Reliability

[Irish Creig]

I'm kind of a manual transmission die-hard (really more of an anti-automatic curmudgeon), and I must say... My wife's automatic Wrangler drives/shifts better than I can with my manual Wrangler. It's one of the better automatics I've driven and the clutch on the manual Wrangler is just.. kind of... weird for some reason. I haven't gotten used to it in 11K miles of driving it. Plus, since you can now order most 2021 Wranglers with full-time AWD if you get the automatic, it's a great choice for mixed winter road conditions.
Thank you, I drove a manual back in 1980-85 and loved it, always said that I am going back to manual, yet I am tossing around on manual vs automatic. your reply was very helpful!

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[Irish Creig]

The real question here is what experience do you really want. You are talking about a long term purchase. Mustang and Wrangler are two completely different animals so it is a bit puzzling why you are deciding between the 2. They both give completely different experiences on the road.

Are you looking for topless slow rides in town? maybe offroading/camping exploring outdoors? heavily modding your Jeep?

You are comparing a brick on wheels vs a sports car. Very different, and long term you might get bored if you dont pick the one for your lifestyle.

I find most people who use their jeeps tend to keep them long. Mall crawlers get sold, once it is modded they get bored.

The 2 vehicles just happen to be ones that I've always wanted, I am actually pricing quite a few vehicles to compare what I get for the money, but my heart is leaning towards the Wrangler. I'm just doing a lot of research since I typically drive cars until they're 13 or 14 yrs old so whatever I buy I plan on driving till my mid 70's

 

[Irish Creig]

To echo some of the previous comments...
Don’t buy a Wrangler just because it looks cool. Buy it because you want and plan to use it’s capabilities. (Which are exceptional)
Don’t buy a Wrangler to commute to work daily. There are many cheaper, more reliable and more efficient choices out there that handle better and are safer.
Stopping distance and emergency handling with the Wrangler are marginal.
Don’t buy a Wrangler for reliability. They are not and have never been known for reliability.
But...
My 2018 JEEP Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon JL puts a smile on my face every time I drive it or even look at it. You only live once! Sometimes practical is just plain boring.

I get a smile on my face every time I see a Wrangler and think about owning and driving one. it is an emotional reaction and I would love to think with my head but........................

 

[Zukoda]

My best to-date have been VWs, first a '67 bug (many years ago) and more recently a '15 GTI (still have it). People love to hate on VWs, particularly the newer ones but the GTI has been a gas-and-oil vehicle. The '67 - that thing was a cockroach that should have died multiple deaths at the hands of the 16 year old me.

Modern cars are complicated but are less prone to some problems than the older ones more prone to others. Electronics seem to be pretty hit-or-miss, as you have silicon and software replacing a lot of mechanical things. Some whir away issue-free while other ones have gremlins that can be maddening to trace.

Now, if you'll excuse me I have to go yell at some kids - they're on my lawn!!!

Buddy and me TRIED to kill his 1965 Beetle and couldn't do it... It did finally die when he put his foot thru the floorboard while trying to shift on night... He just junked that one and picked up another... They were quite popular back then.

 

[69 ORIGINAL]

I would get a Toyota 4Runner. Won't have to worry!

Yup. We've had 5 Toyotas - Sienna, Avalon, Sequoia, Highlander and a RAV4 - 325,000 miles and only one problem outside of normal maintenance (front wiper gear blew in the middle of a snow storm - that was fun). The difference in quality as against almost any other manufacturer is an order of magnitude better. I have a 2018 JLUS (Feb build), and the steering box sucks, there have been 4 or 5 software updates/recalls, and it looks like there will be a few other issues for me like the LSD replace. BUT I LOVE THIS JEEP! I just purchased my daughter a 2020 JLUS and she loves her's too. The repairs are a pain ... but compared to most all other brands, its a push. But there's nothing else like a Jeep. Its all about the trade off. I think the drivers are on the winning side of that equation. If you really want super reliability ... then yhea, the 4 Runner is a great chassis, can handle the trails, and has extra room for an overlanding rig. Would be a good alternative (but its still not a Jeep).

 

[Whiskey 13]

At the moment with 15,000 miles on the JLUR the only issue to date is the TSB for steering. Been more than pleased with how it has performed. My brother has a 1991 Wrangler, little 4 banger 4 speed rag top he bought brand new, today it has just under 300,000 miles on the original motor and gear box. Yes we have changed just about every part on it but he drives it every day and still loves it.

