The Lemon Index
The 3.6 L V6 in the Jeep Grand Cherokee, Jeep Wrangler, Dodge Grand Caravan, Chrysler Town & Country, Chrysler Pacifica, Dodge Durango, Dodge Charger, Chrysler 300, Dodge Journey, Ram pickup, Jeep Gladiator and Dodge Challenger, model years 2011–2025. Owners filed 34,634 complaints about cars with it (matched by VIN); 18% name the engine, #23 of the 39 everyday engines we track (1 = the most).
Known issues, checked against owner complaints
Problems owners of cars with this engine name much more often than owners of the other 38 everyday engines we track (at least 1.5× the median, and 10+ complaints):
- Oil filter housing / oil cooler leaks. 735 of 34,634 owner complaints (2.1%) mention the oil filter housing or oil cooler, against a median of under 0.1% for the other 38 everyday engines we track.
Oil cooler split due to warming up and cooling down in winter and being made of plastic All brake calipers needed to be replaced on it too
2017 owner · NHTSA complaint 11743349 - Rocker arm and lifter ticking. 425 of 34,634 owner complaints (1.2%) mention a lifter, rocker or ticking, against a median of 0.3% for the other 38 everyday engines we track.
Defect causes premature wear and deterioration of camshafts and lifters, causing engine failure.
2018 owner · NHTSA complaint 11765565
What YouTube owners say Tone 0-100, higher = more praise than trouble.
Average owner tone 39/100 across 15 model years, from 194 videos about this engine and its cars (#148 of 165 engines with a YouTube study).
Most-watched videos
- Top 5 Problems Dodge Grand Caravan Minivan 5th Generation 2008-20 1,787,416 views
- I Built A $100,000 Dodge Charger Hellcat Redeye From A Worthless V6 Rental Car | Part 1 1,361,467 views
- The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica Pinnacle Is a Luxury Minivan for $50,000 1,338,673 views
- 4 MINIVANS Crash Tests | Pacifica, Carnival, Sienna & Odyssey 1,054,533 views
- The Specs and Fatal Flaws of the Chrysler 3.6L Pentastar V6 Engine 999,211 views
Counted from video titles and captions: praise words against trouble words, weighted by views. Videos only count when the title names this engine or a car that had only this engine in those years.
Cars with this engine Tap a year for that car's full report.
- Dodge Durango201120122013201420152016201720182019202020212022202320242025
- Jeep Grand Cherokee201120122013201420152016201720182019202020212022202320242025
- Jeep Wrangler20122013201420152016201720182019202020212022202320242025
- Dodge Challenger2011201220132014201520162017201820192020202120222023
- Dodge Charger2011201220132014201520162017201820192020202120222023
- Ram pickup2013201420152016201720182019202020212022202320242025
- Chrysler 30020112012201320142015201620172018201920202021
- Dodge Grand Caravan2011201220132014201520162017201820192020
- Chrysler Pacifica201720182019202020212022202320242025
- Dodge Journey201120122013201420152016201720182019
- Chrysler Town & Country201120122013201420152016
- Jeep Gladiator202020212022202320242025
Model years from NHTSA VIN decoding of owner complaints. Only years we have a car page for.
Owner complaints by model year
Counts of complaints filed so far. Older cars have had longer to collect them, and popular cars draw more because more were sold: no one reports sales by engine, so there's no per-car rate. Compare the shares below instead.
By car
| Car | Model years matched | Complaints | Name the engine |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jeep Grand Cherokee | 2011–25 | 8,073 | 16% |
| Jeep Wrangler | 2012–25 | 5,855 | 18% |
| Dodge Grand Caravan | 2011–20 | 4,117 | 16% |
| Chrysler Town & Country | 2011–16 | 3,374 | 17% |
| Chrysler Pacifica | 2017–25 | 2,929 | 35% |
| Dodge Durango | 2011–25 | 2,885 | 16% |
| Dodge Charger | 2011–23 | 1,826 | 14% |
| Chrysler 300 | 2011–23 | 1,413 | 10% |
| Dodge Journey | 2011–19 | 1,348 | 20% |
| Ram pickup | 2013–25 | 1,283 | 22% |
| Jeep Gladiator | 2020–25 | 903 | 11% |
| Dodge Challenger | 2011–23 | 628 | 13% |
“Name the engine” = the share of that car's VIN-matched complaints that list the engine as a problem area.
