Are Jeep Wranglers Reliable? It’s a question that seems to really muddy the water when it comes to who wants to pick up a new Wrangler. The reality is answering the question is difficult because reliability depends on so many factors. How and where a vehicle is driven makes a huge difference in it’s reliability. Comparing a Jeep Wrangler that is used as a daily driver and wheeled on the weekend vs a Toyota Highlander that has never left the pavement isn’t an apples to apples comparison.
Having said that years of independent data and research places the Jeep brand at 29th out of 33 vehicle manufacturers. Which lets be honest is not very good, and the Wrangler is no exception to the brand as a whole.
The reality is that reliability is all about expectations. Vehicles are getting more and more reliable year after year. Gone are the days of needing to sell a vehicle that just rolled over 100,000 miles because it was getting long in the tooth. It’s not uncommon for almost all cars to extend well over the 200,000 mile mark without having encountered any major mechanical issues. The average driver puts around 14,000 miles on their vehicle per year. Which means when driving any car a driver should expect around 14 years of trouble free driving. Most Americans only own a car for 7 years on average which means if you are buying a new vehicle you have very little to worry about as far as reliability is concerned.
| Site | Expert Review Score | Customer Review Score |
|---|---|---|
| Edmunds.com | 7.8 out of10 | 4.3 Out of 5 |
| KBB.com | 3.8 Out of 5 | 4.6 Out of 5 |
| Cars.USnews.com | 8.0 Out of 10 | 7.0 Out of 10 |
| Cars.com | NA | 4.8 Out of 5 |
Understanding The Jeep Wrangler
Taking a deep look at the Jeep Wrangler reveals some really interesting things. Jeep owners give the Wrangler a 4.3 out of 5 star rating for reliability. Like any vehicle it’s important to do proper research so you know what to expect with ownership. Not only will this research help you learn more about your Jeep but it will help you learn what problems may arise during ownership. Knowing your vehicles weak points will help you provide better preventive maintenance.
If purchasing a new Jeep Wrangler is not an option financially there are a lot of great options on the used market. Jeep Wranglers with the 3.6 liter motor running from 2012 to 2018 have an incredibly solid track record. Additionally the simple 4.0l motor Jeep put in the Wrangler (TJ) has a cult like following because of it’s reliability. If you are looking to purchase a used Jeep checkout our comprehensive used Jeep buyers guide for tips on what to look for.
Long time Jeep owners can attest that while their reliability isn’t exactly ground breaking they are also asking their vehicle to do things that they would never even consider could be accomplished in most other vehicles. If you are looking for a Jeep Wrangler to cruise back and forth from home to soccer and back we won’t tell you to not get a Jeep (we love all Jeep owners from hard core rock crawlers to mommy blogging mall crawlers) but there may be some vehicles that might provide a more reliable yet less fun experience. But if you plan to go off-roading and run around town we think you will find Jeep ownership a very happy experience.
Maintenance Is Key
Preventive maintenance is the #1 factor when it comes to keeping your car on the road. Jeep has an entire list of recommended maintenance that should be performed at specific mileage intervals. Many owners tend to overlook tasks like flushing the radiator and changing differential fluids and yet are surprised when their vehicle has issues down the road. It’s true that at times initial maintenance can seem expensive especially when combined with a hefty car payment. But the average repair bill from a between $500 and $600 which ads up quickly, and could easily pay for pay for preventive maintenance procedures over time.
Spend some time familiarizing yourself with the preventative maintenance your vehicle needs. This will allow you plan and save for them. Knowing what is coming down the line can help you line the work up with a shop with a strong repetition for honesty and solid work.
Conclusion
At the end of the day Jeep Wranglers may not have the best reputation out there, but they are very capable vehicles and when properly taken care of can be trusted to get you anywhere you want to go whether that’s to and from soccer practice or across the Rubicon trail. That’s a claim no one else can make.
Do you own a Jeep Wrangler? Let us know how it has performed for you by sharing your insights in the comments!.