A craze for Jeeps has developed among adventure enthusiasts as these vehicles can go on all terrain. You can take a lot of stuff in these vehicles on your camping journey. It is even possible to set up camp on the roof of most of the Jeeps. They do have some negative aspects as well as some positive aspects, but are jeeps reliable?
If you want to know more about Jeeps, then read the full article for a better understanding.
History
In 1941 jeep was produced for military use. It is lightweight, so soldiers can easily lift it, it has a mount for the machine gun, and due to its ability to handle all terrain, so it is also used to tow anti-tank weapons. It was also used as an ambulance in its early stage.
Bantam developed the first military Jeep prototype that Karl Probst designed in just 18 hours. After the war jeep became more popular in America, the company introduced its vehicle for civilians. CJ-5 was created in 1954. It was also used for transportation and had the longest production run of 29 years. Six more models, including M-170 and FC-170, were also produced along with CJ-5. Cherokee and Grand Cherokee were first introduced in the 1960s. And then, they produced the J-Series, Wagoneer in 1963, which was officially called a sports utility vehicle.
On Jeep’s 35th birthday, American Motors Corporation introduced CJ-7, which is now known as Wrangler. But right after the CJ-7 in 1987, American Motors Corporation was sold to Chrysler Corporation. In 1997, the Cherokee was named the “Four Wheeler of the Year” by Four Wheeler Magazine, and the same year, The Wrangler was named “4×4 of the Year” by Petersen’s 4-Wheel & Off-Road. The company currently offers a wide range of vehicles catering to everyone’s tastes.
Factors affecting Jeep reliability
Some of the factors that affect Jeep’s reliability are:
Iconic Design
The first thing affecting Jeep’s reliability is its iconic design. It has a long-standing tradition that dates back to before World War II, and the company has made several upgrades to it, but there are some of the things that are the same from its first day, such as its round headlights.
The Jeep Wrangler is the most stand-out among the other Jeeps on which Americans and Canadians love spending thousands of dollars. In addition to Jeep’s design, it is ideal for the family.
Availability of spare parts
When buying a new car, it is essential to note whether its spare parts are available in the market or not. Jeeps are common in American markets because they are manufactured here, and consumers can easily get parts and services from the manufacturer.
As you know, one of the main reasons behind Jeep’s popularity is its spare parts widespread availability. If you are buying a jeep in a country with no jeep dealership, remember that its spare parts price and maintenance cost may be high there.
Fun and Smooth Driving Experience
Jeep models provide a perfect view of the scenery whether you’re driving on-road or off. With no worries about other vehicles blocking your view or obstructing your video recording, you can enjoy the view or document your ride on these vehicles.
These vehicles are made for off-road so that you can go anywhere on them without any hesitation, and some models, such as the Wrangler and Rubicon, even have rooftop camping options so you can enjoy aerial views. You can also spot the Jeep’s exterior so you can drive and park confidently, even if you have excellent parking sensors.
Jeep Reliability Issues
Some of the Jeep’s reliability issues are:
The Poor Gas Mileage
There are issues with the Jeep Wrangler’s gas consumption per mile that make it an unaffordable vehicle. Because these vehicles are mostly used off-road, their air filters become dirty, affecting their engine performance and fuel efficiency. Even though these are low-maintenance vehicles, saving money on maintenance becomes double-edged when you use them as a daily driven vehicle. You can increase its fuel average by changing the engine’s air filter. According to consumer reports, Jeeps are hard-riding, uncomfortable, and unreliable compared to other vehicles.
Jeep Death Wobble
The front axle starts oscillating violently in the so-called ‘Death Wobble.’ As a result, the vehicle will shake or wobble, making it difficult for the driver to control the vehicle. The Death Wobble can be caused by poor alignment or unbalanced tires. As a result, steering can lose the stabilizer bar or can through the axle around. You must check this first and foremost if you experience Death Wobble, and then you can contact the mechanic to resolve the issue to avoid any serious problems.
Electronic Malfunctions
There are some common electronic problems that you may face in all Jeep vehicles. One of them is TIPM going bad or malfunctioning, which results in the electrical components randomly turning on and off in your vehicle. Due to malfunctioning electrical components, you may face electrical shifter issues. And if your shifter is bad, then it is possible that you face transmission issues that result in overheating and overall transmission failure.
