Throughout automotive historical past, we’ve come to know many automotive manufacturers and fashions characterised by their excessive reliability over the years—however typically, it’s the lack thereof that will get extra consideration.
Of course, any automaker’s merchandise can endure from recurring points—and Jeeps are not any exception. Whether it’s a Wrangler, Patriot, or Grand Cherokee, every Jeep mannequin has its personal peculiarities and issues. Even in the event you’re not a Jeep man, you’ve in all probability heard Jeep homeowners say, “it’s a Jeep factor.” And that is exactly what they’re referring to.
It’s value mentioning that this checklist of the eight most notorious issues with Jeeps over the years shouldn’t discourage you from buying a Jeep. Instead, as Jeep lovers ourselves, our aim is to tell and assist new or potential homeowners turn into acquainted with the quirks and customary issues they’ll count on when getting into the Jeep group.
#8: Death Wobble
The death wobble is probably the most notorious downside in the Jeep world. This occurs when the entrance axle oscillates violently, inflicting the automotive to shake or wobble and making it laborious to deal with.
This challenge just isn’t unique to Jeep, though it occurs to Jeeps the most as a result of they’re coil-sprung with a strong entrance axle setup. So, since each entrance wheels are related by a strong metal tube, the movement transfers by way of the axle to the different wheel when one wheel wobbles.
There are a number of causes you could expertise the loss of life wobble:
- Poor alignment
- Unbalanced tires
- The free steering stabilizer bar
- Worn ball joints
If you’re in the marketplace for a second-hand Jeep, it’s best to inquire about every of the points above and examine the automotive to keep away from experiencing the loss of life wobble after you purchase it.
Via: Newsweek
#7: Electronic Swaybar Failure
Another frequent suspension downside on Jeep fashions from 2005 onwards is the digital sway bar disconnect system. The digital swaybar disconnect system, often known as stabilizer or anti-roll bar, is a suspension element that helps stage the automobile and forestall extra sway by way of turns. Although this method is superb for the highway, it reduces the articulation you’d need in an off-road suspension.
Often this digital swaybar gained’t reconnect for on a regular basis driving, so homeowners are caught with no matter setting they’d in the swaybar earlier than the system failed.
This system fails due to faulty digital housing seals that disintegrate—leading to poor circuit board electrical insulation that enables water to get in and mess up the sway bar controller.
If you’re left with the digital swaybar system disconnected, you may really feel much less assured and fewer in management on the freeway or on curvy roads.
Via: JL Wrangler Forums
#6: Cabin Water Leaks
Jeep homeowners count on to drive their automobiles off-road with out experiencing the outdoors climate inside the cabin.
However, Patriot, Cherokee, and Wrangler homeowners have all reported water leaking from the higher corners of the entrance doorways into the cabin throughout moist circumstances. And typically, it isn’t a minor leak, as some homeowners have reported pooling water on the automobile flooring.
You can discover loads of on-line complaints from Jeep homeowners about water leaking into the cabin round the doorways and home windows, and even from the entrance dome gentle. Additionally, there are various reviews of wind noise in Wrangler tops, each laborious and tender, because of worn seals.
Via: JK Forum
#5: Exhaust Leaks
Some Jeep fashions, particularly the 4.0-liter six-cylinder engine from the 1987-2001 Cherokees, the 1993-2004 Grand Cherokee, and the 1991-2006 Wrangler, are identified for creating exhaust leaks. In addition, the 4.7-liter V8 in the 1999-2009 Grand Cherokee can also be vulnerable to creating exhaust leaks.
This was due to cracks in the exhaust manifold ensuing from repeated heating and cooling cycles. So, in case your Jeep is any of the above and also you’ve seen ticking sounds, or the odor of exhaust coming from the engine bay, and even poor mileage, these may very well be indicators you’ve an exhaust leak.
Since this can be a widespread downside, many aftermarket manifolds have been made to resist cracking higher than the OEM half. You may need to contemplate buying one.
#4: Ignition Switch Recall
If you personal or are contemplating shopping for a 2006 or 2007 Grand Cherokee or Commander, it’s best to know these Jeep fashions are vulnerable to an ignition swap fault that resulted in a recall by the National Highway Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Unfortunately, in case you are solely listening to about this downside till now, there’s an excellent probability you missed the recall on their ignition switches that prompted the engine to change off whereas driving.
If you’ve skilled this challenge, it’s best to take your Jeep to your seller as quickly as attainable to allow them to deal with the downside.
#3: Faulty Window Motor
Among Jeep fashions, the Grand Cherokee and Liberty are identified to have defective window motors and regulators. This fault would trigger the home windows to all of the sudden drop into the door whereas driving or the motor to burn out and fail fully.
Surprisingly, the two automobiles don’t share the identical regulator, however each appear to have the downside, though this seems to be a extra frequent challenge in the Liberty.
This can usually consequence from a broken or misaligned regulator, so in the event you suppose your window motor is burned out, we recommend changing the regulator as properly.
Via: Reddit
#2: Malfunctioning Electronics
Chrysler’s Totally Integrated Power Module or TIPM utilized in newer Jeeps is the system that operates the electrical system as a complete.
The relay middle controls the home windows, air-con, door locks, windshield wipers, and lots of different digital elements. Some of those faults are noticeable and, in lots of circumstances, doubtlessly harmful. For occasion, Wrangler homeowners have reported a sudden lack of energy or an incapability to begin the automobile in any respect.
TIPM malfunctions could cause the horn to honk randomly, the home windows to roll up and down, and the doorways to lock and unlock themselves randomly. Some homeowners have described it as their automobiles having a thoughts of their very own.
Owners have reported malfunctioning TIPM on Wranglers and Grand Cherokees from 2007 onward (and on different latest Chrysler automobiles).
A partial recall entails the complete substitute of the defective module, but it surely solely applies to the 2011 Grand Cherokee.
(*8*)
Via: Youcanic
#1: Transmission Failure
The job of a transmission is to ship the correct quantity of energy to your wheels for driving at a given velocity. Unfortunately, fashionable transmissions like these present in 2014 and 2015 Cherokees have many digital elements and are vulnerable to having issues that have an effect on shifting. These digital shifting points in the transmission are sometimes associated to a defective TIPM.
Signs of a foul Cherokee transmission embody:
- Trouble shifting gears
- Delayed acceleration
- Won’t go in reverse
- Check engine gentle
- Overheating
- Loss of energy
- Shaking or shuddering
- Strange smells or noises coming from the transmission
A transmission restore/substitute on a 2015 Jeep Cherokee might value round $4,300, whereas changing a gear shifter is round $200 to $250.
Via: JL Wrangler Forums
The above are a few of the commonest recurring points with Jeeps. However, no checklist of issues will cowl all the attainable failures of every mannequin. They all have their quirks, and they’re going to develop totally different points relying on the way you drive your automobile and look after it.
An inventory like this is usually a good start line to raised perceive the potential issues a Jeep can have. Still, Jeep just isn’t the solely automaker to have issues. Indeed, product defects are sadly frequent throughout many industries.
Fortunately, many model fanatic boards, on-line newsletters, and reviews may also help you analysis the Jeep you personal or wish to purchase. These will show you how to save time, cash, and complications—contributing to a greater Jeep expertise for you.
