The Jeep Wrangler Reliability and Issues. The Jeep Wrangler is an off-roading and adventure icon. Since 2015, it has sold over 200,000 units per year, the vast majority of which have been in the United States. Wranglers also have a high resale value, earning them a lot of attention for being among the best. Isn’t it almost too good to be true?
Wranglers have their fair share of issues and reliability concerns. However, Jeep is not alone in this regard; many cars and SUVs fall into this category. Still, it’s critical to understand what you’re getting yourself into before making a purchase. This article discusses Jeep Wrangler reliability, engine problems, and other topics.
Wrangler Through the Years
The Wrangler, of course, has been around for over 30 years. There are several generations, each with a different engine. A lot of Wrangler dependability may be determined by the engine. As a result, some background information is required.
We’ll just go over the fundamentals here. The majority of the Jeep Wrangler reliability discussion will follow. We will, however, layout the various Jeeps as well as the engines in each model. We’ll provide some links to specific engine troubleshooting guides there.
The majority of this article is still an excellent starting point for general Jeep dependability. After you’ve narrowed down your Wrangler search, the specific engine problems and reliability guides may be a useful additional resource.
*Please keep in mind that we do not have comprehensive engine problems and reliability guides for all engines. We’ll update this post as we find new and relevant content to link to.
Models of Wrangler YJ (1987-1995)
American Motors manufactured the first Wranglers in 1987. (AMC). However, Jeep was purchased by Chrysler during its first year of operation. In any case, the Wrangler YJ’s engines are all AMC. They’re also known as some of the most powerful and dependable Jeep engines available. This is despite the AMC straight-4 and straight-6 engines’ relatively old technology and low-cost design. The YJ’s engines include:
AMC straight-4 2.5L
The majority of this article is still an excellent starting point for general Jeep dependability. After you’ve narrowed down your Wrangler search, the specific engine problems and reliability guides may be a useful additional resource.
*Please keep in mind that we do not have comprehensive engine problems and reliability guides for all engines. We’ll update this post as we find new and relevant content to link to.
Models of Wrangler YJ (1987-1995)
American Motors manufactured the first Wranglers in 1987. (AMC). However, Jeep was purchased by Chrysler during its first year of operation. In any case, the Wrangler YJ’s engines are all AMC. They’re also known as some of the most powerful and dependable Jeep engines available. This is despite the AMC straight-4 and straight-6 engines’ relatively old technology and low-cost design. The YJ’s engines include:
- AMC straight-4 2.5L
- Chrysler PowerTech 2.4
- AMC straight-4 2.5
- AMC straight-6 4.0
The legendary AMC/Jeep 4.0L engines were still available in 2006. Early 1996-2000 variants have 190hp and 225 lb-ft of torque, while 2001+ Jeep 4.0 engines have an additional 10 lb-ft of torque. It’s a disappointing performance for a large 6-cylinder engine in the 2000s. Nonetheless, the Jeep Wrangler 4.0 is regarded as one of the most dependable and robust engines.
JK Wrangler (2007-2017)
AMC engines are no longer available in Jeep Wrangler JK models. Moving forward, all of these engines are Chrysler/FCA designs. Aside from an inline-4 diesel engine built by the Italian company VM Motori, the V6 is also the only option. The following engines are installed in the JK chassis:
- 2.8L inline-4 diesel VM Motori
- Chrysler EGH 3.8L
- FCA Pentastar 3.6
While none of these engines has the same reputation as the AMC 4.0, we believe they are still good engines. From 2007 to 2010, the Wrangler JK’s 3.8L V6 engine produced 215hp and 245 lb-ft of torque. The popular 3.6 Pentastar engine took over in the JK chassis in 2011. We believe the 3.6L V6 engine is a solid engine from top to bottom, but horror stories abound. We believe that the 10-11 million plus Pentastar engines are a major reason for this. There will be some issues with such a large sample size.
