My GarageIs the Jeep Grand Cherokee a good used car?
Verdict rates it 3.8/5 overall, with reliability at 3.7/5 and running costs at 3.7/5. Shop 2014–2021 WK2 (Pentastar) first and treat HEMI with MDS as a records-only purchase.
Buyer's Guide · Jeep Grand Cherokee · Midsize SUV
Used Jeep Grand Cherokee Buyer's Guide
3 min read
Also worth reading: Jeep Reliability Guide, Best Used Jeep Models and Jeep Wrangler Buying Guide.
The Grand Cherokee is Jeep's premium SUV. Pentastar V6 is the safest engine pick; HEMI is powerful but MDS lifter risk applies.
Quick Verdict
- Overall verdict
- 3.8/5 · Good
- Reliability
- 3.7/5 · Good
- Best years
- 2014–2021 WK2 (Pentastar)
- Years to research
- HEMI with MDS, EcoDiesel 3.0L
- Maintenance cost
- 3.6/5 · Good
- Parts availability
- 4.7/5 · Excellent
- Ownership cost
- 3.7/5 · Good
Bottom line: Yes. Prefer Pentastar with records; HEMI with lifter history.
Shopping a specific Grand Cherokee?
Don't stop at researching the model — get a verdict on the exact car you're looking at.
Overall · All generations
★★★★★3.8/5
Prefer 3.6L Pentastar for lowest ownership cost; HEMI with MDS delete or documented lifter history is fine but more variable.
Reliability· All generations
★★★★★3.7/5
Maintenance
★★★★★3.6/5
Parts availability
★★★★★4.7/5
Ownership cost
★★★★★3.7/5
Top Picks
Best Years to Buy
Generations with the strongest long-term reputation.
2014–2021 WK2 (Pentastar)
Refined 8AT; proven V6.
Side by side
Jeep Grand Cherokee ratings at a glance
| Category | Rating | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 3.8/5 | Good |
| Reliability | 3.7/5 | Good |
| Maintenance | 3.6/5 | Good |
| Parts availability | 4.7/5 | Excellent |
| Ownership cost | 3.7/5 | Good |
Do your homework
Years to Research Carefully
Not deal-breakers — but they reward a careful buyer.
HEMI with MDS
Lifter tick pattern.
EcoDiesel 3.0L
Emissions settlement and EGR concerns.
Known issues
Common Problems
Bring this list to your pre-purchase inspection.
- ✓MDS lifter failure on HEMI
- ✓Air-suspension leaks if equipped
- ✓EcoDiesel EGR issues
- ✓Electronics/UConnect quirks
Ownership
Maintenance Expectations
Comparable to full-size domestic SUV for cost.
Air-suspension and complex electronics are the biggest ownership variables.
Before you buy
Inspection Checklist
What to verify on any candidate car.
Engine
HEMI: listen for lifter tick. Pentastar: smooth idle.
Air suspension
All corners level if equipped.
Transmission
8AT smooth throughout.
Electronics
UConnect operates.
Rust
Rear subframe on Northeast cars.
Living with it
Ownership Experience
- • Comfortable, capable, and premium-feeling.
- • Real-world 18–22 mpg on Pentastar.
- • Records matter.
The Verdict
Should You Buy a Used Jeep Grand Cherokee?
Yes. Prefer Pentastar with records; HEMI with lifter history.
People Also Ask
Frequently Asked Questions
How reliable is the Jeep Grand Cherokee?
Verdict scores it 3.7/5 for reliability and 3.8/5 overall. Buy from 2014–2021 WK2 (Pentastar) and the known trouble spots largely drop away.
Which Grand Cherokee years should I avoid?
HEMI with MDS deserve the most scrutiny — see the Years to Research section for the specific issues to check.
What are the best years for the Jeep Grand Cherokee?
2014–2021 WK2 (Pentastar). Those years combine the settled version of the powertrain with the fewest recurring complaints in our research.
How long does a Jeep Grand Cherokee last?
A well-maintained Grand Cherokee from the recommended years should comfortably reach 200,000 miles, with the strongest powertrains clearing 300,000+.
Is the Grand Cherokee expensive to maintain?
Maintenance scores 3.6/5 and parts availability 4.7/5. Routine servicing is predictable; the cost risk is the model-specific work listed above.
What should I inspect before buying a used Grand Cherokee?
Focus on: Engine, Air suspension, Transmission, Electronics. Details for each are in the Inspection Checklist section.
What are the most common Grand Cherokee problems?
MDS lifter failure on HEMI; Air-suspension leaks if equipped; EcoDiesel EGR issues; Electronics/UConnect quirks
Is 150,000 miles too much for a Grand Cherokee?
Not on its own. A 150k-mile Grand Cherokee with documented service history is often a better buy than an 80k-mile example with no records — the Grand Cherokee's core mechanicals routinely run well past 200k.
Should I buy a used Jeep Grand Cherokee?
Yes, if you buy the right year and the right paperwork. Shop 2014–2021 WK2 (Pentastar) first, treat HEMI with MDS as a records-only purchase, and make the sale conditional on an independent inspection.
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