What owners complain about
Share of this engine's complaints that name each area (one complaint can name several).
What owners write
| Complaints that | Count | Share | Median, other everyday engines |
|---|---|---|---|
| Say the engine stalled, shut off or lost power | 5,454 | 16% | 13% |
| Mention fire, flames or smoke | 1,895 | 5.5% | 3.2% |
| Mention coolant loss or overheating | 784 | 2.3% | 1.2% |
| Mention the oil filter housing or oil cooler | 735 | 2.1% | under 0.1% |
| Say the engine knocked, seized or failed | 676 | 2.0% | 2.9% |
| Mention a misfire | 636 | 1.8% | 0.6% |
| Mention an oil leak | 471 | 1.4% | 0.5% |
| Mention a lifter, rocker or ticking | 425 | 1.2% | 0.3% |
| Mention a head gasket | 351 | 1.0% | 0.1% |
| Mention a spark plug | 250 | 0.7% | 0.5% |
Counted from the owner's own words in each complaint (all of the car, not only the engine). A share, not a failure rate.
When problems show up
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 19,800 and 81,000 miles; the middle report was at 50,000 miles (18,400 complaints with a mileage).
Recalls that name this engine 9
22V284000 Apr 2022 Engine And Engine Cooling Grand Cherokee 2021, 2022; Durango 2021
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021 Dodge Durango, Jeep Grand Cherokee WK, 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee, and 2021-2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vehicles equipped with 3.6L engines. The exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve may stick open, resulting in an unexpected loss of drive power.
Fix. Dealers will replace the EGR valve assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 23, 2022. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is Z31.
18V049000 Jan 2018 Electrical System Pacifica 2017
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2017 Chrysler Pacifica vehicles equipped with a 3.6l engine. The engine control software may become out of sync with the crankshaft position sensor, possibly resulting in an engine stall.
Fix. Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update the engine control software, free of charge. The recall began March 7, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U01.
17V741000 Nov 2017 Electrical System Grand Cherokee 2014; Durango 2014; Charger 2014; 300 2014; Challenger 2014
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014 Dodge Challenger, Charger, Durango, Chrysler 300, and Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles equipped with a 3.6L engine and a 160 amp alternator. In the affected vehicles, the alternator may suddenly fail.
Fix. Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the alternator, free of charge. The recall began December 15, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T75.
17V435000 Jul 2017 Electrical System Grand Cherokee 2012, 2013, 2014; Durango 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014; Charger 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014; 300 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014; Challenger 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014
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.
Fix. 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.
16V814000 Nov 2016 Fuel System, Gasoline Grand Cherokee 2016; Durango 2016
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2016 Dodge Durango and Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured February 10, 2016, to April 28, 2016 and equipped with a 3.6L engine built at the Saltillo engine plant. During the assembly of the engine, the fuel rail crossover tube may have been damaged, which, over time, may result in a fuel leak.
Fix. Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine assembly for damage to the fuel rail crossover tube, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on December 23, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S85.
14V634000 Oct 2014 Electrical System Grand Cherokee 2012, 2013, 2014; Durango 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014; Charger 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014; 300 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014; Challenger 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014
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.
Fix. 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.
Show all 9
14V530000 Sep 2014 Electrical System Grand Cherokee 2011; Durango 2011
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2011 Dodge Durango and Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured January 5, 2010, to July 20, 2011, and equipped with either a 3.6L or 5.7L 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.
Fix. Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump relay with one external to the TIPM, free of charge. The recall began December 19, 2014. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is P54. Note: This recall has been superseded by recall 19V813.
