2016 Jeep Wrangler
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Service brakes is the leading concern among 460 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 15th highest complaint count among 26 Wrangler model years with reports.
Of the 2016 reports, 28 involved a crash and 15 involved a fire. 38 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Air bags, frontal, driver clockspring/spiral cassetteMar 14, 2024
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) (Stellantis) is recalling certain right hand drive 2016 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. Debris contamination may cause the clockspring to fail, preventing the driver's air bag from deploying in a crash.
An air bag that does not deploy in a crash can increase the risk of injury.
Dealers will replace the clockspring, steering wheel back cover, and steering column shrouds, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 4, 2024. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 27B.
Campaign 24V196000 on NHTSA.gov
Seat belts, front, anchorageSep 26, 2019
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2011-2018 Jeep Wrangler right hand drive vehicles. The driver's seat belt buckle mounting strap may fracture and separate from the seat frame.
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.
FCA US will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's seat belt buckle, free of charge. Interim notices informing owners of the safety risk were mailed November 19, 2019. Owners will received a second letter and the recall began March 26, 2020. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recall is VA6.
Campaign 19V680000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontal, passenger side, inflator moduleDo not drive until repairedJan 15, 2019
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2010 Dodge Ram 3500, Ram 4500/5500, 2010-2011 Dodge Dakota, 2010-2014 Dodge Challenger, 2010-2015 Dodge Challenger, Chrysler 300, and 2010-2016 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.
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.
Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 4, 2019. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is V01.
Campaign 19V018000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontal, sensor/control module-inactiveOct 13, 2016
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Jeep Wrangler vehicles manufactured June 16, 2015, to August 14, 2016. In certain crash conditions, the front impact sensor wiring may be pulled until it detaches before a signal can be received by the Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC).
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.
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will reroute the front impact sensor wiring and relocate the impact sensor branch, free of charge. The recall began on November 10, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S76.
Campaign 16V734000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontal, driver side, inflator moduleMay 11, 2016
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2011-2016 Right Hand Drive Jeep Wrangler vehicles manufactured February 16, 2010, to May 2, 2016. The clockspring assembly may become contaminated with dust and cause the air bag circuit to fail.
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.
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the clockspring, wheel back cover, and column shroud, free of charge. The recall began on August 11, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S40.
Campaign 16V288000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: engine
93 reports, newest first. Show all
Engine, Jan 18, 2023
While driving my Jeep Wrangler on the highway going speeds of >60 mph for longer than 20 minutes the vehicles check engine and traction control light illuminate and I lose passing capability in the Jeep. Once the vehicle is turned off and on 3 times the system seems to reset itself. Because of this the only way the dealership can read the codes is if the lights are illuminated. I have taken the Jeep to 2 different Jeep dealerships while the lights were on and both have claimed that the "system needed to be reset". Once they do that the Jeep seems to run fine and the lights are gone. However, it is still happening whenever my speed goes 60 mph or more for a short period of time. Due to this problem I am not comfortable but sometimes must take my Jeep on the highway and without fail the same warning lights illuminate and the passing power is gone. I have reported this problem to Jeep itself and was told to take it to another Jeep dealership which I did and the same maintenance was performed but yet the same problem exists. This failure is a hazard to not only the driver but those around due to the vehicles lack of passing power when on a highway where speeds are at a minimum of 65mph.
Engine, Jan 11, 2023
The camshaft and lifters failed with no check engine light. Upon inspection the left bank cams and lifters were in need of replacement and a pinhole was found in the radiator.
Engine and engine cooling, Dec 29, 2022
The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, she heard a tapping sound under the hood of the vehicle. No warning light was illuminated. The dealer was notified of the failure and indicated that the rocker arm and the camshaft needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was advised to call the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was 70,218.
Engine, Dec 28, 2022
Oil Housing Unit crack. Just bought vehicle used. Weather dropped to 28 degrees and oil housing unit cracked. All oil poured out of vehicle and would not hold any oil when more was added. Took vehicle to Jeep dealer and they confirmed that the PLASTIC piece that was the original part cracked and that this is a very common problem for 2014-2017 Jeeps due to the part being plastic. Part is not covered under any warranty and will cost $1200 to repair. I'm told that the replacement parts have been updated and are no longer made of plastic due to the high instance of problems. All research shows that this was to be a recall but that it has not been made official. This is a huge safety concern as the oil completely drained from the vehicle upon crack. Had I not been in my own driveway and driving down the highway, this would have caused major issues, engine failure and very possibly an accident. We were planned to be on a 6hr road trip moments before this occurred in the driveway. This part needs to be recalled and replaced by the manufacturer since it is a common and known problem with many Jeeps manufactured during that time frame.
