Engine complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 8% | — |
| 2025 | 28 | 39% | — |
| 2024 | 416 | 56% | 20,000 miles |
| 2023 | 110 | 30% | 10,000 miles |
| 2022 | 95 | 23% | 19,000 miles |
| 2021 | 223 | 23% | 28,000 miles |
| 2020 | 61 | 10% | 45,000 miles |
| 2019 | 49 | 7% | 16,000 miles |
| 2018 | 102 | 6% | 16,000 miles |
| 2017 | 63 | 20% | 52,000 miles |
| 2016 | 94 | 20% | 49,000 miles |
| 2015 | 132 | 28% | 47,000 miles |
| 2014 | 330 | 50% | 52,000 miles |
| 2013 | 144 | 22% | 63,000 miles |
| 2012 | 178 | 21% | 40,000 miles |
| 2011 | 42 | 9% | 68,000 miles |
| 2010 | 53 | 8% | 43,000 miles |
| 2009 | 30 | 5% | 50,000 miles |
| 2008 | 102 | 5% | 65,000 miles |
| 2007 | 213 | 12% | 11,000 miles |
| 2006 | 29 | 4% | 44,000 miles |
| 2005 | 41 | 6% | 67,000 miles |
| 2004 | 13 | 7% | 5,000 miles |
| 2003 | 7 | 7% | 24,000 miles |
| 2002 | 8 | 7% | 124,000 miles |
| 2001 | 23 | 14% | 82,000 miles |
| 2000 | 24 | 10% | 95,000 miles |
| 1999 | 51 | 24% | 58,000 miles |
| 1998 | 53 | 20% | 56,000 miles |
| 1997 | 111 | 28% | 74,000 miles |
| 1995 | 32 | 16% | 103,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
On June 1, 2026, software update 68C was performed at the dealership on my 2025 Jeep Wrangler 4xe. On June 6, 2026, at approximately 9:00 a.m., after driving the vehicle for about 25 minutes, I experienced a serious malfunction. While making a turn at a speed of less than 10 mph, the vehicle suddenly and without warning lost throttle and propulsion. It appeared to hesitate as though shifting between electric and gasoline power, and then abruptly and erratically lurched forward, accelerating to what felt like maximum speed. The Jeep struck a chain-link fence, which slowed its movement, but it continued to surge forward. I applied the brakes and attempted to maintain control of the vehicle, but it kept lurching ahead. At no point did the vehicle emit a safety warning, sound an alert, or attempt to stop automatically, even though it normally responds to obstacles when operating properly. …
The contact called for an acquaintance who owned a 2025 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked in the driveway, a neighbor saw black smoke coming from the vehicle. The neighbor called the authorities first and then called the contact, who was not at the residence during the failure. The vehicle caught on fire, and the neighbor alerted the occupants inside the residence about the fire. The Fire Department arrived on the scene and extinguished the fire. The fire burned several trees in the yard and damaged the concrete in the driveway. A fire report was filed. The remnant of the vehicle was towed to a salvage yard and deemed a total loss.
