re: Talk me into or out of buying a Jeep Grand Cherokee

J.E.E.P.

Just
Empty
Every
Pocket

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Are Jeeps reliable?

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The Mercedes-based models were pretty good.

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Any common issues?

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On most Jeeps, it's easier to list what won't go wrong. I will say that their 3.6L V6 has gotten pretty reliable after years of issues. Their ZF transmissions are very good.

The new GC has a very nice interior. But they can be quickly optioned up to the price of a full sized SUV like an Expedition.

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We have two at work. 2022 models... each with less than 25k miles. Both have been in the shop twice for electrical issues. And, when the car is completely dead, you basically need to be a mechanical engineer to get it into neutral. I'd explain it but it's a long process. I'd never buy one.

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I thought for sure the Wagoneer would be a fairly reliable rig since it's based on the Ram pickup. The Ram isn't perfect, but it's solid enough.

But those Wagoneers have had a lot of issues too. They are still having problems. General Motors is just owning that space.

I think the Grand Cherokee is a little bit better product in its class though. But Stellantis has been screwing everything up lately.

I have a 2023 GC 2-row in the Altitude trim.

Answer to your question heavily relies on trim. Laredo/Altitude are more of the base models - pretty simple not much to break.

Limited/Summit/Overland, depending on how loaded they are, seem to have more electrical issues. Haven’t heard of anyone with the 3.6 or 5.7 have major mechanical problems. Just a note, if you want the V8 get it now because it’s done after 2024 model year if I recall correctly.

We considered one of those - for about a second.
Then we bought a a Toyota.
I have not had good experiences with the Chrysler products which I have driven.

My Jeep Grand Cherokee story - I grew up on a farm in South Carolina. My Dad bought one back in the early 80's - baby blue with the fake wood decal down the side. It was terribly under powered for farm use, 318 motor.

One day we've got a load of cured tobacco on large trailer to take to the warehouse. We stop for a cold Coke and someone runs inside and says "Your truck's on fire!" We run outside and some guys have the hood up and are shoveling dirt on the motor to put the fire out. Dad was glad to get rid of it.

I have a 2019 and haven’t had issues outside of basic wear and tear. My only complaint is that it doesn’t have cooled / ventilated seats. No bueno in the summer.

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I would have said the same thing at your mile mark. And then had to replace the a rocker arm and a lifter. 20K miles later, same thing except the other side. Jeep wouldn’t warranty anything.

When you hear the ticking noise, you are done. Heard it twice and it was a couple thousand dollars both times. Local mechanics wanted no part of changing that. That pentastar v6 was a nightmare engine for everyone. My dad has a wrangler with the same engine. Same failure.

Sold it at 115K miles.

frick Jeep. They had a bad engine, knew it and did nothing about it

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My parents had a 2015 that had the same issue around 55k miles. Big headache. I've got a 2017 with about 85k miles and have been ok so far except for a fuel system issue around 70k. Overall, I've been happy with mine but I will probably trade it in soon for something else as I hear way too many horror stories about issues on the high mileage JGCs. The current model seems to be even worse.

I believe that Jeeps were notorious for having electrical issues. Not sure if that's still the case.