Transmission complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 8% | — |
| 2025 | 12 | 17% | — |
| 2024 | 178 | 24% | 20,000 miles |
| 2023 | 51 | 14% | 29,000 miles |
| 2022 | 66 | 16% | 17,000 miles |
| 2021 | 148 | 16% | 15,000 miles |
| 2020 | 47 | 8% | 5,000 miles |
| 2019 | 80 | 11% | 39,000 miles |
| 2018 | 177 | 10% | 28,000 miles |
| 2017 | 50 | 16% | 19,000 miles |
| 2016 | 74 | 16% | 31,000 miles |
| 2015 | 51 | 11% | 33,000 miles |
| 2014 | 88 | 13% | 44,000 miles |
| 2013 | 230 | 35% | 24,000 miles |
| 2012 | 282 | 34% | 19,000 miles |
| 2011 | 40 | 8% | 35,000 miles |
| 2010 | 68 | 10% | 29,000 miles |
| 2009 | 60 | 10% | 22,000 miles |
| 2008 | 141 | 8% | 41,000 miles |
| 2007 | 124 | 7% | 46,000 miles |
| 2006 | 57 | 8% | 24,000 miles |
| 2005 | 41 | 6% | 58,000 miles |
| 2004 | 26 | 14% | 33,000 miles |
| 2003 | 22 | 22% | 17,000 miles |
| 2002 | 14 | 13% | 20,000 miles |
| 2001 | 23 | 14% | 90,000 miles |
| 2000 | 70 | 28% | 38,000 miles |
| 1999 | 20 | 9% | 52,000 miles |
| 1998 | 33 | 12% | 95,000 miles |
| 1997 | 53 | 13% | 74,000 miles |
| 1995 | 32 | 16% | 74,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Oct 10, 2025, I received an OTA update on my Jeep Wrangler. After the installation, I left my child's school on the way to dinner. Maybe a half mile into the drive, I received numerous warnings on the display screen and quickly after that, the vehicle lost all power. Hybrid system unavailable as well as the gas motor. Power steering, brakes and stability control also gone. Was able to get to the side of the road but it nearly stranded me on an elevated 2 lane road over a dam near Cherry Creek Reservoir in Greenwood Village, CO. Was able to reset the system after some troubleshooting and limp the vehicle home. Made an appointment and took it in for service the following Tuesday. The dealer has tried to remedy the situation but ran into the same loss of power after another update. I do not trust this vehicle with the safety of my family in mind. …
I was driving on a very busy road and the vehicle lost power. I consider that my life was in danger because of me the traffic piled up and other drivers were furious with me. No matter what I tried, the car simply would not stop. AAA came and was unable to make the car start. It was towed to a dealership. Prior to this I already had two service visits related to the Start Stop warning light coming on in my dashboard. The first time, the service department claimed that they could not figure out what caused it, but they replaced the auxiliary battery that powers the start stop feature. Basically one day later, the start stop warning light came on again. I had to take it back to the dealership and they kept the vehicle for two days and I don't think anything was done. …
I bought a brand new 2024 Jeep wrangler which has failed twice for the same issue with just 512 miles on the odometer. The first time it failed happened on the freeway at a speed of 70mph. Smoke started coming out from the rear of the vehicle impairing the traffic behind. I pulled over to the shoulder and noticed oil dripping from the exhaust and the rear undercarriage of the vehicle. I drove the car home fearing it could get on fire. The next day i took the car to the dealership where it was diagnosed with a bad pinion seal on the rear axle at 241miles on the odometer. At around 480 miles on the odometer, the issue came back. Everything happened pretty much the same; smoke coming from the exhaust, differential fluid splashed all over the undercarriage. Vehicle will be towed to the dealership for further inspection.
The contact owns a 2024 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle entered LIMP Mode with the image of a turtle displayed on the instrument panel. Soon after the failure, the instrument panel went blank. The contact stated that the vehicle lost motive power with a loud fan blowing sound coming from the vehicle. The contact pulled over and turned off the vehicle. Upon restarting the vehicle, the vehicle failed to exceed 20 MPH. The vehicle was taken to the dealer on several occasions however, the mechanics were unable to duplicate the failure or diagnose the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The vehicle remained in the possession of the dealer unrepaired. The failure mileage was approximately 20,000
I was driving my 2023 Jeep Wrangler 2 Door Willys on a 4 lane divided road approaching a stop light. The stoplight was red so I started slowing down approximately 200 feet from the intersection. I applied the brake pedal and the vehicle started to slow down. As I was approaching the intersection I could feel the vehicle accelerating and it was difficult to get it to stop. I was almost stopped approximately 3 - 5 feet from the vehicle in front of me, when the jeep lunged forward and struck the vehicle in front of me. The jeep continued to accelerate and was trying to push the vehicle in front of me. I shoved the gear shift into Park and that stopped the acceleration. I never took my foot off of the brake pedal during the entire incident. …
The contact owns a 2023 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH on an interstate with her son occupying the front passenger's side seat, the vehicle shuddered violently. Additionally, the steering wheel became uncontrollable. The contact stopped in the right-hand lane and turned on the hazard lights. The contact was able to continue driving, but the failure recurred while driving. The contact stated that the front end of the vehicle started shuddering violently while driving 60 MPH. Upon researching the failure, the contact's husband became aware that the vehicle had experienced the Death Wobble. The contact stated that while traveling over a bridge and driving 50 MPH over a road seam, the failure recurred. The driver came to a complete stop. …
The contact owns a 2022 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated that the transmission failed to properly engage. The contact was able to move the gear shift lever from park(P) to reverse(R), however, the transmission failed to respond as intended. The gear indicator flashed on the instrument panel. The contact turned off the vehicle and waited for several minutes before restarting the vehicle, and the transmission responded as needed. The contact stated that on other occasions, after the vehicle was stopped at a traffic light or stop sign, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. The message "Service Transmission" was displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to a transmission specialty shop, where it was diagnosed, and DTC: P0733 was retrieved. The contact was informed that the failure was with the third gear in the transmission. …
The contact owns a 2022 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated that on three separate occasions while driving at various speeds, the vehicle jerked upon depression of the accelerator pedal with a message to "Service Transmission Continue in D - Do Not Shift or Turn Engine Off" was displayed on the instrument panel. On the first failure, the contact was able to drive the vehicle to Galeana Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram (14375 S Tamiami Trl, Fort Myers, FL 33912); however, the contact was informed that the dealer would not honor warranty. The vehicle was taken to another dealer and the body control module was replaced. The failure returned months later while the contact was out of town and the vehicle was towed cross country on the contact's trailer back to the dealer. …
Related recalls (13)
Power train › Manual transmission › Control module › Software
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021 Jeep Wrangler and Jeep Gladiator vehicles that were previously remedied under NHTSA recall number 23V-116. The software for the powertrain control module may cause an engine stall, which can result in a loss of drive power.
