Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2007 Jeep Wrangler owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2007 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would independently enter limp mode with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to the dealer where they replaced the valve body. Recently, the contact stated upon placing the gear shifter into the Reverse, the vehicle would fail to move backward. The check engine light then illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer where he was given an estimate for a new transmission. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 156,000.
I bought my 2007 Jeep Wrangler in November 2020. It had approximately 122,000 miles on it and has the 6 speed manual transmission. After driving it for 7 days, I was backing out of a parking spot and heard a loud squeal and was unable to shift gears. It had to have the clutch replaced along with the flywheel and several other clutch associated parts. The total was $1,600. The salesman at the dealership where I bought it told me as I was buying it that there is no warranty but if something happens in the first couple of weeks that he would work with us. Of course he did NOT help me. He wouldn't even return my phone calls. Whatever, buyer beware! Second issue is of course the fuel spit back problem. Every time I fill up, I end up with gas on the Jeep and on the ground. I love wasting money like that. …
I bought the 2007 Jeep jk used with approximately 81,000 miles. Shortly, after owning the vehicle I experienced the jump out of gear (jog). It is a very frightening, and potentially dangerous problem with this transmission. The problem occurs when starting in first gear from a dead stop. Most often, there are vehicles behind you, when the jog occurs the vehicles behind are not prepared for your loss of forward momentum. On one instance I have been hit from behind. On many other instances there have been some close calls. The other danger is if one is pulling out and crossing a traffic lane. Losing forward momentum can be very dangerous as cars approach from either the left or right side. I truly believe this issue is a result of a transmission design flaw that should be covered by Jeep no matter if the original warranty has expired. …
Fire started under the car somewhere between the engine and transmission. Glow of the flame was towards the back of the engine compartment and towards the center of the car. Fire worked its way forward and engulfed the engine compartment. Car was in motion exiting from the highway onto an off ramp when issue was noticed.
While I was driving the engine of my Jeep caught fire got out of the vehicle attempted to put it out without success the engine engulfed in flames and the whole Jeep burnt I called the police and fire department and police came
I was driving down the road the Jeep started spitting and sputtering I pulled over to see what was going on as I go to get out it bursted into flames from under the hood then quickly spread throughout the whole Jeep quickly
I acquired my Jeep Wrangler (manual transmission) in January of 2007, shortly thereafter it started popping out of 1st gear. At first it was just once or twice a month, it has progressed to a point where it was doing it 4-6 times per day. At first I thought that I was not engaging it properly, but I've subsequently tried to hold it in 1st gear and it forces itself out of gear so hard that it almost broke my wrist. I've noticed that it pops out more upon low to medium acceleration. Last month, I approached an intersection in an attempt to make a right had turn. As I attempted to make the turn from a stopped position, upon moderate acceleration, the transmission popped out of first gear and left me stalled in neutral in front of oncoming traffic. Fortunately, the vehicle behind was able to skid and barely hit my slowed vehicle. …
My Jeep with 86K miles engine blew. One week earlier when driving over 40 miles per hour it seemed to wobble a bit from left to right, I thought maybe it was because I had 4 wheel drive on. I have only owned it for a month and it is a 2nd vehicle and I was not sure if that was normal or not. Then after not driving the vehicle for 4 days I moved it out of my driveway and was less then a block from my home when the oil light came on and half a block later the engine cut out. The car wouldnt start again and I had it towed to the dealer where I purchased it. They told me the internal fuel pump seemed to malfunction and the engine was blown! When I returned home I noticed a pool of oil in my driveway. This car sat for days and was barely driven by me since my purchase. How does an engine at 86K miles just blow? How does oil just dump out of a vehicle? Why? …
Timp has gone bad. Causes all gauges to quit working, stalls engine during operatiing, door locks and security system inoperable, headlights work then don't work. Lights come on even if switch is off. Window motors quit working. The well known failure of the timp in Chrysler vehicles, especially all Jeep Wrangler series dating as far back as 2006, have not been addressed nor fixed by Chrysler. This timp failure is a severe safety hazard and needs an immediate recall forced upon Chrysler/daimler/Jeep. My 2007 Jeep Wrangler jku timp quit working, whilst I was driving. This could have caused a major accident of which could have resulted in injury, and/or death. Thankfully, I was able to physically through the disabled power steering to stop vehicle. Through my research, it appears this is a major safety issue plaguing nearly every Jeep Wrangler produced. …
I have a 2007 Jeep Wrangler with a manual transmission. Recently it has started to occasionally and violently pop out of first gear. The issue only happens from a standstill into a rolling start such as at a stop sign or traffic light. This is a dangerous issue as I could easily be rear ended in busy traffic. From what I have read in the different Wrangler forums, there have been many customers with the same issue. There is a detailed TSB regarding this repair. I know starting in 2008, the jeeps came with a lifetime warranty on the powertrain. I'm inquiring today as to why there has not been a recall issued for those of us with the '07. It's the same motor, same transmission as the 08-2010 models. I only have 124K miles on it, and have owned the Jeep for 10 years. The TSB related involves replacing first gear, and the 1/2 synchros. …
Related recalls
Power train › Automatic transmission
Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2007 through 2008 Jeep wrangler vehicles manufactured from June 2006 through July 2008, equipped with automatic transmissions. These vehicles were not equipped with a transmission fluid temperature warning system.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and install a "hotoil" message in the instrument cluster and a chime indicating an elevated transmission fluid condition. The recall began on February 22, 2010.
NHTSA investigations
Transmission overheating / fire
In a letter dated November 3, 2009, Chrysler group llc (Chrysler), notified NHTSA that it will conduct a safety recall of approximately 161,000 model year (my) 2007 and 2008 Jeep wrangler vehicles built with automatic transmissions.Chrysler stated that these vehicles were not equipped with a transmission fluid temperature warning system and the operation of these vehicles beyond the limits of reasonable usage over a…
Transmission complaints in other Wrangler years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2007 Jeep Wrangler?
NHTSA has 124 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2007 Jeep Wrangler, 7% of the model year's 1,706 complaints. The component named most often is manual transmission (22 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2007 Jeep Wrangler transmission problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 09V-436 (automatic transmission, Nov 5, 2009). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2007 Jeep Wrangler transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 46,000 miles, and 28% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 7 fires and 1 injury to transmission & drivetrain 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.