JeepGrand Cherokee20123.6L/jeep/grand-cherokee/2012/3-6l/
WK platform

2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee — 3.6L

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2012 Grand Cherokee 3.6L.

Body SUVEngine 3.6LTransmission Automatic 5-spd

The 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee 3.6L is an SUV built on the WK chassis, powered by a 3.6‑liter V6 coupled to a five‑speed automatic transmission and requiring six quarts of 5W‑30 API‑spec oil, with EPA fuel‑efficiency ratings of 17/23/19 mpg. Over its ownership life it has generated 1,637 complaints, the electrical system being the leading problem area, and has been subject to eleven recalls. Within the model’s 1993‑2026 complaint history—where 2014 recorded the high of 2,369 complaints and 2026 the low of nine—the 2012 version falls in the middle range, indicating a reliability standing that is neither the worst nor the best in the lineage.

Model year201920182017201620152014201320122011

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity6 qt w/ filterOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque110 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy17/23/19 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 94R · 700 CCA battery, OE oil filter 04884899AC. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 94R · 700 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP245-70R17OEM · verified
Wheel / rim8 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter04884899AC alt 68079744AD
Engine air filter04861756AA
Spark plugSPLZFR5C11 alt SP149125AF
BatteryBBH8A001AA alt BBH7A001AA
Front wiper blades68079859AA alt 68079858AA
Thermostat52028898AJ alt 05184894AA
Cabin air filter68606182AA

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 5-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length189.8 in
Overall width76.4 in
Overall height69.3 in
Wheelbase115 in
Curb weight4661 lb
Track (front / rear)63.8 / 64.2 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)51/49

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined17 / 23 / 19 mpg
DrivetrainRear-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

No 2012 road test on record; the results below are same-engine tests from nearby model years, each shown under its own year.

7.1–9.4 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 7.10 sec — 2016 Summit
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2011Laredo 3.6L V68.20 sec16.40 sec290 hp4x4
2011Laredo 3.6L V68.40 sec16.60 sec290 hp4x4
2011Limited 3.6L V68.40 sec16.30 sec290 hp4x4
2011Limited 3.6L V68.70 sec16.60 sec290 hp4x4
2014Overland 3.6L V67.50 sec15.70 sec290 hp4x4
2016Summit 3.6L V67.10 sec15.40 sec295 hp4x4
2017Trailhawk 3.6L V67.60 sec15.90 sec295 hp4x4
2021L Limited 3.6L V67.30 sec15.50 sec290 hp4x4

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 6 qt w/ filter of 5W-30 API engine oil, 75W-85 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 110 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF+4
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity5.3
Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear Oil75W-85 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity1.9 Pints
Differential Gear Oil75W-85 · GL-5
Engine CoolantHOAT · MS9769
Engine Oil5W-30 · API · MS-6395

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs7 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts70 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts6 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts17 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs9 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts110 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill PlugSteel case: 35.0, Aluminum case: 18.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain PlugSteel case: 35.0, Aluminum case: 18.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub229 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub229 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-2-3-4-5-6
Cylinder Firing Order1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.37 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity4.00 oz
Standard BCI Group Number94R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance700 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test15, Pressure should not exceed 20 psi.
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief16-20 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature195 °F
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)56-60 psi
Engine Compression100 Minimum psi
Engine Oil Pressure5
Intake Valve LashHydraulic in
Exhaust Valve LashHydraulic in

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket41 ft-lbs / 20 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle148 ft-lbs / 89 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness0.040 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.040 in
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.00035 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.002 in
Rotor Discard at or Under1.2 in / 0.492 in
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.00039 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
115 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9015 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
130 ft. lbs., step 2: 10530 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 8,000 mi; coolant at 104,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 104,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 8,000 miBrake Line (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
At 16,000 miExhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
Every 16,000 miBrake Linings (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Suspension System (inspect)
Every 18,000 miDifferential (inspect fluid level)
Every 24,000 miCV Joint Boot (inspect) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
Every 32,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Parking Brake System (adjust)
At 48,000 miExhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
Every 96,000 miPCV Valve (inspect)
At 104,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Owner how-tos

Condensed service procedures for routine maintenance. Procedures that require dealer diagnostic equipment are identified and summarized only.

Common procedures

Key fob — remote (RKE) programming programming new fob buttons Dealer tool OEM · verified
Tool requiredDRBIII scan tool (dealer / locksmith)
WhyTransmitter codes are written into the receiver in the passenger door module
Anti-theft (SKIS) — module initialization after immobilizer module replacement Dealer tool OEM · verified
When neededAfter Sentry Key Immobilizer Module (SKIM) replacement
Tool requiredDRBIII scan tool
Also requiredThe vehicle's four-digit PIN code

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

In 2012 the model recorded 1,637 federal complaints, 11 recalls and 7 investigations, yielding 256 technical service bulletins, which exceeds the 1,638 complaints and 6 recalls of the prior 2011 model year but is lower than the 799 complaints and 10 recalls of the subsequent 2013 model year. The complaint trajectory shows a sharp rise from the low 117 complaints in 2009 to a peak of 2,369 in 2014, and the 2012 figure sits near the upper end of that upward swing. The most frequently cited problem domains for 2012 are Electrical System (515 complaints), Service Brakes (173), Fuel/Propulsion System (95) and Engine (78). Crash‑related complaints number 46 and fire‑related complaints number 104, indicating a non‑trivial safety signal that the data does not attribute to a specific root cause. Consequently, while the 2012 Grand Cherokee is not the worst‑performing year in the series, the elevated fire complaints and its position in the complaint surge suggest a cautious approach, making it a reasonable but not optimal buy without a thorough inspection.

11
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
256
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
7
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
1,637
Owner complaints
46 involved a crash · 104 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★
Frontal★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 1,637 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Electrical System515
Service Brakes173
Fuel/Propulsion System95
Engine78
Electrical System,Engine63
Unknown Or Other62
Steering50
Power Train42

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 11 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

19V813000Electrical SystemReported 14/11/2019

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… Remedy: 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…

17V435000Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/RegulatorReported 10/07/2017

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Dodge Challenger, Dodge Charger, Chrysler 300, Dodge Durango, and 2012-2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles. The affected vehicles have electro-hydraulic… Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the alternator and depending on the part number, will replace the alternator, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 256 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
91006452025-08-15Unknown Or OtherVerify Reman part number availability. Order the "R" part number for all orders…
1050382025-05-14Fuel/Propulsion SystemTUBE - FUEL INJECTOR SUPPLY & GASKET - NONE
1050392025-05-14Fuel/Propulsion SystemTUBE - FUEL INJECTOR SUPPLY & GASKET - NONE
1028122025-02-13Fuel/Propulsion SystemRAIL - FUEL
91004942025-01-30Fuel/Propulsion SystemFUEL PUMP/LEVEL UNIT MODULE For vehicles with Saddle Fuel Tanks, need to determine if…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Grand Cherokee. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2012 Grand Cherokee 3.6L take?

6 qt w/ filter of 5W-30 API MEETING CHRYSLER SPECIFICATION MS-6395, per the factory manual.

Does the 2012 Grand Cherokee have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 11 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the 3.6L get?

EPA figures are 17 city / 23 highway / 19 combined mpg.