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.
Air bags, Mar 15, 2019
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 JEEP WRANGLER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V018000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. DODGE CHRYSLER JEEP OF WINTER HAVEN (299 CYPRESS GARDENS BLVD, WINTER HAVEN, FL 33880, (888) 612-3182) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Air bags, Mar 14, 2019
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 JEEP WRANGLER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V018000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. POMOCO CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE RAM OF NEWPORT NEWS (12629 JEFFERSON AVE, NEWPORT NEWS, VA 23602, (757) 369-3565) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Power train, Mar 13, 2019
WHEN STARTING FROM A STOP THE TRANSMISSION POPS OUT OF 1ST GEAR.
Visibility/wiper, Mar 4, 2019
AS I WAS STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT, FOR NO REASON AT ALL THE REAR WINDOW EXPLODED AND SHATTERED IN PIECES. DEALERSIP WHERE I PURCHASED THE JEEP WOULD NOT HELP NOR WOULD JEEP CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 800-847-9753 AS A MATTER OF FACT THEY WERE DEFENSIVE AND RUDE.
Air bags, Feb 28, 2019, crash
DURING A ROLLOVER CRASH WHICH INITIATED AT 40 MILES PER HOUR, THE FRONTAL AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE VECHICLE ROLLED AND AN ADEQUATE AMOUNT OF FORCE TO DEPLOY THE AIR BAGS SHOULD HAVE BEEN TRIGGERED. AS A RESULT THE OOCCUPANTS EXPERIENCE EXTENSIVE INJURIES CONSISTENT WITH SUDDEN DECELERATION.
Engine, Feb 21, 2019
ENGINE STALLS WHEN PUT IN FORWARD OR REVERSE ONE OR TWO TIMES IN THE MORNING
Electrical system, Engine, Feb 21, 2019
2016 JEEP WRANGLER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ALTERNATOR LEAKING. *LD *TR
Air bags, Feb 19, 2019
TAKATA RECALL: TOOK MY JEEP IN FOR RECALL REPAIR & TOLD BY SERVICE DEALER (REDLANDS, CA) THAT CHRYSLER IS NOT SENDING THE PARTS FOR RECALL TO BE COMPLETED. THEY ARE TO CONTACT ME ONCE THE PARTS ARE IN.
Steering, Suspension, Feb 19, 2019
I FIRST EXPERIENCED THE "DEATH WOBBLE" WITHIN A YEAR OR SO OF PURCHASING MY NEW 2016 JEEP WRANGLER...VERY SCARY (SEEMS TO HAPPEN ON A ROUGH SPOTS IN THE ROAD, TRAVELING AT 45 MPH OR HIGHER).THE FRONT END WAS SHAKING SO BADLY THAT I THOUGHT I HAD A FLAT TIRE, OR THAT A WHEEL HAD FALLEN OFF. IT HAS NOW HAPPENED AT LEAST 8 TIMES, AND I NO LONGER DRIVE ON ANY INTERSTATE HIGHWAY. I TOOK IT IN TO THE JEEP DEALER TO HAVE THIS CHECKED OUT ON JUNE 27, 2017 WITH 31,237 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. THEY SAID THAT EVERYTHING LOOKED FINE. ALSO HAD THE TIRES ROTATED AND BALANCED TO SEE IF THAT WAS PART OF THE PROBLEM, BUT JUST WHEN YOU THINK THAT ALL IS OK, IT HAPPENS AGAIN. YOU ARE NEVER SURE WHEN TO EXPECT IT, AND IT IS UNNERVING. THE JEEP DEALER CLAIMED TO HAVE NOT HEARD OF THE "DEATH WOBBLE". I THINK JEEP IS HIDING THE FACT THAT THERE IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM. YOU CAN'T IMAGINE WHAT IT IS LIKE UNTIL IT HAPPENS TO YOU.
Electrical system, Feb 17, 2019
RADIO OVER HEATING - FAN NOT SPINNING. RADIO WILL NOT WORK MORE THEN 45 SECONDS, MAKES A POPPING NOISE
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,
Power train, Feb 4, 2019
WHEN STARTING MY 2016 JEEP WRANGLER UNLIMITED UP, FIRST START IN THE DAY, OR MORNING.START VEHICLE UP, LET WARM UP FOR AT LEAST 1 MINUTE, PUT FOOT ON BRAKE PUT GEAR SHIFTER IN REVERSE, TO BACK OUT OF DRIVEWAY, GO TO RELEASE BRAKE, AND VEHICLE STALLS OUT.THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES, ABOUT ONCE OR TWICE A WEEK,TOOK TO DEALER AND THEY SAID CAN'T FIND NO CODES..I'VE BEEN ON A JEEP FORUM FOR A FEW WEEKS,AND EVERYONE ON THE SITE SAYS DEALERSHIP HAS FOUND THE PROBLEM AND FIXED, WHAT WOULD BE THE TORQUE CONVERTER, SEEM TO BE LOTS OF 2016 JEEPS OUT IN THE WORLD, HAVING THE SAME ISSUES. ..
Power train, Jan 24, 2019
THERE IS ALREADY A RECALL ON THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG POSTED ON 1/9/2019 WHICH MY DEALERSHIP HAS NOT YET FIXED AS OF 1/24/19. THERE IS ANOTHER ISSUE WITH A "COLD START" PUT INTO REVERSE AND THUS WHEN DONE IT IS STALLING. NO CODES ... NO WARING LIGHTS. MY 2016 HAS BEEN DOING THIS NOW FOR ALMOST 6 MONTHS.
