hot take: Jeep reliability

[jonb06]

Jeep detractors will harp on Jeep reliability. Jeep owners relent how much they cost and mods. Hot take: Are Jeeps less "reliable" because they are so heavily modded? Full disclosure: I'm building a tried and true mall crawler that will likely never see trails (occasional sand dunes, sick potholes and serious snow, but definitely no rock crawling). Might I get more life from my Jeep by keeping it close to stock?

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[Rahkmalla]

Might I get more life from my Jeep by keeping it close to stock?

Always. There are very few mods you can make that improve reliability, and they usually aren't made unless part of another larger mod that hurts reliability. For example, no one bothers with stronger axles unless they have bigger tires.

As for "are jeeps less reliable because they are modded?" the number of modders is not a large enough percentage to affect reliability statistics. And I guarantee Jeep has a deal with JD Power and whoever else does customer satisfaction surveys to throw out any responses that imply the vehicle has been modified since purchased (and I don't blame them. if they didn't build it, why should the thing breaking count against them?)

 

[sharpsicle]

This isn't really a "hot take". Just facts. The more you modify something, the less reliable it inherently becomes. Risk vs reward. This isn't anything new. If you modify your Jeep less, of course you'll have a better chance of avoiding issues.

And this is not restricted to Jeeps. This is generally true with anything.

 

[LostWoods]

If it were limited to the JL/JT then I'd buy it but sadly it's the entire lineup that has the reputation. FCA engineers were just not great at developing electronics systems comparatively.

and I mean that as the engineering teams to include management because it's likely a supply chain decision, not a lack of talent.

 

[HughGladiator1]

That's why manufacturers tend to void warranties when a lot of modifications are introduced.

 

[PlayfulBird]

another hot take, are jeep owners more likely to beat their vehicles and are they really going to keep on top of service....?

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Might I get more life from my Jeep by keeping it close to stock?

Yes. I could say "duh" but won't. Anything that adds stress to any parts of course will change wear patterns and life.

This isn't really a "hot take". Just facts. The more you modify something, the less reliable it inherently becomes. Risk vs reward. This isn't anything new. If you modify your Jeep less, of course you'll have a better chance of avoiding issues.

And this is not restricted to Jeeps. This is generally true with anything.

Yeah, he nailed it again.

FCA engineers were just not great at developing electronics systems comparatively.

According to Consumer Reports and other organizations, the number one complaint of ALL vehicles, including Ford, GM, Toyota, whatever - "infotainment and electronics".
Jeep may have a disadvantage, but it's the number one issue with all makes if you go by their results.

 

[LostWoods]

According to Consumer Reports and other organizations, the number one complaint of ALL vehicles, including Ford, GM, Toyota, whatever - "infotainment and electronics".
Jeep may have a disadvantage, but it's the number one issue with all makes if you go by their results.

Absolutely as true today as it was nearly 20 years ago when I started wrenching and chose electrical and drivability as my specialty. Some mange to do better by the KISS principle (e.g. Toyota, Honda, Subaru) but it's by no means a problem exclusive to Jeep.

Though I will say, the migration to CAN bus drastically increased my warranty workload back in the day.

 

[Gvsukids]

Jeep detractors will harp on Jeep reliability. Jeep owners relent how much they cost and mods. Hot take: Are Jeeps less "reliable" because they are so heavily modded? Full disclosure: I'm building a tried and true mall crawler that will likely never see trails (occasional sand dunes, sick potholes and serious snow, but definitely no rock crawling). Might I get more life from my Jeep by keeping it close to stock?

Further reading,
https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/forum/threads/school-a-toyota-guy-on-reliability.14867/

 

[d0n]

Modded or not, out of the womb it's a Chrysler product so expectations need to be adjusted accordingly. Just know that going in.

 

[WILDHOBO]

Jeep detractors will harp on Jeep reliability. Jeep owners relent how much they cost and mods. Hot take: Are Jeeps less "reliable" because they are so heavily modded? Full disclosure: I'm building a tried and true mall crawler that will likely never see trails (occasional sand dunes, sick potholes and serious snow, but definitely no rock crawling). Might I get more life from my Jeep by keeping it close to stock?

I’m repeating likely what others have said. If you’ve bought it, it’s already an amazing mall crawler. If I wasn’t trying to gain extra ground clearance for serious off road trails, I would have changed absolutely nothing. The one possible exception is I likely would have installed the winch because of where I live. It does get used. But if your plan is no off roading, enjoy it as it is and have fun with cosmetic stuff and soft tops for open air driving. My opinion alone. Congrats on the new ride.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

The one possible exception is I likely would have installed the winch because of where I live. It does get used.

Yeah, winch on mine has been used twice - once to pull a guy out of a snowy ditch after an ice storm. Because it was an ice storm, he'd have likely been there a while, while wreckers were busy pulling other people out of where they shouldn't have ended up.
It's Iowa, the only rocks here get picked up by farmers and stacked by the barn, or people coming here to collect geodes. Trails? That's what the deer make through our woods.

 

[WILDHOBO]

Yeah, winch on mine has been used twice - once to pull a guy out of a snowy ditch after an ice storm. Because it was an ice storm, he'd have likely been there a while, while wreckers were busy pulling other people out of where they shouldn't have ended up.
It's Iowa, the only rocks here get picked up by farmers and stacked by the barn, or people coming here to collect geodes. Trails? That's what the deer make through our woods.

Good stuff. Midwest memories.

 

[Barnaby’sdad]

I’m repeating likely what others have said. If you’ve bought it, it’s already an amazing mall crawler. If I wasn’t trying to gain extra ground clearance for serious off road trails, I would have changed absolutely nothing. The one possible exception is I likely would have installed the winch because of where I live. It does get used. But if your plan is no off roading, enjoy it as it is and have fun with cosmetic stuff and soft tops for open air driving. My opinion alone. Congrats on the new ride.

Yup. If you start installing aftermarket parts that put one or more aspect of the vehicle performance outside of the factory specifications, sooner or later (regardless of whether or not you’re willing to admit it online), you’re going to run into an issue caused by something that you installed.

I have:

-Hydro-locked an engine on a ~1 year old car with a cold air intake/filter on a stick.

-Snapped a drive-shaft u-joint due to an excessive angle in relation to the transfer case and differential output shafts.

Those are just the first two “good” ones that come to mind.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Yup. If you start installing aftermarket parts that put one or more aspect of the vehicle performance outside of the factory specifications, sooner or later (regardless of whether or not you’re willing to admit it online), you’re going to run into an issue caused by something that you installed.

I have:

-Hydro-locked an engine on a ~1 year old car with a cold air intake/filter on a stick.

-Snapped a drive-shaft u-joint due to an excessive angle in relation to the transfer case and differential output shafts.

Those are just the first two “good” ones that come to mind.

That's one reason I watch what I put on or modify. Most things I do keep things within specs, such alignment specs (and specs most don't even realize exist or can't explain).

There's nothing on mine that would have a negative impact on anything other than payload (extra weight).
Most of my car mods are to enhance safety or actually improve things over factory.

I'll make no wheel or tire changes without considering the impact on steering or handling.

I do need to come up with a hood scoop for one of my cars because the previous owner stuck the carbs up through the hood and it's like having two huge rain gauges sticking up there. Keep that thing out of the rain!

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