Jeep Grand Cherokee problems, complaints & recalls by model year
Across 9 model years (2018–2026), NHTSA has logged 3,477 owner complaints and 53 safety recalls for the Jeep Grand Cherokee. That averages 82.4 complaints per year on the road — far more complaints than typical (index 2.04 against all tracked vehicles). Within the Midsize SUVs segment it ranks #13 of 14 by complaints per year (#1 = fewest); the segment average is 52.5.
Counts are normalized by time on the road, not by sales volume: a popular model generates more reports than a rare one, and complaints are not verified individually. How we count
Analysis
The trend is worsening. Measured on complaints filed in the first two years on the road and compared with other vehicles of the same model year, the 2023 and 2024 models run 137% above the 2018 and 2019 models (204 early complaints per model year versus 93).
The 2023 model year has the highest rate (154.7 complaints per year) and the 2020 model year the lowest (35.3). The 2023 model year runs at least 50% above this model's average of 82.4 complaints per year on the road across its tracked model years. Model years 2019 and 2020 run at least 40% below this model's average of 82.4 complaints per year on the road.
Across all tracked model years the most common problem area is Electrical (26.9% of complaints), followed by Engine (20.7%) and Unspecified or other (11.2%). Electrical complaints are 1.7 times as common here as across all tracked vehicles. 209 complaints (6.0%) describe a crash or fire; across all model years owners report 117 injuries and 2 deaths.
In the last 12 months owners filed 972 complaints versus 834 in the previous 12 months — up 17%. The 2023 model year generated the most recent reports (204). Across model years, half of all reported incidents occur within 36 months of the model year's start.
Recalls: 53 recall campaigns across the tracked model years, most of them received in 2024 (17), 1 with a do-not-drive or park-outside warning, 2 fixable over the air. 5 NHTSA investigations have covered this model, 3 still open; the latest is “Recall 23V-413 Post Remedy Failures” (recall query, opened 2025-12-11, still open).
Within its segment it has more complaints per year than Dodge Durango, Nissan Pathfinder, Honda Passport and Kia Sorento, but fewer than Hyundai Palisade.
Model years at a glance
| Year | Complaints | Complaints per year on the road | Complaint index | Last 12 months | Recalls | Most common issue | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 855 | 97.3 | 2.41 | 77 | 11 | Electrical | View › |
| 2019 | 370 | 47.5 | 1.18 | 63 | 7 | Brakes | View › |
| 2020 Fewest complaints | 240 | 35.3 | 0.87 | 49 | 3 | Electrical | View › |
| 2021 | 498 | 86.0 | 2.13 | 95 | 16 | Electrical | View › |
| 2022 | 450 | 94.0 | 2.33 | 153 | 13 ⚠ | Electrical | View › |
| 2023 ▲50%+ | 586 | 154.7 | 3.83 | 204 | 21 ⚠ | Electrical | View › |
| 2024 | 313 | 112.2 | 2.78 | 195 | 18 ⚠ | Engine | View › |
| 2025 Too new to rank | 115 | 64.3 | 1.59 | 86 | 5 ⚠ | Engine | View › |
| 2026 Too new to rank | 50 | 50.0 | 1.24 | 50 | 6 ⚠ | Engine | View › |
▲50%+ = 50%+ above this model's average yearly rate. “Too new to rank”: under two years on the road, so the model year cannot be named the one with the fewest complaints yet. 1.00 means the same rate as the comparison group. 2.00 means twice as many complaints per year on the road. Complaints in first 2 years on the road: vs. same-year average. How we count
Trend · vs. same-year average
Complaints in first 2 years on the road ÷ All-vehicle average (1.00)
When complaints were filed
Last 12 months: 972 · Previous 12 months: 834 Within ±30% year on year
Problem areas
Electrical ›
934 · 26.9% · 1.71 vs. all vehicles · Within ±30% year on year
Engine ›
720 · 20.7% · 0.93 vs. all vehicles · Rising
Unspecified or other ›
391 · 11.2% · 1.25 vs. all vehicles · Within ±30% year on year
Transmission / powertrain ›
295 · 8.5% · 0.73 vs. all vehicles · Within ±30% year on year
Brakes ›
224 · 6.4% · 1.07 vs. all vehicles · Falling
Steering ›
179 · 5.1% · 0.8 vs. all vehicles · Rising
Wheels, tires & suspension ›
151 · 4.3% · 1.73 vs. all vehicles · Rising
Airbags & seat belts ›
115 · 3.3% · 0.87 vs. all vehicles · Rising
Fuel system ›
107 · 3.1% · 0.71 vs. all vehicles · Within ±30% year on year
Driver-assist systems ›
101 · 2.9% · 0.51 vs. all vehicles · Within ±30% year on year
Body & structure ›
94 · 2.7% · 0.3 vs. all vehicles · Rising
Other
93 · 2.7% · 1.45 vs. all vehicles · Within ±30% year on year
Lighting ›
73 · 2.1% · 1.35 vs. all vehicles · Falling
Only problem areas with at least 40 complaints get their own page.