Jeep JL Models (2018 and Up)
Wrangler JL models are the most recent. It’s also a little perplexing because there are so many different engine options for the Jeep Wrangler JL. There are only a few engines available, but hybrid engines are also available for some. The following engines are on the JL engine list:
- Hurricane inline-4 2.0
- Hurricane inline-4 MHEV 2.0L
- PHEV 2.0 Hurricane inline-4
- 2.2 inline-4 diesel Multijet
- 3.0 EcoDiesel V6
- Pentastar V6 3.6L
- Pentastar V6 Hybrid 3.6L
- 6.4 HEMI V8
The engine options in the 2018+ Jeep Wrangler models are extensive. The main engine is the 3.6 Pentastar, but it received a number of updates in 2016. There’s also a 6.4 HEMI in the Rubicon model for those looking for a lot of power and performance.
The hybrid drivetrains are less familiar to us, but the 2.0 Hurricane, 3.6 Pentastar, and 6.4L HEMI V8 are all solid engines. The JL is also 2018+, so many are still covered by warranty. In that regard, they will undoubtedly be the least expensive to own in the short term.
Topics in General Reliability
It’s difficult to cover 30 years of Wrangler models without addressing some general issues. This is all related to the Jeep Wrangler in particular. Many of these general topics, however, apply to almost any automotive engine or car. In the following section, we’ll get into more specifics. For the time being, let’s focus on some critical reliability issues.
Related : The Toyota 2JZ-GTE Engine Manual
Wrangler Mileage and Maintenance
Again, many people believe that the AMC 4.0 straight-6 is the most dependable Jeep engine. It’s possible, but we’re also talking about engines that are more than 15 years old. In general, this means the 4.0 straight-6 will need more TLC. Many engine parts deteriorate with age and mileage, particularly gaskets and hoses. This can result in coolant and oil leaks. For example, problems that should not be common on a 5-8 year old engine.
In essence, the 4.0L engine may have been the best when it was newer. It may still be the case in some cases. However, some Jeep Wrangler buyers would be better served by a new SUV/engine that doesn’t require as much maintenance.
Maintenance is an important consideration when purchasing a used Jeep Wrangler. How well did the previous owner maintain the SUV/truck? It’s not always easy to tell, but a clean model with a good maintenance history will go a long way.
Jeep Wrangler Applications
This topic is somewhat related to maintenance. However, how you or the previous owner use the Jeep is an important factor to consider. Off-roading has the potential to cause a slew of issues. If you’re cautious and don’t go overboard, it shouldn’t be a major concern in the short term. Bottoming out, hitting something, or whatever else could happen is always a possibility.
Otherwise, off-roading can put additional strain on suspension, axles, bushings, and other components. In the short term or for occasional, light use, it should not be a major concern. Those looking to get a little crazier are likely to be dedicated and understand what is required as well as what could go wrong.
The main point is that if you intend to go off-road with your Jeep Wrangler, you should expect to encounter more problems.
What Others Have to Say
It’s not difficult to find ratings from some of the most prominent reliability ranking sites/companies. Scores frequently vary greatly from model to model. One major reason for this is that many people base their reliability on very short-term evidence. Recalls are a significant factor that can significantly affect ratings from one year to the next (even though the engine, options, features, chassis are the same). We dislike looking at dependability in this manner.
Yes, recalls and other short-term issues on a brand new vehicle are inconvenient. This applies to all vehicles, manufacturers, and engines. For many reliability rankings, we simply do not like the scoring system. They should be taken with a grain of salt.
Jeep Wrangler Common Issues
Okay, it’s time to return to more specific Jeep Wrangler reliability and problems topics. What are some of the most common engine and chassis issues on Wranglers over the years? We’ll look at some of the most common problems with the Wrangler before wrapping up with some general thoughts on dependability.
1. Wrangler Engine Issues
Given the large number of Jeep Wrangler engines available over the years, exact engine problems can vary greatly. We do have articles dedicated to the four most common Wrangler engines, which are linked above. Anyway, common issues that are fairly common across all Wrangler models include:
- Oil spills
- The cooling system
- Problems with the engine head/valvetrain (mostly newer engines)
Coming from the BMW world, the oil leak issue is very personal. The reactions are similar in the BMW and Jeep communities. “If your Jeep (BMW) isn’t leaking oil, you’re out.” Oil leaks are actually quite common on many engines. Even brands known for their dependability, such as Toyota and Honda. Jeep Wrangler oil leaks are mostly caused by age and mileage.
