Purchased a 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee

[Tikka]

Beautiful Jeep, congrats!

You have one of the best V6s on the market with the best transmission in the industry behind it. Jeep really did a nice job on the WK2, I think it's the best real SUV on the market. Love the UConnect system as well, it's the most customizable yet easiest to use system I've com

The current GC (WK2) is a pretty old platform at this time and is very well sorted. I expect there will be some teething pains when it goes to the new Fiat platform for 2022.

Hi
A prediction.
The 2022 Grand Cherokee will look terrific and drive superbly. It will however be a total basket case with regard to reliability.

The OP was wise to get a late model.
I wonder if the 2022 will keep the US made petrol engines.

 

[Ws6]

You don't have significant first-hand experience with a WK2, or, from my understanding, owning anything since Fiat took over Chrysler, correct? Your neighbour finding the seats uncomfortable is hardly a compelling foundation for the construct of well-rounded criticism. Why wade-in here other than for the purpose of being a Debbie Downer?

Like I don't jump into GM threads (which also tend to turn to bash-fests) and crow about how our '86 Olds Wagon was a steaming pile because it's in absolutely no way relevant to anything they've made in the last 20 or even 30 years, I would implore you to do the same in threads where somebody bought a brand new vehicle, is not, in any way, soliciting for advice on that purchase, and is just sharing it with the board.

If I spend a large chunk of money on a nice new , the last thing I'm going to pay attention to is some kid coming down on it because his parents bought something from the same brand when he was 4. Unless he's 12 years old, that's an entirely irrelevant anecdote that serves no purpose beyond highlighting that person's inability to read the crowd and judge the value of their contribution.

A lot of it is because it wasn't design issues we had with our Chryslers, but parts/material issues. Sub-standard raw materials. The design and build quality of mine was actually super nice.

 

[HoosierJeeper]

You don't have significant first-hand experience with a WK2, or, from my understanding, owning anything since Fiat took over Chrysler, correct? Your neighbour finding the seats uncomfortable is hardly a compelling foundation for the construct of well-rounded criticism. Why wade-in here other than for the purpose of being a Debbie Downer?

Like I don't jump into GM threads (which also tend to turn to bash-fests) and crow about how our '86 Olds Wagon was a steaming pile because it's in absolutely no way relevant to anything they've made in the last 20 or even 30 years, I would implore you to do the same in threads where somebody bought a brand new vehicle, is not, in any way, soliciting for advice on that purchase, and is just sharing it with the board.

If I spend a large chunk of money on a nice new , the last thing I'm going to pay attention to is some kid coming down on it because his parents bought something from the same brand when he was 4. Unless he's 12 years old, that's an entirely irrelevant anecdote that serves no purpose beyond highlighting that person's inability to read the crowd and judge the value of their contribution.

He probably can't afford one so he bashes them instead.

 

[glock19]

I wonder if the 2022 will keep the US made petrol engines.

FCA seems pretty dedicated to the Pentastar. My guess is they'll keep the Pentastar (maybe with a slight bump in hp) and the ZF 8-speed.

 

[4WD]

FCA seems pretty dedicated to the Pentastar. My guess is they'll keep the Pentastar (maybe with a slight bump in hp) and the ZF 8-speed.

They were hard to find in the Rubicon’s this summer … Jeep switched it to an optional engine whereas the I4T is standard and lots of folks still wanted the Pentastar … I just felt the little turbo had not been out long enough for me … but it makes low end torque like you want in a Wrangler … that’s what the V6 lacks … but the rest of the driveline takes care of that with ease …

 

[OVERKILL]

A lot of it is because it wasn't design issues we had with our Chryslers, but parts/material issues. Sub-standard raw materials. The design and build quality of mine was actually super nice.

Yep, and yours was a WK, not WK2, but at least you owned one in relatively recent memory. The WK2 is still a Mercedes/Chrysler platform but the interior was improved as was the case for pretty much all of the lineup after the 2014 merger, though there were definitely some growing pains and some complete bombs, like the Dart/200.

I'm hoping that the new GC will be more like our RAM experience and not like the Dart/200 one. There's hope on that front given the significant presence Jeep, and the Grand Cherokee in particular, holds in their product lineup. Fingers crossed.

 

[4WD]

Our 2013 Charger has been trouble free … even with my son’s method of driving best described with “stomp right peddle … now stomp left peddle”

 

[OVERKILL]

Hi
A prediction.
The 2022 Grand Cherokee will look terrific and drive superbly. It will however be a total basket case with regard to reliability.

The OP was wise to get a late model.
I wonder if the 2022 will keep the US made petrol engines.

