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Reliability report · 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee · Updated July 2026 · ~$2,950/yr fuel · what it costs to keep →

A likeable WK2 with two expensive question marks — the 3.6L valvetrain and, if it's a diesel, the EcoDiesel recall stack — so buy one with the paperwork.

The 2016 is the fourth-generation Grand Cherokee (called the WK2) hitting the used market with age. The most-quoted worry from independent mechanics is the 3.6L Pentastar V6's valvetrain — the intake rocker arms and camshaft lobes wear, starting as a ticking noise and progressing to misfires. One mechanic pegs the repair at $1,000 to $2,000 if caught early, more if it spreads. Chrysler has issued a run of service bulletins for exactly this, so it is a documented pattern, not a rumor.

If the car is a 3.0L EcoDiesel, a separate story applies: recalls for the crankshaft tone wheel (20V-475), EGR cooler fire risk (20V-699), and the high-pressure fuel pump (22V-406), plus an emissions-modification program. All are free — but a diesel with those left undone is a walk-away. On any 2016, also check for coolant and oil-filter-housing leaks. This is a buyable truck with a full service file and a clean valvetrain.

Evidence: 306 NHTSA complaints · 9 recall campaigns · 6 mechanic & forum sources

Canary status

Chirping

What that means: 306 federal complaints and nine recalls. Most of the noise is the fourth-generation (WK2) Grand Cherokee's known aging: the 3.6L Pentastar's rocker-and-camshaft wear, coolant and oil-cooler leaks, and — on the 3.0L EcoDiesel — a cluster of engine recalls. Nearly all of it has a fix; the trick is confirming it was done.

CalmChirpingSquawkingFainted

306

Federal complaints

9

Recalls

Federal crash tests

5-star scale
Overall
Frontal crash
Side crash
Rollover

Tested variant: 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee SUV 2WD (NHTSA VehicleId 10914)

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) →

Known issues

Ranked by the cost of ignoring them. Every claim carries its source.

3.6L Pentastar valvetrain — rocker arms and camshaft wear

major
  • 3.6L Pentastar V6

The 3.6L Pentastar V6's intake rocker arms and camshaft high-lift lobes wear over time. An independent mechanic showed the failed parts pulled from a 3.6L at 88,000 miles: 'at first you'll have a ticking noise, it'll sound like a typewriter,' progressing to a cylinder misfire and, if ignored, further engine damage. He quotes $1,000 to $2,000 caught early, more if the damage spreads past the rocker. Chrysler documents this exact condition in a series of technical service bulletins — the fix instructions automakers send dealers — covering 2016-onward Pentastar cars. On a test drive, listen for a top-end tick and pull codes for a misfire before buying.

This is a 3.6L Pentastar V6 problem. The 3.0L EcoDiesel V6 and 5.7L HEMI V8 don’t share it.

Which engine is in the one you found? →

Rocker/lifter repair caught early (mechanic-quoted)

$1,000–$2,000

If damage extends into the engine

several thousand

Sources: NHTSA complaint database, 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee · Independent mechanic channel transcripts (WK2 Grand Cherokee, incl. 3.6L valvetrain teardown)

3.0L EcoDiesel — the recall stack to verifymajor

  • 3.0L EcoDiesel V6

If the truck is a 3.0L EcoDiesel, three engine recalls apply. The crankshaft tone wheel can delaminate and stall the engine (recall 20V-475, later expanded as 23V-411); the exhaust-gas-recirculation (EGR) cooler — part of the emissions plumbing — can crack and cause an intake-manifold fire (20V-699); and the high-pressure fuel pump can fail and starve the engine of fuel, causing a loss of power (22V-406). Chrysler also ran an EPA/CARB emissions-modification program with an extended warranty on these diesels. Every item is free, but a diesel with them undone is a walk-away. Confirm all three by VIN.

Sources: NHTSA complaint database, 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee · NHTSA manufacturer communications (X88 AHR and X95 diesel tone-wheel warranty extensions; recall documents) · Independent mechanic channel transcripts (WK2 Grand Cherokee, incl. 3.6L valvetrain teardown)

$0

EcoDiesel recall repairs (20V-475, 20V-699, 22V-406)

Coolant, oil-filter housing, and water-pump leaksmoderate

Two cheap-part, worth-catching leaks. The plastic oil-filter housing is brittle and cracks — a mechanic warns it is worst 'on the models 2016 and older' and to avoid over-tightening it. And the water pump (especially on the 5.7L HEMI V8) is a known wear item; Chrysler's own bulletin covers 3.6L Pentastar water-pump coolant leaks. Neither is catastrophic if caught, but a car losing coolant between changes needs the housing, pump, or thermostat housing looked at before the leak reaches the oil.

Sources: NHTSA complaint database, 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee · Independent mechanic channel transcripts (WK2 Grand Cherokee, incl. 3.6L valvetrain teardown)

a few hundred

Oil-filter housing / water-pump replacement

Active head restraint may deploy on its own (X88 warranty extension)moderate

The front active head restraints can deploy without a crash and won't reset. Chrysler ran a warranty extension — program X88 — covering 2011-2018 Grand Cherokee, inspecting the sled-bracket striker pin and replacing a deployed restraint. If a front head restraint has popped forward and stuck, this is the program to ask about. Verify terms in the bulletin.

Sources: NHTSA manufacturer communications (X88 AHR and X95 diesel tone-wheel warranty extensions; recall documents)

$0

Under X88 warranty extension

Fuel-rail and brake-caliper recalls (early-2016 build windows)moderate

Two narrow-build recalls: a 3.6L fuel-rail crossover tube that may have been damaged in assembly and can leak fuel (16V-814, Saltillo-built engines), and a left-front brake caliper made from incorrect material that can crack (16V-168). There is also a brake-transmission shift-interlock solenoid that can lock the transmission in Park or Neutral (16V-249). All free; all VIN-specific. Confirm each shows completed.

