Best and worst Jeep Grand Cherokee years — which to avoid

Since its debut in 1992, the Jeep Grand Cherokee has been one of the most beloved mid-size SUVs on US roads, but some model years seem to be worse than others. So, if you are looking at used Grand Cherokee models, our team made a complete guide by using driver complaints from reputable sources.

We’ve gone through all the NHTSA ratings, driver complaints, and reviews of the models to evaluate the best years to buy and worst Jeep Grand Cherokee years to avoid. We wanted to give you a complete perspective on the value of specific Jeep Grand Cherokee years with a focus on recalls and common problems, so stand by for the results.

Why you can trust REREV’s advice on which car model years to avoid: Our car experts look at official data, ask real drivers what they think, and talk to experienced mechanics to make sure our list is useful. This reliable info can make buying a car easier for you. Want to know how we do it? Find out more about our research methodology.

How we rated the best and worst Jeep Grand Cherokee years

To evaluate the Jeep Grand Cherokee years, our team checked factual information listed on reliable automotive websites like NTHSA and Cars.com, while also considering driver complaints and reviews. Among these, we focused on Grand Cherokee reviews and ratings on renowned platforms like Consumer Reports, KBB, and Edmunds.

We also didn’t want to leave out the first-hand perspective so we reached out to Jeep Grand Cherokee owners and visited forums to hear from past and present owners and bring you double-checked information.

Most common Jeep Grand Cherokee problems

Grand Cherokee was the first mid-size SUV to use a unibody construction of the car frame, which resulted in a lower center of gravity and better crash-test results. However, we’ve also seen some common problem reports filed to NHTSA and the Car Complaints platform, so let’s discuss those issues in more detail.

1. Defective TIPM

The ECU in Jeep vehicles is referred to as the integrated power module and it controls the engine’s combustion process and engine startup. Sadly, it’s a common flaw of the third-generation and fourth-generation Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles.

This central computer of the vehicle uses electrical power from the battery to control the air intake, fuel injection, and other important systems of the car. Some of the main symptoms of a bad ECU include trouble starting the car, fuel pump malfunction, engine stalling, and misfires.

2. Problematic diesel engines

In 2014, Jeep introduced a whole new lineup of 3.0-liter six-cylinder turbo diesel engines which appeared to be a good option for lowering fuel consumption. As it turns out, these engines suffered the same fate as the “Dieselgate” engines which were recalled due to Volkswagen using cheating devices on emission tests.

At that time, there was a huge recall by Jeep, and if you are planning on buying a Grand Cherokee from the 2014 to 2016 model years, we’ve heard a lot of driver complaints on these diesel engines.

3. Faulty brake boosters

One of the known problems of this model is a faulty brake booster. In case of a bad brake booster, the physical pressure on the brake pedal won’t get amplified and translated into hydraulic pressure. It’s a crucial component of the braking system that affects the braking power of the car, and Jeep had a recall in 2011 for affected models.

If treated on time, it’s not that much of a problem, but it’s still an important thing for your driving safety. So, it’s worth checking out if the problem has been taken care of on a particular vehicle you’ve got your eyes on.

4. Problems with automatic transmission

Another recall was forced upon Jeep by the report of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in 2016, and it concerned 2014 and 2015 models. These had a problem with the electronic shifter, precisely the park gear.

Numerous drivers have reported that if the engine was still running, the car would simply roll down even if the gear shifter is set to “P”. It’s a problem that later got solved by including a mechanical lever to keep the shifter in gear and prevent it from falling out of the park gear.

Worst Jeep Grand Cherokee years to avoid

After going through the driver reports and reviews on Edmunds, KBB, and NHTSA, our team created a list of the worst Jeep Grand Cherokee years. So, are you wondering which are the worst Jeep Grand Cherokee years? The worst Jeep Grand Cherokee years are 2011 and 2014, but we’ve prepared a whole list of worst-rated years:

• 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee
• 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee
• 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee
• 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee
• 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee
• 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee
• 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee
• 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee

We’ll also mention all of these through their generation models and briefly reflect on the issues that caused them to be so unreliable.

Third-generation Grand Cherokee (2005-2010 model years)

The third-generation Jeep Grand Cherokee models on the verge of the fourth generation had some problems with the ECU. Other than that, the only complaint that drivers had for models in this generation was aesthetic.

