What are the most common Jeep Grand Cherokee problems?
According to Au7o's analysis of 3,920+ owner reports, the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee has 31 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: 2011-2021 5.7L Persistent Tick or Misfire - Confirm Valvetrain Damage Before Parts, 2018-2022 WK / 2021-2025 WL 3.6L Intake Camshaft and Rocker Wear, Loss of Steering Control: Upper Control Arm Pinch Bolt & Intermediate Shaft (Recalls 23V-352, 24V-131). Of these, 3 are rated critical and should be addressed promptly.
Is the Jeep Grand Cherokee reliable?
The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee has 31 known issues documented across 3,920+ owner reports. 3 issues are rated critical: 2011-2021 5.7L Persistent Tick or Misfire - Confirm Valvetrain Damage Before Parts and 2018-2022 WK / 2021-2025 WL 3.6L Intake Camshaft and Rocker Wear and Loss of Steering Control: Upper Control Arm Pinch Bolt & Intermediate Shaft (Recalls 23V-352, 24V-131). Prospective buyers should inspect for these issues and factor potential repair costs into their purchase decision. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.
How much does it cost to fix common Jeep Grand Cherokee problems?
Repair costs for known Jeep Grand Cherokee issues range from $0 to $3,000, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.
What is the 2011-2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee 2011-2021 5.7L Persistent Tick or Misfire - Confirm Valvetrain Damage Before Parts?
A persistent tick and cylinder misfire on a 5.7L Grand Cherokee can be consistent with valvetrain damage, but those symptoms do not identify a failed MDS lifter or worn camshaft by themselves. Exhaust-manifold leaks, ignition or injector faults, oil-pressure problems, rocker/push… Severity: high.
What is the 2018-2025 Jeep Grand Cherokee 2018-2022 WK / 2021-2025 WL 3.6L Intake Camshaft and Rocker Wear?
FCA says a manufacturing issue on the 3.6L Pentastar Upgrade engine may cause wear at an intake camshaft high-lift lobe and/or an intake rocker-arm high-lift slider. The documented customer pattern is a cylinder-specific P0301-P0306 misfire with possible rough idle and valvetrain… Severity: high.
What is the 2021-2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee Loss of Steering Control: Upper Control Arm Pinch Bolt & Intermediate Shaft (Recalls 23V-352, 24V-131)?
On the new WL-generation Grand Cherokee and Grand Cherokee L, two assembly defects can cause loss of steering control. Upper control arm (UCA) pinch bolts damaged during assembly can break and let the UCA separate from the steering knuckle, dropping the wheel outboard. Separately… Repairs typically run $0-$0. Severity: high.
What is the 2011-2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee 2011-2021 Quadra-Lift Warning or Uneven Ride Height - Diagnose Before Parts?
Quadra-Lift is a closed, electronically controlled air-suspension system, so a Service Air Suspension message, a low corner, or a denied height change does not identify one universal failed part. The factory diagnostic path covers electrical and communication faults, fuses and vo… Severity: medium.
What is the 2014-2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee 8-Speed Transmission Shifting Issues?
The ZF 8HP 8-speed automatic transmission can exhibit harsh shifts, hesitation, or erratic behavior. Some owners report the transmission hunting between gears or feeling like it's in the wrong gear for the driving conditions. Repairs typically run $150-$2,500. Severity: medium.
What is the 2011-2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee Water Pump Failure (3.6L Pentastar)?
The water pump on the 3.6L Pentastar V6 can fail, causing coolant leaks and overheating. The pump is internal and driven by the timing chain, making replacement labor-intensive. Failure often occurs between 80,000-120,000 miles. Repairs typically run $800-$1,800. Severity: medium.
What is the 2021-2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee Rearview/Backup Camera Image Fails to Display in Reverse (Recall 23V-577 / Campaign 56A and Follow-Ups)?
Chrysler recalled 2022-2023 Grand Cherokee, 2021-2023 Grand Cherokee L (plus 2022-2024 Wagoneer/Grand Wagoneer) because the Central Vision Park Assist Module (CVPAM) software can prevent the rearview image from displaying when the vehicle is shifted into reverse — a non-complianc… Repairs typically run $0-$0. Severity: medium.
What is the 2011-2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee Front Wheel Hub/Bearing Assembly Failure Causing Highway-Speed Humming/Whine (WK2)?
Front wheel hub/bearing assemblies are a recurring wear failure on the WK2 Grand Cherokee, producing a humming, whining, or growling noise that rises with road speed (commonly noticeable from about 35-50 mph) and often changes pitch when the vehicle is loaded or steered left/righ… Repairs typically run $200-$750. Severity: medium.
What is the 2011-2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee P0171 — System Too Lean (Bank 1) from 3.6L Pentastar Intake Manifold Gasket / Vacuum Leak?
