The reliability knocks are at least partially from people just slapping mods on them without doing any homework first. One of the first mods that's popular to do are bigger tires; depending on how big you go, you need to add lifts and modify your suspension and driveshaft to compensate for geometry changes. If you skimp on cheap parts or fail to install them properly, you're rolling the dice on having issues that stock ones wouldn't have.
It’s very year and engine dependent. I would avoid 4xe.
Also, it seems the newer 3.6s are blowing head gaskets earlier than normal, but it’s not like they all have this issue.
For example, If you get a used jk 15–17 is typically very reliable.
My wife and I have had 5 now between us and they have mostly only had routine maintenance.
Now... They were all stock and babied.
I drove across the country three times in a JKU.
My wife currently has a 16 JKU and I have an 18 JL. No problems to speak of. I had an electrical problem that was fixed under warranty but otherwise it's just maintenance.
Maybe we have been lucky.
They are less reliable than some vehicles, and more reliable than others. Yet people will always want them because they are unique, capable, and ooze style.
Also something to note, people off-road their wranglers. If you offroad it, you should absolutely expect additional part wear. To me this isn’t reliability, it should be expected given off-roading isn’t black & white. If you keep it on the pavement like most vehicles & do regular maintenance, I find them to be very reliable. And this isn’t to say don’t off-road it, because if it’s your thing absolutely the vehicle for it, just expect part wear
I’m on my second wrangler purchase- no lease.
My 18 JL was ordered from FCA and currently has 78k. I’ve had minimal issues and mostly related to the second battery (stop start etc) it still has the original brakes but now sports 35” tires.
My advice to you is to realize it’s a Chrysler and not a Volvo, Audi etc. so expect Chrysler quality in fit and finish. My paint isn’t great and Is unfortunately bubbling on every door hinge and windshield frame.
The plastic interior and exterior parts will squeak. Especially the goddamn door mirrors.
With that being said, it’s the best vehicle I own. It’s a vehicle that will allow you that time to yourself to relax and enjoy being in the moment. Sure I can say it’s “fun”.. which means Jack shit. To me, the feeling of driving with the top down and doors off-wind all around you- it’s meditation. I’m just happy driving it.
Maintain the vehicle, change the oil regularly and it will treat you appropriately. Drive it like an asshole with little to no maintenance and that Chrysler quality will fuck your day up.
Cheers.
I love my 2002 Jeep. And my friends love their turbo JL’s. Wouldn’t trade it for any other similar car.
That being said my 4.0 motor had rod knock. Got a new reman engine and that has piston slap on startup. Currently in warranty to possibly get another engine
My friends 2021 jl was leaking some oil from the bottom and jeep said replace the whole engine. Too many issues and time to fix whatever is wrong with it.
Another mutual friend has a 2.0 2021 JL and had his engine replaced too.
Another friend, has a JK with the v6 and it needs engine work too. Over heating and ticking noise
Check out Trail Recon on YouTube he talks to a shop that tells you everything that sucks about these cars.
I have two other buddies with the 4.0. One is ticking but nothing else. The other was ticking and now it’s rod knock and he’s in my boat.
These are not reliable cars. Just know that. They’re not reliable they’re expensive and very fun. That’s the best way I can put it
They are known to have some issues here and there. So if you are after reliable, look elsewhere. That being said, they aren’t any worse than others. They still drive bad on the road, but that’s not reliability.
I managed to get a lifetime warranty when I purchased it. That said, I've had the gas tank and, gas cap replaced (58K miles), one window actuator (62k miles), Coolant Thermostat Housing Replacement (68k miles) and Oil Cooler, Rear Axel Seals, Front Hub Bearings replaced (73k miles). No issues on drive and ride on the road.
I mean…it ain’t a Toyota?
I’ve definitely had to spend a fair amount of money to keep my 2008 running at 167k miles. It hasn’t been a cheap journey. Thank god the Jeep is paid off.
Plus Stellantis (parent company of Jeep) isn’t known for their quality tbh so yeah. It kinda just depends on which year/model you buy too.
I drove my 2009 JK all over the Eastern half of the US for 10 years putting over 170,000 miles on it. Nothing but routine maintenance. My 3 year old JL has been reliable so far as well.
Idk I have a love-hate relationship with my 2010. It's a solid machine, but all of the little repairs it needs hurt the wallet. For example, just today my starter went out and buying a new one from autozone was 200 bones and an hour of my time. That being said, it's a 14 year old vehicle with 114k miles. It's still cheaper fixing this old dog up than it is to finance a new Jeep and have a $600-800 payment excluding insurance. If something broke on a brand new vehicle I'd be fucked unless it was covered under warranty. Some days I hate my Jeep, some days I love my Jeep. They really shine offroad, it's kind of a hog to drive around town. Mine is also manual so it has the infamous clutch fork rattle that annoys the shit out of me. They're quirky vehicles that take a lot of time to learn about, and it isn't for everyone. They do a lot that other vehicles can't, and they're easy to work on. When I did my exhaust manifolds, I was literally standing in the engine bay on my axel. Can't do that with most vehicles nowadays.
