Most common 2016 Jeep Wrangler problems
Share of the 462 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Jeep Wrangler complaints by model year
Best Wrangler years: 2017, 2015. Years to avoid: 2024, 2018, 2021, 2023, 2019. Compare all years →
2016 Jeep Wrangler recalls (5)
Air bags › Frontal › Driver clockspring/spiral cassette
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) (Stellantis) is recalling certain right hand drive 2016 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. Debris contamination may cause the clockspring to fail, preventing the driver's air bag from deploying in a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the clockspring, steering wheel back cover, and steering column shrouds, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 4, 2024.
Seat belts › Front › Anchorage
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2011-2018 Jeep Wrangler right hand drive vehicles. The driver's seat belt buckle mounting strap may fracture and separate from the seat frame.
Remedy: FCA US will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's seat belt buckle, free of charge. Interim notices informing owners of the safety risk were mailed November 19, 2019.
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2010 Dodge Ram 3500, Ram 4500/5500, 2010-2011 Dodge Dakota, 2010-2014 Dodge Challenger, 2010-2015 Dodge Challenger, Chrysler 300, and 2010-2016 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge.
Air bags › Frontal › Sensor/control module-inactive
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Jeep Wrangler vehicles manufactured June 16, 2015, to August 14, 2016. In certain crash conditions, the front impact sensor wiring may be pulled until it detaches before a signal can be received by the Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC).
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will reroute the front impact sensor wiring and relocate the impact sensor branch, free of charge. The recall began on November 10, 2016.
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2011-2016 Right Hand Drive Jeep Wrangler vehicles manufactured February 16, 2010, to May 2, 2016. The clockspring assembly may become contaminated with dust and cause the air bag circuit to fail.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the clockspring, wheel back cover, and column shroud, free of charge. The recall began on August 11, 2016.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 3 possible defects involving the 2016 Jeep Wrangler:
Seat belt buckle bracket failure
On July 17, 2019, NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation (PE) 19-008 after receiving three Vehicle Owner Questionnaire (VOQ) reports alleging the driver's side seat belt buckle separated from the seat frame, rendering the seat belt non-functional. The VOQs involved model year (MY) 2015 and 2016 Jeep Wrangler (JK platform) that were configured for right-hand drive (RHD) use.
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited.
Electrical overstress
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation to determine if the failure of airbags to deploy during severe crashes, in certain vehicles, was the result of a safety related defect. During the investigation a complex failure was studied that can result in non-deployment of subject vehicle air bags and other restraint system devices in severe crash events.
What 2016 Jeep Wrangler owners say
Brakes all 137 →
The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the brakes failed to operate as intended. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was driven to a stop and the contact smelled rubber burning with a little bit of smoke. The vehicle was driven to an independent mechanic and was repaired. The failure recurred and the vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic. The contact was informed that the ABS module was sticking and needed to be replaced however, parts were on back order. The manufacture was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 60,000.
The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle jerked with an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle. The contact stopped the vehicle, and there was an unknown warning light illuminated. The vehicle was turned off and restarted; however, while driving, the failure reoccurred with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a private dealer, where it was diagnosed with ABS control module failure. The dealer informed the contact that the part to do the repair was not available. The vehicle remained with the dealer unrepaired. The contact related the failure to NHTS Campaign number: 22V426000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 77,000.
Engine & cooling all 94 →
The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated that upon replacing the engine oil himself, he noticed that oil was leaking onto the transmission. The contact stated that there was no smell of oil burning or any smoke coming from the oil leak. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the oil filter housing was cracked. The dealer replaced the oil filter housing and repaired the vehicle; however, while the mechanic was test driving the vehicle, the vehicle caught on fire under the hood. There were no injuries sustained. The fire was extinguished with the assistance of the fire department. A fire department report was filed. There was no police report. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and sent an inspector who diagnosed that the fire started under the hood. …
The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated that upon the approach of a stop sign with his foot on the brake pedal, the engine had begun to rev without warning. With the brake pedal depressed to the floorboard, the vehicle continued to lurch forward as the contact clipped the vehicle in front of him. As the engine continued to rev, the contact immediately shut off the ignition. A police report was not filed and no injuries were reported. Both the contact and the other driver were able to drive away from the scene. The dealer was notified and an appointment was made for a diagnostic. The contact called the manufacturer and was informed that he would receive a callback, the contact had yet to hear back from the manufacturer. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 71,000.
Air bags all 77 →
The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Wrangler. The contact recently replaced the windshield wiper motor due to a failure of the intermittent speed settings not functioning properly. The contact stated that after replacing the wiper motor, the contact was only able to use the wipers on the fast speed setting. An independent mechanic informed the contact that the vehicle was taken to the shop for repair, or he could replace the wiper blade switch on the steering column. The contact repaired the vehicle himself. The contact stated that after the repair was completed, while driving out of the driveway at approximately 2 MPH, the driver's side front air bag deployed. The contact followed the instructions to install the wiper blade switch carefully. The contact was still only able to use the wipers on the fast speed setting. The vehicle was not repaired. …
The airbags did not go off when I was struck from the front. Impact was 40 to 50MPH. AAA insurance carrier says its a complete loss with over $31,000 worth or repairs. They are salvaging the Jeep. The Jeep is at my home and available for inspection until AAA insurance takes it away. I was the only one in the Jeep when it was hit. With only the seatbelt to restrain me it severely twisted my body to the left. I have head, neck, back pain with 6 herniated disks. I have dizziness, nausea and loud nonstop ringing in the ears. Airbags have not been inspected by anyone. Only the damages were inspected by the insurance carrier. No warning lights, messages or symptoms prior to the accident.
2016 Jeep Wrangler engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.6L 6-cyl | 5-speed automatic | 4WD | 17 / 21 / 18 |
| 3.6L 6-cyl | 6-speed manual | 4WD | 17 / 21 / 18 |
EPA ratings. Class: Small SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2016 Jeep Wrangler a good car?
Based on 462 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2016 Wrangler rates average: about as many complaints as a typical year of the Wrangler at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2016 Jeep Wrangler?
The brakes — 137 complaints, 30% of all complaints for this model year, most often about antilock › abs warning light. Next are the engine & cooling (94) and air bags (77).
How many recalls does the 2016 Jeep Wrangler have?
There are 5 recalls for the 2016 Jeep Wrangler, the most recent from March 14, 2024 (driver clockspring/spiral cassette). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Jeep Wrangler?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2017 and 2015. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2024, 2018, 2021, 2023 and 2019. See the full Jeep Wrangler years comparison.
At what mileage do 2016 Jeep Wrangler problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 40,000 miles; 60% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.