Jeep

Grand Cherokee WH / WK inspection checklist

2005-2010 · 13 things to check before you buy, taken from this car's known problems.

All engines

mediumFront independent suspension control arms / bushes

Look for: The WH's independent front end wears upper/lower control-arm bushes and ball joints, giving clunks, vague steering and tyre wear - aggravated by rough roads and tow loads.

If you find it: Replace worn control arms/bushes and ball joints; align afterwards.

From 100k+ km · ~$600-2000

mediumThin AU dealer/parts network and high repair costs

Look for: Out-of-warranty Jeeps of this era are cheap to buy but expensive to fix in Australia - some parts (especially OM642 diesel components and Mercedes-sourced auto parts) have long lead times and high prices.

If you find it: Budget a repair contingency; use an independent Jeep/Euro specialist rather than dealers; verify parts availability before buying.

Any · Varies

mediumElectrical gremlins (TIPM, modules, sensors)

Look for: Body-control/TIPM faults, window regulators, dash and lighting electrical issues are common across the range and can be intermittent and hard to diagnose.

If you find it: Proper diagnosis with a Jeep-capable scan tool; address connector corrosion and known module faults.

Any · ~$200-1500

mediumCooling system age / radiator and water pump

Look for: Radiators, water pumps and hoses age out across all engines; an overheat on the petrol V8s or the diesel can be expensive.

If you find it: Refresh cooling components proactively; pressure-test before a long trip or tow.

From 120k+ km · ~$400-1500

3.0L CRD turbo-diesel V6 (OM642)

highOil-cooler seal leak ('black death')

Look for: The OM642's oil cooler sits in the engine valley and its seals harden from heat, leaking oil down the back of the block and into the valley - the infamous 'black death'. Pre-2010 (orange) seals are worst; it presents as low-oil warnings, oil stains and a persistent leak that's hard to trace.

If you find it: Replace the oil-cooler seals with the updated Viton (purple) seals; an 8-10 hour job as the turbo and intake must come off. Do swirl-flaps/EGR at the same time to save labour.

From 120k+ km / age · ~$1500-4000

highSwirl-flap carbon binding / flap ingestion

Look for: EGR soot and oil vapour build thick tar on the intake swirl-flap shafts. The plastic linkage binds and snaps; in rare cases a flap breaks free, enters a cylinder and bends valves or scores a piston, ending the engine.

If you find it: Clean or delete the swirl flaps (swirl-flap delete kit), clean the intake and EGR. Inspect early - this is the failure that turns a cheap Jeep into a write-off.

From 100k+ km · ~$1500-4000 (or engine if ingested)

mediumTurbo VGT actuator sticking / limp mode

Look for: Carbon causes the variable-geometry turbo vanes/actuator to stick, giving over- or under-boost, lost power and an electronic-throttle/limp warning that owners often mistake for transmission faults.

If you find it: Clean or replace the VGT/turbo, service the EGR and intake; verify boost control with a scan tool before buying.

From 120k+ km · ~$1500-3500

mediumEGR cooler and intake soot

Look for: Heavy EGR soot clogs the intake and cooler, contributing to swirl-flap binding and rough running.

If you find it: Intake and EGR clean; some owners fit EGR management where legal.

From 80k+ km · ~$400-1200

5.7L HEMI V8 petrol (EZB)

highMDS lifter / camshaft tick

Look for: The Multi-Displacement System lifters can collapse and a cam lobe can wipe, especially on engines that idle a lot or have skipped oil changes, giving a rhythmic tick and misfire under load.

If you find it: Replace failed lifters and the camshaft; many owners delete MDS and fit standard lifters with the engine apart. Strict oil-change discipline reduces risk.

From 120k+ km · ~$2500-6000

mediumExhaust-manifold bolt failure / tick

Look for: Heat cycling shears the exhaust-manifold bolts, producing a cold-start 'HEMI tick' that quietens when warm, plus an exhaust leak.

If you find it: Extract broken studs and refit the manifolds with upgraded bolts; weld or replace cracked manifolds.

From 100k+ km · ~$600-1800

mediumNAG1 auto harsh shift / valve-body wear

Look for: The Mercedes W5A580/NAG1 develops harsh or slipping shifts from worn solenoids/valve body and from leaks at the 13-pin electrical connector that can ruin the TCM.

If you find it: Service the fluid on schedule, replace the connector seal, rebuild valve body/solenoids if shifting is poor.

From 120k+ km · ~$500-3000

2 of 4 engines

mediumExhaust-manifold gasket leak / tick

Look for: The 4.7's exhaust-manifold gaskets and bolts fail with heat cycling, giving an exhaust leak and a ticking noise.

If you find it: Replace manifold gaskets and any sheared bolts; check manifolds for warping.

From 100k+ km · ~$400-1200

4.7L PowerTech V8 petrol

mediumCooling system / valve-seat issues at high km

Look for: The PowerTech 4.7 can suffer overheating-related head/valve-seat problems if the cooling system is neglected or the engine is run hot.

If you find it: Keep the cooling system fresh; investigate any overheating immediately to avoid head damage.

From 150k+ km · ~$1500-4000

4 minor things (low severity)

lowBrake rotor warping / heavy wear

Look for: A heavy SUV is hard on brakes; rotors warp and pads wear quickly, worse when towing or loaded.

If you find it: Quality rotors and pads; upgraded pads for towing duty.

From 60k+ km · ~$400-1000

lowRust at tailgate, sunroof drains and underbody (coastal)

Look for: Blocked sunroof drains cause headlining and floor damp; tailgate and underbody surface rust appears on coastal or neglected examples.

If you find it: Clear sunroof drains, inspect tailgate and underbody pre-purchase, treat any surface rust early.

Any · Varies

low545RFE transmission wear

Look for: The Chrysler 545RFE can develop harsh shifts or solenoid faults at high km if fluid is never changed.

If you find it: Regular fluid and filter service; valve-body or solenoid pack repair as needed.

From 150k+ km · ~$500-2500

lowUnderpowered / strained drivetrain

Look for: Not a fault, but the 3.7 is working hard in a ~2.1t SUV; expect heavy fuel use and poor towing performance, which stresses the auto.

If you find it: Buy the V8 or diesel if you tow; otherwise keep loads light and service the transmission.

Any · Running cost

From FlamingCars' Jeep Grand Cherokee guide. It's a checklist of known problems, not a replacement for a professional pre-purchase inspection. Your ticks are kept in this browser only.