Used Jeep Grand Cherokee WL (2021-2025): Buyer's Guide

Jeep issued three separate suspension and steering safety recalls for the WL Grand Cherokee between 2023 and 2024. Two of those campaigns came with repairs that didn't work. Jeep had to re-recall the vehicles.

That's the used-car context. The WL is a genuine improvement over the WK2 it replaced. The cabin is quieter, roomier, and a full generation nicer. The 3.6L V6 is a solid engine. But the safety recall history is unusually dense, and the 4xe plug-in hybrid has an unresolved battery fire recall where Jeep told owners not to charge the battery and to park outside. A permanent fix was not available for all affected vehicles as of mid-2026.

Three powertrains, two body styles, five model years. Which combination you buy matters more here than with most SUVs in this class.

This Generation at a Glance

The WL platform debuted in early 2021 as the Grand Cherokee L, a three-row SUV with no two-row equivalent. The standard two-row Grand Cherokee moved to the WL platform for 2022. Both share the same architecture, powertrain options, and recall exposure.

Platform: WL (WL74 two-row, WL75 three-row) Year Range: 2021 (L only) through 2025. A 2026 facelift introduced a Hurricane 2.0T inline-four and cosmetic updates but does not affect the used market scope of this guide. Uconnect 5: Standard across all WL years. The 10.1-inch touchscreen and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto are consistent generation-wide.

See live inventory and pricing at the Jeep Grand Cherokee market page.

Powertrain and Trim Breakdown

3.6L Pentastar V6

The Pentastar is the engine for most WL buyers. It's the only powertrain available across all years and both body styles. Owners with 50,000-plus miles on V6 WL models report no major powertrain failures as a pattern.

The Pentastar carries a known water pump TSB covering 2016-2024 models. At higher mileages, watch for coolant weeping from the pump. It's not a warranty-breaker, but worth checking during a PPI.

The ZF 8-speed automatic is the bigger concern. Fault codes P0733, P1DA8, and P1D92 indicate "Clutch D" slip failure. Jeep has documented cases under 1,000 miles. Jeep issued TSB 21-013-21 for harsh shifting and delayed engagement. The fix is a transmission control module (TCM) reflash at the dealer. If you feel rough 1-2 shifts or hesitation pulling from a stop on the test drive, ask the selling dealer to check for open transmission TSBs before you sign anything.

For 2021-2022 WL models specifically: HVAC Customer Satisfaction Notification Z33 covers an HVAC module software issue that can cause the AC compressor to fail. Dealers reprogram the module at no cost. If the seller hasn't done it, factor in a dealer visit. Out-of-pocket AC compressor replacement runs $728-$1,191 at current labor rates.

The 3.6L V6 returns 19 city / 26 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost around $3,200.

5.7L Hemi V8

The standard two-row Grand Cherokee had the 5.7L Hemi for 2022 only. Jeep quietly dropped it for 2023. The three-row Grand Cherokee L offered the V8 from 2021 through 2023, and it was discontinued entirely after the 2023 model year.

On the 2022 standard WL, the V8 was only available on Overland, Summit, and Summit Reserve trims. It was not available on Laredo, Altitude, or Limited. If a listing describes a 2022 Limited with a V8, the seller is either wrong or the vehicle has been modified. Verify the original window sticker.

The Hemi in the WL uses Multi-Displacement System (MDS) cylinder deactivation. The MDS valve train has a documented failure pattern across Hemi applications: the roller on a deactivating lifter can seize and grind the camshaft lobe. Start any V8 WL cold. Let it idle for two full minutes. Listen for a metallic tick that follows RPM and doesn't fade once the engine reaches operating temperature. A baseline valvetrain tick at cold start that goes away is normal. A tick that intensifies at 2,000 RPM, or one that has a metallic grinding character, points toward lifter or cam damage. Repair cost: $2,500-$4,000 depending on how many lobes are affected.

The V8 returns 14 city / 22 highway. Annual fuel cost approaches $4,450. Over three years, that's roughly $3,750 more in fuel than the V6 at current prices.

4xe Plug-In Hybrid

The 4xe combines a turbocharged 2.0L four-cylinder with two electric motors for 375 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque. Electric-only range is approximately 25-26 miles. For owners with home charging, the daily commute fuel cost can be nearly zero. It's genuinely fast and genuinely efficient under the right conditions.

It also has an unresolved fire risk that Jeep has tried to fix three times.

Recall 23V787 (2023): first recall for 4xe battery fire risk. The fix was a software update.

Recall 24V720 (2024): Jeep acknowledged the 2023 software fix didn't work and issued a second recall.

