JEEP Grand Cherokee Reliability by YearBest & worst years, problems & recalls — NHTSA data
Comparing used JEEP Grand Cherokee options? We analyzed 10 model years (2017–2026) using real NHTSA complaint and recall data so you can spot stronger years, avoid riskier ones, and know what to inspect before buying.
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- Accident & damage history
- Odometer rollback records
- Open recalls & title brands
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the JEEP Grand Cherokee has 3,220 owner complaints and 92 safety recalls across model years 2017–2026. The most reported issue area is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. 2018 drew the most complaints; 2026 drew the fewest.
- Make
- JEEP
- Model
- Grand Cherokee
- Model years analyzed
- 2017–2026 (10 years)
- Total NHTSA complaints
- 3,220
- Safety recall campaigns
- 92
- Crash-related complaints
- 168
- Fire-related complaints
- 32
- Worst model year (by complaints)
- 2018 (841 complaints)
- Best model year (fewest complaints)
- 2026 (9 complaints)
- Top reported issue area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Reliability signal
- Poor
By model year
JEEP Grand Cherokee: which years to avoid & which to buy
Based on total NHTSA owner complaints per model year. Higher complaint counts indicate a riskier year to buy used — lower counts suggest a cleaner reliability record.
These years have the most owner complaints. Inspect carefully and always run a VIN check.
These years have the fewest owner complaints on record — lower risk starting points.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA NCAP crash test ratings
New Car Assessment ProgramNCAP crash tests measure how well a vehicle protects occupants in controlled frontal crash, side crash, and rollover scenarios. Stars are awarded per category (5 = safest). These laboratory results are independent of owner complaints and are performed by NHTSA engineers on new production vehicles.
Source: nhtsa.gov/ratings
What the complaint data suggests
PoorThe JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE has 3,220 NHTSA complaints and 92 recalls on record. 168 complaints involve crash-related incidents. This data reflects owner-reported issues submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
- 3,220 total complaints filed with NHTSA
- 92 federal recall campaigns
- 168 crash-related complaints on record
- Review NHTSA complaint history for the most-reported components
- Check recall completion status at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Verify service records for frequently complained components
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with elevated complaint rates.
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with fewer reported issues.
- Run a VIN check on the specific vehicle you are considering
- Verify all open recalls are completed at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Request service records for the most-reported complaint components
- Have a certified mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase
Problems by model year (best vs. worst)
Source: NHTSA public complaints database. Updated: Jul 2026
Safety recalls
NHTSA safety recalls
92 recalls foundSafety recalls are mandatory repair campaigns ordered by NHTSA when a vehicle defect poses an unreasonable risk to safety. Manufacturers are required to fix recalled vehicles free of charge. Always verify open recalls before buying a used car.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
CHILD SEAT:VEHICLE TETHER ANCHOR
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY
AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY
AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
STEERING:LINKAGES:KNUCKLE:SPINDLE:ARM
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:INSTRUMENT PANEL:SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE
SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY:HEAD RESTRAINT
Source: NHTSA Recalls Database. Data covers model years 2017–2026. Always run a VIN-specific check below for the most up-to-date open recall status.
Common problems
What goes wrong most often
The vehicle systems owners complain about most, ranked from all 3,220 NHTSA complaints — these are the areas to inspect first on a used car.
Owner complaints
NHTSA complaint reports
3,220 totalThese are consumer-submitted safety complaints filed directly with NHTSA. Each complaint describes a real owner's experience. Complaints flagged as crash-related or fire-related are highlighted.
The contact owns a 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that the check engine warning light illuminated and started blinking quickly before remaining continuously illuminated. The vehicle was jerking, and while it was in park, it vibrated excessively. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer; however, the cause of the failure could not be determined. STAR engineers later determined that the spark plugs were inoperable. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred shortly afterwards. The vehicle was then towed back to the local dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact requested a loaner vehicle, but the request was denied. The manufacturer had not been contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 788.
