We consider the brand’s history of capability & innovations to provide an overview of the level of reliability of new & used Jeeps.
The Jeep brand is one of the most iconic automotive brands out there. You either know someone who has had a Jeep or maybe you’ve had one yourself. Jeeps are popular for their off-road capability and prowess on the backroad trails. But, just how reliable are Jeeps? To find the answer, we consider the brand’s history of capability, and envelope-pushing innovations to provide an unbiased overview of just how reliable new and used Jeeps are, so you can determine whether your next vehicle will be a Jeep…or another brand.
Jeep’s History of Innovation
Before we dive into the reliability of Jeeps, let’s first take a trip back to the beginning of the Jeep brand. The first Jeep can be dated back to the 1940s and was actually designed for U.S. Army specifications. Needing a “light reconnaissance vehicle,” the U.S. Army asked automakers all around the country to produce such a vehicle. Ford, Willis, and Bantam heeded the call with a prototype for the Jeep Quad in 1940. Throughout the 1940s, the Jeep maintained its light and boxy style.
Around the 1950s, the Jeep started to adopt its role as a recreational vehicle that could be used beyond military purposes. This was when the model really started to become popular with civilian drivers.
In the 1960s, with the birth of the Wagoneer model, Jeep completely revamped its design from head to toe, creating a whole new image. The Wagoneer was the first 4×4 vehicle to feature automatic transmission and an independent suspension. The Jeep brand started to become more adventurous with its designs in the 1970s, and the Jeep brand’s image transformed into the go-to adventure vehicle.
The Jeep brand underwent a different design in the 1980s, and this time they focused on function. The 4×4 wagon downsized to a smaller vehicle, and the All-New Jeep Cherokee was reborn.
Say what you want about the style of the 1990s, but one of the best things to come from that decade–aside from Nirvana and Terminator 2–were the upgrades made to the Jeep SUV style. The Jeep brand was now focusing on creating luxury SUVs without forgetting its adventurous roots.
In the 200s, the new millennium brought forth the expansion of the Jeep brand lineup. As a result of Daimler-Benz and Chrysler merging in the late ’90s, Jeep was now increasing its reputable lineup.
By the 2010s, with the new decade, Jeep went global with its sales and launched several new models, expanding the Jeep brand even further.
In 2020, Jeep ventured even further into new territory with the birth of the Jeep Gladiator, the first-ever Jeep pickup truck.
Jeep Reliability
After considering its history, you may be wondering how the reliability of Jeep has changed over the decades. Because Jeep was originally intended to be used as a small, compact military vehicle, it was designed to be top-of-the-line. That’s not to say that today’s Jeep models still aren’t designed with maximum efficiency, but the Jeep brand has drastically changed over the decades. With the change of style and function over the decades, so has the reliability.
If you look at the reliability of Jeep vehicles today, you’ll see that have a lower score than you might think. If you search the Jeep Cherokee, you’ll see that Reliability Index gave it a score of 150, which is less than the industry average. Other Jeep models in the index range around this score. While this isn’t terribly far below the average score, it’s still nothing to boast about.
Jeep has also had a variety of recalls over the years, including recently, with the 2020 Jeep Wrangler racking up four recalls and the 2020 Jeep Renegade SUV netting two recalls by the National Highway Safety Administration (NHSA). Another recent recall involves the 2010 Jeep Compass Sport SUV 4D for an improperly deployed airbag.
What Makes Jeeps Unreliable?
There are several factors that have contributed to the lack of Jeep’s dependability over the years. One of those factors is the relatively poor handling. An infamous instance of poor handling that reportedly occurs with Jeep vehicles is the “death wobble.” Many Jeep drivers have reported that when they reach increasingly high speeds on the interstate, the steering wheel and entire vehicle both start to shake violently.
Less obvious signs of the Jeep’s lack of reliability include leaking exhausts reported by numerous Jeep drivers. Jeep drivers have also reported clogged fuel injectors and water leaks, which result in wind noise.
Originally a military vehicle, Jeep was designed to be top-of-the-line. Today’s Jeeps still deliver max efficiency, but the brand has changed over the decades, and so has the reliability.
Other problems in Jeeps include electronic malfunctions, specifically with the TIPM system. The TIPM (totally integrated power module) is usually used in newer Jeep models and is the relay center that sends power to the doors, windows, locks, and other electronic components. Other electrical issues include corrosion on the tail light circulation. This can be frustratingly hard to diagnose as it may just appear that a bulb is out but nothing happens when you change it.
Benefits of Jeep Vehicles
Don’t let the Jeep reliability score and reported problems deter you from getting a Jeep. While most of the reported problems are usually nothing extremely major, they are still things you’ll want to consider before getting a new or used Jeep vehicle of your own. However, there are plenty of things to look forward to with a Jeep, like its durability on rougher roads. Although the Jeep brand has dramatically changed over the decades, the design still holds true to its adventurous roots.
Another benefit of a Jeep vehicle is its smaller and more compact frame, which allows for better articulation and handling on those rougher and rockier roads. In terms of customization, a Jeep vehicle is one of the most customizable vehicles on the market. There are plenty of ways to personalize a Jeep vehicle to your liking, especially the Wrangler.
All in all, although Jeep’s reliability score is slightly below average, it’s important to keep in mind that Jeeps are designed for the off-road driver. So, if you have a pretty routine commute and drive the same route that a regular sedan would, then you probably won’t get the same results from a Jeep that someone who takes the backroad trails would. But they’re a fun, reliable vehicle no matter which road you choose.
Photos: Jeep
