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: other or unspecified
54 reports, newest first. Show all
Power train, Other or unspecified, Jun 22, 2020
A COMMON NUMBER 4 CYLINDER MISFIRE THAT SEEMS TO COMMON ON ALL JEEP FORUMS. THE CODE WAS FOUND TO BE A NO COMPRESSION IN THE CYLINDER. ALTHOUGH SO MANY PEOPLE COMPLAIN OF THIS ISSUE, JEEP DOESN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS? MY ENGINE IS 4 YEARS OLD AND I'M BEING TOLD I NEED A NEW ENGINE AND IT'S NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. *TR
Power train, Other or unspecified, Feb 24, 2020
WHEN I PUT THE JEEP IN REVERSE AND START BACKING OUT OF DRIVEWAY IT STUTTERS AND DIES. YOU CAN START IT RIGHT BACK UP AND IT MAY DO IT AGAIN OR WILL RUN CORRECTLY. IT HAS ALSO BACK OUT OF DRIVEWAY PROPERLY AND THEN STUTTERS AND DIED WHEN PUT IN DRIVE.
Other or unspecified, Jan 14, 2020
THE VEHICLE LEAKS WATER FROM THE FRONT DOORS AND FILLS THE FLOOR WITH WATER WHEN IT RAINS. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP LAST WINTER UNDER THE MANUFACTURER WARRANTY BUT IT STARTED LEAKING AGAIN THIS WINTER. UPON DOING A GOOGLE SEARCH I DISCOVERED THIS A PERVASIVE WIDE SPREAD PROBLEM WITH ALOT OF JEEP WRANGLER OWNERS. I ASKED MY SISTER INLAW IF HER NEW JEEP WAS LEAKING AND IT IS. I ALSO WENT INTO SOME JEEP FORUMS AND DISCOVERED THAT THIS A VERY COMMON ISSUE DUE TO A DESIGN FLAW IN THE WAY THE DOORS SEAL AND THE WAY THE DESIGN DISPERSES WATER. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS 40,000 MILES ON IT AND MY CONCERN IS THE CARPET ROTTING OUT,MOLD AS WELL AS THE FLOOR PAN CORRODING AS NOTED BY OTHER JEEP OWNERS.
Other or unspecified, Jan 1, 2020
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY ON THE CARPOOL LANE, GOING AT A SPEED OF ABOUT 70 MPH, I DROVE OVER A POTHOLE/ROAD IMPERFECTION AND THE JEEP BEGAN SHAKING SEVERELY TO A POINT OF ALMOST LOSING CONTROL OR CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. DURING THE SHAKING THE WHEELS SWERVE SIDE TO SIDE AND CAUSES THE JEEP TO BECOME JUMPY AND RATTLE. IN ORDER TO SAFELY STOP THE SHAKING AND NOT LOSE CONTROL I HAD TO SLOW DOWN UNTIL COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP ON THE CARPOOL LANE, I COULD NOT PULL OVER DUE TO NO SHOULDER. THE CARS BEHIND SAW THE SHAKING AND SLOWED TO KEEP A SAFE DISTANCE, HOWEVER IF THEY HADN'T IT COULD'VE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. DURING THE SHAKING I ALSO HAVE TO GRAB TIGHTLY TO THE STEERING WHEEL SO AS TO NOT VEER ON TO VEHICLES OR WALLS NEXT TO ME. I MANAGED TO GET OUT OF THE CARPOOL LANE AND MADE MY WAY TO THE FARTHEST RIGHT LANE AND DROVE NO FASTER THAN 60 MPH FOR FEAR OF THE SHAKING/LOSING CONTROL TO REOCCUR.
Other or unspecified, Jan 1, 2020
RECENTLY WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT SPEEDS RANGING FROM 60 AND ABOVE, WE HAVE EXPERIENCED SEVERE SHAKING ON THE 2016 JEEP WRANGLER SAHARA UNLIMITED THAT CAUSES US TO PULL OVER AND COME TO A STOP WHILE STILL ON THE HIGHWAY. SHAKING HAS OCCURRED ON NOVEMBER 24TH, 2019 AFTER DRIVING OVER POTHOLES/ROAD JOINTS ON THE FREEWAY; AND AGAIN, ON DECEMBER 26, 2019 ON A STRAIGHT SURFACE ON THE FREEWAY. ONE HAS TO HOLD ON TIGHT TO THE STEERING WHEEL SO AS TO KEEP FROM VEERING OUT OF CONTROL AND ONTO ANOTHER VEHICLE/ROAD SEPARATOR BECAUSE THE JEEP'S TIRES BEGIN TO SWERVE SIDE TO SIDE RAPIDLY. THE SWERVING TIRES CAUSES THE JEEP TO RATTLE AND BECOME JUMPY. THE SEVERE SHAKING ALSO FEELS AS IF A TIRE IS COMING OFF AND WILL BREAK DOWN THEN AND THERE. SLOWING ONE'S SPEED AND SLOWLY PRESSING ON THE BREAK HELPS SLOW AND EVENTUALLY STOP THE SHAKING ONCE COMPLETELY STOPPED. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THE JEEP AND MUST BE EXTRA ATTENTIVE AT ALL TIMES NOW FOR FEAR OF LOSING CONTROL. THE ROOT OF THE PROBLEM IS UNKNOWN.