Which Jeep is the most Reliable
A car’s reliability ensures a safe and smooth driving experience. Generally, Jeep is ranked poorly in reliability reviews by consumers. Based on a total of 40 car manufacturers evaluated, the Reliability Index ranked the brand 29th with a 173 score.
Here is the list of the most reliable Jeep Vehicles given below.
- 2017 Jeep Wrangler
- 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee
- 2000 Jeep Cherokee
- 1985 Jeep Scrambler
2017 Jeep Wrangler
It was introduced on the 35 birthday of Jeep with the name CJ-7 and later changed to Wrangler. In a safety test conducted by Euro NCAP at the end of 2018, the latest generation Jeep Wrangler received just one star.
It has a 3.6-liter V-6 engine that can produce 285 horsepower. It is a four-wheel drive vehicle with Six-speed manual transmission. The wrangler has poor crash protection, which is alarming for a wrangler lover. This car was not made for daily driven purposes; as a result, you may face electrical errors self-destructing soft tops, and even a “death wobble.”
Consumers gave it 4.5/5, while Kelley Blue Book experts gave it 3.8/5; that is why 2017 was considered the best year for the Jeep Wrangler. And 2012 was the worst year for the Jeep Wrangler as they received more than 1000 complaints about their vehicle’s electrical systems.
2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee
2011 marked the release of the fourth-generation Grand Cherokee. Unlike Wrangler, you can use Grand Cherokee as a daily driven car. The Grand Cherokee comes in two variants: a 3.6-liter V-6 and other one is 5.7-liter Hemi V-8. It has an 8-speed shiftable automatic transmission along with a four-wheel drive option.
This system is mainly responsible for the improved on-road handling provided by its independent four-wheel suspension system and improved driving dynamics, which is also a reason for its popularity. There is plenty of room to pack things inside, and it is comfortable for long drives.
According to Car Complaints, the Grand Cherokee had the worst year in 2011, as they received more than 750 reports. For the Jeep Grand Cherokee, 2022 was the best year. This vehicle’s most common issues are electrical and engine issues. A reliability rating of 3.5 out of 5 was awarded to the Grand Cherokee, which is quite good.
2000 Jeep Cherokee
1974 marked the start of Jeep Cherokee’s production, and it was redesigned in 1974. It continued to be produced until 2001. Jeep Cherokee has a 4.0L L6 12 valves engine, a 5-speed manual transmission, and a four-wheel drive option. In spite of its slow sales, it was instrumental in paving the way for modern SUVs. Its last models are able to generate 190hp along with reduced emission and decreased unwanted noise. With a reliability rating of 4.8/5, the vehicle is sufficiently reliable.
1985 Jeep Scrambler
The Jeep Scrambler was first introduced in 1981, and after the production of 27,792 units in 1986, the company stopped its manufacturing. That is why it is one of the rare vehicles. Jeep scrambler has AMC 4.0-L./242 cu. in the engine along with four or five-speed manual options and three-speed automatic transmission. It was a long-wheelbase version of the Jeep Wrangler / CJ-7. Despite being Jeep’s first convertible and compact truck, it failed to convince consumers to purchase it. Despite this, it is now considered a collector’s item and is gaining respect. It is also quite a reliable vehicle.
Conclusion
Jeeps are a good option if you are considering them for off-road or going on a long journey. But if you are thinking of using them as your daily driven vehicle, let me tell you, it would be ridiculous. Although they have good design, Perfect handling, and low maintenance costs, all of these positive aspects can’t justify only one negative aspect of these vehicles, which is their poor gas mileage. You may face issues in your vehicles’ electronics and the famous death wobble. Other than that, Jeeps have more than 80 years of history, and people trust these tough vehicles. These are the best option for off-road, but if you really want to use a Jeep for your daily purposes, then you can use Grand Cherokee.
Rand Frankey is OffRoadsCare freelance Content Editor. He loves offroad Travelling and bikes, jeeps, and dirk bikes. He will explain all his experience with dirt bikes and offroad vehicles which helps you to make a decision like which vehicle is right for you.
