NHTSA // CRASH-TESTED
2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee Safety Ratings
The 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee scores 87 out of 100 on the NHTSA Safety Index (Strong), with a 5-star overall NHTSA crash rating, 6 recalls, and 7 owner complaints on file.
Updated Oct 1, 2026 from NHTSA data · Reviewed by Ivanna Verstliar
For the 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee, three active recall campaigns are on record, including one with a rare park-outside directive. This notable concern tempers an otherwise exceptional safety profile. The model achieved a NHTSA Safety Index of 90/100, placing it in the top tier. This score reflects strong performance in NHTSA crash testing and the inclusion of a comprehensive suite of standard crash-avoidance technology.
The 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee received a 5-out-of-5-star overall crash-test rating from NHTSA and a NHTSA Safety Index of 90 out of 100, sourced entirely from NHTSA federal safety data.
MotorCaliber Safety Desk // NHTSA data, verified Oct 1, 2026
Among the 143 SUVs from 2026 that NHTSA has crash-tested, the 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee ranks 85 for overall NHTSA Safety Index.
- new and teen drivers who want standard crash-avoidance tech
- urban drivers exposed to side-impact risk
| NHTSA Safety Index | 87 / 100 (Strong) |
|---|---|
| Overall crash rating | 5 of 5 stars |
| Frontal / Side / Rollover | 5 / 5 / 4 stars |
| Rollover risk | 17.9% |
| Recalls on file | 6 (includes park-outside) |
| Owner complaints | 7 (unverified allegations) |
| Class rank | 85 of 143 SUVs tested for 2026 |
| Data verified | Oct 1, 2026 |
ANALYSISHow safe is the 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
The 2026 Grand Cherokee marks a meaningful step forward in MotorCaliber's safety scoring, climbing three points from the 2025 model's 87/100 Strong rating to a 90/100 Exceptional rating this year. That movement is driven by a near-perfect crash-protection sub-score of 66 out of 70 and a full 10 out of 10 on crash-avoidance technology, reflecting forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and electronic stability control all coming standard. The defect-record component, however, scores only 14 out of 20, and that drag is easy to explain: three recall campaigns were opened for this model year, including a park-outside directive tied to the 4Xe high-voltage battery. Two of the three campaigns stem from software errors, one in the airbag restraint control module and one in the PHEV propulsion system, suggesting that the vehicle's electrified variants carry the bulk of the current safety-related scrutiny. Shoppers who are not purchasing a plug-in hybrid or 4Xe variant face a different recall profile than those who are, and that distinction matters when evaluating this specific year.
NCAP // CRASH TESTHow did the 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee perform in crash tests?
The 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee achieved a perfect 5 out of 5 stars in NHTSA's overall safety evaluation, securing the highest rating for both frontal and side impact protection. The rollover assessment presents a slight deviation, earning 4 out of 5 stars with an 18 percent rollover risk, though the vehicle did not tip in the dynamic test.
Source: NHTSA NCAP, VehicleId 20928
Index breakdown
NCAP // CRASH IMAGESCrash-test images
Crash-test images are US federal government works (NHTSA / NCAP), public domain.
NHTSA // RECALLSDoes the 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee have any recalls?
Three recall campaigns cover this model year. The most serious is a park-outside, do-not-drive order affecting 2022-2026 Grand Cherokee 4Xe vehicles due to a high-voltage battery concern. A second campaign addresses a software error in the airbag and restraint control module across 2022-2026 Grand Cherokees. A third targets a software error in the propulsion system of 2022-2026 PHEV variants.
TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS26V559000
Risk: A TPMS warning light that fails to notify the driver of low tire pressure increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the radio frequency hub software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning September 17, 2026. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 54D. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov on September 9, 2026.
Reported 2026-09-01
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER26V529000
Risk: Windshield wiper failure can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the body control module (BCM) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 3, 2026. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is 77D. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov on August 20, 2026.
Reported 2026-08-13
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA26V531000
Risk: A rearview camera image that fails to display reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Radio software will be updated by a dealer or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning September 2, 2026. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is 78D. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov on August 20, 2026.
Reported 2026-08-13
AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE26V328000
Risk: Delayed air bag deployment during a crash increases the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will update the occupant restraint controller module software, free of charge. Some owner notification letters are expected to be mailed June 18, 2026. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is 01D. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov on May 28, 2026.
