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, 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.
Power train, Nov 28, 2019
WHEN WE 1ST START THE VEHICLE IN THE MORNING AND PUT INTO REVERSE THE VEHICLE DIES. WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP ONE TIME AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO REPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THEY FLASHED THREE COMPUTER AND IT STOPPED FOR A WHILE BUT HAS STARTED BACK UP AGAIN.
Engine, Nov 13, 2019
BLOWN HEAD GASKET ON A VEHICLE WITH THAT IS LESS THAN 4 YEARS OLD
Power train, Nov 4, 2019
I TOOK MY JEEP FOR AN OIL CHANGE SERVICE. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME HE FOUND A LEAK ON THE FRONT OF THE ENGINE. AFTER FURTHER INSPECTIONS, I DISCOVER THE ENGINE OIL COOLER HAS A LEAK. I WAS TOLD THIS ISSUE IS NOT COVERED UNDER MY WARRANTY BECAUSE IS OVER THE 60K. MY RESEARCH SHOWS THAT THIS IS A NON-ISSUE WITH THE 3.6L ENGINE NHTSA ID # 10138863. WE NEED HELP MAKING THE MANUFACTURER RESPONSIBLE FOR FAULTY PRODUCTS.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Oct 25, 2019
IMMEDIATELY AFTER ENTERING THE ROADWAY (RIGHT TURN) AND AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH THE BRAKES APPLIED WITHOUT WARNING OR HUMAN INTERVENTION. WHEN THIS SITUATION OCCURRED 2 DASH WARNING LIGHTS APPEARED, THE 'ESC ACTIVATED' AND THE 'ABS'LIGHT ACTIVATED. THIS CREATES AN UNEXPECTED SITUATION FOR THOSE VEHICLES TRAVELING BEHIND AND NOT EXPECTING THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF THEM TO SUDDENLY BRAKE. JEEP HAS INDICATED THE FAILURE OF A WHEEL SPEED SENSOR TO BE THE CAUSE OF THIS SUDDEN BRAKING.
Power train, Oct 21, 2019
ON A COLD MORNING, I STARTED IT UP, PUT IT IN REVERSE AND IT SPUTTERED AND STALLED OUT. THIS HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES NOW. ONLINE INVESTIGATING INDICATES THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER MAY BE THE CULPRIT.
Other or unspecified, Oct 14, 2019, fire
2016 JEEP WRANGLER UNLIMITED RUBICON CAUGHT FIRE AND COMPLETELY BURNED TO THE GROUND WHILE PARKED.*DT *TR
Wheels, Oct 10, 2019
TRACTION LIGHT CAME ON AND ABS LIGHT ALSO CAME ON.CAR STALL AND THE CAR WAS ABOUT TO TURN OK BY ITSELF.,THIS HAPPENED WHILE MY WAS ON HER WAY HOME FROM WORK.SO SHE TOLD ME AND I WENT TO CHECK IT OUT FOR SURE THE CAR DID THE SAME EXACT THINGS AS SHE EXPLAINS.I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIPFOR SERVICE WHICH THEY SERVICE THE CAR AND FLUSH THE ENGINE ON THE 10/08/19 AND THE TRACTION LIGHT WAS STILL ON AND ABS LIGHT WAS ALSO ON SO I TOOK IT BACK TO DEALER AND TOLD THEM.THIS IS WHEN THEY TOLD ME THEY HAVE TO SENT IT OUT FOR A DIAGNOSTIC THAT WOULD COURSE ME $140 THEN TO GET FIX PARTS AND LABOR GOING TO BE EXTRA.I DON'T GET HOW A CAR WITH 28000 MILES CAN START GIVING SUCHPROBLEMS. THIS IS THE SAME DEALERSHIP I ORDERED THE CAR IN 2015.
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.
