Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2009 Jeep Wrangler owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
My Jeep Wrangler warning light cycled on under normal driving conditions. I drove it to my mechanic he said the code read was for the transmission. We checked the transmission fluid and it was filled with fluid. I drove it home into my driveway and I saw smoke and looked under the vehicle. I didn't find anything. When I stood up and walked around the vehicle I noticed smoke coming from the engine compartment. I lifted the hood and flames where present. I closed the hood and ran for fire extinguishers to put out the fire. The Jeep has always been maintained and only has 92k miles on it. The whole incident was captured on my Ring Camera.
It has been a common known issue for at least the past year for Chrysler/JEEP to have faulty ABS modules in their vehicles. The ABS control module is a microprocessor that runs diagnostic checks of a vehicle's antilock braking system and processes information from wheel-speed sensors and the hydraulic brake system to determine when to release braking pressure at a wheel that's about to lock up and start skidding. It is probably one of the most important parts of a vehicle to make it safe. My local Jeep dealership said to me today that Chrysler plans to be able to allow them to order this part in February of 2023. I feel this is unacceptable, very unsafe and lives can be lost if the production of this part does not come sooner.
Turned on ignition and wipers and headlights turned on with no control, car ignition beeped constantly, all dash lights illuminated, all gauges stopped working (speedometer, fuel, tachometer, temperature) and there was a clicking noise on the transmission. Had to drive home hoping my electrical system wouldn't shut down while driving home. Narrowed down to faulty TIPM.
TIPM failure while driving is very unsafe. Can cause lights, wipers, and other failures while driving, including intermittent dangerous stalling and non starting. Please don't wait until deaths or injury occur before action of this widely known issue.
While working my mail route, only about 20 miles in, my right hand drive Wrangler started to smoke. I assumed because the vehicle never turned off when it began to smoke it was something small causing the issue. I was driving 15 MPH when this occurred. I pulled over, shut off my vehicle and opened the hood. There was a fire on the passanger side of my vehicle under and behind my battery, rolling under the vehicle moving very quickly. I immediately closed the hood, got my belonging out of my vehicle and watched as it blew up, and I called 911. My vehicle is totaled. I am now learning that this is becoming a common occurance with Jeep! Why are there no public warnings!! Where are the recalls!!!!!!!! I and others could have been hurt or killed!!!!
Tl* the contact owned a 2009 Jeep Wrangler. While driving 55 MPH, there was an odor of burning rubber or plastic inside the vehicle. The contact coasted the vehicle over to the side of the road and noticed smoke and flames inside the vehicle. The fire department extinguished the fire and a report was not filed. The contact was able to exit the vehicle without injuries. The vehicle was destroyed and towed to a storage lot. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was unknown. The approximate failure mileage was 82,000.
I was delivering mail, and while stopped at a box I noticed smoke coming from the passenger side of the hood. I pulled into the nearest driveway, and got out of the vehicle just before the engine compartment went up in flames.
There is a known issue with the Jeep Wrangler clock spring in 2007+ models. Currently a recall has been issued for 2007 and 2008 left hand drive models, and 2007-2012 right hand drive models. A recall should be made for all model years and configurations as this issue can lead to the airbags not deploying in the event of a crash. The current recall is as follows: Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 right hand drive (rhd) Jeep Wrangler vehicles manufactured from February 1, 2007, through October 10, 2011. Some vehicles May be equipped with driver's airbag clockspring assemblies that could experience a compromised airbag circuit resulting in an airbag lamp illumination, which indicates that the airbag May not deploy. …
All warning lights on instrument cluster turned on and there was a constant chime. Fuel gage dropped to empty, I didn't know how much gas I had. The speedometer and tachometer no longer worked, I had no idea how fast/slow I was going. Windshield wipers stayed on constantly, in the off position, eventually destroying my blades. Headlights stayed on constantly in the off position and blinkers would not function at all. Horn would randomly go off and doors would lock & unlock. Ac blew hot. It kind of felt like my power steering went out. I could smell strong fumes from the exhaust. I first replaced the TIPM and some of the problems were fixed, but not all. I then replaced the instrument cluster and all previous unresolved issues, were resolved. When the problems first started happening, it only happened occasionally. …
Backing out the drive way wipers came on pulled back in driveway checked headlights were on wipers and headlights wouldn't turn off with switches I noticed I didn't have a dome light no gauges on dash no speedometer or odometer turn signals and 4way flashers wouldn't work the horn doesn't work I know this is a safety issue without horn and turn lights wipers on all the time I have done a lot of research on the internet such as Jeep forum Wrangler forum you tube and found there is a lot of Jeep wranglers and Chrysler products out there with the same issues everyone states it is the totally integrated power module also called the TIPM one you tube video of a 2012 Wrangler owner states he has to wait 2 weeks for a TIPM because they are on back order Chrysler apparently cant keep enough tipms in stock they go out so frequently I think this is a safety issue and Chrysler should put a recall …
Related recalls
Electrical system › Wiring
Chrysler is recalling 4,314 my 2009 Dodge journey, Jeep grand cherokee, commander and wrangler vehicles. Wiring May be reversed on the steering column control module driver airbag squib connector. The driver's airbag May not deploy as intended.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the driver's airbag squib wires and replace the steering column control module free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during May 2009. Owners May contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
NHTSA investigations
Totally Integrated Power Module Failure
In a letter dated August 21, 2014, the Center for Auto Safety (CAS) petitioned the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to initiate a defect investigation of alleged failures associated with the Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM) installed in Chrysler SUV?s, trucks, and vans beginning in the 2007 model year.
Electrical complaints in other Wrangler years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2009 Jeep Wrangler?
NHTSA has 54 complaints about the electrical system of the 2009 Jeep Wrangler, 9% of the model year's 626 complaints. The component named most often is starter assembly (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2009 Jeep Wrangler electrical problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 09V-118 (wiring, Apr 9, 2009). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2009 Jeep Wrangler electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 63,000 miles, and 17% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 6 fires and 1 injury 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.