So how were the fourth generation Grand Cherokees? Were the Hemi’s and Pentastars good for 200,000 miles? Any issues on the transmissions and four wheel drive systems?
4th Generation 2011-2020 Grand Cherokee
- Thread starter Snagglefoot
- Start date
They have a very mature platform the second half of the run. edit: 2016+
a few of the issues.
A not common issue(but often heard since there is 10million?+ engines out there) is the rocker arms on both the pentastar and hemi, bad quality parts from suppliers on some dont make it as long as they should.
If you catch it early when it starts making noise its not a big deal ie its repairable..
Pentastars have a cartridge oil filter housing that can be damaged from over torqueing its best to make a mark and tighten it to the mark.
Not a fun or quick job to replace the housing. There is now an all metal version that is available from the aftermarket.
a few of the issues.
A not common issue(but often heard since there is 10million?+ engines out there) is the rocker arms on both the pentastar and hemi, bad quality parts from suppliers on some dont make it as long as they should.
If you catch it early when it starts making noise its not a big deal ie its repairable..
Pentastars have a cartridge oil filter housing that can be damaged from over torqueing its best to make a mark and tighten it to the mark.
Not a fun or quick job to replace the housing. There is now an all metal version that is available from the aftermarket.
Last edited:
They’re sorta split, 2011-2013, 2014-2015, and then 2016+.
2011-2013 had 5/6 speed automatics (2011 had the 545RFE, 2012-2013 had the 65RE which is the same exact transmission but with different programming, they also have the most god awful gear ratios and I hate them), V6 got the NAG1/W5A580 transmission.
2014 saw the introduction of the 8 speeds, either a 8HP70 behind the 5.7 or the 845RE which is heavily based on the 8HP45 but has a few changes (from what I can find, they added some extra clutches).
2016+ got the PUG 3.6 V6, which added stop start and all the other PUG upgrades. Either 2017 or 2018 models got CarPlay and Android auto if you’re looking for that.
I’d go V6 if you want to drive it to 200,000.
2011-2013 had 5/6 speed automatics (2011 had the 545RFE, 2012-2013 had the 65RE which is the same exact transmission but with different programming, they also have the most god awful gear ratios and I hate them), V6 got the NAG1/W5A580 transmission.
2014 saw the introduction of the 8 speeds, either a 8HP70 behind the 5.7 or the 845RE which is heavily based on the 8HP45 but has a few changes (from what I can find, they added some extra clutches).
2016+ got the PUG 3.6 V6, which added stop start and all the other PUG upgrades. Either 2017 or 2018 models got CarPlay and Android auto if you’re looking for that.
I’d go V6 if you want to drive it to 200,000.
OVERKILL
$100 Site Donor 2021
I'd look 2016+ to get something "mature" with the 8spd. The HEMI has a low ROO lifter failure issue, same as GM. We have a small fleet of 2011/2012 1500's with it, all are over 200,000 miles, we lost one (a 2012) to lifter failure. The rest are all still going.
D
Deleted member 89374
Hemi 
RedLine Oil.
RedLine Oil.
My wife had a 2011 Limited with the Hemi that she loved. Had it for 60,000 miles and it was perfect until about 59,000. There was an issue with the fuse box or something that was on national back order that would make it not start at times. Also the blend door or something in the HVAC failed at that time so the passenger side just got cold air in the dead of winter. Traded it in for a Lexus GX460.
Here is some info on the engines. Enjoy.
- Joined
- Oct 30, 2021
- Messages
- 621
How has the Lexus treated you folks Thurs far ?
Lexus was also great for 60k but we had a third kid and up-sized to a Yukon XL. We’d probably still have it if we had just 2 kids.
