Jeep last in JD Power survey

[computeruser]

No question that both QC and Quality are lacking at Jeep. My 2002 TJ has had the engine's top end torn down twice under warranty, trans rebuilt twice, nonstop evaporative emissions "problems" (the kind that make the check engine light go off but that you ignore) that initially caused me to spend $$$$ on trying to find the source of the problem, freaky electrical gremlins, 30k mile ball joints, perpetually wet passenger floor, the list could go on and on. Definitely not going to win any low-maintenance awards, that's for sure.

My mother's 2005 Liberty was actually pretty good, and never gave her any problems that weren't caused by somebody running into her. Her 2008 Liberty...fit and finish problems galore.

Hopefully the QC will improve under new ownership.

I think that CR and JDP ratings are informative, but should not be dispositive, in making a vehicle choice. There are many factors, both tangible and not, that go into making an informed vehicle choice and are not considered by these assessment tools.

 

[durango_60]

As a former yota owner on my first jeep I'd say this is the most fun poor quality vehicle I have ever owned. I've already had the clutch replaced under warranty and don't get me started on fit and finish.

That being said, I absolutely love it.

 

[calamaridog]

That being said, I absolutely love it.

I can totally understand this. Enthusiasts will put up with quirks to drive a vehicle they are passionate about. The bottom line is Jeep offers some vehicles that are niche vehicles and most people will buy those no matter what CR says.

With the introduction of more conventional, mainstream models, they are trying to capture a larger, more profitable market share. These vehicles will have to be "better" if they are going to improve sales I think.

 

[Alaska Mike]

I think that pretty much nails it down. Jeeps get under your skin, and enthusiasts forgive the little (or big) things because you like the capabilities or image that the vehicle brings to the table.

The flip side of that is what the non-enthusiast sees. They bought a Grand Cherokee or Compass or whatever and suddenly they have nothing but warranty repairs to deal with. As an average consumer, I would be angry if a vehicle that only saw street miles had those kinds of issues. "My Corolla never had these problems". Face it, most Jeeps never see more dirt than the parking lot at the local Starbucks. To their credit, Jeep has maintained the solid axles under the Wrangler line even as the trend continued towards street use. Unfortunately, they haven't figured out how to make a reliable vehicle at the same time. You can't tell me an average Jeep has more bells and whistles than the comparable Toyota, yet the reliability ratings are far different.

My Jeep and (now) Land Rover are from brands that don't have good reliability records. I've spent many, many thousands making them more reliable. They aren't my daily drivers anymore, simply because they are dedicated to trail use and aren't very economical to use on the street. I like having the luxury of not having to do a marathon wrenching session after every trail ride just so I can make it to work on Monday. It wasn't always so nice.

I've never spent more than $30K on a Jeep (or any vehicle for that matter), but if I did I would expect a high degree of fit/finish/reliability, to match or better the fit/finish/reliability of the $20K Toyota I own. If I used it in a more rigorous manner (offroad), I would expect a certain amount of added issues, but used in a similar manner I would expect similar performance. If I didn't get it, I would look elsewhere. That's how your average consumer looks at a vehicle. Looks and image only keep them hooked for so long. Unused capability is worthless, especially when gas mileage is a concern. My guess is that Jeep will move more in the direction of the Compass if current trends continue, trying to compete with the fuel efficient Subarus and other AWD station wagons of the world. The Wrangler line will likely continue as a "niche" platform, and hopefully won't go IFS or unibody in the near term.

Jeep makes some great vehicles, but I think we're going to see some real changes in the next few years.

 

[24HOURSOFNEVADA]

I must have been lucky with the jeeps I've owned. 95 YJ, 02 TJ and the 04 Unlimited. None of them had a single warranty issue, and all of them saw off road use.

Sometimes I really think hard about going back to one.

 

[biere]

Bought my grand cherokee in early december.

It will get the new front window regulators whenever I feel like taking it in and letting the dealer do the work.

It is not a big enough problem for me to care about, basically I sometimes have to use the power up button twice to make the window go up so I can lock the vehicle.

Over 8k miles so far and no issues other than that.

Everytime I look at the exhaust pipe on a general motors vehicle I think about ripping it off while messing around off road.

So c and r and everyone else can pick on jeeps for what they consider issues, I see my grand cherokee as being made so stuff does not hang low and need modified to not hit when going into or coming out of a big dip.

 

[Alaska Mike]

So c and r and everyone else can pick on jeeps for what they consider issues, I see my grand cherokee as being made so stuff does not hang low and need modified to not hit when going into or coming out of a big dip.

That's what you put a premium on- a basic design that lends itself to your intended purpose. A big-picture approach, if you will. Some people focus on the little things to achieve their goals. Both approaches are valid.

I've found that Land Rover guys are even more pig-headed about reliability and fit/finish issues than Jeep guys (at least Jeep was never married to the Prince of Darkness). Both groups have decided the positives outweigh the negatives. Capability, heritage, image... whatever the reason, they have picked their horse.

I look at these ratings and see them as part of the picture, but only a part. Mini Coopers have a higher reliability rating than Jeep, but I personally would never consider one as a serious off-road expedition vehicle. The capabilities don't match. But if I have two vehicles with similar characteristics matching my intended use, only separated by a reliability rating, I'm going to go with the one with fewer potential issues. That is, unless the iconic mystique of the vehicle totally hoodwinks me, like it has with Jeep and Land Rover. Sometimes that's all that keeps me going down this path of personal and financial ruin.

 

[stick]

You assume a high percentage of Jeep owners take their Jeeps off road

That's what they're made for, isn't it :safari-rig:

 

[Zeero]

It sure is....but....about 90% don't make it that far.

 

[jeepboyd]

I don't disagree with what's being said , however if you don't give a vehicle a good nonbiased look over before you buy it isn't that your fault. if you claim the engine is loud or ticks you didn't pay attention during the test drive not the manufacture's fault . I'd lay that one on the buyer. should of paid more attention to what you were buying.

 

[Alaska Mike]

Absolutely, but I think Jeep could still tighten up the Quality Control a bit. Maybe once their numbers drop a bit they'll have more time to make sure everything is right instead of relying on warranty repairs to pick up the pieces.

 

[biere]

Don't get me wrong, I like the iconic mystique, good phrase, of the jeepy stuff.

But it was the little diesel singing her song that got me back to owning a jeep.

And I never really owned a jeep before this, I just had my dad's hand me down as a teenager and I eventually killed that poor jeep because I was young and dumb. And it was a grand wagoneer full size so it is not like I am trying to hint at any of the stupid articles about kids and smaller jeeps.

If toyota had a diesel 4x4 I would probably be in it but they don't import one and no one really offers anything other than commercial stuff or fullsize pickups so I am just darn happy I got myself a nice little diesel suv while the getting was good.