Jeep Reliability TODAY The TRUTH

[Beachbum66]

I believe this is the one he intended to attach. Good video, thoroughly done. I like the tinkerer videos- fairly well researched.

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[Nitehawk92]

Say what you will about reliability, I don't think anybody will argue with the statement that Jeep has some of the worst after purchase support and dealerships for service of all the big brands. Not to say there are not good dealer service departments, but overall they seem to be poor...

 

[aldo98229]

^^^ this!

See my signature.

 

[NJ_JL 2020]

Put 46K miles on my first jeep, 2020 Sport S unlimited. At 44K miles the heated steering wheel option failed. That's it. I actually liked the 3.6 as it fit the character of the jeep well. I was going to buy the jeep out from a lease but instead leased a 2024 Willys 4xE which I love.

My Lexus GX was trouble free for well over 100K miles ... but the Jeep was great, exceeded expectations.

 

[Not2Late]

NEW ONES ARE CERTAINLY BUGGY AS F.

I recently had a bug with the e-torque system. my motor generator (no alternator) stopped charging the 12v system. battery ran down to 9.5v and engine starts misfiring. stranded on the road side for some time till someone helped me jump the car. Somehow the system did a factory reset and works again (I know this because all setting are back to factory). How the fuck they still have this sort of issue after years of implementing the system.

Next time just going to unplug the battery and let it sit.

I agree - at least from my own personal experiences and observations. I feel like things were great untill Jeep wanted to start adding things in to increase sales with folks who don't necessarily want to go on the trails like what had been perhaps the more traditional wrangler buyer. Guess that was how the whole idea of the 4-dr was born. And later the truck version. All the luxury (leather, seat heaters, power seats and tops, etc.) or "extras" that can be electronically buggy and complicated. I've owned a '14 JK, still own a '17 JK, and also now a '21 JT and '23 JL. Haven't had the '23 long enough to know, but my '21 JT has had a few electronic related issues. Zero issues on the other two. I love the newer models for their wider, heavier duty axles, the engine reliabilty, 8spd transmissions - basically the mechical "go" stuff. But you can definitely feel they are trying to go upmarket with these things.

 

[Shibadog]

I’ve had good luck with my Jeeps-but I do maintain them and I do not deliberately abuse ‘em. Minor issues with reliability imho. Now fit and finish... But hey, it’s a freaking Jeep. Compared to thos of 25 years ago it’s a luxury ride

 

[melman8r]

My 2020 JLR, had a cracked transmission bell housing from the factory. It took 8 trips to the local dealership service dept. and numerous unnecessary parts installed before it got fixed. It only got fixed after I filed a lemon law request w/FCA. In the end, I benefited, I got a FREE 7year/unlimited mile warranty for my troubles. The way I see it, I run the Jeep for another 3 years and then decide what to buy next, if the 3.6 Pentastar is still available; honestly I'd likely buy a new one. It hasn't been the most reliable vehicle, but it does what I need and I don't want a turbo DI motor.

 

[Old Dogger]

How is the Rubicon not beating the crap out of a Jeep? Or any vehicle? I've watched hundreds of drivers on that trail over the years and it looks like a beating...

It does!!! The additional torsional twisting, along with added shock load, will take its toll in time.

 

[UncleJimmy]

As has been pointed out many times: reliability is a bell curve. You will get good ones and bad ones but the median will last as long as it is well maintained and the owner has some mechanical sympathy while driving it.

On the forums we all hear the bad. On Toyota forums I read all the time about rotting frames, engine problems, bed problems etc.

Off road, out of current model/brands, Jeeps are the most reliable except possibly for Land Cruiser 70s series. It's also the least expensive to repair for the 3.6 at least vs Toyota or anyone else.

I just got done watching the Africa series for X Overland. They drove three North American spec Toyotas and they could barely keep them from rattling apart for 40 days. Meanwhile, The Rode Chose Me youtuber spent 3 years circumventing the entire continent of Africa in his JK without a single hitch. And that was even after he flopped it. Another channel, venture4x has spent more that half a decade camping in his JK and finally had to have some engine work at 200k mi.

I could go on, but the robustness of the frame, live axles, steering box, engine and transmission. Not to mention the ease and low cost of lifting/modifying vs IFS. Yes, there are quirks and I run heavier oil, catch can, AUX battery delete, extra cooling and seafoam it once in a while.

Here is my list of repairs for off roading my Tundra totaling almost $20k:

1. transfer case leak
2. bed tearing off frame and hitting the cab - refused warranty while at only 20k mi
3. blown steering rack
4. replaced water pump
5. trail damage that I believe would not have occurred or been minimized greatly due to Wrangler unique design of wide axles/narrow body, low center of gravity.

In addition, on trail I witnessed CV problems, radiator leaks due to extreme frame flex breaking the mounts, one guy in my Toyota club blew his engine, but that was probably due to his CAI.

Having said that, are there problems with Jeep? For sure. Stellantis is mismanaging the brand IMO. They don't seem to care about their customers. I also recognize problems with the early JLs, with manual trans, AUX battery related electrical problems, with some of the other engine options, and the 4xe is in a whole other category.

Would I recommend Jeep to average guy? If he's busy, no extra time or patience and just wants to drive mainly on the street or take it on a graded road once in a while, keep it stock, then yes I would recommend Toyota. If he is adventurous, doesn't want a boring vehicle then I would recommend a Jeep with Mopar extended warranty.

For hardcore off roaders, serious outdoors men, over landers, or people that have to regularly navigate lots of mud or snow: Jeep all the way.

 

[Flybaby]

Maybe OP meant this one?

I have got to tell you; I agree with the gentleman in the video. We have had two wranglers in the family TJ and a new 2020 Sahara. Both have been great and have been run off road on trails. The JLU now has over 60k on it and is doing great. Although this is a Wrangler forum, I have to comment on a 2009 Jeep Liberty that we own that has over 220k on it and runs like a top and has a body that most people think is new. Yet, I have heard throughout the years what a terrible vehicle it is. I would like to see how many other vehicles that have gone off road as much, thru 15 years of winter and salt weather and still run and look as good with that kind of milage and minimal repairs and cost. I have no doubt my new Wrangler will be every bit as good or better. And as far as the ride goes, I think you should take a new Bronco out and drive it vs. the Wrangler. Mine is used as a daily driver and I think it rides just as well as the Bronco on road. I think it was a left-over excuse from the days Jeeps had leaf springs. The only thing I do not like is Stelantis has taken over Jeep and I believe the quality will suffer as well as the people in Toledo Oh.

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