Jeep Reliability
 

New to the group, thanks for the add. I’m looking to replace my much loved but aging ‘98 Landcruiser with something newer. Prefer a very capable 4WD, petrol, live axle and medium to large body. A Jeep is very much on my shortlist. I hear a lot from people I 4WD with saying Jeeps tend to be unreliable and expensive to repair. None of these people own Jeeps tho, and I sometimes wonder where they get this info from. Very interested to hear opinions of owners that actually take their cars off road. Is this something you feel is an issue or is your experience that they are on par with Patrols, Landcruisers, etc in this regard? Do you have compelling reasons why I should (or shouldn’t) consider a Jeep? Thanks in advance.

What model are you looking at, and how much money do you wish to spend.

Hi CrawlerStar,
Looking at the new JL unlimited so interested in reliability of later model jeeps. Won’t be till sometime next year of course, just doing my research.

While nobody here can vouch for the JL, most of the late model JK owners with a 3.6L Pentastar engine will tell you that you are on the right track with your spec sheet.

Any car taken off road will need to be adequately maintained whether it is Jeep or Toyota.

Whether you want Petrol or diesel comes down to personal choice.

There seems to be a particular "DONT BUY JEEP" culture in the Australian media, but there is nothing about this car that is unreliable. When was the last time you saw a wrangler on the side of the road awaiting a tow truck? I have seen plenty of new Mitsubishi and Toyota's waiting for table top trucks.

The car you need is one that doesn't throw a code at you when you go over a car park speed bump because the Aussie bush needs respect.

Continental USA is very similar to Australia in terms of ruggedness, maybe more so. They have more consumers to prove the car for the export markets.

I too hope to get my first Jeep next year. I too am looking at a JL Unlimited. I have been researching all things Jeep for more than 6 months.

Here is a US forum worth reading.

https://www.jlwranglerforums.com

I have owned a lot of vehicles in the past and the old VW Beetle and the Jeep communities have been the most helpful. In terms of finding an answer to your question on one of the many many forums, or asking it outright. There are Jeep specific shops as well all over the country. The vehicles are easy(ish) to work on, and while parts can be expensive there are still enough to shop around. Also, in terms of available "toys" you can do to personalize your vehicle, Jeep is near infinite with its options - I liked that about my old Beetle as well.

There are lemons in every bunch, just be careful the few people screaming all Jeeps have X issue or Y problem. They don't. You don't get to be as popular and last as long as Jeep has without having a quality product. If you buy new the warranty seems legit - though I haven't owned a warrantied Jeep since 2003 so who knows.

Further to my last post, I have a 23 year old Cherokee which is conveniently serviced by my local mechanic. Parts are easily accessible from a number of after market and oem sources, that include eBay.

When I bought the car new and took it into the central Australian desert, it turned heads and Toyotafiles were critiquing it as an unsuitable vehicle while staring at it with envy and despondency.

Back then, I found myself on the Mereenie loop road which had claimed breakdown victims like OKA buses and patrols with suspension and tyre/wheel damage. But two brand new stock XJ Cherokees traversed this bomb road from opposite ends and it was kind of funny that we each made it to our destination.

It is still turning heads today....