Jeep Renegade years to avoid (and the best years)
2,199 NHTSA owner complaints and 14 recalls across 9 model years, 2015 to 2023. Built from NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, generated October 26, 2026.
- 2,199complaints
- 14recalls
- 79reported crashes
- 34reported fires
- 62reported injuries
Which Jeep Renegade years should you avoid?
By NHTSA owner complaints, the Jeep Renegade years to avoid are 2017, 2015, 2018 and 2016. The typical Jeep Renegade year has 79 complaints on file.
- 2017: 564 complaints, 7.1 times the typical year. Most complaints name the engine (48% of complaints) and the electrical system (26% of complaints).
- 2015: 511 complaints, 6.5 times the typical year. Most complaints name the transmission and drivetrain (33% of complaints) and the engine (32% of complaints).
- 2018: 442 complaints, 5.6 times the typical year. Most complaints name the engine (43% of complaints) and the electrical system (30% of complaints).
- 2016: 429 complaints, 5.4 times the typical year. Most complaints name the engine (41% of complaints) and the electrical system (28% of complaints).
What are the best Jeep Renegade years?
The Jeep Renegade years with the fewest complaints on file are the 2023 (20), 2022 (26) and 2021 (66). Model years after 2023 are left out: they have not been on the road long enough to compare.
NHTSA does not publish sales figures, so these are complaint counts, not a rate per car on the road. A year that sold more cars collects more complaints, and older years have had longer to collect them.
Every model year
| Year | Complaints | vs typical year | Recalls | Crashes | Injuries | Our read | Most reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 20 | 0.3× | 2 | 0 | 0 | Few red flags | Electrical system |
| 2022 | 26 | 0.3× | 2 | 1 | 0 | Few red flags | Electrical system |
| 2021 | 66 | 0.8× | 2 | 3 | 2 | Few red flags | Electrical system |
| 2020 | 62 | 0.8× | 3 | 10 | 10 | Some concerns to check | Engine |
| 2019 | 79 | 1.0× | 4 | 9 | 5 | Few red flags | Electrical system |
| 2018 | 442 | 5.6× | 2 | 16 | 13 | Approach with caution | Engine |
| 2017 | 564 | 7.1× | 3 | 23 | 16 | Approach with caution | Engine |
| 2016 | 429 | 5.4× | 2 | 9 | 15 | Approach with caution | Engine |
| 2015 | 511 | 6.5× | 4 | 8 | 1 | Approach with caution | Transmission and drivetrain |
Most reported problem areas
Share of the 180 complaints sorted by system, all years together.
- Electrical & infotainment66 (37%)
- Engine & powertrain53 (29%)
- Airbags & seat belts17 (9%)
- Steering, suspension & tires13 (7%)
- Other systems12 (7%)
Recalls (14)
Exterior lighting · 24V918000 · Dec 2024 · model years 2021, 2022, 2023
The incorrect reverse lights may have reduced visibility, and not alert pedestrians and other drivers that the vehicle is backing up, increasing the risk of a crash.
Airbags · 24V510000 · Jul 2024 · model years 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023
A front seat air bag that does not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
Safety · 20V191000 · Sep 2020 · model years 2019, 2020
The lingering rearview image can distract the driver, increasing the risk of a crash.
Brakes · 19V909000 · Dec 2019 · model year 2020
A cracked right rear brake caliper can fail, reducing braking performance and increasing the risk of a crash.
Airbags · 19V438000 · Jun 2019 · model year 2019
The miscalibrated ORC may incorrectly deploy the air bags during a frontal crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Airbags · 19V287000 · Apr 2019 · model year 2019
Deactivated passive safety features can increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Fuel system · 18V731000 · Oct 2018 · model years 2017, 2018
A loss of fuel pressure can cause a stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Electrical system · 18V524000 · Aug 2018 · model year 2018
A vehicle stall can increase the risk of a crash.
Engine · 18V131000 · Feb 2018 · model year 2017
An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
Electrical system · 17V485000 · Aug 2017 · model year 2017
If the malfunction indicator lamps illuminate at incorrect times, the driver may be unaware when a true malfunction occurs, increasing the risk of a crash.
Safety · 16V545000 · Jul 2016 · model years 2015, 2016
Without the proper amount of fasteners, the trailer hitch assembly may separate from the vehicle, and any towed vehicle may no longer be properly connected, increasing the risk of a crash.
Transmission · 16V529000 · Jul 2016 · model year 2015
If the vehicle unexpectedly shifts to neutral, there is an increased risk of a crash.
Suspension · 16E013000 · Feb 2016 · model years 2015, 2016
If the axle moves there could be an increased risk of a crash.
Electrical system · 15V508000 · Aug 2015 · model year 2015
Exploitation of the software vulnerability may result in unauthorized remote modification and control of certain vehicle systems, increasing the risk of a crash.