I have been seriously looking into purchasing an xj, I had a grand Cherokee with a v8 under the hood that I totaled I have been told my multiple people that they have some severe transmission issues around 150 to 200 thousand miles I was wondering how bad the problems with the transmissions are and which years are the worst I know the 00 and 01 models had a different transmission are thoes any better

 

Yeah that was the 45RFE and 545RFE. I worked as a tech when those were new. They weren't really bad transmissions, they just got a bad reputation because people didn't maintain them. It's like how everyone makes fun of the 4L60e, but in reality you see thousands of them in Chevrolet 1500 series trucks and Vans every day. They're good transmissions, they just don't hold up to neglect.

If you want to know how to find a good one, pull the dipstick and sniff the fluid. Smells burnt? Walk away. Fresh and red fluid? Go for a drive. Does it shift good? No engine light? You're probably safe.

Also, welcome to the forum. This area is for XJ Cherokees. A Grand Cherokee from 99-04 was the WJ. Very different, but somewhat similar. You might get better luck with future questions in the Grand Cherokee forum.

 

The AW4 in the XJs is one of the best automatic transmissions ever made. The Chrysler trannies don't hold a candle to it,

 

so your telling me that I would be better off with the AW4 over the Chrysler transmissions

 

Absolutely. The XJ from 87 to 2001 had the AW4 auto trans.

 

You are talking about one of the best transmissions ever made, the AW4, compared to some mediocre transmissions, the Chryslers. They aren't HORRIBLE, but they aren't top drawer, either.


Anybody who says the AW4s are known for problems simply does not know what he''s talking about. Several manufacturers used them across a wide variety of vehicles, and they were a favorite of the racing crowd for a while.



Just to be sure - you are clear about the difference between and XJ and the Grand Cherokee, right?