13V234000 Jun 2013 Steering Wrangler 2012, 2013
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Jeep Wrangler vehicles equipped with a 3.6L engine and an automatic transmission and manufactured January 23, 2011, through February 23, 2013. The power steering line may contact and wear a hole in the transmission oil cooler line resulting in a loss of transmission fluid.
Fix. Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the power steering return tube assembly, free of charge. The recall began on September 23, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N28.
11V487000 Sep 2011 Engine And Engine Cooling Grand Cherokee 2012; Durango 2012; Grand Caravan 2012; Town & Country 2012; Charger 2012; Journey 2012
Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2012 chrysler vehicles, including 200 and town and country models, dodge vehicles, including charger, durango, grand caravan and journey models and jeep grand cherokee vehicles manufactured from august 31, 2011, through september 13, 2011, that are equipped with 3.6l engines. These engines may experience connecting rod bearing failure due to debris inside the engine block.
Fix. Chrysler will notify owners and replace the engine free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or about november 18, 2011. Owners may contact chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
NHTSA recalls on these cars and model years whose text names this engine (its size or name). The rest (brakes, air bags, wiring ...) are on each car year's page.
In owners' words
The car routinely loses function of power steering upon start up and shifting in reverse. Intermittently, the car will lose power steering when in drive.
2018 owner · NHTSA complaint 11776991
My husband was driving down the road, a deer ran out, in an effort to avoid he slid off the road and hit a tree (wet Conditions) 11/4/26.The passenger door frame snapped and bent in over the passenger seat.
2016 owner · NHTSA complaint 11776924
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2011 Dodge Charger. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the mileage was 139,415. At the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 245,715.
2011 owner · NHTSA complaint 11776848
Against the other everyday engines
| Engine | Years | Complaints | Name the engine | Stalled or lost power | Burning oil | Recalls naming it |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5 EcoBoost | 2014–25 | 5,622 | 66% | 15% | 0.2% | 2 |
| 6.2 V8 (Gen V) | 2014–25 | 7,219 | 65% | 24% | 2.2% | 2 |
| 2.4 Theta II | 2010–22 | 21,551 | 51% | 20% | 8.1% | 8 |
| 2.4 Ecotec | 2010–17 | 6,096 | 51% | 21% | 18% | 0 |
| 3.0 EcoDiesel | 2014–23 | 2,871 | 50% | 24% | 0.2% | 7 |
| 3.3 Lambda II | 2013–21 | 3,254 | 50% | 17% | 5.9% | 2 |
| 2.0 EcoBoost | 2012–25 | 9,735 | 48% | 12% | 0.1% | 0 |
| 2.0T Theta II | 2011–22 | 3,325 | 44% | 18% | 4.8% | 2 |
| 1.4 Turbo | 2011–22 | 3,926 | 39% | 17% | 0.9% | 2 |
| 2.4 Tigershark | 2014–22 | 9,631 | 35% | 34% | 4.5% | 5 |
| 1.5 Turbo | 2016–25 | 4,471 | 33% | 27% | 0.3% | 1 |
| EA888 2.0T | 2009–25 | 7,443 | 29% | 16% | 3.7% | 5 |
| A25A | 2018–25 | 2,979 | 26% | 12% | under 0.1% | 1 |
