The Jeep Grand Cherokee has long been a popular choice for SUV enthusiasts seeking a blend of off-road capability, comfort, and style. However, as with any vehicle, not all models of the same make are created equal.
Easily confused with the Jeep Cherokee, this model is the larger, grander (get it?) SUV, that typically comes with a corresponding engine to match its size. The Grand Cherokee has gone through quite a few tweaks and improvements along the way since its first release in 1993.
While the Grand Cherokee can be extremely reliable, some of its model years have certain issues. If you’re in the market looking for a Grand Cherokee, it’s in your best interest to find out which model years to avoid and what their issues are.
The Most Problematic Years of the Jeep Grand Cherokee
While it’s all coincidental, we found that the Jeep Grand Cherokee years with the most reported issues came from the fourth generation of the model. Below are those model years.
2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee
If there’s a Jeep Grand Cherokee model year you should consider avoiding more than the others, it’s the 2011 model. Among all the model years, this one received the most complaints, mainly about engine problems.
The 2011 model also received complaints for stalling, poor brake performance, and general issues with wiring. There’s also the potential for the vehicle’s sun visor to be a fire hazard when driving, which has been a reason for some people to avoid the model entirely.
Considering that it’s the first model year in its generation, it’s easy to see how the 2011 Grand Cherokee could be prone to issues. It also has a surprisingly steep maintenance cost when you compare its mileage with those of the other years, so it’s the one you’ll want to take out of your consideration when looking for an SUV.
2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee
The 2014 Grand Cherokee had quite a few improvements over the 2011 model; unfortunately, there were still issues with this model year that have caused recalls.
Such issues that caused recalls of this model year include brake fuel leaks (despite the 2014 model having better brake performance) and trouble with the airbags. There were also reports about the 2014 model having issues when shifting the gear to “Park”, especially on inclined slopes.
Overall, the 2014 model managed to get rid of some problems the 2011 Grand Cherokee had, but it came with its own fair share of problems that undoubtedly makes it another Jeep to avoid.
2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee
The story remains the same with the 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee, where they made some improvements based on drivers’ complaints about previous models, only for this Jeep model to run into its own problems.
The most complained-about issues with the 2015 model are its wiring system, engine, and suspension. The suspension problem, in particular, isn’t present in other model years, which makes it yet another model year to consider staying away from.
The 2015 model is the one in this list that has the fewest problems. Still, you should consider avoiding it along with the rest we covered.
Common Problems with All Jeep Grand Cherokee Models
Based on our collected data, the wiring system seems to be the biggest culprit, where the radio has some vulnerabilities. As such, the electronics of the Jeep Grand Cherokee can potentially be controlled by malicious third-party apps. These vulnerabilities in the radio-equipped units have always been a problem of the Grand Cherokee.
This Jeep model also seems to have a problem with the fuel tank, particularly during the refueling process. For some reason, the fuel tank shuts off in the middle of the process or is just pretty hard to fill in general. While it’s not much of a deal-breaker for the Jeep Grand Cherokee, it’s still a pretty common issue.
Pick a Better-Quality Grand Cherokee
When you think about the slew of problems that came with the 4th-generation Jeep Grand Cherokees, it’s pretty easy to see why you should second-guess yourself when looking at this particular gen—at least the models we listed here. While we previously included the 2011 and 2015 models in our list of best Jeep Grand Cherokee years thanks to their best features, their nagging issues are a cause for second thoughts.
Now that you’re aware of Jeep Grand Cherokee years to avoid, it somehow narrows down your choices. If you want a Jeep that will have your back no matter the scenario, then it’s better to go for the most recent Grand Cherokee models. In fact, older models (such as the 2007 model) are also a better choice.
Take your time when choosing a vehicle, and find the one that will give you the best driving experience.
