Based on CarVitals reliability verdicts, the Jeep Grand Cherokee years to approach with the most caution are 2011, 2012, and 2014. Below is every model year we cover (2005–2024), ranked, with the owner-reported problems behind each call.
Jeep Grand Cherokee problems by year
2024 Grand Cherokee: redesigned WL with a premium cabin, refined ride and strong off-road ability, but new-generation software glitches, 2.0L turbo sand-contamination engine recall and loss-of-power reports weigh on it (228 NHTSA complaints). Capable but unproven; confirm recalls are closed.
- 4xe plug-in-hybrid high-voltage battery failures and fire-risk recall; "service hybrid system" warnings and loss of electric drive
- Loss of motive power / propulsion and unexpected stalling at speed
- 2.0L turbo engine sand-contamination recall risking catastrophic engine failure and fire
2023 Grand Cherokee: redesigned WL with a premium cabin, refined ride and strong off-road ability, but new-generation software glitches, 4xe battery fire-risk recalls and loss-of-power reports weigh on it (369 NHTSA complaints). Capable but unproven; confirm recalls are closed.
- Loss of motive power / propulsion and unexpected stalling at speed
- Forward-collision / automatic-emergency-braking system activates unexpectedly with false warnings
- Infotainment and electronics glitches and software bugs
2022 Grand Cherokee: redesigned WL with a premium cabin, refined ride and strong off-road ability, but new-generation software glitches, 4xe battery fire-risk recalls and loss-of-power reports weigh on it (354 NHTSA complaints). Capable but unproven; confirm recalls are closed.
- Loss of motive power / propulsion and unexpected stalling at speed
- Forward-collision / automatic-emergency-braking system activates unexpectedly with false warnings
- Infotainment and electronics glitches and software bugs
2021 Grand Cherokee: comfortable, capable WK2, but below-average reliability, occasional engine, air-suspension and Uconnect screen problems (396 NHTSA complaints). One of the more settled WK2 years.
- Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM) and electrical faults cause random stalling, no-start, fuel-pump-relay and alternator failures
- Pentastar 3.6L V6 left-cylinder-head failure and later rocker-arm / lifter (camshaft) wear causing misfires and ticking
- Confusing monostable electronic gear selector linked to rollaway incidents; vehicle rolls or shifts to neutral after "Park"
2020 Grand Cherokee: comfortable, capable WK2, but below-average reliability, occasional engine, air-suspension and Uconnect screen problems (223 NHTSA complaints). One of the more settled WK2 years.
- Pentastar 3.6L V6 left-cylinder-head failure and later rocker-arm / lifter (camshaft) wear causing misfires and ticking
- Loss of motive power / transmission shifting to neutral while driving
- Uconnect touchscreen delamination causing "ghost touches" and unresponsive controls
2019 Grand Cherokee: comfortable, capable WK2, but below-average reliability, occasional engine, air-suspension and Uconnect screen problems (355 NHTSA complaints). One of the more settled WK2 years.
- Pentastar 3.6L V6 left-cylinder-head failure and later rocker-arm / lifter (camshaft) wear causing misfires and ticking
- Loss of motive power / transmission shifting to neutral while driving
- Uconnect touchscreen delamination causing "ghost touches" and unresponsive controls
2018 Grand Cherokee: comfortable, capable WK2, but below-average reliability, occasional engine, air-suspension and Uconnect screen problems (836 NHTSA complaints). One of the more settled WK2 years.
- Pentastar 3.6L V6 left-cylinder-head failure and later rocker-arm / lifter (camshaft) wear causing misfires and ticking
- Loss of motive power / transmission shifting to neutral while driving
- Uconnect touchscreen delamination causing "ghost touches" and unresponsive controls
2017 Grand Cherokee: comfortable, capable WK2, but below-average reliability, occasional engine, air-suspension and Uconnect screen problems (360 NHTSA complaints). One of the more settled WK2 years.
- Pentastar 3.6L V6 left-cylinder-head failure and later rocker-arm / lifter (camshaft) wear causing misfires and ticking
- Loss of motive power / transmission shifting to neutral while driving
- Uconnect touchscreen delamination causing "ghost touches" and unresponsive controls
2016 Grand Cherokee: comfortable, capable WK2, but below-average reliability, occasional engine, air-suspension and Uconnect screen problems (305 NHTSA complaints). One of the more settled WK2 years.
- Pentastar 3.6L V6 left-cylinder-head failure and later rocker-arm / lifter (camshaft) wear causing misfires and ticking
- Loss of motive power / transmission shifting to neutral while driving
- Uconnect touchscreen delamination causing "ghost touches" and unresponsive controls
2015 Grand Cherokee: comfortable, capable WK2, but below-average reliability, monostable shifter rollaway recall and EcoDiesel emissions problems (1339 NHTSA complaints). Verify the shifter and EcoDiesel recalls are done.
- Pentastar 3.6L V6 left-cylinder-head failure and later rocker-arm / lifter (camshaft) wear causing misfires and ticking
- Loss of motive power / transmission shifting to neutral while driving
- Uconnect touchscreen delamination causing "ghost touches" and unresponsive controls
2014 Grand Cherokee: comfortable, capable WK2, but below-average reliability, the refresh brought the rollaway-linked monostable shifter, 8-speed teething and EcoDiesel emissions faults (2364 NHTSA complaints). The most-complained year; approach with caution.
