2017 Jeep Wrangler Brake Problems

Which parts fail

• Foundation components › Disc › Caliper
  1

Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  1144%
• 25k–50k
  936%
• 50k–75k
  28%
• 75k–100k
  28%
• 100k–150k
  14%
• 150k+
  00%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2017 Jeep Wrangler owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

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.

The contact owns a 2017 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the service brakes warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed with a failure to the frontal impact sensor. The contact was informed that the frontal impact sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 112,000. The VIN was not available.

The contact owns a 2017 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated the vehicle was exhibiting a pulling sensation and jerking while driving. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the calipers needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the repair was not covered under warranty. The approximate failure mileage was 31,069.

This jeep has 60,000 miles and is 5 years old and has had all 4 calipers seized and rotators brakes replaced and cylinders misfired in the engine that has been replaced. All this on a new vehicle is insane and a safety hazard for a vehicle this young AND with this low of mileage. I took ownership of this jeep in March of 2020 with 33k miles. Then in January 2021 with about 40k miles on the car being 3 1/2 years old the back calipers seized causing smoke and burning smell and was a fire hazard and unsafe to drive. Fast forward another year and a few months later on May 13th I was driving the vehicle and the BACK calipers siezed while in operation and now both rear sides had to be replaced, rotators, calipers, brakes and hoses. A year and 1/2 later only 15,000 more miles. So now all 4 calipers siezed and were replaced, motors, brakes, hoses. …

A check engine light came on and when diagnosed it was the Electronic Vacumn Pump which runs the braking system. I see there is a TSB from FCA (Fiat Chrysler Automobiles) about this problem.. Case Number: S1805000006 Release Date: 02/24/2020 Symptom/Vehicle Issue: ESC Light Illuminated. DTC C1252-92 VACUUM PUMP CONTROL CIRCUIT And Or P258B ELECTRONIC VACUUM PUMP PERFORMANCE Discussion: If ABS has C1252-92 Active or Stored do not replace the brake system module (ABS). PCM may also have set P258B-00. The faults are pointing to vacuum pump system having an issue maintaining vacuum levels. Please check the vacuum pump operation, fusing, wiring, and connector for proper functionality. Poor connections, spread pins, damaged connectors are possible causes. Perform the diagnostic for the DTC P258B regardless if it is set or not, since it is more compressive of a test than C1252-92. …

During a routine maintenance visit, a pre-purchase/general inspection was performed on my 2017 Jeep Wrangler, which documented the front axle and differential housing as intact and in one piece. Subsequent to that inspection, while the vehicle was undergoing service, it was discovered that the front axle housing bracket on the driver's side had fractured and separated from the frame mount. Upon inspection of the fractured surface, the break exhibits oxidation (rust) at the fracture point itself, indicating the crack had been forming and propagating over time rather than resulting from a single acute impact or event. This suggests a pre-existing metal fatigue or corrosion-related structural weakness in the front axle housing bracket assembly that was not visually detectable during a standard inspection prior to full separation. …

The car brakes failed Thursday May 5, 2021 while I was in the open road. The car did not have any prior warning sign indicating there was an issue with the brakes until after the fact, which with the help of the emergency brake I was able to park on the side of the road and have a towing company pick it up. My car has been at the dodge, Jeep Wrangler dealership since. I contacted the dealer that sold me the car "EchoPark at Grand Prairie" in Texas, the dealer was aware that the brake pads were well below 50% of useful life when they sold me that car that was ultimately the thing that caused my brakes to fail and they've refused to pay for the damages occurred, or compensate me in any sort of way. …

We took our car to Rairdon's Dodge Chrysler Jeep of Kirkland for oil change and checking the brake on February 12th because the rare brake had been making some noises and might need a replacement soon. The estimate for the services that we requested plus the additional services that they claimed to be critical was over $2,000. We did not question the amount because safety first and we trusted them to do a good job. We picked up the car on February 15th and paid $2,863.68. We drove home and did not use it until a week later. While driving on a highway, the brake was very loose and there was a huge sound when driving over a speed bump. We checked the car and noticed that a part came off and hanging from the base of the car. We had our car towed back to the shop on March 7th and the staffed confirmed that the caliper had fell off. …

May 14, 2025 Dear NHTSA, I am submitting this complaint regarding my 2017 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sahara, which has only 60,000 miles and has already required several major repairs that raise serious safety concerns. To date, I have had to replace three brake calipers and the emergency brake, at a cost of over $2,500. The calipers were seizing, and the emergency brake would not release properly, both of which posed clear risks while driving. I understand through forums and peer discussions that other owners have faced similar issues. In addition, my vehicle now has an oil leak that will cost over $700 to repair, and the windshield washer fluid hose burst, requiring another replacement. These repeated failures on a relatively low-mileage vehicle suggest underlying quality and reliability issues. I believe these concerns warrant review, particularly the safety-related brake defects. …

Brake complaints in other Wrangler years