How reliable will the 99'-04' Jeep Grand Cherokee be for daily driving?

222Doc · Jan 5, 2020

as much as they say about anything that is "bullet proof". Any vehicle at 20 years of age will have needs. some will be major and should be expected. some will be just the stuff after 200k is worn out. To me the biggest issue is on anything of age is: RUST< this will end a vehicles life and is the more expensive then a 4.0 block a trans Difs and Tcase.

4.0 have had issue just fans tend to not talk about it . Like heads that can crack, piston skirts that can break mostly as they age but we are not talking about a 1999 that is brand new anymore. as well issues with when they went from Distributors to None. But the good news is a 4.0 is rather inexpensive to buy with care will last a long long time.. much like anything made in this era seems to be the bench mark. labor is not cheep. but that's sign of the times.

williambmac · Jan 5, 2020

E55&98 Jeep said:
I've owned Jeep Grand Cherokee's for the majority of my 34 years of driving. Most of them have been ZJ's but I've owned two WJ's and still have one now. All of them have been the 4.0L and not one has ever given me any major issues. I just put my 04 WJ up for sale because I just bought a TDI that I've been after for sometime now. I really hate to sell it but with a total of five vehicle it just doesn't make sense to keep it.

Mine is the Columbia Edition

That's a beautiful jeep. I saw it on CL, just a little out of my price range. Good luck with the sale.

Cvan0485 · Jan 5, 2020

I just found a 2000 Limited 4.7L with 106k. Anything I should look for when I go to check it out and drive it? Thanks in advance!

JGCJeep · Jan 5, 2020

Cvan0485 said:
I just found a 2000 Limited 4.7L with 106k. Anything I should look for when I go to check it out and drive it? Thanks in advance!

Yea. See if they have one with a 4.0 instead.

GC2013 · Jan 5, 2020

I drive 2 4.7 and a 5.9. All well serviced and driven. I only change fluids and some “aged” parts by myself or with friends. More reliable than most well known brand cars even Japanese

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smokeyyank · Jan 6, 2020

Is a WJ reliable, yes, but with exceptions. The 4.0 is a great engine but make sure you get one with the TUPY head. The 0331 are prone to issues. IMHO the 4.0 in the WJ is under powered but still works fine if you keep it stock and aren't climbing hills. The 4.7 is a fun engine but sucks on so many levels. It's a PITA to work on and has issues. As stated beyond the drivetrain the electronics aren't the best. If space isn't a priority I'd honestly look for a 98-99 XJ. WJ is more spacious and a lot more comfortable but reliability wise doesnt compare to a XJ.

2004WJlover · Jan 6, 2020

I had my 02 for 10 years. BY FAR the best vehicle i ever owned. In the time I had it all it ever needed was regular oil changes, every 3K for me. I also replaced the battery 3 times, I live in an extreme hot environment. It fries batteries here. I accidentally broke the radiator leaving a tool under hood and slamming the hood down, it broke where the upper hose attached. I just recently crashed that jeep and in less than a week got an 04. Awesome vehicles, I put over 50 miles a day to work and back.

SD Overland · Jan 6, 2020

In my experience, the base model 4.0's can be pretty reliable. The higher trim level you go, the more stuff is going to need to be fixed.

My 4.7HO Overland needed head gasket repairs right out of the gate. Then it was an O2 sensor, tie rod, power steering hose (that ran the power steering pump dry and broke that). Then add to that all the little broken creature comforts: driver's side power seat motor gear, now the passenger side needs doing, the passenger air-blend door is going to need a new actuator at some point. And the stupid rain-sensing wipers don't work anymore. I've only owned it for about 18 months.

I still love my Overland, and the HO motor makes it pretty fast for what it is. I daily it but I don't think I'd recommend it.

Blackout87 · Jan 6, 2020

jtec said:
the 4.0L is as good as it gets, NOW the previous owner care or lack of and remember its a jeep 4wd - not your garage kept, no rain nor snow, paved road, pampered sunday driven drop top Porsche with a buff and wax monthly care log.

I agree, and something I will take into consideration while searching. Thank you.

Reech said:
If you are a DIY'r I would say the WJ is an excellent choice. It's fairly easy to work on in general so that can help keep the maintenance costs down if you work on it yourself. I love mine and have zero plans of getting rid of it any time in the foreseeable future.

