2019 Jeep Wrangler Transmission Problems

80 owners have reported transmission & drivetrain problems with the 2019 Jeep Wrangler to NHTSA — 11% of all 746 complaints for this model year. The typical failure happened around 39,000 miles. That ranks #9 of 31 Wrangler model years for transmission complaints (a typical year has 53). 3 related recalls have been issued.

80complaints
39ktypical miles
3related recalls
1crashes
6fires
0injuries

Which parts fail

  • Driveline › Differential unit
    1
  • Clutch assembly
    1

Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).

Mileage when the problem started

  • Under 25k
    840%
  • 25k–50k
    315%
  • 50k–75k
    525%
  • 75k–100k
    15%
  • 100k–150k
    315%
  • 150k+
    00%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2019 Jeep Wrangler owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

The contact owns a 2019 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH uphill, the vehicle failed to respond upon depressing the accelerator pedal. The check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle lost power steering functionality. Additionally, the stereo and the windshield wipers engaged independently. A message indicating a shifter column failure was displayed, and other unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact was able to exit the highway and pulled into a driveway, where she parked the vehicle. The contact stated that the engine continued running after pressing the Start/Stop button several times to turn off the vehicle. Additionally, the contact stated that the engine revved up significantly while the accelerator pedal was not depressed. The contact pressed the Start/Stop button again, and the vehicle turned off. …

75,000 miles · May 2023

On [redacted], my 2019 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon (2.0L turbo) caught fire in the engine compartment while driving, at approximately 101,437 miles. The fire started near the turbocharger and heat shield area. There were no injuries, but the vehicle was moving on a public road with four occupants, including two young children in car seats in the rear, when the fire started. The vehicle had been returned to me four days earlier, after approximately 2.5 months at Preferred Chrysler Dodge Jeep of Muskegon, MI for a timing chain replacement. After the fire, I found that the coolant reservoir hose had come off its fitting, and the hose barb appears to have been broken and the hose pushed back on. Several under-hood trim fasteners were also missing. My best assessment is that coolant sprayed onto the hot turbo/exhaust components and ignited. …

Oct 2026 · fire

The contact owns a 2019 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact's husband noticed that the lights on the instrument panel were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the interlock brake system had failed and needed to be replaced; however, the part was not available. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The contact stated that on another occasion, while her husband was driving 25-30 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering functionality and the engine seized. The contact stated that the gear shifter failed to function as intended and there were several warning lights illuminated. The contact's husband was unable to pull over to the side of the road. A Police Officer assisted with traffic control. …

100,000 miles · Jun 2025

The contact owns a 2019 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was hesitating while depressing the accelerator pedal. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was initially taken to a local dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed with clutch failure; and the vehicle was later repaired by another dealer - Cumberland Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram (1550 Interstate Dr, Cookeville, TN 38501). The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V116000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the failure had returned while driving after the initial repair. The local dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. …

32,000 miles · Jul 2021

The contact owns a 2019 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the message "Service Shifter" was displayed and several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that upon turning off and restarting the vehicle, only the check engine warning light remained illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated while driving on a back road at 25 MPH, the windshield wipers engaged independently, and the power steering became inoperable. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact immediately pulled over, and the vehicle was towed to a local independent mechanic, where the failure could not be duplicated. The local dealer was contacted but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact was advised that the VIN was not included in a recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 66,201.

66,000 miles · Mar 2025

The contact owns a 2019 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated that the dealer had previously repaired the vehicle under NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V116000 (Power Train); however, the failure occurred after the recall repair was performed. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the "Service Transmission" message was displayed. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where the recall repair was performed a second time; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and the contact was advised to take the vehicle to another dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 36,000.

36,000 miles · Mar 2024

The contact owns a 2019 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated that upon having the vehicle repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V116000 (Power Train) and driving at an undisclosed speed, the service transmission warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who was unable to diagnose a failure and advised the contact to drive the vehicle for a few days and report back with any changes, but the warning light had remained illuminated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 70,000.

70,000 miles · May 2024

The contact owns a 2019 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle accelerated erratically. Additionally, the vehicle made an abnormal sound. The contact stated that the AUTO start warning light was illuminated. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V116000 (Power Train). The vehicle was taken to the dealer however, the part was not available for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.

50,000 miles · Mar 2023

The contact owns a 2019 Jeep Wrangler. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V116000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had experienced the failure listed in the recall prior to the recall being announced. The failure mileage was 38,500. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

39,000 miles · Oct 2021

The contact owns a 2019 Jeep Wrangler. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V116000 (Power Train). The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle downshifted with abnormal roaring sound coming from the gear shifter. Additionally, the contact observed a burning odor. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the clutch assembly was glazed needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure returned after two weeks. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 56,801.

57,000 miles · Mar 2023

Related recalls

Power train › Clutch assembly

NHTSA recall 23V-116 · Feb 23, 2023 · 69,201 vehicles

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2018-2023 Jeep Wrangler, and 2020-2023 Jeep Gladiator vehicles equipped with manual transmissions. The clutch pressure plate may overheat and fracture.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the clutch assembly and update the software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed from November 16, 2023 through July 25, 2024.

Power train › Clutch assembly

NHTSA recall 21V-028 · Jan 28, 2021 · 42,887 vehicles

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Jeep Wrangler and 2020-2021 Jeep Gladiator vehicles equipped with manual transmissions. The clutch pressure plate may overheat and fracture.

Remedy: FCA US LLC will notify owners, and dealers will add software to reduce engine torque capability when clutch assembly temperatures rise to a level that may damage the inner pressure plate, free of charge." FCA has…

Power train › Clutch assembly

NHTSA recall 20V-124 · Mar 3, 2020 · 33,237 vehicles

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Jeep Wrangler and 2020 Gladiator vehicles equipped with manual transmissions. The clutch pressure plate may overheat and fracture.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will reroute a wire harness and inspect the clutch system, and replace components as needed. The recall began April 30, 2020.

Transmission complaints in other Wrangler years

’95’97’98’99’00’01’02’03’04’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25’2632533320702314222641571241416068402822308851745017780471486651178121
Transmission complaints per model year, Jeep Wrangler.

Frequently asked questions

How common are transmission problems on the 2019 Jeep Wrangler?

NHTSA has 80 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2019 Jeep Wrangler, 11% of the model year's 746 complaints. The component named most often is driveline › differential unit (1 mentions).

Is there a recall for 2019 Jeep Wrangler transmission problems?

Yes — NHTSA recall 23V-116 (clutch assembly, Feb 23, 2023); NHTSA recall 21V-028 (clutch assembly, Jan 28, 2021); NHTSA recall 20V-124 (clutch assembly, Mar 3, 2020). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

At what mileage do 2019 Jeep Wrangler transmission problems start?

Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 39,000 miles, and 40% before 25,000 miles.

Is it dangerous?

Owners linked 1 crash, 6 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.