should I buy another wrangler?

[soccerdad2girls]

Looking for feedback on purchasing a 2022 wrangler with diesel engine.

I had the 2018 JL rubicon with 3.6 engine. Due to numerous problems Jeep bought the vehicle back.

I then go the 2021 JL Rubicon 4xe and similar to the 18 jeep sent me a check due to all of the recalls, still not corrected, and I finally turned the vehicle in to the dealer.

After all of these problems I still like the jeep wrangler.

Looking for input on a 2021 or 2022 JL with the diesel engine and if this would be a good buy.


Thanks

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[Flip]

A lot of people love the diesel engine. I read some mixed opinions on DEF. Jeep has discontinued the diesel engine if that makes any difference to you or not.

 

[SlickRicksWilly]

If you don't take the top off, the doors off, or go off-road; I would say there are some better SUV options than a Wrangler. That being said we have 2 Wranglers and a third on order. Figured we need a backup vehicle for when one inevitably breaks down again.

 

[Sandevino]

I had a Gladiator with the diesel engine and it was a love / hate ownership experience. FCA ended up buying it back due to the HPFP failure before the recall was published.

 

[Sdallnct]

Its really about what you want. Emotionally. I don't doubt some people buy a Wrangler cause feature wise it is what they truly need. For most its more than just what "makes sense".

I ordered a new 2016 JK Sport 2door manual 3.6. Thru the nearly 11 years, they have rebuilt half the engine and replaced the clutch twice. 33% of that out of warranty. I still enjoy the vehicle and has been well sorted and problem free for the past 3-4 years. Still have at 85K miles. That the one in my profile pic.

With the '24 refresh, I ordered a new Willys 2door manual. I like the added tech and rear lockers. I really thought it would be last chance to get a manual (clearly was wrong). Since only option w/manual was the "same" 3.6, I did find a different dealer than I bought Jeep from (recommended here) and bought the longest warranty I could get with a high deductible.

Jeep has a reputation for being less than reliable. I think that a bit overplayed, but not totally unfounded (I know, I don't have to tell you). If your number one, above all else factor in buying is reliability....I'd look at a 4Runner. Course you lose a lot of what makes us all like Wrangles.

It might make sense to move on. Do we always do what makes sense? You can minimize issues w/some precautions like extended warranty. Yes, still a pain being in the shop. Isn't anything worth having, worth a little pain???

 

[The Last Cowboy]

If you want a trouble free owner experience, avoid the diesel. If you have some mechanical skills, tools, and the desire to undo the systems that contribute to the problems with that engine, then go for it.

A diesel engine isn’t well suited to short trips. You will do much better with one if your daily use is over 40 miles a day.

 

[jharp]

I, like many, waited many years for diesel engines to make it into the Wrangler platform.

Unfortunately, by the time it happened, diesel engines in the US were really hampered by complex & expensive emissions control systems. Some independent shops have the tools/technology/workmen to service these when they go out of warranty, but it's becoming less common in my opinion.

Once a modern diesel powertrain is out of warranty, things can get interesting. Expect, if it needs work at the dealer, even basic sensor replacements may run $1000 or more. Because many service departments lack sufficiently skilled technicians (many dealers have limited diesel tech's on staff, if any) my fear is always the "throw parts at it and see if the problem goes away" - which gets expensive fast when you're out of warranty.

With you being in CA, smog checks every couple years mean you'd have a hard time with "weight loss" strategies.

I owned a diesel gladiator, I miss it often, I loved it, but I wouldn't want to own it outside of warranty.

If you find one, at a dealer, take a good look at the service history on it and strongly consider a good warranty...

 

[Turniipp]

So, without knowing your use case and commute, we can give advice based on not much more than guesses as to what your use case is.

I have a 2021 diesel and love it. (50k miles of ownership since new) I have not had any issues involving the powertrain or mechanical reliability. The CP4 Fuel Pump recall has been completed (on my jeep, and likely any diesel jeep for sale at a dealer), thus removing that concern. There is no question that there are higher maintenance costs (DEF, Diesel vs Gas, Fuel Filters, etc..) however, they aren't unreasonable. While the Eco-Diesel powerplant has been discontinued, it was put into Ram trucks as well as the JL/JT platform. Any Ram/Jeep dealership should be able to work on it without issue.

I'm not claiming the horror stories found on this forum or others are wrong, I'm just claiming that not every Eco-Diesel is going to be a horror story. Not so different than the 3.6 issues or 4xe issues that you've already experienced or that are discussed on this forum. I have 4 vehicles (2020 or newer) from 3 different manufacturers and they've all experienced worse issues than my Jeep. At this point, I tend to assume that regardless of manufacturer, issues exist. The degree of issue or number of issues is really all that separates them.

 

[TheBirdie72]

Me: ChatGPT, please summarize the above responses to the OP’s question about whether or not he should get another Jeep Wrangler?

ChatGPT: The hell if I know?!

Me: No, I asked for a summary of what was already said.

ChatGPT: I know.

Me: I see what you did there.

 

[ZeoBandit]

You do what you want to do. Don't do what people tell you to do.

 

[Snacktime]

After 2 strike outs I wouldn't buy a 3rd. Plenty of other vehicle choices.

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