I hope you are wrong on that, but only time will tell. They've, thus far, done an excellent job with the new RAM, which, for a completely new platform, really had very few growing pains, all things considered. We have a very early production 2019 that has needed some of the updates, but it has been a great truck so far.

On the powertrain I believe the initial offerings will be nary identical to what is currently being offered:
- 3.6L V6
- 5.7L V8
- 6.4L V8 (SRT)

Not sure if there will be a Trackhawk version off the hop or not, my dealer is expecting not, and that it will come later like it did on the WK2.

In addition to the triad of gas engines there's supposed to be:
- PHEV version
- EV version

But those may, particularly the EV, not be offered right out of the gate.

I'm really hoping for an SRT electric version.

 

[4WD]

My 2020 Pentastar was assembled in Mexico and the transmission in the USA … I totally embrace anything from North America as getting out in front of too much heading to China …

 

[buster]

I'm considering a Rubicon/Jeep possibly for my next vehicle, however Jeep reliability or lack of I should say does concern me.

 

[Ws6]

Yep, and yours was a WK, not WK2, but at least you owned one in relatively recent memory. The WK2 is still a Mercedes/Chrysler platform but the interior was improved as was the case for pretty much all of the lineup after the 2014 merger, though there were definitely some growing pains and some complete bombs, like the Dart/200.

I'm hoping that the new GC will be more like our RAM experience and not like the Dart/200 one. There's hope on that front given the significant presence Jeep, and the Grand Cherokee in particular, holds in their product lineup. Fingers crossed.

But none of the people I know who owned Chryslers even up to 2017 have had ANYTHING good to say. Transmissions failing (Ram 1500), Litany of issues like mine (2012? RAM 1500 x 2), just on and on man. And these are just PEOPLE I KNOW. Literally no-one I know except one doc is happy with his and it's a 3500 and he could afford to rebuild or replace any part and just not care (which indeed he has done, he's on the 2nd or 3rd front end suspension rebuild, lol!).

My issue wasn't "Oh, this is hard and not soft touch" or anything, it was "Why is all of the rubber in the suspension rotten in 4 years!?" and why is my transmission leaking and why can't they fix it and why is the water pump failing
That's what I like about my Mazdas. Very high quality of raw material, sole-source, designed, machined, assembled in ONE country (well, 99% of it, I believe), and they just work great regarding the actual "bones" of the vehicle.

The ZF is great...did Chrysler FINALLY figure out how to program them and they are holding up, now? Multiple people I know had them crap out very rapidly in >2015 vehicles.
The HEMI is great, and the Pentastar is great. Minor issues with both, but nothing horrible.

Again though...what's the quality of all the suspension bushings, the seals and gaskets, the real nuts and bolts of the vehicle? THAT'S what killed mine for me. Not "Oh, I don't like the infotainment screen."

The real kicker is when you realize that your local Jeep dealer is so slammed with repairs that they can't get to yours for weeks. Seriously. Why don't you call your local Jeep/Chrysler dealer and ask "Hey, if you have the parts in can you do brakes, alignment, and replace a water pump today or tomorrow...?" and just wait for the "Sorry, we are slammed, we can get you in the first part of Jan..." or some mess. Seriously, every Jeep/Dodge dealer I went to has been like that. Never at Mazda. Never at Nissan. Never at Infiniti. Never at GM. Never at Ford. Nope. Only car I've owned where they want you to wait weeks on end for something like a waterpump because their service dept is absolutely slayed.

 

[AutoMechanic]

But none of the people I know who owned Chryslers even up to 2017 have had ANYTHING good to say. Transmissions failing (Ram 1500), Litany of issues like mine (2012? RAM 1500 x 2), just on and on man. And these are just PEOPLE I KNOW. Literally no-one I know except one doc is happy with his and it's a 3500 and he could afford to rebuild or replace any part and just not care (which indeed he has done, he's on the 2nd or 3rd front end suspension rebuild, lol!).

My issue wasn't "Oh, this is hard and not soft touch" or anything, it was "Why is all of the rubber in the suspension rotten in 4 years!?" and why is my transmission leaking and why can't they fix it and why is the water pump failing
That's what I like about my Mazdas. Very high quality of raw material, sole-source, designed, machined, assembled in ONE country (well, 99% of it, I believe), and they just work great regarding the actual "bones" of the vehicle.

The ZF is great...did Chrysler FINALLY figure out how to program them and they are holding up, now? Multiple people I know had them crap out very rapidly in >2015 vehicles.
The HEMI is great, and the Pentastar is great. Minor issues with both, but nothing horrible.

