The 10 Least Reliable Jeep Models With High Maintenance Costs

Jeep has long been recognized as a core pillar of the American automotive industry. The brand's history dates back to World War II, when it began producing the earliest Jeeps for the U.S. Army. Over the years, the marque has produced some of the country's most iconic vehicles, including the Wrangler and Cherokee. However, despite its recognizable lineup, Jeep doesn't even rank among customers' top 10 favorite car brands, and has built up a reputation for unreliability. Maintenance headaches are one of the marque's main downsides. According to J.D. Power's 2026 Vehicle Dependability Study, Jeep ranked among the worst five brands when tracking problems per 100 vehicles. The industry average was 204, but Jeep models achieved an average rate of 267 issues per 100 units. 

In addition to a higher frequency of problems, Jeep models tend to incur higher maintenance and repair costs over time than much of their competition. CarEdge ranks the American automaker as the third-most-expensive brand when it comes to 10-year maintenance expenses, with the average Jeep requiring $11,605 in servicing during this period. To help drivers avoid the most costly and problematic models this brand produces, we compiled a list of the 10 least reliable Jeep models with high maintenance costs. We looked at recall information from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), along with J.D. Power Quality and Reliability stats and long-term maintenance and repair cost estimates from popular vehicular analysis websites to develop a holistic financial perspective.

The Jeep Compass comes in as the marque's most compact model, hovering somewhere between the compact and subcompact SUV classification. This nameplate doesn't feature such a high concentration of recalls as other models, but both older and more recent model years have seen their share of problems: The 2018 Compass has been recalled six times, while the 2007 and 2022 model years have been subject to five and four, respectively.

Among the 2018 Compass' most pressing recalls were defective welds which could break the front suspension and impede driver control, in addition to loose metal components in the passenger airbag that could fly out and injure drivers during deployment. The 2007 Compass was recalled for a defective anti-lock brake system software, potentially locking up the rear wheels when braking. Another severe safety issue made it possible for the pedal to remain pressed when the driver's foot was released. Recalls for the 2022 Compass revolved around dim dashboard lighting, preventing drivers from viewing warning lights or the speedometer clearly. This model also had issues with a poorly installed headrest, which could cause injury in an accident.

The 2018 Jeep Compass has a 64 out of 100 on J.D. Power's Quality and Reliability scale, while the 2007 and 2022 models earned average scores of 77 and 71 out of 100, respectively. Notably, the Compass is the only model on this list to break Jeep's trend of costing more than $11,000 in maintenance over 10 years. CarEdge indicates that the typical Compass requires around $10,821 over a decade to keep running smoothly and efficiently.

The Jeep Wrangler 4xe is a plug-in hybrid version of one of Jeep's most beloved off-roading nameplates, although this more fuel-efficient take on the model was only in production from 2021 to 2025. While not receiving as many recalls as some models on this list of the least reliable Jeeps with high maintenance costs, the Wrangler 4xe has certainly gotten some negative attention, especially regarding the 2024 and 2025 models' build quality.

The 2024 model faced a unique issue with its high-voltage battery. An internal failure in some vehicles had the potential to start a fire, whether it was driving or in park. The three shared recalls between the 2024 and 2025 Wrangler 4xe's included a fire hazard stemming from faulty wiring near the power steering pump, which remained a threat even when the ignition was off. Both Wranglers also received two recalls for loss of power, caused either by debris entering the engine or a software malfunction.

Kelley Blue Book's (KBB) consumer ratings further underscore that both the 2024 and 2025 model years can be especially frustrating to own: Each earned middling scores of 3 out of 5 in the reliability category from drivers. Though there's little data out there regarding the 4xe's specific 10-year maintenance costs, Jeep Wranglers in general are projected to çost drivers around $11,129 over the first decade of driving, according to CarEdge.

The Jeep Wrangler is an iconic vehicle with a reputation for being extremely unreliable. This midsize SUV offers legendary off-roading capabilities, two-row seating, and an undeniable style. Tragically, this Jeep has been the focus of a spate of recalls across its long production timeline, with many concentrating around recent releases. For example, the 2021 and 2022 Wranglers have both been subject to 15 recalls, while the 2023 release has seen 14.

For the 2021 release, some serious recalls involved combustible power steering wiring, which could start a fire. Many of the manual transmission Wranglers from this and surrounding model years were also recalled due to the clutch pressure plate overheating and eventually breaking, threatening a loss of control. The 2022 Wranglers' most eye-popping recalls revolved around a defective frame, which can cause a fuel leak by rupturing the fuel tank, as well as recurring engine stalls stemming from a fuel pump failure. Meanwhile, some 2023 models were called back for defective driver airbags that failed to deploy due to faulty wiring, and the gauge cluster failing to display critical information such as speed or warning lights.