The cooling system comes next. Water pumps are a common source of concern, especially after 10 years and 120,000 miles. The AMC 4.0L engine is a hot topic. The cooling systems of the Wrangler Pentastar engines have a few potential issues, and manifold coolant leaks were common on the 3.8L V6.
Finally, we’ll look at some valvetrain failures that primarily affect the 3.6L Pentastar and 6.4 V8 HEMI. Early 3.6 V6 engines had cylinder head failures, and a 10-year or 150,000-mile extended warranty is available. Otherwise, look out for failures from lifters, lifter rollers, or rocker arms.
2. Jeep Suspension Problems
OK. When it comes to Jeep suspension issues, there’s a lot to unpack. The suspension is the source of about 6% of all Jeep Wrangler complaints. Because we are discussing wear and tear parts, replacement is common on older and higher mileage examples. This is especially true if you go off-road frequently. However, there are a number of other issues that arise. These could include:
- Death wobble in JK/JL
- Swaybar with electronic control
- Miscellaneous failures
The two major issues primarily affect newer JK and JL models. We won’t spend much time discussing the death wobble because it’s a big topic. The solid front axle is primarily responsible for the death wobble. Jeep’s solution entails installing a steering damper to reduce suspension vibrations.
The electronically controlled swaybar found on some 2007+ Wrangler JK and JL models comes next. It’s a good design for those who want the best off-road performance while maintaining a smooth ride for everyday use. Jeep came up with a brilliant idea. However, if it’s intended for off-road use, the electronics aren’t particularly water-resistant. Ultimately, the swaybar may fail and you’re either stuck in a certain setting or it’s an expensive repair bill.
Aside from that, there are numerous suspension issues that may arise. None are, however, common enough to be specified. It’s simply part of owning a Wrangler designed for both on and off-road use.
3. Electronics for Jeep Wrangler
In this article, we keep wanting to write BMW. Many of the Jeep Wrangler reliability issues are similar. Anyway, electronics are another major complaint among Jeep owners. Sometimes it’s just that they fall short when compared to similarly priced SUVs and competitors. The following are examples of common electrical problems on the Wrangler:
- TIPM (2007-2018 JK) (2007-2018 JK)
- Blower motor failure
- Wiring that is old and worn
The Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM) is a popular Jeep Wrangler JK reliability topic. Typically, problems begin with a fuel pump or battery draw issue. It can be intermittent, affect only one or two things, or completely fail.
Blower motor shorts are fairly common on older Wranglers. In general, older vehicles such as the YJ and TJ are more prone to electrical problems. In the short term, at least. They’re simply older, and some fuses, wiring, and other components may be old and brittle.
Having said that, newer and newer Jeeps have more technology and electronics. A good example is the electronic swaybar we just discussed. Longer term, newer models may be more problematic because there are more areas that can fail or become problematic.
The Dependability of the Jeep Wrangler
Is the Jeep Wrangler a dependable vehicle? Both yes and no. We believe the Jeep Wrangler receives average reliability ratings. In some cases, they may be better than average, while in others, they may be worse. We’ve all heard or seen jokes about Jeep being the BMW of American automobiles, or vice versa. Ultimately, Jeep Wrangler’s do not have the best reputation for reliability. However, we disagree with all of the various jokes and stereotypes about them.
Many Jeep Wrangler engines provide excellent overall dependability. All engines have flaws, and this is no exception. However, it does not appear that Jeep engine problems are any more common or concerning than those of the average car. Wranglers have a bad reputation due to the way they are used. A Wrangler is more likely to be abused than a standard car, SUV, or truck.
In any case, maintenance is critical to Jeep Wrangler dependability. Maintain regular oil and fluid changes, use high-quality parts and fluids, and troubleshoot any issues that arise. Furthermore, if you intend to use the Wrangler for heavy-duty off-roading, make sure you have the necessary upgrades. If you do everything correctly, the Jeep Wrangler can be a fantastic SUV that will last a long time.
