Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.
2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee — Known Issues & Recalls
Complaints from Jan 2020 to Dec 2016
The most reported issue is power train problems (39 complaints). 27 complaints involved crashes. 6 involved fires.
Open Safety Recalls (9)
NHTSA Campaign: 20V475000
Component: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Ram 1500 and 2014-2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles equipped with 3.0L diesel engines. The crankshaft position sensor tone wheel may delaminate causing the engine to lose its ability to synchronize the fuel injector pulses and cam shaft timing, possibly resulting in an engine stall.
Risk: An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: FCA US will notify owners, and dealers will update the powertrain control module software to maintain vehicle propulsion by reading the camshaft position signal in the event that the crankshaft position signal is lost, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 13, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US customer service at 1-800-853-2002. FCA US's number for this recall is W58.
NHTSA Campaign: 18V332000
Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Dodge Journey, Charger and Durango, RAM 2500, 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis (more than 10,000lb), 4500 Cab Chassis and 5500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Cherokee and Grand Cherokee and Chrysler 300, 2014-2019 RAM 1500, 2015-2018 Dodge Challenger, 2015-2017 Chrysler 200, 2016-2018 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis (less than 10,000 lb), 2017-2018 Chrysler Pacifica and 2018 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. These vehicles are being recalled to address a defect that could prevent the cruise control system from disengaging. If, when using cruise control, there is a short circuit within the vehicle's wiring, the driver may not be able to shut off the cruise control either by depressing the brake pedal or manually turning the system off once it has been engaged, resulting in either the vehicle maintaining its current speed or possibly accelerating.
Risk: If the vehicle maintains its speed or accelerates despite attempts to deactivate the cruise control, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the software, and perform a software flash on the engine or powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began June 4, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Note: Owners are advised to stop using cruise control until the software update has been performed. In the event that cruise control cannot be disengaged while driving, owners should firmly and steadily apply the brakes and shift the transmission to neutral, placing the vehicle in park once it has stopped.
NHTSA Campaign: 20V699000
Component: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:GAS RECIRCULATION VALVE (EGR VALVE)
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles equipped with the 3.0L EcoDiesel engines. The Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) cooler may crack and allow pre-heated vaporized coolant to enter the EGR system. This mixture may combust inside the intake manifold.
Risk: Combustion in the intake manifold can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: FCA US LLC will notify owners, and dealers will replace the EGR cooler, free of charge. Dealers will also inspect and, as necessary, replace the intake manifold. Parts are not currently available. Owners were mailed an interim notification on December 21, 2021. A second notification will be mailed when parts are available, currently expected to be around March 11, 2021. The recall began March 11, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US LLC's number for this recall is W79.
NHTSA Campaign: 17E061000
Component: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER
Accessible Technologies, Inc. (ATI) is recalling certain ProCharger Superchargers, model numbers AB037A-100, AB037A-100P, and A037A-100B, sold for installation on 2012-2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 and SRT vehicles. The supercharger mounting bracket may contact and damage the ABS line, possibly resulting in a brake fluid leak.
Risk: A brake fluid leak may lengthen the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: ATI will notify owners and will replace the supercharger brackets, free of charge. The recall began on December 12, 2017. Owners may contact ATI customer service at 1-913-338-2886.
NHTSA Campaign: 16V814000
Component: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2016 Dodge Durango and Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured February 10, 2016, to April 28, 2016 and equipped with a 3.6L engine built at the Saltillo engine plant. During the assembly of the engine, the fuel rail crossover tube may have been damaged, which, over time, may result in a fuel leak.
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source, can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine assembly for damage to the fuel rail crossover tube, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on December 23, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S85.
NHTSA Campaign: 16V168000
Component: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango vehicles manufactured December 9, 2015, to January 14, 2016. In the affected vehicles, the left front brake caliper may crack due to being made from an incorrect material.
Risk: A cracked brake caliper may lengthen the distance needed to stop the vehicle and increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front left brake caliper and depending on its casting date, replace it, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on May 12, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S16.
NHTSA Campaign: 16V249000
Component: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured May 15, 2015 to February 19, 2016. The brake transmission shift interlock solenoid may have a loose electrical connection which could result in a loss of solenoid function.