Recall 25V741, Campaign 68C (November 2025): Jeep issued a third recall covering 91,844 Grand Cherokee 4xe vehicles (model years 2022-2026). Battery cell separator damage can cause a vehicle fire while the vehicle is parked or driven. Jeep had acknowledged one injury potentially related to this defect. Jeep's guidance to owners with unrepaired vehicles: do not charge the battery, and park outside away from structures and other vehicles until a remedy is available.

As of mid-2026, a permanent fix has not been released for all affected vehicles.

Consumer Reports owner data shows the 4xe plug-in hybrid averages 146% more reported problems than the conventional V6 Grand Cherokee. That's not a sampling artifact. The 4xe is a genuinely different ownership experience in terms of failure frequency.

A separate 4xe-specific issue: TSBs document possible oil leaks from the PHEV transmission case due to porosity in the casting. Inspect under the transmission after any test drive for fluid on the ground.

If you're considering a 4xe, run the VIN through CarScout's recall lookup before you make an offer. A 4xe with open campaign 25V741 has no completed repair available. That's a buying decision, not a negotiating chip.

Trim-Specific Notes

Laredo: Base trim. Cloth seats. No air suspension. The most affordable entry point and mechanically straightforward. For buyers who want the WL platform without air suspension complexity, a Laredo is the right call.

Altitude: Appearance package on the Laredo or Limited base. Blacked-out exterior trim and 20-inch wheels. No air suspension. Popular on the used market because it looks more expensive than the sticker reflects.

Limited: The used-market sweet spot. Leather, heated front seats, adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, and 8.4-inch or 10.1-inch Uconnect. No air suspension as standard. Most tech features at a price that doesn't carry the air suspension maintenance risk. This is the trim to target for most buyers.

Overland: Air suspension is standard. Adds panoramic sunroof, premium Alpine audio, and 20-inch wheels. The suspension calculus: active air compressor failure runs $2,564-$2,666 for replacement. A single air strut is approximately $1,800 per corner. A full air suspension failure at 80,000 miles is a $3,000-$5,000 repair. Factor that into your offer price on any Overland.

Summit / Summit Reserve: Flagship trim. Massaging front seats, head-up display, and a 10.25-inch passenger-side screen. All the air suspension exposure of the Overland, plus more electronic complexity. Genuinely excellent interior. Budget for air suspension maintenance past 80,000 miles.

Trailhawk: Off-road configuration with Quadra-Lift Air Suspension, Quadra-Drive II 4WD, skid plates, and low-range gearing. The air suspension is configured for trail use rather than highway leveling. The clicking noise TSB that affects Overland and Summit models applies here too. Buy the Trailhawk because you'll use it off-road. Don't buy it as a road-only SUV over the Limited.

4xe Trims (Overland 4xe, Summit 4xe, Trailhawk 4xe): All the trim-specific notes above apply, plus the battery fire recall exposure. The Trailhawk 4xe is the most mechanically complex variant in the entire generation. More systems, more failure modes, more open recall exposure to verify.

Which Model Years to Target Within This Gen

The WL generation's recall count rose between 2021 and 2023, then dropped substantially for 2024 and 2025.

On 2022: The only year for a V8 in the standard two-row WL. If that matters to you, this is your year. But it's also the year to verify every suspension recall most carefully. Coil spring recall 23V413, steering column recall 23V352, and UCA recall 24V132 all apply to 2022. Confirm completion records for all three.

On 2023: The highest recall total of any WL year, and the first year without a V8 option in the two-row. The most inventory is available in 2023 (4,663 listings), but the complaint and recall profile is the weakest of the generation.

On 2024-2025: Complaints dropped from 318-380 per year to 169 and then 43. That's a real improvement, not statistical noise. If reliability is the priority and V8 availability isn't, a 2024 or 2025 Limited is the cleaner purchase.

Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

All WL Models

• Run the VIN at CarScout's recall lookup. Confirm open campaigns for coil spring (23V413 and the 2026 follow-up recall), steering column (23V352), and upper control arm (24V132). All three should show as completed.
• Check for play in the steering wheel with the engine off. Any looseness before starting points to the steering column recall not being properly remedied.
• Inspect underneath the rear of the vehicle. Look at the coil spring seating. Ask for documentation that the coil spring recall was performed. The original repair was ineffective on a subset of vehicles; a second recall was issued in 2026 for 80,620 units.
• Connect an OBD-II scanner before purchase. Look specifically for fault codes P0733, P1DA8, or P1D92. Any of those indicate Clutch D trouble in the ZF 8-speed transmission.
• Drive over a speed bump at low speed. A loud rear clunk after a bump warrants further inspection and recall verification.
• Test AC on a warm day with the fan on max. If output is weak, ask whether HVAC CSN Z33 has been performed. Applies to 2021-2022 models.

