OBD diagnostics · purchase protection

2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee
Common Problems & Inspection Guide

Verify baseline vehicle system stability data. Learn what to check on the physical vehicle computer before signing a bill of sale.

Connect Adapter & Check for Code Wipes

Platform Heritage

The Jeep Grand Cherokee is a range of mid-sized sport utility vehicles produced by American manufacturer Jeep. At its introduction, while most SUVs were still manufactured with body-on-frame construction, the Grand Cherokee has used a unibody chassis from the start.

Source: Wikipedia intro extract · as of Jun 23, 2026

💡 What Consumer Forums Warn Buyers to Inspect in Person

Recurring patterns only — each item below appeared in multiple independent owner reports or forum snippets, not a single anecdote. Verify on a physical test drive and OBD scan.

  • "Leather Covering Coming Off Dashboard" (15 owner reports on CarComplaints.com)

    Refer back: View owner reports

  • "Not Shifting Properly" (9 owner reports on CarComplaints.com)

    Refer back: View owner reports

Source: CarComplaints.com (public owner reports) · community-only, unverified · as of Jun 23, 2026

Key facts for this model year

305NHTSA owner complaints
9Safety recalls on file
39Top issue reports · Power Train
$0Typical OEM recall remedy cost to you

~9.6k average monthly buyer searches in the US (google ads data · as of Jun 23, 2026). Run a MotoMetrics scan for your VIN to see live repair exposure.

Verify the data — open primary sources · as of Jun 23, 2026

System Defect Summaries & Field Data

Active safety recalls on file: 9 (source: NHTSA Recalls API · as of Jun 23, 2026)

Top NHTSA complaint categories

Recent recall summaries

Campaign 20V475000 · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL · API record

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Ram 1500 and 2014-2016 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.

Campaign 18V332000 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING · API record

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Dodge Journey, Charger and Durango, RAM 2500, 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis (more than 10,000lb), 4500 Cab Chassis and 5500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Cherokee and Grand Cherokee and Chrysler 300, 2014-2019 RAM 1500, 2015-2018 Dodge Challenger, 2015-2017 Chrysler 200, 2016-2018 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis (less than 10,000 lb), 2017-2018 Chrysler Pacifica and 2018 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. These vehicles are being recalled to address a defect that could prevent the cruise control system from disengaging. 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, resulting in either the vehicle maintaining its current speed or possibly accelerating.

Campaign 20V699000 · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:GAS RECIRCULATION VALVE (EGR VALVE) · API record

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.

Campaign 17E061000 · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER · API record

Accessible Technologies, Inc. (ATI) is recalling certain ProCharger Superchargers, model numbers AB037A-100, AB037A-100P, and A037A-100B, sold for installation on 2012-2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 and SRT vehicles. The supercharger mounting bracket may contact and damage the ABS line, possibly resulting in a brake fluid leak.

Campaign 16V814000 · FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS · API record

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 the Saltillo engine plant. During the assembly of the engine, the fuel rail crossover tube may have been damaged, which, over time, may result in a fuel leak.

YouTube voice themes below are research hints only — verify against NHTSA data before citing.

Search demand cross-check: ~9,628 avg monthly intent searches (source: google ads data · as of Jun 23, 2026)

On-Site Jeep Grand Cherokee Pre-Purchase Checklist

  1. Verify OBD-II readiness monitors are complete (not recently cleared) using a full protocol scan.
  2. Compare dashboard mileage to ECU-stored odometer modules where accessible.
  3. Pull permanent and pending DTCs — not only stored codes visible on the dash.
  4. Inspect systems related to POWER TRAIN (NHTSA complaint cluster — verify during test drive and PPI).
  5. Inspect systems related to ENGINE (NHTSA complaint cluster — verify during test drive and PPI).
  6. Inspect systems related to ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (NHTSA complaint cluster — verify during test drive and PPI).
  7. Inspect systems related to UNKNOWN OR OTHER (NHTSA complaint cluster — verify during test drive and PPI).
  8. Inspect systems related to FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM (NHTSA complaint cluster — verify during test drive and PPI).
  9. Confirm recall remedy completed for ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL (campaign 20V475000).
  10. Confirm recall remedy completed for ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING (campaign 18V332000).
  11. Confirm recall remedy completed for ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:GAS RECIRCULATION VALVE (EGR VALVE) (campaign 20V699000).
  12. Run a MotoMetrics on-site scan for Jeep Grand Cherokee before signing the bill of sale.

Alternative Inferences & Cross-Shopping Matrix

Adjacent model years for this nameplate and equivalent footprints shoppers compare across brands.

Generational cohorts

2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee 2025 Jeep Grand Cherokee

Class competitors

2017 Toyota Highlander 2019 Honda Pilot 2016 Ford Explorer

Vehicle health varies wildly by individual history. Aggregate recall and complaint data cannot tell you whether the specific car on the lot had its monitors cleared or its odometer rolled back. Verify the physical or digital scan before you sign a bill of sale.

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