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 2010 Jeep Wrangler owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2010 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated while driving at 5 MPH, the passenger's side steering column detached. No warning lights were illuminated. Additionally, the transmission had a fluid leak. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the drag link, control arm, and adjustment sleeve needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
When starting the vehicle the check engine light comes on. Including the low tire pressure sensor comes on. The tires have been repaired yet the pressure system still says low. The car when shortly after it's been turned on only going several miles an hour and staying about 2RPMs starts to kick forward in a abrupt motion as if it wants to accelerate. Sometimes it's a hit or miss to start the car so I have to put it in neutral to start it. In conclusion everytime the vehicle starts to move from a complete stop or braking a loud clanking noise repeats a 2-3 times (clank,clank,clank) continues then stops after driving continually, then repeats after every stop that is made. I'm not sure what to make of it but my guess it has to do with the braking system even though no warning lights for brakes have come up.
I will be driving down the road and a red lighting bolt will flash on my gauges then the jeep will either lose power or shut off. I was almost hit by a semi truck due to this. Once I cycle the key goes away till the next time it happens. Also the brake assist will randomly kick on typically applying braking power to the left rear passenger tire. This is not fixed by cycling the key. Jeep has recalled newer Wranglers for these exact issues but when I contacted Jeep they said it would cost me out of pocket
1) doors are supposed to lock when vehicle gets to a certain speed but the driver side no longer locks automatically. 2) while vehicle was in park, the automatic gear slipped into drive and smashed into a wall and totally shut down. The Jeep had to be towed to the dealer as the automatic gear shift would not move and the Jeep would not start. The Jeep has been in the repair shop for 3 days and the dealership has not been able to determine what is wrong with the Jeep.
The recent recall by Jeep on the 2010 wranglers does not fit the situations that have been occurring. Several owners have experienced spontaneous fires, and were not in any off-road situation that could have cause debris to collect on or near the catalytic converter. They were simply driving home from work, or on the highway. One owner, who contacted me, had 16 miles on it (2012 model), and had just picked it up from the dealership. It caught on fire on his way home. Another owner had 600 miles on it (another 2012 model) and it was sitting in front of his home. Numerous have not been on the 2010 models either. The debris that "collected" under my vehicle was not burned up in the fire, and not even in that same location. I believe that this "recall" is Jeep's attempt to bandage a larger issue they are hiding from the public. …
The problem is and has been with first gear (6 speed manual transmission). Within the first year of ownership the local Jeep dealer was asked about the "popping-out" of first gear. They said that they could not get it to do so while they had it in their possession. Within the last two (2) months it has gotten to be not only an annoyance, but a safety issue. Safety in that pulling out in traffic becomes an "adventure." there is no confidence that it will not pop-out leaving the vehicle momentarily in a stalled condition with approaching oncoming traffic. One week ago it was taken again to the local Jeep dealer. Warranty expired this past April. The problem was acknowledged and the cost for them to repair this problem was stated to be $6,000. {note: online we have noticed many concerns and complaints identical to ours. …
I have a 2010 Jeep Wrangler unlimited sahara. My Wrangler as a defect on the transmission causing it to violently pop out of first gear while trying to accelerate (every single time). Looking into the issue, I have found that it is very common with the 2010 manual transmissions, yet there has been no recall issued regarding the transmission- even though it can be dangerous. Because of this defect, I have to start my Jeep in second gear causing extra wear and tear on my clutch. According to my local dealership, in order to fix the issue, I will have to either completely rebuild my transmission or get a new one (in the TSB that Chrysler put out regarding the issue, only the 1-2 synchronizer assembly needs to be replaced to repair the issue.) it is absurd that Chrysler has acknowledged this issue, yet a recall has still not been issued. …
The 2010 Jeep Wrangler unlimited had been driven approximately 15 miles in stop and go traffic and for the ten minutes prior to the stop at the convenience store had been driven at highway speeds. The driver stopped at a convenience store for 5 minutes, pulled out of the parking lot, and approximately 2 minutes later the Jeep had flames shooting out from underneath the vehicle. The driver was able to get into an empty parking lot before the power steering failed and attempted to put out the fire with a fire extinguisher with no success. The Jeep was a complete loss at approximately 3000 miles. The only unusual behavior noted before the fire was that the vehicle stalled when put into reverse on 2 occasions. The Jeep was scheduled to go back to the dealer to investigate this problem but then burned to the ground. …
My reverse went out on my 42rle automatic transmission in my Wrangler and I looked it up and supposedly this issue is extremely common. Like story after story after story after story after story. This transmission had a recall in its early days where it wouldn't go into park and people were crashing they fixed that but ever since this transmission came out according to google. People have had this problem and it shouldn't just go out like that. The vehicle was stopped and I was backing out of a parking space. Well I was trying until I realized that I wasn't going anywhere so I had to drive over the little hump things. But my reverse lights and everything come on but my engine just revs. And everyone I've asked from people in new orleans Jeep club to looking it up on google either has this problem or had this problem or knows someone who either has or had this problem.
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Jeep Wrangler sport. While driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle started to shake excessively and lose power abnormally with the illumination of every warning light on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where they performed a diagnostic test concluding that the PCM had failed. The vehicle was repaired. On a later date while attempting to accelerate 15 MPH, the contact smelled an unusual burning or smoke odor as the vehicle stalled without warning. The dealer informed the contact that the PCM failed a second time and blown a fuse. The manufacturer offered to repair the vehicle however, because the contact had only owned the vehicle for two days he wanted a replacement but the manufacturer refused. The vehicle was not repaired. The current mileage was 184 and the failure mileage was 172.
Related recalls
Power train › Automatic transmission
Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2010 Jeep wrangler vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission. The transmission skid plate, which is close to the catalytic converter, can collect debris.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the skid plate with a skid bar, free of charge. Owners May contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Power train › Axle assembly
Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 Jeep wrangler vehicles manufactured from July 12, 2010, through September 10, 2010. Some vehicles May experience a degradation of fastener torque for various front and rear axle attachments to the chassis module.
Remedy: Dealers will re-torque all nineteen fasteners to the maximum residual torque values. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on March 24, 2011.
Transmission complaints in other Wrangler years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2010 Jeep Wrangler?
NHTSA has 68 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2010 Jeep Wrangler, 10% of the model year's 686 complaints. The component named most often is manual transmission (13 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2010 Jeep Wrangler transmission problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 12V-216 (automatic transmission, May 16, 2012); NHTSA recall 11V-145 (axle assembly, Mar 1, 2011). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2010 Jeep Wrangler transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 29,000 miles, and 50% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 6 fires and 2 injuries 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.