Vehicle was purchased new from a franchised dealer. Six days after purchase, at approximately 105 miles on the odometer, the vehicle experienced a transmission failure while being driven with my family, including a young child, on board (warning message displayed - Service Transmission, loss of forward motion, harsh shifting, inability to shift gears while driving on the street). The vehicle was taken to the selling dealer, whose service department diagnosed a failure of the transmission valve body. The diagnosis was made and documented by the dealer's service department, and service records exist confirming the failure. The failed component was NOT on the dealer's possession as part of the repair process; availability for inspection is UNKNOWN, as the dealer subsequently replaced the entire vehicle with a new unit rather than returning the original vehicle to me. Prior to the failure, A WARNING MESSAGE stating "Service Transmission" appeared. The manufacturer was notified of the failure through its customer care process. To my knowledge the vehicle was not inspected by police or insurance representatives. Safety risk: a drivetrain failure on a vehicle in its first week of service presented a risk of unexpected loss of motive power in traffic with passengers aboard, including a child.
I bought the vehicle less than 60 days when it had a major engine failure. The spark plug broke off into the engine and bounced around causing a failure. This is a known problem with this vehicle from the factory, from which I was not aware. At first they said they were putting a new engine in and now corporate is trying to get it out the door asap so they cant be forced to buy back the vehicle as a lemon, which I requested through corporate and started an arbitration process per the contract. The vehicle is being serviced at diehl of moon. The service manager there I am dealing with is James. They have had my vehicle since the check engine light came on and was flashing on June 17th.
Odometer fraud: On [XXX], I purchased 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee VIN [XXX] from Clay Cooley Dallas Dodge as "new." Federal Odometer Disclosure Statement and Retail Installment Contract stated 10 miles. Actual odometer at delivery: 124 miles after dealer disclosed dead battery replacement delayed delivery. No corrected Federal Odometer Disclosure Statement was provided as required by 49 USC 32705. Vehicle delivered was non-conforming to advertised characteristics: 1. Dealer digital showroom pictured 2026 Grand Cherokee with captain's chairs, 3rd row seating, chrome accents, silver wheels. I contracted based on those images. 2. Delivered: bench seat, no 3rd row, black painted 20" wheels. Salesman Cesar Ortiz confirmed "third row" by phone 6/16/2026 while viewing same images. 3. Delivery included Used Car Buyer's Guide and AS-IS disclosure prohibited on new vehicle sales under Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act 15 USC 2301, plus VTR-271 Limited Power of Attorney improper for new retail under TX Transp Code 501.147. 4. No executed Retail Installment Contract, Odometer Disclosure Statement, or Buyer's Guide provided at [XXX] delivery as required by TILA 15 USC 1638(b). Documents provided 6/23/2026 still falsely state 10 miles. Vehicle rejected under UCC INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
I purchased a new 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee on May 9, 2026. On June 4, 2026, less than one month after purchase, the vehicle experienced a sudden brake system failure while I was driving. The brake pedal became hard and unresponsive, the ABS warning lights illuminated, and the vehicle had very limited stopping power. Fortunately, I was able to safely drive the vehicle to the dealership without an accident or injuries. The dealership diagnosed the problem as a failed brake booster (part # 68734134AB) requiring replacement. However, the replacement brake booster is on backorder, and Stellantis has confirmed that there is currently no estimated delivery date and no assigned distribution for the part. As a result, my vehicle has been out of service for 4 weeks with no repair timeline. Stellantis has acknowledged that this involves a critical safety component but has been unable to provide a meaningful resolution beyond monitoring the backorder. I continue to make lease payments, insurance payments, and other vehicle-related expenses for a brand-new vehicle that I cannot safely operate because of a warranty-covered safety defect. This is a serious safety concern because the failure involved the vehicle's braking system and significantly reduced the vehicle's ability to stop. Had this occurred at highway speeds or in heavy traffic, the consequences could have been catastrophic. I am submitting this complaint because I believe this brake system failure warrants investigation to determine whether it affects other 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles and whether the lack of availability of replacement brake boosters for a critical safety component creates an ongoing risk to consumers. A vehicle with a brake system failure should not remain out of service indefinitely because a safety-critical replacement part is unavailable.