Structure, Wheels, Other or unspecified, Dec 31, 2019, fire
CONTACT STATED VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DRIVEN FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME. WEEK BEFORE, ANTI SKID AND THE ABS WARNING LIGHTS WERE ON BUT SHUTS OFF. DRIVING ON A PAVED ROAD WHEN ENGINE DIED. FIRE BROKE OUT INSTANTLY FROM THE FRONT RIGHT CONSUMING ENTIRE VEHICLE. WE HAD JUST LEFT A DIRT ROAD ONTO THE PAVED ROAD, DROVE ABOUT 200-300 YARDS WHEN THE INCIDENT OCCURRED.*DT*JB
Other or unspecified, Oct 14, 2019, fire
2016 JEEP WRANGLER UNLIMITED RUBICON CAUGHT FIRE AND COMPLETELY BURNED TO THE GROUND WHILE PARKED.*DT *TR
Other or unspecified, May 8, 2019, fire
I WAS DRIVING HOME, SAW SMOKE AND A FLAME COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD AFTER TURNING ONTO THE RURAL ROAD I LIVE ON. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION WHEN THIS WAS NOTICED. I PULLED OVER AND GOT MY CHILDREN OUT OF THE CAR. AS SOON AS THE CHILDREN WERE SAFELY OUT OF THE VEHICLE, I NOTICED THAT ALL DOORS HAD LOCKED. SHORTLY AFTER GETTING MY CHILDREN OUT AND THE DOORS LOCKING, THE VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOTIFIED AND ON SCENE SOON AFTER AND A POLICE REPORT WAS ALSO FILED. UNSURE AS TO REASONING OF WHY THE VEHICLE STARTED FIRE. HAVE NEVER HAD ANY ISSUES OR ENGINE WARNING LIGHTS DISPLAY DURING OWNERSHIP. BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE NEW. NO MODIFICATIONS OR ADD-ONS OR OTHER SERVICE WORK BESIDES THE REGULAR MAINTENANCE OF THE VEHICLE. 2016 JEEP WRANGLER UNLIMITED SAHARA. ROUGHLY 65,000 - 70,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME.
Other or unspecified, May 3, 2019, fire
I WAS DRIVING HOME, SAW SMOKE AND A FLAME COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD AFTER TURNING ONTO THE RURAL ROAD I LIVE ON. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION WHEN THIS WAS NOTICED. I PULLED OVER AND GOT MY CHILDREN OUT OF THE CAR. AS SOON AS THE CHILDREN WERE SAFELY OUT OF THE VEHICLE, I NOTICED THAT ALL DOORS HAD LOCKED. SHORTLY AFTER GETTING MY CHILDREN OUT, THE VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOTIFIED AND ON SCENE SOON AFTER AND A POLICE REPORT WAS ALSO FILED. UNSURE AS TO REASONING OF WHY THE VEHICLE STARTED FIRE. HAVE NEVER HAD ANY ISSUES OR ENGINE WARNING LIGHTS DISPLAY DURING OWNERSHIP. BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE NEW. NO MODIFICATIONS OR ADD-ONS OR OTHER SERVICE WORK BESIDES THE REGULAR MAINTENANCE OF THE VEHICLE. 2016 JEEP WRANGLER UNLIMITED SAHARA. ROUGHLY 65,000 - 70,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME.
