Brake complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
I am writing to file a formal safety complaint regarding my 2021 Jeep Renegade, which has been experiencing sudden, unprovoked automatic braking for almost a year. The issue began in Spring [Year], and over the past two months, it has become significantly more frequent. The vehicle brakes sharply on its own even when there are no obstacles, cars, or objects in front of us. This happens at normal driving speeds and creates a serious risk of rear-end collisions-especially dangerous on highways. We have a baby, and this malfunction has put our family in frightening situations multiple times. We've brought the vehicle to the dealer and service center several times, but they claim no error code shows up, so no repair is made. The car is currently at the service center again, and still no resolution. …
September 1, 2021 Re: [redacted] I purchased this vehicle on or about August 17, 2021 Upon delivery but after completion of paperwork, the transport agent conveyed that the vehicle had 'quick steer". He tried to explain that the car just steers or drives on its own. Very bad weather, I didn't risk driving it. I had the opportunity to drive it and the steering wheel becomes self operating, the brakes respond and during driving the vehicle literally stops responding to manual driving. Both the steering wheel and brakes are automatically generated. In upper left corner of dash a directional turns red to green. There is no indication of why or how. It's dangerous and can lead to death by car accident. I presented the dealership with concerns, too
If you have my jeep renegade in drive and you open a door it activates the emergency brake. My husband was in a wreck in the lowes parking lot. He hadn't shut his door right and so he opened the driver door slightly which activated the emergency brake which in turn caused him to slam into a parked car. I don't see how this is a safety feature at all.
37000 miles, 4 sets of rotors, 4 sets of brake pads, the current set has only 1000 miles on it and rotors are already warped and cut marks on them, in less than 5 months. Jeep service mechanics have said off the record this is a known problem with these jeeps but they are pushing all the costs off to consumers to keep fixing it, and it took a lot for any of them to finally admit it's a known problem with the front dusk brakes on Jeep renegades.
The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Renegade. The contact stated that the check engine light had initially appeared on the instrument panel as the dynamic steering torque service, Service ESC system, Service HiIl-Start and the Traction Control warning lights would all appeared on the instrument panel. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, a hissing sound would emit from the brake pedal as the pedal became firm and difficult to depress. In addition, the contact also stated that the steering wheel was loose while both idle and when steered. The dealer was notified of the failure and an appointment was made to have it serviced. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.
The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Renegade. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to accelerate and exceed 45 MPH. While driving, the vehicle was slow to respond. The contact stated that the brake pedal remained depressed. The ABS warning light was flashing on and off. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the ABS module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 45,000.
The contact owns a 2017 Jeep Renegade. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, an unknown warning light started flashing on and off. The contact stated that the failure had become constant, and the warning lights were illuminated after starting the vehicle. Additionally, the parking brake had begun to engage independently. The contact stated while pulling out of her driveway, the parking brake independently activated, and the vehicle stopped. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V485000 (Electrical System). The failure mileage was approximately 72,000.
I purchased this vehicle used with 6000-ish miles on it, the front passenger brake system had started making a slight noise, somewhat scraping or dragging. When I brought in the car for a tire change or balance, the issue was brought up to me at BIG O Tires in Aurora CO, that an issue of the brake system has a scraping or wear that usually found in a much older vehicle or one with much more mileage. I cannot at this time give the exact explanation of the issue, but I recently had an issue with the front passenger tire with a slow leak, since the tire was replaced the issue with the scraping noise has returned. 2nd Issue: The headlamps have always had a weak beam, not giving a good illumination of the road area ahead of the vehicle even when the weather is clear. It barely reveals the road ahead of me. When it is raining or snowfall, it is extremely poor. …
Related recalls (1)
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc › Caliper
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2020 Jeep Renegade and Fiat 500X vehicles. The right rear brake caliper could have been fractured during the casting process.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the right rear brake calipers, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began February 7, 2020.
Frequently asked questions
Which Jeep Renegade years have brake problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2017 (31), 2015 (30), 2016 (24), 2018 (20) and 2019 (6) model years. Brake complaints make up 5% of all complaints for the 2017.
Is there a recall for Jeep Renegade brake problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 19V-909 (caliper, Dec 19, 2019). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Jeep Renegade brake problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 21,000 miles; 80% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the antilock › abs warning light (1 mentions).
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.