Between my brother, my son and I we have had a combined total of 10 wrangles and most of the time when they broke it was it was because of something stupid we were doing and not the result of poor manufacturing. Yes we had some manufacturing issues as well but we at times were pretty hard on those poor machines.

Just like Zukoda my brother and I tried to kill a 61 Ford Falcon. It had a small 6 and 3 speed on the column no such thing as power brakes or power steering but it was great in snow, great in the mountains and tuff as nails. Finally punched a front shock up through the hood and it was time to say goodbye.

Every time I get behind the wheel of any wrangler it just feels like I am visiting and good old friend and I have never felt that way in any other vehicle

 

[ObiMatt87]

Okay, ever since I was a little kid there are 2 vehicles that I have always dreamed of owning, the Ford Mustang and the Jeep Wrangler. I am currently searching for a new vehicle and the Mustang is out since I've been told that it is not good in the snow at all and the Wrangler is a vehicle that I am strongly considering. I am looking at all cars and suv's out there from all makes my main criteria is AWD or 4X4 and preferably manual transmission but I am waffling on that. My question is this, I am seeing so much on line about the unreliability of the Wrangler, everything talks about its low reliability yet as I am out and about and I see a Wrangler owner in parking lots I walk up and talk to them about everything Wrangler, especially the reliability factor and none of them have any complaints and say that it has been reliable. So it has me curious, should I go for a vehicle that I've dreamed of having since childhood and take my chances or not. I am 58 and have always driven vehicles until they were 13-14 years old and I plan on doing so on my next vehicle. I am just worried about the reliability issue.

Speaking purely from my personal experience, we have a 2018 JLU Sahara with ~24K miles on it to date. Other than the TSB for the steering issue we have had zero issues with mine thus far. We have taken it off-road here in Texas and in the mountains of Colorado and it performed beautifully. And at least for ours, I can say we have had virtually no squeaks, rattles, etc. It is my daily driver and I have had it on all manner of roads. I expect we'll have an issue or two pop up down the road, but thus far it has truly been rock solid, and I am not glossing over some other issue just to make the story sound good. My experience only...

Again, purely from my personal experience, I am a firm believer that people who take great care of their vehicles through regular, routine maintenance and cleaning--as well as just treating them right while driving--tend to have fewer issues. I am sure there are folks on this forum who are meticulous with all their vehicles and they've encountered multiple problems, but that hasn't been my experience. Of all the vehicles we've owned over the last 33 years, only one has had multiple serious issues that made it a pain, despite the fact that it was a blast to drive when all was working: our 1986 Merkur XR4Ti. That thing was so much fun with it's little turbo--even the lag was fun as the turbo boost built up--but the cooling and electrical issues were pretty regular.

Other than that, we've owned an '82 Buick Regal, '91 Mitsubishi Gallant AWD, '94 Ford Taurus, '95 Jeep Grand Cherokee, '00 Chrysler Town & Country Limited, '03 Chrysler PT Cruiser GT, '08 Chrysler Town & Country Limited, '09 Hyundai Genesis sedan, '10 Hyundai Sonata, '14 Hyundai Sonata, '15 Hyundai Sonata, '15 Ford Fusion, '18 Buick Enclave Avenir, and our '18 JLU Sahara. In that group, other than they Hyundais, most were not necessarily known for trouble-free ownership. I can honestly say, though, that we had/have had very minor, if any, issues with any of them, and I attribute that to just taking care of them. My two cents. Your mileage may vary!

 

[scottijohn63]

Yup. We've had 5 Toyotas - Sienna, Avalon, Sequoia, Highlander and a RAV4 - 325,000 miles and only one problem outside of normal maintenance (front wiper gear blew in the middle of a snow storm - that was fun). The difference in quality as against almost any other manufacturer is an order of magnitude better. I have a 2018 JLUS (Feb build), and the steering box sucks, there have been 4 or 5 software updates/recalls, and it looks like there will be a few other issues for me like the LSD replace. BUT I LOVE THIS JEEP! I just purchased my daughter a 2020 JLUS and she loves her's too. The repairs are a pain ... but compared to most all other brands, its a push. But there's nothing else like a Jeep. Its all about the trade off. I think the drivers are on the winning side of that equation. If you really want super reliability ... then yhea, the 4 Runner is a great chassis, can handle the trails, and has extra room for an overlanding rig. Would be a good alternative (but its still not a Jeep).

