The 2013 Grand Cherokee WK2 is mechanically solid overall, but the ZF 8-speed transmission has a systemic oil cooler defect that can destroy the trans if ignored, and the 3.6L Pentastar suffers catastrophic left-bank cylinder head failures around 100k miles. The 5.7L Hemi is far more reliable but thirstier.
ZF 8-Speed Transmission Oil Cooler Failure
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 60,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: Transmission fluid mixing with coolant (milky fluid in overflow tank), Hard shifting, slipping, or limp mode after coolant intrusion, Engine overheating in severe cases, Pink or red coolant or brown transmission fluid
Fix: Replace transmission oil cooler (integral to radiator on some builds), flush both cooling system and transmission, replace radiator if integrated design. If cooler failed and fluids mixed, full transmission rebuild or replacement required. Cooler replacement alone: 3-4 hours labor. Transmission rebuild after contamination: 12-18 hours labor.
Estimated cost: $800-1,200 for cooler/radiator replacement preventively; $3,500-5,500 if transmission damaged
3.6L Pentastar Left Cylinder Head Failure
Occasional · high severity
Typical onset: 90,000-130,000 mi
Symptoms: Misfires on cylinders 1, 3, or 5 (left bank), Check engine light with multiple misfire codes, Coolant loss with no external leaks, White smoke from exhaust on cold start, Oil in coolant or vice versa in severe cases
Fix: Left cylinder head has defective valve seats that drop into cylinders. Requires complete left head replacement with updated Mopar part (05184349AE or later), new head bolts, timing chain components, and full cooling system flush. 14-18 hours labor. Some engines grenade pistons/rods when valve seats drop, requiring short block or full rebuild.
Estimated cost: $3,000-4,500 for head replacement; $6,000-9,000 if internal damage occurred
Front Driveshaft and CV Joint Failure
Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 70,000-110,000 mi
Symptoms: Clunking on acceleration or deceleration, Vibration at highway speeds (55-70 mph), Clicking noise during tight turns, Grease splatter on undercarriage from torn CV boots
Fix: Front driveshaft CV joints wear prematurely, especially on Quadra-Trac II and Quadra-Drive II systems. Replace entire front driveshaft assembly (Mopar doesn't sell CV joints separately for these). 2-3 hours labor.
Estimated cost: $800-1,400
TIPM (Totally Integrated Power Module) Failure
Occasional · high severity
Symptoms: Fuel pump not priming (no start, no crank), Random electrical gremlins (windows, wipers, gauges failing intermittently), Horn honking on its own, Wipers running continuously, Multiple warning lights illuminated simultaneously
Fix: The TIPM (fuse/relay box under hood) has corroded internal circuits and failed relays, particularly fuel pump relay. Requires TIPM replacement and programming. Some independent shops offer board-level repair for $300-600. OEM replacement: 2-3 hours labor including programming.
Estimated cost: $400-700 for repair service; $1,200-1,800 for new TIPM from dealer
Rear Differential Pinion Seal and Bearing Failure
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 80,000-140,000 mi
Symptoms: Gear oil dripping from rear of driveshaft, Howling or whining from rear axle during acceleration, Grinding noise during turns, Low differential fluid level on inspection
Fix: Pinion seal leaks are common and lead to bearing damage if driven dry. Early catch: just seal and fluid, 2 hours labor. If bearing damaged: full pinion bearing/race replacement, 4-6 hours labor. If ignored until catastrophic failure: full differential rebuild or replacement, 8-12 hours.
Estimated cost: $350-600 for seal only; $800-1,400 for bearings; $2,000-3,200 for full rebuild
Alternator Failure with Wiring Harness Damage
Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 80,000-130,000 mi
Symptoms: Battery warning light illuminated, Electrical accessories cutting out intermittently, No-start condition after sitting overnight, Burnt plastic smell from engine bay, Voltage below 13.5V at idle
Fix: Alternators fail and often take the wiring harness connector with them due to heat and vibration. Always inspect harness connector for melting during alternator replacement. Alternator replacement: 1.5-2 hours. If harness damaged: add 1-2 hours for harness repair or connector replacement.
Estimated cost: $400-700 for alternator only; $650-1,000 if harness repair needed
Owner tips
Change transmission fluid every 60k miles using Mopar ZF 8-speed fluid (68218057AA) — this isn't lifetime fluid despite what the manual says
Inspect transmission oil cooler and radiator for cross-contamination at every oil change after 60k miles — catch it early
If buying a 3.6L, get a pre-purchase compression and leak-down test on all cylinders, and verify no coolant consumption
The 5.7L Hemi is significantly more reliable than the 3.6L for high-mileage ownership, worth the fuel penalty
Check for Mopar extended warranty or recall extensions on cylinder head (some VINs covered to 150k miles)
Buy the 5.7L Hemi version under 80k miles with service records, avoid the 3.6L unless under warranty — the transmission cooler is fixable, but the cylinder head grenading is a ticking time bomb.
AI-assisted summary drawn from NHTSA recall data, our labor-times database, and platform knowledge. Not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on a specific vehicle.
