Jeep Grand Cherokee Years to Avoid — start with the 2014 and the 2011.
The 2014 drew 2,392 NHTSA complaints, more than any other Grand Cherokee, 440 about the transmission or shifter. The 2011–2013 drew 654 complaints about the power module and 793 about stalling. Among years with a full record, the 2016–2017 and 2019–2021 drew the fewest.
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Quick Answer
- What Jeep Grand Cherokee years should you avoid?
- The 2014 first: 2,392 complaints, 440 about the transmission or shifter and 202 describing the SUV rolling or slipping into neutral. Then the 2011–2012 (1,640 and 1,645 complaints), led by the TIPM power module and stalling. Among older trucks, the 1999–2000 drew 1,262 brake complaints.
- What is the most reliable Grand Cherokee year?
- Leaving out the thin 2009–2010 and years dominated by one fault, 2020 (241), 2016 (313), 2017 (364) drew the fewest from 1995 to 2021: the later years of the 2011–2021 generation.
- Is the Grand Cherokee 4xe a year to avoid?
- 285 complaints on the 2022–2024 mention the 4xe or its hybrid system, and recall 25V741000 covers a high-voltage battery that can fail and catch fire on 2022–2026 4xe models. Confirm that recall and 25V576000 before buying one.
Five checks for a used Grand Cherokee, by generation
The tenth character gives the model year, and each Grand Cherokee generation has its own recall to confirm.
- 1Find the year in the VINCharacter 10 is the year; 1J4 and 1J8 VINs are 2010 and older, 1C4RJ newer.
- 21995–1998: the fuel-tank recallRecall 13V252000 covers fuel tanks at risk in rear impacts.
- 32005–2007: the ignition switchRecall 14V438000: a knee or heavy key ring can move the key out of RUN.
- 42011–2013: the TIPMRecall 19V813000 covers the fuel pump relay inside the power module.
- 52014–2015: test the shifterRecall 16V240000: the gear selector may not warn you when it isn't in Park.
Avoid (or Check Carefully): the 2014–2015 and Their Shifter
The 2014 is the most-complained-about Grand Cherokee: 2,392 NHTSA complaints, 440 mentioning the transmission or shifting and 202 describing the SUV rolling away or dropping into neutral. The 2015 drew 1,372, with 329 about the transmission.
Recall 16V240000 covers 2014–2015 Grand Cherokees with the eight-speed automatic and the monostable gear selector. It may not warn a driver who opens the door while the SUV isn't in Park.
The 2014 also carries brake complaints (369) and the tail end of the brake-booster recall, 14V154000, which covers boosters that can corrode and let water in on 2011–2014 trucks.
The 2014–2015 by the numbers
- 2,392 · 1,372 complaints on the 2014 and 2015.
- 769 mention the transmission or shifting.
- 362 describe rolling away or slipping into neutral.
- 369 brake complaints on the 2014.
The 2011–2013: the TIPM and Stalling
The 2011, the first year of the fourth generation, drew 1,640 complaints and the 2012 drew 1,645, and the electrical system is the component named most on all three 2011–2013 years. 654 complaints mention the TIPM, the Totally Integrated Power Module, or its fuel pump relay, and 793 describe stalling.
Three recalls followed: 14V530000 for the 2011, 15V115000 for the 2012–2013, and 19V813000 for trucks already repaired under those two whose relay could still fail. An owner below describes a TIPM failure that also took out the A/C blower and fan.
The 2011–2013 by the numbers
- 360 · 199 TIPM complaints on the 2011 and 2012.
- 376 · 297 stalling complaints on the same years.
- 760 brake complaints on the 2011–2012.
- Recall 14V154000: 2011–2014, brake boosters that can corrode and take on water.
Every Jeep Grand Cherokee Model Year Compared
NHTSA complaints and recall campaigns for every Grand Cherokee from 1995 to 2026, read on 12 November 2026.
