3.6 Pentastar: years, specs & known problems

By CarWhere Research · Updated

The 3.6 Pentastar is Stellantis's 3.6-liter DOHC 24-valve V6, used since the 2011 model year in the Wrangler, Grand Cherokee, Ram 1500, Durango, Charger and Challenger. Output runs from 290 hp at launch to 305 hp and 269 lb-ft in the Ram 1500 and 293 hp in the 2026 Grand Cherokee.

The Pentastar arrived for 2011 as Chrysler's replacement for several older V6s: an aluminum, 60-degree, dual-overhead-cam V6 with four valves per cylinder and a 96 mm bore and 83 mm stroke. Launch output was 290 hp and 260 lb-ft, and tunes vary by vehicle. Later versions added two-step variable valve lift and cooled EGR; the 2019 Ram 1500 version with eTorque is rated 305 hp at 6,400 rpm and 269 lb-ft at 4,800 rpm, and the 2026 Grand Cherokee base engine is rated 293 hp and 260 lb-ft.

The best-documented problem is left cylinder head valve wear on 2011–2013 engines, which Chrysler covered with a 10-year/150,000-mile warranty extension in 2014. Owners also commonly report oil filter and cooler housing leaks. NHTSA recalls tied to the engine include a small 2012 run with debris-damaged connecting rod bearings, a 2016 fuel-rail crossover tube campaign and alternator failures on 2011–2014 models.

3.6 Pentastar at a glance

Chrysler / Stellantis 3.6L Pentastar V6: model years, fuel and peak Stellantis-published output
EngineModel yearsFuelPeak hpPeak torque (lb-ft)Documented problemsRecalls
Chrysler / Stellantis 3.6L Pentastar V62011–presentGasoline (E85 capable in some applications)30526925

CarWhere lists 2 documented problems and 5 NHTSA recalls for the 3.6 Pentastar, each with a source.

3.6 Pentastar specifications

3.6 Pentastar: design facts (2011–present)
SpecificationValue
Displacement3.6 L V6
Bore × stroke96 mm × 83 mm[1]
ValvetrainDOHC, 4 valves per cylinder[1]
Variable valve liftTwo-step VVL, low-lift in most driving (2019 Ram 1500 version)[2]
Engine sales codeERB (2011–2013 head warranty extension)[4]

3.6 Pentastar horsepower and torque by year

3.6 Pentastar: Stellantis-published horsepower (hp) and torque (lb-ft) by model year and application
Model yearsApplicationHorsepower (hp)Torque (lb-ft)Source
2011Launch rating290260[1]
2019–presentRam 1500 with eTorque305269[2]
2026Jeep Grand Cherokee293260[3]

"—" means we could not confirm the figure from a primary source.

Which vehicles have the 3.6 Pentastar?

Models and model years offered with the 3.6 Pentastar
ModelModel yearsNotes
Jeep Wrangler2012–present
Jeep Gladiator2020–present
Jeep Grand Cherokee2011–presentBase Laredo X engine for 2026
Ram 15002013–presenteTorque versions from 2019
Dodge Durango2011–present
Dodge Charger and Challenger2011–2023

3.6 Pentastar problems and what to check

Left cylinder head valve-seat and guide wear (2011–2013) (2011–2013)

Moderate

Some early engines wore valve guides and seats in the left (driver-side) cylinder head, causing misfires on the number-two cylinder and a check-engine light. In June 2014 Chrysler extended coverage on the left head of affected 2011–2013 vehicles from 5 years/100,000 miles to 10 years/150,000 miles, with replacement by a revised head using hardened seats and guides. That extension is now past its 10-year term for most of these vehicles. A later class action claims 2012–2018 engines were wrongly excluded.[4][5][6]

Symptoms

  • Misfire code on cylinder 2
  • Ticking from the left head
  • Check-engine light and rough idle

Check before buying

  • Ask whether the left head was replaced under the extended warranty
  • Scan for stored misfire codes
  • Run a compression test on high-mileage engines

Stellantis program: Chrysler warranty extension for the 3.6L (sales code ERB) left cylinder head, 10 years/150,000 miles (June 2014)

Oil filter / oil cooler housing leaks (2011–present (owner reports))

Moderate

The combined oil filter and oil cooler housing sits in the valley between the cylinder banks. Owners and repair shops widely report oil or coolant seeping from it, attributed variously to heat-stressed plastic housings and to failed O-ring seals. Repair means removing the intake plenum, and many owners switch to an aluminum aftermarket housing. We found no recall or published service bulletin number for it.[7]