Picture in NM towards the end of a 3200 mile 2 week trip.

Thanks for the insight, appreciate the time.

2020 Blue JL said:
We had an '03 v8 Laredo that had over 225k on it when my wife traded it in. Nothing wrong with it, she was just wanting better mileage. My daughter now has my dad's '04 Limited V8 with 175k on it. She drives it to school every day. With the possible exception of the early 2000's GM full size trucks, the GC year range you mention may be the most reliable and long lasting vehicles still roaming the roads today. Just look at how many you still see running around. I see at least a dozen a day in my commute. One of my colleagues at work had one with near 375k on the clock when he hit an elk on the interstate. He'd still be driving it daily if it weren't for that. He replaced it with another one with about 160k in the clock and daily drives it over 100 miles round trip commute.

That's great - the vehicles appear to be made well and sustain high mileage and age given that they're maintained regularly. Thank you for the input.

sdg3205 said:
They're great. Mine was daily in Toronto from 2001-2008, also where it hauled trailers with large boats and sleds, then became a vacation vehicle in Phoenix from 2009-2014, and now daily's again in vancouver 2015 to present. About 260k miles. 4.7. Transmission has been trouble free, engine I rebuilt at 240k when I started seeing sodium in my oil analysis. There are some known issues with WJs but once dealt with, they're damn decent. I still do drive it from Vancouver to Calgary or into the mountains over landing. Love it. I'll drive it till it disintegrates.

Thank you for your input. Hope the vehicle continues to run well for you.

Photoweborama said:
I have a 99 with a 4.0.

Only items that normally wear out and break have I had problems with... except I did have to have the front differential rebuilt.

It runs well and just hums on the freeway. Great off road. Full Quadra drive package. All clutch packs working, and I run it almost all the time in AWD, even off road..

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks

E55&98 Jeep said:
I've owned Jeep Grand Cherokee's for the majority of my 34 years of driving. Most of them have been ZJ's but I've owned two WJ's and still have one now. All of them have been the 4.0L and not one has ever given me any major issues. I just put my 04 WJ up for sale because I just bought a TDI that I've been after for sometime now. I really hate to sell it but with a total of five vehicle it just doesn't make sense to keep it.

Mine is the Columbia Edition

Looks clean! I've been on the hunt for a vehicle in similar condition.

GmanWJ said:
200k miles on mine. Keep up with routine maintenance (fluid changes, etc) and you should not have much trouble. Pay someone else to change fluids and you won't spend much time under it at all.

Odds are that you need suspension and steering refurb, most of these old rigs do. Other typical wear items many WJs are seeing at this age include spark plugs, water pump, generator, starter.

Thanks for the info.

blueseasons said:
They are old cars. In general older cars need more attention and are less reliable. New cars need less attention and are more reliable. If you want reliable. Buy a new car. If you like to work on them, or like the body style then get one. How reliable any used car will depend on any number of factors. The manufacturer and how hard they were driven and how well they were taken care of by the PO. Honda, Toyota, Lexus tend to be the more reliable brands used and new.

Agreed - Toyota's in the same year range typically are harder to find and generally are priced higher than the Jeep's for that reason.

williambmac said:
I have owned two. 2000 Laredo that had 283k on it. didn't owe me a dime. I replaced the radiator and water pump a couple of times. replaced the evap and heater core, numerous fan control modules. That was basically it.
2003 limited with a 4.0 that had 180k when I traded it in on a 2017 GC.

I am now in the market for another WJ, but everything around here is a rust bucket with high mileage.

I'm from your area as well - I can barely find one in state. It seems like Auto Expo in NY has all the stock of WJ's.

222Doc said:
as much as they say about anything that is "bullet proof". Any vehicle at 20 years of age will have needs. some will be major and should be expected. some will be just the stuff after 200k is worn out. To me the biggest issue is on anything of age is: RUST< this will end a vehicles life and is the more expensive then a 4.0 block a trans Difs and Tcase.

4.0 have had issue just fans tend to not talk about it . Like heads that can crack, piston skirts that can break mostly as they age but we are not talking about a 1999 that is brand new anymore. as well issues with when they went from Distributors to None. But the good news is a 4.0 is rather inexpensive to buy with care will last a long long time.. much like anything made in this era seems to be the bench mark. labor is not cheep. but that's sign of the times.

