In most Grand Cherokees with a dual-battery setup, the primary 12V battery sits in the engine bay under the hood on the driver's side, and a second 12V battery is mounted in the rear cargo area under the floor near the spare tire well. On plug-in hybrids (the 4xe), there is also a large high-voltage traction battery under the rear seat in addition to the 12V battery under the hood. The exact locations can vary by year, engine, and trim, so verify with your owner's manual or dealer.
Overview of common locations
The following are the two most common placements you may encounter on dual-battery Grand Cherokees. This helps owners and technicians quickly locate and service them.
- Primary 12V battery: under the hood, typically on the driver's side near the fender or strut tower.
- Secondary 12V battery: in the rear cargo area, mounted under the floor panel near the spare tire well.
These are the standard patterns for many dual-battery configurations, but some variants place the second battery elsewhere or use a different electrical architecture.
Special cases by drivetrain
Gasoline and diesel Grand Cherokees
Gasoline-powered models most often use a single 12V battery under the hood. Some diesel or off-road-oriented trims or optional dual-battery packages do add a second 12V battery in the rear cargo area to support accessories, winching, or extensive electrical loads.
- Gasoline trims with no dual-battery option: typically one 12V battery under the hood.
- Diesel and select off-road/Heavy-duty trims: dual-battery setups with a second 12V battery located in the rear cargo area.
When in doubt, inspect the rear cargo floor panel or consult the service manual for your exact VIN and trim level.
Plug-in hybrid Grand Cherokee 4xe
The 4xe uses an elevated energy system: a high-voltage traction battery pack mounted under the rear seat, plus a conventional 12V battery under the hood to run accessories and electronics. The high-voltage pack is not a 12V battery and requires special charging practices.
- 12V battery: under the hood, as in non-hybrid models.
- High-voltage traction battery: located under the rear seat/floor (not a traditional "second battery").
If you are servicing a 4xe, follow the high-voltage safety procedures and refer to the owner's manual for battery access and charging guidelines.
How to locate and verify safely
Begin by turning off the vehicle, removing any accessories, and locating the battery labels. The primary battery terminals are marked with a plus/minus sign, and a second battery (if present) will be in a separate compartment with its own cover. For exact placement by year and trim, consult the owner's manual or a dealer service bulletin.
Summary
In short: most Grand Cherokees with dual batteries place a 12V primary under the hood and a second 12V battery in the rear cargo area; plug-in hybrids (4xe) add a large high-voltage battery under the rear seat alongside a 12V under the hood. Always check your model year, engine, and trim, as layouts vary.
Where is the auxiliary battery in a Jeep Grand Cherokee?
Okay let's move this seat. Forward let's get back here. And lift up this carpet here and there is says VIN i'm going to get this. And pop that up there you go that is where your battery.
How do I know if my jeep has two batteries?
Not every vehicle has a dual-battery setup, so how can you be sure? Check the Fitment Finder: The easiest method is to enter your vehicle's year, make, and model into the Batteries Plus Fitment Finder. If an auxiliary battery is listed as a replacement part, your car likely has one.
Does my Jeep Grand Cherokee have two batteries?
There may be more than one battery.
Some versions of the Grand Cherokee include an extra battery. It helps run start-stop systems or backup power. This second battery may sit under the driver's seat.
What happens if the auxiliary battery dies?
It's unlikely that you'll notice any drivability problems with your vehicle once the auxiliary battery fails. The worst thing that could happen is that you won't be able to use the electrical components that get voltage from the auxiliary battery.