J.D. Power's Quality and Reliability score for the Wrangler is 74 for 2021 models, 79 for 2022, and 78 out of 100 for 2023 — all of which were judged as "average" scores. While we've already established that the estimated 10-year maintenance cost of Wranglers comes out around $11,129, since vehicles with combustion engines can often have higher maintenance costs than hybrids, we opted to rank this option higher than the Wrangler 4xe on this list.

The Jeep Grand Cherokee is the big brother to the marque's Cherokee nameplate, and also one of the two Jeep models retirees should avoid at all costs in 2026. This midsize SUV is available in two- and three-row variants, and the NHTSA reports that several model years have been subject to double-digit recalls. The 2022 Grand Cherokee leads the pack with 24 recalls, and the 2023 model follows close behind with 21. Meanwhile, the 2014 Grand Cherokee has been involved in 19 recalls, highlighting the nameplate's history of issues.

Some of the most serious recalls for the 2022 release included the delayed deployment of the side airbag and the steering wheel becoming separated from the upper control arm, resulting in a loss of control. The 2023 Grand Cherokee has also been recalled due to issues with its steering column, in addition to improperly secured rear headrests and failed deployment of driver airbags. One of the most alarming recall issued for the 2014 version involved unintended roll aways resulting from the vehicle failing to notify passengers it's not in the park position when they exit.

According to J.D. Power, none of these Grand Cherokee years stand out in terms of dependability, with the 2014, 2022, and 2023 models receiving average Quality and Reliability scores of 72, 72, and 68 out of 100, respectively. CarEdge indicates that the average Grand Cherokee comes with a 10-year maintenance and repair cost of $11,143, which is over $2,600 higher than the average SUV.

The Jeep Wagoneer is one of the marque's largest full-size SUVs, offering three rows and seating for up to eight people. Unfortunately, the Wagoneer has terrible resale value, which may be partially explained by its history of recalls. The 2022 and 2023 models have displayed a particularly high frequency of faulty components in recent years, being subject to 10 and nine recalls, respectively.

The 2022 Jeep Wagoneer's Occupant Restraint Controller, an automatic system that controls airbag deployment, seatbelt restraints, and more, was recalled due to software errors that could disable airbag deployment. Some units from the 2022 model year also went out with insufficiently installed roof racks, which can become a road hazard to other drivers upon detachment. While the 2023 Wagoneer was also recalled for the same roof rack issues as its earlier counterpart, it exhibited some unique problems as well. Some third-row buckles were unusable or broken, leaving the rear-seat passengers unrestrained. This release also experienced issues with its rearview camera failing to display an image, preventing drivers from accurately seeing what was behind them.

J.D. Power gives the 2022 Jeep Wagoneer a 59 out of 100 on its Quality and Reliability index, resulting in a "fair" rating. The 2023 model isn't rated by the company, but CarEdge estimates that the typical Wagoneer accrues $11,559 in repair and maintenance costs within 10 years of routine driving.

The Jeep Grand Wagoneer is a higher-end take on the Wagoneer, and like its more accessible counterpart, some of the most recent Grand Wagoneer model years have been the subjects of widespread recalls. The 2022 Grand Wagoneer was part of 10 recalls, while the 2023 and 2024 models have each been involved in eight. Due to their quick succession, many of the recalls affecting these releases are shared.

For example, some Grand Wagoneers released in 2022 and 2023 have been found to have an improperly designed trim pillar between the front and back door windows that can interfere with the deployment of certain airbags. Additionally, the 2022 model's rear seat has shown issues with remaining locked upright, potentially resulting in greater injury during a collision. A malfunctioning rearview camera that significantly diminished visibility was another focus of a large recall that extended to 2022, 2023, and 2024 Grand Wagoneers. 

KBB's consumer ratings show that the 2022 Grand Wagoneer earns a 3.2 out of 5 for reliability — a score shared by the 2023 and 2024 models — and CarEdge projects the Grand Wagoneer's 10-year maintenance and repair costs come out to around $12,224. As one of the most premium Jeep models in terms of long-term upkeep, this full-size SUV certainly underscores that car repairs aren't always worth the cost.

The Jeep Gladiator is what you get when you combine a capable, midsize pickup with the attitude and looks of the iconic Wrangler. Although the marque's only truck was released as early as 2020, some model years have already attracted unwanted attention. Notably, the 2021 and 2022 models rank as the most-recalled Gladiators, each having been part of eight recalls.

