Jeep Wrangler years to avoid (and the best years)
10,133 NHTSA owner complaints and 64 recalls across 17 model years, 2010 to 2026. Built from NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, generated October 26, 2026.
- 10,133complaints
- 64recalls
- 252reported crashes
- 277reported fires
- 197reported injuries
- 3reported deaths
Which Jeep Wrangler years should you avoid?
By NHTSA owner complaints, the Jeep Wrangler year to avoid is 2018. The typical Jeep Wrangler year has 609 complaints on file.
- 2018: 1,817 complaints, 3.0 times the typical year. Most reported problem: Death wobble after bumps.
What are the best Jeep Wrangler years?
The Jeep Wrangler year with the fewest complaints on file is the 2023 (348). 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 10 | 0.0× | 3 | 1 | 0 | Few red flags | Fuel system |
| 2025 | 63 | 0.1× | 4 | 3 | 0 | Few red flags | Electrical system |
| 2024 | 693 | 1.1× | 11 | 10 | 6 | Some concerns to check | Electrical system |
| 2023 | 348 | 0.6× | 14 | 11 | 8 | Few red flags | Electrical system |
| 2022 | 389 | 0.6× | 15 | 13 | 6 | Some concerns to check | Electrical system |
| 2021 | 917 | 1.5× | 15 | 20 | 14 | Some concerns to check | Electrical system |
| 2020 | 609 | 1.0× | 12 | 16 | 7 | Some concerns to check | Steering |
| 2019 | 739 | 1.2× | 9 | 9 | 8 | Some concerns to check | Steering |
| 2018 | 1,817 | 3.0× | 14 | 22 | 13 | Approach with caution | Death wobble after bumps |
| 2017 | 309 | 0.5× | 5 | 19 | 21 | Some concerns to check | Brakes |
| 2016 | 460 | 0.8× | 5 | 28 | 38 | Some concerns to check | Brakes |
| 2015 | 471 | 0.8× | 3 | 15 | 13 | Some concerns to check | Engine |
| 2014 | 654 | 1.1× | 4 | 21 | 13 | Some concerns to check | Engine |
| 2013 | 650 | 1.1× | 7 | 14 | 8 | Some concerns to check | Transmission and drivetrain |
| 2012 | 833 | 1.4× | 10 | 22 | 22 | Some concerns to check | Transmission and drivetrain |
| 2011 | 485 | 0.8× | 11 | 13 | 13 | Some concerns to check | Airbags |
| 2010 | 686 | 1.1× | 11 | 15 | 7 | Some concerns to check | Fuel system |
Most reported problem areas
Share of the 4,222 complaints sorted by system, all years together.
- Engine & powertrain1,472 (35%)
- Electrical & infotainment1,119 (27%)
- Steering, suspension & tires902 (21%)
- Airbags & seat belts301 (7%)
- Other systems209 (5%)
Recalls (64)
Safety · 26V531000 · Aug 2026 · model year 2026
A rearview camera image that fails to display reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Safety · 26V456000 · Jul 2026 · model year 2026
Loss of vehicle control increases the risk of a crash.
Steering · 26V363000 · Jun 2026 · model years 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025
A vehicle fire increases the risk of injury.
Safety · 26V327000 · May 2026 · model years 2024, 2025
A rearview image that does not display reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Safety · 26V224000 · Apr 2026 · model year 2026
A child that is not properly restrained during a crash can have an increased risk of injury.
Electrical system · 25V741000 · Oct 2025 · model years 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025
A vehicle fire can increase the risk of injury.
Tires · 25V527000 · Aug 2025 · model years 2024, 2025
A TPMS warning light that fails to notify the driver of a problem increases the risk of a crash.
Electrical system · 24V871000 · Nov 2024 · model year 2024
Trailer lights that fail to illuminate can reduce the vehicle's visibility to other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
Safety · 24V676000 · Sep 2024 · model years 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
A rearview camera image that does not display decreases the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash. Additionally, a center brake light that fails to illuminate can fail to indicate to other drivers that the vehicle is slowing down, increasing the risk of a crash.
Electrical system · 24V652000 · Sep 2024 · model years 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
An instrument panel that fails to display critical safety information, such as the speedometer or warning lights, can increase the risk of a crash.
