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2016 Jeep Grand cherokee

The Verdict

42 Proceed with Caution

The 2016 Jeep Grand cherokee has 311 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are engine (114 complaints) and body (70 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 42/100, it earns a "Proceed with Caution" rating. If you're shopping for a Jeep Grand cherokee, consider the 2025 model year which has 73% fewer complaints.

Safe Bet

The 2025 has 73% fewer complaints

View the 2025 Jeep Grand cherokee dashboard →

42

Klunk Score: Proceed with Caution

About average for complaint volume. Research the specific issues before buying.

How is this calculated?

The Klunk Score ranks this vehicle year against all others in our database based on total owner complaints filed with NHTSA. 100 = fewest complaints (top tier), 0 = most complained-about. Scores above 60 are better than average; below 40 means more problems than most.

Recalls 2

Active safety recalls from NHTSA for this vehicle year.

16V249000 POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH

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 l...

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 o...

Remedy

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. Chry...

Reported Apr 10, 2026

16V814000 FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

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 ...

Risk

A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source, can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy

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, 20...

Reported Oct 11, 2016

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Under the Hood

Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.

YearBodyBrakesElectricalEngineTransmission
2000594487241351167
2001509241103153110
200250416252222449
2003292642917430
200452015543212847
200567074782235225
200625451596190154
200710326502270159
2008851438216063
2009392453319
20103310342516
201117427356157055
201219325561948569
201312013430519343
2014762228462549377
201554329184294313
201670145111462
201790215713264
20182595131217950
20199595657438
20207313607223
2021140251089044
20221121810710826
20231392010211423
202446135012911
202522616298

By Category

Engine
114
Body
70
Transmission
62
Electrical
51
Brakes
14

By Severity

1
141
2
132
3
5
4
33

Worst Problems

Compare Against

See how the 2016 Jeep Grand cherokee stacks up against rivals.

Complaints

Electrical 1

This last Monday, September 28, the Active head restraint in headrest broke/blew out and exploded into my head while driving on street (no collision, pothole, bump or jarring) causing pain, panic, and avoidance maneuver. Worried it will happen again possibly to someone else in passenger seat, and I am afraid to drive the car. Apparently there is an active 10 year extended warranty out for this issue, but the car may not be in that 10 year window. Still need to check with dealer, and has not been inspected except by us, but have serious doubts about their helping. This is a serious problem and should be a safety recall and replaced for free immediately. No warning lamps or messages beforehand.

25d ago
Engine 1

The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving 25 MPH, the vehicle unexpectedly sputtered and then stalled. The contact stated that there was a whining sound coming from the vehicle when the vehicle turned off. The vehicle was unable to be restarted. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with fuel pump failure. The contact was informed that the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact believed that the failure was caused by the dealer not following the proper procedure prior to a previous recall repair.

1mo ago
Body 1

While attempting to remove a child's car seat situated in the rear left passenger seat of the jeep, the release latch failed to allow the seat belt to be released. We had to use a pry bar to physically pry the seat belt rearward in the seat, damaging the seat belt latch before the mechanism finally released the latch.

1mo ago
Engine 1

The contact's daughter owns a 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under previous ownership under NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V699000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the recall repair failed to prevent a recall-related failure 15,000 miles later. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, there was an abnormal coolant odor entering the cabin of the vehicle. The contact stated that upon further inspection, there was coolant leaking onto the floor. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer and remained with the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 125,000.

2mo ago
Body 2

The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH, the front driver seat head restraint deployed inadvertently and struck the contact in the neck, causing the contact to swerve off the road. The contact sustained a sore neck; however, medical attention was not provided. No warning lights illuminated. A local dealer was contacted and scheduled a service appointment. The dealer informed the contact that the failure was covered under an extended warranty. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 190,370.

3mo ago
Engine 1

#2 cylinder misfire code P0302. A known problem with this engine. A compression test reveals a common defect with this engine

3mo ago
Brakes 4

Abs module malfunctioned and caught on fire

6mo ago
Brakes 2

Brakes repetitively seize, causing the wheels to overheat and the vehicle to shake while braking, putting the vehicle at risk of fire, reduced brake performance, and brake failure. Two different dealerships have confirmed from the problem at various points, the brakes are "repaired" and then have the same failure with the same components again. There are no warnings that the brakes are seizing other than the smell of burning brakes, or smoke coming from the wheel.