I had a 2008 FJ Cruiser which had no problems which I sold in 2019. I love my jeep as well, and haven't had any problems in 12,500 miles.

 

[GregorioJL]

Okay, ever since I was a little kid there are 2 vehicles that I have always dreamed of owning, the Ford Mustang and the Jeep Wrangler. I am currently searching for a new vehicle and the Mustang is out since I've been told that it is not good in the snow at all and the Wrangler is a vehicle that I am strongly considering. I am looking at all cars and suv's out there from all makes my main criteria is AWD or 4X4 and preferably manual transmission but I am waffling on that. My question is this, I am seeing so much on line about the unreliability of the Wrangler, everything talks about its low reliability yet as I am out and about and I see a Wrangler owner in parking lots I walk up and talk to them about everything Wrangler, especially the reliability factor and none of them have any complaints and say that it has been reliable. So it has me curious, should I go for a vehicle that I've dreamed of having since childhood and take my chances or not. I am 58 and have always driven vehicles until they were 13-14 years old and I plan on doing so on my next vehicle. I am just worried about the reliability issue.

I have one of the first JL Rubicons. The vehicle has been rock solid. I haven't experienced the steering problem though, that would be a huge drag. I have a beefier suspension and dual steering stabilizers, that may help. With the numbers of complaints you should expect that problem and/or get a brace kit/better stabilizers which usually fixes it.

One thing I look at is the resale value. Wranglers have a premium on this. If it were crap not that many would want them.

 

[Notsew]

So many whiny people. Not true jeepers for sure in any sense of the word in my opinion. 2018 JLU Sahara 30k miles. One issue with fuse/ESS but dealer took care with no problem. I give this car hell in South Texas and Colorado and it performs awesome. Drove a jeep all through high school and college with no issues but clutch replacement. I just read this forum but So tired of the bashing

 

[RagTopDeluxe]

The 2 vehicles just happen to be ones that I've always wanted, I am actually pricing quite a few vehicles to compare what I get for the money, but my heart is leaning towards the Wrangler. I'm just doing a lot of research since I typically drive cars until they're 13 or 14 yrs old so whatever I buy I plan on driving till my mid 70's

That sounds like a good reason to go with your heart and get what you want. Life is too short to drive an appliance if you don’t want to.

 

[Burt]

On my 3 rd Jeep, my CJ broke often, my TJ a few times, mostly on hard core trails. Just passed 24K on 2019 JL, with no issues.
On my 2nd FJ cruiser, 1st one had 190k when I traded it in, the current one has 60k.. 1/4 of million miles between the two and they never left me stranded..

And yes, I drive both of them on 4x4 trails often. And it’s true, when I drive my Jeep I wonder, when I drive my FJ I don’t...

 

[VNT]

Dont see the Wrangler being any less reliable than any other car. The 3.6 and 8HP50 are proven, has a simple suspension anyone can mod/fix, only thing that can bite you will be electrical, all the modules and harness. All other cars are up against the same thing.

My 02WJ is 19 yrs old, no issue other than a couple of frozen brake calipers,(from not driving it all the time) one dash speaker, a leaky o-ring on the AC. ALso had to do axle seals on the rear.

My 15 WK2 had to do the water pump on the hemi under warranty. that is it in 5 yrs.

No car is perfect.

Rustproof your Jeep, run good fluids and perform maintenance and it will treat you well.

 

[aldo98229]

Dont see the Wrangler being any less reliable than any other car. The 3.6 and 8HP50 are proven, has a simple suspension anyone can mod/fix, only thing that can bite you will be electrical, all the modules and harness. All other cars are up against the same thing.

My 02WJ is 19 yrs old, no issue other than a couple of frozen brake calipers,(from not driving it all the time) one dash speaker, a leaky o-ring on the AC. ALso had to do axle seals on the rear.

My 15 WK2 had to do the water pump on the hemi under warranty. that is it in 5 yrs.

No car is perfect.

Rustproof your Jeep, run good fluids and perform maintenance and it will treat you well.

^^^ This!

And pray to San Volto, the Italian patron saint of electrical systems...

 

[BlackGenesis]

Reliability is overblown, never buy extended warranty on new or lightly used car, just sell it before 100k to avoid high milage maintenance.
Buy used (both Wrangler and Mustang - 2018 low millage) so you can have both of your dream cars.

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