2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee MPG
The 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee gets 12–17 mpg in the city and 18–23 on the highway (14–19 combined), across the 5 versions the EPA rated.
The most efficient pairs the 3.6-liter 6-cylinder engine with an automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive, at 19 mpg combined. The thirstiest version uses the 6.4-liter 8-cylinder engine with an automatic transmission and four-wheel drive and is rated 14 mpg combined. That is 1 mpg better than the best gasoline 2011 version (18 mpg).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Cherokee 2WD | 3.6 L 6-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 | 23 | 19 | Gasoline or E85 · 468 g CO₂/mi |
| Grand Cherokee 4WD | 3.6 L 6-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | All-Wheel Drive | 16 | 23 | 19 | Gasoline or E85 · 468 g CO₂/mi |
| Grand Cherokee 2WD | 5.7 L 8-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 | 20 | 16 | Midgrade · 555 g CO₂/mi |
| Grand Cherokee 4WD | 5.7 L 8-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 13 | 20 | 15 | Midgrade · 592 g CO₂/mi |
| Grand Cherokee SRT8 4WD | 6.4 L 8-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 12 | 18 | 14 | Premium · 635 g CO₂/mi |
2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee fuel cost per year
Driving 15,000 miles a year on regular gasoline at the September 2026 U.S. average of $4.36 a gallon, the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee costs about $3,440 a year to fuel in its most efficient form (19 mpg combined), or roughly 23 cents a mile.
This is an estimate from EPA combined mpg and the EIA national average price; your cost depends on how and where you drive and on local prices.
2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee specs
2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee buyers could choose between 3 engines, according to EPA records: 3.6 L 6-cyl, 5.7 L 8-cyl and 6.4 L 8-cyl. It came with an automatic transmission, in four-wheel drive or all-wheel drive or rear-wheel drive versions. The EPA classes it as a sport utility vehicle.
| Engine size (L) | Cylinders | Transmissions | Drive | Versions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.6 L | 6 | Automatic 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive; All-Wheel Drive | 2 |
| 5.7 L | 8 | Automatic 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive; 4-Wheel Drive | 2 |
| 6.4 L | 8 | Automatic 5-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 1 |
2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee problems
Owners have filed 1,644 complaints about the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee with NHTSA, the U.S. vehicle-safety agency, as of October 2026.
Electrical system is the most-reported area (36% of component mentions), followed by engine (12%) and service brakes (12%).
Spread over its time on sale, that is 109 complaints a year: about as many as the 2011 (102 a year) and more than the 2013 (57 a year).
That ranks 4th of 17 Jeep Grand Cherokee model years (2008–2024), counting from the most complaints per year.
Of the 1,644, 46 mention a crash, 105 a fire and 24 an injury.
| Component | Mentions | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 840 | 36% |
| Engine | 285 | 12% |
| Service brakes | 278 | 12% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 216 | 9% |
| Unknown or other | 120 | 5% |
| Steering | 103 | 4% |
| Power train | 102 | 4% |
| Air bags | 43 | 2% |
| Exterior lighting | 35 | 1% |
| Vehicle speed control | 35 | 1% |
| Suspension | 32 | 1% |
| Hydraulic service brakes | 31 | 1% |
| Gasoline fuel system | 28 | 1% |
| Structure | 26 | 1% |
| Electronic stability control (esc) | 22 | <1% |
| Interior lighting | 22 | <1% |
| Visibility/wiper | 21 | <1% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 18 | <1% |
| Seat belts | 12 | <1% |
| Seats | 12 | <1% |
| Visibility | 11 | <1% |
| Equipment | 10 | <1% |
| Tires | 10 | <1% |
| Wheels | 10 | <1% |
| Diesel fuel system | 4 | <1% |
| Equipment adaptive/mobility | 2 | <1% |
| Forward collision avoidance | 2 | <1% |
| Other fuel system | 2 | <1% |
| Back over prevention | 1 | <1% |
| Firerelated | 1 | <1% |
| Lane departure | 1 | <1% |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 1 | <1% |
What owners told NHTSA
The alternator failed. It was the Safety Recall P60 (NHTSA 14V-634) remedy alternator, installed by an authorized FCA dealer when the recall was completed on 08/30/2021, as FCA confirmed in writing. …
The engine / power cuts off with no warning causing steering to lock up to left & brakes lock up causing the vehicle to veer to the left and unable to use brake to stop vehicle. …
In 2018 the brake booster was tested (vacuum test), and was deemed fine, even though the part itself was placed incorrectly per the recall and could fail at any point. It was not replaced, and marked the recall as closed. …
2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee recalls
NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns for the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee, plus 1 recall of replacement equipment made for it.
