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.
Electrical system, Air bags, Seat belts, Oct 20, 2021
My 2016 Jeep Wrangler with 53,000 miles on had the airbag light come on and when I went to have it checked it was due to a Occupant restraint control module malfunction. I was told this might not allow the airbags to deploy and that it could even deploy spontaneously. I have seem all kinds of recalls across the years for OCR related items(especially from FCA/Chrysler) https://www.automotiveworld.com/news-releases/chrysler-statement-occupant-restraint-control-orc-module/ You can inspect if you would like. Dealer noted the ORC was malfunctioning.
Steering, Oct 13, 2021
Power steering no longer works. Started at 41,000 miles. Replaced power steering pump and still doesn’t work. Mechanic thinks it’s probably the power steering box.
Fuel system, Gasoline, Sep 27, 2021
The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated the EVAP canister error was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the filler neck going into the fuel tank was fractured. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 49,900.
Air bags, Sep 24, 2021
The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer and diagnosed with needing the clock spring replaced however, the vehicle was not repaired. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V288000 (Air Bags) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 69,000.
Service brakes, Sep 8, 2021
I am reporting a dangerous brake part on all of the later model wranglers. The front brake lines collapse because of a clamp holding the brake line. This happened to our 2016 Jeep Wrangler willys edition it is garaged and only has 25,342 miles. The dealer wanted 2700 to redo all of the front brakes. This is a cross section of both hoses below. I bought the replacement lines and they have the exact same defect. Poor engineering here. The metal should not clamp the hose but be rolled around it so the hose has some clearance. I do not know who to report this to but I paid the dealer $180 to lie to me about it needing calipers rotors and hoses. Took it home and I diagnosed the issue. Spent around $200 for new hoses and my labor to change them out and bleed the system. I have temporarily put on the oem lines but am looking for some better aftermarket alternatives as the replacement is crimped and will fail soon. The left front caliper seized up locally. Right one was bad also. So glad it seized near our neighborhood.
Engine, Aug 4, 2021
Oil filter housing/Oil cooler cracked. Dealership says its a common problem on 2014+ jeeps with 3.6 liter engine yet Jeep hasn't issued a recall. Dealer stated that this seems to happen around 50,000 miles on vehicle. No warning lights came on, noticed smoke coming from under hood when driving from oil falling onto exhaust. When pulled over large amount of oil was coming out from underside of Jeep. This happened with 43k miles on the vehicle which is right around where the dealer said they were seeing a large amount of failures for this part.
Air bags, Jul 5, 2021, crash
I was in a high speed impact collision rear ended at full speed and thrown into vehicle in front of me, me and my husband both suffered facial trauma as airbags did not deploy and both front seats twisted ans broke backwards in backseat where my 2 minor children were located.
Air bags, Jun 14, 2021
The clock spring has gone out, 15 and older was issued a recall, my 2016 (built 2015) is not included and denied buy jeep. My airbag light has been on about 20,000 miles now.
Service brakes, Air, Traction control system, May 25, 2021
The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the Traction Control and ABS warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that as the warning lights illuminated, the vehicle decelerated and then attempted to regain traction control. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The dealer was contacted and scheduled an appointment for May 2021 at 10:00 am. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 59,400.
Electrical system, Air bags, May 18, 2021
AIRBAG CLOCKSPRING HAS BEEN RECALLED PREVIOUSLY ON THIS VEHICLE AND WAS REPLACED , BUT SAME ISSUE HAS OCCURED AGAIN, WITH AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ON AND NO HORN OR STEERING WHEEL CONTROLS. VEHICLE IS ONLY A 2016 AND SHOULD NOT HAVE THIS REOCCURING ISSUE.
Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Engine, May 15, 2021
ON THURSDSY 5/13/2021 AT APPROXIMATELY 5:15-5:20PM, I WAS DROPPING MY DAUGHTER OFF TO WORK AND I GOT BACK ON THE ROAD THEN THROUGH THE U-TURN TO GET BACK ON THE OTHER SIDE. I PROCEEDED TO ENTER THE ROADWAY INITIALLY ABOUT 10MPH AND ALL OF A SUDDEN, THE JEEP ACCELERATED TO ALMOST 80 MPH AND I SMASHED THE BRAKED AND IT WOULD NOT STOP AT ALL. THE RPM'S WERE STEADY GOING UP. I PULLED UP THE EMERGENCY BRAKE RIGHT BEFORE I ALMOST REAR ENDED THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME AT THE LIGHT GETTING READY 6O GO THROUGH THE INTERSECTION. I WAS ON THE BRAKE AT THE SAME TIME. ONCE THE CAR FINALLY CAME TO A STOP, THE ENGINE WAS STILL REVED UP. I PUT IN PARK AND TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF WITH THE IGNITION. I THEN RESTARTED AND WAS SCARED THE REST OF THE WAY HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION WHEN THIS HAPPENED. THERE WAS NOTHING UNDER THE BRAKE. MY FLOOR MATS WERE FLUSH AND FLAT AND THE ACCELERATION WAS SO SCARY. I FEARED FOR MY LIFE. I HAVE NOT DRIVEN IT SINCE. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME TO BRING IT IN THE NEXT MORNING, FRIDAY THE 14TH AT 10 AM BUT THAT THEU WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO LOOK AT IT UNTIL 7-10 DAYS. I DID NOT BRING IT AS THIS WAS UNACCEPTABLE. I WILL CALL BACK AND SPEAK WITH SOMEONE ELSE FOR RESULTS. THE TECH EVEN TOLD ME THAT THIS HAPPENED TO HIS BROTHER THAT ALSO HAVE A JEEP. THERE ISN'T A RECALL FOR THIS THAT I'VE FOUND. SOMEONE WILL LOSE THEIR LIFE BECAUSE OF THIS MALFUNCTION. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD.
