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Jeep · Midsize / large SUV

2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee

GasDiesel
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
6 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-09-11
F
Safety Signal
35 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record
Recalls2 critical8
Complaintsowner reports to NHTSA308
Crash ratingNHTSA overall5★
Fuel economybest combined, EPA25 mpg
202720262025202420232022202120202019201820172016

The 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee is sold in the U.S. as a gas and diesel midsize or large SUV with 6 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Grand Cherokee 2WD, is EPA-rated at 25 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns for this model year, 2 rated critical, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of F. Owners have filed 308 complaints, most often about the power train. NHTSA crash-tested it at 5 stars overall.

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov
ConfigurationPowertrainDriveEngine / motorCityHwyCombAnnual fuel*
Grand Cherokee 2WDGasRWD3.6L 6-cyl192621$2,950
Grand Cherokee 4WDGas4WD3.6L 6-cyl182521$2,950
Grand Cherokee 4WDGasAWD5.7L 8-cyl142217$4,200
Grand Cherokee SRT8 4WDGasAWD6.4L 8-cyl131915$5,150
Grand Cherokee 2WDDieselRWD3.0L 6-cyl turbo223025$3,600
Grand Cherokee 4WDDiesel4WD3.0L 6-cyl turbo212824$3,750

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 37209, 37214, 37215, 37212, 37208, 37213.

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Recalls (8)

Source: NHTSA recall database
high

Engine And Engine Cooling

66A
80,629 vehicles
ProblemChrysler (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.RiskAn engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.FixDealers 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 exp
NHTSA campaign 23V411000reported Jun 8, 2023Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
high

Fuel System, Diesel

Z46
138,645 vehicles
ProblemChrysler (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.RiskFuel starvation may result in an unexpected loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.FixDealers 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
NHTSA campaign 22V406000reported Jun 9, 2022Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
!critical

Engine And Engine Cooling

W79
28,884 vehicles
ProblemChrysler (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.RiskCombustion in the intake manifold can increase the risk of a fire.FixFCA 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 fo
NHTSA campaign 20V699000reported Nov 12, 2020Chrysler (FCA US LLC)
high

Engine And Engine Cooling

W58
58,016 vehicles
ProblemChrysler (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.RiskAn engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.FixFCA 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 20V475000reported Aug 13, 2020Chrysler (FCA US LLC)
high

Electrical System

U49,U59-U65,U68,U73
4,815,661 vehicles
ProblemChrysler (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 depressRiskIf the vehicle maintains its speed or accelerates despite attempts to deactivate the cruise control, there would be an increased risk of a crash.FixChrysler 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 transmissi
NHTSA campaign 18V332000reported May 17, 2018Chrysler (FCA US LLC)
!critical

Fuel System, Gasoline

S85
30,183 vehicles
ProblemChrysler (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.RiskA fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source, can increase the risk of a fire.FixChrysler 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 16V814000reported Nov 10, 2016Chrysler (FCA US LLC)
high

Power Train

S28
32,384 vehicles
ProblemChrysler (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.RiskIf 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.FixChrysler 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 16V249000reported Apr 27, 2016Chrysler (FCA US LLC)
high

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

S16
21,183 vehicles
ProblemChrysler (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.RiskA cracked brake caliper may lengthen the distance needed to stop the vehicle and increase the risk of a crash.FixChrysler 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 16V168000reported Mar 23, 2016Chrysler (FCA US LLC)

NHTSA defect investigations

Fuel System, Diesel:Delivery:Fuel Pump — High pressure fuel pump failure open

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE21-021 on October 14, 2021, to investigate incidents alleging a stall/loss of motive power as a result of high-pressure fuel pump failures in certain model year (MY) 2019-2020 Ram 2500, 3500, 4500, and 5500 heavy duty trucks equipped with 6.7L Cummins turbodiesel engines. During the investigation, ODI sought to determine if the related defect allegation was limited in scope to the recalled population. After review of information request response materials from both FCA and BMW, NHTSA determined that sufficient information to identify a comprehensive recall population could not be produced by FCA and BMW.During the investigation FCA filed rec

Opened Mar 17, 2023 · action EA23001

Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module — Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture open

From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substa

Opened Sep 17, 2021 · action EA21002

Seats:Front Assembly:Head Restraint — Active Head Rest Inadvertent Deployment closed

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE19014 on September 9, 2019, to investigate 128 consumer complaints alleging that the Active Head Rest (AHR) inadvertently deployed without the occurrence of a crash or other rear impact event in model year (MY) 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango vehicles.When ODI opened the investigation, ODI was aware of thirteen alleged injuries.A small number of Early Warning Reports identified driver and/or passenger front seat AHR inadvertent deployments without a rear impact event.Reported safety consequences resulting from the AHR deployments include concussions, headaches, soft tissue injuries, disorientation, nausea, vomiting and/or loss of

Opened Sep 9, 2019 · closed Feb 25, 2026 · action PE19014

Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database
308complaints filed

27 involved a crash · 7 a fire · 18 injuries · 0 deaths reported

Filed per year: 2016: 43 · 2017: 31 · 2018: 27 · 2019: 33 · 2020: 38 · 2021: 16 · 2022: 21 · 2023: 47 · 2024: 22 · 2025: 17 · 2026: 13

Most-cited components

Power Train78
Engine76
Electrical System61
Unspecified31
Fuel/Propulsion System28
Service Brakes22

What owners describe

“This Jeep has electrical malfunctions that causes problems with the entire functioning of the vehicle. The ignition often doesn’t work, indicator warning lights suddenly flash, and worse yet, the brakes will come on in the middle of driving. Once incident made me fear for my life because the brakes suddenly came on w…”Sep 29, 2022 · Electrical System · NHTSA owner report
“The engine oil cooler failed allowing engine oil to contaminate the entire engine cooling system and leak out. It is available for inspection upon request. My safety and the safety of others was put at risk because the engine oil leak caused my oil level to drop rapidly risking an engine freeze/lock up on the highway. …”Sep 3, 2022 · Engine · NHTSA owner report
“I started the car and before I could change gear, the engine check light came up immediately so I took the car to a dealership to get it checked out. The dealership mechanic accessed the problem and said it was a leaking fuel tank filler pipe assembly that caused the system to not seal. My concern is that my vehicle ha…”Aug 19, 2022 · Fuel/Propulsion System · NHTSA owner report

Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.

Crash ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP
ConfigurationOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover risk
SUV 4WD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆17%
SUV 2WD★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆☆20%

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program.

Other Grand Cherokee model years

Sources & method

Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). Floor 35. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Complaint counts and NHTSA crash ratings are shown separately and are not blended into the grade.

EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed weekly.

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