After 3 months and less than 800 miles the service transmission light came on. While driving to the dealership, the engine light came on, followed by bells and buzzers. The dealership said our transmission valve connector was defective. It’s been there 2 weeks still waiting for the part to come in. We paid nearly 70 thousand for this vehicle and now there’s a transmission issue
Read 14 more owner reports
Purchase the vehicle May 19th and on arriving home later that week realize the passenger rear wheel well had no plastic nuts holding it on which also holds the bumper support beam so therefore the rear bumper was blowing in the wind. Contacted Capital City Chrysler Dodge Jeep ram about it and they offered no solution to this so I ended up having to buy parts from Mopar parts online to attempt to correct. The wheel liner could have easily blown out of the wheel Arch and caused a safety issue had we not taken one of the nuts from the driver side and put on the passenger to hold it more firm. Dealership sent an email saying that they simply cannot check all of these safety issues in a 15 minute inspection when they come off the truck.
First, after a trip of approximately 100 miles, the vehicle would not advance after stopping at a STOP sign. I had to shift from DRIVE to PARK and back to DRIVE before the vehicle would move. In the second case, again after a trip over 100 miles, primarily on the highway, the vehicle failed to shift out of first gear while the engine revved to over 7,000 RPM when I left an intersection. In that instance a warning light came up on the dash indicating RPMs in the red zone. Once again I had to pull over, put the vehicle in PARK and re-engage DRIVE before the vehicle would drive in a more normal fashion. It was the following day, when I entered the dealership for a service appointment, that the check engine light illuminated and the vehicle did not run smoothly. The service department determined it was a spark plug issue and claims the problem has been resolved. They also said this issue is fairly common on new (2026) Jeep Grand Cherokee models. There is less than 1,200 miles on the vehicle. I feel I was very lucky that the situation in both instances was relatively safe and there was minimal risk of injury, death and/or property damage. I have lost all confidence in the vehicle.
Heavy vibration of entire vehicle when in reverse. Occasional lack of power when accelerating. Issues with the transmission occasionally failing to shift gears.
There is a serious malfunction between the hybrid and electric systems. The engine is making a loud noise, and neither the hybrid nor electric mode functions properly. In addition, the fuel and oil refresh warning remains on, even after refueling. These issues are ongoing and substantially impair the use, value, and safety of the vehicle.On January 2, 2026, and march 8 my Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe shut down twice while I was driving home on the freeway. This vehicle is not safe to operate under these conditions.Despite these concerns, the issues have not been resolved. Stellantis has removed 4xe models from the Jeep website due to safety concerns, recalls, and a high volume of customer complaints. At this time, there appears to be no effective remedy, and a simple software update will not correct these defects.My vehicle continues to produce an extremely loud engine noise, even while operating in hybrid mode. I am very familiar with how a Jeep should perform—this is my fifth Jeep Grand Cherokee—and I have never experienced anything like this before. Even my previous gasolineonly models operated much more quietly. In contrast, both the hybrid and gas modes on this vehicle sound like a diesel truck. Additionally, the fuel and oil warning light remains on constantly. I have contacted Jeep Customer Care multiple times, as well as the servicing dealer, and I was repeatedly told to “add more gas and continue driving the vehicle.” Despite following those instructions, the issue persists. The warning light does not turn off, the engine remains excessively loud, and the fuel consumption is unreasonable. The situation worsens in cold weather. The battery drains rapidly from 100% without explanation, even when the vehicle has been properly charged. At this point, I am genuinely afraid to charge the vehicle and even more concerned about driving it.In addition, the vehicle feels sluggish while driving and frequently does not pick up power as it should. There is a noticeable delay
The contact owns a 2025 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that they had just purchased the vehicle brand new with the intent to utilize the Forward collision Warning plus avoidance system, The contact stated that on various occasions while driving the Forward collision Warning plus avoidance system will not function as proposed and no warning lights will illuminate. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed and the contact was advised that the front bumper sensors and Forward facing camera were faulty and needed to be replaced. The components recommended were replaced however the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 3,000.
blackout on the radio cluster, and dashboard instrument cluster intermittently goes completely black while I am driving and sometimes it just keep blinking off and on. front driver side tire when I turn it feels like theirs something wrong with the front and while turning the driver side rear tire sounds like it’s dragging or constantly on gravel. while driving, the vehicle intermittently displays a traction light even though i’m just driving on the highway and straight paved roads that it doesn’t need traction on.
