JeepGrand Cherokee20066.1L/jeep/grand-cherokee/2006/6-1l/
WK platform

2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee — 6.1L

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2006 Grand Cherokee 6.1L.

Body SUVEngine 6.1LTransmission Automatic 5-spd

The 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee 6.1L is a WK-platform SUV powered by a 6.1-liter engine paired with a five-speed automatic transmission, requiring 7 quarts of 0W-40 oil and achieving EPA ratings of 15 city, 21 highway, and 17 combined mpg. This model year accumulated 1,297 owner complaints—most frequently regarding the electrical system—and was subject to six recalls, placing it within the model’s broader reliability history where the highest complaint count (2,369) occurred in 2014 and the lowest (9) in 2026, indicating that the 2006 variant experienced a moderate level of reported issues relative to the full 1993–2026 span.

Model year201020082006

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity7 qt w/ filterOEM · verified
Engine oil type0W-40OEM · 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 Note the factory cabin air filter is now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known.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

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent published road-test results.

4.5–4.9 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 4.50 sec — 2006 SRT8
420 hpHorsepower (as tested)
420 lb-ftTorque (as tested)
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2006SRT8 6.1L V84.50 sec13.20 sec420 hp4x4
2006SRT8 6.1L V84.60 sec13.20 sec420 hp4x4
2006SRT8 6.1L V84.80 sec13.50 sec420 hp4x4
2006SRT8 6.1L V84.90 sec13.50 sec420 hp4x4
2009SRT8 6.1L V84.40 sec13.20 sec420 hp4x4

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 7 qt w/ filter of 0W-40 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 20.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2.

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 CoolantHOAT · MS9769
Engine OilSYNTHETIC · 0W-40

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts129 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts129 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts70 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts10 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts22 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug20.0 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 Order1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2
Spark Plug ManufacturerChampion
Spark Plug Gap0.045 in
Spark Plug Torque13.0 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
Injector Primary Resistance11.4-12.6 @ 68 degreesF ohms
Engine Compression100
Engine Compression100 Minimum psi
Engine Oil Pressure4 psi @ Idle, 25-110 psi @ 3000 rpm psi

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
133 ft. lbs., Step 2: 6033 ft. lbs

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)
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) · 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.

The 2006 model year sits on a downward slope from the 2,051 complaints recorded in 2005, registering 1,297 complaints that trend lower to 1,108 in 2007 and 733 in 2008, placing it early in a declining arc of its generation. Regulatory exposure remained limited: 2006 saw six recalls and two investigations, only marginally above 2005’s five recalls and one investigation, yet well below the 14 recalls and four investigations logged in 2004. Federal records show 519 complaints categorized under Electrical System—the largest category by volume—though the data does not specify root causes, while crash and fire complaints totaled 47 and 7 respectively. TSBs also declined from 117 in 2005 to 87 in 2006, continuing to fall toward 66 in 2007. Because 2006 carries the second-highest complaint total in this declining sequence while showing clear improvement over 2005, it is a fair but not optimal used purchase; buyers seeking lower reported risk within this generation should look to 2008 or later.

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 6.1L take?

7 qt w/ filter of FULLY SYNTHETIC 0W-40 MEETING CHRYSLER SPECIFICATION MB-229.31, 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 6.1L get?

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