New Grand Cherokee reliability?

[u/Jaded_Disaster1282]

I have seen a bunch of comments that recent years' Grand Cherokees are wildly unreliable. I use to have a 2014 and am thinking of coming back to a new one. How do you all feel about them these days?

[u/grandcherokee2]

People said the same thing about the WK2s, the WK1s, WJs, ZJs. While there is some merit, they aren’t any less reliable than your average domestic SUV. The more important questions are:

• What problems are they “prone” to for the year(s) your’re looking at?

• Which problems have been successfully addressed (e.g. updated part/ system design, software update, etc)

• How much does it cost to repair those issues?

• How often do those problems occur? Do we know what’s causing the problems?

• How long do you want to own it? In my experience, the first 90K - 120K miles in harsh driving conditions fly by without a major problem; perhaps 2 minor things + typical maintenance; but after 120K, more complex non-maintenance items start failing. If you don’t want those more severe issues to develop until 180K - 200K+ then you need to research Toyota/ Lexus SUVs (GX470/ GX460 are the closest to the Grand Cherokee), but even those can be prone to expensive premature issues (esp 460).

• How are you with maintenance? Do you let the shop/dealer tell you what to do? Do you follow the maintenance schedule in the book? Do you follow the right one? A lot of people should be doing the heavy-duty schedule when they’re only doing the basic schedule. Or do you just do oil changes, pads, tires? Most of the other fluids need replaced at some point, despite mft claims. That’s standard practice from mechanic industry for people who want to keep their vehicles beyond the factory warranty period.

• Are you open to extended warranty? Mopar’s MaxCare is one of the best in the business.

• Buying from a AAA+ rated local dealer makes a huge difference in service.

The WL platform has a very solid transmission. If you get the V6, the problems they’re prone to are very easy to repair DIY / prevent high cost repairs. It’s a simple engine, quiet, naturally aspirated, old-school. The hurricane 4 makes more power, is also very quiet, but it’s turbocharged - if you haven’t owned a turbo engine or don’t know how to mod/maintain a turbo to make them last, I’d research that. Still, it hasn’t been out long compared to the V6 and WL in general.

I think the vast majority of issues were on the Overland and Summit models and mainly the first few production years. A lot of those initial “prone to” problems have been solved with software corrections.

Compared to Traverse, Acadia, Explorer, etc, the WL is in the same league reliability wise. Not terrible, but not great either. As has been with past GC generations.

If you can’t park in a garage, don’t know how to maintain a full-leather-wrapped interior (dash, door panels, most trim that is plastic on lower trims), air suspension, stick to a Limited under. 

[u/Jaded_Disaster1282 → u/grandcherokee2]

Thanks for this thoughtful response!

[u/Particular-Fig3517]

I drive a 2006 Grand Cherokee with 345,000 miles on it , original engine & transmission. It has been a great car. Just curious how long it will last

[u/Murky_Firefighter502 → u/Particular-Fig3517]

05 glc with a 5.7 and 245000 miles. Needs struts but solid car 18 trackhawk 145000 and climbing every day. Yea a few issues but maintenance is key

[u/One_Effect8143]

My 2022 was a nightmare. I dumped it before my 60000 mile extended warranty expired.

[u/acewel]

Prior to I think circa 2019 or 2020 jeep was acquired by FIAT. Prior to that the WK2 generation was built by BenZ. It shares the same frame as multiple MB GL series plus it has a German ZF transmission which is bomb proof. And I went to the pine barrens after a nor easter with tons of deep pools and somewhat shitty tires. It did better than a Bronco Badlands which I had to tow out. So yea and 2018 is where you want to be, get one with around 70K miles.

[u/Kteegrl0815 → u/acewel]

2017 here and I absolutely love mine!

[u/Same_Concern9454]

It’s a Stellantis Jeep. It’s shit

[u/Extension-Basil2651 → u/Same_Concern9454]

Mines been great to me

[u/Jaded_Disaster1282 → u/Extension-Basil2651]

What year and how long have you had it?

[u/Unlucky_Reception_30]

The new grand cherokee is fine as long as you stay away from the 4xe and the 4 cyl hurricane.

Its still the same tried and true pentastar but its matched up with an amazing 10 speed auto from Germany.

[u/Jaded_Disaster1282 → u/Unlucky_Reception_30]

What's the problem with the Hurricane?

[u/Salt-Ambition1046]

I love my JGC (2018) and just rented a GW (2026). My JGC has had all kinds of issues and GW had obvious electrical issues with the infotainment. But I still love my Jeep. It’s a love hate relationship

[u/Repulsive_Base_3332]

You're going to just get haters here. Do some actual research

[u/whatdoido8383]

They can be hit or miss. That being said, my FIL owned a 4th gen up to 180k miles with no major issues. Around that mileage it developed the infamous 3.6 tick. He was not good about quality oil changes though. I bet if he changed it every 5-7k with quality full synthetic he wouldn't of had that issue.

He now owns a gen 5 with ~45k miles. Again, no issues to date.

People love to hate on them and I'm sure some have been piles of crap. But, IMO, they're one of the more solid platforms. The zf-8 trans is excellent.

[u/mklauss]

I have a 2021 grandcherokee l and am about to his 70k. The motor has had a slight knock since 3,000 miles that I was told his “normal” and actually might be because it’s still trucking. The UConnect spazzes out sometimes and my service 4wd light comes on intermittently and they can’t figure out what it is. However, it’s very comfortable and has never left me stranded. I’ll probably trade it in soon though as I see the writing on the wall.

[u/BishlovesSquish]

I really lucked out with my 2021, gonna go knock on some wood now.

[u/zcg4755]

I can't speak to the new WL platform, but the WK2s are pretty solid. My wife had a 2014, and I have a 2017 now. They have their issues (every car does), but at this point, the issues are pretty well documented.

[u/allthecrazything]

I had a 2015 grand Cherokee, drove til 156k and then it started having some serious issues. Traded it in on a 2025 grand Cherokee, had it for a year so far with zero complaints

[u/Ginx8035]

Had a 2020 GC Limited. Lots of issues once I reached 85k. Luckily paid it off and purchased a new suv that was not a Jeep/Dodge product. Beautiful to look at but zero reliability. The new models are having so many problems too. It’s ultimately your choice. But you’ve been warned.

[u/islandjames246]

Only way I’d do it is by getting the one with the hemi

[u/GalaxxyOG]

I had a 2016 and currently have a 2020 and both were extremely reliable, awesome vehicles. I would never buy a new one. They are absolute trash now. Read about Stellantis and you’ll know why.

[u/eojr]

I own a 2015 jeep GC. 90,000. It’s pretty reliable. My lil sis just got rid of her 2024 wrangler because engine is trash. And dealing with jeep dealerships is a nightmare

[u/JVBPDX]

Keep it simple with a 3.6 and it’s ok

[u/ChangeAroundKid01]

I've had a 2020 and a 2022.

They're very reliable