause of action accrues.

    2. Case Filed

      A Chrysler active headrest lawsuit alleges occupants are suddenly hit in their heads because the head restraints inadvertently deploy without crash impacts.

    Problem
    AHR Deploys
    Class Vehicles
    • 2010-2017 Compass
    • 2010-2012 Liberty
    • 2010-2017 Patriot
    • 2011-2018 Grand Cherokee
    Class Members
    All consumers in the U.S.,excluding California
    Location
    Florida

Recent Grand Cherokee News

There's a lot of news out there, but not all of it matters. We try to boil down it to the most important bits about things that actually help you with your car problem. Interested in getting these stories in an email? Signup for free email alerts over at CarComplaints.com.

  1. Over 34,000 of 4th generation Grand Cherokee SUVs are being recalled because their EcoDiesel's EGR coolers are cracking

    , allowing coolant to leak and greatly increasing the chances of an engine fire.

    Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) systems trap exhaust gases and, as the name implies, recirculate them back into the engine. This helps cut down on Nitrogen Oxide (NOx) being released into the environment. The EGR cooler makes sure those hot exhuast gasses won't melt the engine's air intake by exchanging heat with engine coolant.…

    keep reading article "Grand Cherokee Recalled to Prevent EGR Cooler Leaks From Starting Engine Fires"

  2. The 2010-2013 Grand Cherokee's air suspension doesn't work when it's cold outside

    and that's a big problem for owners who (checks notes) .... live in places where winter happens.

    Take Canada, for example, where a new class-action has been filed asking Jeep's parent company to reimburse owners because they overpaid for their SUVs. And that's not hyperbole considering the suspension might not work for half of the year.…

    keep reading article "Cold Weather Residents Aren't Happy Their Air Suspensions Don't Work in Cold Weather"

  3. A lawsuit concerning hacking vulnerabilities in Fiat-Chrysler’s (FCA) Uconnect system is headed to trial this October.

    The lawsuit was filed after researchers showed how a Jeep could be controlled remotely through the infotainment system. FCA has called the case meritless and tried to get it dismissed. When that didn’t work they turned to the U.S. Supreme Court. To FCA’s surprise, the court refused to even hear the appeal.

    It’s almost as if FCA thought the were in control of the situation and then suddenly they weren’t 🤔

    keep reading article "Uconnect Hacking Vulnerability Trial Date Set"

  6. Fiat-Chrysler (FCA) has settled allegations that it used an emissions defeat device in over 100,000 vehicles with 3-liter EcoDiesel engines.

    FCA didn’t disclose that the 2014-2016 Ram 1500 and Jeep Grand Cherokee contain an auxiliary emission control device, presumably to get around strict nitrogen oxide testing. As part of the settlement FCA will pay fines, recall the affected vehicles, extend their warranties, and pay an average of $2,800 to each affected owner or lessee.

    The settlement is pending preliminary approval from the court.

    keep reading article "Grand Cherokee EcoDiesel Emissions Settlement Details"

  7. Following multiple violations issued by the EPA, owners are suing Fiat-Chrysler for allegedly using illegal emissions software in their EcoDiesel engines.

    According to the lawsuit, the EPA found the “principal effect of one or more of these AECDs was to bypass, defeat, or render inoperative one or more elements of design installed to comply with emissions standards under the Clean Air Act.

    So much for that eco part, huh?…

    keep reading article "Is the EcoDiesel Engine Illegal? This Lawsuit Thinks So And Wants Reimbursement for Owners Who Paid a Premium"

See All Grand Cherokee News

What Owners Say About Their Grand Cherokee

Grand Cherokee's Leather Dashboard Delaminates and Wrinkles

Leather dash started bubbling 2 years after purchasing new, dealer would not do anything because it was not severe enough and I was told the same thing by two different Jeep dealers several times over the next couple years. It continued to get worse and is now beginning to cause air flow issues with defroster.

2012 Grand Cherokee Owner in NJ

Grand Cherokee's Leather Dashboard Delaminates and Wrinkles

I'm simply another Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland owner with this same leather dashboard problem. Purchased vehicle used (no sign of problem at that time), once issue occurred, Jeep dealer I had servicing vehicle suggested contacting Customer Care...which proved worthless since vehicle was out of warranty period (should be renamed Customer CareLESS)

2011 Grand Cherokee Owner in CT

Electrical Nightmares Thanks to a Faulty TIPM

Wipers won't turn off, no turn signals, no horn ... It's sad that a car company knows there is a problem and will take care of the issue. That is the world we live in. It's all about them. Hell with the customer. They don't care about the customer or [their] safety.

2011 Grand Cherokee Owner in IA

Electrical Nightmares Thanks to a Faulty TIPM

I haven't been able to start my 2008 Jeep Cherokee Limited on a constant regular basis ... Sometimes it starts but most the time not at all after numerous times of trying. I have not been able to drive my Jeep ... because I never know if it does start will it start after I shut it off or will I be stranded. If it even starts at all to begin with!!

2008 Grand Cherokee Owner in IA

Other Jeep Models