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2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee Recalls, Issues & Maintenance

The 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee carries 6 open NHTSA recalls — most recently covering electrical system and service brakes. Owners report 6 recurring issue clusters, led by “Air suspension (Quadra-Lift) failure.” Jeep vehicles use the Oil Change Indicator system to signal when oil is due. Wrangler and Gladiator owners who actually use 4WD off-road should treat the schedule below as Schedule A (severe) — water crossings, sand, and rock crawling demand differential and transfer case service at half the published intervals. Grand Cherokee and Cherokee follow the standard Mopar schedule.

6 Open Recalls

Source: NHTSA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Campaign #19V813000 · Nov 14, 2019

Issue: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2011-2013 Dodge Durango and Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles equipped with a 3.6, 5.7, or 6.4 liter engine and previously recalled under NHTSA Recall 14V530 or 15V115. The fuel pump relay inside the Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM-7) may fail, causing the vehicle to stall without warning.

Risk: A vehicle stall increases the risk of a crash.

Fix: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) will replace the affected fuel pump relay and related wire harness. Interim notices informing owners of the safety risk were mailed beginning December 19, 2019. Vehicles that experience a fuel pump failure will receive an interim repair. Owners will receive a second notice when the final remedy becomes available. Owner notification letters were mailed on December 10, 2020. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is V62.

SERVICE BRAKES

Campaign #17V572000 · Sep 18, 2017

Issue: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Dodge Durango and Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles. The affected vehicles had brake booster shields installed under a previous campaign to prevent water from entering the brake booster and limiting braking ability. This recall is to verify that the brake booster shield installation was performed properly.

Risk: If the brake booster shield was not installed properly, the vehicle's braking ability may be reduced, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brake booster shield, correcting the installation as necessary, free of charge. The recall began November10, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T59.

SERVICE BRAKES

Campaign #14V154000 · Jan 4, 2014

Issue: Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango vehicles manufactured from January 5, 2010, through September 8, 2013. The subject vehicles have a brake booster with a center shell that may corrode and allow water to get inside.

Risk: The water inside could freeze and limit the braking ability of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will add a water diverter shield to the booster after the booster has been tested to confirm it can hold an acceptable amount of vacuum pressure. If the booster inspection confirms an unacceptable loss of vacuum pressure, the booster will be replaced. Repairs will be made free of charge. The recall began on May 30, 2014. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's recall campaign number is P14.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

Campaign #14V391000 · Feb 7, 2014

Issue: Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Dodge Durango and Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured January 5, 2010, through December 11, 2013. In the affected vehicles, the wiring for the vanity lamp in the sun visor may short circuit, after a service repair is performed.

Risk: If the vanity lamp wiring shorts, there is an increased risk of fire.

Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and repair any damaged wiring, and install a new sun visor that properly routes the wire, free of charge. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is P36.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

Campaign #15V879000 · Dec 28, 2015

Issue: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Dodge Durango and Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured December 3, 2009, to September 1, 2012. In the affected vehicles, the wiring for the vanity lamp in the sun visor may short circuit, after having been remedied for a prior recall for the vanity lamp wiring. This recall is also addressing certain vehicles that have not been remedied under that prior recall.

Risk: The vanity lamp wiring may short, increasing the risk of a vehicle fire.

Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealer will install clearance for sun visor wiring, protection from sharp edges, and replace the sun visor, free of charge. The recall began on July 28, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R71.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Campaign #14V530000 · Apr 9, 2014

Issue: Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2011 Dodge Durango and Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured January 5, 2010, to July 20, 2011, and equipped with either a 3.6L or 5.7L engine. In the affected vehicles, the fuel pump relay inside the Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM-7) may fail, causing the vehicle to stall without warning.

Risk: A vehicle stall increases the risk of a crash.

Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump relay with one external to the TIPM, free of charge. The recall began December 19, 2014. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is P54. Note: This recall has been superseded by recall 19V813.

Recall data refreshed Sep 6, 2026.

Known issues for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee.

1 active NHTSA investigation

Source: NHTSA

  • Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

    Action #EA21002 · opened Sep 17, 2021

    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 200…

    View on NHTSA →

Reported to NHTSA

Air suspension (Quadra-Lift) failure

SUSPENSION

5 NHTSA complaints · 2021-01 → 2026-02

“My Jeep's air suspension system (Quadra lift) has failed 4 times within the past year. At the beginning, the only signs there was anything wrong was that it took the vehicle several minutes to raise from the "park" setting”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11493321
“THE AIR SUSPENSION - SERVICE AIR SUSPENSION LIGHT CAME ON, THE AIR SUSPENSION THEN LOWERED THE VEHICLE TO WELL BELOW NORMAL RIDE HEIGHT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11399835
“My right side suspension has a hard time coming up and I can hear it then it eventually get to right level and my car is freaking out have every light come on and the windshield wipers but it doesn't always do it but I have videos”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11714761

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Stalling and loss of motive power (fuel pump relay/TIPM)

ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

92 NHTSA complaints · 2020-10 → 2026-06

“2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee stalled while driving. While slowing down to make a turn, engine stalled out. Power steering and power brake disappeared. If someone was at the light while I was turning, they would have been hit”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11573743
“ON MORE THAN 1 DOZEN OCCASIONS MY JEEP HAS STALLED WHILE DRIVING ANYWHERE FM 20 TO 40 MILES AN HOUR. I LOST STEERING CONTROL AND BRAKES WHILE THE REST OF GAGES STAYED ON”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11384124
“Car has died while driving 4 times in the last 3 years. Complete loss of power WHILE driving. Lost of power steering, loss of brakes while driving. Chrystler is saying recall was resolved by previous owner but it is still happening”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11726438