| 1.5 Turbo | 2017–22 | 6,390 | 26% | 14% | 0.2% | 0 |
| J35 V6 | 2003–25 | 24,038 | 24% | 14% | 0.9% | 4 |
| Skyactiv-G 2.5 | 2014–25 | 2,631 | 22% | 11% | 2.7% | 1 |
| 2.7 Turbo | 2019–25 | 1,090 | 22% | 12% | 0.5% | 0 |
| 2AZ-FE | 2001–09 | 7,176 | 22% | 3.7% | 8.6% | 0 |
| 5.4 Triton | 2005–14 | 3,952 | 21% | 15% | 0.1% | 3 |
| 5.7 HEMI | 2003–24 | 23,895 | 19% | 23% | 0.1% | 6 |
| QR25DE | 2002–20 | 16,161 | 19% | 14% | 1.5% | 4 |
| 5.3 V8 (Gen V) | 2014–25 | 13,191 | 18% | 13% | 0.5% | 3 |
| 3.6 Pentastar | 2011–25 | 34,634 | 18% | 16% | 0.4% | 9 |
| 2.3 EcoBoost | 2015–25 | 3,975 | 16% | 9.9% | 0.1% | 12 |
| 3.8 Lambda II | 2020–25 | 4,423 | 16% | 8.0% | 5.6% | 0 |
| FB20 | 2012–25 | 2,336 | 15% | 8.2% | 1.7% | 0 |
| 3.6 V6 | 2009–23 | 14,214 | 14% | 14% | 0.1% | 1 |
| K24 | 2002–19 | 15,062 | 14% | 5.1% | 1.6% | 0 |
| 2GR-FKS | 2016–24 | 3,758 | 12% | 11% | 0.2% | 2 |
| 3.5 Cyclone V6 | 2007–19 | 21,313 | 12% | 11% | 0.1% | 0 |
| VQ35 V6 | 2002–25 | 12,613 | 12% | 11% | 0.2% | 1 |
| 3UR-FE | 2007–21 | 1,377 | 12% | 8.8% | 0.4% | 0 |
| FB25 | 2011–25 | 9,853 | 11% | 6.2% | 1.5% | 0 |
| 2AR-FE | 2009–18 | 4,673 | 11% | 6.6% | 1.3% | 1 |
| 2GR-FE | 2005–18 | 8,680 | 10% | 3.5% | 0.3% | 0 |
| 3.8 V6 | 2007–11 | 7,877 | 9% | 17% | 0.5% | 0 |
| 5.3 V8 (Gen IV) | 2007–14 | 9,241 | 8% | 4.5% | 1.3% | 0 |
| 1GR-FE | 2003–24 | 5,757 | 7% | 4.0% | under 0.1% | 0 |
| 4.8 V8 | 2007–13 | 726 | 6% | 4.8% | 0.1% | 0 |
Shares of each engine's own complaints, matched by VIN. They show what owners complain about, not how often engines break.
Quick answers
Is the Chrysler 3.6 Pentastar V6 reliable?
No one reports sales by engine, so there's no per-car score. Of the 34,634 complaints owners filed about cars with it, 18% name the engine, #23 of the 39 everyday engines we track (1 = the most). 735 (2.1%) mention the oil filter housing or oil cooler, against under 0.1% for the other engines. 425 (1.2%) mention a lifter, rocker or ticking, against 0.3% for the other engines.
What cars have the Chrysler 3.6 Pentastar V6?
In our data: the Jeep Grand Cherokee, Jeep Wrangler, Dodge Grand Caravan, Chrysler Town & Country, Chrysler Pacifica, Dodge Durango, Dodge Charger, Chrysler 300, Dodge Journey, Ram pickup, Jeep Gladiator and Dodge Challenger, model years 2011–2025, matched by the VIN in each owner complaint.
What are the most common 3.6 Pentastar problems?
In owner complaints to the government: electrical, engine, transmission & drivetrain.
How many recalls name the 3.6 Pentastar?
9 NHTSA recalls on these cars name it.
Complaints: NHTSA owner complaints filed under each car's own NHTSA names (the same ones its car pages count), all years filed, one per complaint number. Engine: decoded from the complaint's VIN with NHTSA's vPIC decoder (displacement, cylinders, engine model, turbo, hybrid) and the engine maker's model years; a VIN that doesn't decode to exactly one engine is left out. Older cars have had more years to collect complaints, and popular cars draw more because more were sold. Source: NHTSA owner complaints (FLAT_CMPL + COMPLAINTS_RECEIVED_2025-2026), received through 20261111; engines: NHTSA vPIC VIN decoder (batch); NHTSA recalls API. Engine names and model years: Chrysler.