Is the Jeep Cherokee Reliable?
Beep beep, get the Jeep!
The Jeep Cherokee is a reasonably reliable car. This compact SUV has a reliability rating of 4.0 out of 5.0, sitting comfortably in the 9th position of 26 vehicles. Ratings can be misleading.
Sadly, the Jeep Cherokee has a lot of flaws that might make you reconsider your choices. The fuel economy of the Jeep Cherokee is not as good as we expected, with poor acceleration and average steering and handling.
Unless you are a fan of off-road driving, we wouldn’t advise getting a Jeep Cherokee as you will spend so much money repairing and maintaining the car.
Let's learn more about the Jeep Cherokee’s reliability and the factors you should consider before getting one.
Table of Contents
Reliable Years for Jeep Cherokee
Jeep Cherokees are reliable, but you must ensure you don’t buy models from problematic years.
The Jeep Cherokee remains one of the best off-road cars in its class. They are designed with off-road capabilities, all-terrain ability, and the ability to achieve quiet rides. Although the Jeep Cherokee has recurring problems, they are easy to fix and maintain.
In conclusion, Jeep Cherokee does not live up to the standards of a reliable car, but you’ll have to deal with many mechanical issues. Jeep has invested so much in upgrading the Jeep Cherokee, building it to match drivers’ demands.
This includes rectifying the recurrent transmission and engine problems that the Jeep Cherokee has.
This has got the reliability ratings of Jeep Cherokee varying across different years. For instance, the Jeep Cherokee 2021 has an 82/100 rating according to J.D. Power, the 2018 Jeep Cherokee has an 84/100 rating, but the 2020 Jeep Cherokee has an 85/100 reliability rating. 2018 - 2021 are the best years of Jeep Cherokee.
You should avoid the 2014 -2015 Jeep Cherokees if you want great value for your money; they are the worst years in production.
With a Jeep Cherokee, you have a 12% chance of encountering a severe repair; this is higher than the average 11% for compact SUVs. Despite its downsides, there are quite a few reasons you might like a Jeep Cherokee.
The Jeep Cherokee has a cheaper maintenance cost, turbocharged engine, large cargo area, five-star Euro NCAP crash test rating, three-year warranty, and remarkable off-road performance.
Jeep Cherokee Reliability and Common Problems
Here are some remarkable areas of reliability of the Jeep Cherokee.
1. Engine and Performance
Many drivers complain that the Jeep Cherokee has a heavy engine that releases a poor fuel economy. Still, we would love to mention some remarkable features of the Jeep Cherokee engine.
Jeep Cherokee’s engine differs according to their generation. The first-generation Jeep Cherokee delivers 115 – 245 HP. There are improvements in subsequent years, with the fourth generation Jeep Cherokee engines achieving 470 HP.
The fifth generation Jeep Cherokees come with an impressive powertrain that consists of a 5.7L Hemi V8 3.6L Pentastar V6 engine.
Majorly loaded with an 8-9 speed transmission, some models come with enormous strength that makes it easy for them to tow up to 7,200 pounds. We might not classify Cherokee engines as the best, but they are manageable.
2. Off-Road Driving Ability
Jeep Cherokees are loaded with features that make them a fantastic choice for off-road driving.
Some of the features that make the Jeep Cherokee a good choice for off-road driving include:
- Quadra-Lift Air Suspension System
- Four-Wheel Drive
- Selec-Terrain Traction management system
- Safety Enhancements
The Jeep Cherokee adopts a flexible suspension system that matches your driving mode. This lowers or increases your suspension depending on your driving mode, giving the Jeep a good ground clearance to navigate off-road terrains.
Jeep Cherokees are full-time 4WD vehicles. There are different 4WD systems for your Jeep Cherokee; Quadra-Trac I, Quadra-Trac Active, Quadra-Drive II, and Quadra-Trac II. These systems increase the torque and traction delivery of your Jeep.
3. Easy-to-use technology
Jeep Cherokee has a user-friendly interface. The safety mechanisms, collision prevention aids, accessories, navigation systems, and Uconnect systems help you control the car most simply.
Touchscreen displays, steering controls, voice commands, and intuitive controls are easy to use.
4. Easy repairs and average maintenance cost
The Jeep Cherokee model is an average-cost maintenance car. The average yearly cost for repairing and maintaining a Jeep Cherokee is $520. This is cheaper than the average $521 for compact SUVs.
The price differences look small, but repairing and maintaining a Jeep Cherokee is more affordable than repairing other car models' average $652 cost.
Common Problems With Jeep Cherokees
Jeep Cherokees receive many customer complaints and low-reliability ratings because of the common problems and faults synonymous with the vehicle.
Here are some common problems of Jeep Cherokees that drivers always complain about:
- Paint Fades
- Exhaust Manifold Cracks
- Transmission Problems
- Headliner drop
- Cooling system defects
- Engine Faults (stalling)
- Oil Leaks
- Throttle position sensor fails
- Brake fluid leaks
Conclusion
Listing Jeep Cherokee as a less reliable car doesn’t interpret that they are entirely bad. The jeep brand is trying to ensure that faults and recurrent problems are solved.
While you cannot rely on the car for certain features, they are great for off-road driving.
