← All vehicles

Jeep Grand Cherokee (2nd Gen)

99-04 · Jeep Grand Cherokee

62out of 100

The WJ Grand Cherokee has the legendary AMC 4.0 inline-six, genuinely one of the most durable truck engines ever built, but everything else on the vehicle represents Chrysler's worst reliability era.

Score breakdown

55/ 100Reliability×2.555/ 100True Annual Cost×2.060/ 100Safety×2.560/ 100Practicality×2.0100/ 100Repairability×1.0

Our take

What it really is

The 4.0L AMC I6 is the sole reason to consider this vehicle. It's cast iron, no timing belt or chain to worry about (pushrod), 195hp, 230 lb-ft, and will run past 250k miles with oil. But the electrical system, HVAC, transfer case electronics, and body components all reflect 2000s Chrysler quality, which is to say, unreliable.

Why it's on this list

Under $4k for a running 4.0L example with trail capability. For a buyer who specifically wants an affordable body-on-frame offroad vehicle and is mechanically competent, the WJ 4.0L is a legitimate choice.

The honest trade-offs

No ESC. High rust risk on northeastern examples, inspect unibody rails and lower pillars carefully. 14 MPG combined. RepairPal 3.0/5. Electrical issues are endemic. This is a project-capable vehicle, not daily transportation.

What to buy and what to avoid

02-04 Laredo with 4.0L I6 and Quadra-Trac II. Inspect undercarriage rust thoroughly. Electrical issues are accepted as part of ownership. Avoid the 4.7L V8, more complex and less reliable than the I6.

Annual cost of ownership

Fuel (12k mi)
$2,860 (USD)[5]
Maintenance
$741 (USD)[1]
Tires (prorated)
$200 (USD)
Insurance (25yr male)
$2,000 (USD)[8]
Insurance (40yr female)
$1,540 (USD)[8]
Total (25yr male)
$4,001 (USD)
Total (40yr female)
$3,541 (USD)

Key specs

MPG combined
14[5]
MPG city / hwy
13 / 18[5]
Engine
4.0L I6 (AMC)
Horsepower
195 hp
Torque
230 lb-ft
Seats
5
Cargo max
68.7 cu ft
Stock tires
225/75R16
Body
SUV
Rear seats
60/40 split

Safety

NHTSA overall
3/5 ★[2]
Rollover risk
27%[2]
IIHS rating
Marginal[4]
ESC standard
No

Rust vulnerability

Overall severity
High
Frame rust risk
Moderate

Reliability data

RepairPal annual cost
$741 (USD)[1]
Industry avg annual cost
$652 (USD)[1]
RepairPal rating
3/5[1]
Unscheduled visits/yr
0.7[1]
Severe issue probability
18%[1]
250k-mile survival
32%[7]

Repairability

Headlight type
Halogen
DIY replacement cost
$25 (USD)
At major retailer
Yes
Headlight benchmark
10/10

References

Sources used to research and score this vehicle. Superscript numbers in the sections above link here.

  1. [1]dataset
    RepairPal

    Annual repair cost, visit frequency, and severe issue probability. Used in the reliability formula.

  2. [2]government
    NHTSA Crash Test Ratings

    Federal crash test star ratings and rollover percentages. Used in the safety formula.

  3. [3]government
    NHTSA Technical Service Bulletins

    Manufacturer-issued service bulletins flagging known defects. Used in the PPI checklist generator.

  4. [4]dataset
    IIHS Safety Ratings

    Insurance Institute crash test ratings (small overlap, side, headlight quality). Used in the safety formula and the repairability headlight benchmark.

  5. [5]government
    EPA Fuel Economy Guide

    Official combined/city/highway MPG figures. Used in the true annual cost formula.

  6. [6]forum thread
    CarComplaints

    Owner-reported defect patterns by mileage and year. Used in the known-issues list and PPI checklist.

  7. [7]dataset
    iSeeCars Long-Term Reliability

    Probability of reaching 250,000 miles by make and model. Used in the reliability formula.

  8. [8]publication
    Bankrate / Insurify Insurance Estimates

    Full-coverage insurance estimates by driver profile (25M, 40F). Used in the true annual cost formula.

Before you buy

Looking to buy a Jeep Grand Cherokee?

Start with our fully customized pre-purchase inspection checklist for you or your mechanic. Three versions: one for buyers who are not mechanics, one for enthusiasts with tools, one for handing off to a professional. Print or save as PDF.

Get the checklist

Modernize this car

CarPlay, backup cameras, blind spot monitoring, TPMS, and dashcams. Researched picks and honest watch-outs.

View options

If you like the Jeep Grand Cherokee (2nd Gen), also consider

Picked by segment, score, and ownership cost.

Cheaper to own
Toyota Highlander (3rd Gen)
91
Also in this segment
Toyota Sienna 3rd Gen
91
Also in this segment
Honda Odyssey 4th Gen
91
Also in this segment
Toyota Highlander (2nd Gen)
89
Also in this segment
Honda Pilot (2nd Gen)
88

Owner ratings

Owner stories

Real owners. Real mileage. Not a press release.

No stories yet. Be the first.

Community comments

Sign in to leave a comment.