Jeep Wrangler: Years to Avoid and Best Years (Engine & Transmission)
Jeep Wrangler problems by model year, from 9,435 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. For each year: the share of complaints about the engine, transmission or fuel system, how many there were, and the recalls.
Worst years to avoid: 2014 (68%, 391 drivetrain complaints), 2012 (67%, 458 drivetrain complaints) and 2013 (62%, 358 drivetrain complaints). 11 of the 14 Jeep Wrangler years we score have an elevated engine, transmission or fuel-system complaint share; 3 of them are at the very high level (60% or more), where every model year we track has a documented failure behind it.
Best years on this measure: 2018 (15%), 2019 (17%) and 2020 (21%). A low share means owners complained about other things more than the drivetrain, not that nothing ever fails.
The sharpest change between consecutive years is from 2017 (42%) to 2018 (15%), down 27 points. The complaint pattern shifts at that year, so check which year the car in front of you is.
By raw volume, the 2012 drew the most drivetrain complaints (458 of 3,330 across the scored years). Volume also tracks how many were sold and how long they have been on the road, which is why the share, not the count, sets the verdict.
Engine and transmission complaint share, 2010–2023
Share of relevant owner complaints about the engine, transmission or fuel system. 33% is elevated, 40% high, 60% very high. A dash means too few complaints to score.
Every Jeep Wrangler year
| Model year | Signal | Drivetrain share | Drivetrain complaints | All complaints | Rank (1 = worst) | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 Wrangler | high | 53% | 269 | 686 | 4/14 | 11 |
| 2011 Wrangler | high | 49% | 164 | 485 | 5/14 | 11 |
| 2012 Wrangler | very high | 67% | 458 | 833 | 2/14 | 10 |
| 2013 Wrangler | very high | 62% | 358 | 654 | 3/14 | 7 |
| 2014 Wrangler | very high | 68% | 391 | 654 | 1/14 | 4 |
| 2015 Wrangler | high | 45% | 178 | 474 | 7/14 | 3 |
| 2016 Wrangler | high | 41% | 155 | 460 | 10/14 | 5 |
| 2017 Wrangler | high | 42% | 115 | 309 | 9/14 | 5 |
| 2018 Wrangler | no elevated signal | 15% | 273 | 1,823 | 14/14 | 14 |
| 2019 Wrangler | no elevated signal | 17% | 125 | 742 | 13/14 | 9 |
| 2020 Wrangler | no elevated signal | 21% | 123 | 610 | 12/14 | 12 |
| 2021 Wrangler | high | 40% | 376 | 943 | 11/14 | 15 |
| 2022 Wrangler | high | 45% | 173 | 397 | 8/14 | 15 |
| 2023 Wrangler | high | 48% | 172 | 365 | 6/14 | 14 |
What owners complain about most, all years
Categories as NHTSA files them, summed across the Jeep Wrangler years with data. A complaint can name more than one component, so the shares overlap. Red is engine, transmission or fuel.
Jeep Wrangler engine and transmission recalls: timeline
NHTSA lists 13 recall campaigns on the Jeep Wrangler involving the engine, transmission or fuel system, out of 56 across the years we track. Each model-year page has the details. Whether a particular car still has a recall open depends on its VIN.
| Date | Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2011 | 11V145000 | power train: axle assembly | 2010–2011 |
| May 2012 | 12V216000 | power train: automatic transmission | 2010 |
| Nov 2016 | 16V849000 | fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly | 2017 |
| May 2018 | 18V280000 | power train: automatic transmission | 2018 |
| Mar 2020 | 20V124000 | power train: clutch assembly | 2018–2020 |
| Jan 2021 | 21V028000 | power train: clutch assembly | 2018–2021 |
| Aug 2021 | 21V665000 | fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings | 2020 |
| Oct 2022 | 22V767000 | fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump | 2020–2022 |
| Nov 2022 | 22V865000 | engine | 2021–2023 |
| Feb 2023 | 23V116000 | power train: clutch assembly | 2018–2023 |
| Apr 2023 | 23V263000 | fuel system, diesel: delivery: fuel pump | 2021–2023 |
| Sep 2023 | 23V641000 | power train: manual transmission | 2022–2023 |
| Aug 2024 | 24V572000 | power train: manual transmission: control module: software | 2021 |
43 other recalls (airbags, lighting, brakes and the rest)
| Date | Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 2010 | 10V236000 | service brakes, hydraulic | 2010 |
| Jul 2010 | 10V315000 | service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder | 2010 |
| Jun 2011 | 11V315000 | steering: column | 2011 |
| Nov 2011 | 11V528000 | air bags: frontal | 2010–2012 |
| Feb 2013 | 13E010000 | equipment | 2010–2013 |
| May 2013 | 13V176000 | air bags | 2010–2012 |
| Jun 2013 | 13V234000 | steering: hydraulic power assist: hose, piping, and connections | 2012–2013 |
| Oct 2014 | 14V631000 | electrical system | 2011–2013 |
| Oct 2014 | 14V632000 | tires: pressure monitoring and regulating systems | 2014 |
| May 2016 | 16V288000 | air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module | 2011–2016 |
| May 2016 | 16V290000 | air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module | 2010 |
