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
460 reports, newest first.
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
Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 24, 2020
2016 JEEP WRANGLER SPORT WITH ONLY 20,000 MILES HAS, FOR SECOND TIME IN ONE YEAR, A FAULTY ESC SYSTEM AND IT MALFUNCTIONS CAUSING THE BRAKE SYSTEM TO ACTIVATE, LOSS OF POWER, AND SUDDEN STEERING CHANGES. NISSAN BROTHERS HAD SUPPOSEDLY FIXED THIS ISSUE THE FIRST TIME...
Electrical system, Air bags, Aug 14, 2020
AIRBAG LIGHT BEGAN TO ILLUMINATE ON AND OFF SUDDENLY WITHOUT REASON AFTER STARTING THE CAR. NOW THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS STEADY ON. MECHANIC RAN FAULT CODES AND RECEIVED ABOUT 15 FAULT CODES ON COMPUTER RELATED TO AIRBAG SYSTEM AND SRS. APPEARS TO BE SOME SORT OF MAJOR ELECTRICAL PROBLEM.
Other or unspecified, Jul 29, 2020
WHEN I AM TURNING LEFT THE ABS LIGHTS AND STABILITY LIGHTS TURN ON. THERE IS ALSO A WEIRD NOISE. I WENT TO A MECHANIC AND THEY SAID IT IS A CLOCK SPRING ASSEMBLY. THEY ALSO SAID IT IS COMMON FOR THE JEEP WRANGLERS TO HAVE THEM REPLACED.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Visibility/wiper, Jul 9, 2020
2016 JEEP WRANGLER 4X4 EXPERIENCING ELECTRICAL ISSUES. THE WIPERS STAY ON AT ALL TIMES, WIPER SWITCH DOES NOT WORK. LIGHTS STAY ON AT ALL TIMES, SWITCH DOES NOT WORK. HORN DOES NOT WORK. BLINKERS DO NO WORK. HIGH/LOW BEAM ALSO INOPERABLE. DASH LIGHTS EXTREMELY LOW, CAN BARELY SEE THEM AND WE ARE 35 YR OLD OWNERS WITH GOOD 20/25 VISION. FOR LACK OF BETTER WORDS OR MECHANICAL TERMS, HAVING A VEHICLE WITH THIS SPECIFIC ISSUE IS LIKE DRIVING SOMETHING POSSESSED. TIPM ON THIS VEHICLES ARE KNOWN TO BE FAULTY AND FCA HAS AGREED TO RECALL CERTAIN VEHICLES WITH SIMILAR ISSUES. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY WHEN ISSUED CAME TO LIGHT.
Service brakes, Jul 6, 2020
IN LAST 4 YEARS OR SO OF OWNERSHIP THE REAR BRAKES HAVE GONE BAD TWICE. SERVICE WAS PERFORMED AT FAIR OAKS JEEP DODGE RAM IN CHANTILLY, VA. THIS SEEMS EXCESSIVE. REPORTING IN CASE OTHERS ARE EXPERIENCING SAME ISSUES.
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
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
Steering, Jun 5, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 JEEP WRANGLER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SHAKE ABNORMALLY, AND THE VEHICLE BECAME DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED. THE FAILURE RECURRED AFTER GOING OVER A MINOR BUMP IN THE ROADWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO VIDEON CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM LOCATED AT 4951 WEST CHESTER PIKE NEWTOWN SQUARE, PA 19073, TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE STEERING DAMPER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS SIMILAR TO THE FAILURE LISTED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V201000 (STEERING). THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,000.