The most recent, campaign 19V813000 from November 2019, concerns electrical system.
Electrical system accounts for 6 of the 11 campaigns, more than any other area.
11V487000 · September 29, 2011 · Engine and engine cooling
Problem: 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.
Remedy: CHRYSLER WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE ENGINE FREE OF CHARGE.
| Campaign | Reported | Component | Grand Cherokee years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 19V813000 | November 14, 2019 | Electrical system | 2011–2013 |
| 17E061000 | October 19, 2017 | Engine and engine cooling (equipment) | 2012–2017 |
| 17V572000 | September 18, 2017 | Service brakes, Hydraulic service brakes | 2011–2014 |
| 17V435000 | July 10, 2017 | Electrical system | 2012–2014 |
| 15V879000 | December 28, 2015 | Interior lighting, Electrical system | 2011–2013 |
| 15V115000 | February 27, 2015 | Electrical system | 2012–2013 |
| 14V634000 | October 8, 2014 | Electrical system | 2012–2014 |
| 14V391000 | July 2, 2014 | Electrical system | 2011–2014 |
| 14V154000 | April 1, 2014 | Service brakes, Hydraulic service brakes | 2011–2014 |
| 14V104000 | March 4, 2014 | Hydraulic service brakes | 2012–2013 |
Safety ratings
NHTSA crash-tested 2 versions of the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee; the best overall score is 4 out of 5 stars.
| Version tested | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SUV 2WD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ |
| SUV 4WD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Crash-test photos: NHTSA (public domain). NHTSA can reuse a test for later model years of the same design.
Compared with other years
Complaints per year on sale divide each model year's NHTSA complaints by the years since it went on sale, so older and newer Jeep Grand Cherokees can be compared fairly. Among other 2012 models in the EPA's sport utility vehicle class, the 2012 Honda Pilot (20 mpg), 2012 Jeep Wrangler (18 mpg) and 2012 Toyota Highlander (22 mpg) come closest on combined fuel economy.
| Year | Best mpg | Complaints | Per year on sale | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 18 | 138 | 7.6 | 3 |
| 2010 | 18 | 118 | 6.9 | 5 |
| 2011 | 18 | 1,641 | 102 | 6 |
| 2012 | 19 | 1,644 | 109 | 11 |
| 2013 | 19 | 805 | 57 | 10 |
| 2014 | 25 | 2,383 | 182 | 19 |
| 2015 | 25 | 1,367 | 113 | 10 |
Every Jeep Grand Cherokee model year compared →
Similar 2012 models
FAQ
Is the 2012 Grand Cherokee a good car?
We don't rate cars, but the official data gives a picture. The 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee has 109 NHTSA complaints per year on sale (4th most of 17 model years), 10 recall campaigns, a best overall crash rating of 4 stars and up to 19 mpg combined from the EPA.
What are common 2012 Grand Cherokee problems?
The components owners report most to NHTSA are electrical system (840), engine (285) and service brakes (278). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
How many recalls does the 2012 Grand Cherokee have?
NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns and 1 replacement-equipment recall. To see whether a recall is still open on a specific car, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2012 Grand Cherokee get?
The EPA rates the versions at 14–19 mpg combined (12–17 city, 18–23 highway).
How much does it cost to fuel a 2012 Grand Cherokee per year?
About $3,440 a year for 15,000 miles in its most efficient form, using EPA mpg and the September 2026 U.S. average regular gasoline price of $4.36 a gallon (EIA).