The contact owned a 2025 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, another vehicle hydroplaned from another lane into the contact's lane, causing the contact's vehicle to crash into the oncoming vehicle. The contact's vehicle then crashed into a ditch before coming to a complete stop. The other vehicle crashed into a guardrail, and its air bags were deployed. The contact's wife was occupying the front passenger seat during the incident. No air bags deployed. Both the contact and his wife were transported by ambulance to the medical center. The contact sustained cervical strain and soft tissues. The contact's wife sustained a brain hemorrhage and remained hospitalized in a highly sedated state. Additionally, the contact's wife was being treated for a continuous high fever. The vehicle was towed to a local tow yard and was deemed a total loss. A police report was filed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 10,076.
Our sunroof completely shattered for no reason. We were not hit by or with anything, we did not hit any objects, it just spontaneously broke. Thankfully our interior shade was pulled, otherwise we would have been showered with shards of glass. It is available for inspection. Our safety was put at risk as we were on a freeway, in traffic & the loud sound it made scared us, it sounded like a very close gun shot. We had to pull over to see what happened. We took it to the Jeep dealer where we bought it & they told us they have never seen this happen before & there's nothing they can do. There were absolutely no symptoms prior to this happening. It was not overly hot or cold outside. (73 degrees & dry).
I was driving at approximately 30 - 35mph when another car went through a stop sign causing a head on collision. I did not see the other car, therefore had no time to brake or maneuver away - the collision happened at the full speed I was driving. The damage to the car is directly in the center and towards the right side of the front of vehicle where the airbag sensors are located. The airbags did not deploy. I was restrained by my seatbelt.
While flat towing this vehicle there was a failure that caused the brakes to melt down and almost start a vehicle fire. The proper process for flat towing for both the vehicle and the brake buddy classic 3 system were followed. The dealership would not provide the data log report which would explain the cause of the problem, but just blame the towing system. Under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act they are required to show proof of the fault.
The contact owns a 2025 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while their wife was coasting into the driveway at approximately 5 MPH, a panel underneath the dashboard, near the steering wheel, detached, blocking the brake pedal, causing the contact's wife to crash into a nearby tree where the vehicle came to a stop. The air bags did not deploy. The driver did not sustain any injury. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 33,067.
The jeep is towed behind our camper. When the camper truck turns, the wheels on the jeep stay straight and drag the jeep through the turn sideways. On a highway off ramp with a curve at higher speed the jeep wants to pull the camper off the edge. Lane assist is off but I was forced to pick something below. The issue is with the jeep steering not tracking behind the camper causing a hazardous condition going on curves. The wheels turn with the steering wheel but not when being towed. All procedures to flat tow are being followed per the owners manual. There is a technical service bulletin published in May 2025 by Chrysler about “dragging” tires and it is not resolved.
The contact owns a 2025 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at highway speeds the engine had suddenly revved very high and the RPMs had increased but the vehicle had failed to accelerate and began to reduce speed. The vehicle was driven to the shoulder and parked. After restarting the engine the vehicle operated as normal. The contact indicated that the failure had occurred on multiple occasions. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who was unable the diagnosed a problem and no service was performed. The manufacturer was not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 3,600.
I am writing to formally report a serious safety issue with my brand-new Jeep Grand Cherokee (got it from DARCARS Rockville, MD dealership) and to request immediate resolution under warranty and applicable consumer protection laws. I purchased this vehicle with the expectation of reliability, safety, and comfort for my family. Unfortunately, within a very short period of ownership, the vehicle has experienced repeated and dangerous failures. On 17th April 2026, while traveling at approximately 65 mph on a highway in Pennsylvania around 1:00 AM, the vehicle suddenly shut down without warning. This created an extremely hazardous situation for my family. We contacted roadside assistance, but no help arrived until approximately 8:00 AM. Due to freezing temperatures and lack of heat in the vehicle, we were forced to call 911 for assistance and were transported to a nearby hotel around 3:30 AM. The vehicle was subsequently towed to a dealership, where diagnostics were performed. We were informed that the issue was related to a coding or malfunction and that it had been resolved. However, just two days later, while returning home, the exact same issue occurred again under similar conditions—vehicle shutdown at highway speed. Once again, we were stranded at night, forced to rely on emergency services, and did not reach home until approximately 4:30 AM. This pattern of failure is unacceptable and represents a severe safety defect. My family’s safety was put at significant risk on two separate occasions. As a result, we have completely lost confidence in the vehicle’s reliability and safety. Immediate escalation of this case and a full technical investigation A written explanation of the root cause of these failures A permanent resolution to ensure this issue cannot recur Consideration of a manufacturer buyback or replacement under applicable Lemon Law provisions
Showing 20 of 3,220 total NHTSA complaints. Source: NHTSA Complaints Database
Check the exact car
Before you buy, check the exact JEEP Grand Cherokee
These pages show model-year patterns across 10 years. Enter a VIN to verify the exact vehicle's accident history, title brands, odometer records, and open recall status before purchase.
