Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (headlights, tail lights, turn signals, interior lights).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2012 Jeep Wrangler owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
2012 Jeep Wrangler have had intermittent trouble for well over a year. Turn car off and headlights stay on. Finally figured out that if I turn the car back on and roll forward a little I can sometimes turn lights off. Same problem turning the headlights on. Rolling the car a few inches usually corrected the headlights. Windshield wipers will start on their own or stop during use with no warning. This began in late 2014 but the problem was so intermittant we could not duplicate it on demand until August 2015. The dealer replaced the multi function switch and wiring harness but before we even drove out of the parking lot both the lights and windshield wipers were doing the same thing. They kept it a few days and "sealed the cluster". Didn't have a problem for a few weeks and the car is now 700 miles away at school with daughter. …
First my power windows wouldn't work while driving, I pulled off the side of the road and turned the car off and that temporarily fixed the issue (it has happen twice since). That same day I was driving on the interstate using my cruise control set at 70mph and the traction control light came on and the cruise control shut down and disabled itself while keeping the cruise control light on and not allowing me to turn off or reset the cruise control. (these lights went out the following day). A couple days later while driving, a warning of the rear drivers side turn signal being out came on (this comes and goes now almost daily). Last night while my Jeep was parked in driveway of my home the headlights and dome light started coming on randomly. …
The TIPM unit went out, causing lots of issues. The issues we're aware of are: the doors wouldn't lock, shifter was stuck in park, radio/cd/Bluetooth wouldn't work, and the front headlights wouldn't turn off leading to a complete drain of the battery. Thankfully, the vehicle was parked and this didn't happen while we were driving it (it could have been very dangerous if it did). It cost us $1100.00 to replace the TIPM unit, which was a huge financial burden on us, but even worse was that we had to go without the Jeep (one of our main means of transportation) for almost two months because there's a waiting list for the replacement part. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Jeep Wrangler. While driving various speeds, the headlights turned off independently without warning. The contact had to continuously turn the headlight switch in order to have visibility when the failure occurred. The contact also stated that the turn signals would not operate and the windshield wipers operated independently when the vehicle was started. The contact had to repeatedly turn the windshield wipers on and off for them to stop working. The contact called scott robinson Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram (20900 hawthorne blvd, torrance, ca 90503, [phone]) where he was informed that the part needed to repair the vehicle would cost $1,300. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to NHTSA for assistance. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure mileage was 6,500.
Yesterday when driving my Jeep to the gas station all of the warning lights started turning on and the jeeps battery light turned on. Knowing that it could be a problem with the alternator I headed home immediately. A block from my house in the middle of an intersection the battery finally died thankfully someone was able to push me out of the intersection because it was dark out and I didn't have any lights. I had the car checked and it is the alternator. I searched online and found that there is a recall for a pentastar 3.6 l v6 alternators but I'm being told that my vehicle is not included in the recall. By specifically excluding my vehicle from the recall they have risked my safety and the safety of those around me.
My complaint is with my local Dodge dealer (jack key motors) who I called 5 times to get this recall taken care of. I was either told they didn't have the kit because the dealer was only given so many, or they would call me back to set up a time, as well as I went there and waited 20 min for the service manager to go "see" if he had a kit, but after 20 minutes of waiting I left.so I called another dealer 39 miles from my town, they are getting me right in. I find is unexceptionably, as I am a service writer in a local automotive shop.as well paid over 35,000 dollars for a Jeep.
Several problems occurred electronically with my Wrangler in the past 2 months. 1. Headlights turned on when I came out of the store 2. Check engine light came on (4cyl. Misfire) but cleared itself after 100 miles 3. While sitting idle at a red light, the dash warning light lit up and flickered as well as chimed for a minute. 4. While cruising on the interstate about 70mph, the Jeep shut off for a few seconds and turned back on before I was almost rear ended by the vehicle behind me.
Passenger side headlight failure. Repairs made to wiring, and replacement headlight installed. Lamp still only works intermittently. Affecting low light visibility. Potentially an issue with TIPM which has lead to other electrical issues, such as transmission not engaging. Has caused engine failure, and control failure in other vehicles. Happens at any time, stationary, moving, FWD, reverse, turning, etc.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated that the left and right turn signal switch and the windshield wipers failed to operate. The failure recurred several times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but the failure was unable to be determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 38,000.
Exterior lights stopped working which includes headlights and directionals. I was driving and when I went to turn on my lights due to darkness they did not turn on. TIPM (fusebox) needs to be replaced according to mechanic.told this is a common problem with this vehicle and will cost between $1100.00 to $1200.00 to replace.
Headlight complaints in other Wrangler years
Frequently asked questions
How common are headlight problems on the 2012 Jeep Wrangler?
NHTSA has 21 complaints about the lights of the 2012 Jeep Wrangler, 3% of the model year's 835 complaints. The component named most often is turn signal › switch (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2012 Jeep Wrangler headlight problems?
No. NHTSA lists no lights recall for the 2012 Jeep Wrangler, though it has 9 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2012 Jeep Wrangler headlight problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 38,000 miles, and 25% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to lights 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.