When the topic of midsize SUVs comes up, you’re bound to hear a lot of praise (and history) for the Jeep Grand Cherokee. Owners love it as a sturdy, roomy, and sporty family car with great handling and a smooth ride—with the added bonus of impressive off-roading capabilities.
So how reliable is this SUV and what can you expect from it? Let’s break it down and discuss the Jeep Grand Cherokee’s reliability ratings, common problems, and most dependable years.
Are Jeep Grand Cherokees Reliable?
Reliability-wise, Jeep Grand Cherokees are average to above-average. RepairPal gives this model a rating of 3.5 out of 5 in terms of ownership costs and repairs. The Grand Cherokee is also ranked 15th out of 26 midsize SUVs.
The cost of maintaining this SUV and the severity of repairs are average, and the likelihood of issues being severe is low.
On the JD Power website, the Jeep Grand Cherokee received largely average to slightly above average ratings. According to owner reviews, some of the best points of the Grand Cherokee include its off-road capability, powerful engine options, and comfortable ride. Meanwhile, owners say fuel economy, cargo space, and overall ride quality could be improved.
Owners on the US News and World Report website also noted similar pros and cons. They also praised the Grand Cherokee’s user-friendly infotainment system, comfortable seats, and driving dynamics, especially on newer models.
The Jeep Grand Cherokee is considered sufficiently dependable and has acceptable ownership costs for its class. However, one thing to keep in mind is that, according to CarEdge.com, the value of a Grand Cherokee depreciates by 52 percent after five years, which isn’t as good as some of its competitors.
What Are the Most Common Issues with Jeep Grand Cherokees?
Despite the generally positive reviews and reliability scores, the Jeep Grand Cherokee has a few common issues that would-be buyers should be aware of.
Transmission Issues
One of the most common issues you may encounter in a Jeep Grand Cherokee is with the transmission. One such problem involves the transfer case actuator in certain units with Quadra-Drive II and Quadra-Trac II systems. This issue is said to cause the vehicle to roll away because the vehicle shifts into neutral on its own. Jeep recalled affected units and revised the Final Drive Control Module (FDCM) software to fix this issue.
In another transmission problem, owners have reported that their vehicles do not move or stay in the park position. This problem also caused the vehicle to roll away on its own. To fix this issue, the software in affected units were also updated.
Lastly, another common transmission issue is transfer case leaks. Owners described leaks forming at the front or rear differential pinion seal. This issue is typically resolved by removing and resealing the transfer case.
Affected Model Years:
- 2005
- 2006
- 2007
- 2008
- 2009
- 2010
- 2013
- 2012
- 2014
- 2015
Air Conditioning Issues
In some model years of the Jeep Grand Cherokee, the temperature blend and recirculation doors may stop functioning properly. This can cause the AC to not change temperatures or cause areas of the vehicle to have different temperatures.
Owners have reported that replacing the blend air doors, recirculation doors, or other faulty AC components fixed the issue.
Affected Model Years:
- 1994
- 1997
- 1998
- 1999
- 2000
- 2001
- 2002
- 2003
- 2004
- 2005
- 2006
- 2007
- 2008
- 2009
- 2010
- 2011
- 2012
- 2013
- 2014
- 2015
- 2016
Engine Not Starting
Some Jeep Grand Cherokee model years are known to have engine issues, including difficulty starting. This is said to be caused by a fault in the wireless control module (WCM) or the sentry key remote entry module (SKREEM). This issue may also prevent the remote keyless entry system from operating.
Replacing the WCM usually fixes this issue.
Affected Model Years:
- 1995
- 1996
- 1997
- 1999
- 2000
- 2004
- 2005
- 2006
- 2007
- 2008
- 2009
- 2010
- 2011
- 2012
- 2013
- 2014
- 2016
Instrument Cluster Concerns
Some owners have reported an issue where the instrument cluster would start flashing all the warning lights and sweeping the needles randomly. In some reports, this was also accompanied by random activation of the lights and wipers. This reportedly happened at or around 100,000 miles.
Fixes range from replacing this or that module, and some even had good results by repairing the starter ground.
Affected Year Models:
- 2005
- 2006
Totally Integrated Power Module Malfunction
TIPM failure has been reported to cause starting problems, fuel pump malfunctions, and engine stalling.
Affected Year Models:
- 2011
- 2012
- 2013
- 2014
Power Window Motor Failure
According to some Grand Cherokee owners, the power window motor and or the regulator have failed in the front and rear doors of their vehicles. Replacing the window regulator assembly and window motor usually sets the problem straight.
Affected Model Years:
- 1993
- 1994
- 1996
- 1998
- 1999
- 2000
- 2001
- 2002
- 2003
- 2004
- 2005
- 2007
- 2008
- 2010
Brake Problems
A few owners have reported strong vibrations from their Grand Cherokee’s brakes. This may be due to warped front brake rotors or rotors with inconsistent thickness throughout. Using an “On the Car” brake lathe can correct these inconsistencies.
Affected Model Years:
- 1993
- 1994
- 1995
- 1996
- 1997
- 1998
- 1999
- 2000
- 2001
- 2002
- 2003
- 2004
- 2005
- 2006
- 2007
- 2008
- 2009
- 2010
- 2013
Service 4WD System Warning Light
Some Grand Cherokee owners have reported that their Service 4WD System lights came on without any apparent cause. This problem may also cause troubles with shifting and reduce the overall performance of the vehicle.
Fortunately, Jeep has released a software update to fix this issue.
Affected Model Years:
- 2005
- 2006
- 2007
- 2008
- 2009
- 2010
- 2011
- 2012
- 2013
- 2014
- 2015
What are the Best Model Years for the Jeep Grand Cherokee?
Some model years of the Jeep Grand Cherokee stand out more than the rest. Here are our top ones based on reliability scores and owner reviews:
- 2016
- 2017
- 2018
- 2019
- 2020
- 2021
- 2022
- 2023
- 2024
- 2025
FAQ
How many miles can a Jeep Grand Cherokee last?
A Jeep Grand Cherokee can last up to 200,000 miles or more, with proper care and regular maintenance. We cannot stress enough the importance of sticking to a regular maintenance schedule to keep your vehicle in top shape.
What model years of Jeep Grand Cherokee should I avoid?
The model years with severe problems that require hefty repairs are 2011, 2014, and 2015. The 2011 model year in particular has many reported issues in transmission, electrical, engine, fuel system, suspension, heating, and AC.