Power train, Engine, May 6, 2021
ENGINE OIL COOLER ASSEMBLY LEAKING AT BACK OF ENGINE. OIL LEAKING DOWN BACK OF ENGINE AND BELL HOUSING CREATING A POSSIBLE FIRE. VERY HOT SMELL AND SMOKING FROM ENGINE BAY
Other or unspecified, May 4, 2021
I WAS TOLD THAT MY OIL FILTER HOUSING ADAPTER HAS A MAJOR LEAK. BUT, THE PART IS ON BACK ORDER. THERE ARE 40,000 PLUS ON BACK ORDER AND THE NUMBER WAS ORIGINALLY 60,000. IT JUST SEEMS THAT THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM AND THAT THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL. MY ENGINE COULD SEIZE WHILE DRIVING IF I HAPPEN TO RUN OUT OF OIL AND IT COULD NOT ONLY INJURE MYSELF BUT SOMEONE ELSE AND I HAVE NO WAY OF GETTING THE PART ANYTIME SOON.
Engine, Apr 29, 2021
THE OIL FILTER CANISTER/OIL COOLER IS CRACKED AND IS LEAKING OIL. THIS IS AN ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARD. WE HAVE TAKEN IT TO OUR MECHANIC AND SPOKE WITH THE DEALERSHIP THAT IT WAS BOUGHT FROM AND HAVE BEEN TOLD BY MANY OTHER PART HOUSES THAT THIS REPLACEMENT PART IS ON A 50,000 + PARTS BACK ORDER AND THAT IT CAN TAKE ANYWHERE FROM 20-60 DAYS TO GET THE PART IN TO REPLACE IT. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY WHEN WE NOTICED THE LEAK AND NEVER DRIVEN AGAIN AFTER THAT. THIS TELLS ME THAT THIS IS A HUGE ISSUE AND THAT THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE. I UNDERSTAND THE MANUFACTURING SIDE OF THINGS BUT THAT IS A LARGE NUMBER FOR THE BACK ORDER.
Air bags, Apr 21, 2021
AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON CAUSING MY AIR BAGS TO NOT DEPLOY IF I DO GET IN AN ACCIDENT.
Air bags, Mar 26, 2021, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 JEEP WRANGLER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER STOPPING AND ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO PASSENGER'S SIDE WHEEL AND FENDER OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE WHEEL WAS PUSHED UP INTO THE WHEEL WELL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PUSHED LATERALLY APPROXIMATELY 7-10 FEET. THE FORCE OF THE IMPACT WENT THROUGH THE ENGINE BLOCK AND WENT OUT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. ADDITIONALLY, THE WINDSHIELD WAS CRACKED AND HOOD CLIP ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE WAS SEVERED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT ASSUMED THAT THE OTHER VEHICLE WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH AT THE TIME OF IMPACT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW LOT BUT WAS NOT YET INSPECTED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE BACK AND NECK, AND A MINOR LACERATION TO THE RIGHT LEG. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT HE MIGHT HAVE ALSO SUSTAINED POSSIBLE BRAIN AND SPINAL CORD INJURIES. THE OTHER DRIVER SUSTAINED A LACERATION TO THE LEFT LEG BELOW THE KNEE AND WAS TRANSPORTED FROM THE SCENE BY THE PARAMEDICS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE CHOSE NOT TO LEAVE WITH THE PARAMEDICS BECAUSE AT THE TIME HE FELT NO PAIN HOWEVER, LATER IN THE EVENING AND THROUGHOUT THE NIGHT, HE EXPERIENCED EXCRUCIATING PAIN. THE NEXT MORNING THE CONTACT WENT TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM TO SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION. THERE WERE CT SCANS AND X-RAYS PERFORMED ON THE CONTACT. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V734000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT HE HAD NOT RECEIVED ANY INFORMATION OR NOTIFICATION FROM THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE RECALL FOR WHICH THE VIN WAS INCLUDED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
Engine, Mar 22, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 JEEP WRANGLER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLED HAS STALLED AT 30MPH AND AT 65 MPH WITH THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THIS HAS HAPPENED RANDOMLY AT LEAST FIVE TIMES IN THE PAST THREE MONTHS. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND DROVE AS DESIGNED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TWICE TO GOOD BROTHERS DODGE RAM (577 COLUMBIAN ST, SOUTH WEYMOUTH, MA 02190, (781) 331-8300) HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CALLED QUIRK CHRYSLER JEEP (441 QUINCY AVE, BRAINTREE, MA 02184, (781) 917-1400) HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,000. *DT*JB
Power train, Mar 9, 2021
WHEN TRANSMISSION IS COLD AND IS PUT IN REVERSE IT WILL CAUSE LOSS OF CONTROL AND STALLING OF THE VEHICLE. WHEN RESTARTED THE VEHICLE WILL RUN WITH A VERY ROUGH LOW RPM IDLE, HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES OVER LAST FEW MONTHS. WILL DOCUMENT FROM NOW ON WHEN IT DOES IT AGAIN.