Steering, Sep 21, 2019
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THE FRONT END STARTED TO SHAKE REALLY BAD, ALSO KNOWN AS THE DEATH WOBBLE. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE ON THE HIGHWAY AND ONCE ON A MAIN ROAD SINCE I HAVE GOTTEN THE JEEP 1.5 YEARS AGO. WHEN I MAKE TURNS IT WILL OCCASIONALLY SEEM LIKE THE STEERING STICKS A LITTLE THEN JERKS SLIGHTLY IN THE DIRECTION I TURNED THE WHEEL.
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.
Air bags, Sep 12, 2019
2016 JEEP WRANGLER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO URGENT AIRBAG SAFETY RECALL. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER CANCELED THE SCHEDULED RECALL REPAIR AND DID NOT SCHEDULE A NEW APPOINTMENT. *JS
Air bags, Sep 6, 2019
TAKATA RECALL. I HAVE BEEN ON THE PHONE WITH JEEP (833-585-0144) TO GET MY AIRBAG REPLACED ON NUMEROUS TIMES. THERE ARE NO PARTS AVAILABLE. THEY HAVE CALLED DEALERS AND I AM ON A WAITING LIST AT A JEEP DEALER FOR OVER TWO MONTHS. I BELIEVE THEY SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE ME A RENTAL CAR UNTIL PARTS ARE AVAILABLE AS THIS IS A UNSAFE VEHICLE TO DRIVE.
Air bags, Sep 6, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 JEEP WRANGLER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V018000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT CALLED KOONS TYSONS CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM (2050 CHAIN BRIDGE RD, VIENNA, VA 22182, 703-790-0900) TO HAVE THE VEHICLE SERVICED; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PART WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT REACHED OUT TO ANOTHER DEALER(FARRISH CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE RAM, 9610 FAIRFAX BLVD, FAIRFAX, VA 22031, 703-273-0200) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THEY ALSO DID NOT HAVE PARTS AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT INFORMED THE MANUFACTURER OF THE RECALL AND THEY PROVIDE THE SAME INFORMATION AS THE DEALERS. NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
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.
Air bags, Aug 30, 2019
CLOCK SPRING NEEDS REPLACING.
Air bags, Aug 27, 2019
TAKATA RECALL. AIRBAG LIGHT RECENTLY TURNED ON. AFTER USING A DIAGNOSTIC TOOL TO DECODE THE PROBLEM I'M GIVEN CODE B1B02. THIS WAS AN OPEN RECALL ON HALF A MILLION OLDER JEEP WRANGLERS. HOWEVER MINE IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AND FEEL IT SHOULD BE CONCERNING THE POTENTIAL SERIOUSNESS THAT COULD ARISE.
Service brakes, Aug 27, 2019
THE FRONT RIGHT BRAKE STARTED STICKING AND PULLING THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE. IT ALSO CAUSED A SQUELLING SOUND AND EXCESSIVE HEAT FROM THE WHEEL. THIS WOULD RECTIFY ITSELF BUT THE BRAKES FELT WEAKER FOR STOPPING THIS HAPPENED OFF AND ON FOR A FEW DAYS . WE TOOK TO A LOCAL GARAGE BECAUSE IT WAS DANGEROUS PARTIALLY LOSING CONTROL. HE FOUND THE PROBLEM TO BE A COLLAPSED BRAKE LINE. WE BOUGHT THE JEEP BRAND NEW AND IT IS ONLY 3 YEARS OLD WITH 39000 MILES. HE SAID THE BRAKE LINE WAS EITHER DEFECTIVE AND OR JUST A CHEAP PART. IT WAS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION LOSING PARTIAL CONTROL. IT ALSO RUINED THE BRAKE PAD AND ROTOR DO TO GLAZING.
Air bags, Aug 23, 2019
TAKATA RECALL I CALLED THE DEALER ABOUT THE RECALL. THEY DIDN'T CALL ME BACK. THEY WERE UNSURE IF THE STOCK STATUS OF THE PART. THE DEALER I CALLED WAS BRIGHTON CHRYSLER IN MICHIGAN.
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.
