Are you planning to purchase a fourth-gen Jeep Grand Cherokee and you are looking to find out more about the problems with 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee? Well, if that is the case, then you are in the right place because this article will be all about this model.
Performing thorough research before you go out and purchase a vehicle should be one of your top priorities. Why we are saying this? Well, because it is true, out there on the market there are dozens of brands and hundreds of models. There are different generations of each model and each of these generations carries something different. Both in terms of specs as well as in terms of problems.
It is the same case with the Jeep Grand Cherokee. Since you are interested in the 2011 model, you probably want to learn more about the fourth generation of this vehicle. This generation was introduced in 2010 and 2011 was the first model year, this model was produced up until 2022. But more on this, we are going to cover later on.
First, we are going to learn the basics of the Jeep Grand Cherokee and understand what type of vehicle this is and in which class it belongs for the people who are not familiar with the model.
Then, we will go through the specs of the Jeep Grand Cherokee and learn more about the dimensions and size, engines, trim levels, safety, and other important aspects. Then we will cover the problems with 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee. We will try to understand its main shortcomings and whether or not this model is the right one for you.
Jeep Grand Cherokee
Now let’s introduce ourselves to the Jeep Grand Cherokee and try to understand more about this model. There are a lot of people with similar issues trying to learn more about the model. So, we need to introduce them to the topic and explain the core concepts of the Grand Cherokee before we dive into the fourth generation of the Grand Cherokee.
If you didn’t know, the Jeep Grand Cherokee is probably one of the first models that started this SUV craze that we still have today.
The Jeep Grand Cherokee started this trend when it debuted in 1993. What was different about this model is that it was rather smaller in comparison to the big full-size SUVs that we had back in the day like the Chevy Blazer, Ford Expedition, Dodge Ramcharger, and GMC Jimmy.
The Grand Cherokee was rather more compact and more appealing. This model falls in the mid-size SUV category. Which means that it is less than 200 inches long.
So, people who owned cars wanted to move towards the Grand Cherokee because even though this model was an SUV and a very capable off-roader. It still delivered that carlike experience that most people only need.
So, during this time, there were a lot of new and different models that tried to steal some of the sales from the Grand Cherokee. And for that time the Grand Cherokee sold like crazy. With over 1.6 million units of the first generation sold which is between 250,000 to 290,000 units annually. It is no question that the Grand Cherokee was an immense hit.
And as of 2022, there is a total of five different generations of this model. Which is a rather insane number. But what about the problems with 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee? Well, more on that next.
2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee Specifications
Now before we start discussing the problems with 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee, let’s take a look at the specs of this model and learn more about it.
What is interesting to note is that this model is known under the codename WK2. As you probably know, each Jeep is usually known under this name. So, if you are a Jeep guy then you are probably aware of this.
Nevertheless, this fourth generation of Jeep Grand Cherokee debuted in 2010, and 2011 was the first model year. This model was produced until 2022 when it was replaced with the present generation. What is interesting to note is that this model has won 30 different awards. Which is quite a respectable number.
This generation as we mentioned debuted in 2011 and was a really big improvement compared to the previous model. This new model had 146% more rigidity and this improved the SUV quite a lot in terms of reducing vibrations, noise, and also drivability.
This big improvement was possible because this model implemented a new approach. And that was the unibody design. Unlike the previous models which used a ladder frame.
What is interesting to note is that this model used the platform of the Mercedes Benz W166 model. This was mainly due to the fact that Chrysler and Mercedes were one back in those times. So, sharing components among them was quite a common thing.
The US model was assembled in Detroit, Michigan. So, we can say that the Jeep Grand Cherokee is a purely American-built model. But what about the problems with 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee? More on that in a bit.
1. Dimensions, Size & Trims
Another thing that we would like to discuss before we cover the problems with 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee is the dimensions and size. When you plan to purchase a car, size matters, and not all people want to drive in a small vehicle.
When it comes to the Jeep Grand Cherokee of this generation, it is worth noting that this model falls in the mid-size category of vehicles. This means that the model is not too small and also not too large.
The Grand Cherokee has a wheelbase of 114.8 inches and an overall length of 189.8 inches. The Grand Cherokee is 76.3 inches wide and has a height of 69.3 inches. The curb weight depends on the engine installed. The V6 RWD version weighs about 4,533lbs. While the V8 4WD version weighs about 5,254 lbs.
And this is a lot of weight difference that can affect the fuel economy. But more on that in a bit when we are going to discuss the problems with 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee.
What is interesting to note is that the ground clearance is rather good. The model has an 8.6 inches ground clearance as standard and can go up to 10.7 inches if you have the optional air suspension.
When it comes to the trim levels for the 2011 model year, it is worth noting that there were three options to choose from. The base was the Laredo “E”, then was the Laredo “X” which offered more options like bigger wheels and leather interior. And the top trims were the Overland and Overland Summit. But what about the problems with 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee? More on that in a bit.
