How reliable is the new 3.6l? is it straight out of the gc?

[sjappers]

I have gotten the impression the new 3.6l is right out of gc, so not new at all? this true, and if it is is there any bad issuessor reliablity probs with gc 3.6l?

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[Jrbrannan]

I have gotten the impression the new 3.6l is right out of gc, so not new at all? this true, and if it is is there any bad issuessor reliablity probs with gc 3.6l?

They have been using the 3.6 since 2012. The first year (2012) there were limited problems that were covered by warranty. With that said I have heard nothing but good things since 2013. The added start/stop technology for the JL but short of that the engine is the same. The transmission is new for the JL but the engine is the basic engine they have been using for over 5 years. I would have zero worries about the 3.6 V6.
BTW I test drove one yesterday and it pulled really strong and I was very impressed with the acceleration.

 

[1quick1]

They use the engine in their RAMS, minivans, 200's, 300's, Wrangler, GC, Charger, Challenger, and likely others I missed. It's a good engine.

 

[Nate]

If you get a chance go test drive a Durango GT 3.6/8 speed. You won’t be disappointed

 

[BillyHW]

It's the slightly updated 3.6L that's been in the GC since 2016. I think the RAM 1500 has the newer one too. All the other FCA models still have the older version from 2012.

 

[offcamber]

LOL...how reliable is it? I've 90K miles on mine. It's had the driver side head replaced twice. Water pump once. Radiator twice (seems to need a new one every 45K miles or so - I don't know a single person with a JK that hasn't had to have the radiator replaced at least once. Water pump twice. Oil cooler once. Anything that has coolant flow through it seems to fail fairly regularly. To get one and not get an extended warranty would be a bad move. My first trip in for service since my warranty expired cost me $1900. There is a class action lawsuit regarding the cause, which seems to be affecting all year models. Hopefully the JL isn't a victim of it too.

https://www.carcomplaints.com/news/2017/jeep-wrangler-casting-sand-lawsuit-engine-damage.shtml

 

[orey22]

I have 130K on my 2012 Rubicon with the first yr in the wrangler 3.6 and I'm happy. I also have had a new water pump, but that's the only major repair I've had done. I do have meshing in front of the radiator to protect it from impacts, not sure if that's why mine has lasted or not. Overall no major issues as of yet ( knock on wood ). I just ordered a new 2018 3.6, I trust the engine, if the diesel had a manual tranny I'd be going with that, but oh well.

 

[offcamber]

I have 130K on my 2012 Rubicon with the first yr in the wrangler 3.6 and I'm happy. I also have had a new water pump, but that's the only major repair I've had done. I do have meshing in front of the radiator to protect it from impacts, not sure if that's why mine has lasted or not. Overall no major issues as of yet ( knock on wood ). I just ordered a new 2018 3.6, I trust the engine, if the diesel had a manual tranny I'd be going with that, but oh well.

Mine has never been damaged. It's been replaced along with the oil cooler and water pump twice due to clogging from "contaminants". I've never opened it or added to it, so anything clogging a closed system had to have been put in by the factory.

 

[The Great Grape Ape]

I have had 4 Pentastar 3.6L in my 2011 GC, 2012 JKU and 2015 JK & JKU, first two had ~75,000 KMs, no problems, next two are at ~20,000 and ~50,000 KMS respectively without issue (put 17,000 KMs on JKU in just over a month last summer).

As mentioned the Pentastar was refreshed with some pretty significant improvements in 2016, and now extends across all platforms for 2018 (Charger and Challenger last year, Wrangler JL and Ram this year).

http://australiancar.reviews/2016_Pentastar_V6.php

 

[DanW]

The Pentastar was one of the things I was most looking forward to in my JL. Everyone I know with one loves them and has had zero issues. I've seen lots of used oil analyses, and it appears to be an engine that is very easy on oil, too. Haven't seen a UOA from a new one yet, though. I'll get several from mine, including one after the first oil change.

 

[Dynomite1371]

They have been using the 3.6 since 2012. The first year (2012) there were limited problems that were covered by warranty. With that said I have heard nothing but good things since 2013. The added start/stop technology for the JL but short of that the engine is the same. The transmission is new for the JL but the engine is the basic engine they have been using for over 5 years. I would have zero worries about the 3.6 V6.
BTW I test drove one yesterday and it pulled really strong and I was very impressed with the acceleration.

I was able to really get on it today for the first time (finally got about 350 miles on it) and it pulls hard with that 8 speed auto! No complaints here or in my wife's GC.

 

[That One Guy]

They have been using the 3.6 since 2012. The first year (2012) there were limited problems that were covered by warranty. With that said I have heard nothing but good things since 2013. The added start/stop technology for the JL but short of that the engine is the same. The transmission is new for the JL but the engine is the basic engine they have been using for over 5 years. I would have zero worries about the 3.6 V6.
BTW I test drove one yesterday and it pulled really strong and I was very impressed with the acceleration.

This is one positive point I have with newer Wranglers. The Pentastar is a proven engine these days, and I'm looking forward to having one in my Wrangler. I loved that old 4.0 straight six like so many others, but this thing is a great mill.

No direct injection--good. Plenty of cars are having problems with theirs. Decent mpg and power. The Wrangler is supposed to be a time tested vehicle with old tech anyways!

 

[Merlin28]

I’ve personally put 120k on 2
Pentistars . All I did was change the oil with synthetic on 5k intervals and they ran like a watch . Not one problem.

 

[offcamber]

They have been using the 3.6 since 2012. The first year (2012) there were limited problems that were covered by warranty. With that said I have heard nothing but good things since 2013. The added start/stop technology for the JL but short of that the engine is the same. The transmission is new for the JL but the engine is the basic engine they have been using for over 5 years. I would have zero worries about the 3.6 V6.
BTW I test drove one yesterday and it pulled really strong and I was very impressed with the acceleration.

LIMITED PROBLEMS? 40% of the 3.6's made for 2012 and early 2013 had faulty heads. I don't know that I'd say that was very limited. Add in the fact that all years have had problems with remnant casting sand left in the block to later clog up radiators and heaters, etc. My 2012 had the radiator, water pump and heater replaced at 43,000 miles and then had to have the radiator, water pump and oil cooler replaced at 92,000 miles. DO NOT BUY a 3.6L without getting extended warranty. It is definitely the cheaper way out.

 

[Jrauck]

LIMITED PROBLEMS? 40% of the 3.6's made for 2012 and early 2013 had faulty heads. I don't know that I'd say that was very limited. Add in the fact that all years have had problems with remnant casting sand left in the block to later clog up radiators and heaters, etc. My 2012 had the radiator, water pump and heater replaced at 43,000 miles and then had to have the radiator, water pump and oil cooler replaced at 92,000 miles. DO NOT BUY a 3.6L without getting extended warranty. It is definitely the cheaper way out.

Source? Last thing I read was that this problem affected 1/2 of 1 percent of jeeps. On top of that years 11-13 had the warranty extended for the head... after the affected years, the head defect was fixed and to my knowledge there haven't been any problems.
Radiator on the other hand I totally get as I know tons of people that go off roading and never empty their radiators like they should.

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