The basics
How to read this data
Complaints, recalls, investigations — here’s what each number actually tells you about a used JEEP Grand Cherokee, in plain English.
What is an NHTSA Complaint?
An NHTSA safety complaint is a report filed directly by a vehicle owner or driver describing a safety-related issue. Anyone can submit a complaint at NHTSA.gov. The number of complaints is a signal of how common a problem is — but complaints per model-year matter more than raw totals, since popular vehicles naturally receive more reports. The JEEP Grand Cherokee has 3,220 complaints on record across 10 model years.
What is a Safety Recall?
A safety recall is a mandatory campaign issued by NHTSA when a vehicle component poses an unreasonable risk to safety or does not comply with federal motor vehicle safety standards. Unlike complaints (which are owner-reported), recalls are formally investigated and confirmed by regulators. Manufacturers must fix recalled vehicles free of charge. The JEEP Grand Cherokee has 92 recall campaigns in the NHTSA database.
What Are Crash Complaints?
Crash complaints are NHTSA filings where the owner indicates a crash occurred as part of the incident. 168 of the JEEP Grand Cherokee's 3,220 complaints involved a crash. This metric is particularly important because it indicates how often defects resulted in actual collisions — a key safety signal beyond general reliability.
How Is the Reliability Verdict Calculated?
The reliability verdict (Poor) is generated by analyzing the vehicle's total complaints, recall history, crash complaint ratio, fire complaint ratio, and top component failures relative to class averages. This verdict gives buyers a quick interpretation before they review year-level details and VIN-level history. It should be treated as one decision input, not a substitute for a VIN-specific report.
Why Do Newer Years Have Fewer Complaints?
Newer model years appear to have fewer complaints because there has been less time for owners to file them. Complaints accumulate over years of ownership. A 2020 model year vehicle will typically show fewer complaints than a 2015 model year even if it is less reliable — simply because fewer owners have had time to report issues. Focus on complaints per year of market presence when comparing across model years.
Fleet Data vs. Individual VIN
Everything on this page reflects aggregated data across all JEEP Grand Cherokee vehicles on the road — not any specific car. Two JEEP Grand Cherokee vehicles of the same year can have very different histories: one may have been in three accidents and have an open recall; another may be clean. A VIN check gives you the individual car's history: accidents, title brands, odometer records, service history, and real-time recall status.
What Are NHTSA Investigations?
When NHTSA receives a pattern of related safety complaints, it opens a formal investigation. A Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is the first stage — NHTSA determines if a safety defect may exist. If evidence is strong, it escalates to an Engineering Analysis (EA), which can result in a mandatory recall. The JEEP Grand Cherokee has 0 investigations on record (0 active). Investigations listed above may have already led to the recalls shown on this page.
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Title-branding rules, flood-damage exposure, and salvage laws vary by state. Run a free VIN check or explore state-specific vehicle history guidance before buying a used JEEP Grand Cherokee.
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JEEP Grand Cherokee reliability — frequently asked questions
Is the JEEP Grand Cherokee reliable?
Poor. The JEEP Grand Cherokee has 3,220 NHTSA owner complaints and 92 recall campaigns across model years. A commonly reported issue area is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. Use year-level data as a pattern guide, then verify the exact car with a VIN check before purchase.
Which JEEP Grand Cherokee years to avoid?
Years with the most NHTSA complaints: 2018 (841 complaints), 2021 (397 complaints), 2023 (374 complaints). Use these years as a shortlist for deeper inspection, and always run a VIN check on the exact vehicle before purchase.
What are the most common JEEP Grand Cherokee problems?
Top reported issues: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (1,153 complaints); UNKNOWN OR OTHER (668 complaints); ENGINE (656 complaints).
Does the JEEP Grand Cherokee have recalls?
Yes — 92 NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the JEEP Grand Cherokee. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.