Jeep is a USA carmaker founded in 1943, now part of Stellantis. The cars themselves are another matter: across 40 VIN prefixes on record they came off lines in 3 countries — the United States 93.9%, Italy 2.9%, Mexico 2.7%. 22 models are tracked here (1981–2026). Reliable? yes, on balance — 4.1 out of 5 across 22 rated models, though the spread between model years is far wider than the badge suggests (every model ranked →).
Who makes Jeep
Jeep is the American off-road vehicle brand owned by Stellantis, headquartered alongside its parent in Auburn Hills, Michigan. The brand traces its origin to 1943, when Willys-Overland Motors trademarked the Jeep name for civilian versions of the World War II General Purpose military vehicle the company built under contract with the US Army. The Wrangler, the modern descendant of the wartime MB and post-war CJ-series, remains the only mass-market four-door SUV with a removable roof, removable doors and a folding windshield. The Grand Cherokee leads Jeep's mid-size SUV sales, the Gladiator pickup launched in 2020 as the brand's first truck since the 1992 Comanche, and the Wagoneer/Grand Wagoneer represent Jeep's return to the full-size luxury SUV segment. Jeep is one of seven North American brands within Stellantis, formed in 2021 from the merger of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) and Groupe PSA. Stellantis trades on the New York Stock Exchange under STLA, on Euronext Milan as STLAM and on Euronext Paris as STLAP. Recall data for every Jeep VIN is reported to NHTSA, and IIHS crash-test scores and EPA fuel-economy ratings provide independent benchmarks. ForCar.org decodes any Jeep VIN to surface trim, factory options, open recalls and original MSRP.
In 1940 the US Army solicited bids for a quarter-ton 4×4 reconnaissance vehicle. American Bantam, Willys-Overland and Ford each submitted prototypes; Willys won mass-production rights for what became the MB Jeep, of which 360,000 were built during World War II. Willys trademarked the Jeep name in 1943 and launched the civilian CJ-2A in 1945. The brand passed through Kaiser, AMC, Chrysler, DaimlerChrysler, Cerberus, Fiat-Chrysler and now Stellantis ownership.
| Jeep | |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1943 |
| Founded by | Willys-Overland Motors |
| Headquarters | Auburn Hills, USA |
| Owned by | Stellantis |
| Listed as | STLA |
| Slogan | «Go Anywhere. Do Anything.» |
| Models tracked here | 19 (1981–2026) |
| Assembled in | 3 countries |
Technology it is known for: 4xe plug-in hybrid powertrain, Quadra-Drive II 4WD, Selec-Terrain traction management, Trail Rated certification, Uconnect infotainment.
This page covers the Jeep brand within Stellantis — not the WWII-era jeep (lowercase, generic noun) or the now-defunct American Motors Jeep Eagle marketing combo.
Where Jeep cars are actually built
A badge says where a company is registered, not where its cars were bolted together. The first three characters of any VIN — the world manufacturer identifier — say the second thing, and that is what we counted: 73,283 vehicles on record, 40 distinct manufacturer codes.
| Assembled in | Share | VIN starts with | Years seen |
|---|---|---|---|
| the United States | 1C4, 1J4, 1J8, 1C6 | 1982–2026 | |
| Italy | ZAC | 2015–2023 | |
| Mexico | 3C4 | 2007–2026 |
Read your own: the first character is the region, the first three together identify the plant's manufacturer. A Jeep beginning 1C4 was assembled in the United States.
All Jeep models 22
Every Jeep model we track, grouped by body type. Click any model for its VIN decoder, recalls, MPG, safety and ForCar Reliability Score — broken down by year.
Jeep SUVs & crossovers 11
| Model | Years | Recalls | Complaints | Best MPG | ForCar score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jeep Wrangler | 1986–2026 | 283 | 16,212 | 25 mpg | 3.5/5 |
| Jeep Grand Cherokee | 1993–2026 | 244 | 17,822 | 25 mpg | 4.0/5 |
| Jeep Compass | 2006–2026 | 47 | 3,946 | 27 mpg | 4.0/5 |
| Jeep Grand Cherokee L | 2021–2026 | 24 | 446 | 23 mpg | 4.5/5 |
| Jeep Renegade | 2015–2026 | 24 | 2,193 | 27 mpg | 4.0/5 |
| Jeep Liberty | 1993–2013 | 80 | 8,871 | 21 mpg | 3.5/5 |
| Jeep Patriot | 2007–2018 | 23 | 3,352 | 25 mpg | 4.0/5 |
| Jeep Wagoneer S | 2024–2026 | 13 | 73 | 97 mpg | 4.0/5 |
| Jeep Commander | 2006–2010 | 24 | 3,355 | 16 mpg | 4.0/5 |
| Jeep Wagoneer L | 2024–2025 | 3 | 3 | 20 mpg | 4.5/5 |
| Jeep Grand Wagoneer L | 2024–2026 | 2 | — | 19 mpg | 4.5/5 |
Jeep Trucks 4
| Model | Years | Recalls | Complaints | Best MPG | ForCar score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jeep Gladiator | 2020–2026 | 33 | 975 | 24 mpg | 4.0/5 |
| Jeep Comanche | 1986–1992 | 17 | 56 | 26 mpg | 3.5/5 |
| Jeep J-10 | 1981–1988 | 10 | — | 17 mpg | 4.5/5 |
| Jeep J-20 | 1981–1988 | 2 | — | 11 mpg | 4.5/5 |
Jeep More models 7
| Model | Years | Recalls | Complaints | Best MPG | ForCar score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jeep Cherokee | 1981–2026 | 220 | 20,147 | 37 mpg | 4.0/5 |
| Jeep Wagoneer | 1981–2025 | 61 | 404 | 97 mpg | 4.0/5 |
| Jeep Grand Wagoneer | 1984–2026 | 45 | 183 | 19 mpg | 4.0/5 |
| Jeep CJ-7 | 1981–1986 | 6 | 14 | 21 mpg | 3.5/5 |
| Jeep CJ-5 | 1981–1983 | 2 | — | — | 4.5/5 |
| Jeep CJ-8 Scrambler | 1981–1985 | — | — | — | 4.5/5 |
| Jeep Wrangler JK | 2018–2018 | — | — | — | 4.5/5 |
Jeep by the numbers
What the federal records say about the marque. Each line links to the full breakdown by model and year.
