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Jeep WK reliability

14K views 34 replies 15 participants last post by  Walt 
#1 ·
Well this week had a power steering pump go south, along with leaking power steering line, and had those replaced, now today the code lit for oil pressure sending unit. It is simply ridiculous how many trips (around 25) to the dealer service dept. and parts have been needed to be replaced since I bought it new, whereas every other vehicle I have owned over the past 35 years has rarely if at all been back to the dealer for repairs. I learned my lesson and am done with Jeep forever, and will never buy any Chrysler product again. Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me. JD Power and Assoc just released 2012 Vehicle reliability report and guess what, the bottom 4 of all manufaturers are Ram, Jeep, Dodge and Chrysler.
 
#2 ·
Re: Jeep reliability

How many miles you have on it? Did you ever drain and refresh the system before its ultimate failure. I have been wondering how long my components will last.... Power steering, ac, alternator. My power steering pump isn't the prettiest anymore.
 
#3 ·
Re: Jeep reliability

Funny how there is no service interval for the power steering fluid. Maybe that's why the reliability is so bad, Chrysler doesn't bother with proper maintenance. The fluid is clear normally and when I changed mine at 80k it was brownish.
 
#5 ·
Re: Jeep reliability

Do you have a link as to where you got your information from because the only thing I found was the 2013 reliability report which is NOT for 2013 cars its for 2010 cars that have 3 years on them, which would have been the old body style on everything except the ram... They have come a long way!

Sorry you have had a difficult run, unfourtunatly everything you have stated is common, the P/S line leaking, which likely caused low fluid level that caused the pump failure. Good luck with your future vehicles!
 
#6 ·
Re: Jeep reliability

While I still love my Jeep, the relationshp has been strained with the replacement of the media centre, headlight assembly and something faulty in the cruise control, all within the first 8 months of ownership. Thank goodness for the warranty, but concerned about what happens when warranty period finishes! As for after market items (front and rear parking sensors, and 'tow pack') that were fitted as part of sale by dealer, the issues continue...compounded by the fact that the sale was in NSW (dealer wouldn't sell to Vic dealer), and sensor issue noticed once I'd driven back to Melb. I'm now in WA, having towed my van from Melb, and service centre over here tells me I have to sort out cost for additional work on sensors (including a faulty sensor) with the original dealer as sensors were fitted after-market and not covered by Jeep warranty. Perhaps this is standard behaviour for dealerships, but it's really yanking my chain, particularly as I have had JGC rewired ($1300) as Syd dealer's auto elec didn't wire the reversing camera correctly (JGCs came out from US without reversing cameras, so Jeep paid dealers to fit these) and so Perth service centre had to remove all trims to trace wiring to see if they could find what was causing the fault in the media centre (before realising media centre was faulty). Comedy of errors perhaps, but I'm well out of pocket and patience! WWW
 
#8 · (Edited)
Re: Jeep reliability

While I still love my Jeep, the relationshp has been strained ......
My sentiments exactly. Fourth Grand Cherokee and I have no idea what comes next. In addition to the list below, I need to replace the heater blower motor/fan unit as it is failing.

My replaced components:
Instrument Gauge Cluster – twice
Junction block / relays (driver’s side under steering column)
Multi-function turn signal stalk
Clockspring in steering wheel
Radio
Head Unit - fourth time
Amplifier
Driver’s door speaker
multiple software re-flashes
Driver’s door master window/lock switch
Driver’s door window regulator (and module re-flash)
Driver’s door lock assembly
Tailgate latch assembly (and repaired grounded wire in harness)
Tailgate interior light assembly
Park Assist Sensor
Engine -
radiator cap
serpentine belt – twice
erpentine belt tensioner
EGR valve
EGR valve head-to-valve gasket
MAP sensor
O2 sensors (1 replaced at 22.7K miles; all 4 replaced at 53.7K; all 4 replaced at 61.4K miles; 2 replaced at 69.7K miles)
exhaust manifold gasket (driver’s side)
exhaust manifold, studs, nuts, and gaskets (driver’s side)
exhaust manifold, studs, nuts, and gaskets (passenger’s side)
exhaust Y-pipe and both catalytic converters, bolts & nuts
cylinder heads (both driver’s side & passenger’s side), head gaskets, exhaust manifold gaskets, valves, springs, and keepers
fuel injectors (all cylinders)
multiple PCM re-flashes
PCV valve
Transfer case rear seal
Rear differential seal
Rear drive shaft
Shock absorbers (4) and 1 replacement @ RHS front after 6K miles
Heater / AC auto control instrument panel module
FOBIK’s (Jeep recall)
ESIM sensor (fuel tank evaporative emissions)
Passenger’s side outside rearview mirror
Rear brake rotors and pads
 