Other or unspecified, May 3, 2019, fire
I WAS DRIVING HOME, SAW SMOKE AND A FLAME COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD AFTER TURNING ONTO THE RURAL ROAD I LIVE ON. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION WHEN THIS WAS NOTICED. I PULLED OVER AND GOT MY CHILDREN OUT OF THE CAR AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE. AS SOON AS THE CHILDREN WERE SAFELY OUT OF THE VEHICLE, I NOTICED THAT ALL DOORS HAD LOCKED. SHORTLY AFTER GETTING MY CHILDREN OUT, THE VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOTIFIED AND ON SCENE SOON AFTER AND A POLICE REPORT WAS ALSO FILED. UNSURE AS TO REASONING OF WHY THE VEHICLE STARTED FIRE. HAVE NEVER HAD ANY ISSUES OR ENGINE WARNING LIGHTS DISPLAY DURING OWNERSHIP. BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE NEW. NO MODIFICATIONS OR ADD-ONS OR OTHER SERVICE WORK BESIDES THE REGULAR MAINTENANCE OF THE VEHICLE. 2016 JEEP WRANGLER UNLIMITED SAHARA. ROUGHLY 65,000 - 70,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Apr 1, 2019
EVERY TIME IT RAINS MYSTERIOUSLY WATER GETS IN THROUGH PASSENGER SIDE AND FLOODS FLOOR, USUALLY IT IS JUST PASSENGER SIDE FRONT BUT THERE HAVE BEEN A COUPLE TIMES ON DRIVER SIDE - OTHER SITES TALK ABOUT OTHER JEEP WRANGLER DRIVERS HAVING THIS SAME PROBLEM- I WENT TO AUTO PARTS AND SPOKE TO THEM AND THEY SAID THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS ON LINE AND I AM WONDERING WHY THIS IS HAPPENING- I HAVE HAD TO TAKE UP MY CARPET BECAUSE IT KEPT GETTING WET- AND THE PLUGS ARE IN THE FLOOR - I HAVE TO TAKE THEM OUT TO GET WATER OUT .
Power train, Other or unspecified, Engine, Feb 11, 2019
ON COLD DAYS AFTER THE JEEP HAS BEEN SITTING OVERNIGHT, THE ENGINE WILL STALL WHEN THE TRANSMISSION IS SHIFTED INTO DRIVE OR REVERSE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS FIRMLY PRESSED. THIS HAPPENS WHEN THE JEEP IS STARTED AND IT MAKES NO DIFFERENCE IF THE CAR IS RUNNING FOR 30 SECONDS BEFORE IT IS SHIFTED OR RUNNING FOR 3 MINUTES, THE ENGINE WILL STALL WHEN SHIFTING INTO DRIVE OR REVERSE. IF THE BRAKE IS NOT FIRMLY PRESSED THE ENGINE WON'T STALL WHEN THE TRANSMISSION IS SHIFTED INTO DRIVE OR REVERSE. THIS CAUSES THE JEEP WILL LURCH FORWARD, FOR DRIVE, OR BACKWARD, FOR REVERSE,
Other or unspecified, Dec 22, 2018
I AWOKE THIS MORNING TO FIND MY VEHICLE RUNNING INSIDE OUR PARKED GARAGE. THE REMOTE START SOMEHOW HAD TRIGGERED UNINTENTIONALLY.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Nov 15, 2018
LEAKING TO THE DRIVER SIDE FLOOR PANEL. THE LEAK IS SO BAD I'M WORRIED ABOUT ELECTRICAL ISSUES. IT WAS A LEGIT PUDDLE OF WATER. I'M ALSO WORRIED ABOUT ABOUT BEING ELECTROCUTED,
Structure, Other or unspecified, Sep 4, 2017, crash
MY 2016 JEEP WRANGLER UNLIMITED WAS PARKED IN AN ALMOST PERFECTLY FLAT PARKING LOT, LOCKED, WITH NO ONE IN THE VEHICLE. THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS NOT ON. THE KEYS WERE NOT IN THE VEHICLE. IT BEGAN TO ROLL AWAY BACKWARDS OVER A HILLSIDE, ABOUT A 20 FOOT DROP, INTO THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY ROADWAY. THE JEEP LANDED ON THE BACK BUMPER/BACK DOOR.
Other or unspecified, Mar 27, 2017
TICKING NOISE FROM ENGINE. REPLACED ALL LIFTERS AND ROCKER ARMS.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Mar 25, 2017
WHEN THE JEEP IS STOPPED AND YOU WANT TO GET OUT OF THE FRONT OR REAR DOOR. AT THE DOOR THRESHOLD WHEN YOU STEP ON THE CARPET IT WILL COLLAPSE AND GIVE YOU ABOUT A 1-INCH SPACE WHICH CAUSES YOU TO TRIP. I ASK THE SERVICE CENTER AND JEEP ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND THEY SAID SO WHAT THIS IS THE WAY IT WAS DESIGNED.
Wheels, Other or unspecified, Electronic stability control (ESC), Mar 14, 2017, crash
TRAVELING ON A TWO LANE HIGHWAY UNDER CLEAR CONDITIONS, MID-DAY, LIGHT DRIZZLE, THIS 2016 JEEP WRANGLER 4WD WITH LESS THAN 5,000 MILES ON IT HYDROPLANED INTO AN ON-COMING SEMI TRACTOR TRAILER RESULTING IN A HEAD ON COLLISION AND ROLLOVER. NO OTHER CAR IN FRONT OF NOR BEHIND THIS VEHICLE HAD HYDROPLANING ISSUES. THIS VEHICLE WAS TOTALED AND THE DRIVER CRITICALLY INJURED WITH LONG TERM DISABILITY PROGNOSIS. INVESTIGATE THE FOLLOWING FOR FAILURES & SAFETY RISKS: 1. TIRES (LESS THAN 5,000 MILES ON THEM) 2. FACTORY INSTALLED SOFTWARE DESIGNED TO TAKE CONTROL OF VEHICLE 3. ROAD RESURFACING
Other or unspecified, Mar 3, 2017
WATER IS ACCUMULATING ON DRIVERS SIDE FLOORBOARD AND KEEPS REAPPEARING. CARPET IS BEGINNING TO SMELL MUSTY. SEEMS TO DEVELOP WHETHER IT IS RAINING OR NOT. THE FREEDOM TOP HAS BEEN IN ORIGINAL FACTORY STATE AND HAS NOT BEEN REMOVED AND REINSTALLED. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE DAY OF PURCHASE. (NEW)
Other or unspecified, Feb 2, 2017
GEAR SHIFTER "SLIPPED" TO THE LEFT. I WAS ONLY ABLE TO USE 1ST AND 3RD GEARS! WHEN USING 1ST GEAR, THE GEAR SHIFTER WAS AGAINST MY RIGHT KNEE!! I WAS NOT ABLE TO "FIND" 2ND GEAR! I TOOK MY JEEP TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS AS IT IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE! "INVESTIGATING" ONLINE, SPECIFICALLY WRANGLER FORUMS, THERE ARE OTHER DRIVERS WHO HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM. IT SEEMS THERE IS A FAULTY BUSHING THAT BREAKS!
Other or unspecified, Jan 12, 2017
MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR 2 DAYS AND WON'T BE ATTENDED TO FOR ANOTHER 3 DAYS ACCORDING TO SERVICE MAN. I JUST PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE AND NEED ANSWERS ASAP ON WHATS GOING ON? AND WHEN I WILL GET MY VEHICLE BACK?
Other or unspecified, Aug 24, 2016
JEEP LEAKS EVERYTIME IT RAINS. LEAKS ON BOTH SIDES BUT PASSENGER SIDE IS THE WORSE. SOAKS THE FLOORS AND PASSENGER SIDE SEAT. DRIPS OUT FROM UNDER THE DASH AS WELL ON PASSENGER SIDE. WATER CAN CAUSE ELECTRICAL ISSUES UNDER THE DASH, MOISTURE IN FLOOR AND SEAT CAUSE THE WINDOWS TO FOG UP AT TIMES WHICH MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO SEE OUT OF, AND PRESENCE OF A MILDEW SMELL WILL EVENTUALLY TURN INTO MOLD. VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN SHOP MANY TIMES AND STILL NOT REPAIRED.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Aug 15, 2016, fire
THIS VEHICLE HAS A POSSIBLE AIR BAG CLOCK SPRING MALFUNCTION..THIS IS A SERIOUS THING BUT THIS IS A 2016 MODEL....NOW WE TRADED IN S 2011 WRANGLER THAT HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. 5 YEARS LATER AND STILL NOT FIXED SO I NEED AN ANSWER... THE CLOCK SPRING WAS REPLACED ON THE 2011 ABOUT 4 YEARS AGO BUT BURNED TO THE GROUND ABOUT 8/01/2016.
Other or unspecified, Aug 13, 2016
GEAR "STICK" -- MANUAL TRANSMISSION SYSTEM: 1. "WHEN CHANGING INTO SECOND GEAR, THE GEAR STICK SHIFTS TOWARD THE LEFT, TOUCH OR NEAR TOUCHING THE DISENGAGED, LOWERED-- EMERGENCY BRAKE LEVER--WITHOUT GOING INTO SECOND GEAR. 2. GEAR OCCASIONALLY DOES NOT GO INTO NEUTRAL WH EN SHIFTED TO THAT POSITION. 3. GEAR STICK TWIST, AND SHIFT PASS REVERSE WITHOUT GOING INTO REVERSE.
Power train, Other or unspecified, Jul 16, 2016
MANUAL GEAR LEVER SPINS MAKING THE VEHICLE IMPOSSIBLE TO SHIFT. HAPPENED OVERNIGHT.