2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee problems owners report most
2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee problems are documented in public: owners have filed 311 complaints with NHTSA, the earliest in 2016 and the most recent in 2026. Sorting those by the component the filer named puts the powertrain clearly first, at 78 of the 311 complaints, about a quarter of everything filed.
A complaint is not a repair bill and not a defect finding. It is one owner telling the regulator something went wrong. What makes the count useful is the concentration: when one component takes 25 per cent of everything filed on a car, the pattern is doing more than chance.
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| POWER TRAIN | 78 | 25% |
| ENGINE | 76 | 24% |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 61 | 20% |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 31 | 10% |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 28 | 9% |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 25 | 8% |
Of those complaints, 27 describe a crash and 7 describe a fire. Filers reported 18 injuries.
Recalls on the 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee
A recall means the manufacturer or the regulator found a safety defect, and the repair is free at a franchised dealer however old the car is. There are 9 recalls on this model year. Your own car may be covered by some, all or none of them, so check the VIN rather than the model.
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.
The risk. An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
The 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.
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.
The 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.
The 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.
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.
The risk. Combustion in the intake manifold can increase the risk of a fire.
The 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.
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.
The risk. A brake fluid leak may lengthen the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The 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.
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.
The risk. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source, can increase the risk of a fire.
The 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.
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.
The risk. A cracked brake caliper may lengthen the distance needed to stop the vehicle and increase the risk of a crash.
The 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.
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.
The 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.
The 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.
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.
The risk. Fuel starvation may result in an unexpected loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
The 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.
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.
The risk. An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
The 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.
In owners own words
These are complaints filed about the powertrain, quoted as written. They are one persons account rather than a diagnosis, and they are here because a symptom described by a driver is easier to recognise than a component name.
I've had issues with my vehicle since 2021 -engine light first appeared on the dashboard and towed my car to a Jeep dealership. Vehicle was "repaired" (have the documentation, if needed), but the engine light remained on. I have since driven this vehicle for nearly 3 years with the engine light on, bringing it into different Jeep dealerships (all documentation on record if needed) to repair and was told there was nothing they could find wrong with the engine. Last year (2023) my electronic stability control and 4WD lights came on in addition to the engine light. My car was sliding all over th
THIS ROLL AWAY INCIDENT OCCURRED ON MARCH 7, 2019. MY 2016 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE WAS PARKED IN A DRIVEWAY THAT WAS NOT MY OWN AND I EXITED THE VEHICLE WHILE THE JEEP WAS IN PARK BUT IDLING. I EXITED THE JEEP WITHOUT AN INCIDENT (NOTICING ANY FORWARD MOVEMENT OF THE VEHICLE) AND WALKED TO THE PORCH TO DELIVER A LETTER TO THE HOMEOWNER. I WAS ON THE PORCH WHEN THE JEEP MOVED FORWARD INTO THIS HOMEOWNER'S GARAGE,CRASHING INTO THE TRASH CANS IN FRONT OF THE GARAGE FIRST AND PUSHING THEM INTO THE GARAGE DOOR. THIS CAUSED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE GARAGE DOOR AND IT'S TRACK. I WATCHED THIS INCIDENT FR
SINCE LEASING THIS JEEP IN JULY OF 2016 THERE HAVE BEEN MULTIPLE ISSUES. THE MAIN CODE FOUND SEVERAL TIME IS A LOSS OF COMMUNICATION FROM THE MAIN COMPUTER TO THE REST OF THE AUTO. CODE U220. ISSUES INCLUDE 1) INCORRECT SHIFTING, 2) INCORRECT "BRAKE" WARNINGS, 3) UNAVAILABILITY OF BRIGHT LIGHTS IN THE AUTO OR MANUAL MODES, 4) LANE CHANGE/OBJECT SONAR WARNINGS NOT AVAILABLE (BACK INTO CEMENT WALL AT NIGHT) 5) NONFUNCTIONAL AUTOMATIC WINDSHIELD WIPERS 6) LACK OF COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE JEEP AND IPHONE 7) INABILITY TO TURN JEEP OFF 8) WHEN IN CRUISE CONTROL IF + PUSHED IT DOESN'T GO UP JUST
CAR WAS PURCHASED AS A CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED ON FEB. 2018 IN PREPARATION FOR OUR RETIREMENT VACATION. WE DROVE IT LOCALLY FOR A COUPLE OF MONTHS AND THEN SET OUT CROSS COUNTRY ON MAY 15TH. WE DROVE TO MASSACHUSETTS WITHOUT INCIDENT, THEN HEADED BACK WEST NEAR THE END OF JUNE. NO PROBLEMS UNTIL WE REACHED IDAHO, WHERE IT STARTED VI RATING AND MAKING CLUNKING G NOISES FROM THE REAR. WE BROUGHT IT IN TO ROGERS DODGE IN LEWISTON. THEIR SERVICE ADVISOR TEST-DRIVE IT AND SAID, YOU CAN'T DRIVE THIS CAR, IT'S UNSAFE!" THEY REMOVED THE REAR DRIVESHAFT AND DROVE IT AGAIN, NOTING THAT THE VIBRATION AND CLU
Every component, by complaint count
The full breakdown of what owners named when they filed. Components below the top ten are grouped out of this table.
