Is it normal to need $6900 of maintenance on a 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee?

[Anonymous]

We recently took our Jeep Grand Cherokee (2015) to the dealership for routine maintenance, and to have the check engine light looked at. I bought the maintenance plan at the time that I purchased the vehicle in 2017. The vehicle cost $40,000 in 2017 (when it was 2 years old). The current KBB value of the vehicle is $24,000.

The dealership recommended $6900 in maintenance. This is the first Jeep I have owned. In the past, I've owned Toyotas and Hondas, and it did not seem like they ever needed such costly maintenance. The things that stood out to me were "both motor mounts" ($1759) and power steering rack ($2889).

Any advice?

Immediate needs -

PURGE SOLENOID AND RETEST
$334.95

BOTH MOTOR MOUNTS
$1,759.45

Recommended to do now or sometime soon --

*Brake Fluid Exchange
$194.97

POWER STEERING RACK AND RED POWER STEERING FLUID
$2,889.31

*Coolant System Fluid Exchange (10 Year)
$224.04

*4x4 Service (Front & Rear Differentials + Transfer Case)
$422.51

*FUEL INDUCTION
$194.99

SPARK PLUGS, AIR FILTER, PCV
$922.03

[Anonymous]

Take it to someone else and see what they say.

[Anonymous]

You said you brought it in for a check engine light. Is that now fixed or did they recommend of any of this for the check engine light? Majority of these items should be on schedule that's listed in your owner's manual.

[Anonymous]

Go to a local gas station repair shop and the cost will be much less, maybe even half.

[Anonymous]

Good god OP. That's why you don't take your car to a dealership. Use Checkbook to find an independent shop with good reputation. Crazy thieves.

[Anonymous]

Definitely get a second opinion from a well-reviewed independent shop. New car dealership service departments routinely recommend "preventive" services which are profitable for them but not actually needed by customers.

Unless a part is actually broken or malfunctioning, wear and tear items should be addressed in accordance with the schedule in your factory owner's manual (not according to any service schedule made up by the dealership, independently of the factory's recommendations). Services recommended by the dealership service advisor but not mentioned in the service schedule in the owner's manual are almost certainly superfluous.

For example, the factory service schedule will tell you when spark plugs, the air filter, and radiator coolant should be replaced. If really due for replacement according to the manufacturer's service schedule, you can easily buy the air filter on-line or in a local auto parts store and replace it yourself in just a few minutes. You'll probably find instructions on YouTube. The service schedule in your owner's manual probably makes no reference to "fuel induction" service (presumably cleaning the fuel system somehow; you can do that yourself by putting a bottle of Chevron Techron in the gas tank for under $10) because such a service is not normally needed.

[Anonymous]

How many miles does it have on it?

[Anonymous]

The Jeep dealers around here are crazy expensive for repairs. Take it to a regular mechanic. No reason once warranty is up to take it to the dealer.

[Anonymous]

I take my 12 year old Honda to the dealership probably 2x year and have never spent more $2k (and it only broke $1k after year 10). I need a new timing belt so that will probably end that streak.

That seems crazy high. But I have heard Jeeps are expensive to maintain.

[Anonymous]

Always get a second opinion as many of those repairs may not be needed.

[Anonymous]

Jeep = cheap pos

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How many miles does it have on it?

OP here. The vehicle is 7 years old, and has 90,000 miles on it.

[Anonymous]

You should go to the Jeep Forums (of which there are many) and ask the gearheads there. They will know and you will get much better answers.

[Anonymous]

Agree with previous posters, there is a maintenance schedule for all of those fluids. I would ask for more details on the big ticket items: motor mounts and power steering rack. What indicates they are bad, what may happen if you don’t replace them now. Then take it to another shop (non-dealer) for a second opinion. Those are too expensive to just accept the recommendation at face value but they also may be needed.

I’m guessing the purge solenoid is related to your check engine light, probably needs to be replaced now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You should go to the Jeep Forums (of which there are many) and ask the gearheads there. They will know and you will get much better answers.

+1