JeepGrand Cherokee20063.7L/jeep/grand-cherokee/2006/3-7l/
WK platform

2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee — 3.7L

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2006 Grand Cherokee 3.7L.

Body SUVEngine 3.7LTransmission Automatic 5-spd

The 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee 3.7L is a WK‑platform SUV powered by a 3.7‑liter engine mated to a five‑speed automatic transmission. It carries a 5‑quart oil capacity with 5W‑30 API spec and returns EPA ratings of 15 city, 21 highway, and 17 combined mpg. Owner‑reported complaints total 1,297, with the electrical system leading the tally and six recalls issued for the model year. Across the Grand Cherokee’s 1993‑2026 complaint record, the 2006 edition sits well below the peak year of 2014 (2,369 complaints) and far above the 2026 low of nine, indicating a mid‑range reliability profile for the nameplate.

Model year2010200820062005

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity5 qt w/ filterOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque95 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy15/21/17 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 94R · 730 CCA battery, OE oil filter 04781452BF. Note the factory cabin air filter is now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 94R · 730 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP235-65R17OEM · verified
Wheel / rim7.5 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter04781452BF alt 05281090AB
Engine air filter05018777AC
Spark plugSPZFR6F11G alt 68303913AA
Battery55396408AE alt 04608719AD
Front wiper blades05139095AA
Serpentine belt68495977AA alt 53032037AJ
Thermostat52028898AJ alt 68174083AA
Cabin air filter68535603AA discontinued

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 5-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length186.6 in
Overall width73.2 in
Overall height67.7 in
Wheelbase109.4 in
Curb weight4440 lb
Track (front / rear)61.8 / 61.8 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)54/46

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined15 / 21 / 17 mpg
DrivetrainRear-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 5 qt w/ filter of 5W-30 API engine oil, 80W-90 · GL-5 · SYNTHETIC in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 95 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 25.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF+4
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity5.5
Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear Oil80W-90 · GL-5 · SYNTHETIC
Differential Gear Oil Capacity3.6 Pints
Engine CoolantHOAT · MS9769
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity5 qt w/ filter

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts130 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts129 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts70 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts8.8 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts18 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug25.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs21 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts95 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill PlugSteel case: 35.0, Aluminum case: 18.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain PlugSteel case: 35.0, Aluminum case: 18.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub100 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-6-5-4-3-2
Cylinder Firing Order1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2
Spark Plug ManufacturerChampion
Spark Plug Gap0.042 in
Spark Plug Torque11.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Oil GroupPAG
Oil TypeND 8 oil
Oil Capacity4.40 oz
Standard BCI Group Number94R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance730 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test15, Pressure should not exceed 20 psi.
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-16 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature186-193 °F
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)56-60 psi
Engine Compression170-225 psi
Engine Oil Pressure4 psi @ Idle, 25-110 psi @ 3000 rpm psi
Intake Valve LashHydraulic in
Exhaust Valve LashHydraulic in

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket18 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle125 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness0.030 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.030
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0005 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.002 in / 0.007 in
Rotor Minimum Machining1.122 in / 0.492 in
Rotor Discard at or Under1.121 in / 0.491 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
120 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9020 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 4 stages

Prep Lubricate bolt threads with clean engine oil · M8 bolts 9-12, coat bolt heads with lock and seal adhesive

1bolts 1-820 ft. lbs
2bolts 1-820 ft. lbs
2bolts 9-1210 ft. lbs
3bolts 1-890 degrees
4bolts 1-890 degrees
4bolts 9-1219 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 5 stages

Prep Install the bedplate retaining bolts, making sure to place the stud bolts in the correct location, Torque the bolts in the sequence shown.

1Hand tighten bolts 1D, 1G and 1F until the bedplate contacts the block.
2Tighten bolts 1A - 1J to 40 ft. lbs.40 ft. lbs
3Tighten bolts 1 - 8 to 5 ft. lbs.5 ft. lbs
4Turn bolts 1 - 8 an additional 90 degrees.90 degrees
5Tighten bolts A - E 20 to 20

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 6,000 mi; spark plugs every 30,000 mi; coolant every 100,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 100,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 6,000 miBrake Line (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 12,000 miSteering Linkage (inspect)
Every 18,000 miBrake Linings (inspect) · Disc Brake Caliper Guide Pin (lubricate)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 60,000 miPCV Valve (inspect)
Every 100,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Owner how-tos

Condensed service procedures for routine maintenance. Procedures that require dealer diagnostic equipment are identified and summarized only.

Common procedures

Key fob — remote (RKE) programming programming new fob buttons Dealer tool OEM · verified
Tool requiredDRBIII scan tool (dealer / locksmith)
WhyTransmitter codes are written into the receiver in the passenger door module
Anti-theft (SKIS) — module initialization after immobilizer module replacement Dealer tool OEM · verified
When neededAfter Sentry Key Immobilizer Module (SKIM) replacement
Tool requiredDRBIII scan tool
Also requiredThe vehicle's four-digit PIN code

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

Within its generation, the Jeep Grand Cherokee experienced a significant peak in consumer complaints in 2005 with 2,051 reports before beginning a downward trend. The 2006 model year shows a marked improvement over 2005, with complaints dropping to 1,297 and TSBs decreasing from 117 to 87. This trajectory continued into 2007, which saw further reductions to 1,108 complaints and 66 TSBs. For the 2006 model, the electrical system was the primary area of concern with 519 complaints, although the data does not specify the root cause of these issues. Recalls and investigations for 2006 remained relatively low and stable, with 6 recalls and 2 investigations recorded. Because the 2006 model represents a significant recovery from the 2005 peak and precedes a continued trend of decreasing complaints, it is a good year to buy.

6
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
87
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
2
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
1,297
Owner complaints
47 involved a crash · 7 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 1,297 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Electrical System519
Power Train92
Structure86
Unknown Or Other45
Engine & Engine Cooling37
Electrical System,Engine34
Power Train,Electrical System34
Engine28

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 6 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

14V438000Electrical System:Ignition:SwitchReported 21/07/2014

This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, drivers should adjust their seat to allow clearance between the driver's knee and the ignition key, and remove all items… Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition switch, free of charge. Chrysler sent interim notifications to owners in September 2014. The recall began on…

09E012000Exterior LightingReported 07/04/2009

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE… Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 87 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
91006452025-08-15Unknown Or OtherVerify Reman part number availability. Order the "R" part number for all orders…
1012322024-10-29Power TrainPlate - Planetary
90040092021-04-07Power TrainTransmission Kit with Torque Converter 1. All Promaster (VF) 3.6L/62TE equipped vehicles…
90043612021-03-31Power TrainNAG1 Transmission Before installing the transmission with the engine, check for dowel…
90043612021-03-31Power TrainNAG1 Transmission Before installing the transmission with the engine, check for dowel…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Grand Cherokee. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2006 Grand Cherokee 3.7L take?

5 qt w/ filter of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2006 Grand Cherokee have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 6 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the 3.7L get?

EPA figures are 15 city / 21 highway / 17 combined mpg.