Power train, Engine, Mar 4, 2021
MY VEHICLE HASN'T BEEN DRIVEN MUCH, I WORK FROM HOME, I NOTICED A POOL OF OIL UNDER IT, TOOK TO DEALERSHIP AND HE OIL COOLER IS LEAKING.
Engine, Mar 2, 2021
THE OIL FILTER HOUSING IS MADE OF PLASTICS AND IT CRACKS AND OIL LEAKS ON TO EXHAUST WHICH COULD CAUSE A FIRE AND ALSO ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUER DUE TO OIL LEAKING ON GROUND. THIS IS A BIG PROBLEM WITH THE JEEP PENTASTAR 3.6 V6 ENGINE. AFTER CONTACTING JEEP DEALERS TO FIX LEAK THEY TELL ME THE PART IS ON BACK ORDER DUE TO SO MANY JEEP AND CARS THAT HAVE THIS PART. THE NUMBER THEY GAVE ME IS OVER 40,000 AND TIME FRAME OF GETTING ONE COULD BE A MONTH. THIS EXPLAINS WHY JEEP DROP POWER TRAIN WARRANTY FROM 100,000 MILES TO 60,000. I NOTICED A LITTLE LEAK AT 65,000 MILE AND NOW AT 70,000 MILES YOU HAVE TO KEEP ADDING OIL OR PARK IT DUE TO MAYBE IT CATCHING ON FIRE. ONE DEALER TOLD ME HE HAD 30 VEHICLE SITTING ON LOT WAITING ON PART.I FEEL JEEP SHOULD HAVE A RE-CALL FOR THIS ISSUER. NOW I HAVE A JEEP THAT I CAN'T USE FOR A MONTH OR MORE IF LUCKY.
Engine, Mar 2, 2021
OIL COOL IS LEAKING AFTER COLD WEATHER
Engine, Mar 2, 2021
ENGINE OIL COOLER IS OUT AND LEAKING OIL EVERYWHERE. THE VEHICLE IS NOT DRIVEABLE AND THE PART IS ON OVER A 45 DAY BACK ORDER. NO COMPANY WILL EVER TAKE MY VEHICLE IN DUE TO THE PART UNABLE TO BE ORDERED. EVERYONE SEEMS TO BE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. MY JEEP HAS 62K MILES ON IT AND IS MY DAILY DRIVER. THIS NEEDS TO BE RECALLED.
Engine, Feb 24, 2021, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 JEEP WRANGLER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45-50 MPH, THERE WAS A BURNING OIL SMELL DETECTED INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT PARKED THE VEHICLE AND SAW THERE WAS OIL LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE ONTO THE GROUND. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE FAILURE WAS DIAGNOSED AS A CRACKED OIL COOLER THAT LEAKED INTO THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. THE CONTACT INFORMED A JEEP DEALER OF THE FAILURE BUT THE PART TO REPAIR WAS ON BACK ORDER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
Power train, Feb 15, 2021
TYPICALLY ON FIRST START OF THE DAY IN COLD WEATHER (SUB 40DEGREES) WITH FOOT ON THE BRAKE WHILE IN PUTTING THE JEEP INTO REVERSE CAUSES IT TO LURCH BACKWARDS, DROP IDLE AND THEN STALL WHILE IN GEAR.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Feb 12, 2021
COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER ON HIGHWAY MULTIPLE TIMES. EVERY LIGHT ON DASH FLASHES AND HEADLIGHTS FLICKER