The contact owns a 2024 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. The contact stated that after several attempts, the vehicle started, and the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the failure was not duplicated. The dealer informed the contact that an error code was reset and was a communication error. In addition, the contact was informed that the check engine warning light was off. The contact had received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V741000 (Electrical System) and 25V766000 (Engine); however, the parts for the recall repair were not yet available. The contact was informed that the recall repair for NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V741000 (Electrical System) was performed and that the battery did not need to be replaced. …
Catastrophic Loss of Motive Power and Power Steering at Road Speed Following Recall 68C Update. Description: On February 6, 2026, my 2024 Jeep Wrangler 4xe (Mileage: 24,947) suffered a catastrophic safety failure while in motion on a public roadway. This occurred about 25 hours after the vehicle was "cleared" by a dealership for Recall 68C (NHTSA Recall 25V-741). While driving at approximately 25/30 MPH in Electric Mode, the vehicle suddenly displayed a "Service Transmission" warning and a red high-voltage "Service Hybrid Electric Vehicle System" error. The vehicle immediately lost all motive power and entered a "Limp Mode" (Turtle icon) that restricted speed to under 5 MPH. …
The contact's daughter owned a 2023 Jeep Wrangler Hybrid. The contact stated while his daughter was driving 30 MPH, the vehicle ahead of hers stopped unexpectedly. The contact stated that the daughter slammed on the brakes and swerved to the right; however, the driver's side front end of the vehicle hit the passenger's side rear end of the other vehicle and damaged its taillight. The air bags did not deploy. The contact stated that it was a fender-bender. The contact's daughter then noticed smoke coming from underneath the hood of the vehicle. The contact's daughter immediately exited the vehicle and contacted emergency services. The vehicle caught on fire and burned significantly. The fire was extinguished by the fire department. The contact was unsure whether a fire department report was filed. A police report was filed. The contact's daughter did not sustain any injury. …
The contact was an attorney who was filing a complaint on behalf of his client, who owned a 2023 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated that while his client was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. The failure caused his client's vehicle to be rear-ended by another vehicle. No air bags were deployed upon impact. The contact's client was transported to the hospital for a brain bleed and neck and back injuries. The client suffered a recurring concussion. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard and deemed totaled by the insurance company. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. Prior to the failure, the vehicle was towed to the dealer on three separate occasions because the vehicle failed to start. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V86500 (Engine) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. …
The contact owns a 2022 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated while driving approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that the vehicle lost power steering and the power assist braking was inoperable. The contact stated that there was a warning chime and a notification to shift to park(P). The contact had the vehicle towed to the residence and recharged the battery and filled the fuel tank due to the low fuel warning light being illuminated. The contact drove the vehicle to a dealer and was informed that the vehicle had run out of gasoline. The contact stated that failure reoccurred, and he had the vehicle towed to a different dealer. The contact was informed by the dealer that the vehicle had run out of gasoline. …
The contact owns a 2022 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH after refueling, the check engine warning light illuminated. There was exhaust smoke coming from near the driver's side door and a burning odor started entering the cabin of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the burning odor and exhaust smoke was coming from the catalytic convertor. The catalytic convertor had been replaced; however, the failure reoccurred. The contact stated while driving approximately 15 MPH and then pulling over to park, there was white cloud of smoke coming from the driver's side of the vehicle into the cabin of the vehicle. The contact stated that the cabin was full of a strong burning odor. The contact opened the driver's door and became aware that the exhaust smoke was coming from the catalytic convertor. …
Related recalls (2)
Engine
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Jeep Wrangler 4xe vehicles equipped with 2.0L Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle engines. A loss of communication may cause an engine shutdown.
Remedy: There is more than one involved component and calibration software. Updating the calibration software in the Transmission Control Module, Hybrid Control Processor and Auxiliary Hybrid Control Processor that changes fail…
Engine
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Jeep Wrangler, Ram 1500, and 2021-2022 Jeep Gladiator vehicles equipped with 3.0L diesel engines. The high pressure fuel pump (HPFP) may fail, causing an engine stall.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the HPFP and inspect and replace additional fuel system components, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 17, 2023.
NHTSA investigations
Skid plate debris fires
In a letter dated May 15, 2012, the Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) submitted a Defect Information Report to NHTSA identifying a safety defect regarding fires originating between the transmission skid plate and the exhaust catalyst in approximately 65,246 model year (MY) 2010 Jeep Wrangler 4x4 vehicles with automatic transmissions (NHTSA Recall 12V-216).According to Chrysler, changes to the exhaust system for MY 2010…
Frequently asked questions
Which Jeep Wrangler years have engine problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2024 (416), 2014 (330), 2021 (223), 2007 (213) and 2012 (178) model years. Engine complaints make up 56% of all complaints for the 2024.
Is there a recall for Jeep Wrangler engine problems?
Yes — 2 recalls, including 22V-865 (engine, Nov 23, 2022); 22V-767 (engine, Oct 13, 2022). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Jeep Wrangler engine problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 45,000 miles; 51% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the exhaust system › manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe (103 mentions), followed by the engine (101).
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.