Early Pentastar 3.6L V6 engines (2011-2013) have a documented rocker arm and cylinder head failure that triggers a misfire on warm startup, usually on the left bank. Stellantis extended the powertrain warranty to 10 years/150,000 miles for affected VINs after the class-action complaints. Here's how to confirm it's the head, what coverage looks like, and what it costs out of pocket.
Cylinder head failure is severe but Stellantis issued an extended 10 year/150,000 mile warranty for affected VINs. If your VIN is covered and you act before the warranty expires, the entire repair (often $3,500-$5,500) is on Stellantis.
The exhaust rocker arm on the left bank head fails, valve doesn't open fully, cylinder misfires on warm startup. Classic codes: P0300, P0301, P0303, P0305 (cylinders 1/3/5 are the left bank).
View P0301 Diagnosis →The original plastic oil filter housing warps and leaks oil into the valley. Updated aluminum housing is the permanent fix. Usually shows up between 60,000 and 120,000 miles.
Run free diagnosis →The driver-side log-style exhaust manifold cracks at the runner-to-flange weld. Loud tick at cold start, gradually quieting as it warms. Aftermarket cast manifolds solve it permanently.
Run free diagnosis →On heavily neglected oil schedules, the timing chain stretches and triggers cam correlation codes (P0016, P0017). Not common with regular oil changes.
View P0016 Diagnosis →Driven by the timing chain - failure means a major repair. Replace proactively at 100,000 miles or when servicing the chain.
Run free diagnosis →Slow internal coolant loss without visible leaks - sometimes from the oil cooler, sometimes from a hairline head crack. Combustion gas test rules in or out the head.
Run free diagnosis →Run a free AI diagnosis tailored to your exact vehicle. Get the most likely cause and repair estimate in under 30 seconds.
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2011-2013 Pentastar 3.6L vehicles - especially Wrangler JK, Grand Cherokee, Charger, 300, and Town & Country - if the VIN was never repaired under the extended warranty.
2014+ Pentastar engines received updated rocker arms and have far fewer head failures. The 2016+ "Pentastar Upgrade" (with cooled-EGR and revised heads) is more reliable still.
Out of warranty, a single cylinder head replacement runs $3,500-$5,500 at most independents, $5,000-$7,500 at the dealer. Always check your VIN at the Stellantis recall lookup first - the 10 year/150,000 mile extended warranty has saved many owners the entire bill.
If your vehicle is throwing a check engine light, these are the codes most often associated with the problems above. Click any code for full diagnosis steps and typical repair costs.
Run your VIN through the Stellantis recall lookup or call a Jeep/Dodge/Chrysler dealer. The extension is 10 years or 150,000 miles from the in-service date for affected 2011-2013 vehicles.
On a warm restart you get a noticeable misfire, rough idle, sometimes a tick from the left valve cover, and the check engine light flashes or sets P0300/P0301/P0303/P0305.
Stellantis specifies a complete head replacement, not a rocker arm swap, because the valves are typically damaged once the rocker fails. Independent shops sometimes do rocker-only repairs but with mixed results.
Far less. The 2014 update revised the rocker arm and head design. Failures still happen but at a fraction of the 2011-2013 rate.
Yes - unburned fuel can wash down the cylinder walls and ruin the catalytic converter. Stop driving and get it diagnosed once the misfire light flashes.