Exterior lighting · 24V585000 · Aug 2024 · model year 2024
Obstructed tail lights can reduce the vehicle's visibility to other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
Transmission · 24V572000 · Aug 2024 · model year 2021
A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
Exterior lighting · 24V414000 · Jun 2024 · model year 2024
Trailer taillights and turn signal lights that do not illuminate as intended can increase the risk of a crash.
Airbags · 24V196000 · Mar 2024 · model year 2016
An air bag that does not deploy in a crash can increase the risk of injury.
Airbags · 24V199000 · Mar 2024 · model years 2023, 2024
An air bag that does not deploy in a crash can increase the risk of injury.
Body & glass · 24V111000 · Feb 2024 · model years 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
An inoperative windshield defrosting and defogging system may decrease the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Electrical system · 23V787000 · Nov 2023 · model years 2021, 2022, 2023
A vehicle fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Transmission · 23V641000 · Sep 2023 · model years 2022, 2023
A disabled rearview image can decrease the driver's visibility of the rear view, and disabled reverse lights may not alert others that the vehicle is reversing, increasing the risk of injury or crash.
Exterior lighting · 23V565000 · Aug 2023 · model year 2023
A brake light that is obstructed may not be visible to other drivers to indicate the intention to slow or stop, increasing the risk of a crash.
Electrical system · 23V303000 · Apr 2023 · model years 2022, 2023
Excessive heat may cause the fuse to fail and result in a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fuel system · 23V263000 · Apr 2023 · model years 2021, 2022, 2023
Fuel pump failure can result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Structure · 23V191000 · Mar 2023 · model years 2020, 2021, 2022
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
Transmission · 23V116000 · Feb 2023 · model years 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023
Overheated clutch components may increase the risk of a fire. Additionally, damage to other nearby components can result in debris falling onto the road or a loss of drive, increasing the risk of a crash.
Safety · 22V865000 · Nov 2022 · model years 2021, 2022, 2023
An engine shutdown can cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fuel system · 22V767000 · Oct 2022 · model years 2020, 2021, 2022
An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
Seat belts · 22V766000 · Oct 2022 · model year 2021
A seat belt with pretensioner failure may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Electrical system · 22V768000 · Oct 2022 · model years 2022, 2023
Excessive heat may cause the fuse to fail and result in a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Safety · 22V638000 · Aug 2022 · model years 2020, 2021
A rearview camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
Exterior lighting · 22V326000 · May 2022 · model year 2022
Nonfunctional side marker lights may reduce vehicle visibility to other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fuel system · 21V665000 · Aug 2021 · model year 2020
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of fire.
Transmission · 21V028000 · Jan 2021 · model years 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021
Overheated clutch components may increase the risk of a fire. Additionally, damage to other nearby components can result in debris falling onto the road or a loss of drive, increasing the risk of a crash.
Seat belts · 20V580000 · Sep 2020 · model year 2019
In the event of a crash, if the front seat belts fail to lock, there is an increased risk of injury.
Safety · 20V191000 · Sep 2020 · model years 2019, 2020
The lingering rearview image can distract the driver, increasing the risk of a crash.
Transmission · 20V124000 · Mar 2020 · model years 2018, 2019, 2020
The overheated clutch components may increase the risk of a fire. Additionally, damage to other nearby components can result in debris falling onto the road or a loss of drive, increasing the risk of a crash.
Suspension · 20V042000 · Jan 2020 · model year 2020
The improper weld may allow the lower control arm to separate from the axle which can increase the risk of a crash.
Seat belts · 19V680000 · Sep 2019 · model years 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018
A separated or severed seat belt buckle strap will result in an inoperable seat belt, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Safety · 19V320000 · Apr 2019 · model year 2018
If the roof top tent cover detaches from the vehicle while moving, it can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Steering · 19V201000 · Mar 2019 · model year 2019
If the steering wheel detaches from the steering column, the driver may lose control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of crash.
Airbags · 19V018000 · Jan 2019 · model years 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could explode with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Safety · 18V786000 · Nov 2018 · model year 2018
If the right rear passenger door opens unexpectedly, it can increase the risk of injury.
Structure · 18V675000 · Sep 2018 · model years 2018, 2019
An unexpected reduction in steering ability, can increase the risk of a crash.
Electrical system · 18V524000 · Aug 2018 · model years 2017, 2018
A vehicle stall can increase the risk of a crash.
