[KhakiSport03]

what are common problems w/ the '05+ Grand Cherokee's?

my mom had a '99 & it was nothing but problems....... 16 unscheduled problems in 33k miles.

[soldierguy]

To my knowledge there really haven't been many things that affect a large population of the WKs. A few niggling things here and there that have pretty much all been covered by TSBs.

The most serious reliability-related issue was a problem with the transmissions on early V6 models. It wasn't the transmission itself that was the problem...water was able to leak into the filler tube, which caused the problems. The fix was to re-route some tube, and to either flush the transmission 3 times (if there was no damage), or replace the transmission if the water did some damage.

Some of the earlier hemis had a surging / hesitation issue...some had it bad, others not at all. Mine had it pretty mildly and intermittently, but it seems to have worked itself out because I haven't noticed it in quite a long time.

Some Commanders and a smaller number of Grand Cherokees have had stalling problems...again, just some have had this problem. A pain and not safe for those who had the problem, but it didn't appear to be widespread.

And a small number have had throttle-lag problems where there's a sizeable delay between stepping on the gas and actually getting a response from the engine. The jury is still out on this...someone here on the boards just had to take theirs to the dealer because it led to the vehicle going into "limp home" mode. But that's been a very small number.

All in all, they haven't been a perfect vehicle, but they seem to be reasonably well sorted out. Mine is an early-build 05, and it's never left me stranded anywhere, nor has it cost me money trying to fix things that a service department won't acknowledge. Even with mine being an early-build 05, I'd buy another one based on my experience with it.

Check out the TSB section at wkjeeps.com to get an idea for things that have been noted by customers and by Jeep.

[GCooperII]

I have an 05 Limited--Hemi--All options. 37K on the dial. Only minor issues all covered under warranty:

Rear Pinion Seal--Fixed @ 32K

Sunroof Side noise bafflers (those black accordian looking things) cracked. Fixed @ 32K

Left Rear shock--Replaced both rear @ 37K Nice service manager covered this under the 3/36 bumper to bumper.

All in all a very well put together jeep. I upgraded to this from a '96 grand with 203,000 (see Sig) when I sold it. My impressions are that this jeep is better mechanically than the '96. I would reccomend this model, go for it.

[jlcook24]

I have a 2005 Laredo with the 3.7 liter and the problems I have encountered consist of the shuddering in the transmission. Took to the dealer to fix, and was fix temporarily before it came back. I am in the process of taking it back to the dealer once more. If others have had similar problems, please advise on how to handle the situation.

[Scottina06]

I have an 06 4.7 V8 and the only problem i had was my passenger mirror went bad. Replaced under warranty. I also replaced the dusty brake pads with Bendix titanium in the front and Bendix ceramics in the rear....took care of the dust problem right then!

[soldierguy]

Just wanted to clarify that mine didn't have all the issues I mentioned...I just listed off things that I had heard of.

Mine used to have the hemi stutter, but like I said above it worked itself out...hasn't happened in the last 7000 miles or so (I've got 13,800 on it now).

Mine had the clicking noise in the steering wheel. Fixed under warranty and covered under a TSB. Kind of annoying, but no big deal.

Mine does have the delayed gear engagement in the transmission, but I'm taking it in to get it fixed next week. If I start it when it's completely cold and immediately put it in gear, it just kinda oozes forward. If I wait 20 seconds it's fine. According to the TSB there's a filter that has a bad anti-drainback valve that allows fluid to drain out of the torque converter. TSB indicates it doesn't hurt anything. This isn't a big deal with me since I always start the Jeep first, then buckle up, turn on the stereo, etc...by the time I put it in gear, it always moves out normally. But since there's a TSB on it, I might as well have it done.

Mine has lousy radio reception (covered in a TSB). Never got it fixed in Korea because it wasn't an issue...only one english FM station and I listened to my ipod all the time anyway. Should get fixed next week in the shop. I will still listen mostly to my ipod, but since there's a TSB I might as well get it done.

Mine has the foglights that don't turn off automatically with the smartbeam headlights. Covered under a TSB, fixable by reprogramming one of the computers. Having that looked at next week as well. Not an issue with me because I turn everything off prior to leaving the vehicle, but since it's covered under a recall I might as well have it done.

There's a TSB for smelly AC...I had that one done because mine did smell a little bit. Seems to have removed the smell.

