The 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee is associated with 308 official NHTSA owner defect complaints and 9 safety recall campaigns in the federal safety database. The most frequently reported component area is Engine, accounting for 39 reports (13% of total complaints). EPA testing covers 6 certified vehicle configurations spanning 6.4l 8-cyl, 3l 6-cyl, 3.6l 6-cyl, and 5.7l 8-cyl configurations. Gasoline and hybrid variants deliver 15 to 25 MPG combined.
Key Data Findings
- • NHTSA Owner Complaints: 308 reports
- • Safety Recall Campaigns: 9 campaigns
- • Top Reported Defect Area: Engine (39 / 13%)
- • Safety Incident Signals: 27 crash / 7 fire / 16 injury reports
- • NHTSA Overall Safety Rating: 4 / 5 Stars
- • EPA Efficiency: 15–25 MPG (6 variants)
Data Note: Compiled directly from official NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI), NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, and EPA FuelEconomy.gov databases.
| Variant | Engine | Drivetrain | Transmission | City | Highway | Combined | EV Range | Est. Annual Fuel Cost |
| Grand Cherokee SRT8 4WD | 6.4L 8-Cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic 8-spd | 13 MPG | 19 MPG | 15 MPG | — | $5,050 / yr |
| Grand Cherokee 2WD Diesel | 3L 6-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic 8-spd | 22 MPG | 30 MPG | 25 MPG | — | $3,200 / yr |
| Grand Cherokee 4WD Diesel | 3L 6-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 8-spd | 21 MPG | 28 MPG | 24 MPG | — | $3,300 / yr |
| Grand Cherokee 2WD | 3.6L 6-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic 8-spd | 19 MPG | 26 MPG | 21 MPG | — | $2,950 / yr |
| Grand Cherokee 4WD | 3.6L 6-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 8-spd | 18 MPG | 25 MPG | 21 MPG | — | $2,950 / yr |
| Grand Cherokee 4WD | 5.7L 8-Cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic 8-spd | 14 MPG | 22 MPG | 17 MPG | — | $4,150 / yr |
Data Boundary Note: EPA specifications are shown by certified vehicle configuration. NHTSA complaints and recall totals are recorded at the model-year level across all configurations.
| Tested Drivetrain / Cab Variant | Overall Rating | Frontal Crash | Side Crash | Rollover Rating | Rollover Risk |
| SUV 2WD | | | | | 20.4% |
| SUV 4WD | | | | | 16.900000000000002% |
Active Driver Assistance Systems (NHTSA Recorded): Forward Collision Warning (FCW) is documented as Optional and Lane Departure Warning (LDW) is documented as No in official NHTSA records for tested 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee models.
View complete 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee crash test & safety breakdown →
Top Reported Problem Categories
Ranked by total consumer complaint submissions recorded by NHTSA
Data Attribution & Context: Complaints are self-reported by vehicle owners to NHTSA and represent unverified consumer submissions. Complaint volume does not equal a statistically controlled failure rate and is not adjusted for total vehicles sold or cumulative mileage driven.
View all 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee problems & component breakdown (78 categories) →
Affected Component: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Defect Summary: Chrysler (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.
Free Manufacturer Remedy: Dealers 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 expansion of recall 20V-475.
Affected Component: FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
Defect Summary: Chrysler (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.
Free Manufacturer Remedy: Dealers 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 Z46.
Affected Component: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:GAS RECIRCULATION VALVE (EGR VALVE)
Defect Summary: Chrysler (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.
Free Manufacturer Remedy: FCA 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 for this recall is W79.
View all 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee recalls & campaign history (9 campaigns) →