Electrical system, Engine, Nov 16, 2022, fire
Parked vehicle outside corner of home at 9:00 pm. Awoken by loud popping and hissing sounds at 4:45AM. Looked outside to notice a bright orange hue by vehicle. Realizing the car was on fire, we called 911 and proceeded to use garden hose to water down both the vehicle and the home that the car was next to, in order to try to prevent the house from also catching fire. Vehicle was not moved nor accessed during those 7 overnight hours. It was locked and we were all asleep. There were two other vehicles parked next to and behind the vehicle that caught fire - those two other vehicles sustained no damage to them. The house sustained some minimal siding warping from the heat of the fire. Fire chiefs reviewing the damage in person as well as viewing photos have stated that it appears to be battery or fuse box related as that side of the engine's damage was greatest as well as the battery and fuse box being completely destroyed by the fire. No warning lights or indications of system failures or malfunctions prior to parking the car. Vehicle was towed away from scene by insurance company. Unsure if vehicle is still at that lot or not. Insurance deemed vehicle totaled and issued check for losses.
Engine, Nov 1, 2022
P0302 code popped up all four rocker arms on left cylinder need to be replaced. Jeep had normal oil change 50k miles
Power train, Engine, Oct 24, 2022
I had an error message for the thermostat last week had that replaced. Now there is a puddle of oil coming from the oil coolant assembly. Replaced the thermostat awaiting mechanic for the oil coolant issue now.
Power train, Engine, Jul 25, 2022
Cold start, engage reverse and the engine idles really low and sometimes stalls. If I move the shifter to neutral the engine revs back up and does not stall. Rolling down the driveway and then engage reverse the problem does not occur. The issue has been getting worse whether its in the dead of winter or summer.
Engine, May 6, 2022, crash
The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated that upon the approach of a stop sign with his foot on the brake pedal, the engine had begun to rev without warning. With the brake pedal depressed to the floorboard, the vehicle continued to lurch forward as the contact clipped the vehicle in front of him. As the engine continued to rev, the contact immediately shut off the ignition. A police report was not filed and no injuries were reported. Both the contact and the other driver were able to drive away from the scene. The dealer was notified and an appointment was made for a diagnostic. The contact called the manufacturer and was informed that he would receive a callback, the contact had yet to hear back from the manufacturer. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 71,000.
Electrical system, Engine and engine cooling, Feb 28, 2022, fire
The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated that upon replacing the engine oil himself, he noticed that oil was leaking onto the transmission. The contact stated that there was no smell of oil burning or any smoke coming from the oil leak. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the oil filter housing was cracked. The dealer replaced the oil filter housing and repaired the vehicle; however, while the mechanic was test driving the vehicle, the vehicle caught on fire under the hood. There were no injuries sustained. The fire was extinguished with the assistance of the fire department. A fire department report was filed. There was no police report. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and sent an inspector who diagnosed that the fire started under the hood. The contact stated that he believed the fire started out as an electrical fire. The manufacturer advised the contact that the vehicle could not be repaired under warranty; and that the repair would be at his own expense. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 65,700.
Engine, Jan 21, 2022
The oil cooler housing exploded in my 2016 Jeep Wrangler. I put my car into reverse- I backed up and tried to put the car into drive. The car would not shift out of neutral for several minutes- 2 quarts of oil spilled onto the ground. My car eventually made its way to drive and has been steadily leaking oil since.
Engine, Nov 18, 2021
I have a Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon 2016 that suddenly lost power in fast moving traffic with intermittent miss fire and blinking check engine light along with smoke and smell of burning oil. Looking into the engine from the top a large , deep pool of oil was sitting in the middle of the engine and working its way on to hot components of engine and exhausts and smoking. This could have easily become fire hazard in high temperature desert environment where running temperatures and hot exhaust pipes could start a fire. The engine miss fire and sudden loss of power was checked to be failing ignition coils and plugs that are supposed to be warrantied to 100K miles. The Pentastar V6 3.6 oil cooler was leaking badly and its effect could have been disasterous for the engine and car safety. The Oil Cooler faulty plastic design on this engine is a well known problem that Chrysler is refusing to address as recall on Wranglers sold . There are hundreds of complaints and cases of failure of this plastic component on the internet and the dealers are all well aware of it and happy to charge $2k for replacement. Chrysler and the dealer refused to admit the faulty oil cooler design and also would not accept ignition coil and spark plug replacement under the Std 80,000 miles California Emission Control warranty that come with all engines sold in CA. Chrysler is hiding this faulty design on Wranglers but accepted it on other Chrysler cars.