Electrical system, Air bags, May 20, 2020
WHILE SITTING STILL I STARTED MY JEEP AND ON MY INSTRUMENT PANEL THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON, THE FIRST FEW HOURS IT WOULD COME ON AND GO OFF INTERMITTENTLY, NOW IT'S ON ALL OF THE TIME. WHEN I TOOK IT TO A DEALERSHIP THEY SAID IT WAS THE CLOCK SPRING WHICH COSTS $410 FOR THE PART ALONE AND INFORMED ME THAT THEY ARE ON BACK ORDER WHICH TELLS ME THERE MUST BE A LOT OF JEEPS WITH THE SAME ISSUE. WHEN I ASKED THEM IF THAT MEANT MY AIRBAG MAY DEPLOY AT ANY TIME SHE SAID NO QUITE THE OPPOSITE IT MEANT IT WOULD NOT DEPLOY AT ALL. I AM A MAIL CARRIER AND HAVE SPOKEN TO OTHER 2016 RHD JEEP OWNERS AND THEY HAD RECALLS TO REPAIR THEIRS BUT MINE DIDN'T MAKE THE RECALL LIST. MY JEEP IS MY LIVELIHOOD, NOW I HAVE TO WORRY THAT IF I'M INVOLVED IN A COLLISION I'M AT A MUCH HIGHER RISK FOR INJURY OR FATALITY. *TR
Structure, May 2, 2020
MY DAUGHTER HAD HER RIGHT HAND PINKY FINGER TOP SEMI AMPTUATED WITH A TUFT FRACTURE WITH THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR OF THE STRIKER AND LATCH. THIS HAPPENED ON JAN 2019 AND WE PAID OVER 10K IN MEDICAL BILLS AND HER PINKY IS DISFIGURED. WE HAVEN'T REACH OUT TO LAWYERS BUT WE DO SEE A FLAW WITH THE STRIKER AND DOOR SETUP WITH THE 4 DOOR JEEPS THAT A REDESIGN OR COVER WOULD HELP. THE ISSUE IS ANY BOOSTER SEAT OR CHILD CAR SEAT PUTS A TODDLER OR KIDS HAND/FINGERS AT RISK WHICH FALL WITHIN 1-2 INCHES FROM THE BRACKET OF THE DOOR OF THE ARM REST OF MOST MAJOR BRAND SEATS. THIS SITS LEVEL TO THE STRIKER AND LATCH. THE PROXIMITY OF THE SEATBELT AND THE LEVEL AT THE DOOR STRIKER IS A SAFETY CONCERN FOR LITTLE ONES SITTING IN BACK. THERE IS NO GUARD OR BARRIER TO PREVENT FROM TINY FINGER BEING CAUGHT IN THE STACK AND BEING STRUCK BY THE DOOR OR STRIKER. FROM THE INSIDE, WITH THE DOOR CLOSED, YOU CAN CLEARLY SEE THE REAR DOOR STRIKER AND LATCH. NOT ONLY FINGERS BUT HAIR TOO IS A PROBLEM. THIS IS CONCERNING TO US EVERY TIME WE PUT OUR LITTLE ONES IN THE BACK. IF NEED BE I CAN SEND A VIDEO OF IT AND REPLICATE THE RISK. I DID CONTACT A NEWS AGENCY BUT WAITING TO HEAR FROM THEM.*DT*JB*DT*JS*DT*JB
Electrical system, May 2, 2020
THE WHEEL SPEED SENSORS ARE NOTORIOUS TO GIVE OUT IN THESE VEHICLES. EVEN AT LOW MILEAGE. THE ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS COME ON LIMITING PERFORMANCE AND CAUSING ISSUES REQUIRING IMMEDIATE SERVICE. THEIR ARE MANY JEEP OWNERS I HAVE ENCOUNTERED WITH THIS ISSUE AND IT CAN BE EITHER LOCATION OR INAPPROPRIATE GUARD TO COVER WIRING. JEEP STATES IT IS PART OF MAINTENANCE BUT A SIMPLE PLASTIC COVER WOULD ALLEVIATE A LOT OF THE ISSUES THAT MAY BE ASSOCIATED TO DEBRI OR CAUSING FAULTY.
Electrical system, Air bags, May 1, 2020
THE VEHICLES AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND THE BUTTONS ON THE STEERING WHEEL NOW FAIL TO WORK. LOOKED ONLINE FOUND IT IS THE CLOCK SPRING. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE BUT THIS VEHICLE IS NOT COVERED UNDER THAT RECALL. DEALER QUOTE TO FIX THIS ISSUE IS 679.00
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.
Power train, Apr 1, 2020
VEHICLE DIES WHEN PUTTING INTO REVERSE FIRST START OF THE DAY. A LITTLE BIT OF A CLUNK IS ALSO EXPERIENCED WHEN THIS HAPPENS
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.
Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Mar 23, 2020, crash
WHILE BRAKING TO SLOW MY VEHICLE DOWN TO PULL INTO A PARKING SPACE IN FRONT OF A LAUNDROMAT, THE BRAKES WOULD NOT ENGAGE FOR THE PURPOSE OF MAKING A COMPLETE STOP WHEN EMPLOYED; INSTEAD THE JEEP UNEXPECTEDLY ACCELERATED AND LAUNCHED FORWARD INTO THE FRONT DOOR OF THE LAUNDROMAT, STRIKING THE WALL THEREOF AND A WASHING MACHINE ,WHEREFORE MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AT ANYTIME.
Air bags, Mar 19, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS AN 2016 JEEP WRANGLER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE AIR BAGS ASSEMBLY LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO NEUWIRTH MOTORS LOCATED AT (219 S COLLEGE RD, WILMINGTON, NC 28403) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE CLOCK SPRING ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE 100,000.
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.
Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Mar 13, 2020
REAR PASSENGER SIDE ABS WHEEL SPEED SENSOR FAILED IN SEPTEMBER, 2019 AT 23,469 MILES AND REPAIRED AT A COST OF $310.31. REAR DRIVER SIDE ABS WHEEL SPEED SENSOR FAILED IN MARCH, 2020 AT 26,835 MILES AND REPAIRED AT A COST OF $244.41. WITH EACH FAILURE, VEHICLE'S ABS, TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM, AND CRUISE CONTROL BECAME INOPERATIVE AND WOULD INTERMITTENTLY ENGAGE THE VEHICLE'S BRAKES WHILE DRIVING AT LOW AND HIGH SPEEDS.
Vehicle speed control, Mar 12, 2020, crash
PURCHASED PRE-OWNED ON NOV 9, 2019 WITH APPROX 23,100 MILES. ON JAN 2, 2020, AT APPROX 23,900 MILES, JEEP WAS ASCENDING EXIT RAMP WHILE BRAKING. CRUISE WAS ON BUT DISENGAGED. STARTED TO ACCELERATE UNEXPECTEDLY AND WITH BRAKE PEDAL FULLY DEPRESSED, COLLIDED WITH CAR STOPPED AT LIGHT. SHUT ENGINE OFF AS JEEP CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE AGAINST STOPPED CAR. ACCIDENT REPORT MADE. TOOK TO DEALER, WHO COULD FIND NO CAUSE FOR RANDOM ACCELERATION. DEALER CONTACTED MANUFACTURER WHO SENT 3RD PARTY INSPECTOR TO EXAMINE JEEP AND CONTENTS OF DATA RECORDER. RECEIVED A LETTER FROM MANUFACTURER TWO WEEKS LATER STATING THEY DID NOT 'BELIEVE' THE VEHICLE WAS AT FAULT. ON FEB 28, 2020 AT 24,564 MILES, JEEP WAS STOPPED AT LIGHT ON EXIT RAMP, WHEN SUDDENLY BEGAN TO ACCELERATE. CRUISE WAS OFF. IMMEDIATELY SHUT ENGINE OFF, BUT WAS STILL PUSHED FORWARD A COUPLE FEET. LUCKILY WAS ALONE AT LIGHT, SO NO ACCIDENT. TOOK TO DEALER AGAIN, WHO COULD STILL FIND NO CAUSE. THEY AGAIN CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, BUT I HAVE NOT YET RECEIVED ANY FURTHER WORD.*DT VIN UNAVAILABLE*JB
Power train, Mar 5, 2020
RECURRING ISSUE. WHEN STARTING JEEP, TYPICALLY IN THE MORNING AFTER SITTING FOR THE NIGHT, IT WILL STALL AFTER SHIFTING INTO REVERSE. THIS REQUIRES PUTTING THE CAR BACK INTO PARK, REMOVING THE KEY AND ATTEMPTING TO START AGAIN.
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Feb 27, 2020
PCM REPROGRAMMED WITH ONLY 3,556
Engine, Feb 25, 2020
WHEN SHIFTING INTO REVERS THE VEHICLE IDLES LOW AND ROUGH, ALMOST SHUTTING OFF.