Jeep Grand Cherokee Owners

[Realtech214]

Hey all, some may remember me talking about this a while ago but I want answers.

I may be getting a 2006 Grand Cherokee Limited with 5 speed auto and 4.7 V8 with 55000 miles, Grage kept, showroom condition. Owner: My Grandpa

My worries are that, it will give me transmission problems. Everyone I know of that had a chrystler has had tranny probs. I am scared the jeep may as well. Shifts perfect now.

Im asking for feedback from other owners of this jeep. Whats your milage as well.

Thanks!

 

[tomcat27]

dont worry. I had a 99 with the 4.7. I believe it had the 545RFE tranny - which is a very reliable unit. IMHO, most of the Dodge tranny issues were pre- ATF4. I have owned many Dodge/Jeep trucks - tow alot! ( 6000 lb boat) and have never had a transmission problem. Just change the fluid every 30k.

 

[earlyre]

(What Tomcat said) and only use atf+4
no "universal" fluids, no dex/merc, etc.
as long as it's ATF+4, it's OK. it's a VERY tight spec. like only 1 base stock and 1 add pack.
so brand not really an issue.
a bottle of official mopar atf+4, should be chemically identical to a bottle of Supertech atf+4

 

[Wampahoofus]

I would agree with tomcat that most of the Mopar trans issues were pre-ATF+4 (as an aside, check out SAE paper 982674 for more on the improvements +4 brought). They've been pretty solid ever since. Severe service maintenance dictates a trans fluid & filter change at 60k miles which is enough for the vast majority of people.

To further beat a dead horse with the Mopar folks, fluid quality was key with the 604 and it's derivatives. Dex III and ATF+ really didn't cut it unless you liked changing it every 12k. Even +3 wasn't really good for much more than 30k. +4 has been factory fill since 2001 (give or take a year), and is good to at least 60k unless you really beat the snot out of it.

 

[SwampSurvivor]

The 5 speeds weren't terrible. Use a good fluid and put on a cooler and it will be fine.

The 4 speed autos were disasters.

 

[NHHEMI]

Originally Posted By: earlyre
(What Tomcat said) and only use atf+4
no "universal" fluids, no dex/merc, etc.
as long as it's ATF+4, it's OK. it's a VERY tight spec. like only 1 base stock and 1 add pack.
so brand not really an issue.
a bottle of official mopar atf+4, should be chemically identical to a bottle of Supertech atf+4


Universal fluids such as those from RP, Amsoil, Redline, etc... work 100% fine in place of ATF+4. Have used RP MaxATF in place of it myself and it worked great. ATF+4 is not a magical fluid.

 

[Huie83]

Our Jeep's have been hit and miss for reliability. I'd say if it has been maintained you have a 50/50 chance of it either being a great SUV or a total POS.

I have had 4 jeeps as well as a Durango, 2 with that drivetrain. Both the 4.7 and 5.7 Grand Cherokee's that I owned gave me major engine and transmission issues around 50-100K.

The 4.7 had a electrical bug the dealer couldn't trace, it would randomly just die while driving and had a hard time idling, all sorts of stuff was replaced to no avail, no trans issues though. I dumped it for the 05.

My 05 with the 5.7 Hemi spit out spark plugs, ERG valve went bad, bad ECM and trans failure all before 60K miles. Very happy I had a extended warranty on that one, $8K in work was paid out!

My 96 with the 5.2 had the trans go out at 70K and major engine electrical issues at around 110K....

Keep In mind I'm a car guy too, I stay on top of my maintenance per the manual.

So IMO, Jeeps are a blast to own but in my experience are far from reliable and pretty maintenance intense. Would that stop me from buying another, nope, just be aware of what you are getting into.

 

[caravanmike]

545rfe is a solid transmission. put you effort into worying if the 4.7L was maintained. example: oil changes, no signs of overheating etc...

 

[jeepman3071]

Originally Posted By: caravanmike
545rfe is a solid transmission. put you effort into worying if the 4.7L was maintained. example: oil changes, no signs of overheating etc...


This. The 545RFE is a good transmission and with only 50k miles you have lots of life left. Keep the fluid changed every 30k miles and it will run a long time. My dad sold his 4.7L Grand Cherokee with the same trans with 180k on it and it ran perfect. He towed a trailer every weekend with it. If you are worried throw an external cooler on it. If you maintain your vehicles, you shouldn't have any problems with it, especially with that low of mileage.

 

[Realtech214]

Every fluid including PS fluid was new and clear. He has had the diff and tranny fluid changed at 30000 miles. Everything is OVER maintained in this case.

 

[jeepman3071]

Originally Posted By: Realtech214
Every fluid including PS fluid was new and clear. He has had the diff and tranny fluid changed at 30000 miles. Everything is OVER maintained in this case.




If it has been that well maintained it will be a nice Jeep!

 

[hsd]

I have a 2006 Grand Cherokee with the NAG1 transmission which is a little different from the V8 models. Only problems over the past 6 years have been an ATF leak on the transmission electrical connector which I fixed myself for $15 and dirty shifter module (fairly common) which I cleaned up myself. Join some of the WK Jeep forums if you want more info on common problems and mods.
Keep up the routine maintenance and your Jeep should provide reliable service.

 

[widman]

I never had problems with my 93, 2009, or now with my 2012. I use a "Universal" fluid that I also sell to the dealer.

Most of my driving is mountain 4x4 on dirt/mud/rock/gravel roads.

 

[artificialist]

My mother's 2005 has the 3.7 V6 and the NAG1 transmission, so I can't really give advice there. She has 160,000 and it still runs well.

The car has had very few needs. I hope it stays that way, and she can hold onto it for a long time.