Steering · 18V343000 · May 2018 · model year 2018
If the weld seam splits, the steering wheel may lose center positioning causing a loss of steering responsiveness and increasing the risk of a crash.
Electrical system · 18V332000 · May 2018 · model year 2018
If the vehicle maintains its speed or accelerates despite attempts to deactivate the cruise control, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
Transmission · 18V280000 · May 2018 · model year 2018
If the incorrect park lock rod is installed, the transmission may not shift into 'PARK' and keep the vehicle from moving, increasing the risk of unintended vehicle movement and the risk of a crash.
Structure · 18V231000 · Apr 2018 · model year 2018
If the floor pan strength is reduced and/or the rear seat mount becomes loose, the rear seat may detach in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Exterior lighting · 18V098000 · Feb 2018 · model year 2017
Having the brake lamps continuously illuminated or being able to shift the vehicle out of PARK when the brake pedal is not pressed (and the ignition is in the RUN mode) can increase the risk of a crash.
Airbags · 18V021000 · Jan 2018 · model years 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fuel system · 16V849000 · Nov 2016 · model year 2017
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Airbags · 16V734000 · Oct 2016 · model years 2016, 2017
If the ORC module does not receive a signal from the front impact sensor, both frontal air bags and the seat belt pretensioners will not deploy in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Airbags · 16V352000 · May 2016 · model years 2010, 2011, 2012
These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. These inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Airbags · 16V290000 · May 2016 · model year 2010
Failure of the air bag circuit may prevent the driver's frontal air bag from deploying in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Airbags · 16V288000 · May 2016 · model years 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016
Failure of the air bag circuit may prevent the driver's frontal air bag from deploying in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Electrical system · 14V631000 · Oct 2014 · model years 2011, 2012, 2013
An electrical short increases the risk of a fire.
Tires · 14V632000 · Oct 2014 · model year 2014
If the TPMS light illuminates because the sensors cannot be located, it could mask an actual low tire pressure condition, possibly resulting in tire failure, increasing the risk of a crash.
Steering · 13V234000 · Jun 2013 · model years 2012, 2013
A loss of transmission fluid may result in a loss of transmission function which may increase the risk of a crash.
Airbags · 13V176000 · May 2013 · model years 2010, 2011, 2012
In the event of a crash necessitating airbag deployment, a broken electrical circuit in the airbag clockspring wiring assembly can lead to non-deployment of the driver-side frontal airbag and will not be able to properly protect the driver, increasing the risk of injuries.
Safety · 13E010000 · Feb 2013 · model years 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013
If the liner shifts forward it may impede the operation of the accelerator and possibly lead to unintended acceleration, which may increase the risk of a crash.
Transmission · 12V216000 · May 2012 · model year 2010
IF THIS OCCURS, THE DEBRIS CAN IGNITE WITHOUT WARNING, RESULTING IN A VEHICLE FIRE.
Airbags · 11V528000 · Nov 2011 · model years 2010, 2011, 2012
A BROKEN ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT IN THE AIRBAG CLOCKSPRING WIRING ASSEMBLY CAN LEAD TO NON-DEPLOYMENT OF THE DRIVER FRONTAL AIRBAG AND WILL NOT BE ABLE TO PROPERLY PROTECT THE DRIVER IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURIES.
Steering · 11V315000 · Jun 2011 · model year 2011
A MISSING OR INCORRECTLY INSTALLED RIVET COULD COMPROMISE THE ABILITY OF THE STEERING COLUMN TO SUPPORT THE OCCUPANT LOADS IN THE EVENT OF A FRONTAL CRASH, DECREASING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE FRONTAL IMPACT SAFETY SYSTEM. AS A RESULT, THE CONDITION MAY INCREASE THE POTENTIAL FOR INJURY IN A FRONTAL CRASH.
Transmission · 11V145000 · Mar 2011 · model years 2010, 2011
THIS COULD RESULT IN NOISE, OR ULTIMATELY, DEGRADATION IN STEERING AND HANDLING CHARACTERISTICS WHICH COULD LEAD TO LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Brakes · 10V315000 · Jul 2010 · model year 2010
THIS COULD LEAD TO LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID AND REDUCED BRAKING PERFORMANCE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Brakes · 10V236000 · Jun 2010 · model year 2010
A BRAKE FLUID LEAK CAN CAUSE PARTIAL LOSS OF SERVICE BRAKES AT THE AFFECTED WHEEL INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.