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2012 Jeep Cherokee problems: engine and transmission complaints and recalls
34% of relevant owner complaints on the 2012 Jeep Cherokee are about the engine, transmission or fuel system. That is elevated. Worth an independent inspection before you commit to one.
Better than 64% of the 1,790 model years we track (2010–2023).
Does the 2012 Jeep Cherokee have engine problems?
More than most. The pattern is elevated rather than severe. 527 of 1,644 relevant complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2012 Jeep Cherokee concern the engine, transmission or fuel system (34%), and the largest group is filed under engine (285). For comparison, the 2011 scores 38% and the 2013 scores 30%. On a test drive, check for stalling, loss of power, rough idle, oil consumption or a check-engine light. This describes the model year, not any one car: a well-maintained or already-repaired example can be fine, and a clean model year can still have a bad car in it.
Complaints by component
The years either side
Manufacturers fix things mid-generation. A bad year next to a clean one is common; the fix usually arrived in between.
How the 2012 compares with other Jeep Cherokee years
Of the 13 Jeep Cherokee years with enough complaints to score, the 2012 is the 2nd-best on engine and transmission share (34%). The worst is the 2022 (77%), the best the 2013 (30%). By volume, the 2012 drew 1,644 complaints (527 drivetrain), against 1,639 for the 2011 and 804 for the 2013.
Jeep Cherokee years to avoid and best years →
2010 Cherokee problems · 2011 Cherokee problems · 2012 · 2013 Cherokee problems · 2014 Cherokee problems · 2015 Cherokee problems · 2016 Cherokee problems · 2017 Cherokee problems · 2018 Cherokee problems · 2019 Cherokee problems · 2020 Cherokee problems · 2021 Cherokee problems · 2022 Cherokee problems
The rest of the picture on the 2012 Jeep Cherokee
- The mileage where it happens. When owners of the 2012 Jeep Cherokee said the problem showed up, and the range most of them fell in.
- What the repair costs. Typical engine repair ranges, to price into your offer.
- Cleaner alternatives. Similar cars and nearby years with a better record.
- Up to 15 owner reports, with the ones about your car's own engine first.
- What to ask the seller and what to check on the test drive, for this car.
- Two cars side by side, if you are deciding between them.
What one owner reported
One of 527 drivetrain complaints. The full report shows up to 15, with quotes about the engine in the car you are looking at first.
2012 Jeep Cherokee engine recalls
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns on the 2012 Jeep Cherokee involving the engine, transmission or fuel system, out of 11 in total. A recall is the manufacturer admitting a defect and paying to fix it; whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN, which the full report checks. The owner complaints above are a separate record and often point at problems that never became a recall.
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.
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 CHRYSLER VEHICLES, INCLUDING 200 AND TOWN AND COUNTRY MODELS, DODGE VEHICLES, INCLUDING CHARGER, DURANGO, GRAND CARAVAN AND JOURNEY MODELS AND JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM AUGUST 31, 2011, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 13, 2011, THAT ARE EQUIPPED WITH 3.6L ENGINES. THESE ENGINES MAY EXPERIENCE CONNECTING ROD BEARING FAILURE DUE TO DEBRIS INSIDE THE ENGINE BLOCK.
Risk: CONNECTING ROD FAILURE MAY LEAD TO ENGINE SEIZURE WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: CHRYSLER WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE ENGINE FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT NOVEMBER 18, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
9 other recalls on this model year (airbags, lighting, brakes and the rest)
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns filed against this year, make and model; one of NHTSA's listings did not answer when this page was built, so the list may be incomplete. Checked October 3, 2026.
Checking one particular 2012 Jeep Cherokee? This page is about the model year. Accidents, title brands and odometer records belong to the individual car, and that is what a vehicle history report covers.
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Does the 2012 Jeep Cherokee have engine problems?
More than most; the pattern is elevated rather than severe. 527 of 1,644 relevant complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2012 Jeep Cherokee concern the engine, transmission or fuel system (34%). Before buying one, have an independent mechanic check the engine and ask the seller whether it has been repaired or replaced.
What is the most common problem with the 2012 Jeep Cherokee?
Going by NHTSA owner complaints, the most common problem filed against the 2012 Jeep Cherokee is electrical system: 837 of 1,644 complaints (51%) name it, followed by service brakes (308) and engine (285). A complaint can name more than one component, so these overlap. Engine, transmission and fuel-system complaints together make up 34% of the relevant total.
Is the 2012 Jeep Cherokee reliable?
On the engine and transmission, owner complaints point to a weak spot: 34% of relevant complaints filed with NHTSA concern the drivetrain (elevated signal). That is better than 64% of the 1,790 model years we track. Among the 13 Jeep Cherokee years we score, it ranks 2nd-best. Complaint data describes the model year, not one car, and it says nothing about trim, paint or electronics outside the drivetrain; an independent inspection still decides it.
Are there engine or transmission recalls on the 2012 Jeep Cherokee?
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns on the 2012 Jeep Cherokee involving the engine, transmission or fuel system, out of 11 in total: 17E061000 (engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: turbo/supercharger), 11V487000 (engine and engine cooling). Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.
Which Jeep Cherokee years are better?
Among the Jeep Cherokee years we track, the 2013 (30%) has a lower engine and transmission complaint share than the 2012 (34%). Manufacturers fix things mid-generation, so the year before or after can be a different car. Every year side by side: https://thelanecheck.com/cars/jeep-cherokee
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Check a VINExperimental model-level information. This is not a vehicle inspection, vehicle-history report, financial advice or purchase recommendation. It describes patterns across a model year, not the condition of any individual vehicle.