Jeep Wrangler Problems by Year

We compared every Jeep Wrangler model year from 1995–2026 using 17,792 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, 83 recalls and federal defect investigations. The years to avoid are 2024, 2018, 2021, 2023 and 2019, which drew far more complaints than other Wrangler years at the same age. The best years are 2017 and 2015.

31model years
17,792complaints
83recalls
2024, 2018worst years
2017, 2015best years

Complaints by model year

’95’97’98’99’00’01’02’03’04’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25’26202401265213251170108981926507301.7k1.9k6266864858356546574784623111.8k7466169534063727467112
Owner complaints per model year, Jeep Wrangler. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).
YearComplaintsvs. typical*RecallsTop problemVerdict
202612−33%3ElectricalAverage
202571typical4ElectricalAverage
20247466.1×11ElectricalAvoid
20233722.5×14ElectricalAvoid
20224061.8×15ElectricalCaution
20219533.5×15ElectricalAvoid
20206161.9×12SteeringCaution
20197462.1×9SteeringAvoid
20181,8275.2×14SteeringAvoid
2017311−22%5BrakeAverage
2016462typical5BrakeAverage
2015478−18%3BrakeAverage
20146571.6×4EngineCaution
20136541.6×6TransmissionCaution
20128352.1×9TransmissionAvoid
20114851.2×10AirbagAverage
20106861.7×10Fuel SystemCaution
20096261.5×7AirbagCaution
20081,8634.6×7AirbagAvoid
20071,7064.1×8Fuel SystemAvoid
20067301.8×3Fuel SystemCaution
20056501.5×1Fuel SystemCaution
2004192−61%1SteeringGood
200398−80%—TransmissionGood
2002108−84%2BodyGood
2001170−76%3BodyGood
2000251−57%1TransmissionGood
1999213−55%1ElectricalGood
1998265−45%2ElectricalGood
1997401typical3EngineAverage
1995202−53%1BrakeGood

* Complaints compared with the median Wrangler year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.

Most common Jeep Wrangler problems

Latest Jeep Wrangler recalls

Back over prevention › Sensing system › Camera

NHTSA recall 26V-531 · Aug 13, 2026 · 844,027 vehicles

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2026 Jeep Wrangler, Jeep Gladiator, Jeep Compass, Jeep Cherokee, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Jeep Grand Cherokee L, Jeep Grand Wagoneer, Jeep Grand Wagoneer L, Ram Promaster, Ram Promaster EV, Ram 1500, Ram 2500, Chrysler Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid, Chrysler Voyager, and 2026-2027 Chrysler…

Remedy: Radio software will be updated by a dealer or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning September 2, 2026.

Wheels

NHTSA recall 26V-456 · Jul 16, 2026 · 641 vehicles

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2026 Jeep Gladiator and Jeep Wrangler vehicles. The walls for the steel wheels may be too thin, allowing them to crack or detach, which can result in a loss of vehicle control.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the steel wheels and valve stems, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 4, 2026.

Steering › Hydraulic power assist › Pump

NHTSA recall 26V-363 · Jun 4, 2026 · 1,076,999 vehiclesPark outside

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021-2025 Jeep Wrangler, Wrangler 4XE, and Jeep Gladiator vehicles. The electric hydraulic power steering pump wiring may overheat and cause a vehicle fire, even when the vehicle is parked with the ignition in the "Off" position.

Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures, until their vehicle is repaired. Dealers will inspect and replace the wiring and electric hydraulic power steering pump, as necessary, free of charge.

Back over prevention › Sensing system › Camera

NHTSA recall 26V-327 · May 21, 2026 · 16 vehicles

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2019 and 2023 Chrysler Pacifica, 2024 Ram 1500, Ram 2500, and 2024-2025 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. Contamination in the central vision processing module or improper programming may cause the rearview camera image not to display.

Remedy: Dealers will update the central vision processing module software or replace the module, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed beginning July 16, 2026.

Child seat › Vehicle tether anchor

NHTSA recall 26V-224 · Apr 9, 2026 · 32 vehicles

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2026 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. The child seat tether welds on the second-row, right-side seat frame may be insufficient, which can reduce the seat's ability to properly restrain a child during a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the second-row, right-side seat frame, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 29, 2026. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403.

All 83 Jeep Wrangler recalls by year →

Frequently asked questions

What years of the Jeep Wrangler should you avoid?

2024, 2018, 2021, 2023, 2019 and 2012 — these years have the most complaints relative to other Wrangler years at the same age, led by electrical system problems in the 2024.

What is the best year for the Jeep Wrangler?

2017 has the fewest complaints compared with other Wrangler years at the same age, followed by 2015. Newer years can look better simply because fewer complaints have come in yet, so we compare like with like.

What are the most common Jeep Wrangler problems?

Across all years, owners report the most problems with the steering (3,882), electrical system (3,370) and fuel & propulsion system (3,271). Steering complaints peak in the 2018 model year.

How many recalls has the Jeep Wrangler had?

83 recalls across 1995–2026. The model year with the most is 2021. See all Jeep Wrangler recalls by year.

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.