Owner complaint databases offer a blunt look at which nameplates cause the most frustration after the warranty ends. Jeep and Dodge models fill the upper ranks, and the problems range from shifters and stalling engines to failed electronics and worn brakes. Here are eleven Jeeps and Dodges that drew the loudest owner complaints, along with the repairs that stung most.
Help yourself and the planet: The Cool Down makes it easy to help yourself while helping the planet, with smart, simple changes to save more and waste less in your everyday life.
We may earn a commission if you sign up.
1. Jeep Grand Cherokee: Shifter Tops The Bills
With 3,523 entries, the Grand Cherokee leads Jeep’s tally on CarComplaints’ Jeep listing, and the 2011, 2014 and 2015 model years rank as its worst. An unreliable electronic shifter in a 2015 averaged $7,500 to fix.
Shoppers weighing one of those years should ask for service records covering the shifter and its related electronics. A bill of that size can erase the savings from choosing an older, cheaper example. Complaint counts reflect owner reports, so they track popularity as well as reliability.
2. Dodge Durango: Engine Failure Haunts Durango
Owners filed 3,042 complaints on the Durango, and the Durango complaint page rates 2004 as the worst model year with 408 of them. Engine failure in a 2004 averaged $5,000 to repair, typically at about 115,000 miles.
That mileage falls in the range where many used examples change hands. A buyer considering an early Durango should treat engine health as the first inspection item, ahead of cosmetics or options. Pricing a used example with that in mind helps avoid an unpleasant surprise.
3. Jeep Cherokee: Shutdowns Lead The List
The Cherokee has 2,200 complaints, and the 2014 and 2015 model years are named worst. According to the Jeep complaint rankings, a 2019 engine shutdown tops the list of problems at an average repair cost of $6,000.
Notably, the costliest headline problem sits in a newer model year than the ones flagged as worst overall. Newer does not automatically mean trouble-free, so a pre-purchase inspection remains worthwhile on any year. Repair history is the best evidence of how a particular vehicle has fared.
4. Jeep Wrangler: Head Replacement Hurts
The Wrangler has 2,229 complaints, and CarComplaints’ Wrangler page rates 2012 as the worst year with 211 of them. Leading the list was a cylinder head replacement that averaged $5,100 and came due at about 45,000 miles.
Failure at such low mileage means the repair often lands while the vehicle is barely broken in. Anyone shopping a 2012 should look for documentation of the head work and any warranty coverage that still applies. Anyone considering one should price in a reserve for this kind of repair.
5. Jeep Liberty: Outnumbers The Wrangler
The Liberty has 2,251 complaints on file, which puts it ahead of the Wrangler, according to the Jeep brand page. The figure counts owner reports collected by CarComplaints rather than any official tally.
Only the count is available here, so the specific failures behind it are left to the owner pages. Buyers can use the total as a prompt to research the exact model year before agreeing to a price. Used-car shoppers should read the individual model-year pages before comparing prices.
6. Dodge Charger: Early Engines Give Out
The Charger has 932 complaints, and the Charger complaint page shows the 2006 model with the most at 190. Premature engine failure in that year averaged $5,500 to fix, usually at about 94,000 miles.
The volume is far lower than the Durango or Grand Cherokee, yet the single biggest problem is still an engine. Prospective owners of a first-generation sedan should weigh that against its low entry price. Maintenance records and a careful inspection help separate sound examples from risky ones.
7. Jeep Patriot: Stalling On The Road
The Patriot has 873 complaints, with 2015 rated worst at 74, according to the Patriot complaint page. Engines that stall or die while driving led the list, and the average fix cost $600.
The repair bill is modest next to the others in this gallery, but a vehicle that quits in traffic is a safety concern in its own right. Test drives should include a long run at varied speeds. A thorough test drive and a fresh diagnostic scan add useful protection for buyers.
8. Jeep Compass: Electrical Box Fails
The Compass has 540 complaints, and the 2007 model has the most with 99. CarComplaints’ Compass page lists failure of the totally integrated power module, or TIPM, averaging $1,600 to repair at about 110,000 miles.
Because the module controls many electrical functions, symptoms can look unrelated until the cause is traced. A used 2007 with odd electrical behavior deserves diagnosis before purchase rather than after. Checking for open service campaigns and past repairs is a sensible step before signing.
9. Dodge Challenger: Alternator Quits Early
The Challenger has 315 complaints on file. The Challenger complaint page rates 2012 worst with 74, led by an alternator that went out at about 50,000 miles.
The snippet records a $700 repair for that failure. A low total suggests fewer unhappy owners, though a charging system fault at that mileage is a reminder to check the battery and alternator on any used example. Inspection by an independent mechanic is a modest cost compared with a failed part.
10. Dodge Journey: Brakes Wear Fast
The Journey has 2,014 complaints on file, and 971 of them concern the 2009 model year. The Journey complaint page rates that year worst for premature brake and rotor wear at about 31,000 miles.
With nearly half of all complaints landing on a single year, 2009 stands out sharply. Buyers can reasonably ask for brake service history, since worn components so early may point to repeated replacement. Reading owner narratives on the page adds helpful context beyond the headline numbers.
11. Jeep Commander: Stalls Without Warning
The Commander has 267 complaints on file, and 178 of them concern the 2006 model year. CarComplaints’ Commander page rates that year worst for an engine that stalls without warning while driving.
That year accounts for most of the model’s complaints, which makes the year choice matter more than usual. The record lists a $1,500 repair at about 83,000 miles, so budget accordingly if a 2006 is on the shortlist. An independent inspection and a clear service history make the risk easier to judge.
Help yourself and the planet: Get The Cool Down →
We may earn a commission if you sign up.
More from Morning Overview
- Two passengers died at an Ohio toll plaza, and the NTSB now wants the cash lanes shut
- Long use of a common prostate pill is tied to a higher chance of glaucoma
- Ford is recalling 223,472 F-150 pickups because the fuel tank can leak or detach
- Hybrids have 15% fewer problems than gas cars, while EVs and plug-in hybrids have about 80% more, Consumer Reports finds
