AC & Heater complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 | 0% | 9,000 miles |
| 2021 | 1 | 0% | 57,000 miles |
| 2019 | 2 | 0% | 82,000 miles |
| 2016 | 1 | 0% | 34,000 miles |
| 2015 | 1 | 0% | 49,000 miles |
| 2013 | 3 | 0% | 67,000 miles |
| 2012 | 2 | 0% | 36,000 miles |
| 2007 | 2 | 0% | 2,000 miles |
| 2006 | 3 | 0% | 24,000 miles |
| 2005 | 3 | 0% | 1,000 miles |
| 2004 | 2 | 1% | 82,000 miles |
| 2003 | 1 | 1% | 0 miles |
| 2001 | 6 | 4% | 105,000 miles |
| 2000 | 5 | 2% | 65,000 miles |
| 1999 | 12 | 6% | 97,000 miles |
| 1998 | 10 | 4% | 72,000 miles |
| 1997 | 10 | 2% | 36,000 miles |
| 1995 | 1 | 0% | — |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (air conditioning, heater, defroster, HVAC controls).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
This incident happened February 23, 2015 around 9 am . It was snowing that day and the temperature was in the 20's. I was in the vehicle and had the defroster/heater turned up all the way. About 5 minutes later of sitting, I heard a popping noise. About a few seconds later of hearing this popping noise I slowly see a crack on the bottom of the driver side windshield just over 16 inches but no more than 2 feet long. I recently just moved from san diego and my Jeep has never seen snow or had experience with the cold weather before. I went on wranglerforum.com (Jeep enthusiast website) and that is where I found out that I wasn't alone. More jeeps had their windshield crack during the winter due to them turning the defroster/heater abruptly. I think there is a defect on the windshield or the insulation and needs to be addressed. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated that the climate control only functioned for the passenger side of the vehicle. The failure occurred without warning. Imperial Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram (10 uxbridge rd, mendon, ma) diagnosed that the heater core was clogged and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated that the vehicle did not have any recalls; however, if the contact paid to have the vehicle repaired and a recall got issued, the contact would be reimbursed. The failure mileage was approximately 67,000.
Tl contact owns a 2006 Jeep Wrangler. The vehicle is a right hand ride Jeep. At 9,000 miles, the contact had to replace the heating switches and wiring harness. She took the vehicle to the dealer and they dismantled the dashboard. They noticed several malfunctions and replaced a number of wiring harnesses in order to repair the heating switches. Recently, the vehicle had to be returned to the dealer due to alternator failure. The alternator sent so much heat to the battery that is caused the water to boil. Sulfuric acid spilled all over the firewall of the vehicle. The contact was informed that the alternator was sending currents of up to 19 volts to the battery. The failure mileage was 56,000. Updated 05/21/08 the consumer stated he replaced the heater switch 3 times, the alternator and starter were replaced as well. The defroster was inoperative. Updated 05/20/08
My wife and I were on a trip in our 2006 Wrangler (with 10,802 miles on it),it was very cold this night and windows were fogging up. We turned on the defroster for the first time and within a minute our windshield cracked. I called our local dealership and was told that my warranty did not cover this item and I had to pay them to replace my window. I later found out it should have been covered. 12 month or 12,000 miles. I think they might have a safety issue wit this so more people need to complain.
Wiring overheating and melting blower motor fan switch at 36,500 miles. Wiring overheating and melting multifunction switch for turn signals, headlamps, hazards, etc... At 37,800 miles. Unknown cause for either failure. Replaced blower motor control switch assembly after failure myself as it was only $25 usd and 10 minutes time. Now the multifunction switch is doing the same - melting and causing headlamps to fail. Is there a voltage control problem with the electrical systems to cause these failures? Will the replaced parts fail again? Will a fire result the next time? Updated 02-01-08 updated 02/01/08
Dt*: the contact stated there is a problem with the gears which occurs at various speeds. While the shifter was in four-wheel drive it slipped to neutral. There was a whirling noise present when the shifter was in reverse and a grinding noise coming from the other gears. Upon inspecting the vehicle the dealership was unable to duplicate the problem. The vehicle was inspected a second time. The dealer tightened the gear leakages and determined the tab on the fan blower had broken and was causing the whirling noise. The blower fan is going to be replaced.
The A/C,heater blower switch mopar part 305011214aa over heats and the wiring start to melt,the switch starts to melt and then the switch fails. There appears to be to much current draw from the blower motor. It causes the dark green power lead connected to the switch to overheat melting the insulation on the lead and the connections on the switch. This has occured again today September 22,2012. This caused the same problem,wires overheat,connections and wires melt and switch housing at connections start to smolder until switch fails,when switch fails current ceasses to flow to blower motor and everything cools down enough to prevent further damage to switch wiring. Fuse for the circuit does not blow out. To repair, switch must be replaced and new wire connectors insalled,and the dark green wire will start to get hot enough to be uncomfable to the touch. Dealership parts dept. …
The dash blower control was not working. When the mechanic check it and the system, it was discovered that the blower had over heated the pigtail connectors and melted them. The blower control was visibly melted and multiple signs of overheating were apparent. The blower control, all pigtail connectors and the blower had to be replaced. This was caught just short of me having to deal with a fire being caused by this over heating of the electrical parts of the A/C-heater system. This is the same situation as reported in other complaints. Refer to odi id numbers: 10364281, 10283272, 10181912 and 10145512.
Related recalls (1)
Visibility › Defroster/defogger/HVAC system
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Jeep Wrangler and 2022-2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles. A hybrid control processor (HCP) software error may cause the defrosting and defogging system to be inoperative.
Remedy: Dealers will update the HCP software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 29, 2024. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is 04B.
Frequently asked questions
Which Jeep Wrangler years have ac & heater problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1999 (12), 1997 (10), 1998 (10), 2001 (6) and 2000 (5) model years. AC & Heater complaints make up 6% of all complaints for the 1999.
Is there a recall for Jeep Wrangler ac & heater problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 24V-111 (defroster/defogger/hvac system, Feb 15, 2024). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Jeep Wrangler ac & heater problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 61,000 miles; 52% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the defroster/defogger/hvac system (28 mentions), followed by the appliance › air conditioner (16).
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.