Engine, Nov 2, 2021
2016 JEEP WRANGLER UNLIMITED SPORT. Vehicle has 41,500 miles. 3.6 Liter Pentastar V6. Gushing oil from oil cooler on to the exhaust and smoking to the point of catching fire. Known issue from what I am reading online. I guess Chrysler is waiting for one of us Jeep owners to die in a car fire!! $1200 to replace.....UNACCEPTABLE that a recall has not been forced on Chrysler!!!!
Engine, Aug 4, 2021
Oil filter housing/Oil cooler cracked. Dealership says its a common problem on 2014+ jeeps with 3.6 liter engine yet Jeep hasn't issued a recall. Dealer stated that this seems to happen around 50,000 miles on vehicle. No warning lights came on, noticed smoke coming from under hood when driving from oil falling onto exhaust. When pulled over large amount of oil was coming out from underside of Jeep. This happened with 43k miles on the vehicle which is right around where the dealer said they were seeing a large amount of failures for this part.
Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Engine, May 15, 2021
ON THURSDSY 5/13/2021 AT APPROXIMATELY 5:15-5:20PM, I WAS DROPPING MY DAUGHTER OFF TO WORK AND I GOT BACK ON THE ROAD THEN THROUGH THE U-TURN TO GET BACK ON THE OTHER SIDE. I PROCEEDED TO ENTER THE ROADWAY INITIALLY ABOUT 10MPH AND ALL OF A SUDDEN, THE JEEP ACCELERATED TO ALMOST 80 MPH AND I SMASHED THE BRAKED AND IT WOULD NOT STOP AT ALL. THE RPM'S WERE STEADY GOING UP. I PULLED UP THE EMERGENCY BRAKE RIGHT BEFORE I ALMOST REAR ENDED THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME AT THE LIGHT GETTING READY 6O GO THROUGH THE INTERSECTION. I WAS ON THE BRAKE AT THE SAME TIME. ONCE THE CAR FINALLY CAME TO A STOP, THE ENGINE WAS STILL REVED UP. I PUT IN PARK AND TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF WITH THE IGNITION. I THEN RESTARTED AND WAS SCARED THE REST OF THE WAY HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION WHEN THIS HAPPENED. THERE WAS NOTHING UNDER THE BRAKE. MY FLOOR MATS WERE FLUSH AND FLAT AND THE ACCELERATION WAS SO SCARY. I FEARED FOR MY LIFE. I HAVE NOT DRIVEN IT SINCE. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME TO BRING IT IN THE NEXT MORNING, FRIDAY THE 14TH AT 10 AM BUT THAT THEU WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO LOOK AT IT UNTIL 7-10 DAYS. I DID NOT BRING IT AS THIS WAS UNACCEPTABLE. I WILL CALL BACK AND SPEAK WITH SOMEONE ELSE FOR RESULTS. THE TECH EVEN TOLD ME THAT THIS HAPPENED TO HIS BROTHER THAT ALSO HAVE A JEEP. THERE ISN'T A RECALL FOR THIS THAT I'VE FOUND. SOMEONE WILL LOSE THEIR LIFE BECAUSE OF THIS MALFUNCTION. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD.
Power train, Engine, May 6, 2021
ENGINE OIL COOLER ASSEMBLY LEAKING AT BACK OF ENGINE. OIL LEAKING DOWN BACK OF ENGINE AND BELL HOUSING CREATING A POSSIBLE FIRE. VERY HOT SMELL AND SMOKING FROM ENGINE BAY
Engine, Apr 29, 2021
THE OIL FILTER CANISTER/OIL COOLER IS CRACKED AND IS LEAKING OIL. THIS IS AN ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARD. WE HAVE TAKEN IT TO OUR MECHANIC AND SPOKE WITH THE DEALERSHIP THAT IT WAS BOUGHT FROM AND HAVE BEEN TOLD BY MANY OTHER PART HOUSES THAT THIS REPLACEMENT PART IS ON A 50,000 + PARTS BACK ORDER AND THAT IT CAN TAKE ANYWHERE FROM 20-60 DAYS TO GET THE PART IN TO REPLACE IT. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY WHEN WE NOTICED THE LEAK AND NEVER DRIVEN AGAIN AFTER THAT. THIS TELLS ME THAT THIS IS A HUGE ISSUE AND THAT THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE. I UNDERSTAND THE MANUFACTURING SIDE OF THINGS BUT THAT IS A LARGE NUMBER FOR THE BACK ORDER.