D
Deleted member 89374
This was a joke. I hope no one took it seriously or got offended. Given the many threads, we had here about the HEMI tick with RedLine brought up as the cure every so often. I thought it'd be funny to mention it.Hemi
And no, RedLine can't fix bad lifters in a HEMI. We all know that.@Snagglefoot we have a 2016 RAM 1500 with a 5.7 HEMI, manufactured in 2015. It has close to 50K miles on the odometer and purrs like a kitten. I ran a bunch of oils through it for short intervals to try them and never had an issue. I ran Mobil 1 0W-40, and it also ran great on that. Currently, it's running AMSOIL Signature Series 5w30, and I'll stick with that for this engine. I live in the south, so I replaced the thermostat with a 185F T-Stat from Mishimoto and deleted 8 out of 12 grille shutters. I doubt this engine will give us any trouble any time soon. Oh, we're also towing with it from time to time.
As to Red Line 5w30: some tried it in the HEMI and noticed a subjectively quieter engine. For some, it may have even cleaned a somewhat neglected engine. I ran Red Line once in it for 3000 miles. It didn't do anything for the engine. I had the same oil pressures as with Mobil 1 0W-40.
Last edited by a moderator:
I liked the platform for the WK2. The WK before it… I wouldn’t repeat.
1. Stalled and surged, no codes, and it was repeatable yet couldn’t fix
2. A LOT of body flex
3. Minimal suspension alignment points made alignments tricky even with a very mild lift
4. A-pillar flex from door use
5. Poor body panel alignment
6. Mine had fuel rail problems
7. Known for poor rear axle tube alignment
8. Mine made odd “piston slap” noises after towing small trailers for a while
BUT, it was indeed a pleasure to drive, and capable off-road, and decent with fuel before a mild lift and tires. Headlights were also excellent, as was the radio, seat comfort and positions. Great climate control even in the basic one. The WA580/NAG1 may have been the best auto trans I’ve owned.
the WK2 was a totally different vehicle from what I could tell. I have always been intrigued by it, and am a firm supporter of the pentastar. I wouldn’t hesitate to own a pentastar-NAG1 drivetrain. When fiat got a hold of Chrysler, the Italians improved every bit of their interiors. That’s attractive as well. If the rest of the underpinnings were good before that, it’d be worth the shot. I think, just in my home, my wife would question me a lot after the experience with the 08.
1. Stalled and surged, no codes, and it was repeatable yet couldn’t fix
2. A LOT of body flex
3. Minimal suspension alignment points made alignments tricky even with a very mild lift
4. A-pillar flex from door use
5. Poor body panel alignment
6. Mine had fuel rail problems
7. Known for poor rear axle tube alignment
8. Mine made odd “piston slap” noises after towing small trailers for a while
BUT, it was indeed a pleasure to drive, and capable off-road, and decent with fuel before a mild lift and tires. Headlights were also excellent, as was the radio, seat comfort and positions. Great climate control even in the basic one. The WA580/NAG1 may have been the best auto trans I’ve owned.
the WK2 was a totally different vehicle from what I could tell. I have always been intrigued by it, and am a firm supporter of the pentastar. I wouldn’t hesitate to own a pentastar-NAG1 drivetrain. When fiat got a hold of Chrysler, the Italians improved every bit of their interiors. That’s attractive as well. If the rest of the underpinnings were good before that, it’d be worth the shot. I think, just in my home, my wife would question me a lot after the experience with the 08.
We had a 2011 V6 4x4. It had quite a few warranty issues the first few years -- being the first model year.
Our 2017 has 50k miles, and has been rock solid. We did have to replace a front wheel hub this summer -- covered 100% by extended warranty. It would have only been $350 had we paid for it. That's been the only issue what-so-ever. I change oil and cartridge filter every 6k. I use a torque wrench for the plastic filter housing, andhave never had a problem with a cracked one (4th Pentastar).
Our 2017 has 50k miles, and has been rock solid. We did have to replace a front wheel hub this summer -- covered 100% by extended warranty. It would have only been $350 had we paid for it. That's been the only issue what-so-ever. I change oil and cartridge filter every 6k. I use a torque wrench for the plastic filter housing, andhave never had a problem with a cracked one (4th Pentastar).