Electrical system, Service brakes, Jan 4, 2019
MY ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS COME ON AND OFF PLUS THE HILL DESCENT COMES ON WHILE DRIVING RANDOMLY THEN THE DESCENT CONTROL STARTS. I ALSO HAVE HAD THE BRAKES START SURGING ON AND OFF AND THE ENGINE WANT TO CUT OFF OR STOP FUEL. THEN THE LIGHTS GO OFF NO CODES TO CHECK THEN AND EVERYTHING IS ALRIGHT. THE FUEL CUTTING OFF AND THE BRAKES SURGING WAS FROM A STOP ON A SIDE STREET
Service brakes, Dec 28, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 JEEP WRANGLER. WHEN THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO RANCHO CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE RAM (8010 BALBOA AVE, SAN DIEGO, CA 92111, (858) 560-7100) FOR AN OIL CHANGE, HE WAS NOTIFIED THAT THE BRAKE ROTORS AND PADS NEEDED TO BE FILED DOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SAME DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, BUT NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE REPAIRED FOR THE SAME FAILURE A YEAR AGO. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,626.
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.
Air bags, Dec 15, 2018, crash
TAMARA RECALL. I WAS HIT BY A DRUNK DRIVER AT HIGHWAY SPEED HERE IN TEXAS ON 12/7/2018. AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY IN MY 2016 JEEP JKU. ALL AIR BAGS DEPLOYED IN THE DRUNK DRIVERS VEHICLE. SHE WALKED AWAY AND I WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL. IF MY AIRBAGS HAD DEPLOYED FROM SUCH A HARD IMPACT I MIGHT HAVE WALKED AWAY LIKE THE DRUNK DRIVER. SO MUCH FOR HAVING AIRBAGS IF THEY DON'T WORK. BOTH VEHICLES HAD TO BE TOWED AWAY FROM THE SCENE DUE TO EXTENT OF DAMAGES. *DT*JB
Seats, Dec 7, 2018
THE BACK SEAT WHEN IN THE UP POSITION FLOPS BACK AND FORTH WITH NO WAY TO LOCK IN IT IN. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STOPPED FROM HIGH SPEEDS THE BACK SEAT SPRINGS FORWARD HITTING BOTH FRONT SEATS VERY HARD WHICH RESULTS IN THE DRIVER AND THE PASSENGERS BEING PUSHED HARD INTO THE DASHBOARD. THE SEAT ALSO WILL UNFOLD IN THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE CRUSHING ANYTHING IN THE BACK INCLUDING MY DOG WHO WAS INJURED WHILE RIDING IN THE BACK.
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,
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Nov 5, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 JEEP WRANGLER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH ON A STEEP INCLINE, THE CONTACT DOWNSHIFTED THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED RAPIDLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT PLACED THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL TO FORCIBLY STOP THE VEHICLE AND THE RPMS INCREASED TO THE MAXIMUM. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AFTER THREE ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SALMON RIVER MOTORS (1065 SOUTH CHILLIS STREET, SALMON, IDAHO 83467, (208) 756-4211) TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED TO THE MANUFACTURER, BUT THEY WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 45,000. *TT*JB
Air bags, Nov 1, 2018
DEALER REFUSES TO MAKE RECALL REPAIRS FREE OF CHARGE, WANT US TO PAY HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS TO REMOVE AND REINSTALL WENCH. TRIED LAST SUMMER AS WELL SAME RESULT.
Vehicle speed control, Oct 22, 2018, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 JEEP WRANGLER. WHILE THE DRIVER WAS AT A COMPLETE STOP AT A RED LIGHT, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED WHILE THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ENGAGED. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE REAR ENDED A DUMP TRUCK. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE HOME. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE MANUFACTURER'S ENGINEER PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC AT AN UNKNOWN DEALER AND WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE A FAILURE CODE; HOWEVER, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL READING IN THE RADIO FREQUENCY. THE ENGINEER CONCLUDED THAT THE ACCELERATION FAILURE WAS NOT CAUSED BY A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,209.
Steering, Suspension, Wheels, Oct 9, 2018
JEEP DEATH WOBBLE - WHILST TAKING MY SON TO SCHOOL I WAS TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, I STUCK A SMALL POTHOLE WITH MY RIGHT FRONT TIRE. THE VEHICLE FRONT END BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY AS THE STEERING WHEEL OSCILLATED ABOUT 6 INCHES BACK AND FORTH. IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND NEARLY COLLIDED WITH CENTER MEDIAN AND VEHICLES TO MY RIGHT. SLOWING DOWN TO ABOUT 5 MPH CAUSED THE WOBBLE TO SUBSIDE. THIS WAS AN EXTREMELY SCARY EVENT AND COULD HAVE CAUSED INJURY/DEATH OF BOTH OF US HAD I LOST CONTROL. A DASHCAM VIDEO OF THE INCIDENT CAN BE PROVIDED IF NEEDED.
Air bags, Sep 30, 2018, crash
INVOLVED IN FRONT-END IMPACT WITH A SIGN AND TREE, RESULTING IN SEVERE DAMAGE TO BUMPER AND FRAMEWORK. THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED SEVERE INJURIES TO HEAD. VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED OR REPAIRED AFTER THE ACCIDENT. *DT *TR *JB *DT*JB *DT *DT *DT *TR
Vehicle speed control, Sep 20, 2018
MY ACCELERATOR WAS STUCK IN ACCELERATION MODE ONCE WHEN PASSING A CAR AND TODAY WHEN ACCELERATING TO MERGE ONTO THE FREEWAY AND MY CRUISE WAS NOT IN NOR WAS MY FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR.