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
Power train, Engine, Nov 8, 2020
THE OIL FILTER HOUSING ASSEMBLY IS MADE OF PLASTIC THAT CRACKS. THIS LEADS TO OIL LEAKING AND SEVERAL INCHES OF OIL SITS IN THE V OF THE HOT ENGINE UNTIL IT SPILLS OVER. THIS IS A DEFINITE FIRE HAZARD. FCA NEEDS TO RECALL WITH A REDESIGNED PART MADE OF METAL. I HAVE ALREADY REPLACED MINE TWICE IN 1 YR. REPLACING IT WITH THE SAME PART IS NOT FIXING IT. FAILED AT 29K MILES AND NOW AT 42K MILES. THIS IS A $1000 REPAIR EACH TIME. MINE WAS COVERED UNDER POWER TRAIN WARRANTY BUT THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE QUALITY AND PRACTICES. I NOTICED OIL LEAKING UNDERNEATH THE ENGINE AGAIN AND THIS TIME I THOUGHT IT WAS THE REAR MAIN SEAL. I NOTICED BURNT OIL IN THE V OF THE ENGINE BLOCK AS WELL. TO MY SUPRISE, SAME PART HAS FAILED ALREADY. PARTS FAILING AT THIS LOW OF MILEAGE ARE A DESIGN FLAW THAT IS BEING IGNORED BY FCA. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE. OH... ONE LAST THING..WHILE THE MECHANIC HAD IT APART, HE NOTICED THE HEAD GASKET WAS LEAKING TOO SO HE REPLACED THAT AT 29K MILES. NO WONDER CHRYSLER/FIAT IS THE WORST CAR MAKER IN THE WORLD.
Engine, Oct 29, 2020
AFTER DRIVING FOR ABOUT 20 MINS THE RADIATOR FAN WOULD RUN AT FULL SPEED TO COOL THE ENGINE. TOOK IT TO THE SHOP 12/31/2019 AND THE DIAGNOSIS WAS THAT THE RADIATOR WAS LEAKING WITH NO WARNING. THE SERVICE ADVISOR CLAIMED THAT RUNNING THE HEAT TOO HIGH INSIDE THE VEHICLE PROBABLY CAUSED THE RADIATOR TO CRACK AND LEAK... THE VEHICLE ONLY HAD 40K MILES ON IT WHEN THE RADIATOR WAS REPLACED AND WAS NOT COVERED UNDER FACTORY WARRANTY.
Steering, Engine, Sep 20, 2020
HAVE HAD TO HAVE MOST IF NOT ALL FRONT OF VEHICLE REPLACED WITH BALL JOINTS AND UPPER RIGHT AXLE THE LATEST. NOW I HAVE A DECA CODE 0198 FOR SEVERAL MONTHS AND NOW THE VEHICLE IS RUNNING HOT.
Engine, Sep 1, 2020
I HAD THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COME ON AND IT WAS READING A P0302 CODE. THIS CODE IS ASSOCIATED WITH THE "PENTASTAR TICK". I KNEW THAT THIS MEANT THAT THE CYLINDER HEAD MAY BE CRACKED AS THERE ARE MANY JEEP OWNERS THAT HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER SHIP AND THEY CONFIRMED THAT THE CYLINDER HEAD WAS DEFECTIVE.*DT*JB
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 22, 2020
WHEN STARTING CAR -ESPECIALLY IN COLD WEATHER-AND BACKING OUT OF PARKING AREA ENGINE WILL STALL/JAR AND AT TIMES DIE OUT REQUIRING PUTTING INTO PARK AND RESTARTING. CONCERN IS IF THIS HAPPENS IN TRAFFIC IT WILL CAUSE AN ACCIDENT NOT BEING MOVED FAST ENOUGH. THERE IS A WARRANTY ON THE VEHICLE AND THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE FOR 6MO + AND IS CONTINUOUSLY QUESTIONED AND EVALUATED. WE'VE BEEN TOLD IT HAS OCCURRED IN OTHER JEEPS AND THERE IS A FIX BUT THIS HAS YET TO BE CORRECTED FOR THIS VEHICLE. *TR
Engine, Apr 27, 2020
I REPLACED A SINGLE ROLLER ROCKER ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ENGINE EARLY IN 2019. NOW I AM LOOKING AT A FAILED ROLLER ROCKER ON THE SAME SIDE OF THE ENGINE AND POTENTIALLY AN ENGINE REPLACEMENT.
Engine, Apr 11, 2020
2016 JEEP WRANGLER JKU WITH 60119 MILES AT DISCOVERY OF ISSUES BY DEALERSHIP. CHRYSLER WAS TO COVER MAINTENANCE ON BLOWN HEAD ENGINE HEAD GASKETS FOLLOWING INSPECTION. ON 23FEB20 I NOTICED EXCESSIVE VAPOR COMING OUT OF MY EXHAUST ON MY WAY HOME, I CHECKED MY COOLANT AND OIL TO SEE IF THERE WERE ANY PROBLEMS FINDING LOW COOLANT LEVELS HOWEVER IT WAS STILL WITHIN NORMAL RANGE. IT WAS DETERMINED MY HEAD GASKET WAS DAMAGED AND A REPAIR WAS NECESSARY. THE DEALERSHIP RECOMMENDED THE ADDITIONAL REPLACEMENT OF THE RADIATOR WHICH CHRYSLER WAS INFORMED OF GIVEN TERMS FOR COVERING THE REPAIR OF THE VEHICLE AS THE FAILURE OCCURRED RIGHT AT WARRANTY. I FOUND THE ENGINE WAS STILL HAVING A PROBLEM WITH AIR IN THE RADIATOR/COOLANT LINE AND IMMEDIATELY TOOK MY VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR A COOLANT PURGE. DURING INSPECTION THE CHRYSLER MASTER MECHANIC NOTICED THE MAIN COOLANT FAN WAS NOT OPERATING AS EXPECTED. THE MAIN COOLANT FAN OPERATION WAS INTERMITTENT WHICH WOULD HAVE CAUSED A LONG TERM OVERHEATING AS THE ROOT CAUSE FAILURE OF THE HEAD GASKET WHICH WAS TO DETERMINED BY THE CHRYSLER FACILITY TO HAVE BEEN FAILING OVER THE LAST 10,000 MILES. CHRYSLER WAS CONTACTED AND APPROVED MAINTENANCE AS WITH THE OTHER FAILED ITEMS. I CONTACTED WORLD JEEP AGAIN AND WAS ABLE TO START MY VEHICLE AND DRIVE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR MAINTENANCE INSPECTION. DEALERSHIP FOUND GASKET INSTALLED WAS DEFECTIVE, THE HEATER CORE WAS CLOGGED UNABLE TO PROVIDE HEAT IN THE CAB AND THE ENGINE HAD A KNOCKING NOISE. CHRYSLER WAS CONTACTED TO RECOMMEND COURSE OF ACTION WHICH IS THE REPLACEMENT OF THE ENGINE. CHRYSLER HAS CHANGED CASE MANAGERS 4 TIMES AND HAS BEEN DIFFICULT TO RECEIVE A RESPONSE BACK BY MYSELF OR THE JEEP DEALERSHIP. CHRYSLER IS NOW REFUSING TO COVER ANY OF THE WORK THEY HAD PREVIOUSLY AGREED TO HELP COVER AND ARE ONLY WILLING TO ASSIST WITH 50% OF THE REPAIR COSTS OF THE ENGINE REPLACEMENT.
Engine, Mar 29, 2020
AFTER REPLACING THE IGNITION COILS ( TWICE) AND MISFIRING SPARK PLUGS, MY ENGINE LIGHT CONTINUES TO GO ON. AFTER MULTIPLE COMPUTER READINGS, THAT KEEP SAYING THE SAME THING, IS NOT TURNING OFF. THE DEALER AND OTHER MECHANICS STATED THAT THIS HAS BEEN AN ISSUE IN OTHER JEEPS AS WELL. THEY TELL ME TO CAMPAIGN FOR THIS TO BE LOOKED INTO. I STILL HAVE 2 YEARS OF PAYMENTS AND WANT TO HAVE THIS RESOLVED.
Power train, Engine, Mar 18, 2020
UPON FIRST START OF DAY, USUALLY COLDER MORNINGS, ONCE THE JEEP HAS BEEN WARMED UP, UPON GOING FROM PARK INTO REVERSE, THE JEEP WILL SHUDDER HARD BUT KEEP RUNNING OR IT WILL COMPLETELY DIE AND NEED TO BE RESTARTED.
Engine, Feb 25, 2020
WHEN SHIFTING INTO REVERS THE VEHICLE IDLES LOW AND ROUGH, ALMOST SHUTTING OFF.
Engine, Feb 11, 2020
JEEP STALLS WHEN COLD AND SHIFTED INTO REVERSE
Engine, Jan 29, 2020
NOTICED OIL LEAKING ALL UNDER CARRIAGE OF VEHICLE. OIL BEING DISPLAYED FROM FRONT OF ENGINE TO BACK OF JEEP. SMELL OIL AND EVEN SEE SMOKE.POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD.
Engine, Jan 26, 2020
MISFIRE ON CYLINDER 2. FIRST TIME INTO THE DEALER STAYED 3 DAYS. LIGHT CAME BACK ON 2 MONTHS LATER. IT HAS NOW BEEN IN THE DEALERS SHOP FOR 9 WEEKS, WITH NO REPAIR TO DATE. SEARCHING INDICATES THIS IS AN ONGOING ISSUE FROM CHRYSLER. WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THERE AT 12K JEEPS MARIO.WIDE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. DEALER REPORTS THEY CANNOT GET THE PART NEEDED. IT DISPLAYED NO RUNNING ISSUES AND YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN THE LIGHT WOULD BE SET OFF. IT WOULD COME ON UNDER ANY CONDITION, SLOW OR REGULAR DRIVING.
Power train, Engine, Jan 24, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 JEEP WRANGLER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED IN THE MORNING AND WAS REVERSED OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE RECURRED AFTER DRIVING AND COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP. AN APPOINTMENT WAS SCHEDULED WITH REED CHRYSLER LOCATED AT 1724 N SPRING ST, BEAVER DAM, WI 53916 (920) 887-2300 WHICH WAS STILL PENDING. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE MAY BE DUE TO A TORQUE SENSOR FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Jan 6, 2020
9/27/2019. 4:30PM. ACCELERATED NORMALLY ON CITY STREET FROM STOP LIGHT AND MADE LEFT TURN. AS I TURNED, ENGINE CHOKED AND STUMBLED AND VEHICLE HAD REDUCED POWER, SLOWING VEHICLE. TRACTION CONTROL DASH LIGHT CAME ON. CAR BEHIND ALMOST HIT ME. AFTER ABOUT 10 SECONDS, ENGINE RETURNED TO NORMAL AND VEHICLE PICKED UP SPEED. 10-15 SECONDS LATER SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN WITH TRACTION CONTROL AND ANTI LOCK BRAKE DASH LIGHTS COMING ON. ENGINE REDUCED POWER AND VEHICLE SLOWED AGAIN IN TRAFFIC. AFTER 10 SECONDS, ENGINE RETURNED TO NORMAL, DASH LIGHTS WENT OFF. VEHICLE HAS BEEN NORMAL SINCE THEN. WEATHER AT THE TIME: SUNNY, 85 DEGREES, DAYLIGHT. ROADS COMPLETELY DRY. VEHICLE DID NOT DRIVE THRU WATER, ETC. HAD BEEN DRIVING ON CITY STREETS 25-40 MPH FOR 20 MINUTES. CALLED DEALER. NO HELP ON PHONE. TOOK VEHICLE TO JEEP DEALER ON NOV 6, 2019 AND THEY FOUND CODE "C1043 PERFORMANCE" BUT SAID NOTHING MORE. TECH WRITE UP SAYS "LEFT REAR TONE WHEEL PERFORMANCE CODE HAS GONE STORED. NO CAUSE PRESENT. RESET CODE". ABOUT 35,800 MILES ON VEHICLE. VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN OFF ROAD OR MODIFIED IN ANY WAY. STOCK WRANGLER 4 DOOR SPORT.
Engine, Dec 16, 2019
ENGINE CLICKING SOUND !!
Engine, Dec 16, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 JEEP WRANGLER. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO WOODHOUSE CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM FIAT (2101 6TH ST, SIOUX CITY, IA 51101, (712) 277-3221) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE PASSENGER SIDE CAMSHAFT CAUSED BY ROCKER ARM FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE CAMSHAFT AND ROCKER ARMS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000. *JS
Engine, Dec 3, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 JEEP WRANGLER. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS WARNING INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO WOODHOUSE CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM FIAT (LOCATED AT 2101 6TH ST, SIOUX CITY, IA 51101, (712) 277-3221) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE INTAKE CAMSHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE LEFT SIDE OF THE INTAKE CAMSHAFT ALSO NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
Engine, Nov 13, 2019
BLOWN HEAD GASKET ON A VEHICLE WITH THAT IS LESS THAN 4 YEARS OLD
Power train, Engine, Oct 9, 2019
JEEP STALLS WHEN PUT INTO REVERSE, THEN HAS TROUBLE SHIFTING FROM AN IDLE, SUCH AS TAKING OFF FROM A STOP LIGHT.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Sep 19, 2019
JEEP WAS STATIONARY WAITING FOR LIGHT TO CHANGE ON CITY STREET. WHEN LIGHT TURNED GREEN I STEPPED ON ACCELERATOR; WHILE STILL PUSHING FOOT DOWN ON PEDAL THE ENGINE STARTED TO REV UP TO MAX RPMS BUT JEEP WAS NOT MOVING FORWARD. I WAS AFRAID THE ENGINE WOULD KEEP REVVING AND BLOW UP. I INSTANTLY REMOVED FOOT FROM GAS AND LET JEEP ROLL; PUT ON EMERGENCY FLASHING LIGHTS AND TURNED (ROLLED OFF) TO PARKING LOT ONE BLOCK AWAY AND TURNED JEEP OFF. AFTER A FEW MINUTES I RESTARTED CAR AND SLOWLY DROVE THE SIX BLOCKS HOME. TOOK IT TO AUTHORIZED JEEP DEALER AND THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT COULD FIND NO ERROR CODE, SAID THAT THEY TEST DROVE IT AND COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE JEEP.
Electrical system, Engine, Aug 31, 2019
WHEN STARTING VEHICLE IN STATIONARY PARKING LOT, LIGHTS FLASHED. I SHUT IGNITION DOWN AND TOOK KEY OUT AND ENGINE CONTINUED TO RUN, OVERHEATED, BEGAN SMOKING, AND ANTIFREEZE SPILLED ON GROUND. ENGINE CONTINUED TO RUN UNTIL BATTERY WAS FULLY DISCONNECTED BY FIRE DEPARTMENT.
Power train, Traction control system, Service brakes, Engine, Aug 19, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 JEEP WRANGLER. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE ABS AND TRACTION WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND SWERVED OFF THE ROAD. THE TRANSMISSION REVVED AND THE RPMS WENT ALL THE WAY UP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PREMIER CAPE COD JEEP (460 YARMOUTH RD, HYANNIS, MA 02601, (508) 815-5000) TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THE DEALER WOULD NOT SERVICE THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE WARRANTY ISSUES AND THEY WERE ALSO BOOKED FOR WEEKS WITH APPOINTMENTS. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO TAKEN TO HELLER JEEP (635 MILL ST ROUTE 6, MARION, MA 02738, (508) 748-0019) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ABS AND TRACTION SENSORS NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE DEALER FURTHER STATED THAT THE ENGINE OVERHEATED AND LEAKED COOLANT AND THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 17,978.
Electrical system, Engine, Jul 22, 2019
ENGINE QUITS GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY, CREATING LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES. ONCE I PULLED OVER TO SHOULDER OF ROAD, IT WOULD RESTART ONLY TO PRODUCE THE SAME RESULT SEVERAL MINUTES LATER WHILE DRIVING. SUSPECTED FAULT IN CRANKSHAFT SENSOR, OR CORROSION IN ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS TO SUCH. THIS IS THE SECOND JEEP THAT THIS HAS OCCURRED ON, VERY DANGEROUS TO OCCUR WHILE DRIVING AT HIGH SPEEDS DOWN THE HIGHWAY
Power train, Engine, Jun 4, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 JEEP WRANGLER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CONDENSATION FROM THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS RUNNING DOWN AND RUSTING THE BOLTS AND GASKET OF THE TRANSMISSION FLUID PAN. AS A RESULT, THERE WAS AN ODOR OF BURNING ANTI-FREEZE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,000. *BF THE CONSUMER STATED TRANSMISSION GASKET AS WELL. *TR