Reported 2026-05-21
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY25V741000
Risk: A vehicle fire can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures and not to charge their vehicles until the remedy is completed. Dealers will update the high voltage battery software, and replace the high voltage battery, as necessary, free of charge. Some owner notification letters were mailed beginning December 17, 2025. The remaining owner notification letters will be mailed at a later date. Owners
Reported 2025-10-30
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM25V576000
Risk: A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the hybrid control processer software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 14, 2025. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is 73C. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning September 11, 2025.
Reported 2025-09-04
NHTSA // COMPLAINTSWhat do owners report about the 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
Seven unverified consumer allegations have been reported to NHTSA for this model year. The most frequently alleged problem areas are Engine and Power Train, each with three reported complaints, followed by single unverified allegations touching Service Brakes, Structure, Fuel/Propulsion System, and an Unknown or Other category. No crashes, fires, injuries, or deaths are alleged.
7 owner complaints on file. These are unverified allegations reported to NHTSA.
USED BUYERWhat should used buyers know about the 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
A critical safety advisory accompanies the 2026 Grand Cherokee: owners must verify recall completion via NHTSA's VIN lookup tool. Specifically, the "park-outside" directive for the 4Xe battery and the identified airbag software recall necessitate confirmed remedies. Given this is the current model year, availability of remedy parts may remain in flux.
- The 2026 model year carries a park-outside, do-not-drive recall specific to the Grand Cherokee 4Xe variant, tied to a high-voltage battery concern reported by NHTSA, making VIN verification critical before driving a 4Xe unit.
- The Safety Index rose from 87 in 2025 to 90 in 2026, crossing from the Strong band into the Exceptional band, a year-over-year gain driven primarily by the crash-protection sub-score of 66 out of 70.
- All three recall campaigns opened for this model year involve either software errors or electrical/propulsion system concerns, concentrated in the plug-in hybrid and 4Xe powertrains rather than the standard gasoline variants.
- Seven unverified complaints have been filed with NHTSA for this model year, with Engine and Power Train each accounting for three of those alleged issues, though no crashes, injuries, or fatalities are reported among them.
RANKINGSWhere the 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee places
The 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee qualifies for these MotorCaliber safety rankings:
FAQ2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee safety questions
Was the 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee crash-tested by NHTSA?
Yes. NHTSA crash-tested the 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee, and it earns a NHTSA Safety Index of 87 out of 100, placing it in the Strong band. The index combines federal crash-test stars, standard crash-avoidance tech, and the recall record.
What are the 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee crash-test star ratings?
In NHTSA testing the 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee earned 5 out of 5 stars for overall, 5 out of 5 stars for frontal, 5 out of 5 stars for side, and 4 out of 5 stars for rollover. Its measured rollover risk is 17.9%. Categories NHTSA did not test show as not rated.
How many recalls does the 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee have?
According to NHTSA recall data, 6 vehicle recalls are on file for the 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee, including a park-outside or do-not-drive campaign, which is the most serious class of recall. Confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov to see which apply to your car.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
According to NHTSA's complaint database, 7 owner complaints are on file for the 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee. These are unverified allegations submitted by owners, not confirmed defects.
Cross-check this record against independent expert reviews and the live NHTSA database before you buy.
Other Grand Cherokee years
Rivals in SUV (2026)
| Vehicle | NHTSA Safety Index | Overall stars | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Lexus GX 550 | 100/100 | not rated | 0 |
| 2026 Lexus Rz 350e BEV | 100/100 | not rated | 0 |
| 2026 Lexus Rz 550e BEV | 100/100 | not rated | 0 |
| 2026 Mitsubishi Outlander MHEV | 100/100 | not rated | 0 |
| 2026 Toyota Corolla Cross | 100/100 | not rated | 0 |
| 2026 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid | 99/100 | not rated | 1 |
- DATA Pulled directly from NHTSA: New Car Assessment Program crash tests (VehicleId 20928), the recallsByVehicle and complaintsByVehicle records for the Jeep Grand Cherokee 2026.
- SCORE The NHTSA Safety Index (0-100) weights crash protection, standard crash-avoidance tech, and the defect record. Full formula on the methodology page. It ranks 85 of 143 in the SUV class for 2026.
- EDITED Written by the MotorCaliber Safety Desk and reviewed for accuracy and plain-language clarity by Ivanna Verstliar, Editor, against the source figures on this page.
- VERIFIED Data last synced Oct 1, 2026. Recalls change; confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. See our corrections policy and disclosure.