Faulty wiring in the power steering system is one of the more concerning issues present in these models, presenting a serious fire risk. Additionally, these Gladiators have been shown to have overheating clutches in their manual transmissions, causing the pressure plate to fracture. Furthermore, some 2021 and 2022 models have been recalled due to fuel pump failure, which can effectively kill the engine and leave drivers at risk of an accident.

Surprisingly, J.D. Power still gives the 2021 and 2022 Jeep Gladiators Quality and Reliability scores of 84 and 81 out of 100, respectively. While those are higher than a lot of the Jeeps on this list, the Gladiator remains a relatively new addition to the Jeep lineup. Seeing how consistently it's been recalled, it's very possible this reputation could falter in time. Either way, CarEdge still estimates that Gladiator drivers will need to put roughly $12,640 towards repairs and maintenance over a decade of routine use. Even if certain Gladiators have excellent resale value, that level of spending certainly puts an asterisk on its dependability as a daily driver.

The Jeep Renegade is a subcompact SUV that was discontinued in the U.S. in 2023. If you're thinking twice about buying a new car, the wide range of pre-owned Renegades may pique your interest. However, this Jeep model has some expensive maintenance considerations due to a history of recalls: The 2015 and 2019 model years, in particular, have each been subject to four.

More specifically, the 2015 Renegade was recalled for an issue causing the transmission to inadvertently switch to neutral, leading to a loss of control. Furthermore, some units from this model year left the factory with radio software flaws that made it possible for bad actors to gain control and modify various systems, heightening the potential for collision. Meanwhile, the 2019 Renegade's highest-risk recalls included a faulty sensor in the seatbelt buckle, which could keep the airbag from inflating properly, in addition to software issues that could potentially disable key safety features.

Edmunds awards both the 2015 and 2019 models scores of 4 out of 5 in terms of their reliability. Though 10-year maintenance estimates are limited when it comes to the Renegade, Edmunds also projects that drivers can expect to pay anywhere between $8,049 and $9,461 in maintenance and repairs for a 2021 model. These estimates are based on the pricing you could expect to find in ZIP Codes in Columbus, Ohio (43215) and San Francisco, California (94103), to show estimated cost ranges for drivers across the country.

The Jeep Cherokee has been a staple of the brand's lineup for decades, but its build quality has been in question for generations. One of the worst offenders from the 21st century lineup is the 2014 model year, which was subject to 13 recalls. It's followed closely by the 2015 and 2019 models, each of which were involved in 11.

A few of the most pressing recalls for the 2014 Cherokee included a potential fire risk due to a wiring issue in the power liftgate, and several mechanical errors with the potential to cause the car to stall or even roll away while in park. The 2015 Cherokee was part of many of the same recalls as its predecessor. However, a fire risk posed by a defective air conditioning hose was unique to this model year. Meanwhile, some 2019 Cherokee models have experienced sudden loss of steering, as well as drivetrain issues that had the potential to cause the car to roll unexpectedly or lose motion while driving.

J.D. Power only gives the 2014 and 2015 models Quality and Reliability scores of 65 and 63 out of 100, respectively. The 2019 Cherokee performs slightly better, earning a 79 out of 100. Given these middling reliability scores, it's no surprise even more modern Cherokees can run up a high maintenance bill: Edmunds estimates that drivers can expect to spend around $9,262 to $10,947 within five years on maintenance and repairs to keep a 2021 Cherokee running smoothly, based on location-specific projections using California and Ohio ZIP Codes.

The Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe represents another of the marque's flirtations with a plug-in hybrid model. However, that experiment only lasted between 2022 and 2025, as the 4xe was discontinued ahead of the 2026 model year. According to NHTSA records, the 2024 and 2025 releases have been subject to three recalls in total. Although this model has only been recalled a few times over its production timeline, in contrast to some Jeep nameplates, the reasons for the recalls demand some consideration from potential owners.

Both the 2024 and 2025 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe experienced issues with sudden engine failure, which could potentially lead to a collision or fire resulting from debris entering the engine. The 2024 Grand Cherokee 4xe also faced a separate fire-risk related recall due to issues with its high-voltage battery.

The Grand Cherokee 4xe hasn't received Quality and Reliability ratings from J.D. Power, but consumer ratings can help clarify this nameplate's dependability. According to KBB consumer reviews, the 2024 model received an aggregate score of 3.2 out of 5 for reliability. KBB shows that the 2025 4xe was rated much lower, scoring only a 1 out of 5 for reliability. CarEdge doesn't provide specific upkeep figures for the 4xe Grand Cherokee, but Edmunds offers data specific to this model. Within five years, a 2022 Grand Cherokee 4xe is estimated to require between $11,482 and $13,385 in maintenance and repairs, based on our comparison between San Francisco and Columbus as a nationwide metric.