- Pentastar 3.6L V6 left-cylinder-head failure and later rocker-arm / lifter (camshaft) wear causing misfires and ticking
- Loss of motive power / transmission shifting to neutral while driving
- Uconnect touchscreen delamination causing "ghost touches" and unresponsive controls
2013 Grand Cherokee: comfortable, capable WK2, but below-average reliability, Pentastar V6 head and TIPM electrical issues persist (799 NHTSA complaints). Better than 2011-12 but still risky.
- Pentastar 3.6L V6 left-cylinder-head failure and later rocker-arm / lifter (camshaft) wear causing misfires and ticking
- Loss of motive power / transmission shifting to neutral while driving
- Quadra-Lift air suspension faults, uneven ride height, sagging and air leaks
2012 Grand Cherokee: comfortable, capable WK2, but below-average reliability, TIPM electrical faults cause random stalling and no-starts (1637 NHTSA complaints). One of the weakest years; budget for electrical repair.
- Pentastar 3.6L V6 left-cylinder-head failure and later rocker-arm / lifter (camshaft) wear causing misfires and ticking
- Loss of motive power / transmission shifting to neutral while driving
- Quadra-Lift air suspension faults, uneven ride height, sagging and air leaks
2011 Grand Cherokee: comfortable, capable WK2, but below-average reliability, TIPM electrical faults cause random stalling and no-starts (1638 NHTSA complaints). One of the weakest years; budget for electrical repair.
- Pentastar 3.6L V6 left-cylinder-head failure and later rocker-arm / lifter (camshaft) wear causing misfires and ticking
- Loss of motive power / transmission shifting to neutral while driving
- Quadra-Lift air suspension faults, uneven ride height, sagging and air leaks
2010 Grand Cherokee: final WK years, still capable with good V8 power and fewer complaints than the early run (117 NHTSA), but electrical/ignition and transfer-case quirks remain. A budget off-roader; inspect the electrics.
- Electrical and ignition-switch faults (later Wireless Ignition Node module) cause stalling while driving and no-start conditions, with loss of power steering and brakes
- 3.7L V6 head-gasket failures and overheating; the 4.7L V8 is less reliable than the 5.7L HEMI
- Interior door handles made of brittle plastic crack and break, leaving doors unable to open from inside
2009 Grand Cherokee: final WK years, still capable with good V8 power and fewer complaints than the early run (138 NHTSA), but electrical/ignition and transfer-case quirks remain. A budget off-roader; inspect the electrics.
- Electrical and ignition-switch faults (later Wireless Ignition Node module) cause stalling while driving and no-start conditions, with loss of power steering and brakes
- 3.7L V6 head-gasket failures and overheating; the 4.7L V8 is less reliable than the 5.7L HEMI
- Transmission and electric transfer-case faults including unintended shift to neutral
2008 Grand Cherokee: capable off-roader with strong HEMI V8 power, but built in a weak Chrysler-quality era, electrical/ignition stalling, brittle door handles and 3.7L head-gasket issues (733 NHTSA complaints). Buy only well-kept, and cheap.
- Electrical and ignition-switch faults (later Wireless Ignition Node module) cause stalling while driving and no-start conditions, with loss of power steering and brakes
- 3.7L V6 head-gasket failures and overheating; the 4.7L V8 is less reliable than the 5.7L HEMI
- Transmission and electric transfer-case faults including unintended shift to neutral
2007 Grand Cherokee: capable off-roader with strong HEMI V8 power, but built in a weak Chrysler-quality era, electrical/ignition stalling, brittle door handles and 3.7L head-gasket issues (1108 NHTSA complaints). Buy only well-kept, and cheap.
- Electrical and ignition-switch faults (later Wireless Ignition Node module) cause stalling while driving and no-start conditions, with loss of power steering and brakes
- 3.7L V6 head-gasket failures and overheating; the 4.7L V8 is less reliable than the 5.7L HEMI
- Transmission and electric transfer-case faults including unintended shift to neutral
2006 Grand Cherokee: capable off-roader with strong HEMI V8 power, but built in a weak Chrysler-quality era, electrical/ignition stalling, brittle door handles and 3.7L head-gasket issues (1297 NHTSA complaints). Buy only well-kept, and cheap.
- Electrical and ignition-switch faults (later Wireless Ignition Node module) cause stalling while driving and no-start conditions, with loss of power steering and brakes
- 3.7L V6 head-gasket failures and overheating; the 4.7L V8 is less reliable than the 5.7L HEMI
- Transmission and electric transfer-case faults including unintended shift to neutral
2005 Grand Cherokee: capable off-roader with strong HEMI V8 power, but built in a weak Chrysler-quality era, electrical/ignition stalling, brittle door handles and 3.7L head-gasket issues (2051 NHTSA complaints). Buy only well-kept, and cheap.
- Electrical and ignition-switch faults (later Wireless Ignition Node module) cause stalling while driving and no-start conditions, with loss of power steering and brakes
- 3.7L V6 head-gasket failures and overheating; the 4.7L V8 is less reliable than the 5.7L HEMI
- Transmission and electric transfer-case faults including unintended shift to neutral