Door Lock & Latch complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1 | 0% | 30,000 miles |
| 2018 | 1 | 0% | 30,000 miles |
| 2017 | 2 | 1% | 80,000 miles |
| 2015 | 1 | 0% | 0 miles |
| 2013 | 2 | 0% | 12,000 miles |
| 2012 | 2 | 0% | 6,000 miles |
| 2011 | 2 | 0% | 95,000 miles |
| 2010 | 3 | 0% | 11,000 miles |
| 2009 | 3 | 0% | 32,000 miles |
| 2008 | 9 | 0% | 10,000 miles |
| 2007 | 10 | 1% | 12,000 miles |
| 2006 | 2 | 0% | 8,000 miles |
| 2004 | 1 | 1% | 26,000 miles |
| 2003 | 3 | 3% | 29,000 miles |
| 2001 | 2 | 1% | 2,000 miles |
| 2000 | 1 | 0% | — |
| 1999 | 2 | 1% | 40,000 miles |
| 1998 | 2 | 1% | — |
| 1997 | 9 | 2% | 75,000 miles |
| 1995 | 8 | 4% | — |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (door latches, locks, hood and tailgate latches).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
2010 Jeep Wrangler. Consumer writes in regards to vehicle hood problems. The consumer stated while driving in windy conditions, the hood would rapidly move up and down, one to two inches. The dealership recommended buying after market hood latches to help prevent the problem.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Jeep Wrangler. While driving approximately 63 MPH, the hood latch detached and caused the safety latch to open. The contact coasted the vehicle to the side of the road, used a cargo strap to secure the hood, and drove home. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 32,000.
Tl contact owns a 2009 Jeep Wrangler 4x4 sport (na). While driving approximately 65-70 MPH, another vehicle passed the vehicle in the opposite direction and the wind caused the hood to open approximately an inch and a half. Then the hood closed very hard. The failure continued every 100 miles every time a commercial vehicle passed. The contact called the dealer who stated that the failure was not normal. The vehicle had not been inspected or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 6,300 and the current mileage was approximately 7,500. Updated 3/14/11 updated 06/24/11
My Jeep vehicle is subject to a dangerous defect commonly referred to as hood lift, hood fluttering or wind buffeting. At highway speeds when encountering an oncoming vehicle, a headwind or crosswind, the vehicle's hood will rapidly lift and drop up to 2 inches at a time until the turbulence has passed. Chrysler / Jeep has always called this a "characteristic of the vehicle". When this event occurs the driver's vision is dangerously diverted from a long view of the road ahead to one of fixating on the hood movement itself. Of interest is the fact that Jeep wranglers sold into the european market require a hood lock that is reported to fix this defect (Jeep part 8221046ab). It is my belief that to cure this problem in the us market, Jeep should offer this same part at no cost to owners who experience this distracting and dangerous occurrence.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated that the hood latches fractured and caused the hood to fly open and strike the windshield while driving. The contact stated there was an emergency latch to prevent the failure but the emergency latch also fractured. Whenever the vehicle was driven in windy weather, the hood would shake abnormally. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and was told that there was no coverage for the latches on the vehicle and the vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was unavailable. The failure mileage was 38,000 and the current mileage was 50,000.
The paint on the door hinges on my 2007 Jeep Wrangler unlimited sahara began showing signs of rust. Presented vehicle to local dealer, and Chrysler agreed to repaint the hinges under warranty. Within one week, paint on hinges began bubbling. Chrysler again agreed to repaint hinges under warranty. In talking with body shop, the issue is that the hinges are an alluminum alloy, and, with the steel hinge pin and the steel door, galvanic corrosion has occurred, and will continue to occur. Sounds to be a fundamental design flaw (fundamental metallurgy). Hinges have been repainted a second time, with indications that the paint is beginning to bubble. Body shop has advised that the problem will continue until hinges are replaced with a similar metal or stainless steel. Advised by body shop that they have done the same repair on approximately 6 other Jeep wranglers with the same issue. …
On thurs June 25 at apx 1800 hrs both halves of the freedom top on my 2007 Jeep Wrangler flew off the car at 55 MPH. The fiberglass failed and the tops tore away from the metal latches. I got fiberglass in my eyes and hurt my neck in the process. The tops were firmly secured and had not been off the car in at least six weeks. During those six weeks I had driven in excess of 55 MPH with out a problem had anyone been driving behind me the certainly could have been injured or killed. I retrieved the tops from the hwy and have them as evidence I contacted Chrysler and they refuse to acknowledge the problem or take any kind of corrective action the car has 40,000 mi on it. My insurance co says I am not covered for the damage. I have pictures of the damaged tops any help would be greatly appreciated.
I purchased a new 2003 Jeep Wrangler rubicon in May of 2003 with the dual top option. Since day one, whenever the full hard door is shut with the windows rolled up and the hardtop on, the rear glass pops open. The rear glass also pops open when you hit a bump in the road. Then the rear glass just flops around and hits the spare tire and you have to get out and push it shut, otherwise I'm afraid it might break the rear glass. My main concern is that it is a safety hazard as the owner's manual says to never drive with the rear window open (on soft top) unless you also have the front windows rolled down or exhaust fumes May enter the driver/passenger compartment and cause carbon monoxide poisioning! I assume the same thing can happen with the hard top on when the rear glass is open 2-3 inches and flopping around! …
Related recalls (1)
Latches/locks/linkages › Doors › Latch
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Jeep Wrangler four-door vehicles. The right rear passenger door latch may not be in the correct location, possibly preventing the door from latching properly.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will repair the right rear door latch reinforcement, free of charge. The recall begin December 6, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403.
Frequently asked questions
Which Jeep Wrangler years have door lock & latch problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2007 (10), 1997 (9), 2008 (9) and 1995 (8) model years. Door Lock & Latch complaints make up 1% of all complaints for the 2007.
Is there a recall for Jeep Wrangler door lock & latch problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 18V-786 (latch, Nov 8, 2018). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Jeep Wrangler door lock & latch problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 26,000 miles; 84% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the hood › latch (34 mentions), followed by the doors › latch (13).
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.