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Each cylinder also carries two spark plugs — one for the pre-chamber and one for the main — along with both direct and port fuel injection systems that swap depending on driving conditions. Add a turbo pumping up to 35 psi of boost and a torque band that stays strong between 2,600 and 5,600 rpm, and it’s clear Stellantis wants to prove they can out-engineer their past mistakes.
But Can Stellantis Be Trusted?
That’s the million-dollar question. Because while the Hurricane 4 sounds like an engineering marvel, Stellantis’s track record tells a different story.
The company’s 1.2-liter PureTech engine was a rolling disaster for hundreds of thousands of drivers in Europe. The belt-in-oil design caused belts to disintegrate, sending rubber shrapnel into the oil system and killing engines outright. Even after recalls dating back to 2020, drivers complained dealerships refused to help, and lawsuits erupted across France and beyond.
Stellantis eventually ditched the belt setup for a timing chain in 2023, but that “fix” came with its own problems — camshaft faults and multiple recall rounds in early 2024. For many consumers, it’s hard to forget a scandal that big.
J.D. Power Data Paints an Ugly Picture
Independent data doesn’t help Stellantis’s case either. According to J.D. Power’s latest dependability study, Chrysler ranks near the bottom, averaging 226 problems per 100 vehicles. Dodge fared slightly better at 172, while Ram trucks came in just below average with 189.
Even the larger Hurricane inline-six — touted as a flagship powerplant — has faced complaints about thermostat failures, turbo issues, and oil leaks. One Jeep Wrangler owner reported their brand-new 2025 model needed a full engine replacement after just four months. Another Ram 1500 driver said their truck “spent more time in the shop than on the road.”
Those aren’t exactly the testimonials that inspire confidence in Stellantis’s latest “miracle” engine.
Made in America, But Will It Last?
The company proudly announced that the Hurricane 4 Turbo will be built in Dundee, Michigan, with expansion planned for Kokomo, Indiana. It’s a win for American jobs — but reliability remains the elephant in the room.
The engine uses aerospace-grade Plasma Transfer Wire Arc coating on the cylinder walls, supposedly offering “10 times the wear resistance” of standard liners. Still, the sheer complexity of the design — dual injection, dual spark plugs, and racing-style pre-chamber combustion — could become a maintenance nightmare once warranties run out.
With a $46,135 starting price for the 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee featuring this new engine, Stellantis is betting big that customers will give them another chance.
A Risky Gamble on Reputation
Stellantis says this engine will define their future powertrain strategy. But for drivers who’ve already paid the price for past engineering failures, trust will take more than flashy press releases and horsepower figures.
Time and mileage will ultimately tell whether the Hurricane 4 Turbo is a genuine breakthrough — or another overhyped experiment destined to blow up in the company’s face.
