5.7 Hemi Reliability

mmacnish · Sep 4, 2014

I've had my '04 for over 10 years and I love the new models but want to know how reliable they are.

My car was a rock, never any problems, just reliable for 144k miles.

I know someone moving over seas and can't take their car and offering me a deal I'd be an idiot to not consider. Its an '11 "70th Edition" with a 5.7 Hemi but 140k miles.

I love the power but this car has almost as many miles as mine in just 3 years. I know my '04 6 cylinder isn't apples to apples, I just want to compare longevity.

Assuming it was maintained very well, how long are these newer Hemi's expected to last?

mx71 · Sep 4, 2014

Mine has 24,000 miles and while it hasn't left me stranded or not started, it has developed an intermittent loud tick. I personally wouldn't buy a 2011 anything with 140,000 miles. You'll pay more because it's newer but then it has tons of miles. Sorry I couldn't answer your question, just offering what I can.

jimb0JP · Sep 4, 2014

I had a Hemi in my 2006 and never had one issue with it. It didn't have as many miles on it as the one you're looking at, but if it was maintained properly and is not showing any signs of neglect or fatigue (does it blow any bluish white smoke on start-up or when you rev the engine) I would think you could put another 100K on it. If it were me I would pay a mechanic for one hour of his time to check it out. He could also pull the plugs and check them, and replace them if they looked like they needed it.

One other thing, the majority of those miles were probably highway miles...you can ask. If you look at the fleet cars the cab companies buy, they are ex-police cars with over 100K, and the cab company puts another 100-200K miles on them. It all depends on how they were maintained.

Does the owner have the maintenance records for the Jeep?

mmacnish · Sep 4, 2014

jimb0JP said:
I had a Hemi in my 2006 and never had one issue with it. It didn't have as many miles on it as the one you're looking at, but if it was maintained properly and is not showing any signs of neglect or fatigue (does it blow any bluish white smoke on start-up or when you rev the engine) I would think you could put another 100K on it. If it were me I would pay a mechanic for one hour of his time to check it out. He could also pull the plugs and check them, and replace them if they looked like they needed it.

Does the owner have the maintenance records for the Jeep?

Yea he's had the dealer do everything since he bought it.

I know they're good I was more looking at any known issues or limitations on this engine when nearing 150k.

When said and done we're talking about selling my car and paying another $8k to get his.

While is seems worth it, I don't want to trade a reliable car for an unreliable one. I remember people telling me my car wouldn't even be considered "broken in" until 100k and that even the timing chain was good for 200k. Just wondering if its known to be unreliable, not expecting a premonition.

ColdCase · Sep 4, 2014

Highway miles is low stress, 100,000 miles on the highway is like 10,000 street miles (as long its not stop an go commuting, which may be hard on the transmission). The biggest wear point by far is during startup to warm up time. As far as reliable, is a crap shoot. Guy I worked with commuted 150 mostly highway miles a day. He put about 50,000 miles on a year and his vehicles would last at least 5 or 6 years... and he just bought the least expensive model sold at the time. He typically sent them to the savage yard because seats and such were well worn out.

You wouldn't expect much resale value with that mileage.

kkreit01 · Sep 4, 2014

It depends on the "deal". The Hemi would be the least of my concerns. The engine is solid if cared for. It's the 100s of other things that would worry me.

nyrhockey23 · Sep 4, 2014

This would be me if i ever saw a car that's only 3yrs old with that many miles. Some people are very courageous.

chartx · Sep 4, 2014

I am one of those people who drive a lot per year (30K last year). I buy new and drive a lot on highway.

After 30K miles, my current ride (not a JGC) is actually better in terms of mpg and throttle response than when it had 1000 miles. It opened my eyes about mileage and longevity of cars.

In my mind, I would pick a car with 30K miles a year old car, over a car that has let's say 15 K miles but 5 years old.

5 years mean 5 winters with all those salt and other nasty things, color changes inside the dashboard, effects of sun and humidity on every piece of equipment . And outside it looks old.
You can replace every piece of equipment (somethings can be costly) but not the look.

Also driving on highway is really easy on engine, suspensions, A/C (once you get certain temperature, no more excessive run) etc.

Again 140K miles isn't something I would enjoy, but if it is a really good deal; I would take it to mechanic and estimate cost of repairs if necessary. NA not turbo engines survive a lot longer with good maintenance.

thatswhatithoughtyo · Sep 18, 2024

Hey I see your post is from long time ago looking at a 2012 hemi Cherokee altitude.... 100,000 miles on jr.... Any thoughts? Thx Assuming from post you have owned one that model.year? Any insight wiuiuld be greatly appreciated especially in the hemi. Thx. If u even receive rhis.. thx you.

nvrdone · Sep 19, 2024

OK, I had a 2007 JGC overland with a 5.7 hemi. Bought it in 2010 with 88k on it. Jan 2024 it was just approaching 300k when I got hit by a drunk driver and the car was totaled. The only repairs were a radiator, water pump and hoses at about 185k. Gas mileage averaged about 19 - 21 mpg on a road trip. Wish I still had it.

5.7 Hemi Reliability

mmacnish

mx71

jimb0JP

mmacnish

ColdCase

kkreit01

nyrhockey23

chartx

thatswhatithoughtyo

nvrdone

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