| Year | Generation | Complaints | Crash · fire reports | Recalls | Most-cited component |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | 1st | 1,503 | 228 · 41 | 11 | Power Train |
| 1996 | 1st | 1,483 | 199 · 50 | 12 | Power Train |
| 1997 | 1st | 1,516 | 162 · 28 | 11 | Fuel System |
| 1998 | 1st | 1,558 | 213 · 18 | 10 | Power Train |
| 1999 | 2nd | 2,113 | 171 · 43 | 10 | Service Brakes |
| 2000 | 2nd | 1,885 | 136 · 82 | 12 | Service Brakes |
| 2001 | 2nd | 1,133 | 105 · 36 | 10 | Service Brakes |
| 2002 | 2nd | 1,477 | 75 · 20 | 16 | Air Bags |
| 2003 | 2nd | 761 | 48 · 14 | 10 | Air Bags |
| 2004 | 2nd | 1,295 | 110 · 25 | 14 | Air Bags |
| 2005 | 3rd | 2,052 | 82 · 24 | 5 | Electrical System |
| 2006 | 3rd | 1,297 | 47 · 7 | 6 | Electrical System |
| 2007 | 3rd | 1,109 | 31 · 11 | 7 | Electrical System |
| 2008 | 3rd | 734 | 23 · 5 | 5 | Electrical System |
| 2009 | 3rd | 138 | 4 · 0 | 3 | Electrical System |
| 2010 | 3rd | 118 | 10 · 4 | 5 | Electrical System |
| 2011 | 4th | 1,640 | 53 · 61 | 6 | Electrical System |
| 2012 | 4th | 1,645 | 46 · 105 | 11 | Electrical System |
| 2013 | 4th | 805 | 23 · 27 | 10 | Electrical System |
| 2014 | 4th | 2,392 | 152 · 40 | 19 | Electrical System |
| 2015 | 4th | 1,372 | 130 · 23 | 10 | Power Train |
| 2016 | 4th | 313 | 27 · 7 | 9 | Power Train |
| 2017 | 4th | 364 | 26 · 3 | 6 | Engine |
| 2018 | 4th | 856 | 42 · 10 | 11 | Electrical System |
| 2019 | 4th | 371 | 17 · 4 | 7 | Service Brakes |
| 2020 | 4th | 241 | 24 · 5 | 3 | Electrical System |
| 2021 | 4th | 413 | 20 · 8 | 12 | Electrical System |
| 2022 | 5th | 379 | 14 · 0 | 13 | Electrical System |
| 2023 | 5th | 410 | 16 · 3 | 21 | Electrical System |
| 2024 | 5th | 257 | 10 · 1 | 16 | Electrical System |
| 2025 | 5th | 81 | 8 · 0 | 4 | Electrical System |
| 2026 | 5th | 36 | 0 · 0 | 6 | Engine |
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not divided by sales. NHTSA files the three-row Grand Cherokee L separately (532 complaints on the 2021–2026); they are not in this table. The 2009 (138) and 2010 (118) are far below the 2008 (734) and 2011 (1,640), so treat them as thin records rather than clean ones.
Older Grand Cherokees: Fuel Tanks, Brakes, Airbags and Keys
The earlier generations each have their own cluster, most tied to a recall.
1995–1998: fuel tank
Recall 13V252000 covers fuel tanks at risk in rear impacts; 200 complaints mention the tank or the hitch fix.
1999–2000: brakes
684 and 578 complaints mention the brakes; the service brakes are named most on both.
2001–2004: heater
743 complaints describe the heater, defroster or blend door.
2002–2004: airbag recall
865 of 1,004 airbag complaints mention the recall (15V046000) or waiting for parts.
2005–2008: ignition and stalling
866 complaints mention the ignition or key; recall 14V438000 covers 2005–2007.
2018: the touchscreen
404 of the 2018's 856 complaints are about the screen or radio.
What Grand Cherokee Owners Say on Reddit and YouTube
Grand Cherokee owners are either loyal for decades or done with Jeep for good, and the stories split by year as neatly as the complaint counts.
In owners' words (paraphrased)
- r/Jeep, 'don't buy a Grand Cherokee': an owner of seven Grand Cherokees over 25 years says they usually run them past 100,000 miles.
- r/JeepGrandCherokee, 4xe: a 4xe leaseholder of about three years says the 4xe as a whole has had a ton of problems.
- YouTube, 2011 then 2018: an owner calls their 2011 Limited 3.6 a nightmare and their 2018 Limited, owned since new, perfect.
- YouTube, 2012 Limited: the TIPM was replaced after it shorted the A/C blower and fan, about $3,000; later the A/C compressor and lines cost $2,700.
- YouTube, two 2015 diesels: an owner's two 3.0-liter diesels both spun bearings, at 60,000 km and 72,000 km.
- YouTube, 2017 5.7: a suspension warning cost $4,200 at the dealer, then a front-end rattle $8,000 over two years, and it still rattles.
- YouTube, 2020 Limited X: by 47,000 miles, the water pump, A/C, brakes and clock spring had all needed attention.
- YouTube, 2010 3.7 bought new: almost 17 years on, a rear main seal, radiator and shocks; the owner calls it the best car they've had.
Checking a Grand Cherokee for Sale?
Enter the VIN for a free preview: title brands, junk and salvage records, total-loss records and odometer readings.