#7 ·
Re: Jeep reliability

I bought my 2005 WK Limited with the Hemi back in 2010 with 56k miles, since then I have done regular maintenance on it and the only things I have had to fix was recently a power steering pump($65) and about a year ago I had to replace a sensor in the transmission and while I was at it did a filter change and fluid change while I was in there($200). My jeep has been by far the most reliable vehicle ive owned out of the 5 prevous vehicles(Chevy, Nissan, Mazda and Ford). It all depends on how well the previous owner took care of and what regular maintenance was done to the vehicle. Good luck on your future vehicles, I'm a die hard Jeep fan now!
 
#11 ·
Re: Jeep reliability

I bought my 2005 WK Limited with the Hemi back in 2010 with 56k miles, since then I have done regular maintenance on it and the only things I have had to fix was recently a power steering pump($65) and about a year ago I had to replace a sensor in the transmission and while I was at it did a filter change and fluid change while I was in there($200). My jeep has been by far the most reliable vehicle ive owned out of the 5 prevous vehicles(Chevy, Nissan, Mazda and Ford). It all depends on how well the previous owner took care of and what regular maintenance was done to the vehicle. Good luck on your future vehicles, I'm a die hard Jeep fan now!
Here is the report for 2012 vehicles, Chrysler products all rank dead last out of all car manufacturers. The drunks and stoners building Jeeps got fired from the Jefferson plant, and were susequently rehired by Chrysler, thanks to unions and lawyers. LOL, only in America. Lexus Back on Top of 2012 J.D. Power Dependability Study, Chrysler Last - WOT on Motor Trend
I bought my Overland new, am a stickler for maintenance and vehicle care, and frankly do not have enough time to list all the problems here.
 
#10 ·
Re: Jeep reliability

Wow i havent had any of those issues with my 2008.
Yeah. I wouldn't call this particular vehicle build a poster child for Jeep efficacy. Must be the North Jefferson Ave. POS Edition.

Ridiculous part: I have received 5 owner surveys from Jeep asking me how I like my new Jeep and the dealer's treatment. Always respond with the same 3 inputs: build quality/durability stinks, dealer treats me super, and call me to confirm you get this feedback (phone number & e-mail provided). Must go into a black hole because there is never any response.:madder:

"Your call is important to us. Please hold while another customer representative....." and "This call may be recorded for quality assurance purposes....." Right.:wtf:

Think I'll check tire pressure, empty the oil catch can, and try to get the glove box out to look at the blower motor and speed control electronic module. (Factory Shop Manual was not changed after the box pivot attachment was revised, so directions are no longer accurate. Doesn't just lift out anymore like earlier models.)
 
#13 ·
I'm at over 80k on my 07' 3.7 Wk with ONLY gripes about water pumps...pretty uneventful ownership really....
My 01' 4.0 WJ had 267k miles or something like that before I traded it in. Only replaced the valve body in the trans on that one....(other than normal maintenance stuff).
 
#14 ·
Member on another forum summed it up for me: My Grand Cherokee isn't getting older.....it's getting newer ... part-by-part.

I really, really, really want Jeep to get their act together before I need a new one.
 
#15 ·
90k with nothing but brakes suspension and starter. All normal. People act like these cars blow up. The motors are solid and so are the drivelines if you maintain. Anything else that breaks around the motor is simple wear out. These are jeeps which means heavy duty play and heavy duty parts. Anything less is just another suv.
 
#16 ·
.... People act like these cars blow up. The motors are solid and so are the drivelines if you maintain. Anything else that breaks around the motor is simple wear out. These are jeeps which means heavy duty play and heavy duty parts. Anything less is just another suv.
Used to be true in the pre-Daimler era. Please refer to post #8.