Steering, Aug 12, 2019
WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS ANYWHERE FROM 30 TO 80 THE STEERING WILL OSCILLATE FROM LEFT TO RIGHT AFTER ENCOUNTERING MINOR BUMPS IN THE ROAD. AT TIMES THE OSCILLATIONS ARE RATHER VIOLENT. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE I OWNED THE VEHICLE. IF YOU ARE NOT AWARE OF THE ISSUE ACCIDENTS COULD BE THE RESULT.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Aug 9, 2019
PREMATURE ABS SENSOR FAILURE AT 37,000 M ,STABILITY CONTROL BRAKING A WHEEL MAKING CAR PULL IN THAT DIRECTION,NOT AN ISOLATED CASE ALL 2016 AND 2017 JEEP WRANGER HAS THE SAME PROBLEM WITH LESS THAN 40,000M SAFETY ISSUE.ABS DTC C102A.VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ,ON CITY STREET . THIS CAN CREATE AN ACCIDENT. CHRYSLER IS NOT RECALLING THIS VEHICLES PASSING THE COST OF REPAIR TO THE CUSTOMERS,BAD PART DESING WITH PREMATURE FAILURES
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
Structure, Jul 18, 2019
EXPERIENCE MAJOR LIFTING AND FLUTTERING OF THE HOOD AT SPEEDS AT OR OVER 65 MPH. MOST SEVERE WHEN DRIVING DOWN TWO LANE HWY AND LARGER TRUCKS LIKE SEMIS PASS ONCOMING.
Electrical system, Jul 17, 2019, fire
AFTER TURNING INTO A LARGE PARKING LOT FROM A CITY STREET WHILE STILL DRIVING THE 2016 JEEP WRANGLER JKU SPORT'S CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON FOLLOWED ABRUPTLY BY THE ENGINE QUITTING AND NUMEROUS DASH LIGHTS ILLUMINATING. THE NOW DEAD VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY COASTED TO A STOP AS SMOKE STARTING BILLOWING FROM THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND THE VEHICLE WAS QUICKLY ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THIS JEEP WAS PURCHASED BRAND NEW 3 YEARS AND 3 WEEKS AGO AND HAD LESS THAN 16,000 MILES ON IT. TWO WEEKS PRIOR TO THE FIRE, THE BATTERY ABRUPTLY DIED AND WOULD NOT HOLD A CHARGE. AFTER A NEW TOP-OF-THE-LINE BATTERY WAS INSTALLED, THE DASH RED SECURITY LIGHT WOULD FLASH CONSTANTLY WHILE THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING. JUST ONE DAY PRIOR TO THE FIRE THE JEEP WAS SERVICED AT THE DEALERSHIP TO ACCOMPLISH TWO SAFETY RECALL ITEMS RELATED TO AN AIRBAG WIRING HARNESS AND AIRBAG MODULE. THE JEEP'S WIRELESS CONTROL MODULE (WCM) WAS DIAGNOSED TO HAVE AN INTERNAL FAILURE BUT WAS NOT REPLACED AT THAT TIME DUE TO A WARRANTY DISPUTE AND ALSO AVAILABILITY OF THE MODULE. PRIOR TO THE BATTERY FAILURE, WHICH WAS JUST 1 WEEK BEYOND THE 3-YEAR WARRANTY DATE, THIS 2016 JEEP WRANGLER WAS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION AND HAD ZERO MECHANICAL OR ELECTRICAL ISSUES AND HAD NOT RECEIVED ANY SERVICING OUTSIDE OF ROUTINE OIL CHANGES AND SERVICE CHECKS. THE FIRE STARTED QUICKLY AND BURNED EXTREMELY HOT BURNING THROUGH THE FIREWALL AND INTO THE CABIN IN A MATTER OF MINUTES. FORTUNATELY THE OCCUPANT WAS ABLE TO EGRESS WITHOUT INJURY. THIS JEEP, WITH LESS THAN 16,000 MILES, IS A TOTAL LOSS. THE HOTSPOT ON THE HOOD APPEARS TO BE AROUND THE LOCATION OF THE FUSE BOX. ATTEMPTS TO EXTINGUISH THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE WITH A PORTABLE FIRE EXTINGUISHER WERE FUTILE.*DT *TR