Engine, Mar 22, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 JEEP WRANGLER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLED HAS STALLED AT 30MPH AND AT 65 MPH WITH THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THIS HAS HAPPENED RANDOMLY AT LEAST FIVE TIMES IN THE PAST THREE MONTHS. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND DROVE AS DESIGNED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TWICE TO GOOD BROTHERS DODGE RAM (577 COLUMBIAN ST, SOUTH WEYMOUTH, MA 02190, (781) 331-8300) HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CALLED QUIRK CHRYSLER JEEP (441 QUINCY AVE, BRAINTREE, MA 02184, (781) 917-1400) HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,000. *DT*JB
Power train, Engine, Mar 4, 2021
MY VEHICLE HASN'T BEEN DRIVEN MUCH, I WORK FROM HOME, I NOTICED A POOL OF OIL UNDER IT, TOOK TO DEALERSHIP AND HE OIL COOLER IS LEAKING.
Engine, Mar 2, 2021
THE OIL FILTER HOUSING IS MADE OF PLASTICS AND IT CRACKS AND OIL LEAKS ON TO EXHAUST WHICH COULD CAUSE A FIRE AND ALSO ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUER DUE TO OIL LEAKING ON GROUND. THIS IS A BIG PROBLEM WITH THE JEEP PENTASTAR 3.6 V6 ENGINE. AFTER CONTACTING JEEP DEALERS TO FIX LEAK THEY TELL ME THE PART IS ON BACK ORDER DUE TO SO MANY JEEP AND CARS THAT HAVE THIS PART. THE NUMBER THEY GAVE ME IS OVER 40,000 AND TIME FRAME OF GETTING ONE COULD BE A MONTH. THIS EXPLAINS WHY JEEP DROP POWER TRAIN WARRANTY FROM 100,000 MILES TO 60,000. I NOTICED A LITTLE LEAK AT 65,000 MILE AND NOW AT 70,000 MILES YOU HAVE TO KEEP ADDING OIL OR PARK IT DUE TO MAYBE IT CATCHING ON FIRE. ONE DEALER TOLD ME HE HAD 30 VEHICLE SITTING ON LOT WAITING ON PART.I FEEL JEEP SHOULD HAVE A RE-CALL FOR THIS ISSUER. NOW I HAVE A JEEP THAT I CAN'T USE FOR A MONTH OR MORE IF LUCKY.
Engine, Mar 2, 2021
OIL COOL IS LEAKING AFTER COLD WEATHER
Engine, Mar 2, 2021
ENGINE OIL COOLER IS OUT AND LEAKING OIL EVERYWHERE. THE VEHICLE IS NOT DRIVEABLE AND THE PART IS ON OVER A 45 DAY BACK ORDER. NO COMPANY WILL EVER TAKE MY VEHICLE IN DUE TO THE PART UNABLE TO BE ORDERED. EVERYONE SEEMS TO BE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. MY JEEP HAS 62K MILES ON IT AND IS MY DAILY DRIVER. THIS NEEDS TO BE RECALLED.
Engine, Feb 24, 2021, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 JEEP WRANGLER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45-50 MPH, THERE WAS A BURNING OIL SMELL DETECTED INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT PARKED THE VEHICLE AND SAW THERE WAS OIL LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE ONTO THE GROUND. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE FAILURE WAS DIAGNOSED AS A CRACKED OIL COOLER THAT LEAKED INTO THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. THE CONTACT INFORMED A JEEP DEALER OF THE FAILURE BUT THE PART TO REPAIR WAS ON BACK ORDER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
Engine, Dec 28, 2020
ENGINE OIL COOLER FAIL, EXTREME FIRE HAZARD. SMALL AMOUNT OF OIL FOUND ON DRIVEWAY WHILE PARKED, ATTEMPTED TO LOCATE SOURCE BY STARTING ENGINE. OIL FLOODED OUT OF THE ENGINE, STREAMING DOWN THE ENGINE TO THE FRAME. HAD MY WIFE DRIVEN THE JEEP TO WORK IT WOULD'VE PROBABLY CAUGHT FIRE ONCE THE OIL REACHED THE EXHAUST.
Engine, Dec 26, 2020
I NOTICED AN OIL BURNING SMELL AND UPON FURTHER INSPECTION SAW OIL ALL OVER THE UNDERCARRIAGE OF MY VEHICLE INCLUDING THE TRANSMISSION AND EXHAUST . LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD AND NOTICED OIL UNDERNEATH MY ENGINE COVER BY THE OIL FILTER HOUSING. SO NOW EVERY TIME I DRIVE IT SMELLS LIKE IT'S ON FIRE. SO I GUESS THEY ARE NOT WORRIED ABOUT THE PEOPLE WHO BUY THEIR VEHICLES BURNING UP.