Sources: NHTSA complaint database, 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee · Independent mechanic channel transcripts (WK2 Grand Cherokee, incl. 3.6L valvetrain teardown)

$0

Recall repairs (16V-814, 16V-168, 16V-249)

At first you'll have a ticking noise, it'll sound like a typewriter.
6 mechanic & owner sources

Open recalls

Free fixes at any Jeep dealer. Run the VIN — “completed” isn’t always completed.

  1. 16V-168Left-front brake caliper made from incorrect material may crack (2015-2016 build window). Free inspection/replacement. Chrysler code S16.open
  2. 16V-249Brake-transmission shift-interlock solenoid may lose function and lock the transmission in Park or Neutral. Free shifter-assembly replacement. Chrysler code S28.open
  3. 16V-8143.6L fuel-rail crossover tube may be damaged and leak fuel — fire risk (Saltillo-built, Feb-Apr 2016). Free inspection/replacement. Chrysler code S85.open
  4. 18V-332Cruise control may not disengage due to a wiring short (large multi-model campaign, 2014-2018). Free PCM/ECM software flash.open
  5. 20V-4753.0L EcoDiesel crankshaft tone wheel may delaminate and stall the engine. Free PCM software update. Chrysler code W58.open
  6. 20V-6993.0L EcoDiesel EGR cooler may crack and combust in the intake manifold — fire risk (2014-2019). Free EGR cooler replacement. Chrysler code W79.open
  7. 22V-4063.0L diesel high-pressure fuel pump may fail and starve the engine of fuel — loss of drive power (2014-2020 GC). Free HPFP and fuel-system inspection/replacement. Chrysler code Z46.open
  8. 23V-411Expansion of 20V-475: 3.0L diesel crankshaft tone wheel delamination → stall (2014-2020 GC). Free PCM update. Chrysler code 66A.open
  9. 17E-061Aftermarket ATI ProCharger supercharger bracket (SRT/SRT8) may damage the ABS line — brake fluid leak. Accessory recall; applies only to supercharger-equipped cars.open

What it costs to keep

The purchase price is what you negotiate. These are the numbers you live with afterward — each one sourced, none of them blended into a fake total.

The ownership picture — 2016 Grand Cherokee

Four sourced numbers. No fake total.

Fuel

21 MPG combined (19 city / 26 highway) for the RWD, 3.6L on the EPA federal fuel-economy test.

Source: FuelEconomy.gov (EPA) — EPA’s federal fuel-economy test, recomputed with current gas prices. EPA record 37209 (Grand Cherokee 2WD).
Other builds EPA lists: 4WD, 3.6L 21 MPG · AWD, 5.7L (midgrade fuel) 17 MPG · Diesel 4WD, 3.0L turbo 24 MPG · Diesel RWD, 3.0L turbo 25 MPG.

$2,950/yr

at $4.15/gal · 15,000 mi/yr · 55/45 city/hwy · pulled Jul 12, 2026

Crash losses

Collision losses run about average here. Neither a red flag nor a discount at the insurer.

Source: HLDI — the insurance industry’s loss-data institute — HLDI collision losses, 2014–16 models, published December 2016 (report R-16). 100 = the all-vehicle average. Series read: Jeep Grand Cherokee 4dr 4WD.
Other series: Jeep Grand Cherokee 4dr 83, where 100 = average.

91 vs 100

9% below average

Theft

Stolen at about the average rate.

Source: HLDI — HLDI whole vehicle theft losses, 2016–18 models, published May 2019 (report WT-18). 100 = the all-vehicle average. Series read: Jeep Grand Cherokee 4dr 4WD.
Other series: Jeep Grand Cherokee 4dr 101, where 100 = average.

110 vs 100

10% above average

Repair risk

What this specific year is known to need. Pulled from the issues above — the repairs owners actually report, at the costs they report them. Averages from other sites blend every year together; these are this year’s own numbers.

Source: this report — 01 Known issues.

Rocker/lifter repair caught early (mechanic-quoted)$1,000–$2,000
If damage extends into the engineseveral thousand
EcoDiesel recall repairs (20V-475, 20V-699, 22V-406)$0
Oil-filter housing / water-pump replacementa few hundred
Under X88 warranty extension$0
Recall repairs (16V-814, 16V-168, 16V-249)$0
Why there’s no single “cost to own” number: sites that promise one are guessing at your insurance quote, your annual miles, and your luck. These are the numbers we can actually source — and each one carries its receipt.

Shopping this year?

Get the printable pre-purchase checklist and an alert if this year’s recall sheet changes.

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Have a specific one in your sights?

The VIN is on the listing. We’ll check this exact car — build, open recalls, and whether the “completed” repairs stayed fixed.

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Before you buy

Print this
  1. 01On the 3.6L V6, listen for a top-end tick and pull codes for a misfire — the rocker/camshaft pattern; budget $1,000-$2,000 if caught early.
  2. 02If it's a 3.0L EcoDiesel, verify the three diesel recalls by VIN (20V-475 tone wheel, 20V-699 EGR cooler, 22V-406 fuel pump) show completed.
  3. 03Check the dipstick and coolant for a milky mix, and look under the engine for oil-filter-housing or water-pump seepage.
  4. 04Ask whether the X88 active-head-restraint warranty extension was ever used, and whether either front restraint has deployed.
  5. 05Confirm the build-window recalls (16V-814 fuel rail, 16V-168 caliper, 16V-249 shifter) show completed.
  6. 06Pull the full FCA service history by VIN — this generation's story is entirely about which fixes were actually performed.

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