Thanks for your insight.

smokeyyank said:
Is a WJ reliable, yes, but with exceptions. The 4.0 is a great engine but make sure you get one with the TUPY head. The 0331 are prone to issues. IMHO the 4.0 in the WJ is under powered but still works fine if you keep it stock and aren't climbing hills. The 4.7 is a fun engine but sucks on so many levels. It's a PITA to work on and has issues. As stated beyond the drivetrain the electronics aren't the best. If space isn't a priority I'd honestly look for a 98-99 XJ. WJ is more spacious and a lot more comfortable but reliability wise doesnt compare to a XJ.

Thank you

2004WJlover said:
I had my 02 for 10 years. BY FAR the best vehicle i ever owned. In the time I had it all it ever needed was regular oil changes, every 3K for me. I also replaced the battery 3 times, I live in an extreme hot environment. It fries batteries here. I accidentally broke the radiator leaving a tool under hood and slamming the hood down, it broke where the upper hose attached. I just recently crashed that jeep and in less than a week got an 04. Awesome vehicles, I put over 50 miles a day to work and back.

Thanks for the info.

SD Overland said:
In my experience, the base model 4.0's can be pretty reliable. The higher trim level you go, the more stuff is going to need to be fixed.

My 4.7HO Overland needed head gasket repairs right out of the gate. Then it was an O2 sensor, tie rod, power steering hose (that ran the power steering pump dry and broke that). Then add to that all the little broken creature comforts: driver's side power seat motor gear, now the passenger side needs doing, the passenger air-blend door is going to need a new actuator at some point. And the stupid rain-sensing wipers don't work anymore. I've only owned it for about 18 months.

I still love my Overland, and the HO motor makes it pretty fast for what it is. I daily it but I don't think I'd recommend it.

Thanks for your experience. I'm looking to stick with the 4.0. Best of luck

Manxcat · Jan 8, 2020

I have a 99 limited with the 4.7 and it has been solid for me. I have moved cross country with it 3 times, one in winter through snow. I will admit that the full time 4x4 transfer case is junk as the vicious coupler goes out pretty frequently and the dual zone climate control was one of the worst things ever to fix, but the 4.7 has been really good to me. I currently live in Colorado where it snows quite a bit and it has never left me stuck or stranded. Full disclosure, I do maintain my Jeep myself.

BilletHorse · Jan 8, 2020

The 4.7l is a really good engine if it is rebuilt using redesigned pistons and the updated chain guides.
My first engine went 217k then blew the head gaskets and dropped seats. I bought a rebuilt engine that had the upgrades and swapped it out.
Been driving the heck out of it since, 11k so far and not so much as a drop of condensation, oil, antifreeze or any other goo on the bottom of the oil fill cap, clean as a whistle. Runs great too, and I have gotten almost 19 MPG on hilly highways, which is way better than it used to get.
Just food for thought.

Randomlyawesom · Jan 8, 2020

I drive a lifted 01 wj v8 and I love it. Mine is constantly beat on the trails so of course I break things but even when it was stock it was amazing. The v8 is less reliable but it’s usually just something small every couple months. I’m a mechanic so it’s easy for me to keep up with the maintenance. I’d recommend a wj to anyone. Get the 4.0 for daily driving and a v8 if you want the extra power and rumble. The 4.0 is definitely more reliable but both are fairly solid options imo. Just always do the maintenance and make sure the previous owner did as well.

E55&98 Jeep · Jan 8, 2020

Wolfeman1992 said:
Ooo that's pretty

94 ZJ 4.5" on 31s

Thanks...

williambmac said:
That's a beautiful jeep. I saw it on CL, just a little out of my price range. Good luck with the sale.

Thanks... The price is negotiable

Blackout87 said:
Looks clean! I've been on the hunt for a vehicle in similar condition

Thanks... I get compliments on it all the time. Just got to keep looking they are getting harder to find with lower miles and with no rust.

Inspector Ratchet · Jan 8, 2020

I don't know where you are from. In some parts of the country the majority of these are very unsafe due to the rusted areas that hold the rear suspension in them. They are simply not structurally solid anymore. I have seen first hand some of them that the outer body does not look too bad but the underside is trashed.