Again though...what's the quality of all the suspension bushings, the seals and gaskets, the real nuts and bolts of the vehicle? THAT'S what killed mine for me. Not "Oh, I don't like the infotainment screen."

I agree there as well. We had a 2014 as a rental with the smaller engine that thing could barely go 55 I think it was a 2.4 or some ridiculous thing like that. But man that thing was underpowered so we have chosen from those experiences with our older one and that one and the other issues they have not to like them the old ones are tough as nails and practically indestructible just not safe in crashes.

 

[jeepman3071]

Every car I've owned has done exactly what CR said it would. This includes my 2010 JGC.

The 2010 is the original WK platform which had a large Daimler influence and is widely known as a POS. I wouldn't drive one of those if it was free, they are that bad, especially with the 3.7L.

With that said, the WK2 is a completely different platform which is very well built and historically reliable. It is a very dated platform, just like the Ram, but works well. All vehicles have issues, but saying they aren't reliable because of a few problems with a model of the same name from 10-20 years ago is like saying Hyundai/Kia vehicles today are the same they were 20 years ago. It's just simply not true, no vehicle is the same as they were 20 years ago for better or for worse. The Grand Cherokee of today shares nothing with the WK, or even older WJ from Donald's post. The electronics are different, the interior is different, the suspension is different, and the drivetrain is different. Even different year ranges can be different, a 2002-2004 WJ would not have the same potential problems that Donald had with his 2001 due to design changes.

I can't take consumer reports seriously because they categorize vehicle problems in a nonsensical way. Glitches in infotainment like slow response are weighed the same as drivability and transmission problems. They also base reliability off brand recognition. Yes, a Honda Accord historically is a reliable vehicle, but saying a brand new 1 year old platform is reliable because it hasn't had any issues is short sighted. I'm sure the buyers of Ford 6.0 PowerStroke diesels would feel the same way.

 

[OVERKILL]

But none of the people I know who owned Chryslers even up to 2017 have had ANYTHING good to say. Transmissions failing (Ram 1500), Litany of issues like mine (2012? RAM 1500 x 2), just on and on man. And these are just PEOPLE I KNOW. Literally no-one I know except one doc is happy with his and it's a 3500 and he could afford to rebuild or replace any part and just not care (which indeed he has done, he's on the 2nd or 3rd front end suspension rebuild, lol!).

My issue wasn't "Oh, this is hard and not soft touch" or anything, it was "Why is all of the rubber in the suspension rotten in 4 years!?" and why is my transmission leaking and why can't they fix it and why is the water pump failing
That's what I like about my Mazdas. Very high quality of raw material, sole-source, designed, machined, assembled in ONE country (well, 99% of it, I believe), and they just work great regarding the actual "bones" of the vehicle.

The ZF is great...did Chrysler FINALLY figure out how to program them and they are holding up, now? Multiple people I know had them crap out very rapidly in >2015 vehicles.
The HEMI is great, and the Pentastar is great. Minor issues with both, but nothing horrible.

Again though...what's the quality of all the suspension bushings, the seals and gaskets, the real nuts and bolts of the vehicle? THAT'S what killed mine for me. Not "Oh, I don't like the infotainment screen."

My '16 never leaked or had any suspension issues, but it was relatively new.

We have a pretty large sample size on the trucks at work, as almost the entire fleet is RAM 1500's of the 2010-2012 vintage, so they do not have the ZF unit (we have 4x trucks that do now) and we've had no transmission issues, a single incident of lifter failure, and no issues with suspension, leaks...etc. All of them have ~300,000km on them now, some more, some less, but that's probably about average. They've held up extremely well.

We now have 2x DT trucks, both 2020's, one replaced the truck that had lifter failure, the other was the owner who upgraded and his previous 2014 went down-fleet to another person.

Boss's wife has a 2016 GC Limited, got it around the same time I had mine, it's been perfect. Only thing it has had done to it is tires at this point, and I updated the UConnect on it for her. It has the Pentastar with the 8spd.

Be interesting to see how these trucks do now that they are hitting 10 years old.

 

[Ws6]

The 2010 is the original WK platform which had a large Daimler influence and is widely known as a POS. I wouldn't drive one of those if it was free, they are that bad, especially with the 3.7L.

With that said, the WK2 is a completely different platform which is very well built and historically reliable. It is a very dated platform, just like the Ram, but works well. All vehicles have issues, but saying they aren't reliable because of a few problems with a model of the same name from 10-20 years ago is like saying Hyundai/Kia vehicles today are the same they were 20 years ago. It's just simply not true, no vehicle is the same as they were 20 years ago for better or for worse. The Grand Cherokee of today shares nothing with the WK, or even older WJ from Donald's post. The electronics are different, the interior is different, the suspension is different, and the drivetrain is different. Even different year ranges can be different, a 2002-2004 WJ would not have the same potential problems that Donald had with his 2001 due to design changes.

