Beware 3.6 Penstar

[Bamaprof]

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!

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[Tbanks]

I have 2020 Gladiator Rubicon with over 50k in mods including Supercharger with no issues.

 

[JET_83]

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!

I’m sure the diesel is more unreliable overall

 

[MaysvilleStig]

I’m sure the diesel is more unreliable overall

Definitely is... and has been since it was released.

 

[sharpsicle]

I'm sorry to hear about your issues.

As far as your "deprecation", there is a 50/50 chance the work doesn't even show up on a CarFax, and even if it does, it likely will have little to no impact on the value of your vehicle. It went in for warranty work. That's not uncommon. Your situation is exactly what warranties are for.

I also think it's important to mention that the class-action suit you're likely referring to has nothing to do with the 3.6 in our Gladiators. This is a different generation engine which is not of the same design that caused the issues mentioned in the suit. Not that there aren't issues with this one, sure, but don't get lines crossed on that one.

At the end, you're fortunate enough to have a loaner and the truck is at the dealership to get the problems corrected. Hard to ask for more than that at this point. It's dangerous to start building on a story in your head, but I understand that tends to happen while you wait. I hope it all gets squared away for you.

 

[Maximus Gladius]

Im just over 33k kms. It doesn’t tick and is super smooth and quiet but it does consume coolant.

 

[MaysvilleStig]

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!

Dude, the 3.6 Pentastar's reliability is way above average. It just is. You're upset, understandably so, but getting on here and telling everyone that the engine is shit is just wrong. YOUR engine was shit and that's unfortunate. I had extremely bad luck with the Ecodiesel but I try to refrain from telling everyone not to buy one because there are several people that haven't had any issues with them.

 

[TheGreatCO]

Im just over 33k kms. It doesn’t tick and is super smooth and quiet but it does consume coolant.

Uhh, I would be concerned that it is consuming coolant... The coolant system should be closed loop, only limited number of places it can go...

 

[Maximus Gladius]

I do hope the people assigned to your issues deal with it quickly. When my coolant consumption issues (10-12 ounces per oil change period) came to light, FCA had no intention of fixing it nor at the very least would investigate and if they were to look at it, I was paying for it. FCA has since changed their mind many months later and are now investigating. I have hope it will get repaired. I really enjoy this truck now that it’s drivable.

 

[Bamaprof]

Dude, the 3.6 Pentastar's reliability is way above average. It just is. You're upset, understandably so, but getting on here and telling everyone that the engine is shit is just wrong. YOUR engine was shit and that's unfortunate. I had extremely bad luck with the Ecodiesel but I try to refrain from telling everyone not to buy one because there are several people that haven't had any issues with them.

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.

 

[@californiajeeping]

I’m sure the diesel is more unreliable overall

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.

 

[JT-Mojave]

I feel for you, I really do. I would definitely feel that way if I had the same problems. I have just over 14k on my 2021 Mojave. I opted specifically for a 3.6 after the reliability/ no maintenance I had on my 2013 JK that I purchase new. Traded it in with 143K on the clock - nothing but routine oil changes. No spark plugs, no belts, not even a new battery.

Hope it gets resolved for you - but as other say, maybe you need to find a new dealership for service?

 

[@californiajeeping]

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.

The 3.6L has had cylinder head issues since its inception ive owned a few and all of them had to get the heads done. My last one i traded it off but it was at that point.

 

[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.

lol, I’m sure… the newer design of the engine has had less issues in comparison

 

[JET_83]

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.

It’s the older design that lawsuit is against, not the newer one to be sure

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