The build materials in the interior weren’t as refined as with modern versions, since Chrysler-group models of the age all shared the same problem. However, the Jeep Grand Cherokee of the time proved to be a rather reliable model.

It’s no secret that cars in this generation also had some issues with steering and suspension that would cause wobbly movement of the front axle. One of the most common issues for models from 2005 to 2010 were problems with interior accessories that included malfunctioning gauges, broken door handles, and faulty ignition switches.

Fourth-generation Grand Cherokee (2011, 2014, and 2015 model year)

The fourth generation of this iconic mid-size SUV had a fair share of difficulties. However, the fourth generation was in production from 2011 to 2021, and three model years, in particular, suffered from driver critics – the 2011, 2014, and 2015 model years.

The reason for this is mostly due to problems with the automatic transmission that caused a recall in 2016, as well as recurring brake booster issues and some electrical connection faults. One additional issue with the 2014 model year included faulty airbag sensors which often lead to passenger airbags turning off.

This model year was also the worst-rated one out of all the fourth-gen models with over 3,000 complaints. On the other hand, the 2011 model year also received quite a lot of complaints, and it followed right up after the 2014 model.

What are the best Jeep Grand Cherokee years to buy?

While the listed issues might make the car look like it had a fair share of complaints, Jeep Grand Cherokee is overall a reliable car. Moreover, it’s one of the best buys from the category of affordable mid-size SUVs that tend to last well over 200,000 miles, especially when fitted with a famous 4.0-liter inline-six engine or the 5.7-liter HEMI V8.

So, still wondering which are the best Jeep Grand Cherokee years to buy? The best Jeep Grand Cherokee years are 2010 and 2020, but here’s a full list of best-rated years:

• 1995 Jeep Grand Cherokee
• 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee
• 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee
• 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee
• 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee
• 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee
• 2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee
• 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee
• 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee
• 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee
• 2009 Jeep Grand Cherokee
• 2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee
• 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee
• 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee
• 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee

As you can see, there are numerous model years with hardly any complaints from the drivers. We’ll discuss some of the best-rated ones in more detail below so you can see what sets them apart from the worst-rated years.

2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee

The 2003 model and other model years of the third generation suffered from criticism regarding interior materials and deteriorating buttons. However, it’s all good in terms of driveability, and it only received around 900 complaints, which sounds like a lot, but in fact, it’s not.

Having in mind that other models like 2005 and 2006 received over 3,000 complaints, the 2003 one makes a perfect compromise.

2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee

The 2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee truly stands out as one of the most reliable models up to date, with just 200 complaints which is impressive for a car that sold as much as it did. While it did have some issues related to the electric system and heating problems, they were all easily repairable, so there are no major problems like engine or transmission faults with this one.

2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee

The fourth generation brought problematic model years, since 2011, 2014, and 2015 model years suffered more critics than all the other model years combined. However, there are also reliable models like the 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee with around 220 complaints, which is a good score overall compared with the mentioned years.

2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee

Like the previous model year, the 2020 Grand Cherokee proved its worth with a low number of complaints, but it received a 4.3 out of 5 overall rating on KBB. The main reason for lower ratings is the problem with interior accessories and the malfunctioning power steering system.

There were some issues with the fuel delivery system for diesel-powered engines, and a recall was scheduled to sort that out later on.

Is the Jeep Grand Cherokee worth buying?

Overall, the Jeep Grand Cherokee is a mid-size SUV worth buying since, despite all these problems, it makes one of the most reliable vehicles in the category. You can use this guide to avoid the problematic model years and go for a model that will serve you for years.

If you are buying a second-generation Grand Cherokee, we recommend you go with the renowned 4.0-liter inline-six-cylinder engine. The best option for the third generation is the 5.7-liter V8, while the most important thing is to avoid the diesel-powered fourth-generation models and skip model years from 2011 to 2015 due to transmission issues.

Eager to know which model years to steer clear of? Our in-depth look at the Ford Explorer years to avoid, Toyota 4Runner years to avoid, Dodge Durango years to avoid, identifies the years that might not meet your standards. Venture into your car buying journey with the confidence that our expert reviews have got you covered, guiding you towards a smart, informed choice.