The WK2's look even less rugged to me than the WK model. I would recommend cutting the electronics content by 50% or more.
 
#18 ·
Not possible, crash standards mean these cars almost need to drive themselves during evasive manuvers, thank the government...
Look at the list of replaced components in post #8. Few, if any, have to do with evasive and anti-rollover capability.

I thought the most interesting feedback I got from a Jeep owner was: He traded in a fully-loaded Grand Cherokee for a basic Wrangler. No power anything. He loves it because he doesn't have all of the electrical/electronic failures in the Wrangler that he couldn't get fixed in the Grand Cherokee.:banghead:
That may be my next move if nothing changes on the coming model change. Now, if Jeep would install Selec-Trac in the Wrangler (like the ZJ and WJ)...:thumbsup: That's a durable full-time 4WD system.
 
#19 · (Edited)
I love my jeep, it has seen a very hard life and is a few weeks away from 100k. Spent six years on a farm, dirt roads, off roads, logging roads, etc. I feel like all the work I have put into it is just routine stuff... Egr, map, o2, brakes. Except for the tranny cooler line. Jeeps are more expensive to maintain than other american vehicles, but cheaper than European cars, recently replaced 1 o2 sensor on volkswagen and the part alone cost 250! If your going to buy one make sure it has an extensive service history... Because if it doesn't your looking at some major dough.

Oh yeah... Drivers seat went to crap and the steering wheel is pitted... But that is what happens if you have residues of manure, grease, and oil on your hands and get in and out by sliding your butt instead of lifting over the vinyl side support sections on the seats.
 
#20 · (Edited)
Dude no offense but this was kind of a pointless thread..... Im not discounting your perspective but i happen to work at a dealership for a certain German ultimate driving machine and i can tell you that every manufacturer is the same... I can find plenty of bmw Toyota jeep vw Mercedes audi chevy ford owners who say their car is the best most reliable and i can find plenty of owners of those same brands who have had nothing but bad luck like you have.... Its a total crapshoot.... All manufacturers are pretty reliable now or else they would not be around...... The simple truth is do you know how many wk grand cherokee were sold compared to 4runners? The whole wk run sold close to a million units where as 4runners didn't even sell 500,000.... So if you have the same percentage of i call it bad luck cars(which its inevitable with mass production automobiles) who is going to have the larger number of bad luck cars? Does that mean the jeep is actually less reliable? It just means there's alot more of them out there so you have a better chance of hearing from someone about how bad their car is..... Think about it.... 1million wks vs less than 500000 4th gen 4runners? I take my chances driving an American made jeep any day...plus parts are cheaper and engine is way easier to work on than a Japanese or German engine is
 
#22 ·
@ LaredoX - word

My '97 ZJ was strong and healthy with 167K miles before it met an early death at the hands of a distracted driver, It was the most reliable car I had owned, up top that point.

Now I have an '09 VW TDI, which I really love, but before it reached 30K it had a total failure of the fuel delivery system (thankfully covered under warranty).

I've had 2 Ford Rangers - liked 'em fine but lot's of parts went into them that were not normal wear-n-tear (ex: steering rack & pinion assembly twice on each one)

My Mom has had Hondas, Lexii, Mazdas, Fords - every one of them had some weird failure - the battery exploded in her Passport (40K miles), her Lexii eat tires and shocks every 30K (RX400h = heavy pig) her 2 RX7's each blew their motors @ under 80K miles.

My latest acquisition is an '07 WK CRD that just hit 52K (bought it with 47K) and I'm really happy with it - I'm expecting it to last a long time - I think it's a great truck, and I was lucky to find it.

It's a Jeep Thing
 
#23 ·
I love my WK..2006 4.7 Model, 125k miles, but I (*&(*&Y^ the dealership and Mopar parts. Expensive crooked *&(^*&^)(*&^)(*, I wont buy another Jeep for that reason, and also because the WK2 looks like an Japanese imported egg model. Make a better design and improve stealership service & prices or go crawl back under the rock you came from. Also improve the MPG.
 
#24 ·
As far as looks, I love my WK. I just bought mine this past December and so far I have had to replace the shift bezel and lately I have been having intermittent shift problems.

