Jeep Reliability?

[FLGladiator]

I'd agree with you...though the 996 did have some problems. (intermediate shaft bearing)...and those ghastly headlights.

996 was a nightmare and 997 was only slightly better in the S model. In 99 I saw Porsche make a 180 degree turn for the worst. I was speaking of pre 99. 911, 964, 993 my favorites all bullet proof. 928s were amazing cars also except water pumps.

Sponsored

 

[wvyankee2]

Had the JT 5 months and 5000 miles with the only issue being the replacement of a front diff pinion seal. It was related to the gear replacement though. So zero issues from factory so far.

 

[swink55]

My 98 TJ had very few issues. Made it 250k before I sold it due to frame rot. The TJs were known for it on the control arms. Only one time it left me stranded. The radiator fan shroud broke off the bolts that hold it to the radiator. I bought some zip ties and made it home 50 miles from DC to where I live in VA. I kept it with zip ties for 3 more years until I sold it. Good truck though. My opinion is like anything else. Stuff leaks and gets worn. If you replace worn items as you go over 125k it’ll run forever

 

[DocMike]

I go back to a previous statement I made. We are all enthusiasts. We generally just enjoy driving and will give some leeway in exchange for a driving experience. I have adjust carbs in the dead of winter in a parking lot, swapped axles in the rain in a driveway, even one time made a bypass for a blown heater core in the back of ACE Hardware so I could get the car home and not tow it. (I'd wager most of us on here have similar stories) Many car companies are shitting on the enthusiast segment. Granted we do not always do our best to buy new things. I lusted after the Chevy (Holden SS). Big V8 RWD and stick. But they didn't sell. Sadly I was cash poor at that moment. So dealerships make neutered, sterile, cross overs that appeal to the mass market. They have to. Those people only care about going from point A to point B. Some of that segment will buy a Jeep because it's cute or fun or makes them look "outdoorsy."I wonder if that segment of the population is driving up the complaints. "It's not like my Camry or my Accord or My Pilot, so it's junk." We are a dying breed. I have worked in high schools for 20 years. Less and less kids care about driving and they put off their license quite a bit. Thankfully my kids love cars.

I'm hoping my Jeep will last. I quite enjoy it and really would like to have it a long time. Do I give a shit if a wanders a little? No. (y'all with the steering box issue, that's another matter) Do I care about road noise and wind? No.

I expect Jeep to make things right and address warranty issues in a timely manner. I expect no faulty design issues. I was subject to the B5 Passat timing belt fiasco and had to fight VAG to get it fixed under warranty. That car had 90K VW said do the belt at 105K and the belt shit the bed at 90. I made VW fix it as a warranty issue because I followed their maintenance protocols. I had a 2004 Tahoe that from 24K to 36K went through 2 fuel pumps, a starter and an oil pump. (yes...oil pump. Who has ever heard of an oil pump dying on a low mile SBC????) Chevy did not give a shit. They charged me all kinds of money. Dumped the thing. I guess the real question here....and Jeepcares should hear this one from all of you...

It's not reliability, but how well does Jeep stand by its product?

Like let's say something similar happens with the timing belt in the Gladiator. Does Jeep has a reputation for stepping up and making it right? My car had 90K. VW put that ticking time bomb in there. Faulty belt tensioner. Y'all know what happens when you lose a timing belt on an interference engine. It was a mess.


Those that have not had the chance to drive a well sorted German car should. E30, E39 M5, B5 S4, 911, TT, S6. You can flog the shit out of them. They love it. It's like when Ken Miles chastises that guy for not driving his sports car properly. They run like crap if you don't drive them hard.

996 was a nightmare and 997 was only slightly better in the S model. In 99 I saw Porsche make a 180 degree turn for the worst. I was speaking of pre 99. 911, 964, 993 my favorites all bullet proof. 928s were amazing cars also except water pumps.

 

[bshillam]

Over 60 cars in my life, probably much closer to 70 now. I have lost track. I am looking at adding a third car to the garage, just sold one and looking at a Wrangler w/ 130k on the clock. Clean slate just driven - I'll change the fluids and enjoy as a "family" car.

When doors, top and shield are designed to come off there is liable to be some rattles and what not as those components age. To think otherwise would be unrealistic, no matter the manufacturer. Some people shouldn't own a Jeep because the vehicle isn't a good fit for what their expectations are.

I have had no less than six from 42' to 2020. 42' GPW, 81' CJ-7, 1995 YJ, 1995.5 YJ, 2003 TJ, 2001 TJ, and now Gladiator.

 

[rr11]

I have owned many Jeeps over the years, 74 CJ5, 80 CJ7, 91 Wrangler, 2005 TJ 2006 TJ, 2013 unlimited, 2017 Grand Cherokee, 2020 JT. The only two that left my wife stranded was the 74 CJ5 that she ran out of gas, and the 05 clutch came apart at 120K. I guess we have been lucky.

 

[JT850]

My '06 unlimited was a beast. 170k miles on it, floated across a few swamps, crossed creeks, etc. Never did anything other than add a roof rack and 31" tires. Drove it from Florida to New England quite a few times. It wasn't much more than a 6 cylinder golf cart to be honest. I loved it though. Never gave me trouble. Just sold it to a relative who wanted a jeep, but nothing too crazy. It'll see 300k miles I have no doubt. Im hoping for the same out of my JT.

 

[Geoarch]

I am on the Tacoma Forum (current DD 2014 Taco ccsb) and they have not tried to direct me to the 3rd gen Taco and most like the Gladiator for competition to hopefully wake Toy up to the changing world or better trucks..

I'm on the Tacoma Forum too, and have owned five Tacomas since 1998 and had no issues except for one radio and one broken spring, plus the fuel pump recall on my 2018 TRD Pro. I'm researching Gladiators because they have attributes more like the early Tacomas (manual transfer case, skid plates, winch bumper, MT). I'd like to avoid one of the lemon Gladiators, but it's just a crap shoot. I assume that statistics are on my side. I also owned a 1953 M38 A-1 military jeep with a Buick V-6, and a 1973 CJ-5 that I bought new for $3400.00! I had the CJ for 15 years and used it for field work throughout the Southwest with no issues. I hope that a new Gladiator will be as reliable as those two.

 

[ArmyMP]

My TJ was dependable as hell till rust took out my steering.

My JT has been in the shop longer than I have driven it.

Would I say jeep is generally unreliable? No.

At the badlands there was a long term water rescue grand Cherokee running waste oil with 380 something on the clock.

 

[Gvsukids]

I'd like to avoid one of the lemon Gladiators, but it's just a crap shoot.

Yes, as with any vehicle.

 

[Willpower1]

My Mojave has been extremely dependable, and has been one of the most enjoyable vehicles I’ve owned thus far, and at 58 I’ve owned quite a few. It gets more miles than anything else in my stable, cruises easily at 75 on the highway, and I’m getting good gas mileage. And it looks cool as hell to me. I’m an old school guy, and my two newest vehicles look like they’re from decades ago. Love. It.

 

[ArmyMP]

I'd like to avoid one of the lemon Gladiators, but it's just a crap shoot.

Hey, I have one of these.

 

[Slojo]

Mine is at 18k and no issue so far... except. I notice when I am driving slow, like in a parking lot it has this little squeek in the front. (Yes I thought about not driving slow in a parking lot but the cop said that wasn't a real option)

 

[Gvsukids]

32000 miles and I still look back after I park.

 

[DailyMoparGuy]

32000 miles and I still look back after I park.

I always get in at least two looks. People probably think I’m crazy ?

Sponsored