I can't take consumer reports seriously because they categorize vehicle problems in a nonsensical way. Glitches in infotainment like slow response are weighed the same as drivability and transmission problems. They also base reliability off brand recognition. Yes, a Honda Accord historically is a reliable vehicle, but saying a brand new 1 year old platform is reliable because it hasn't had any issues is short sighted. I'm sure the buyers of Ford 6.0 PowerStroke diesels would feel the same way.

Okay, so did they change all of their raw parts suppliers? I had zero issues with the design of the vehicle. It was whoever they bought the rubber and seals and gaskets and shocks and struts and all that from. Did they ditch their cut rate junk suppliers, or nah? Again...design was fine. I bought it in 2014 because of the design. It was the last JGC that actually had lockers F/R from the factory.


If the JGC were safer, and used high quality materials, I'd absolutely have found myself in one instead of my CX5. It may be a little slower and less efficient, but it is an amazing cruiser, and I drive a lot so that matters. Perfect size for what I need an SUV for, as well. CX5 is a bit small but it's like a WRX on stilts so I give it a pass. It's legit fun. It's not that I didn't like the JGC, it was just completely untenable to consider owning long-term.

 

[OVERKILL]

I agree there as well. We had a 2014 as a rental with the smaller engine that thing could barely go 55 I think it was a 2.4 or some ridiculous thing like that. But man that thing was underpowered so we have chosen from those experiences with our older one and that one and the other issues they have not to like them the old ones are tough as nails and practically indestructible just not safe in crashes.

It wasn't a Grand Cherokee then.

 

[AutoMechanic]

It wasn't a Grand Cherokee then.

No but same concept and manufacturer

 

[jeepman3071]

Okay, so did they change all of their raw parts suppliers? I had zero issues with the design of the vehicle. It was whoever they bought the rubber and seals and gaskets and shocks and struts and all that from. Did they ditch their cut rate junk suppliers, or nah? Again...design was fine. I bought it in 2014 because of the design. It was the last JGC that actually had lockers F/R from the factory.


If the JGC were safer, and used high quality materials, I'd absolutely have found myself in one instead of my CX5. It may be a little slower and less efficient, but it is an amazing cruiser, and I drive a lot so that matters. Perfect size for what I need an SUV for, as well. CX5 is a bit small but it's like a WRX on stilts so I give it a pass. It's legit fun. It's not that I didn't like it, it was just completely untenable to consider owning long-term.

I have no idea, since I don't work for FCA. The suppliers could be the same, it's the quality of the parts (IE the spec they are built to) which matters. Even China can build decent quality things if that is what is required of them by the manufacturer.

 

[buster]

I like the look and power of the JGC. However, I think I would take the Honda Passport over the GC. Passport is quick, reliable and has a great AWD system. Quite capable for an SUV off-road. Not a Jeep though.

 

[OVERKILL]

Okay, so did they change all of their raw parts suppliers? I had zero issues with the design of the vehicle. It was whoever they bought the rubber and seals and gaskets and shocks and struts and all that from. Did they ditch their cut rate junk suppliers, or nah? Again...design was fine. I bought it in 2014 because of the design. It was the last JGC that actually had lockers F/R from the factory.


If the JGC were safer, and used high quality materials, I'd absolutely have found myself in one instead of my CX5. It may be a little slower and less efficient, but it is an amazing cruiser, and I drive a lot so that matters. Perfect size for what I need an SUV for, as well. CX5 is a bit small but it's like a WRX on stilts so I give it a pass. It's legit fun. It's not that I didn't like the JGC, it was just completely untenable to consider owning long-term.

I expect quite a bit changed when they completed the merger with Fiat. Remember, they were joined at the hip with Mercedes until they weren't, then they were run by Cerberus, which was a Private Investment company, and things did NOT go well there. Then they went bankrupt and emerged from that owned by the US and Canadian governments, the Auto Workers Union and Fiat. Once Fiat completely took over, while as I noted there were some growing pains, materials quality went up and a lot of other things were improved, likely the same things you've got concerns about.

Remember, we had the discussion about the JGC safety. It was a top safety pick when the platform was new, but, like the Tundra and Sienna, those platforms are now old and are no longer top safety picks, that's just how it goes. It doesn't mean the vehicles are unsafe, they are still the same chassis that received top safety pick, nothing was "downgraded", its simply their position has shifted as newer platforms that do better, and the tests themselves have emerged and evolved.