| May 2016 | 16V352000 | air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module | 2010–2012 |
| Oct 2016 | 16V734000 | air bags: frontal: sensor/control module-inactive | 2016–2017 |
| Jan 2018 | 18V021000 | air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module | 2010–2013 |
| Feb 2018 | 18V098000 | exterior lighting: brake lights: switch | 2017 |
| Apr 2018 | 18V231000 | structure: frame and members | 2018 |
| May 2018 | 18V332000 | electrical system: wiring | 2018 |
| May 2018 | 18V343000 | steering | 2018 |
| Aug 2018 | 18V524000 | electrical system: wiring: front underhood | 2017–2018 |
| Sep 2018 | 18V675000 | structure: frame and members | 2018–2019 |
| Nov 2018 | 18V786000 | latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch | 2018 |
| Jan 2019 | 19V018000 | air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module | 2010–2016 |
| Mar 2019 | 19V201000 | steering | 2019 |
| Apr 2019 | 19V320000 | equipment | 2018 |
| Sep 2019 | 19V680000 | seat belts: front: anchorage | 2011–2018 |
| Jan 2020 | 20V042000 | suspension: front: control arm: lower arm | 2020 |
| Sep 2020 | 20V191000 | back over prevention: sensing system: camera | 2019–2020 |
| Sep 2020 | 20V580000 | seat belts | 2019 |
| May 2022 | 22V326000 | exterior lighting | 2022 |
| Aug 2022 | 22V638000 | back over prevention: display function | 2020–2021 |
| Oct 2022 | 22V766000 | seat belts: pretensioner | 2021 |
| Oct 2022 | 22V768000 | electrical system: propulsion system: traction battery | 2022–2023 |
| Mar 2023 | 23V191000 | structure: frame and members | 2020–2022 |
| Apr 2023 | 23V303000 | electrical system: propulsion system: traction battery | 2022–2023 |
| Aug 2023 | 23V565000 | exterior lighting: brake lights | 2023 |
| Nov 2023 | 23V787000 | electrical system: propulsion system: traction battery | 2021–2023 |
| Feb 2024 | 24V111000 | visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system | 2021–2023 |
| Mar 2024 | 24V196000 | air bags: frontal: driver clockspring/spiral cassette | 2016 |
| Mar 2024 | 24V199000 | air bags: frontal: driver clockspring/spiral cassette | 2023 |
| Sep 2024 | 24V652000 | electrical system: instrument cluster/panel | 2018–2023 |
| Sep 2024 | 24V676000 | back over prevention: sensing system: camera | 2018–2023 |
| Oct 2025 | 25V741000 | electrical system: propulsion system: traction battery | 2020–2023 |
| Jun 2026 | 26V363000 | steering: hydraulic power assist: pump | 2021–2023 |
What the free pages leave out on the Jeep Wrangler
- The mileage where it happens, for the model year you are looking at.
- What the repair costs, to price into your offer.
- Cleaner alternatives: similar cars with a better record.
- Up to 15 owner reports, with the ones about your car's own engine first.
- What to ask the seller and what to check on the test drive.
- Open recalls on the actual car, by VIN.
Questions people ask about the Jeep Wrangler
What are the worst years for the Jeep Wrangler?
On engine and transmission complaints, the worst Jeep Wrangler years are the 2014 (68% of relevant complaints, very high), the 2012 (67% of relevant complaints, very high) and the 2013 (62% of relevant complaints, very high). 11 of 14 scored years are elevated in all.
What are the best years for the Jeep Wrangler?
On engine and transmission complaints, the best Jeep Wrangler years are the 2018 (15%), the 2019 (17%) and the 2020 (21%). That describes the model year; any one car still needs an inspection.
Does the Jeep Wrangler have engine problems?
In some years. Across the 14 scored years, 3,330 of 8,606 relevant NHTSA complaints (39%) concern the engine, transmission or fuel system; the largest drivetrain category is engine. The years with an elevated share are 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2021, 2022 and 2023.
Is the Jeep Wrangler reliable?
On the engine and transmission it depends on the year: 11 of 14 Jeep Wrangler years we score have an elevated complaint share and 3 do not. Pooled across those years, 39% of relevant complaints are about the drivetrain, against a 33% line for an elevated signal. Complaint data does not measure overall reliability, so pick the year first, then inspect the car.
Are there transmission or engine recalls on the Jeep Wrangler?
Yes. NHTSA lists 13 recall campaigns involving the engine, transmission or fuel system across the Jeep Wrangler years we track, out of 56 in total: 23V263000 (Apr 2023, 2021–2023), 23V641000 (Sep 2023, 2022–2023), 24V572000 (Aug 2024, 2021), and earlier ones. Whether a car still has one open depends on its VIN.
Have the VIN?Paste it and get the full report for that car. First report free, then a 30-day pass covers a whole car search.
Check a VINExperimental model-level information. This is not a vehicle inspection, vehicle-history report, financial advice or purchase recommendation. It describes patterns across model years, not the condition of any individual vehicle. Model years with fewer than 25 complaints are not scored.