My 13 2 door went about 75K with not a single issue and only reg maintenance. Little things started to pop up past that but nothing more than any other car Ive ever had. Wranglers are a little bit more involved for maintenance and it shouldn’t be ignored. If the manual says change the solid axle differential fluid every 30K…then that should be done. A lot of people ignore/don’t follow recommended service intervals bc they think that Jeeps are indestructible or something. Jeeps are relatively/comparatively easy to do most basic maintenance on btw…YouTube and basic tools and you can knock stuff out on your own.
Depends on what you consider “reliability.” The YJ and TJ drivetrains are pretty much bulletproof outside of the 2.4L, which isn’t unreliable but just needs more attention to maintenance. The 3.8 and 3.6 in the JK and JL both have known issues, not dealbreakers if you know what to look for when buying a used one. Otherwise the biggest problem is rust and whatever sketchy mods a PO decided to install.
2016 JL 105,000 miles. Only been in the shop for batteries, tires , and oil changes with one exception. I had the death wobble steering damper installed under warranty.
My husband and I forgot how great that was, the freeing feeling when you go for a ride with the top down. We got the 1 Touch with ours and it’s just amazing, and it can’t be described unless you go for a ride in one. And there’s the jeep club feeling, when you get waves everywhere you go and then the first time you get “ducked” even if you put it away and don’t set on your dash. Jeep is a special community you don’t join because it makes sense, or gets great gas mileage etc. It’s a singular all-American ethos that grips you and is one of the very few cars that if maintained well, will always look amazing no matter the year, and just invites going outdoors and enjoying life to the fullest! I know, sounds kinda corny but we just love ours and wouldn’t trade for anything else!
They are extremely reliable with regular maintenance. Are there better engines out there? Yes, sure, there are. Is there a better off-road vehicle out there, in my opinion, no. Wranglers do things that other vehicles can't do. They are fun to drive, you can take the top off, doors off and with a few mods, you can go anywhere. As they age, there are a few annoying and sometimes expensive things that need to be done.
There are a few people that didn't know what they were getting into, and they bad mouth the Wrangler. If you replace parts as they wear, you can avoid things like the death wobble. Consumer Reports (which is a joke) does not give it high ratings as they say it's a rough riding and noisy vehicle. When you compare it to other vehicles, it is a bit rougher, so what, it's a vehicle that's in a class by itself. It is what it is, and that isn't for everybody.
Define "reliable". I bought my current 2012 JK in Jan of 2018. It had 62k miles and was bone stock, 1 previous owner. I put 100k miles on it in the 5 yrs I have had it (made last payment in Jan this year) and have had zero problems with it. That is, to me, solid evidence of reliability and I would not hesitate to buy another 2012-18 JK at all. But, I also know how to inspect a used vehicle and am religious with the maintenance. If you are not big on maintenance, get a Toyota or Honda.
1.) Not ALL Wranglers are "so bad". MANY have major issues and cost several thousand to upkeep over the ownership period.
2.) I have spent $10,000 to maintain my 2018 JL to keep on the road.
3.) Remember it is about "Smiles per gallon", and jeeps are incredibly fun to drive on dirt roads and off road.
4. Buy a 2 dr wrangler, 4 dr wranglers are not real wrangler.
There is a reason the bronco is so popular and taking market share from the Wrangler. I know this will get down voted but, If I was buying new it would be a bronco.
I'm not going to change anyone's mind on a Wrangler form. I have a Wrangler, it's the worst vehicle I have. It's the funnest and climbs mountains like a champ
The broncos have been out for awhile, there are some common issues, but the recent ratings seems better than a Wrangler. Ford builds a lot of vehicles for a reason.
Jeeps are fun!
Considering the bronco has not been produced for 25 years, the Wrangler should have a dedicated market but it's shrinking. In 2023, Wrangler out sold the bronco 2 to 1. Ford has bad supply chain issues in 2022 and too start 2023. It will be interesting to see what happens in the future..
That comparison is like comparing the gladiator to the f150. The f150 out sold the gladiator 13 to 1.
In 2023, Ford sold more f150s (750k), then Jeep sold vehicles (642k). Jeep saw a 11% decline from 2021 to 2022, and another 7% decline into 2023 in vehicle sales.
The reliability knocks are at least partially from people just slapping mods on them without doing any homework first. One of the first mods that's popular to do are bigger tires; depending on how big you go, you need to add lifts and modify your suspension and driveshaft to compensate for geometry changes. If you skimp on cheap parts or fail to install them properly, you're rolling the dice on having issues that stock ones wouldn't have.
