Kane Dan
The Jeep Grand Cherokee was introduced in 1993, and it established itself as a great Midsize SUV.
The Jeep Grand Cherokee introduced the Jeep brand to the market as a well-rounded, reliable, vehicle manufacturer.
It gained a great number of followers, but of course, some issues did arise later on within the car.
That is why you need to be educated on the best and worst years for Jeep Grand Cherokee so that you can make a well-informed choice when investing in one.
Worst Years for Jeep Grand Cherokee:
- 2011
- 2013
- 2014
- 2015
- 2016
Best Years for Jeep Grand Cherokee:
- 2009
- 2010
- 2017
- 2018
- 2020
To make things easier, I will be going through why those years are called the worst and why the best years are considered as such.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
What Are The Worst Years For The Jeep Grand Cherokee? Which Years To Avoid
Now I will start with the worst models of the Jeep Grand Cherokee so that you are already aware of the issues that the car came along with, and therefore you shall have a rough idea of it.
Let’s go through the worst models of the car without any wait.
1. 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee
The biggest issue that came in hand was the fact that the engine would not start or show a delayed start when ignited.
Multiple consumers who were over 200 and above complained about these complaints, which showed that this 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee model had extreme engine issues.
These issues made it a little unreliable, as it is a huge problem if your engine does not even start when you have to go from point to point.
Plus having engine issues are scary as they are costly to repair.
The cost, of course, depends on the extent of the issue; however, it is quite obvious that if it’s a major issue, the entire engine must be replaced, hence taking the repair cost out of the roof.
The fuel pump had a few issues that caused the vehicle to stop multiple times, along with break issues, and break issues are a big deal as it’s an SUV that has been promoted to drive through multiple elements that have to be a thing that does not cause problems.
2. 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee
Multiple reports of the engine failing to ignite when started or sometimes failing to start altogether, causing the same issues as the previous model discussed.
Therefore, it would cause repair costs to be high since it’s an engine problem, and they are generally a bit more complicated and, therefore, harder to solve.
This made the car unreliable as you don’t want it breaking down or stalling or, worse, not even starting in the first place.
The 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee model had engine issues added with brake issues that were simply the leakage of brake fluid that caused frequent refilling problems.
Since engines are tricky to replace and repair, the repair cost would consequently be high.
3. 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee
2014, the Jeep Grand Cherokee, through an updated and a more refined version, had its fair share of problems, and the most major one was the gearbox issue.
It was harsh and difficult to change gears.
Multiple injuries were reported even with a disengaged motor because the gearbox failed to shift even into parking.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration issued 12 recalls for this car due to brake fluid overconsumption as it started to leak.
Short circuit issues made it difficult to change back from cruise control, and it maintained its speed even after the feature was off.
Hence it was an accelerator problem as well since it accelerated despite having the foot off it.
The airbags were sometimes disabled due to the OCR Module. The indicator light even failed to notify some customers. The car also stalled due to alternator failure.
4. 2105 Jeep Grand Cherokee
The 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee model of the car also came plagued with similar issues that the 2014 car came with. A broader part of the transmission caused problems for these models.
The rear suspension had shorter arms that caused them to break or fracture, making the rear suspension cause issues with breaking.
The software within the car had much vulnerability that was exploited, and people could have compromised their vehicles’ software by unauthorized individuals making the car act up.
The gearbox had the same issue of being too harsh and difficult to shift. Furthermore, there was a leak in brake fluids that had major safety concerns along with frequent changing of the fluid.
The short circuit in the car also made it difficult to switch the car from cruise control, which caused major accidents and several issues due to unwanted acceleration.
5. 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee
The 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee model came with similar issues that had to be dealt with, just like the two previous models.
It came with hydraulics and brakes issue, the brake fluid, like before, still had a leakage issue, and the brake caliper even broke easily at times.
The driver usually had to step on the brakes earlier than usual to ensure they stopped at the right place due to this breakage and issue.
The transmission and gearbox issue was prevalent.