Risk: If the solenoid loses function, the transmission may lock in the Park or Neutral position when the vehicle comes to a stop, possibly rendering the vehicle disabled in traffic, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the shifter assembly, free of charge. The recall began on May 27, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S28.
NHTSA Campaign: 22V406000
Component: FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee, and 2014-2019 Ram 1500 vehicles equipped with 3.0L diesel engines. A high pressure fuel pump (HPFP) failure may introduce internal debris into the fuel system, potentially resulting in fuel starvation.
Risk: Fuel starvation may result in an unexpected loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the HPFP, and inspect and replace, if necessary, additional fuel system components, free of charge. Interim notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed July 21, 2022. Owner notification letters for were mailed for Jeep Grand Cherokee owners starting January 11, 2024. Owner notification letters for Ram 1500 owners were mailed March 7, 2024. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLS's number for this recall is Z46.
NHTSA Campaign: 23V411000
Component: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2019 Ram 1500 and 2014-2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles equipped with 3.0L Diesel engines. The crankshaft position sensor tone wheel may delaminate, causing the engine to lose its ability to synchronize the fuel injector pulses and cam shaft timing, possibly resulting in an engine stall.
Risk: An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will update the powertrain control module software to maintain vehicle propulsion, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed August 3, 2023. Some owner notification letters were mailed October 31, 2023. The remaining owner notification letters will be mailed at a future date, anticipated July 2024. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 66A. This recall is an expansion of recall 20V-475.
Owner-Reported Issues (20 of 303)
Engine →4 issues
While driving at 60 MPH, your vehicle suddenly lost power and went into limp mode, displaying a "Service Electronic Throttle Control" message and nearly causing a rear-end collision. The mechanic found diagnostic codes related to the crankshaft position sensor and intake manifold runner, but couldn't identify the exact cause. You may need to have the throttle control system, crankshaft position sensor, or intake manifold components inspected and possibly replaced.
Parts you may need:
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Your check engine light came on and your vehicle lost power and decelerated. The crankshaft sensor had become damaged (delaminated), which is a known issue with a recall available. However, the dealership would not honor the recall for your vehicle.
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Your check engine light came on while driving, and the engine was running rough with a rough idle. A dealer diagnosed the problem as a misfire in cylinder #3 (error code P0303). The vehicle wasn't repaired at that time. Fixing this typically involves inspecting the spark plug, ignition coil, or fuel injector for cylinder #3.
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Your engine's oil filler neck is leaking, which may be caused by an internal engine problem. You should have this inspected promptly, as oil leaks can lead to low oil levels and engine damage if not addressed.
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Power Train →4 issues
Your transmission got stuck in first gear when you tried to drive from a stop, but it worked normally after you shifted to neutral and back to drive. No warning lights appeared on your dashboard. The issue happened at about 151,755 miles and hasn't been diagnosed or repaired. This might require transmission fluid service, filter replacement, or internal transmission repairs to prevent it from happening again.
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Your car is stuck in park and won't shift into drive or other gears. You may notice the shift lever won't move out of the park position. This could be caused by a transmission shift lock solenoid failure, transmission fluid issue, or electronic shift control problem. A mechanic will need to diagnose the shift solenoid and transmission fluid condition, and possibly replace the shift lock mechanism.
Parts you may need:
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Your transmission unexpectedly jerks or lurches forward when you're slowing down to a stop, causing an unpredictable violent forward motion. This has happened multiple times and your dealer has inspected it but dismissed it as normal 8-speed transmission behavior. The vehicle doesn't warn you before it happens and doesn't store any error codes in the computer.
Parts you may need:
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Your transmission won't shift from Park into Drive, even though you're trying to move the gear selector. Your check engine light came on, and a diagnostic scan revealed transmission control codes (P1DB8 and P1DB8-00). The vehicle hasn't been repaired yet. A transmission control module replacement or transmission fluid service may be needed to resolve this shifting issue.
Parts you may need:
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Air Bags →2 issues
Your 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee was involved in a two-impact collision (left front and left rear), and all airbags deployed except the driver's side curtain airbag. The driver struck their head on the seat belt pillar because this airbag failed to deploy, which may have worsened the head injury. The manufacturer has not responded to your inquiry within a week. The fix may require a diagnostic inspection of the airbag system's sensors and wiring, followed by replacement of the curtain airbag module or related components.