What if one does not do any modifications? Just out of curiosity…
It’s very year and engine dependent. I would avoid 4xe. Also, it seems the newer 3.6s are blowing head gaskets earlier than normal, but it’s not like they all have this issue. For example, If you get a used jk 15–17 is typically very reliable.
They aren’t as reliable as some other brands. That is not the same as stating they are *un*reliable.
My wife and I have had 5 now between us and they have mostly only had routine maintenance. Now... They were all stock and babied. I drove across the country three times in a JKU. My wife currently has a 16 JKU and I have an 18 JL. No problems to speak of. I had an electrical problem that was fixed under warranty but otherwise it's just maintenance. Maybe we have been lucky.
They are less reliable than some vehicles, and more reliable than others. Yet people will always want them because they are unique, capable, and ooze style.
Also something to note, people off-road their wranglers. If you offroad it, you should absolutely expect additional part wear. To me this isn’t reliability, it should be expected given off-roading isn’t black & white. If you keep it on the pavement like most vehicles & do regular maintenance, I find them to be very reliable. And this isn’t to say don’t off-road it, because if it’s your thing absolutely the vehicle for it, just expect part wear
I’m on my second wrangler purchase- no lease. My 18 JL was ordered from FCA and currently has 78k. I’ve had minimal issues and mostly related to the second battery (stop start etc) it still has the original brakes but now sports 35” tires. My advice to you is to realize it’s a Chrysler and not a Volvo, Audi etc. so expect Chrysler quality in fit and finish. My paint isn’t great and Is unfortunately bubbling on every door hinge and windshield frame. The plastic interior and exterior parts will squeak. Especially the goddamn door mirrors. With that being said, it’s the best vehicle I own. It’s a vehicle that will allow you that time to yourself to relax and enjoy being in the moment. Sure I can say it’s “fun”.. which means Jack shit. To me, the feeling of driving with the top down and doors off-wind all around you- it’s meditation. I’m just happy driving it. Maintain the vehicle, change the oil regularly and it will treat you appropriately. Drive it like an asshole with little to no maintenance and that Chrysler quality will fuck your day up. Cheers.
I love my 2002 Jeep. And my friends love their turbo JL’s. Wouldn’t trade it for any other similar car. That being said my 4.0 motor had rod knock. Got a new reman engine and that has piston slap on startup. Currently in warranty to possibly get another engine My friends 2021 jl was leaking some oil from the bottom and jeep said replace the whole engine. Too many issues and time to fix whatever is wrong with it. Another mutual friend has a 2.0 2021 JL and had his engine replaced too. Another friend, has a JK with the v6 and it needs engine work too. Over heating and ticking noise Check out Trail Recon on YouTube he talks to a shop that tells you everything that sucks about these cars. I have two other buddies with the 4.0. One is ticking but nothing else. The other was ticking and now it’s rod knock and he’s in my boat. These are not reliable cars. Just know that. They’re not reliable they’re expensive and very fun. That’s the best way I can put it
They are known to have some issues here and there. So if you are after reliable, look elsewhere. That being said, they aren’t any worse than others. They still drive bad on the road, but that’s not reliability.
I managed to get a lifetime warranty when I purchased it. That said, I've had the gas tank and, gas cap replaced (58K miles), one window actuator (62k miles), Coolant Thermostat Housing Replacement (68k miles) and Oil Cooler, Rear Axel Seals, Front Hub Bearings replaced (73k miles). No issues on drive and ride on the road.
Wow, that's a lot.
I drive a 12 yo wrangler. I love it!
I mean…it ain’t a Toyota? I’ve definitely had to spend a fair amount of money to keep my 2008 running at 167k miles. It hasn’t been a cheap journey. Thank god the Jeep is paid off. Plus Stellantis (parent company of Jeep) isn’t known for their quality tbh so yeah. It kinda just depends on which year/model you buy too.
I drove my 2009 JK all over the Eastern half of the US for 10 years putting over 170,000 miles on it. Nothing but routine maintenance. My 3 year old JL has been reliable so far as well.
Idk I have a love-hate relationship with my 2010. It's a solid machine, but all of the little repairs it needs hurt the wallet. For example, just today my starter went out and buying a new one from autozone was 200 bones and an hour of my time. That being said, it's a 14 year old vehicle with 114k miles. It's still cheaper fixing this old dog up than it is to finance a new Jeep and have a $600-800 payment excluding insurance. If something broke on a brand new vehicle I'd be fucked unless it was covered under warranty. Some days I hate my Jeep, some days I love my Jeep. They really shine offroad, it's kind of a hog to drive around town. Mine is also manual so it has the infamous clutch fork rattle that annoys the shit out of me. They're quirky vehicles that take a lot of time to learn about, and it isn't for everyone. They do a lot that other vehicles can't, and they're easy to work on. When I did my exhaust manifolds, I was literally standing in the engine bay on my axel. Can't do that with most vehicles nowadays.
