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 2011 Jeep Wrangler owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
1. Battery, then alternator, now powertrain control module. 2. Yes, could have been stuck on one of the busiest roads in town. 3. Driving home from work and noticed my radio went off and the noticed lights flashing on my dashboard. My car was chugging so pulled off the road. Once on the side, it just shut down. Tried to restart and nothing happened. Called AAA and they said I needed a new battery and told me my alternator was in the danger mode. Took my jeep to a car repair service and told me they had to replace the alternator, but that this a common problem with my year jeep and it still won't be fixed and battery will still die again because the powertrain control module needs to be replaced. Gave me documents that show the number of jeeps brought into their service center with the same problem. Can't get into a jeep dealership for service until August 29, 2 2024. 4. …
I have been experiencing the "death Wobble" for many years, and have gone to various shops to find out the problem but have not been able to fix the "death wobble". The entire car shakes and vibrates uncontrollably when I drive on the free way over a bump, or even when I drive on a regular street and hit a bump. The shaking doesn't stop until I come to a complete stop, and that is very dangerous on the freeway. Once the "death wobble" is going on braking and controlling the jeep are nearly impossible. I have recently found out about a class action lawsuit for this very problem, and I believe my car qualifies to be part of this. I have not been able to document this because it doesn't always happen, and when it does I don't have a camera running.
Monday, January 11, 2016 4:21 pm transmission fire. 2011 Jeep Wrangler rubicon with 81K miles all maintenance. No modifications and no off roading. Lost power on an inclined road. Then the car shut off after all the panels went crazy and then black smoke started pouring out of the hood area. Only thing that kept my car from going up in flames was it was pouring down rain and I was on an incline. The 100000 mile / 5 year power tran warranty ended the day before this happened. At the time I did not know it was an engine fire do to the rain and all the black smoke. The dealership has been no help and both did not even mention fire until I did further investigation and had a private mechanic look at it. I am in the process of waiting on an insurance adjuster to complete their investigation.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated that after parking on a slight incline and turning the engine off, the vehicle erroneously rolled forward and crashed into a tree. During the incident the emergency brake was engaged and the gear shifter was in first gear. No injuries were reported. No police report was taken. The cause of the failure was not determined. The local dealer (1200 e. Carroll st, tullahoma, tn) was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact indicated that the failure had occurred on multiple occasions. The failure mileage was 50,000.
Using my 2011 Jeep Wrangler (right hand drive), I deliver mail for the U.S. Postal service. Was delivering mail on my rural route. Date was 4th of feb.2014. The problem was a fire in the engine compartment. Causing damage to the wiring harness , many other wires, compartment plastics ,and gas line. The cause appears to be hot oil from the transmission dipping onto the engine and transmission . I only see that the fill tube on the transmission was the leak. I heard a fire ignite , open the car hood and seen the black smoke I then put out the fire. It is now the date-March 18 ,2014. I have no support from Chrysler corporation for repair of my problem. Their investigation stated an investigation into the incident found no manufacturing defect that caused the incident on 2-3-2014. I have now turned this over to my car insurance company . They say I should use the lemon law. …
I am having trouble with my throw out bearing preload on my Jeep. I have noticed there is a TSB 06-002-07 for the tj and jk wranglers year 2007 and before. I have called Jeep and they have no record on the throw out bearing for my year Jeep. As soon as I go to google there's 100s of pages about preload problems on the throw out bearing. They have also recommended a bearing threw national bearing and seals but I haven't tried that yet. I had it replaced in November 2016 and also had problems with carmax saying it was my driving and also I had to go back and forth multiple times because of there faulty work. It started to act up again load squeal when the clutch pedal is depressed and the noise goes away when pressed (at a stop in nuetral) also loud when driving when clutch is released same noice. I'm not sure who else to talk to about this issue because Jeep was not so helpful. Thank you.
Twice in last 2yrs my standard Wrangler has refused to shift into geer and made a winding noise.. Then stalled and refused to start for upto 10 min. It happend last fal with approx 2900 miles on it then again a few days ago with 4800 miles... Not sure why or what is cause nothing is wrong according to dealership garage. Also hitting any little bump for the last 30000 miles has made Jeep jump like the rearend is flopping to one side also hard breaking causes same issue.. All suspension parts are either new or newer.. Looks like someone tried to fix that issue and failed... I am afraid these issues will eventually cause an accident.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Jeep Wrangler. At various times, there was an abnormal noise coming from the front end of the vehicle and the engine warning indicator illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle hesitated when the accelerator pedal was depressed. The contact discovered that the vehicle was also leaking oil frequently. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the torque converter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 69,000.
I experienced the so- called death wobble last night and this morning on my way home from work. I was going just above 40mph. It feels like an unbalanced wheel? If I would leave off the throttle just a bit and keep it smooth at 40 MPH it would go away. I couldn't imagine the other owners who were going much faster what they must have experienced. This needs fixed and I will be at the dealership expressing my concerns. I hope no one gets hurt by this !
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Jeep Wrangler. While turning the vehicle, the tires seized and caused the vehicle to stop independently. In addition, the vehicle made an abnormal noise once shifted into drive. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 63,000.
Related recalls
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 2011 Jeep Wrangler?
NHTSA has 40 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2011 Jeep Wrangler, 8% of the model year's 485 complaints. The component named most often is manual transmission (5 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2011 Jeep Wrangler transmission problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 11V-145 (axle assembly, Mar 1, 2011). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2011 Jeep Wrangler transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 35,000 miles, and 39% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 3 fires and 0 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.