I quit smoking and plopped down over $12,000 in CASH, not to mention taxes, title, etc only to have these things pop up.

I already knew it was a used WK and as with all vehicles, you have to pay to maintain them, but these are some issues that draw a bit more concern.

If anything more (mechanically) goes wrong, in a short period of time, I will sell my WK and not look back. I hope it does not come to that.
 
#25 · (Edited)
I hope your next car doesn't give you any problems. (not possible). Think about it all cars have the same parts and they ALL break. These motors are solid and that's the main concern. Everything else can be replaced with a cheap tool set from Walmart. Over 90k on my jeep and never had any if these problems so I guess I'm lucky but I maintain and um.... I'm nice to her. Go ahead buy another car SnD hope nothing is wrong. I was looking to sell my wk as well but I thought, hey it runs I know the issues with it, if u bought another who knows. I know my jeep pretty well, its not a big deal to swap out a part. That's all it is. Electronic stuff lol different story. Still a great car. Also for Laredo, heavyduty jeep=heavy duty parts.
 
#28 ·
.... Also for Laredo, heavyduty jeep=heavy duty parts.
There was a time (....back in the day, to coin a phrase) when aftermarket parts, like NAPA, were heavier duty than the marginal quality from the assembly line. I preferentially used the most durable ones I could find.

Now, I see that OEM MOPAR parts are more robust in many cases than the chain parts stores. The shocks on my '08 WK are one notable exception. They are hydraulic and will be replaced with montube gas shocks when they go.

I probably need to get back with NAPA to see what their current replacement parts look like. I know the NAPA Gold oil filter is a WIX, so that is a safe choice.

My dealer's service and parts depts are outstanding. Keeps my WK on the road.
 
#26 · (Edited)
Dude I work at a service department.... We have more than enough business all the time we don't lie to rip people off and we try to treat our customers right but we are not in the business of holding peoples hands either... We are a business just like where you work and we need to make money too for our wife and kids... So quit crying stealership prices.... As boomers said heavy duty jeep equals heavy duty parts and if you can't pay to play than you bought the wrong car... Sounds like you need a cheap Korean car.... I can tell you the German place i work has a higher labor rate than jeep as well as higher parts prices so to hear you complain about jeep service is ridiculous to me.... I have a great experience at my jeep service over and over.... Yes i have a 2009 4.7 Laredo X leather that had 7500 mi when i bought it and Im up to 12,500 mi now....I've done oil changes, diff fluid services, transfer case oil changes, i even did the 30,000 mi spark plugs just cause its been 3years... Haven't had a single issue mechanically and yes i know only 12500mi but i also bought the extended warranty for 7 years 100k from when the factory warranty expires which mine ran out last Sept... for $2500.... Ever thought of researching and investing in one of those? Some are horrible but there are great third party warranties out there that yes trust me they will easily pay for themselves if you plan on keeping the car for a long time... Also some you can do a one time transfer so if you sell you can transfer and it makes a great selling point to whoever is buying your car..... Peace.:cool:
 
#29 ·
It's good to see a few of you are having good experiences at dealerships, most I've gone too have been awful warranty or not, I love jeep but hate Chrysler, jeep needs to be there own brand and man up and use some quality parts that seem to have better quality control, I bought several mopar parts that were bad right out of the box, but than again I've bought some more that we're great. The general consensus seems to be 60/40 in favor of dealers treating people unfair which IMO they are doing. These aren't facts but my 2 cents :)
 
#30 ·
It's good to see a few of you are having good experiences at dealerships, most I've gone too have been awful warranty or not, I love jeep but hate Chrysler, jeep needs to be their own brand and man up and use some quality parts that seem to have better quality control, I bought several mopar parts that were bad right out of the box, but than again I've bought some more that we're great. The general consensus seems to be 60/40 in favor of dealers treating people unfair which IMO they are doing. These aren't facts but my 2 cents :)
I'll give them a plug for all of their excellent service work, reasonable rates, and good repair parts pricing:

in Midland, Michigan, it's Feeny Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep/Ram just North of the Midland Mall. This is how it is supposed to be. Rick is the Service Manager.