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Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2011-2013 Dodge Durango and Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles equipped with a 3.6, 5.7, or 6.4 liter engine and previously recalled under NHTSA Recall 14V530 or 15V115. The fuel pump relay inside the Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM-7) may fail, causing the vehicle to stall without warning.
Consequence: A vehicle stall increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) will replace the affected fuel pump relay and related wire harness. Interim notices informing owners of the safety risk were mailed beginning December 19, 2019. Vehicles that experience a fuel pump failure will receive an interim repair. Owners will receive a second notice when the final remedy becomes available. Owner notification letters were mailed on December 10, 2020. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is V62.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER · 17E061000
2017-10-19
Accessible Technologies, Inc. (ATI) is recalling certain ProCharger Superchargers, model numbers AB037A-100, AB037A-100P, and A037A-100B, sold for installation on 2012-2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 and SRT vehicles. The supercharger mounting bracket may contact and damage the ABS line, possibly resulting in a brake fluid leak.
Consequence: A brake fluid leak may lengthen the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: ATI will notify owners and will replace the supercharger brackets, free of charge. The recall began on December 12, 2017. Owners may contact ATI customer service at 1-913-338-2886.
SERVICE BRAKES · 17V572000
2017-09-18
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Dodge Durango and Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles. The affected vehicles had brake booster shields installed under a previous campaign to prevent water from entering the brake booster and limiting braking ability. This recall is to verify that the brake booster shield installation was performed properly.
Consequence: If the brake booster shield was not installed properly, the vehicle's braking ability may be reduced, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brake booster shield, correcting the installation as necessary, free of charge. The recall began November10, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T59.
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Dodge Challenger, Dodge Charger, Chrysler 300, Dodge Durango, and 2012-2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles. The affected vehicles have electro-hydraulic power steering (EHPS) and are equipped with a 5.7L or a 3.6L engine and a 160, 180 or 220 amp alternator. In the affected vehicles, the alternator may suddenly fail.
Consequence: If the alternator fails, the vehicle may stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash. There is also the possibility that the alternator may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the alternator and depending on the part number, will replace the alternator, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began February 12, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T36.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING · 15V879000
2015-12-28 · RQ15003
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Dodge Durango and Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured December 3, 2009, to September 1, 2012. In the affected vehicles, the wiring for the vanity lamp in the sun visor may short circuit, after having been remedied for a prior recall for the vanity lamp wiring. This recall is also addressing certain vehicles that have not been remedied under that prior recall.
Consequence: The vanity lamp wiring may short, increasing the risk of a vehicle fire.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealer will install clearance for sun visor wiring, protection from sharp edges, and replace the sun visor, free of charge. The recall began on July 28, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R71.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · 15V115000
2015-02-27
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured September 17, 2010, to August 19, 2013, and equipped with a 3.6, 5.7 or 6.4 liter engine, and 2012-2013 Dodge Durango vehicles manufactured January 18, 2011, to August 19, 2013, and equipped with a 3.6 or 5.7 liter engine. In the affected vehicles, the fuel pump relay inside the Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM-7) may fail, causing the vehicle to stall without warning.
Consequence: A vehicle stall increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump relay with one external to the TIPM. The recall began on August 7, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R09. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 14V-530. Note: This recall has been superseded by recall 19V813.
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger, Challenger, and Durango; and 2012-2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured April 22, 2010, to January 2, 2014, and equipped with a 3.6L engine and a 160 amp alternator. In the affected vehicles, the alternator may suddenly fail.
Consequence: If the alternator fails, the vehicle may stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler has notified owners, and dealers will replace the alternator, free of charge. The recall began on February 27, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is P60.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING · 14V391000
2014-07-02 · EA14001
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Dodge Durango and Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured January 5, 2010, through December 11, 2013. In the affected vehicles, the wiring for the vanity lamp in the sun visor may short circuit, after a service repair is performed.
Consequence: If the vanity lamp wiring shorts, there is an increased risk of fire.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and repair any damaged wiring, and install a new sun visor that properly routes the wire, free of charge. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is P36.
SERVICE BRAKES · 14V154000
2014-04-01
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango vehicles manufactured from January 5, 2010, through September 8, 2013. The subject vehicles have a brake booster with a center shell that may corrode and allow water to get inside.
Consequence: The water inside could freeze and limit the braking ability of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will add a water diverter shield to the booster after the booster has been tested to confirm it can hold an acceptable amount of vacuum pressure. If the booster inspection confirms an unacceptable loss of vacuum pressure, the booster will be replaced. Repairs will be made free of charge. The recall began on May 30, 2014. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's recall campaign number is P14.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP · 14V104000
2014-03-04
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Dodge Durango and Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured October 11, 2011, through October 1, 2012. Under certain braking events, the Ready Alert Braking System (RAB) may result in the driver experiencing a hard brake pedal feel.
Consequence: If the driver experiences a hard brake pedal, the driver may not push the pedal as intended, lengthening the distance needed to stop the vehicle and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update the ABS module software, free of charge. The recall began on April 3, 2014. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number associated with this recall is P05.
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