Are you looking for another vehicle, but haven’t decided on one yet? If so, reliability is probably at the top of mind. So what about the Jeep’s reliability? Let’s take a look.
How reliable are Jeep vehicles?
Jeep reliability will depend on the year and model you choose. Some Jeep year models are exceptional and rank highly, other’s not so much. According to J.D. Power, in 2020 Jeep was not an award recipient in any of its categories.
While Consumer Reports states that reliability is a concern across the Jeep brand, some year models rate very well. So let’s take a look at the 2020 Jeep models.
Using the data from NHTSA and the huge base of information at VehicleHistory, we’ve compiled a list of expert reviews, owner reviews, crash ratings, and recalls. But let’s start with a little Jeep history first.
A Bit of Jeep History
Jeep is an American auto manufacturer and has been a part of Chrysler since 1987. That is when it bought the Jeep brand from American Motors Corporation. Before 1940 the term “jeep” was a U.S. Army slang term for new recruits or vehicles. But in 1941, the World War II “jeep” tied that name to the 4×4 light military vehicle. That makes it the oldest four-wheel-drive in mass production. The difference is they are now called SUVs.
Jeep has been headquartered in Toledo, Ohio since 1945 when it launched its first CJ or Civilian Jeep. This was the first time any vehicles branded “Jeep” were built. They were known as the 1945 Willys CJ-2A. These were built at its plant in Toledo, Ohio.
2020 Jeep Cherokee
Expert Review: 3.5
This vehicle comes in a V6 or turbo-4 engine. It has real off-road ability, and it has plenty of standard high-tech and safety features. But, it only has an average resale and reliability rating. Additionally, the base engine is underpowered, the cargo area is small, and it’s more expensive than some of its competitors.
Owner Reviews: 4.14 Stars
- Several repair issues on a brand new vehicle
- Beautiful, comfortable ride, and handles well
- Best SUV for the price
- Good gas mileage for its size
- Lots of cargo room
Crash Ratings and Recalls
The 2020 Jeep Cherokee has an NHTSA overall 4-star crash rating. There are two recalls to date. The recalls are the rearview image remains on display and steering rack gear may fail.
2020 Jeep Compass
Expert Review: 3.6
The 2020 Jeep Compass is a great vehicle for the price. It has lots of options and packages from which to choose. But, it has average gas mileage, it’s sluggish, has low resale value, and it doesn’t have much cargo or storage space.
Owner Reviews: 4.09 Stars
- It’s comfortable, sporty, and stylish
- Not great on gas but not terrible either
- Smooth ride
- Overall great car
- Safe, dependable, and reliable
Crash Ratings and Recalls
The 2020 Jeep Compass has an NHTSA overall 4-star crash rating and one recall. The recall was for the windshield wipers which may not operate properly.
2020 Jeep Gladiator
Expert Review: 4.5
The 2020 Jeep Gladiator is a combination of an off-road vehicle and passenger truck. You have your choice of a gas or diesel V6 engine. It has a removable roof and door panels for an open-air experience, but it’s the highest price out of all mid-size pickups. Additionally, the base models don’t have many features including power windows and doors.
Owner Reviews: 4.48 Stars
- Awesome vehicle but has serious steering issues
- The back is too small
- Seats are comfortable and it drives smooth
- The auto stop-start feature is annoying (many people don’t like this feature even if it improves gas mileage)
- Best vehicle I ever owned
Crash Ratings and Recalls
The NHTSA has not yet tested this vehicle. There are four recalls to date. The recalls involve seatbelt retractors that may not slow movement, the rearview image can remain on display, clutch pressure plate may overheat, and the rear driveshaft missing grease in Monoblock Joint.
2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee
Expert Review: 4.3
The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee’s equipment and interior quality are right up there with luxury brands. It has a wide range of engine options including a 707-hp supercharged V8. It’s great off-road, has good resale value, and can tow up to 7,200 pounds. But, it only seats five, has poor gas mileage, average reliability, and it’s more expensive than its competitors.
Owner Reviews: 4.77 Stars
- Perforated leather seats are hard to keep clean
- Comfortable to drive
- Ample cargo space
- Limited second-row legroom
- Reliable so far
Crash Ratings and Recalls
The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee has an NHTSA overall 4-star crash rating on the two-wheel-drive and a 5-star crash rating on the four-wheel-drive. There is one recall to date for the rearview image remaining on the display.
2020 Jeep Renegade
Expert Review: 4.1
The 2020 Jeep Renegade is the least expensive Jeep model. It’s great off-road and has a rugged, stylish design. It’s also small and easy to maneuver. But, it’s more expensive than its rivals, active safety features cost extra, and the 9-speed transmission can be a bit sluggish.
Owner Reviews: 3.33 Stars
- Noises can’t be identified and it sounds like it’s going to explode
- Nice interior
- Drive and handling feel stiff and top-heavy
- Small compared to other compact SUVs
- Very reliable was mentioned several times
Crash Ratings and Recalls
The 2020 Jeep Renegade has an NHTSA overall 4-star crash rating and there are two recalls to date. The recalls are the rearview image can remain on display and fractured right rear brake caliper can fail.
2020 Jeep Wrangler
Expert Review: 4.4
The 2020 Jeep Wrangler provides a great off-road open-air experience. There is nothing else like this vehicle in the SUV segment, and there is an available diesel engine on the 4-door Unlimited model. The interior is as you would expect — noisy on the soft-top models. The plastic windows scratch easily, the back seats aren’t very comfortable, and the base models are very basic.
Owner Reviews: 4.48 Stars
- Overall great car with comfortable seats (many people commented on the comfortable seats)
- Lots of space in the back and no problems with it so far
- Love the open-air ability, powerful, noisy
- Easy to maneuver and it handles very well
- By far the best car I’ve ever had
Crash Ratings and Recalls
The NHTSA has not yet crashed-tested the 2020 Jeep Wrangler. There are currently three recalls. The recalls are for the rearview image remaining on display, clutch pressure plate may overheat, and the lower control arm may separate from axle.
Are you ready to buy a Jeep Cherokee or another brand vehicle?
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Don’t forget to check the vehicle history first. Checking the history of any vehicle before buying it could help prevent you from buying one with known problems, so don’t skip this simple step.
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