| Component | Complaints | Share of all complaints |
|---|---|---|
| POWER TRAIN | 78 | 25% |
| ENGINE | 76 | 24% |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 61 | 20% |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 31 | 10% |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 28 | 9% |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 25 | 8% |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 22 | 7% |
| FUEL SYSTEM | 17 | 5% |
| STEERING | 16 | 5% |
| AIR BAGS | 12 | 4% |
What parts cost for the 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee
Prices read from one AutoZone store for this exact year, make and model, covering 8 kinds of part and 388 products. AutoZone year, make and model catalog prices. Engine, trim, transmission and VIN fitment are not confirmed. They are what the shelf said on the day, not a quote.
| Part | Listed | Range | Typical |
|---|---|---|---|
| Battery | 12 | $147.99 to $398.99 | $289.99 |
| Brake rotors | 86 | $66.99 to $595.21 | $146.99 |
| Brake pads | 117 | $31.49 to $302.99 | $76.99 |
| Engine air filter | 11 | $18.99 to $79.99 | $34.99 |
| Wiper blades | 76 | $10.39 to $53.49 | $26.99 |
| Cabin air filter | 10 | $19.99 to $47.99 | $25.99 |
| Oil filter | 36 | $5.99 to $98.99 | $16.99 |
| Spark plugs | 40 | $4.39 to $27.99 | $11.99 |
The cheapest way to keep it serviced
Taking the lowest listed price in each routine maintenance category, the filters, plugs and wipers for this car come to $59.75 in parts. That is parts alone, before labour, tax and the oil itself, and it assumes the cheapest option fits your engine.
Battery. 12 products listed, from the Odyssey Extreme Group Size U1 Powersport Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) Battery ODS-AGM14 at $147.99 up to the Odyssey Performance Group Size 49 Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) Battery ODP-AGM49H8L5 at $398.99. A refundable core deposit of $22.00 is charged on top and returned with the old part. AutoZone's own labels account for 6 of them, starting at $159.99.
Brake rotors. 86 products listed, from the PowerStop Disc Brake Rotor AR83075 at $66.99 up to the Duralast Composite Disc Brake Rotor 43179DLC at $595.21. AutoZone's own labels account for 14 of them, starting at $109.99.
Brake pads. 117 products listed, from the R1 Semi-Metallic Series Brake Pads 2311-1498-00 at $31.49 up to the EBC Yellowstuff High Friction Organic Performance Brake Pads DP41871R at $302.99. AutoZone's own labels account for 16 of them, starting at $52.99.
Fitment is by year, make and model only. Engine, trim and transmission were not selected, so confirm the part number against your own car before buying. Prices change and vary by store.
How other model years compare
The same nameplate across the years we hold. Complaint counts fall naturally for newer cars because fewer of them have been on the road for long, so read the column as a rough signal rather than a ranking. In this set the 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee has drawn the most complaints and the 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee the fewest.
What to check on the transmission and driveline
Powertrain reports usually describe a shift that arrives late, lands hard, or hunts between gears, often worse when the car is cold or towing. Some describe a shudder at a steady cruise rather than a bang between gears.
Buying a used 2016 Grand Cherokee
Drive it from cold. A transmission fault that hides once warm is the most common thing a short test drive misses. Take it to highway speed, let it settle into top gear, then slow and accelerate again to make it downshift under load.
If you already own one
Get the fluid condition checked before anything else, and ask for the transmission control software level at the same time. Several of these complaints were answered by the manufacturer with a reflash rather than a rebuild, which costs a fraction as much.
- Test drive from cold, not after the seller has warmed it up.
- Ask whether a transmission software update exists for the VIN.
- Check the fluid condition and when it was last changed.
- Get any rebuild quote itemised into parts, fluid and labour.
Where the 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee problem data comes from
Every figure on this page is counted from complaints and recalls published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, read October 12, 2026. Complaints are filed by owners and are not verified by the agency before publication. We count each complaint once per component it names, so a complaint naming two components appears in both rows.
- NHTSA recalls and complaintsRead October 12, 2026
- NHTSA record for the 2016 Jeep Grand CherokeeRead October 12, 2026
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