The gear was difficult to change and sometimes had not moved to park mode, causing many vehicles to just roll around on a high surface because they were not stopped by being in the park.
Related: Where Are Jeep Grand Cherokees Made?
What Are The Best Years For The Jeep Grand Cherokee? Which Years To Buy
Now that you know the issues that the worst models came with, it would be easier for you to choose a better model which has none of these issues and has refined them and smoothened out the rough patches.
I mentioned five years of the models that were great for purchase, and now I will be going through the turn-by-turn telling you why they are considered the best.
1. 2009 Jeep Grand Cherokee
Even though this 2009 Grand Cherokee model is old or even older than a decade, this is among one of the best models of the car.
It has remained one of the most reliable models of this particular car; it was a model that received great impressions from consumers and critics.
It had a rugged design, great off-road capability, and strong engines that were efficient for the vehicle.
Though it did not have the best safety features to keep the occupants safe, it still had enough features to keep them protected regardless of any problems.
Lastly, consumers have reported that it is easy to control and has good handling and speed capabilities.
2. 2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee
This 2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee version came with amazing off-road capabilities and had upscale the interior to a greater level than before.
It was spacious, top quality, comfortable, open drive, and had amazing handling in off-road areas.
The engine in the car is quite strong and has easily handled going over most elements without a sweat. It was decent for its SUV and had a good fuel-to-drive ratio.
3. 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee
The 2017 Jeep Cherokee model made things even better by further up scaling the interior and turning it into more of a luxury space.
It is even said to be the most luxurious model made since the interior was made extremely comfortable and even better than the previous models.
Moreover, it also has the highest reliability rating, making the car dependable and a good and comfortable drive without any issues.
Of course, being an SUV promoted for going over all terrains, it excelled in what it was said to be as having a powerful engine, and good suspension helped it travel multiple off-road areas.
Overall, it is a comfortable vehicle to drive that gives you a taste of luxury and reliability, added with off-roading capabilities.
4. 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee
2018, Jeep Grand Cherokee only received about 12 complaints about the number it had sold, which was an amazing number.
The car, as previously told, had great off-roading features and capabilities; it had very few issues that were easy to deal with and did not require much attention or price.
The cabin space was great, with an amazing interior that gave the passengers a good and comfortable seating arrangement.
The car had a strong engine and the car also overall had a great suspension that helped in the drive being as less bumpy as it could.
5. 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee
Now talking about the 2020 Jeep Cherokee, it is a car with a modern yet rugged look built upon the design language of the 2019 model of the car. It is really attractive and has angular led lights.
It used many premium materials in its interior that gave it a very comfortable and modern look, and the spacious cabin gave a small taste of luxury within itself.
Furthermore, it came with plenty of power to aid its off-road situation and had excellent performance and handling that aided in all aspects it was created for.
It had an eight-speed automatic transmission and came with all-wheel-drive options, making it an excellent choice for off-roading.
How Reliable Is A Jeep Grand Cherokee?
The Jeep Grand Cherokee is one of the most reliable vehicles manufactured by the Toyota Company. According to various reports, the overall reliability of this car is 4.5 out of 5.0.
Another great thing about this vehicle is that it ranks first out of 36 compact vehicles. Moreover, its features make it stand out so much more, especially from the safety point of view.
It is known for lasting for a long time and is known to have outstanding build quality as well. So overall, it is worth investing in a Jeep Grand Cherokee.
How Long Do Jeep Grand Cherokees Last?
The Jeep Grand Cherokee is renowned for its toughness and has a lifespan of 200,000 to 400,000 miles before being repaired continuously.
Your Jeep Grand Cherokee should easily last between 15 and 20 years if maintained correctly.
After which, you’ll have to go to the mechanic multiple times to resolve minor issues and put up with the cost of the major issues that will start showing up.
What To Do To Lengthen The Life Of Your Jeep Grand Cherokee
There are several things you can do to make your car last longer, and for that, you just have to be consistent and ensure that it is receiving the best quality fluids and maintenance possible.
- Practice a good driving pattern.
- Make sure that your car is well maintained at all times.