6mo ago
Electrical 4

I hit a deer at 65 mph, causing significant damage to my vehicle, 7,300 to the front end. I have a safety beacon that detected the accident through my insurance, that detected the severity of the impact, resulting in an immediate call for safety to check on me. My airbags did not deploy, but there was a nasty aroma of sulfur during the impact. My minor children were secured safely in the vehicle, as well as myself. I, the driver of the car hit my head very hard on the steering wheel and window during impact, causing whiplash- neck pain, and reoccurring migraines still to this day 3-21-2026. Although I didn't receive medical attention it has been made known that I hit my head. This would've been avoided had my airbags deployed. I assume there may have been a malfunction and had this been a more serious incident, not only would my life be at stake, but most importantly my children. This is unacceptable for safety purposes.

7mo ago
Engine 2

The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle suddenly jolted, lost power, and went into LIMP Mode, almost causing a rear-end crash. The message "Service Electronic Throttle Control" was displayed. The vehicle was pulled over to the shoulder and inspected, but no cause was immediately determined. The vehicle was driven to the residence in LIMP Mode. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where codes associated with the crankshaft position sensor and intake manifold runner were retrieved, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V475000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 256,000.

7mo ago
Engine 2

Tone wheel failure resulting in vehicle not operating as intended. Required repair of which FCA stated the repair was not covered by the recall issued against the vehicle.

8mo ago
Engine 2

Received a warning light and vehicle decelerated with a loss of power. After researching the issue it was determined that it was the crankshaft sensor that had become delaminated. Of which there is a current recall that would not be honored by FCA

8mo ago
Transmission 1

The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while attempting to drive from a complete stop, the transmission remained stuck in first gear. The contact shifted to neutral(N) and shifted back to drive(D), and the vehicle responded as intended. There was no warning light illuminated. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 151,755.

8mo ago
Engine 1

The contact's son owns a 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee. While the owner was driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact was informed that the vehicle had been running rough and idling roughly prior to the warning light becoming illuminated. The owner had taken the vehicle to a local dealer to be diagnosed. The dealer retrieved DTC: P0303 (Misfire in Cylinder #3). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 129,045.

9mo ago
Transmission 2

While driving then it just shuts off

9mo ago
Body 2

265/50R20 Cooper Evolution H/T, all 4 tires have cracks all the way around each tire, possibly sidewall defects. Tires were purchased new from Bob’s tire in Attalla, Alabama.

9mo ago
Engine 1

The transmission on this 2016 grand jeep Cherokee had completely went out due to fluids being in the transmission. Which is causing a head gasket problem as well. This car was regularly serviced. Only had this vehicle 7-8 months. My safety was put at risk when I was driving my kids to school and on my way to work when it started to overheat causing me to pull over and not being able to drive this vehicle. This jeep is currently at an authorized dealer and has been diagnosed. There were absolutely NO warning signs whatsoever to indicate that this vehicle was going to go out on me. I don’t think it’s fair for me to have to give up my vehicle for something that I did not cause!

10mo ago
Electrical 1

When I push on the gas pedal, sometimes the car revs up and the speed does not increase. I have to shut the car down and then restart. When I restart it, then it resets it in a way and I am able to drive. There is a hyperbola symbol that is seen on my dashboard that blinks when this happens. Please help.

10mo ago
Electrical 2

Headlights will completely go out at night just at random, sometimes it's only one and sometimes it both completely. Yet the High beams and fog lights will work when activated even when the regular lights will not. Has been an ongoing issue for a while now, and upon talking to other Jeep Grand Cherokee owners of around the same year model they complain that there's do it randomly as well, and I've seen a lot of forums talking about this issue.

10mo ago
Electrical 4

This 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee was hit in the left front by a vehicle that failed to stop at a stop sign. It also spun and was impacted on the left rear as well. All airbags but the driver’s side curtain airbag deployed. The driver hit their head on the seat belt pillar on the driver’s side. I have contacted Jeep but they have not responded to me in over a week. Injury to the driver’s head would have been less traumatic if this airbag had deployed.

11mo ago

311 total

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