Fewest vs. Most Grand Cherokee Complaints
Fewest is limited to 1995–2021, leaves out the thin 2009–2010 records and years where one fault is a quarter or more of complaints (1999–2000, 2002–2003, 2008 and 2018).
Fewest complaints
- 2020: 241 complaints, 3 recalls
- 2016: 313 complaints, 9 recalls
- 2017: 364 complaints, 6 recalls
- 2019: 371 complaints, 7 recalls
- 2021: 413 complaints, 12 recalls
Most complaints
- 2014: 2,392 complaints, 19 recalls
- 1999: 2,113 complaints, 10 recalls
- 2005: 2,052 complaints, 5 recalls
- 2000: 1,885 complaints, 12 recalls
- 2012: 1,645 complaints, 11 recalls
Recall counts include multi-model campaigns.
The Grand Cherokees Our Visitors Check
Between 7 June 2026 and 11 November 2026, visitors ran 1,376 different Jeep Grand Cherokee VINs through our free preview, including the three-row L.
769 (56%) were 2011–2021 models and 422 (31%) 2022 or newer; 180 were 2010 or older. 206 were 2014–2015 models, the shifter years, and the single most-checked year was the 2021, at 128 VINs.
Grand Cherokee Complaints by Generation
The 2011–2021 generation drew 10,412 complaints over eleven years and the 1999–2004 8,664 over six. The 1995–1998 drew 6,060, the 2005–2010 5,448, and the 2022 and later 1,163 so far, not counting the L.
What to Check on a Used Grand Cherokee
By year, the faults to look for.
1995–1998: fuel-tank recall
Confirm 13V252000 was done.
1999–2000: brakes
Check the pedal, the lines and the calipers.
2005–2008: ignition
Confirm 14V438000; carry only the key on the ring.
2011–2013: TIPM
Ask about stalling, no-starts and the TIPM recalls.
2014–2015: shifter
Shift through the gears; confirm 16V240000.
2022 on (4xe): battery recall
Confirm 25V741000 and 25V576000.
Reading Grand Cherokee Complaint Numbers
NHTSA complaints are owner reports, not verified and not divided by sales. On the Grand Cherokee many complaints are about recall repairs themselves, especially the 2002–2004 airbags, so a large total can mean a long wait for parts as much as a fault on the road.
The fault counts come from searching the words owners used, so they are a minimum. Newer years have had less time to collect complaints: the 2022 has 379 so far, 103 of them about the 4xe.
Related Checks and Guides
Recalls, history checks and the Grand Cherokee's rivals.
Where These Facts Come From
Complaint and recall figures are NHTSA's own records; owner experiences are linked so you can read them in full.
NHTSA records read 12 November 2026. Written by the CarCheckerVIN editorial team with AI assistance, from NHTSA's complaint and recall records, our own preview logs and the owner posts linked above; figures checked November 2026. CarCheckerVIN is not affiliated with Jeep or Stellantis.
Jeep Grand Cherokee Years to Avoid — Frequently Asked Questions
Shifters, TIPMs, recalls and the 4xe.
What is the worst year for the Jeep Grand Cherokee?+
By NHTSA complaint count, the 2014 (2,392), then the 1999 (2,113) and the 2005 (2,052).
Which Grand Cherokee years have TIPM problems?+
The 2011–2013: 654 complaints mention the TIPM or its fuel pump relay, and three recalls cover it.
Is the 2018 Grand Cherokee a good buy?+
It drew 856 complaints, 404 about the touchscreen or radio. Test the screen; an owner below calls their 2018, owned since new, perfect.
What about the 2022 and newer Grand Cherokee?+
The 2022 drew 379 complaints, 103 about the 4xe. Check recalls 25V741000 and 25V576000 on any 4xe.
Is a high-mileage Grand Cherokee worth buying?+
It can be: an owner of seven says they usually run past 100,000 miles. Check every recall for the year first.
Will your report show these problems?+
No history report can test a shifter or a TIPM. Ours lists title brands, NMVTIS junk and salvage records, insurance total-loss records, odometer readings, and auction records with the damage the auction recorded and its photos for the VIN. Recalls are free to check on NHTSA's site.
Pick the Year, Then Check the Recalls
Every Grand Cherokee generation has a recall worth confirming. Free preview first; the full report is $14.99 and lists title brands, NMVTIS junk and salvage records, insurance total-loss records, odometer readings, and auction records with the damage the auction recorded and its photos.
Complaint and recall figures are NHTSA's public records as read on 12 November 2026; complaints are unverified owner reports. Owner comments are paraphrased from the linked posts. CarCheckerVIN is not affiliated with Jeep. Records in our reports reflect what was reported to our data providers. Our reports do not include police or repair-shop accident entries.
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