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Alternator overheating, smoking, or fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE

16 NHTSA complaints · 2021-04 → 2026-02

“The contact owns a 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was smoke was coming from under the hood. The contact pulled into a parking lot to inspect the vehicle and became aware that the alternator was burning red hot”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11631392
“Started vehicle and heard a bad grinding noise. Turned off vehicle, attempted to restart, failed to restart, and checked under hood and the alternator was so hot is was untouchable and smoking, had to disconnect battery to prevent fire. Leaving me stranded”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11430168
“Alternator started smoking almost cought on fire and PCM probably bad too due to alternator going out, me and wife got scared when we saw smoke coming out of underneath hood. Battery light turned on a few minutes before smoke started, but car didn't shut off”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11531227

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Air bags failing to deploy in a crash

AIR BAGS

5 NHTSA complaints · 2020-12 → 2026-04

“I was in a head on accident with a vehicle, then a building. Traveling at approved 55 mph. My airbags did not deploy”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11533560
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 25 MPH, A VEHICLE DROVE INTO THE CONTACT'S LANE CAUSING THE CONTACT TO REAR END THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11400184
“The contact owned a 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving 40-45 MPH, the vehicle rear-ended another Jeep vehicle stopped at the red light; however, the air bags failed to deploy”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11731940

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Brake booster and hydraulic brake failure

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

8 NHTSA complaints · 2021-02 → 2024-09

“The contact owns a 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed, and the contact heard a loud hissing sound. There was no warning light illuminated”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11612835
“The contact owns a 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that the brake pedal depressed to the floorboard without warning while attempting to stop the vehicle”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11609319
“There was a recall on my car for the brake booster water shield, water could get into the brake booster and cause corrosion and can cause the brakes to stop working”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11542937

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Camshaft, rocker arm, and timing chain failure

POWER TRAIN, ENGINE

10 NHTSA complaints · 2020-11 → 2025-06

“There is a Customer satisfaction report P01 for timing chain and timing chain guides for 2009-2012 vehicles equipped with the 5.7L Hemi. My vehicle is now undrivable because of this issue and caused piston and valve damage”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11658507
“Engine stalled at highway speed on a highway, safety of family and motorists endangered as vehicle coasted to side of highway, vehicle would not restart, check engine light on. Codes indicated camshaft sensor issue”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11516216
“ENGINE NOISE/LOUD TICKING - REAR INTAKE ROCKER ARM AND GROUND CAMSHAFT FAILED ON PASSENGER SIDE, ONE ROCKER ON DRIVER SIDE FAILED, CAMSHAFT OK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11373794

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Note: NHTSA also opened 5 defect investigation(s) on this vehicle that closed without action.

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 11, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 11, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter

Every 8,000 mi

Pentastar 3.6L: SAE 0W-20 every 8,000 miles. Wrangler 392 6.4L HEMI: SAE 5W-20 every 8,000 miles. EcoDiesel 3.0L: 10,000 miles. 4xe plug-in hybrid: 8,000 miles or annually.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 8,000 mi

Rotate tires every 8,000 miles. Wrangler with 33+ inch off-road tires: rotate every 5,000 miles to prevent uneven wear from solid axles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 8,000 mi

Inspect pads, rotors, and parking brake every 8,000 miles. Wrangler and Gladiator pads wear faster than Grand Cherokee due to higher curb weight per axle.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Front Differential Fluid

Every 60,000 mi

Replace front differential fluid every 60,000 miles. Wrangler off-road use (water crossings, sand): inspect every 30,000 miles for water contamination.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$150–$195

Shop

~$105–$135

DIY

~$20–$50

Rear Differential Fluid

Every 60,000 mi

Rear axle fluid every 60,000 miles. Limited-slip differentials require Mopar friction modifier. Wrangler Rubicon with locking differentials: same schedule.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$150–$195

Shop

~$105–$135

DIY

~$20–$50

Transfer Case Fluid (4WD)

Every 60,000 mi

Replace transfer case fluid every 60,000 miles. Use Mopar ATF+4 for NV3500 and NV245. Wrangler Rock-Trac: 60,000 mi normal, 30,000 mi with regular off-road use.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$105–$140

Shop

~$75–$100

DIY

~$15–$40

AWD/4WD vehicles only. Easy drain-and-fill on most platforms.

Brake Fluid

Every 24,000 mi

Replace DOT 3 brake fluid every 2 years regardless of mileage. Wrangler off-road use accelerates moisture intake — annual fluid testing recommended.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Automatic Transmission Fluid (ZF 8HP)

Every 60,000 mi

Severe service: ZF 8HP fluid every 60,000 miles. Normal: 120,000 miles. Use Mopar ATF+4 — never substitute.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Engine Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Replace engine air filter every 30,000 miles. Wrangler driven in dust or sand: inspect at every oil change and replace early.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Spark Plugs

Every 100,000 mi

Pentastar 3.6L: 16 spark plugs total, replace at 100,000 miles. Wrangler 392 6.4L HEMI: 16 plugs at 100,000 miles. EcoDiesel: glow plug inspection only.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Mopar HOAT Coolant

Every 50,000 mi

Mopar HOAT (purple) for gas engines: first change at 100,000 miles, then every 50,000. Do not mix with green or orange coolants.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 20,000 mi

Replace cabin air filter every 20,000 miles. Grand Cherokee, Cherokee, and Compass: behind the glove box. Wrangler/Gladiator: optional cabin filter on later models only.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

76 crashes 2010–2024

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

53

complaints mentioning a crash

61

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle·Open recalls for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee reflects Jeep's published service intervals and the Oil Change Indicator system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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