Beyond that. An older vehicle being reliable is subjective to its history, maintenance, quality of any repairs being done to it.... etc.....

007matman · Jan 8, 2020

Boojo35 said:
I don't know where you are from. In some parts of the country the majority of these are very unsafe due to the rusted areas that hold the rear suspension in them. They are simply not structurally solid anymore. I have seen first hand some of them that the outer body does not look too bad but the underside is trashed.

Beyond that. An older vehicle being reliable is subjective to its history, maintenance, quality of any repairs being done to it.... etc.....

Aah.. Michigan = top of the rust belt.. no offense intended.

Areas outside of that are generally better.. down here in Georgia I see 20 yr old Dodge Dakota's, Ram's and Silverado's that are spotless.

Now that's saying something.

Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk

broken-old-jeep · Jan 8, 2020

My WJ broke down and left me stranded at an intersection. The crankshaft position sensor stopped working. I didn't notice anything before.

wildbill23c · Jan 8, 2020

Cant' say anything about the WJ's I've never owned one, I have a 98 ZJ and previously a 96 ZJ. Both with the 4L I6. Great vehicles for all conditions, comfortable on long trips, plenty of room and can do a decent amount of towing. I've had several people tell me the WJ's are even better than my ZJ and it wouldn't surprise me at all...I'd stick to a 4L I6 though if I was ever able to upgrade, but my 96 ZJ had 232k on it only reason I sold it was the transfer case viscous coupler had failed and needed repaired or replaced, it still ran and drove great though...my 98 ZJ has 161k on it.

The biggest thing is finding one that someone hasn't already modified, and hasn't beat the crap out of and has maintained it properly...most of the ones I have found haven't been maintained and have been beat to crap.

Inspector Ratchet · Jan 8, 2020

007matman said:
Aah.. Michigan = top of the rust belt.. no offense intended.

Areas outside of that are generally better.. down here in Georgia I see 20 yr old Dodge Dakota's, Ram's and Silverado's that are spotless.

Now that's saying something.

Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk

I get that. Asking about a vehicle without a profile filled out....

Here is one of my YJ's imported from Arizona.

Here is the Michigan one.

And I am showing off its good side. JS.

brink2 · Jan 8, 2020

JGCJeep said:
Blackout87 said:

JGCJeep said:

Probably depends on your definition of reliable.

Click to expand...

I'm looking for a vehicle that will consistently run without constant issues and repair. I do take into consideration the vehicle is on average 15 years old, so I expect some components to need repair. I just don't want to be repairing the vehicle monthly.

Thanks guys

Click to expand...

The mechanics of the vehicle are easy to work on. The electronics were put together by sadistic ***holes. Decent vehicles, but I'd want a backup vehicle if I was going to use it as a daily driver.

x2 on electronics comment. I had a 2000 limited V8 from '06 to '16. The climate control was a huge pita when it failed (not sure if this was a common issue or just mine). The blower motor control box pulled a high amount of amperage and the 12v supply wire gauge was way too small. It melted down the control panel twice while under my ownership, easy to replace, but a few hundred bucks for the part. The final dagger was a parasitic amperage leak somewhere in the climate control system that would drain my battery overnight. Narrowed it down to a climate component buried in the dash- a 16 hour job to remove dash, replace part, install dash. I would have to pull the negative terminal every time I turned off the vehicle. Not too reliable at that point, luckily that happened in the summer and not winter up here in MN. Ended up trading it in for a few hundred bucks.

osd4x4 · Jan 8, 2020

I've had 2 4.7l Limited a 99 and 02. The WJ limited seats are the most comfortable of any car I've owned including Volvo, Porsche and my Jaguar XKR! The 4.7 was reliable and pretty bomb proof but will burn a little oil. The limited post 2000 have Quadra drive 2 so you have limited slip diff front and read are pretty much unstoppable off road. There are time I get tempted to change my current 2011 Overland for a 02 WJ.

How reliable will the 99'-04' Jeep Grand Cherokee be for daily driving?

222Doc

williambmac

Cvan0485

JGCJeep

GC2013

smokeyyank

2004WJlover

SD Overland

Blackout87

Manxcat

BilletHorse

Randomlyawesom

E55&98 Jeep

Inspector Ratchet

007matman

broken-old-jeep

wildbill23c

Inspector Ratchet

brink2

osd4x4

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