On the WK2 Jeep Grand Cherokee with the 3.6L Pentastar V6, P0171 (and frequently P0174 alongside it) is most commonly triggered by unmetered air entering the engine through a deteriorated intake manifold gasket or a cracked/warped plastic intake manifold. The Pentastar's rubber-a… Repairs typically run $150-$1,000. Severity: medium.
What is the 2012-2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee 2012-2021 Grand Cherokee 3.6L Oil Filter Adapter Leak - Identify the Source First?
Oil found around the Pentastar oil filter adapter does not prove that the complete adapter or oil cooler has cracked. FCA's service guidance separates several repair paths: a cap O-ring that is cut, damaged, or installed in the wrong groove; five adapter bolts that are not at the… Severity: medium.
What is the 2019-2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 2019-2022 5.7L Cold Exhaust-Manifold Tick - Confirm a Crack Before Ordering?
FCA TSB 09-019-23 covers a cold ticking noise from the exhaust-manifold area on 2019-2021 WK and 2021-2022 WL Grand Cherokee vehicles with the 5.7L EZH or EZC engine. The bulletin's repair condition is a cracked exhaust manifold, not a blanket conclusion that every HEMI tick is a… Severity: medium.
What is the 2005-2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee 2005-2021 A/C Blows Warm or Loses Charge - Confirm a Condenser Leak First?
Warm air, a charge that does not last, or a compressor that will not engage can be consistent with a refrigerant leak, but those symptoms do not identify the condenser by themselves. Leaks can occur at lines, seals, service ports, the compressor, evaporator, receiver/drier, or co… Severity: medium.
What is the 2011-2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee Front/Rear Differential Pinion Seal Leak and Gear Whine (WK2 4x4)?
Grand Cherokee 4x4 differentials (and the transfer case) are a known spot for pinion-seal leaks — owners find gear oil weeping where the driveshaft meets the diff, leaving puddles and, if ignored, running the diff low on lube. A low/contaminated differential then produces a speed… Repairs typically run $150-$900. Severity: medium.
What is the 2011-2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee Hydraulic (Fluid-Filled) Engine Mount Failure Causing Idle Vibration and Clunk (3.6L Pentastar, WK2/WL)?
WK2 (and 5th-gen WL) Grand Cherokees use hydraulic fluid-filled engine mounts. The mounts commonly fail — the internal fluid leaks out (visible reddish-brown residue on the subframe) and the rubber degrades — producing a pronounced vibration felt through the steering wheel, seat,… Repairs typically run $300-$950. Severity: medium.
What is the 2011-2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee 2011-2021 WK2 Front-End Clunk - Isolate the Failed Joint, Link, Bushing, or Mount?
A WK2 front-end clunk over bumps, during braking, or while steering can come from more than the sway-bar links or lower control arms named in the old card. The source can vary with loading and may involve a stabilizer link or bushing, control-arm bushing, ball joint, tie-rod end,… Severity: medium.
What is the 2011-2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee Transfer Case Actuator Motor Failure Triggering 'Service 4WD' and Loss of Low Range?
Grand Cherokees with the two-speed Quadra-Trac II / Quadra-Drive II transfer cases throw a 'Service 4WD System' message when the transfer-case shift actuator motor (or the transfer-case control module) fails, leaving the vehicle unable to engage Low range or Neutral and sometimes… Repairs typically run $200-$2,500. Severity: medium.
What is the 2011-2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee ETC Warning or Limp Mode - Read the DTC Before Buying a Throttle Body?
The electronic-throttle-control warning lamp and reduced-power or limp mode are protective responses, not a diagnosis that the throttle body has failed. Depending on the stored DTC and application, the factory path may lead to a stuck or contaminated throttle plate, throttle moto… Severity: medium.
What is the 2011-2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee Sunroof / Panoramic Roof Drain Tube Clog Causing Interior Water Leak?
On WK2 Grand Cherokees the sunroof/panoramic roof drain tubes kink, slip off, or clog with debris and slime at the lower reducer fittings. When the drains back up, water overflows the roof track and runs down the A-pillars into the headliner and floor, soaking carpet and risking… Repairs typically run $0-$400. Severity: medium.
What is the 2011-2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee Rear Driveshaft CV Joint / Slip-Yoke Grease Migration Causing Highway-Speed Driveline Vibration (WK2)?
WK2 Grand Cherokees commonly develop a speed-dependent driveline vibration or shudder felt through the floor/seat, typically appearing around 45-75 mph and often worse under light acceleration or on deceleration. The rear driveshaft uses CV-style joints and a splined slip section… Repairs typically run $100-$1,200. Severity: medium.
What is the 2011-2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee Panoramic (CommandView) Sunroof Spontaneous Shattering / Explosion While Driving?
Owners of panoramic-sunroof-equipped Grand Cherokees (WK2 and 5th-gen WL) report the glass panel spontaneously shattering or 'exploding' with a loud pop while driving on clear days, with no impact. NHTSA complaints and forum reports describe the tempered panel bursting outward/in… Repairs typically run $800-$2,000. Severity: medium.