In my mind all of those things are very minor and haven't detracted at all from my enjoyment of the Jeep. If it had left me stranded somewhere or had more serious problems, I'd probably be upset and would be getting rid of the Jeep as soon as I could. But these things are so minor that I could easily live with any or all of them and not be bothered.

[Crookster777]

I have a 07 WK Overland. It is great. I love to drive it but I got a few problems.

1.) The HEMI Shudder- badly especially at startup
2.) Gas mileage- 7 in NYC but if thats the way it is then no problem. I havent got a chance to take it in.
3.) Front passenger window goes up then back down 1/2 way
4.) The reverse camera sometimes works with the radio off and sometimes it doesnt
5.) The WK likes to lock me out. I stepped out to sign for my splash guards from UPS and I got locked out I had to wait 1 hour before spare key showed up.
6.) The doors unlocked by itself when I was driving and the headlights flashed by themselves.

[scottydog]

Originally Posted by KhakiSport03

what are common problems w/ the '05+ Grand Cherokee's?

my mom had a '99 & it was nothing but problems....... 16 unscheduled problems in 33k miles.

My 06 V8 Laredo has 15k miles ZERO trips to the dealer so far. Runs flawlessly. I do get the "service 4WD" intermittant message which needs a flash reprogram but other than that it's just been gas, oil, and go!

Maybe I'm lucky but this machine is light years ahead of my old '99 GC!

[2007GC Overland]

Hi Folks
2007 GC Overland - two trips to the dealer so far - P0456 code small leak - they blamed the gas cap - don't believe it. Now I discovered the passenager side seat has a problem, I believe it is the weight sensor not working. My wife can take off the seat belt and no light - nothing. I (200 lbs) sat there and tried it, same results. total mileage 2800 miles.
thanks
Bill

[hophead]

Originally Posted by KhakiSport03

what are common problems w/ the '05+ Grand Cherokee's?

I have an 05 with the 5.7 and have had my share of problems. Actually, that's why I'm here.

Problems to date after 48,000 miles:
-Remote entry keys keep breaking. The battery contact comes loose from the circuit board. I have had to re-solder the connections on both keys.
-Check engine light is on now and a "check gas cap" message displayed on the info panel of the dash board. The gas cap is in place and pressure tested okay.
-Starter croaked at around 40k.
-3 tire pressure sensors have failed.
-Stalls when very cold (sub freezing temperatures) when shifted in to gear unless engine is warmed up for 10-15 minutes.
-Hood struts are weak. They will not hold the hood up in cold weather.
-Clicking sound from steering column. Dealer replaced turn signal switch under warranty.
-DVD screen replaced under warranty (red pixles).

Other than that, I have no complaints.

[garsarno]

Our '07 Grand Cherokee 2007 Hemi - purchased 12/07 and now has 13,000 miles - no problems outside of Hemi "tick". Changed oil / filter every 4,000 miles with Mobil One. No returns to the dealer for any adjustments. Unlike previous '04 Mountaineer - 10,000 miles needed a new torque converter / transmission adjustment. Unlike current 2007 Lexus ES350 - new transmission with only 2,000 miles. Like 2007 Impala SS - 13,000 miles and no adjustments / returns. Very happy with Jeep performance.

[f3user]

I have a 2005 GC Limited with 14,600 miles on it. It got it's 4th battery from the dealer two days ago. The dealer said I have just gotten 3 bad batteries in a row. That's getting hard to believe, but you be the judge. Other than it being completely dead when we've gone to start it about 5 times, we haven't had any other problems. It never gets "weak" or slow to start, it is just suddenly completely drained after sitting over the weekend sometimes. The last battery lasted about 19 months before failing so I thought those problems were behind me.
If I have any other complaints, it is that I was dumb enough to believe the EPA mileage estimates of 14/19 mpg. Actually it's more like 10 - 12 town and 19-21 highway @ 65 mph on level ground.

[DangerousTacos]

Its all on how you drive.

Either that, or maybe you just got a "friday car".

[2007GC Overland]

Battery go dead because of a couple of reasons, Not being charged properly (electrical issue), bad battery or somebody not taking care of it, plate shorting out inside the battery or you have a high electrical draw. The number of bad batteries does not make sense unless it is alway below 0 degrees or hot as hell. I would have somebody check the current draw you have when everything is off. You could have a high current draw or something could be not resetting, drawing more current and that would kill a battery fast. Before I went a battery tender for my cars, two weeks and the battery was dead - normal draw (normal car electronics and Alarm system).
thanks
Bill

[vtbert3]

The dreaded Hemi tick....