2. Engines And Transmission
The standard engine used on this model is the 3.6L V6. This engine creates 290hp and 260lb-ft of torque. There was also an optional engine for 2011. That was the 5.7L HEMI V8 that created 360hp and 390lb-ft of torque.
When it comes to transmissions, there was a 5-speed manual and 5-speed automatic transmission available. But what about the problems with 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee? More on this in a bit.
3. Fuel Economy
So, what about the problems with 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee? Well, more on this we are going to discuss in a bit, now let’s take a look at the fuel economy.
In terms of fuel economy, this 2011 model is pretty average. The 3.6L gets about 16 mpg in the city, 22 mpg on the highway, and 18 mpg combined.
The 5.7L engine performs slightly worse. This engine gets 14 mpg in the city, 19 mpg on the highway, and 15 mpg combined.
Just take note that these are the EPA numbers. Real-world numbers can be even worse, depending on how heavily you press the foot on the throttle. But what about the problems with 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee? More on this we are going to cover more in a bit.
4. Towing Capacity
Another interesting topic that we would like to cover before we dive into the problems with 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee is the towing capacity. How heavy can this model tow?
And in this aspect, this model is rather capable. Much more capable than the competition. The V6 engine can tow up to 5,000lbs.
On the other hand, the 5.7L V8 can tow up to 7,200lbs. And this is a rather healthy number that is almost comparable to a truck to some extent. This is why if you want to tow stuff, the 5.7L engine is the way to go. But what about the problems with 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee? Well, more on that, we will cover it in a bit.
5. Safety
Another topic that we would like to discuss before we start discussing the problems with 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee is the safety aspect. How safe is the Grand Cherokee?
In terms of safety, this model performed rather well. The 2017 model was crash-tested by the NHTSA and got favorable scores which got 4-stars overall.
Also, it was tested by the IIHS in 2013 and 2022. On their tests, the model also got some favorable ratings as well. Even though on the small overlap frontal offset test it got a marginal score for the driver and a poor score for the passenger. But what about the problems with 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee? More on that in a bit.
6. Jeep Grand Cherokee Maintenance Cost
Another topic that we would like to discuss before we dive into the problems with 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee is the maintenance cost. Is this an expensive vehicle to maintain?
Well, sort of. It is not the most expensive car out there to maintain. But is more expensive than your standard Dodge or Chrysler. Even though these vehicles share most of the mechanical components such as the engines and transmissions.
This is why when it comes to Jeep, you should always plan your budget and make sure that you have enough money to maintain them. But what about the problems with 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee? Well, more about that, we are going to discuss it next.
2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee Problems
So, we learned about the specs of this model and covered quite a bit on this topic. We also learned how expensive is the Grand Cherokee to operate.
Now we think that it is time to learn more about the problems with 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee and see how big of a problem this model is. Whether or not this model has issues or not. So, let’s elaborate on the most common problems with this model.
2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee Electrical Problems
Now let’s start discussing the problems with 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee. First, we are going to start with the electrical problems. Why is this the case? Well, primarily because this problem has many electrical problems.
The biggest problem out of all the issues is the problem with the TIPM unit. This TIPM unit refers to the Totally Integrated Power Module. This basically is the unit that controls the powertrain of the vehicle.
And this component failed on almost all of the vehicles. This is a big headache for a lot of owners because the fuel pump relay inside the TIPM could fail all of a sudden while driving and the vehicle could stall. All of the vehicles were recalled in order to sort out the problem. But more on that in a bit. Replacing this unit is somewhere in the range of $1,000 to $1,200.
Other common electrical problems were concerned with the alternator. The alternator can fail on these models and cause problems. Namely, the alternator diodes experience rapid failure. And when they fail you can lose the accessories. And the car will eventually come to a stop. A typical alternator replacement is somewhere in the range of $1,400 (you could save a bit by learning how to change an alternator and how to replace alternator and changing the alternator).
Other common problems include starter failure, rear wiper failure, backup camera failure, and problems with the power door locks. Now let’s move on to the next problems with 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Also, make sure you’re accounting for the alternator replacement labor cost.
2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee Engine Problems
We learned about the electrical problems with 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee, now let’s take a look at the engine problems that this model has. And frankly, it has some issues with the engines as well.
More specifically, the problematic engine is the 3.6L V6. This engine has problems with the oil filter housing that can fail and start to leak oil.
The water pumps on these Chrysler engines are also one of the weak spots. In addition to this, the 3.6L V6 from this era has problems with the cylinder heads.