Symptoms

  • Burning oil smell after driving
  • Oil pooling on the back of the engine or the transmission bell housing
  • Coolant loss with no visible external leak

Check before buying

  • Look down the back of the engine for oil wetness
  • Ask whether the housing has been replaced and with which part
  • Check coolant and oil levels for unexplained drops

3.6 Pentastar recalls

NHTSA safety recalls related to the 3.6 Pentastar (campaign numbers link to NHTSA)
NHTSA campaignReportedVehiclesSummary
11V4872011-092012 Chrysler 200, Town & Country, Dodge Charger, Durango, Grand Caravan, Journey and Jeep Grand Cherokee with the 3.6L built Aug. 31–Sept. 13, 2011667 vehiclesDebris inside the engine block could cause connecting rod bearing failure. Chrysler replaced the engine.
14V6342014-102011–2014 Chrysler 300, Dodge Challenger, Charger, Durango and 2012–2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee with the 3.6L and a 160-amp alternator435,081 vehiclesThe alternator could fail suddenly, which can cause a stall.
17V4352017-072011–2014 Chrysler 300, Dodge Challenger, Charger, Durango and 2012–2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee with the 3.6L or 5.7L and electro-hydraulic power steering442,214 vehiclesFollow-up alternator failure campaign that can cut power steering assist and stall the engine.
16V8142016-112016 Dodge Durango and Jeep Grand Cherokee with Saltillo-built 3.6L engines30,183 vehiclesThe fuel rail crossover tube may have been damaged during engine assembly and could leak fuel. Dealers inspect and replace it.
22V2842022-042021 Dodge Durango and Grand Cherokee WK, 2022 Grand Cherokee and 2021–2022 Grand Cherokee L with the 3.6L1,308 vehiclesThe EGR valve can stick open and cause a loss of drive power.

3.6 Pentastar issues by model

The same engine shows up on these known-issues pages, with model-specific details.

Related Ram, Jeep and Dodge research

Confirm a vehicle really has the 3.6 Pentastar.

The engine a Jeep left the factory with is part of its build record. The CarWhere Jeep build sheet reconstructs factory colors, options and packages from licensed VIN-level build data — availability is checked free, and it is $9.99 only when detailed build data is found for that VIN.

Jeep build sheet by VIN

Frequently asked questions

How much horsepower does the 3.6 Pentastar have?

It varies by vehicle and year: 290 hp and 260 lb-ft at the 2011 launch, 305 hp and 269 lb-ft in the 2019-and-later Ram 1500, and 293 hp and 260 lb-ft in the 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee.

What years of the Pentastar had cylinder head problems?

2011–2013. Chrysler extended coverage on the left cylinder head of affected vehicles to 10 years or 150,000 miles in June 2014 after valve guide and seat wear caused misfires.

Is the 3.6 Pentastar a reliable engine?

It has been in production since 2011 across most Stellantis models. Its documented weak points are the 2011–2013 left head issue and widely reported oil filter housing leaks; recalls have mostly involved fuel, alternator and EGR parts.

Does the Pentastar have a timing belt or chain?

A timing chain. The Pentastar is a DOHC V6 with chain-driven camshafts, so there is no scheduled belt replacement.

Is the Pentastar still used?

Yes. It remains the base engine in the 2026 Ram 1500, Wrangler, Gladiator, Durango and Grand Cherokee Laredo X.

Sources

Ratings are Stellantis-published figures as cited; descriptions are CarWhere’s own summaries of the sources below. Repair costs appear only where a source states them and vary by shop and region.

  1. Pentastar 3.6-liter V-6 engine technical release — Stellantis North America media
  2. 2019 Ram 1500 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 with eTorque — Stellantis North America media
  3. The 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee Is Here With Stellantis' Newest Engine (Oct. 2025) — AutoGuide
  4. Chrysler extends Pentastar V6 warranty over cylinder head failure (June 2014) — Left Lane News
  5. Pentastar V6 Still Prone to Cylinder Head Failure — autoevolution
  6. Chrysler 'Pentastar Tick' Lawsuit Says Warranty Is Faulty (2020) — CarComplaints.com (secondary reference)
  7. Chrysler 3.2 and 3.6 Pentastar Oil Filter Housing Problem Guide — 8020 Automotive (secondary reference)

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Independent reference compiled by CarWhere — not affiliated with or endorsed by Stellantis or Cummins Inc. Ram, Jeep, Dodge, HEMI, SRT, Hellcat, Hurricane and the model names are trademarks of their owners.