Are you in the market for a Grand Cherokee and were wondering which Jeep Grand Cherokee years to avoid? In this article, I am going to give you some information that will hopefully leave you better placed to make a decision.
If you are looking to buy a used Jeep Grand Cherokee, the years to stay away from are 2011, 2014, and 2015. These models have reported the highest number of user complaints about this model.
The Jeep Grand Cherokee has been around for about two decades now and has made a name for itself not only in the American market but in Europe, Asia as well as Africa.
It is one of the American brands which have done really well outside of America. The Jeep Grand Cherokee was primarily designed to give you the amazing off-road capability that Jeep is known for.
Over and above that, it offers comfort, technology, and style that makes it a great choice for everyday commuting. The Grand Cherokee is known to have a lifespan of 15 to 20 years and 200,000 to 400,000 miles. When it comes to value for money, this is a great vehicle to get.
Best and Worst Years for Jeep Grand Cherokee
A Grand Cherokee is one of the most reliable vehicles you can have especially if you avoid the years that we’ve spoken of. It was voted the 25th most popular car in the US and for good reason.
It will give you good performance for a long period and is a joy to own. This does not mean that it is without its fair share of problems.
It has had a few recalls over the years due to various issues which we will talk about in more detail. A Grand Cherokee is one of the most reliable vehicles you can have especially if you avoid the years that we’ve spoken of.
It was voted the 25th most popular car in the US and for good reason. It will give you good performance for a long period and is a joy to own. This does not mean that it is without its fair share of problems. It has had a few recalls over the years due to various issues which we will talk about in more detail.
The Jeep Cherokee Years to Avoid
The 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee is the pioneer 4th generation Jeep. This model had a total of 6 recalls due to the number of problems it faced.
The major one on the 2011 model was the Totally Integrated Power module or the TIPM. It cost owners just under $2,000 to get this issue fixed. It is advised that you stay away from 1 st generation models because they introduce new features and tech which would not have gone through the necessary market testing.
The second or third edition of that generation would have worked out all the kinks. The 2011 Grand Cherokee also had problems with the braking system, suspension, fuel system as well as transmission.
The 2014 Grand Cherokee underwent 12 recalls in all. The main problems with it included the transmission, airbags, wiring system, electronics, alternator failure, and other issues.
The most common issue had to do with rough or jerky gear changes. The vehicle was also known to roll when put in park. This would usually happen when parked on an incline or decline.
It meant that there was a risk because you could roll into cars parked behind you or in front of you when parallel parked. The 2015 model’s main issues included transmission, wiring, hydraulics, brake fluid leaks, electronics, and rear suspension.
It went through a total of 6 recalls which was an improvement from the 12 of the previous year’s model. Though they fixed a number of issues, there were still a significant number of issues that still needed to be worked out.
Common Grand Cherokee Issues
Just like any other brand, Jeep Grand Cherokees are prone to issues after some time as well, it is important to note that these common issues start when the vehicle is starting to age and wear and tear is starting to take its place. here are common issues
1. TIPM (Totally Integrated Power Module) The Jeep Grand Cherokee uses a computer called a TIPM (Totally Integrated Power Module) to control all of its functions. If you have an issue with your Jeep’s electrical system, it may be caused by bad wiring or a faulty TIPM.
2. Electrical wiring If your vehicle is having problems starting, or if you experience problems with other electrical components, such as power windows, there may be an issue with your wiring harness or fuses. This could also be a sign of a bad TIPM or another electronic component in your vehicle.
Jeep Grand Complaints sorted by Year
| Grand Cherokee Year | No of Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 37 |
| 2011 | 755 |
| 2012 | 303 |
| 2013 | 101 |
| 2014 | 499 |
| 2015 | 513 |
| 2016 | 52 |
| 2017 | 59 |
| 2018 | 12 |
| 2019 | 6 |
| 2020 | 0 |
| 2021 | 2 |
Should I Buy a Used Jeep Grand Cherokee?
That’s a great question. There are arguments for buying a used Grand Cherokee. The main reason is that a Jeep Grand Cherokee loses about 30% of its value in the first year alone.
If you buy a 2-year-old Jeep, you can expect to pay over 40% less for a relatively new vehicle. The only risk worth mentioning with this approach is that if you are buying the first edition of a generation, there won’t yet be enough data recorded of the potential problems that may arise.
You may buy one that is about to experience a major issue. You can receive comfort in that, at this stage, the Jeep will still be under warranty so you may not have to fork out any money unless it has been modified in a way that avoids it.
It is a good idea to go for earlier models and generations that have been proven to be reliable so that you don’t have to deal with expensive repair jobs.
The fortunate thing about most of these Jeep issues is that they can easily be fixed. In fact, some die-hard Jeep fanatics with mechanical inclinations will argue that half of the joy of owning a Jeep is fixing it.
When it’s all been said and done, all car models have issues. No car is perfect. Buying a used Jeep will probably be one of the best investments of your life.
Conclusion
I hope that this article has given you enough information for you to make the best decision as far as buying a Jeep Grand Cherokee is concerned.