The cylinder heads on this 3.6L engine can fail and cause all sorts of issues. In some cases, rocker arms can fail. And all of these engines are prone to these issues. This is why the engines from 2011 to 2013 are eligible for a 10-year or 150,000-mile extended warranty. So, that might help those wondering if Jeep Grand Cherokees last long.
The 5.7L also has some issues with the lifter rollers. They can fail as well and have to be replaced. They can develop and cause that notorious HEMI tick sound that often occurs on these engines. In most cases this is fixable and you can replace them. But they can also damage the camshaft if not replaced on time.
2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee Transmission Problems
When it comes to Jeep Grand Cherokee transmission problems with the 2011 model year, it is worth noting that there were no major issues with it.
There were reports on carcomplaints.com for the transmission not working properly. But these problems were most likely caused by a bad TIPM module. And that is something that we covered in the previous chapters.
The TIPM module is a component that can cause all sorts of issues. And most common problems are problems with the transmission, ignition, as well as fuel pump-related problems. Now let’s move on and discuss more about the recalls of this 2011 model.
2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee Recall
So, we have covered the problems with 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee and we learned that this model often has issues with the TIPM module and this module causes all sorts of issues on the car. But what about the recalls? Was this model recalled for some of these problems? Let’s find out.
When it comes to the 2011 model year, it is worth noting that there were a total of 6 recalls done to it.
The first recall was for models produced from 2010 to 2013. The subject of this recall was the brake booster. This component was known to corrode and let water inside.
The second recall from 2014 was concerned with the vanity lamp on the sun visor. This component could short out and cause problems. So, this was addressed.
In 2014 there was a relay on the fuel pump relay that was found inside the TIPM module. This component caused the vehicle to stall without any warning.
There were also another three recalls for the same issues in the years 2015, 2017, and 2019 respectively.
2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee Reliability
So, we covered the problems with 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee and we learned the most common issues with this model. Now let’s move on and discuss the overall reliability of this model.
Knowing the reliability is rather useful when it comes to buying a used Jeep Grand Cherokee. So, is this model reliable?
Well, the answer to this question is rather difficult to answer. Why so? Well, this model has a fair share of problems. Namely, the TIPM and the cylinder head issue on the 3.6L engine.
Both of the issues are rather expensive to fix. Luckily for those TIPM issues, specifically the fuel pump relay was recalled. And this can be done for cheap.
Also, the issue with the cylinder heads on the 3.6L engine is rather concerning. So, if you are not eligible because the car now is older than 10 years, it means that if something goes wrong, then you should replace the cylinder head on your own. And this could result in thousands of dollars in repair bills.
So, before buying, especially a 3.6L engine, we would advise that you inspect if the TIPM issue was sorted out. As well as if the cylinder head was replaced previously. If the cylinder head was not replaced, then this is a rather risky purchase. So, it might be worth avoiding this Jeep Grand Cherokee and getting something else.
Also, the problem with the lifter rollers on the 5.7L is concerning. When checking out one of these engines, make sure that it does not produce any ticking noises. This way you can be sure that the lifters are in relatively good condition.
Final Conclusion
In this article, we have covered quite a bit when it comes to the Jeep Grand Cherokee. First, we learned what this model is all about and why it is so popular. Then we covered the specs of the 2011 model.
We covered the engines and transmissions used, dimensions and size, fuel economy, and safety. Then we covered the problems with 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee and learned from what type of issues this model has. Lastly, we discussed the reliability of this model.
Frequently Asked Questions
Now let’s answer some frequently asked questions.
How Long Do Jeep Cherokees Last
Jeeps last for a very long time. They are basically Chrysler products, so you can expect them to last as any other Chrysler, Dodge, or RAM product. In mileage, this is usually in the range of 200,000 to 300,000 miles. The better maintained the model, the longer it will last.
Are Jeep Grand Cherokees Expensive To Maintain
Yes, they are more expensive to maintain in comparison to your regular Wrangler. Why is this the case? Well, it is mainly the case because these models are high-end models that are more luxurious and have a ton of features. This understandably results in higher maintenance costs.
Do Jeep Grand Cherokees Have A Lot Of Problems
When it comes to problems, the fourth generation is the most problematic. These are the models that are produced between 2011 and 2015. When it comes to the Grand Cherokee, it is best to avoid these model years because of problems with the TIPM and other engine problems with the 3.6L engine.
What Years Of Jeep Grand Cherokee To Avoid
When it comes to the years to avoid, we would say that you should avoid the 2011 model year. Why this year specifically? Well, it has a lot of issues with the TIPM and this component can cause a lot of headaches. Not to mention that the 3.6L engine is rather problematic when it comes to 2011, 2012, and 2013. Mainly because of cylinder head failures.
What Are The Bad Years For Jeep Grand Cherokee
When it comes to the bad years, we would definitely recommend avoiding 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2015. These are the most problematic model years with most reports on carcomplaints.com.