V8-Specific (2022 Two-Row; 2021-2023 Grand Cherokee L)

• Start the engine cold. Let it idle two full minutes. A metallic tick that follows engine RPM and does not diminish once the engine is fully warm is the MDS lifter failure pattern. Walk away.
• Verify the original window sticker confirms the V8. On the 2022 standard WL, the V8 was only available on Overland and above.

4xe-Specific

• Look up the specific VIN for recall campaign 25V741 before any test drive. A 4xe with this campaign open has no available fix. Park it in that status until Jeep releases the remedy.
• Test the charging port. Plug in and confirm the charge indicator activates. A non-functioning charge port requires dealer diagnosis.
• Check the 12V auxiliary battery health. The 4xe cycles this battery heavily. Failed 12V batteries on 4xe models cause cascading electrical fault warnings.
• Inspect underneath the transmission during the PPI for oil on the ground. PHEV transmission porosity leaks are a documented issue.
• Ask for any stored fault codes from the hybrid control processor (HCP). HCP faults often appear before a larger hybrid system failure.

Air Suspension Trims (Overland, Summit, Trailhawk)

• Test all ride height modes. Set to highest and lowest. It should move smoothly within 5-10 seconds. Any grinding sound or failure to move means compressor or valve issues.
• Ask specifically whether the air suspension has ever triggered a "Service Air Suspension" warning. That warning indicates a real failure event on record.
• Listen for a repetitive click from under the vehicle at low speed. A click roughly every city block is the fast-down leveling valve. Jeep has a TSB for this noise and has told some owners it's acceptable. It's worth noting and worth negotiating on.

Running Costs

Air suspension models: budget an additional $500-$700 per year as a reserve for compressor and strut maintenance. A full air suspension rebuild past 80,000 miles runs $3,000-$5,000.

FAQ

Is the 5th gen Jeep Grand Cherokee WL reliable? The V6 version has a reasonable track record. 2024-2025 models have significantly fewer complaints than 2022-2023. The 4xe plug-in hybrid averages 146% more reported issues than the V6 according to Consumer Reports owner data, and has an active fire recall. Air suspension trims require budgeting for compressor maintenance beyond 80,000 miles.

What year Jeep Grand Cherokee WL should I avoid? The 2023 model year accumulated the most recalls of any WL year (15) and saw a fatality in the NHTSA complaint record. The 2021 had 12 recalls and fire-related complaints. If avoiding high recall density is the goal, skip 2021-2023 and target 2024 or 2025.

Is the Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe safe to buy used? Only with specific VIN verification. Recall campaign 25V741 (battery fire) covers 91,844 Grand Cherokee 4xe vehicles with a defect that has no confirmed permanent fix as of mid-2026. A 4xe with this campaign open should not be purchased until the fix is completed. Use CarScout's recall lookup to check before negotiating.

Does the Jeep Grand Cherokee WL come with a V8? The standard two-row WL had the 5.7L Hemi V8 for 2022 only. Jeep dropped it for 2023. The three-row Grand Cherokee L offered the V8 from 2021 through 2023. No WL model has offered a V8 since 2023.

How long does a Jeep Grand Cherokee WL last? WL owners report 150,000-200,000 miles with consistent maintenance. The Pentastar V6 is a proven long-mileage engine. Air suspension models will need compressor or strut service somewhere in the 80,000-120,000 mile range. The 4xe high-voltage battery's long-term behavior past 100,000 miles is not yet well-documented given the recall history.

Bottom Line

The 2024 or 2025 Grand Cherokee Limited V6 is the cleanest pick in this generation. Far fewer complaints than 2022-2023. No air suspension exposure. No fire recall. Before any WL purchase, run the VIN through a recall check. Specifically confirm campaigns 23V413 (coil spring), 23V352 (steering column), and 24V132 (upper control arm) are completed. If the V8 matters, 2022 is the only year it existed in the standard two-row. If the 4xe appeals, confirm recall 25V741 status before making an offer. CarScout members can track price drops on specific Grand Cherokee trims and model years at usecarscout.com.

Data sourced from the NHTSA recalls database, EPA fuel economy data, and real owner experiences from JeepGarage.org, JeepForum.com, Consumer Reports owner surveys, RepairPal cost estimates, and CarComplaints.com. See the full Jeep Grand Cherokee market data for pricing and inventory.