Is the 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee a bad year?
312 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Grand Cherokee years.
Keep it. You picked a good year.
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee are in line with other Grand Cherokee years. Fuel system stands out for this year: see below.
3th quietest of 20 Grand Cherokee years by owner complaints (years with 7+ years on the road).
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2016 Grand Cherokee owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 41,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel systemSTANDS OUT | 45 (14%) | 30k–108k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Engine | 84 (27%) | 20k–63k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 78 (25%) | 7k–49k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Electrical system | 62 (20%) | 15k–55k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Brakes | 25 (8%) | 8k–43k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Speed control | 23 (7%) | 5k–42k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Steering | 16 (5%) | 14k–51k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Air bags | 12 (4%) | 40k–80k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Stability control | 12 (4%) | 11k–41k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Body structure | 11 (4%) | 6k–62k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Exterior lighting | 10 (3%) | 18k–61k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Seats | 11 (4%) | 47k–82k miles · ahead | — |
| Wheels | 6 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 41,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 312 complaints: 27 mention a crash · 7 mention a fire · 16 report an injury · 24 say the car was towed.
20 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Oct 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
Took several times to disengage the cruise control even after having new software update installed.
While driving and turning in driveway it stalled on three occasions, wait ten seconds, put it in park and it starts up.
I purchased my Jeep used in april of 2019. On 2 occasions so far, while coming to a stop the engine cuts out. It takes about 10-15 minutes to get it restarted.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 41,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee: 9
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. An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
A high pressure fuel pump (HPFP) failure may introduce internal debris into the fuel system, potentially resulting in fuel starvation. Fuel starvation may result in an unexpected loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
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. Combustion in the intake manifold can increase the risk of a fire.
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. An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
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 depressing the brake pedal or manually turning the system off once it has been engaged… If the vehicle maintains its speed or accelerates despite attempts to deactivate the cruise control, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
The supercharger mounting bracket may contact and damage the ABS line, possibly resulting in a brake fluid leak. A brake fluid leak may lengthen the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
During the assembly of the engine, the fuel rail crossover tube may have been damaged, which, over time, may result in a fuel leak. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source, can increase the risk of a fire.
The brake transmission shift interlock solenoid may have a loose electrical connection which could result in a loss of solenoid function. 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 of a crash.
In the affected vehicles, the left front brake caliper may crack due to being made from an incorrect material. A cracked brake caliper may lengthen the distance needed to stop the vehicle and increase the risk of a crash.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Jeep: 208
Repair instructions Jeep sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Power Liftgate Inoperative
The vehicle will exhibit a service transmission/check engine warning indicator for the following transmission
ADJUSTER Valve Lash Customer's complaint may include a ticking noise coming from the engine
3.6L PSU Long Block Misfire DTC codes and/or rough idle and/or valvetrain noise
NHTSA defect investigations: 3
High pressure fuel pump failure
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Active Head Rest Inadvertent Deployment
Neighbouring years
2015 Grand Cherokee: 1,371 complaints, consider selling · 2017 Grand Cherokee: 364 complaints, keep it, but watch the transmission.
Every Jeep Grand Cherokee year
2000 · 2001 · 2002 · 2003 · 2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024 · 2025 · 2026 · All Grand Cherokee years side by side
Other Jeep models: Jeep Cherokee · Jeep Commander · Jeep Compass · Jeep Gladiator · Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe · Jeep Grand Cherokee L · Jeep Grand Wagoneer · Jeep Laredo · Jeep Liberty · Jeep Patriot · Jeep Renegade · Jeep Wagoneer · Jeep Wrangler · Jeep Wrangler 4xe · Jeep Wrangler Sahara. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee a bad year?
312 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Grand Cherokee years. At 41,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: fuel system (45), engine (84), transmission and drivetrain (78), electrical system (62), brakes (25).
How many recalls does the 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee have?
9 recall campaigns list this model year: Engine (NHTSA 23V-411), Fuel system (NHTSA 22V-406), Exhaust (NHTSA 20V-699), Engine (NHTSA 20V-475) and more. A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.