2016 Jeep Renegade Electrical Problems

119 owners have reported electrical system problems with the 2016 Jeep Renegade to NHTSA — 28% of all 431 complaints for this model year. The typical failure happened around 38,000 miles. That ranks #4 of 9 Renegade model years for electrical complaints (a typical year has 27). No electrical recall has been issued for this model year.

119complaints
38ktypical miles
0related recalls
1crashes
2fires
3injuries

Which parts fail

  • Software
    1
  • Wiring › Fuses and circuit breakers
    1
  • Body control module/BCM
    1

Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).

Mileage when the problem started

  • Under 25k
    3137%
  • 25k–50k
    2429%
  • 50k–75k
    2328%
  • 75k–100k
    45%
  • 100k–150k
    11%
  • 150k+
    00%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2016 Jeep Renegade owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Renegade. The contact stated while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. The contact stated that on occasions she was able to start the vehicle; however, the failure reoccurred. The tire pressure measuring system (TPMS) warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that she was no longer able to start the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the body control module needed to be replaced. The vehicle remained with the independent mechanic awaiting the repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.

Body control module/BCM · 80,000 miles · Dec 2022

Had this car since 2016,only 39,289miles,no problems whatsoever,and then I did this recall thing the 12th of July 2021,and today the 14th of July 2021 I have an engine light on,I have this horrible noise when I turn it on,I am so pissed and mad!!!really mad!!!Techs should not touch anything else than whats is called for to be fixed!!!i feel that when we take the cars they mess things out so we,the customers have to end up putting money since is free,they need customers to go back and spend on something that it didn't needed it from the beginning!!!like I said 6yrs and not a problem,even have a multi point inspection sheet that it shows everything was great!!!i am scare to take back,because now I'm going to end up paying for their mistakes/fault/unprofessional work.I am so disappointed,upset,mad.I was planning to buy there again,but now I'm re thinking bout it!it won't get fixed I know I …

Jul 2021

On more than one occasion, this car has stalled or stopped, leaving me coasting to the side of the road in active traffic. I was going about 30-35 mph. It has had oil consumption problems since 2021 when I purchased it. It was presented to me at point of sale as gas consumption...it wasn't getting good mileage and would need a tune up. Also misrepresented as having a spare and it did not. On 4 Aug 2024 I completed the most recent oil consumption test and it failed. Leith Jeep refused to provide me with paperwork and said "no charge." But it needed another quart of oil which I added. Before the test was completed it needed a quart of oil. I have all records and will attach here if possible or email under separate emails. Not sure how many doc can be attached. I had recall repairs made. My car is part of the class action lawsuit but is unsafe. …

Jul 2021

After work I got in my renegade Trailhawk and turned it on as usual to go home. Upon starting up the vehicle, warning lights came on telling me the headlights, tail lights, blinkers, daytime lights, tag lights, parking lights and back up lights were not working or out. I got out and inspected them only to see they were in fact all still functioning as should be. I got someone from the dealership to look at the issue and was told it would be alright, but definitely get the service department to look at it in the morning. I am having it inspected today by the service department and hopefully the issue will be resolved. As an update on this particular issue, I took the Renegade to the Service department the next morning and after just a few minutes I was informed this would be remedied within less than 15 -20 minutes. …

May 2021

While driving around I suddenly got an alert from the car that the driver's side back up light, left turn signal light/rear tail light was no longer functioning. I had to drive around without people driving behind me knowing of any intent to turn left, which was a safety issue. I took it to an independent mechanic who replaced the bulbs and everything was back to normal, but only for 30 minutes. The same thing happened again on my drive home and I had to turn around to take it back to the mechanic. Upon further investigation, the mechanic noted that the connector for the light was burnt out and thus, causing a faulty connection, that had nothing to do with the lights themselves, and that could fail at any time. In trying to get a new connector, the mechanic found that they are on backorder, presumably because this is an issue being faced by numerous jeep renegade owners. …

Oct 2024

Complaint #11629826. i also have had safety issues with my 2016 Jeep Renegade. Engine shuts down while driving flashes check engine signs and has to be put in park to be restarted. Currently, engine stops while driving and " emergency brake goes on " I have to restart jeep and drive with emergency brake on because it won't go off even though I have not set the brake on. This is happening frequently and almost was hit on the highway due to Jeep engine stopping while I was driving. I have had it in for service several times and paid for software/connection replacements etc. Problem still exists and very dangerous. Jeep dealership unsure how to fix the problem. Numerous dates of occurrence within the last 2 months-

Jan 2025

The indoor cloth paneling is peeling off due to cheap adhesive materials used by Jeep manufacturers. The filament inside the cloth paneling is falling out and getting in the air I am breathing in the car. I looked online and it seems this is a problem with many 2015-2017 Jeep Renegades and is said to be a design/material defect. This should be a recall. The head lights and right side parking light flicker and sometimes don't come on. This may be an electrical issue that other 2015-2017 Jeep Renegade owners document having as well. The dealer wants to charge hundreds of dollars for these repairs when they are Jeep brand defects.

Sep 2023

Vehicle Started to overheat when sitting still and AC was reduced at a stop. Found the cooling fan to be unresponsive and not operating. Found CSN V54 tsb and conducted determination of it's application to my vehicle. Vehicle had the bushing style plastic heat shield from the examples and using proper scan tool, found the fan unresponsive to run command. Called dealership to schedule repair and they were adamant that it was not covered, or must have been repaired already, but did not provide proof of such repair. The unit in the vehicle is the plastic heat shield bushing style unit, not the ball bearing replacement unit.

May 2025

After work I got in my renegade Trailhawk and turned it on as usual to go home. Upon starting up the vehicle, warning lights came on telling me the headlights, tail lights, blinkers, daytime lights, tag lights, parking lights and back up lights were not working or out. I got out and inspected them only to see they were in fact all still functioning as should be. I got someone from the dealership to look at the issue and was told it would be alright, but definitely get the service department to look at it in the morning. I am having it inspected today by the service department and hopefully the issue will be resolved.

May 2021

Was driving with cruise co trip on going about 70 mph. On an interstate. All of a sudden I saw my dash all go out and was pushing down on my accelerator and had no power and car was slowing down. Next it came back on and the the steering wheel light with exclamation showed up. Today 2 days later driving and it states service 4wd and the. When at a stop light it again did the same thing and this time shut down. This is a high priority in my mind I can't allow younger drivers to drive. I see other complaints like this too.My spouse also observed the first time. Could of cause fatalities and or severe harm.

Aug 2024

Electrical complaints in other Renegade years

2015201620172018201920202021202220231291191491312714261210
Electrical complaints per model year, Jeep Renegade.

Frequently asked questions

How common are electrical problems on the 2016 Jeep Renegade?

NHTSA has 119 complaints about the electrical system of the 2016 Jeep Renegade, 28% of the model year's 431 complaints. The component named most often is software (1 mentions).

Is there a recall for 2016 Jeep Renegade electrical problems?

No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for the 2016 Jeep Renegade, though it has 1 recall for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.

At what mileage do 2016 Jeep Renegade electrical problems start?

Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 38,000 miles, and 37% before 25,000 miles.

Is it dangerous?

Owners linked 1 crash, 2 fires and 3 injuries to electrical system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.