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Consumer Reports Drops Grand Cherokee Recommendation

63K views 393 replies 109 participants last post by  jdurkin837 
#1 · (Edited)
I see CR just updated their reliability and recommended lists and the 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee V6 is well below average for reliability, henceforth removed from their recommended two row suv list. Now they didn't say what exactly it was that dropped reliability rating but if anyone with a CR website subscription looks they can see everything is average or better except the Audio System category. Power Equipment slipped to average rating but I'm not shocked that CR and it's survey respondents answered this way considering how many Ford cars get low ratings from CR due to the Mytouch system.

Please note I am not saying I agree with CR on their vehicle ratings just thought I'd share this and I believe Chrysler is working on fixing bad radios, Uconnect glitches and other electrical control module issues. They are claiming they don't have results yet for the V8.
 
#125 ·
Over the years, I've had the opportunity to talk to CR people off the record and very few of them are enthusiasts as defined by websites like JeepGarage. That said, they (CR) look at vehicles in a whole different light than we do. Note that Wranglers are usually at the bottom of the list as they do not meet the definition of "normal" usage in the CR world.

I quit reading CR many years ago and am better person for it!
 
#129 · (Edited)
Yup, they don't rate vehicles for their intended function. They rate them all under the criteria of how comfortable it is taking your kids to soccer practice, and just how boring and bland can you do it. ;)

Look at their 2013 list:

Honda Accord
Hyundai Elantra
Toyota Prius
Subaru Impreza
Honda CR-V
Toyota Highlander
Honda Odyssey

About as interesting of vehicles as watching paint dry. You wouldn't catch me dead in one of those things.
 
#127 ·
By any measure, I'm certainly a WK2 fanboy. But as a first gen buyer of a newly launched Chryco rig, went in with open eyes and purchase of a long-term warranty as a security blanket. So far, I've been lucky in dodging bullets, others, not so much.

Just in this thread alone, there sure is as much bias in JG as there may be within CR.

Carry on.
 
#128 ·
First quarter cars in a new design from ANY manufacturer WILL have problems. If you buy the first Q1 cars, you should expect this (and don't tell me that cars should be perfect - anything produced, especially the first production run will have flaws that need improvement). Look at the best of the best. Within the past month, Apple released IOS 7. Apple is the gold standard, and they have the best computer and software engineers available. Since the release, they are now up to version 7.0.3
This shows even the best have made 3 upgrades due to flaws in less than a month. Jeep is fixing the problems, and I feel bad for the people who bought the few lemons that made it out of the plant. EVERY product produced will have a few lemons in the batch - case in point, my iPhone 5 had to be replaced within the first week due to glitches. The replacement is excellent. By the way, most of the complaints with the Jeeps are related to the electronics, and many people have not upgraded to the latest software. A lot of dealers do not even have the latest software. It is available, because I am able to find it online. Can't blame Jeep for that one, blame the dealer. The biggest glitch with jeep was recently discovered to be a faulty brake computer module, and Jeep has already issued a recall to fix this issue. They do fix the problems, but with over 60 onboard computers talking to each other, it takes time to figure out the problems. My family has owned 8 Jeeps, and I would not hesitate to buy another. I for one think they make a quality vehicle.
 
#139 ·
Little surprised to see Nissan all the way down there as well. I have a friend that has a new pathfinder (work car) and when I got in it I was surprised at the features it had, seemed pretty nice. As I looked around and more closely it was no were near the level of the GC in terms of options, quality, etc - not to mention that stupid CVT and zero towing capacity.

Either way, still surprised its at the bottom, wonder if their is a primary culprit.
 
#140 ·
From what I understand its the CVT that is the culprit. There have been multiple documented issues with bucking and torque converter failure. The other little things that have popped up have been fixed with programming or recall notices. But, as you all can see with the JGC rating, is enough to knock it way down.

That being said, we have a 2013 Pathfinder and it has been a great SUV. It hasn't given us a single problem in the year and nearly 12k miles we have owned it. Typically we drive a car till it has no value, don't know that we'll do that with the Pathfinder, but so far so good. At minimum we'll drive it till the warranty runs out, the dealership we purchased from extended ours to 7yrs/80k miles.
 
#141 ·
From what I understand its the CVT that is the culprit.

That being said, we have a 2013 Pathfinder and it has been a great SUV. It hasn't given us a single problem in the year and nearly 12k miles we have owned it. Typically we drive a car till it has no value, don't know that we'll do that with the Pathfinder, but so far so good. At minimum we'll drive it till the warranty runs out, the dealership we purchased from extended ours to 7yrs/80k miles.
If it's any comfort, our 04 Murano has been flawless in its 91k so far. Only issue we've had is a bad ground wire.
 
#144 ·
My 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland was built in early April 2013 and has all options. By December 1, 2013, it has been driven about 7, 600 miles. Overall it has been reliable except for UConnect, EVIC (Electronic Vehicle Information Center), and Forward Collision Warning (FCW), all of which have persistent, unresolved, and annoying bugs, despite having the latest Chrysler software and firmware updates. FCW's false alerts are a safety issue; the other issues are frustrating and irritating. A $50,000 vehicle should be better. I regret buying it.
 
#150 ·
The problem with this whole thing is that the early builds had some issues, and this is what CR is basing everything on. The later builds had most of the issues resolved, but CR does not reflect this.
 
#151 ·
I don't think buyers are paying any attention to CR. The folks at JNAP can't build them fast enough.
 
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#153 ·
CR gave the 2014 JGC a recommended "check" in their August magazine review. CR subscribers reported reliability issues @ 90% worse than average. CR then withdrew the recommended "check" in the December magazine. What do cup holders, or lack of cup holders have to do with reliability?
 
#154 ·
Had CR gotten their $hit straight the first time around, I'd have been less likely to have gotten stuck with my garbage '14 Summit as long as I did. High time they get it together!
 
#155 ·
Funny thing is that most people with builds in the past 3 months LOVE their Jeeps. Too bad you had a lemon, but I can't say enough great things about mine. Best Jeep I have ever owned, and on my 5th Jeep.
 
#159 · (Edited)
I don't rely on Consumer Reports to pick my vehicles....ever. I'm not sayin' there absolutely no good, just that Car & Driver, Motor Trend, and Road & Track, give me more useful info.

Yeah, I know the car rags take advertisements, but still, I'm leaving the washers, dryers, vacuum cleaners, and toasters to Consumer Reports.....IF I ever wanna feel good about ANY car purchase I've ever made!!!
 
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#160 ·
Same here... I would never use CR as a guide for buying a vehicle, and use online reviews very little as well. When I buy a vehicle, it is to satisfy my needs and do what I want it to do without problems.

Considering that, my wife's 2014 Limited has had only a couple of glitches in ~7,000 miles; my 2014 Summit has had no problems... not even any issues (yet, as of less than 6,000 miles).
 
#161 ·
This is killing me for even thinking this way, but it's way too much money to be this aggravated out the gate. My husband said out loud what I was thinking. "Do you think you should wait for about 6 months so hopefully all the bugs get fixed?" Maybe when the 2015 comes out it'll just be a debugged 2014. It pains me to say this but with all the reported problems maybe it's best I wait.
 
#163 ·
Especially since it's not as simple as take it to the dealer and it's fixed. Too many people have been back multiple times and the problem is still not corrected. Having your navigation (I know it's a little more than just that) go out when you could possibly be out in the middle of nowhere is a very scary thought. My husband has always felt first production of any new vehicle will have some issues and I get that. I'm sure I'm not the only one who keeps a busy schedule and doesn't have time nor wish to try and make time to make numerous trips to the dealer to fix something. Not to mention if we are out camping and stuff happens. We camp often and this was going to double as our tow vehicle in addition to my everyday driver and we often camp out in the middle of nowhere with no cell service. This would suck big time if something were to go screwy lewy. Added stress I don't need.
 
#164 ·
My advice is that you wait until Spring of 2015.
 
#165 ·
For that kind of time perhaps a different make. Kinda needed a 4x4 soon. Drats, I get to buy hubby a new car again before I get mine. Lol.
 