| Topic | Jeep | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Recalls | 1,163 campaigns | Most recalled: Exterior Lighting |
| Owner complaints | 77,319+ filed | Most reported: Cherokee |
| Fuel economy | 97 mpg best | Leader: Wagoneer |
| Crash safety | ★★★★★ top rated | 8 models tested by NHTSA |
| Insurance | $1,519/yr typical | Cheapest: Cherokee |
Compare model years like a dealer does.
- Full research report on any model year
- Market chart: how this model holds value
- Exact values with mileage adjustment
- Price-drop alerts on the trims you're watching
- No ads, no tracking — and much more
Jeep hybrids & electric models
Jeep's electrified lineup — 3 hybrids and 2 electric / plug-in. Click any model for its full powertrain, MPG and range by year.
Jeep hybrids 3
| Model | Years | Best figure | Recalls | ForCar score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jeep Wrangler | 1986–2026 | 25 | 283 | 3.5/5 |
| Jeep Cherokee | 1981–2026 | 37 | 220 | 4.0/5 |
| Jeep Wagoneer | 1981–2025 | 97 | 61 | 4.0/5 |
Jeep electric & plug-in 2
| Model | Years | Best figure | Recalls | ForCar score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jeep Wagoneer | 1981–2025 | 97 | 61 | 4.0/5 |
| Jeep Wagoneer S | 2024–2026 | 97 | 13 | 4.0/5 |
Electrified variants from EPA fueleconomy.gov powertrain data. A model may offer gas, hybrid and electric versions across years.
Get a Jeep window sticker by VIN
Recreate any Jeep's original Monroney label — MSRP, factory options, EPA MPG and safety — free from the VIN.
Jeep window stickers →How to read a Jeep VIN
Every Jeep built since 1981 carries a unique 17-character VIN (Vehicle Identification Number). It encodes where and when the vehicle was made, its engine and body — here's what each part means:
- WMI (1–3) — country & manufacturer. Tells you it's a Jeep and the country it was built in.
- VDS (4–8) — model, body style, engine, trim & restraints. The 8th digit is the engine code.
- Check digit (9) — a math check that proves the VIN is genuine.
- Model year (10) — the year it was built (e.g. R = 2024, S = 2025).
- Plant (11) — which factory assembled it.
- Serial (12–17) — the unique sequential production number.
The remaining digits — engine (8th), model-year letter (10th) and plant — follow the universal SAE standard. Our VIN lookup reads every position for you — engine code, model year, assembly plant and country of build.
Who owns Jeep, and what you get
Jeep belongs to Stellantis. Jeep occupies the off-road and SUV segments of Stellantis, competing with Ford Bronco, Toyota 4Runner, Land Rover and Suzuki Jimny depending on the model. Trail Rated certification — a Jeep-internal benchmark across traction, ground clearance, articulation, water fording and maneuverability — distinguishes off-road-capable variants from mall-crossover sellers. The 4xe plug-in hybrid Wrangler and Grand Cherokee represent Jeep's electrification path while preserving body-on-frame off-road capability.
| Jeep | |
|---|---|
| Country of origin | USA |
| Ownership | Stellantis |
| Stock ticker | STLA |
| Basic warranty | 3 years / 36,000 miles |
| Powertrain warranty | 5 years / 60,000 miles |
| Assembly countries | United States, Italy, Mexico |
⚠ Worth knowing before you rely on it: across our complaint records the typical car reaches the halfway point of its faults at five years, while basic cover here runs 3 years / 36,000 miles. See when Jeep models actually start to break →
Jeep — frequently asked
Is Jeep usa?
Jeep is a USA company, headquartered in Auburn Hills and founded in 1943. The cars are a separate question: 93.9% of the Jeep vehicles in our records were assembled in the United States.
Where are Jeep cars made?
Across 40 manufacturer codes on record, assembly splits as: the United States (93.9%), Italy (2.9%), Mexico (2.7%). The first three characters of a VIN identify the manufacturer and plant country — that is where these shares come from.
Who owns Jeep?
Jeep is part of Stellantis.
How many Jeep models are there?
We track 22 Jeep models spanning 1981–2026. The full list is above, ordered by how often each is searched.
What is the Jeep warranty?
New vehicles come with 3 years / 36,000 miles basic cover and 5 years / 60,000 miles on the powertrain. Terms vary by model year and market — confirm with a dealer.
Is Jeep reliable?
It depends far more on the model and year than on the badge. Every Jeep model is ranked by complaint rate here, along with the age at which each starts to fail.