Most common 2017 Jeep Wrangler problems
Share of the 311 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 →
2017 Jeep Wrangler recalls (5)
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.
Electrical system › Wiring › Front underhood
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Jeep Renegade, Compass and Grand Cherokee, RAM 1500 and Promaster, Fiat 500x, Dodge Journey, Challenger, Charger and Durango and Chrysler 300x vehicles, 2017-2018 Jeep Wrangler, Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town and Country vehicles and 2018-2019 Jeep Cherokee and 2018…
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began October 2, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403.
Exterior lighting › Brake lights › Switch
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2017 Dodge Caravan and Jeep Wrangler vehicles. The brake switches on these vehicles may malfunction, keeping the brake lights illuminated and/or allowing the vehicle to be shifted out of the PARK position without the brake pedal being pushed.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake switches, free of charge. The recall began March 22, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403.
Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2017 Jeep Wrangler vehicles manufactured November 1, 2016, to November 3, 2016. The affected vehicles may have a fuel tank that has a cracked or broken control valve, possibly resulting in a fuel leak in a rollover event, debris in the fuel tank and/or the potential of over…
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and Jeep dealers will inspect the fuel tank and replace fuel tank and sending unit, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 12, 2017.
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.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 3 possible defects involving the 2017 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 2017 Jeep Wrangler owners say
Brakes all 78 →
2017 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited with 44,000 rear brake calipers sticking and burning smell. Had brake pads and calipers replaced on all 4 wheels. At approx 60K miles, rear brakes were sticking and smoking. Right brakes wearing unevenly compared to the left side, both front and rear. Caliper seals are leaking. Replaced 4 brake hoses, Calipers and Pads AGAIN. At 70K miles rear brakes locked up and caused a fire on the rear passenger wheel which created unsafe driving conditions with 2 small children on board. I had to stop on the side of a 2 lane road with small shoulder, quickly evacuate the children onto the shoulder of the road and extinguish the fire using an on-board suppression device. We then had to wait for towing assistance on the side of the road for 90 minutes. Brakes, Hoses, Calipers replaced all around. Again.
The contact owns a 2017 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated that while his wife was driving approximately 30 MPH, the driver's side front brake locked up. The contact stated that his wife had not observed any warning lights being illuminated. The vehicle was driven back to the residence. The vehicle was stopped and parked, and the contact stated that there was smoke coming from the driver's side front wheel well. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 91,914.
Engine & cooling all 63 →
The contact owns a 2017 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30-45 MPH, the vehicle lost power. On another occasion, while driving at 20 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power. While shifting into gear, the vehicle failed to respond as intended. The check engine warning light illuminated after the failure. The driver was able to pull over safely. The vehicle was running, and the heat was functioning. The vehicle was towed to a AAA Service Center, where the filter and oil were changed; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was towed to AAA again, but no assistance was provided. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed, and it was determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
The contact owns a 2017 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and initially diagnosed with cylinder #3 misfire. Additionally, there was an abnormal antifreeze odor detected. The engine code was reset. After getting the vehicle back from the mechanic, there was lots of white smoke coming from the exhaust pipe. The vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic and diagnosed with a cracked cylinder head. The vehicle was not repaired and remained with the mechanic. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to file a complaint with NHTSA. The failure mileage was approximately 84,000.
Transmission & drivetrain all 50 →
The contact owns a 2017 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated while driving 55 mph, the contact saw smoke coming from the engine compartment. The contact stated that the clutch disintegrated causing the clutch to catch on fire. There was no crash nor injuries due to the fire. The air bags did not deploy. The fire department was not contacted. A police report was not filed. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer where it was diagnosed with the clutch needing to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact was relating the failure to NHTSA campaign number: 21V028000 (Power Train). The manufacturer had been informed of the failure and informed the contact that the Vin was not under recall. The failure mileage was approximately 33,000.
The contact owns a 2017 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated that the transmission independently shifted out of reverse(R). The contact immediately grabbed the gear shifter immediately and shifted back into reverse(R). The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the transmission crankshaft and drive train had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The failure returned several weeks later. The vehicle was taken to another certified mechanic, was diagnosed it with transmission failure. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The contact learned that the transmission had been replaced by the previous owner at 9,588 miles in 2019. The vehicle was not repaired again. The dealer was contacted and notified of the failure. The dealer had not diagnosed or repaired the vehicle. …
2017 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 2017 Jeep Wrangler a good car?
Based on 311 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2017 Wrangler rates average: 22% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Wrangler at the same age. It is one of the best Wrangler years by this measure. 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 2017 Jeep Wrangler?
The brakes — 78 complaints, 25% of all complaints for this model year, most often about foundation components › disc › caliper. Next are the engine & cooling (63) and transmission & drivetrain (50).
How many recalls does the 2017 Jeep Wrangler have?
There are 5 recalls for the 2017 Jeep Wrangler, the most recent from September 26, 2019 (anchorage). 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 2017 Jeep Wrangler problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 24,000 miles; 77% 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.