#177 ·
More lack of perspective. Agree they are definitely biased to/from certain vehicle types, but seem oblivious to issues which will have you walking home vs issues which a chimpanzee could fix and are really minor enough to just ignore.

Bought a used ZJ in 2001 despite CR's continual panning because it was indeed much cheaper than a similar Forrunner, etc. [which probably isn't predictive of good resale for the '14 year]. Nervously had a full mechanical checkup on it and nothing was found by the folks who would have made a lot of money if there had been.
Just sold to the salesman who sold me the '14 after 13 years of truly reliable service where I'd just hop in it and take off across country with no worries at all about getting home.

A few minor issues, most solved after cleaning/tightening all grounds, removing a !@#$!@#$ aftermarket ignition disable, etc. The plastic radiator wasn't a miracle of reliability or longevity--about as often replaced as the tires.
 
#175 · (Edited)
What amazes me is that CR came out and said the JGC is a great vehicle. There were a few computer glitches, and they reverse their position. Granted that Jeep needed to fix the few computer issues, but for CR to completely change their stance over computer glitches shows me how out of touch they really are. The rest of the Jeep (the entire vehicle minus a computer) remains unchanged from their initial positive review. The computer glitches have been resolved (for the most part - as with any computer, there will always be updates). The fact remains that CR only changed their position based on a software glitch. I have no respect for the editors for changing their position, especially for not reversing their position after the glitches have been resolved. Anyone who buys a car based on the bias CR reports deserve what they get. I have had Jeeps since the 80's and they have always been reliable great vehicles. By the way, Jeep has put a lot of money into the 8.4 UConnect, and I think they will stick with this for the 2015 model year. It is a great system, and UConnect is finally getting some good software engineers in place to make sure the system runs well.
 
#181 ·
CR is a guide period. I don't use it as a bible and I don't agree with many of their "recommendations" when I did choose to purchase a couple and they tanked. Manufacturer Toyota for one paragon of reliability? In my case twice not likely.
Another point to consider is that CR continuously changes their rating scale as the products have improved and making last years model not likely to get as good a rating against this years model because of the changes. I think that is a good idea because all products have improved and what car or truck can't run 100K miles with a couple oil changes these days?
I am comfortable with my decision to buy the diesel JGC and to say this is like the 2004 Touareg is ludicrous. You have no data to make statements like that.

I have been a CR subscriber for about 30 years but I don't blindly follow their advice anymore than I think Carfax gives me the details on a car's history.

CR is most likely justified in no longer recommending the JGC for 14 based on the early teething issues. But as data comes in if it proves reliable that will change and if problems persist it will not.

Until CR members fill the survey out it is pure speculation...
 
#187 ·
I have subscribed to CR for 30 years, but I just let my subscription go. They have become a dinosaur. The down grade of the GC is the latest example - where they removed the "recommended" just about 1 month after almost all of the problems they cite were corrected. For many years Toyota could do no wrong with them, so yes they definitely are biased. For years they also down-rated any car with xenon headlights because "they have a sharp cut-off at the top of the light beam", apparently not realizing that all cars with factory xenon have a light shield to protect oncoming drivers so the condition was ubiquitous. They also routinely down-grade cars for having a "complicated dash layout", a valid complaint if you are buying a fleet of rental cars, not so valid if you are buying a personal car that you will be driving daily. Bottom line is they are a consumer products magazine that rates cars. I wouldn't buy a refrigerator based on a recommendation in Motor Trend, and I wouldn't buy a car based (solely) on CR's opinion either.
 
#191 ·
Could the trans issue be that the 2014 V6's have the 845 which is now built by Chrysler vs the Hemi and EcoDiesel that are running the ZF built 8hp70? As a potential buyer, the fact that the Hemi and Diesel are running the heavier duty trans and it is built by ZF seems appealing to me over the Chrysler built 845 which is using the ZF license.
I know Chrysler builds great transmissions as I have a 45rfe with 323,000 trouble free miles that has seen a lot of towing, but there might be a learning curve with the new build of the ZF units in-house or worse the bean counters got involved and sourced some low quality china made parts into it.
Thoughts?
 
#192 ·
Good point. This could explain a lot. My EcoDiesel shifts seamlessly.
 
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