Vehicle age at incident
Median age at incident: 36 months
What owners report
On 10/5/26 our jeep grand cherokee was parked in our drive way with the ignition started and the car in the park position. While my mom was in the car in the drivers seat, the car accelerated forward at a rapid speed and left the park position.
While traveling north at about 45-50 mph I struck a vehicle crossing the highway broadside as that vehicle crossed from west to east with the front of my Jeep. The vehicle struck had all air bags deployed and none of the air bags in my Jeep deployed.
"The manufacturer closed Safety Recall Y72 on my vehicle stating a software update resolved the headlight hazard. However, the safety defect is actively occurring.
I own a 2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe that has experienced a recurring safety issue involving unexpected deceleration and loss of acceleration while driving.
Vehicle experienced a sudden loss of motive power at highway speeds without warning. The vehicle lost total propulsion at 60mph with zero dashboard error text or warning lights.
Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, trimmed for length. The ODI number is NHTSA's record identifier.
Segment peers · Midsize SUVs
| # | Models | Complaints | Complaints per year on the road | Complaint index | Trend | Recent activity | Recalls | Most common issue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dodge Durango | 786 | 15.2 | 0.38 | Improving | Within ±30% year on year | 18 | Lighting |
| 2 | Nissan Pathfinder | 596 | 19.2 | 0.48 | Worsening | Rising | 12 | Engine |
| 3 | Honda Passport | 759 | 24.8 | 0.61 | Improving | Rising | 17 | Electrical |
| 4 | Kia Sorento | 1,446 | 33.7 | 0.83 | Stable | Rising | 18 | Engine |
| 5 | Chevrolet Traverse | 1,738 | 42.0 | 1.04 | Stable | Within ±30% year on year | 14 | Transmission / powertrain |
| 6 | Ford Edge | 2,244 | 44.4 | 1.1 | Improving | Within ±30% year on year | 20 | Engine |
| 7 | Toyota Highlander | 2,162 | 45.8 | 1.13 | Improving | Rising | 21 | Transmission / powertrain |
| 8 | Hyundai Santa Fe | 2,092 | 58.4 | 1.45 | Worsening | Rising | 27 | Engine |
| 9 | Honda Pilot | 2,945 | 63.4 | 1.57 | Stable | Within ±30% year on year | 27 | Engine |
| 10 | Ford Explorer | 3,270 | 64.0 | 1.59 | Improving | Within ±30% year on year | 77 | Transmission / powertrain |
| 11 | Subaru Outback | 3,816 | 71.8 | 1.78 | Improving | Within ±30% year on year | 15 | Body & structure |
| 12 | Kia Telluride | 2,014 | 74.3 | 1.84 | Improving | Rising | 17 | Body & structure |
| 13 | Jeep Grand Cherokee | 3,477 | 82.4 | 2.04 | Worsening | Within ±30% year on year | 53 | Electrical |
| 14 | Hyundai Palisade | 2,471 | 105.3 | 2.61 | Worsening | Within ±30% year on year | 16 | Airbags & seat belts |
Recalls by year received
- Campaigns: 53
- Do-not-drive / park-outside: 1
- Over-the-air fix: 2
Safety recalls: 2018 (11) · 2019 (7) · 2020 (3) · 2021 (16) · 2022 (13) · 2023 (21) · 2024 (18) · 2025 (5) · 2026 (6)
Investigations
- Recall 23V-413 Post Remedy Failures Open
On June 8, 2023, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles US, LLC (FCA) filed Safety Recall 23V-413 affecting certain 2022–2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee and2021–2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vehicles to address rear coil springs that may not have been properly installed during vehicle production. An improperly installed rear coil spring may detach while the vehicle is in motion, creating a road hazard that can increase …
- High pressure fuel pump failure Open
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE21-021 on October 14, 2021, to investigate incidents alleging a stall/loss of motive power as a result of high-pressure fuel pump failures in certain model year (MY) 2019-2020 Ram 2500, 3500, 4500, and 5500 heavy duty trucks equipped with 6.7L Cummins turbodiesel engines. During the investigation, ODI sought to determine if the related defect alle…
- Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture Open
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupt…
- Pedestrian alert sounds Closed
NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and ele…
- Active Head Rest Inadvertent Deployment Closed
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE19014 on September 9, 2019, to investigate 128 consumer complaints alleging that the Active Head Rest (AHR) inadvertently deployed without the occurrence of a crash or other rear impact event in model year (MY) 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango vehicles.When ODI opened the investigation, ODI was aware of thirteen alleged injuries.A small …