2015 JKU rubicon?

[Dunnage Garage]

Looking to buy a 2015 JKUR. Looking up common issues with that model. Per internet there are toons of issues with rockers breaking, bad cooling systems, and fires.
From what I've read it effects all JKs with the pinstar engine.
I am wondering if this is the " it was great I tell 1 person, if it was bad I tell 20 people" thing.
Anyone have good luck with the 2015s? Or should I pass?
Thanks.

 

[Dlnuckolls]

Looking to buy a 2015 JKUR. Looking up common issues with that model. Per internet there are toons of issues with rockers breaking, bad cooling systems, and fires.
From what I've read it effects all JKs with the pinstar engine.
I am wondering if this is the " it was great I tell 1 person, if it was bad I tell 20 people" thing.
Anyone have good luck with the 2015s? Or should I pass?
Thanks.

Personally I drive a 2019, but a good friend I wheel with often has a 2015 and he loves it! Not had any major mechanical issues (although he does regular maintenance, and fixes things when they break). I would say that any rig can be good or bad, but well maintained ones last a while.

 

[wigsajumper]

I had a 09 2dr Wrangler ended up getting rid of it because two rearfacing carseats don't fit. They changed from the 3.8 V6 Penstar to the 3.6 V6 Penstar in 2012. From what I have been following on forums and other jeep groups the 3.6 is a much better engine. Next vehicle I get will probably be a 2013+ JKU.

 

[Dunnage Garage]

Thanks!

 

[USStrongman]

Remember, people dont get on the internet to tell you how average and problem free their rigs are. You are only reading troubleshooting issues and stories of he said/she said.

2007-2011 was the 3.8L engine that is notoriously underpowered, but reasonably reliable. That motor is in countless minivans and has stood the test of time. Now adding a roof rack, bigger wheels tires, skid plates, rock rails, heavy bumpers, winch, RTT, etc, etc will definitely make it feel underpowered.

2012-2018 has the 3.6L motor. In short, there were a few years of casting sand in some heads that caused overheating issues via that sand winding up in the radiator. Recall has taken care of many of those. Some short comings:

Plastic fittings at the radiator can crack, though rare.
Never overtighten the oil drain plug. It has a plastic housing that can crack.
3.21 rear auto differential ratio is horribly underpowered. There are some with optional 3.73 and a specific 4.10 but those are rare.
Door hinge pins corrode quickly. Replace them with inexpensive Delrin versions if you plan to ahve the doors off often.

Otherwise they are pretty trouble free and there are more aftermarket parts available for the JK/JKU than any other vehicle in the world.

 

[Billiebob]

Looking to buy a 2015 JKUR. Looking up common issues with that model. Per internet there are toons of issues with rockers breaking, bad cooling systems, and fires.
From what I've read it effects all JKs with the pinstar engine.
I am wondering if this is the " it was great I tell 1 person, if it was bad I tell 20 people" thing.
Anyone have good luck with the 2015s? Or should I pass?
Thanks.

My son had a 2012 for years and was in club with other guys, none of them had problems they didn't cause and none of them had engine or fire problems, a few of them were just aggressive with tires too big.

I would not read to much into internet trolls, if you try hard enough an idiot can break anything.

 

[Padams7]

I have a 2012 with 201,500+ miles.

Here is my repair log:
Clock spring
Front driveshaft (teraflex hi-rezeppa)
Thermostat
Oil cooler (pain in the @$$)
Plugs/coil packs
Head replacement (warranty)
Oil pressure sensor switch
Camshaft phaser
Timing chain tensioner
Timing chain

Of course all those are not in order. But it’s help up pretty well, riding around on 35” tires with a 3.5” lift.

Been happy with the durability, even from the first gen 3.6 in a JKU.

 

[Dunnage Garage]

Thank you for the information. I do realize that when researching issues...you find issues. The one I found unfortunately has the notorious oil cooler leak, probably gonna pass...

 

[haaken675]

Fire issues are typically from a leaking oil filter housing. The entire housing is plastic. Overtightening it can crack it and oil pools in the valley of the V under the intake manifold. Had a pentestar in my old ram 1500. It was a great motor and did well enough hauling that large of a vehicle around I eventually got rid of that ruck due to loss of oil. No smoke, no drips. All i could guess was it was pooling in the valley. If you are handy enough probably not a hard fix, but i wasn't looking to worry about my DD.

FCA did a great job with the 3.6 aside from the filter housing.

 

[ASRussell]

I have a 2011 Rubicon and I love it. Great fun while hitting the trails.