The franchise (now no longer a dealer) in Bay City was terrible.

You will hear me criticize Jeep for their design decisions / assembly quality, but it's the dealer who has been able to rectify most of the most serious of these issues. They frequently go to bat for me with MOPAR
 
#31 ·
I work in a big chain parts store. All day I deal with people with every single car you can think of come in with codes and problems that need to fixed. This is part of owning the vehicle. No matter what it is.

If you don't maintain it properly I don't care if you but a Ferrari it will break down and it will cost you more then a Jeep ever will to fix. (I see this all the time younger guys come in with BMW or Mercedes with alot of miles and are shocked at what parts cost).

Best advice I can tell anyone is keep up with the regulars that is the most important. That includes all fluids. If you aren't mechanically inclined go to any part store and buy/order a Haynes manual and start learning this will save you money and help you understand more about maintaining a vehicle.

Sorry your jeep has problems. There is alot of them on the roads I am sure a few will have problems more so then the other (LEMON)!!!!
 
#32 ·
Walt your experience has been pretty terrible... Cylinder heads, fuel pump, o2 sensors three times in 60k. I wonder what the hell is going on with your jeep? Have you figure out any answers?
 
#33 ·
No fuel pump; only all new injectors :)lol:).

It had to do with the O2 sensors and getting the exhaust properly sealed. Now we are down to the joint between the exhaust manifold outlet and the Y-pipe leading to the catalytic converters. There is no gasket in the '08 model year.......just metal-to-metal. It's sort of ball shaped, so if anything is even slightly out-of-round a leak occurs.

BTW: I did find some hi-temp gasket material if anyone wants to try it:
Percy's High Performance Carbon Gaket Material #68006. Cost $10.95 for a 10" x 10" sheet from Summit Racing. If I every need to make a custom gasket for that particular exhaust joint, that is what I plan to use.

Service manager believes the O2 sensor response time error band is too tight. That is, if it were opened up just a bit, there would be lots fewer DTC's. These DTC's go through PENDING, then SET. If there are not 2 cycles of PENDING, the DTC clears and no MIL appears. Unfortunately, that algorithm is burried deep in the PCM and so is classified as "emission-related" for EPA purposes. As a result, Jeep will not allow dealers to alter it.
I believe many of the changed components really did not need to be replaced. However, the Chrysler technical representative (and there were several during this period) wanted to do it to eliminate the other possibilities. The HEMI is under lifetime limited powertrain warranty, so essentially no cost to me, but it was a complete PITA taking the HEMI in every week to try something else. :banghead: I couldn't demand that Chrysler do a particular fix or I would have had to pay for all of this. I recorded the problems and had to let the technical service representative determine what to do next.
For the last year, it had been pending O2 sensor 1/1 & 2/1 slow response DTC's (P0133 and P0153). Just had those joints re-tightened about a month ago (no charge) and the symptoms disappeared (again). :clap:

I think working with the dealer's Service Manager and lead technician was my greatest asset. I've been through the '08 FSM cover-to-cover (all 6 volumes) several times. As an engineer & gearhead, this is very intriguing.....as an owner, I should not need to go through torture.
I believe this mess has cost MOPAR 2-3 times the original sale price of the Grand Cherokee Limited. I had offered to give them this one and substitute an '09 under lemon law provisions (because the '08's were out of production by that time). They insisted on trying to fix it.
The cash register continues to ring up to MOPAR's account (at ~96K miles currently), but I have done everything they have asked (and more), so no bad feelings on my part for holding Chrysler to the warranty provisions.

Passed the 5-year warranty inspection with no issues. At the time of the mandatory 5-year powertrain warranty inspection, I gave them back a complete service history, maintenance log, and list of replaced components. Since they had done 95% of the work, it wasn't really a big surprise.

I know this is verbose, but maybe another WK owner new to the HEMI world will benefit from my experiences.
 
#34 · (Edited)
I wonder why they haven't replace your main computer and entire wiring harness. The mechanic they have working on your jeep is one unlucky scmuck... Taking off the exhaust manifolds in the worst. It is a crap situation because you are stuck with this jeep, it isn't worth crap if you sell it. Nice how they sold you a lemon.
 
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