Parts you may need:
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Your vehicle's passenger-side front seat headrest airbag deployed while the car was parked in your driveway with no collision or accident. This unexpected deployment could indicate a malfunction in the airbag system's sensors or wiring. A technician will need to inspect the airbag control module and passenger seat sensors to identify why the system was triggered.
Parts you may need:
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Exterior Lighting,air Bags,forward Collision Avoidance →1 issue
Your airbags failed to deploy during a high-speed collision with a deer at 65 mph, despite the severe impact causing over $7,300 in front-end damage. You sustained a head injury from striking the steering wheel and window, resulting in ongoing neck pain and migraines. A sulfur smell was present during the impact, which may indicate an airbag system malfunction. Having the airbag system inspected and repaired by a technician is essential to ensure proper deployment in future accidents.
Parts you may need:
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Power Train,electrical System →1 issue
Your car's engine shuts off while you're driving without warning. This is a serious issue that affects your ability to safely operate the vehicle and could leave you stranded.
Parts you may need:
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Unknown Or Other,engine →1 issue
Your transmission failed completely due to fluid contamination, which also caused head gasket problems. The vehicle started overheating while you were driving, forcing you to pull over and stop. Despite regular maintenance and only 7-8 months of ownership, there were no warning signs before the failure occurred. Fixing this will likely require transmission fluid replacement or a complete transmission rebuild, along with head gasket repair.
Parts you may need:
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Fuel/propulsion System →1 issue
Your Jeep's engine start-stop feature (which automatically shuts down the engine in traffic) has been malfunctioning repeatedly. When you tried to accelerate from a stop in heavy traffic, the engine struggled to restart and then suddenly surged to full throttle without warning, causing you to lose control momentarily and collide with the vehicle ahead. You've already taken your car to the shop twice in six months for this issue without resolution, and it resulted in an accident that you're being held responsible for despite the car's malfunction.
Parts you may need:
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Power Train,service Brakes →1 issue
Your gear selector assembly (shifter) failed, causing the gear position indicator lights to stop working and a "Service Shifter" warning to appear on your dashboard. This is part of recall S28 for your vehicle model, and your dealer says it's unsafe to drive because the shifter controls important functions beyond just the display—including driving signals, reverse lights, backup camera, and gear recognition. The repair will likely involve replacing the gear selector assembly or its internal components.
Parts you may need:
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Power Train,fuel/propulsion System →1 issue
Your vehicle's tone wheel (a sensor component in the fuel/propulsion system) failed, causing your car to not run properly. You took it in for repair, but FCA determined that this particular failure wasn't covered under the recall that was issued for your vehicle. The repair will likely involve replacing the tone wheel sensor and possibly recalibrating the engine control systems.
Parts you may need:
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Tires →1 issue
All four of your tires have developed cracks that go around the entire circumference of each tire, possibly due to sidewalk defects in the Cooper Evolution H/T tires. These cracks could compromise the tire's structural integrity and create a safety risk. You should have the tires inspected by a professional and likely replaced if the cracks are significant.
Parts you may need:
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Electrical System →1 issue
When you press the gas pedal, your engine sometimes races but the car doesn't speed up, and you have to turn the engine off and restart it to get normal operation back. You may notice a hyperbola symbol blinking on your dashboard when this happens. This electrical issue likely involves the throttle or engine control system and may require diagnostic scanning and potential component replacement or reprogramming.
Parts you may need:
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Exterior Lighting →1 issue
Your headlights randomly go out completely while driving at night — sometimes just one, sometimes both — even though your high beams and fog lights still work when you turn them on. This problem happens intermittently and has been ongoing for a while. The issue likely involves a faulty headlight relay, wiring connection, or headlight module that controls when the regular headlights turn on and off.
Parts you may need:
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Fuel System, Gasoline →1 issue
While driving at 45 mph, your car displayed a "Shift into Park" message and then stalled. The dealer found that your fuel pump had failed and replaced it. However, about 30,000 miles later, the same thing happened again—the replacement fuel pump also failed. Both failed fuel pumps had the same manufacturer part number, suggesting a possible defect in that part. The fuel pump replacement involves removing and reinstalling the fuel pump assembly, which typically requires dropping or accessing the fuel tank.
Parts you may need:
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Other Jeep Grand Cherokee years: