2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee Life Expectancy
With proper care and light usage, a 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee can last twenty years or more. Here’s what goes into it.
Written by Melanie Mergen
Reviewed by Bellina Gaskey
A 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee could last 150,000 to 200,000 miles or more. But with mixed reliability ratings and frequently reported engine problems, you’ll need to make proper
car maintenance
a priority to beat the odds.- The 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee’s lifespan is usually up to 200,000 miles or anywhere between 10-20 years.
- This model may experience serious engine and electrical problems that make achieving a high mileage difficult.
- Consistent maintenance is paramount to achieving your car’s maximum lifespan.
- The 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee’s lifespan is usually up to 200,000 miles or anywhere between 10-20 years.
- This model may experience serious engine and electrical problems that make achieving a high mileage difficult.
- Consistent maintenance is paramount to achieving your car’s maximum lifespan.
As with any vehicle, some model years of the Jeep Grand Cherokee have more problems than others. The 2012 model year tends to have frequent complaints regarding its engine and electrical systems.
But if your Grand Cherokee can avoid the most serious issues, how long could you expect it to last? Let’s take a look at what the numbers tell us—and how you can extend your vehicle’s lifespan to the max.
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4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ driversHow many miles can a 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee last?
With the right level of care and maintenance, you could expect a 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee to last as many as 150,000 to 200,000 miles.
That said, the 2012 model year has been prone to its fair share of problems, and its reliability ratings are something of a mixed bag.
J.D. Power gives the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee a reliability rating of 71/100, which is “average” by their books, but Consumer Reports gives it a more troubling 1/5 reliability rating.
How long does a Jeep Grand Cherokee engine last?
A Grand Cherokee’s engine could last for the life of the vehicle with proper care.
But it’s worth paying extra attention to engine health on the 2012 model. Major engine problems, like prematurely failing cylinder heads and head gaskets as well as engine cooling issues, are some of the most commonly reported complaints from owners.
Can a Jeep Grand Cherokee last 500,000 miles?
It’s pretty rare for a vehicle of any kind to last as long as 500,000 miles—but hey, nothing’s impossible, right?
Given the 2012 Grand Cherokee’s mixed reliability ratings, it’s not likely that many would reach this milestone, but you can increase the odds of getting there by keeping up with repairs and routine maintenance.
Average life expectancy for a Jeep Grand Cherokee
Generally speaking, Jeep Grand Cherokees are capable of lasting anywhere between 150,000 and 300,000 miles.
Data from the Federal Highway Administration shows that United States drivers put an average of about 14,000 miles per year on their vehicles.
At that rate, a Jeep Grand Cherokee performing at its best could last somewhere between 10 and 20 years.
But potential life expectancy is different from actual life expectancy. Data from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics places the average passenger car’s lifespan at about 11 years, which is on the lower end of that range.
While inherent mechanical problems or certain environmental conditions might be beyond your control, there are still actions you can take to give your 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee—or any vehicle—the longest possible life:
- Regular maintenance: Skippingroutine car maintenancetasks like oil changes can take a significant toll on your vehicle’s systems and speed up the effects of wear and tear. If you want your Jeep Grand Cherokee to last that extra mile, you’ll need to treat it that way.
- Mileage: With more miles comes more wear. While allowing a car to sit completely idle for extended periods can present its own issues, reducing your typical mileage below the average 14,000 miles per year can help extend your Grand Cherokee’s lifespan.
- Accident history: Some accidents may be inevitable, but by doing what you can to avoid them, you lower the risk that damage from a collision cuts its life short.
If you’re looking to buy a 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee, take a look at its current mileage before making your decision. If it’s still comfortably below the 150,000-mile mark, you could still expect to get a good amount of usage out of it.
For added peace of mind, look into its maintenance and accident history and have a mechanic inspect it—paying close attention to common problems for the model year, like engine issues.
How to extend a 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee’s life expectancy
Can you guess what we’re going to recommend here? If you want to get the most out of your 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee, be sure to keep up with routine maintenance!
That means staying on top of regular
oil changes
, brake services, tire rotations, and so on. Your Grand Cherokee owner’s manual should outline the recommended service intervals for various maintenance tasks. In addition to basic maintenance, be sure to make any necessary repairs early on before damage becomes more severe or goes on to affect other parts of your vehicle.
Common 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee problems to watch out for
If you’re considering buying a 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee or you already drive one, keep an eye out for these commonly reported issues:
- Faulty engine cylinder heads: The 2012 Grand Cherokee has been subject to recalls related to engine misfires and damage to the engine’s cylinder heads. This is a costly repair that can range from $1,500 to $3,000, but you may not need to pay for the cost if the failure is linked to a recall.
- Alternator failure: Arecallwas issued in 2017 for issues with the 2012 Grand Cherokee’s alternator failing prematurely, which could lead to engine stalling and presents a fire hazard. Be sure this issue has been addressed before buying. An alternator can cost $700 to $800 to replace, but it shouldn’t cost you anything if it’s the result of a recall.
- Faulty TIPM: Short for “Totally Integrated Power Module,” this controls the Grand Cherokee’s electrical system, which can lead to a whole host of other problems, like difficulties starting your vehicle or doors locking or unlocking on their own. It can cost upwards of $1,000 to replace.
- Faulty window seals: Owners have also reported window and sunroof seals that fail over time. Sometimes this can be a cheap and easy fix, but if the seal itself is broken, repair costs could exceed $500.
- Dashboard delamination: For 2012 Grand Cherokees outfitted with a leather dashboard, it feels luxurious at first, but can warp and wrinkle over time. If you decide to replace it, costs can extend beyond $1,000.
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FAQs
What percentage of cars make it to 300,000 miles?
Not many—according to iSeeCars, just 0.03% of vehicles make it to 300,000 miles. While nothing’s impossible, the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee’s mixed reliability ratings and risk for serious engine and electrical issues might make hitting this milestone difficult.
What is the highest mileage on a Jeep?
Maybe there’s a Jeep out there with 500,000+ miles on it, but plenty of models still reach heights that are no less impressive. Back in April 2022, for example, a 2005 Jeep Wrangler Sport was listed for sale on Autotrader that had 362,911 miles.
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