- Ensure that the car is given its fluid intakes and replacements at the right time.
- Regularly check the oil and air filters and give the car a good quality intake.
You can try these things on your car to ensure that it lasts longer than normal for you and is as reliable as it can get.
Things That Shorten The Lifespan Of Your Jeep Grand Cherokee
Some issues can magnify and ruin your vehicle if you are not consistent with your car and do not take it for regular checkups and maintenance.
- The tires must be checked if they are not properly maintained or changed. They can damage your car.
- Always check the brake fluids and coolants. If they are not checked, your car can receive detrimental setbacks.
- Make sure you check the oil and air filters as they can get clogged and cause major issues to your car.
- Please make sure to check the car’s transmission system as there have been complaints of it getting harder and difficult to use.
If these things are not taken care of, the lifetime of your car can shorten significantly, but if they are, the car can last a long time provided that you take care of it well and stay consistent in your actions.
4 Most Jeep Grand Cherokee Common Problems You Should Know
I will now be touching upon most of the common issues that the Jeep Grand Cherokee suffered from.
The issues are listed below:
1. Air Bags
Front and side airbags were occasionally disengaged due to a faulty OCR module.
This OCR is also called a faulty Occupant Restraint Control. The indicators also fail to notify certain users that there has been a problem.
2. Brakes
The middle brake booster shield has a rust issue. It lost braking effectiveness. It corroded because it allowed water to get inside, which then froze.
There were also reports of the brake fluid leaking that required frequent replacement. Furthermore, the brakes were slowed and delayed at times as well.
3. Transmission Issues
The shifting and locking mechanism were damaged, and it was extremely difficult to change gears at times.
Furthermore, it was hard to put the car in parking mode even when the engine was off that causing many cars to just roll away in sloppy areas, which caused multiple injuries and damage.
4. Electronic Stability Issues
The driver was unable to retain adequate control of the vehicle as a consequence of software issues with the steering column control module, which raised the risk of an accident.
The speed could not be maintained, and that caused major life-threatening issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Is Jeep Grand Cherokee A Good Car?
Yes, the Jeep Grand Cherokee is an amazing off-road-capable midsize SUV that packs a lot of power along with excellent performance and handling.
Q2: Do Jeep Grand Cherokees Hold Their Value?
The Jeep Grand Cherokee does an okay job at handling its resale value.
It’s not that great as it depreciates about 50% after having it for the first five years of purchase, and the value depreciates more after five additional years.
Therefore it is not that great at holding its value.
Q3: How Many Jeep Grand Cherokees Have Been Sold?
Sales of the Jeep Grand Cherokee have slipped recently, around the year 2021, by 34% down to 89,000 units yearly, but it had a high of around 239,000 in 2018, which has been its highest selling rate to date.
Q4: Which Jeep Grand Cherokee Engine Is The Most Reliable?
For Jeep Grand Cherokee, The 2017 and 2020 Models have had the best, most powerful V8 engine that has proven to be reliable and excellent.
It comes with excellent handling, a good speed level, and great off-road capabilities with wheels drive option for the 2020 model.
Q5: Is Jeep Grand Cherokee Expensive To Maintain?
During its first ten years of use, a Jeep Grand Cherokee will require roughly $10,484 in maintenance and repairs. This is $1,351 over the typical price for popular SUV models in the market.
Additionally, there is 31.13 percent likelihood that a Jeep Grand Cherokee will need a significant repair during that time which makes it slightly expensive to maintain.
Conclusion
Now that we are at the end of the topic: best and worst years for Jeep Grand Cherokee. I hope that I was able to give you the information needed or you to make a well-informed purchase choice.
The Jeep Grand Cherokee is among the greatest choices for a midsize SUV that comes with excellent and high-quality interiors and various off-road capabilities that make it stand out a lot from its competitors.
It is also a great and attractive rugged-looking vehicle that is great to drive and enjoy on various terrains.
References:
https://www.thejeepstore.com/blogs/2485/2020-jeep-grand-cherokee-features/
https://caredge.com/jeep/grand-cherokee/depreciation
