Big American SUV at fire-sale used prices
A full-size American SUV that has been sold in the UK across multiple generations, badged variously under Chrysler and Jeep. It competes with the Land Rover Discovery and Toyota Land Cruiser but at significantly lower used prices, appealing to buyers wanting presence and off-road ability on a budget. Jeep's effective withdrawal from active UK sales has damaged residuals and dealer support, creating both opportunity and risk for used buyers.
We track 5 known issues across the Chrysler-Jeep Grand Cherokee range, including 3 rated as safety-critical. Knowing which variants and configurations to approach with caution can save you from expensive surprises after purchase.
Found a Chrysler-Jeep Grand Cherokee? Enter the reg to see which of our 5 known issues apply to that exact car, plus full MOT history and mileage checks.
WJ (1999–2004) — Engine options included the 4.0L I6, 4.7L V8. Our database flags 2 known issues on this generation, 1 of which are rated as safety-critical. The most significant concern is Front suspension ball joint excessive wear (£200–£350 to address).
WK (2005–2010) — Petrol options included the 4.7L V8, 5.7L V8 HEMI, with 3.0L V6 CRD on the diesel side. Our database flags 5 known issues on this generation, 3 of which are rated as safety-critical. The most significant concern is Front suspension ball joint excessive wear (£200–£350 to address).
The front suspension ball joints on Grand Cherokee models wear at significantly higher rates than typical SUVs, with MOT data showing failure rates 22.8 times higher than the fleet average on some variants. The ball joints connect the steering knuckles to the control arms and experience high loads due to the vehicle's weight and off-road capability. When they develop excessive play, steering becomes imprecise and dangerous wheel separation can occur. This is a well-documented issue across both WJ and WK generations.
Ball joint failure can cause complete loss of steering control and potential wheel separation at speed. Even with excessive wear present, the vehicle should not be driven until replacement is completed. Replacement typically requires both lower ball joints and alignment afterwards.
During the test drive, check the steering for excessive play, vibration or pulling to one side. Listen for groaning or whining when turning the wheel at low speed. Power steering fluid level and condition should be checked on hydraulic systems.
The brake hose ferrules on WK generation Grand Cherokee models suffer from accelerated corrosion, with MOT failure rates 7.7 times higher than the fleet average. The metal crimped ends of the flexible brake hoses corrode and weaken, particularly where they connect to the brake calipers and the rigid brake lines. This is a safety-critical issue as ferrule failure can result in complete brake fluid loss and brake failure.
Corroded brake hose ferrules can fail suddenly, resulting in complete loss of braking on one or more wheels. This creates an immediate safety risk and the vehicle should not be driven if ferrule corrosion is evident. Replacement requires new brake hoses and system bleeding.
Check brake disc condition for lipping or scoring. Test braking at moderate speed for pulling to one side or vibration through the steering wheel. Review MOT advisories for brake-related items.
The WK generation Grand Cherokee suffers from structural corrosion that seriously reduces the rigidity of the vehicle assembly, with MOT failure rates 5.8 times higher than the fleet average. This affects the subframe mounting points, rear suspension mounting areas, and body shell structural elements. The corrosion appears concentrated around the rear suspension attachment points and lower body areas exposed to road salt and moisture.
Structural corrosion compromises vehicle safety and can result in suspension component detachment or body shell failure. Vehicles with significant structural corrosion should not be driven. Repair typically requires extensive welding work and may be uneconomical depending on the extent of corrosion.
Inspect the wheel arches, sills, jacking points and door bottoms carefully. Press gently on sills to check for soft spots. Look underneath for corrosion on structural components. Check the MOT history for corrosion-related advisories or failures.
Grand Cherokee models suffer from premature wear of front suspension bushes and pins, with MOT failure rates reaching 38.1 times higher than the fleet average. The control arm bushes, anti-roll bar links, and shock absorber mountings deteriorate rapidly due to the vehicle's weight and stress from off-road use. This affects ride quality, handling precision, and tyre wear patterns. The rubber compounds used appear particularly susceptible to deterioration in the UK climate.
Worn suspension bushes cause poor handling, increased tyre wear, and eventual MOT failure. The vehicle remains safe to drive but handling becomes progressively worse. Replacement typically involves multiple components and wheel alignment to restore proper geometry.
Listen for knocking, clunking or rattling over bumps during the test drive. Inspect the underside for corroded or cracked suspension components. Check the MOT history for suspension-related advisories, which often predict future failures.
The 3.0L CRD diesel engine in WK Grand Cherokee models suffers from excessive exhaust smoke production, with MOT failure rates 35.9 times higher than the fleet average. This is typically caused by DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter) blockage, turbocharger wear, or EGR valve carbon buildup. The DPF system requires regular highway driving to complete regeneration cycles, and vehicles used primarily for short urban journeys are particularly susceptible to blockage.
Excessive exhaust smoke results in MOT failure and indicates underlying engine or emissions system problems. DPF replacement costs £2,000-£3,000, while turbocharger failure adds similar costs. The vehicle may enter limp mode limiting power and speed.
Ask about the car's typical usage — short urban journeys prevent DPF regeneration. Check for DPF warning lights and ask about any previous regeneration issues. A forced regeneration at a garage costs far less than a DPF replacement.
For the full breakdown of all 5 tracked issues with repair costs, see the Chrysler-Jeep Grand Cherokee common problems page.
Based on 13k real DVSA MOT tests, the Chrysler-Jeep Grand Cherokee fails more often than average on several items. The biggest outlier is emissions failure at 36x the fleet average, followed by free play in the steering, measured at the rim ... (33x).
When viewing a specific car, check its MOT history for recurring advisories in these categories. See the full Chrysler-Jeep Grand Cherokee MOT failure breakdown for data at every mileage point.
Routine servicing (oil and filter change every 6k miles) typically costs £80–£120 at an independent garage.
See the full Chrysler-Jeep Grand Cherokee service schedule for every interval and cost breakdown.
The Chrysler-Jeep Grand Cherokee has some well-documented weak points, including 3 safety-critical issues that demand careful checking. The right example, properly maintained, can still be a sound purchase — but cutting corners on the pre-purchase inspection is not advisable. The 2014-2018 WK2 with the 3.0 V6 CRD diesel and 8-speed automatic is the best compromise of refinement, running costs, and reliability. Avoid the 2011-2013 models which had the highest complaint rates. Earlier WJ (1999-2004) V8 models have a small enthusiast following but rust is a major concern at this age.
Before committing, check the car's full MOT history, verify the service record is complete, and if possible arrange a specialist inspection. Enter any registration into our free report to see the complete picture.
Get Car Wise maintains a database of known mechanical issues for every popular car on UK roads, tracking the faults that owners, specialists and DVSA data reveal.
When you run a report on a specific Chrysler-Jeep Grand Cherokee, we cross-reference the exact variant, engine and age against our database of 5 known issues. Combined with full MOT history analysis, mileage verification and DVLA data, you get a complete picture before viewing.
Enter the registration for MOT history, mileage verification, known faults for that exact variant, and a Get Car Wise Score.
This guide was compiled from independent expert reviews, DVSA MOT data, specialist workshops and our own database of 5 known Chrysler-Jeep Grand Cherokee issues. We are not affiliated with any source listed.