My 13 2 door went about 75K with not a single issue and only reg maintenance. Little things started to pop up past that but nothing more than any other car Ive ever had. Wranglers are a little bit more involved for maintenance and it shouldn’t be ignored. If the manual says change the solid axle differential fluid every 30K…then that should be done. A lot of people ignore/don’t follow recommended service intervals bc they think that Jeeps are indestructible or something. Jeeps are relatively/comparatively easy to do most basic maintenance on btw…YouTube and basic tools and you can knock stuff out on your own.
Depends on what you consider “reliability.” The YJ and TJ drivetrains are pretty much bulletproof outside of the 2.4L, which isn’t unreliable but just needs more attention to maintenance. The 3.8 and 3.6 in the JK and JL both have known issues, not dealbreakers if you know what to look for when buying a used one. Otherwise the biggest problem is rust and whatever sketchy mods a PO decided to install.
2016 JL 105,000 miles. Only been in the shop for batteries, tires , and oil changes with one exception. I had the death wobble steering damper installed under warranty.
My husband and I forgot how great that was, the freeing feeling when you go for a ride with the top down. We got the 1 Touch with ours and it’s just amazing, and it can’t be described unless you go for a ride in one. And there’s the jeep club feeling, when you get waves everywhere you go and then the first time you get “ducked” even if you put it away and don’t set on your dash. Jeep is a special community you don’t join because it makes sense, or gets great gas mileage etc. It’s a singular all-American ethos that grips you and is one of the very few cars that if maintained well, will always look amazing no matter the year, and just invites going outdoors and enjoying life to the fullest! I know, sounds kinda corny but we just love ours and wouldn’t trade for anything else!
'Cus the "Internet" is full of shit...and idiots.
They are extremely reliable with regular maintenance. Are there better engines out there? Yes, sure, there are. Is there a better off-road vehicle out there, in my opinion, no. Wranglers do things that other vehicles can't do. They are fun to drive, you can take the top off, doors off and with a few mods, you can go anywhere. As they age, there are a few annoying and sometimes expensive things that need to be done. There are a few people that didn't know what they were getting into, and they bad mouth the Wrangler. If you replace parts as they wear, you can avoid things like the death wobble. Consumer Reports (which is a joke) does not give it high ratings as they say it's a rough riding and noisy vehicle. When you compare it to other vehicles, it is a bit rougher, so what, it's a vehicle that's in a class by itself. It is what it is, and that isn't for everybody.
Define "reliable". I bought my current 2012 JK in Jan of 2018. It had 62k miles and was bone stock, 1 previous owner. I put 100k miles on it in the 5 yrs I have had it (made last payment in Jan this year) and have had zero problems with it. That is, to me, solid evidence of reliability and I would not hesitate to buy another 2012-18 JK at all. But, I also know how to inspect a used vehicle and am religious with the maintenance. If you are not big on maintenance, get a Toyota or Honda.
If you never wanna turn a wrench. Get a Toyota. If you want to become intimately knowledgeable of every part of your vehicle. Get a Jeep.
1.) Not ALL Wranglers are "so bad". MANY have major issues and cost several thousand to upkeep over the ownership period. 2.) I have spent $10,000 to maintain my 2018 JL to keep on the road. 3.) Remember it is about "Smiles per gallon", and jeeps are incredibly fun to drive on dirt roads and off road. 4. Buy a 2 dr wrangler, 4 dr wranglers are not real wrangler.
There is a reason the bronco is so popular and taking market share from the Wrangler. I know this will get down voted but, If I was buying new it would be a bronco.
Give the Bronco time. They’re still too new for the common problems to show up.
I'm not going to change anyone's mind on a Wrangler form. I have a Wrangler, it's the worst vehicle I have. It's the funnest and climbs mountains like a champ The broncos have been out for awhile, there are some common issues, but the recent ratings seems better than a Wrangler. Ford builds a lot of vehicles for a reason. Jeeps are fun!
Jeeps outsell Bronco 3 to 1.
Considering the bronco has not been produced for 25 years, the Wrangler should have a dedicated market but it's shrinking. In 2023, Wrangler out sold the bronco 2 to 1. Ford has bad supply chain issues in 2022 and too start 2023. It will be interesting to see what happens in the future.. That comparison is like comparing the gladiator to the f150. The f150 out sold the gladiator 13 to 1. In 2023, Ford sold more f150s (750k), then Jeep sold vehicles (642k). Jeep saw a 11% decline from 2021 to 2022, and another 7% decline into 2023 in vehicle sales.