Beware 3.6 Penstar

[JET_83]

I sincerely doubt this. There have been some fuel pump issues and a wiring harness issue but the diesel does not have engine eating itself issues. My 2020 gasser was a ticking rattling rough idling low mpg POS.

The 3.0L turbodiesel is drastically better in every way. There is a recall on the fuel pumps coming but that is not a jeep issue that a all turbo diesel (bosh) issue.

You do realize while new it consumes a lot more oil during the break-in period than that of the gasser, if someone is ignorant to how a diesel works that can just introduce a whole other can of worms the gas doesn’t have to content with along with the cost of maintenance on the diesel and fuel costs overall

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[MaysvilleStig]

I disagree respectfully. Read all the postings about the lifter issue. Jeep was well aware of the design flaw and continued to sell them. There would not be a class action lawsuit if it was only a few “bad apples”. A significant number suffer from this problem.

Fair point. But I still don't think that's enough reason to not get one. I don't see class action lawsuits as bad as everyone else I guess. Seems like they rarely benefit the party since you have zero say in the final agreement. Still, it's a drop in the bucket compared to the number of engines running with no issues. But I feel your pain having to deal with all that crap.

 

[LiftedrubiconJT]

I understand where your coming from. I feel the same way about my jeep. I’ve had so many issues. It’s insane how bad jeep is. Try another dealership. I just got my passenger side rocker arms and cams done. Truck runs so much better now. Started at 32,000 miles and finally fixed at 43,000 miles. Had to go to 3 different dealerships. Jeep customer service is the terrible.

 

[21Moja]

I’ve owned numerous Jeeps - including 392 and diesel. My latest purchase was a brand new 2021 Mojave and I foolishly opted for the 3.6 motor due to it’s length of production, assuming all the bugs were worked out long ago. At 3,000 miles after the first oil change, the oft-reported “ticking” noise began due to faulty lifters. At 10,000 miles it sounded like a diesel! I took it back to the local Jeep dealer. Had to make an appointment and bring it back 10 days later. Now 2 weeks later, they still have not had the time to look at it, much less work on it, nor to order parts. Granted, they did give me a loaner, but after spending $80,000 (with considerable modifications), my jeep is greatly depreciated (carfax will reflect engine work), can’t be driven, and who knows when I will get it back? The lesson to all this is: read about the class action lawsuit against Jeep for defective 3.6 engines with lifter design flaws before making my mistake!

From reading this I would say your biggest complaint is with your dealer...would this thread exist if you brought it in, the problem was diagnosed, they did whatever they needed to do, and you were on your way...I doubt it. All car manufacturers have issues with their vehicles (ask me about my Ford F150), this is why we have warranties. If possible I would raise the red flag and get someone up the dealers' ass. Im sorry this is happening to you but it sounds like the dealer is simply giving you the shaft.

 

[ZoMojave]

On my fifth Pentastar. 2012 Chrysler 300, 2014 Dodge Durango, 2016 Ram 1500, 2021 Dodge Charger and 2022 Jeep Gladiator. No issues and nothing but praise for this powerplant as far as I am concerned. I was sold on it when it was rated one of the top ten engines in the industry when it was introduced.

But like anything, there will be some troublesome units. Sorry that yours was one of them.

 

[jwolfejt]

This was taken from a thread on a facebook group. This is a 2020 Gladiator with original everything - has over 200k miles. Not discrediting the OP's bad experience but regular 5k mile oil changes go along long way. By 3000 miles I already had did my 2nd oil change, 6k miles my 3rd

 

[jay21mojave]

Sorry to read about the poor dealership service you are enduring. As many noted, the 3.6L is in multiple FCA vehicles and over a million are in service. No manufacturing process is 100% and that is why Warranties are in place to address defects in manufacturing and materials. There is Youtube video of a 3.6L engine tear down at 630K miles.. it is impressive how the internals look at this mileage. ALSO.. Request firmly that the Service Department DO NOT Report the repairs to Carfax.. I have done so on mine & the dealership has complied.

 

[f33d]

I’m waiting for my 3.6 to fail so I can justify a 392 swap. With my luck the universe is gonna make this thing run 300k+ miles which is about 30 years by my standards.

 

[cafecito]

Well shit man, does that mean our pending seat swap arrangement is in danger? lol

 

[AmosMoses]

It sounds like in a round about way you are saying that chrysler/jeep isn't the most dependable company making vehicles today?

 

[jwolfejt]

It sounds like in a round about way you are saying that chrysler/jeep isn't the most dependable company making vehicles today?

They all have their share of lemons - even Toyota. I'd take a pentastar over the 2GR anyday.

 

[Akgladiator]

I’ve owned numerous Jeeps - including 392 and diesel. My latest purchase was a brand new 2021 Mojave and I foolishly opted for the 3.6 motor due to it’s length of production, assuming all the bugs were worked out long ago. At 3,000 miles after the first oil change, the oft-reported “ticking” noise began due to faulty lifters. At 10,000 miles it sounded like a diesel! I took it back to the local Jeep dealer. Had to make an appointment and bring it back 10 days later. Now 2 weeks later, they still have not had the time to look at it, much less work on it, nor to order parts. Granted, they did give me a loaner, but after spending $80,000 (with considerable modifications), my jeep is greatly depreciated (carfax will reflect engine work), can’t be driven, and who knows when I will get it back? The lesson to all this is: read about the class action lawsuit against Jeep for defective 3.6 engines with lifter design flaws before making my mistake!

Factory spec oil weight is too light for such a high rpm reving engine.

Light engine oil is for CAFE standard at the expense of engine wear and consumer's pocket

 

[Akgladiator]

It sounds like in a round about way you are saying that chrysler/jeep isn't the most dependable company making vehicles today?

Yes of all the big three, Chrysler is the worst in my years of ownership!

 

[NachoRuby]

Yes of all the big three, Chrysler is the worst in my years of ownership!

Me too. But... This is my 6th Mopar. I've had a bunch of Subarus and VWs too, though. The VWs have been the least problematic, so that must have been luck of the draw.

Actually, my Gladiator and the two Wranglers we've owned have been trouble-free of things that weren't my fault, other than random non-drivetrain related jeep rattles. The other Mopars: much less problem free.

 

[Blade1668]

Sorry for your luck with your JT, many of us must be lucky. My 2020 is doing good. In a day or so I'm due another oil change # 6 or 7 I think. Close to 65000 or more miles. ?
I did get slightly worried when took mine in for first oil change the dealership had a trashed 3.6 setting on pallet to send in not out of a Jeep though.

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