Jeep

Grand Cherokee WK2 inspection checklist

2011-2021 · 16 things to check before you buy, taken from this car's known problems.

All engines

highTIPM (power module) electrical faults

Look for: The Totally Integrated Power Module is the WK2's signature electrical weak point: failing internal fuel-pump relays and circuits cause intermittent stalling, no-starts, and random electrical gremlins (lights, wipers, locks). Worst on early cars; subject to recalls/lawsuits overseas.

If you find it: Replace or repair the TIPM with an updated unit; some shops fit an external fuel-pump relay bypass as a cheaper interim fix. Check for stalling/no-start history.

Any (worse on 2011-2014) · ~$800-2500

highQuadra-Lift air suspension leaks / faults

Look for: On air-suspension cars (Overland, Summit, SRT, Trackhawk and option cars) the air springs, compressor and valve block leak and fail with age, leaving the car sagging, stuck low/high, or throwing suspension warnings.

If you find it: Replace leaking air springs, compressor or valve block; aftermarket coil-conversion kits exist as a cheaper permanent fix. Cycle the ride heights on a test drive.

From 80k+ km · ~$1000-4000

mediumZF 845RE 8-speed shudder / harsh shifts (2014+)

Look for: The ZF-based 845RE 8-speed (2014+) is known for a torque-converter shudder and harsh/bumpy low-speed shifts, often needing a software update and/or fluid service; severe cases need converter or transmission work.

If you find it: Apply the latest transmission software, do a correct ZF fluid/filter service; replace torque converter or transmission if shudder persists.

Any · ~$300-3000

mediumUconnect / electronics glitches

Look for: Uconnect screen freezes/reboots, reversing-camera dropouts, phantom warnings and key-fob recognition faults are common, partly tied to software and partly to the TIPM/wiring.

If you find it: Software updates, radio/head-unit reset or replacement; diagnose against TIPM/battery health.

Any · ~$200-1500

mediumCoolant leaks and overheating

Look for: Water pumps, thermostats, radiators and (on the diesel) the oil/EGR coolers leak with age - overheating is especially serious on the diesel given its bottom-end fragility.

If you find it: Replace failed cooling components promptly; pressure-test the system and check coolant condition pre-purchase.

From 100k+ km · ~$400-2000

2 of 5 engines

highHEMI tick - MDS lifter / camshaft wear

Look for: The MDS (cylinder-deactivation) lifters can collapse from restricted oil flow, sludge or wear, causing a rhythmic tick that can escalate to a flat cam lobe and serious damage if ignored.

If you find it: Replace failed lifters/camshaft; keep oil changes frequent with correct spec. Some owners disable MDS via tune to reduce wear. Listen for ticking on a cold and warm start pre-purchase.

From 100k+ km · ~$3000-7000

3.0L V6 CRD turbo diesel

highCrankshaft / big-end bearing failure (engine seizure)

Look for: The signature WK2 diesel failure: big-end/crankshaft bearings (commonly cylinders 4 and 5) spin and seize, locking the engine - frequently preceded by a knock or oil-pressure warning. Linked to marginal oil flow/pressure and bearing wear; once it lets go the engine is usually finished.

If you find it: There is no cheap fix - it needs a rebuilt or replacement engine. Pre-purchase: insist on full service history with the correct low-SAPS oil, listen for bottom-end knock, scan for fault codes, and walk away from any unexplained engine work.

Often 100k-200k km (can be earlier) · ~$15000-25000 (replacement engine)

highEGR cooler and oil cooler failure

Look for: The EGR cooler can crack and the engine oil cooler (which sits in the valley) can fail, causing coolant loss, overheating, white smoke or coolant/oil cross-contamination. A very common and labour-intensive repair on this diesel.

If you find it: Replace the EGR cooler and/or oil cooler with updated parts; pressure-test the cooling system. Check for coolant loss and emulsified oil pre-purchase.

From 80k-160k km · ~$2000-5000

mediumInjector and high-pressure fuel faults

Look for: Common-rail injectors and the high-pressure fuel system can fail, giving rough running, smoke, hard/no-start and limp mode - sometimes also dumping fuel into the oil.

If you find it: Injector test and replacement by a diesel specialist; use quality fuel and filtration. Check oil level/condition isn't rising from fuel dilution.

From 120k+ km · ~$2000-4500

mediumDPF / emissions and limp mode

Look for: DPF clogging, swirl/intake flap and sensor faults can trigger warnings and limp mode, especially on short-trip urban cars that never get a proper regen.

If you find it: Regular highway running, address fault codes early, clean/replace DPF and intake components as needed.

Any · ~$500-3000

3.6L Pentastar V6 petrol

highLeft cylinder head valve-seat / valve-guide defect (2011-2013)

Look for: Early Pentastar engines suffer a left-bank cylinder-head defect (typically a cylinder-2 or cylinder-4 misfire, e.g. P0304) from valve-seat/guide wear caused by incompatible head materials. Chrysler issued a warranty extension overseas; later heads were revised.

If you find it: Replace the affected cylinder head with the updated part. Check for misfire codes and a rough idle pre-purchase; confirm whether the head was already done.

From 60k-150k km · ~$2000-4000

mediumOil consumption / cooling-system wear

Look for: Higher-km Pentastars can burn oil and develop water-pump/thermostat/radiator faults common to the engine family.

If you find it: Monitor oil level, replace water pump and cooling components as preventive maintenance.

From 120k+ km · ~$300-1500

6.2L Trackhawk supercharged V8 petrol

highHard prior use / driveline stress

Look for: With 522kW many Trackhawks have been launched and tracked; supercharger, transfer case, diffs and driveshafts take a beating, and abused examples can need major driveline work.

If you find it: Buy only with full history and ideally a forensic pre-purchase inspection; check for driveline noise, modifications and prior track use.

Any · ~$3000-15000

mediumBrakes, tyres and supercharger servicing

Look for: Brembo brakes, staggered performance tyres and supercharger maintenance (and the belt/snout on hard-used cars) are very expensive consumables.

If you find it: Budget for genuine-spec parts; inspect brakes, tyres and supercharger condition.

From 30k+ km · ~$2000-6000

5.7L HEMI V8 petrol

mediumExhaust manifold bolts / manifold cracks

Look for: HEMI exhaust manifold bolts can corrode and snap and manifolds can crack, giving a cold-start exhaust tick that quietens as it warms.

If you find it: Replace broken studs/bolts and reseal or replace the manifold.

From 120k+ km · ~$400-1200

6.4L SRT HEMI V8 petrol

mediumBrake / suspension running costs

Look for: Brembo pads and rotors, performance tyres and adaptive dampers are costly consumables, and many SRTs have been driven hard.

If you find it: Budget for genuine-spec brakes and tyres; inspect dampers and rotors for wear/heat damage.

From 40k+ km · ~$1500-4000

3 minor things (low severity)

lowBrake and suspension wear (heavy vehicle)

Look for: A heavy 2.2-2.4 tonne SUV (more on the V8s) wears brakes, bushes and control-arm components faster than lighter rivals.

If you find it: Quality pads/rotors and suspension components; inspect front end at service.

From 50k+ km · ~$500-1500

lowFuel thirst

Look for: Not a fault, but a heavy 4WD wagon on a naturally aspirated petrol V6 drinks - 13L+/100km is common in town.

If you find it: Accept the fuel bill or choose the diesel for touring.

Any · Running cost

lowFuel thirst / hard prior use

Look for: 16-18L+/100km is normal and many cars have led a hard life - the running cost and condition risk go together.

If you find it: Choose a well-kept, documented example; accept the fuel bill.

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.