The Jeep Grand Cherokee is one of the most fun, most comfortable, and most capable SUVs out there today. It’s also one of the most troubled with complaints and recalls. Jeep fans may consider a high maintenance bill a fair trade-off, but you might want to skip the 2011-2014 models.
Key Points
- The Jeep Grand Cherokee’s worst year in the last decade was the 2014, which suffered from a major oil leak with nearly two thousand complaints on record.
- 2012 Grand Cherokee drivers will have to look out for some major wiring issues, including alternator failure and potential electrical fires.
- The 2011 Grand Cherokee kicked off a bad four-year run for the nameplate with over half a million recalls for power brake failure.
- While most Jeep owners expect to pay a little more for maintenance, shoppers would do well to consider models from 2015 or later due to better reliability.
Oil Leaks and Slow Recalls Make 2014 Grand Cherokee the Worst Model Year Overall
When you buy a Jeep, you expect to spend a little more on maintenance than you might with the next automaker, but the 2014 takes a significant lead with nearly two thousand complaints on file with the NHTSA, 17 recalls, and nine investigations. The SUV is estimated to run you somewhere in the area of $676 a year in repair costs.
The engine and powertrain have been the car’s biggest source of complaints with close to three hundred reports on file for engine, and nearly four hundred for powertrain. There are a lot of different issues being reported, but the most common and troubling would be an oil leak resulting from a cracked filter housing.
At worst, this can lead to stalling and even engine fires, as the position of the filter housing has oil spilling all over the engine and transmission. At the very least, a major oil leak is going to result in a dramatically shortened lifespan for the vehicle.
Reportedly, the cracks are more likely to occur if you live somewhere with harsh winters. When the car is stationary, the aluminum will contract in the cold. When you start it up, it suddenly expands. That puts a lot of stress on the structural integrity of the metal components. Some metals hold up better than others, and the aluminum used in the 2014 Grand Cherokee is less than ideal for extreme conditions.
There has been no recall for this issue as yet, but there was one for alternator failure in nearly half a million units, airbag failure in over one hundred thousand units, stability control failure, electrical fires thanks to the vanity light, cruise control failing to disengage… the list goes on. There’s a lot going on with the 2014 Grand Cherokee.
A Whole Bunch of Reported Electrical Issues Make the 2012 Grand Cherokee Hard to Count on
With 11 recalls, six investigations, and over 1,500 complaints, the 2012 takes second place on the list of most problematic Grand Cherokees.
Taking a substantial lead, 785 of the complaints registered with the NHTSA are for the electrical system, making up well over half of the total complaints. These complaints are all over the place, from radios and headlights going out to owners having trouble getting the parts for one of two fuel pump relay recalls. All together, they generally point to “bad wiring” with several issues affecting the electrical components.
The SUV has been recalled six times total for electrical issues alone, including the pump relay recalls, two for vanity lamp fires, and two for alternator failure. These recalls affected around half a million units each, so no matter your VIN, you’re probably going to be affected by one or more of these recalls. Make sure to check your number and claim whatever repairs you’ve got coming your way.
2011 Grand Cherokees Among More than Half a Million Units Recalled, and Recalled Again, for Power Brake Failure
At just over 1,500 complaints with six recalls and five investigations, the 2011 Grand Cherokee may not have as big a file with the NHTSA as the 2014, but there’s still a lot more here to worry about than with any recent model years.
The leading issue this time, with over 300 complaints on file: service brakes, with hundreds of drivers reporting their power brake assist failing to kick in, forcing them to really put the pedal down to bring the vehicle to a stop.
Thankfully, they did issue a couple of recalls for this one, first in April 2014, then in September 2017, each for over half a million units. The first recall was for a loss of power brake assist owing to water leaking into the brake booster. Techs will install a shield over the booster to protect it from rain. The second recall was issued to address any booster shields that might have been incorrectly installed the first time.
The last recall was in late 2017, but the last complaint, as of the time of this writing, was in late 2021. Whether this means the recalls were incomplete, or new complaints are from drivers who skipped the recall, or this is another problem entirely, we can’t speculate. Only to say that the 2017 recall wasn’t the last time anyone would register a complaint of their power brakes failing to work in the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee.
Expect Higher-than-usual Maintenance Bills with any Jeep Grand Cherokee, but Especially With 2011-2014 Models
When you buy a Jeep, you should go in with the understanding that you’re going to be spending more money on maintenance and repairs than your buddies do in their Ford Explorers and Honda CR-Vs. Jeep can get away with a higher-than-average cost of maintenance because, well, they’re Jeep. There’s no other automaker out there quite like them. If you want that rugged suspension and all-weather performance, there is no second choice.
But, not all Jeeps are created equal, and Grand Cherokee fans might be better off skipping the 2011-2014 model years for a 2015 or later.
Photos: Stellantis