Remedy: Dealers will update the powertrain control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 15, 2024. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403.
Power train › Manual transmission
Chrysler (FCA US), LLC is recalling certain 2022-2023 Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator vehicles equipped with a manual transmission. The rearview camera may fail to display the rearview image and the reverse lights may not illuminate when the vehicle is placed in reverse.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the gear position sensor, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 16, 2023. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403.
Power train › Clutch assembly
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
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
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.
Show 8 more recalls
Power train › Automatic transmission
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Dodge Charger, Durango and Challenger, Jeep Grand Cherokee and Wrangler, Chrysler 300, and RAM 1500 vehicles. An incorrect transmission park lock rod may have been installed in the transmission.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will install the correct park lock rod, free of charge. The recall began June 28, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403.
Power train › Clutch assembly › Pedal/hand lever(motorcycle)
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2006 Dodge Viper and Jeep Wrangler and Liberty vehicles manufactured July 1, 2005, to July 31, 2006. In the affected vehicles, the springs within the clutch pedal position switch that prevents the vehicle from starting unless the clutch pedal is pushed down may break.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the clutch ignition interlock switch, free of charge. The recall began on August 31, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403.
Power train › Automatic transmission › Cooling unit and lines
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Jeep Wrangler vehicles equipped with a 3.6L engine and an automatic transmission and manufactured January 23, 2011, through February 23, 2013.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the power steering return tube assembly, free of charge. The recall began on September 23, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753.
Power train › Automatic transmission
Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2010 Jeep wrangler vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission. The transmission skid plate, which is close to the catalytic converter, can collect debris.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the skid plate with a skid bar, free of charge. Owners May contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Power train › Axle assembly
Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 Jeep wrangler vehicles manufactured from July 12, 2010, through September 10, 2010. Some vehicles May experience a degradation of fastener torque for various front and rear axle attachments to the chassis module.
Remedy: Dealers will re-torque all nineteen fasteners to the maximum residual torque values. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on March 24, 2011.
Power train › Automatic transmission
Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2007 through 2008 Jeep wrangler vehicles manufactured from June 2006 through July 2008, equipped with automatic transmissions. These vehicles were not equipped with a transmission fluid temperature warning system.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and install a "hotoil" message in the instrument cluster and a chime indicating an elevated transmission fluid condition. The recall began on February 22, 2010.
Power train › Clutch assembly
On certain sport utility vehicles equipped with 6 speed manual transmissions, the hydraulic clutch master cylinder linkage rod May break. This May not allow disengagement of the clutch when the pedal is depressed.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the clutch master cylinder linkage rod free of charge. The recall began on August 7, 2006. Owners May contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Power train › Automatic transmission
On certain pickup trucks, sport utility and passenger vehicles equipped with 42rle automatic transmissions, the cup plug that retains the park pawl anchor shaft May be improperly installed. If the shaft moves out of position, the vehicle May not be able to achieve 'park' position.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the transmissions and install a bracket to ensure the park pawl anchor shaft is retained in the proper position. The recall began on November 28, 2005.
NHTSA investigations
Clutch linkage failure
On May 2, 2006 daimlerchrysler corporation (dcc) submitted to the national highway traffic safety administration (NHTSA) a part 573 report advising that certain model year 2006 Jeep wrangler vehicles would be voluntarily rec alled to replace a defective clutch linkage component.the recall action is identified by NHTSA no. 06V147 (dcc no.
Transmission overheating / fire
In a letter dated November 3, 2009, Chrysler group llc (Chrysler), notified NHTSA that it will conduct a safety recall of approximately 161,000 model year (my) 2007 and 2008 Jeep wrangler vehicles built with automatic transmissions.Chrysler stated that these vehicles were not equipped with a transmission fluid temperature warning system and the operation of these vehicles beyond the limits of reasonable usage over a…
Frequently asked questions
Which Jeep Wrangler years have transmission problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2012 (282), 2013 (230), 2024 (178), 2018 (177) and 2021 (148) model years. Transmission complaints make up 34% of all complaints for the 2012.
Is there a recall for Jeep Wrangler transmission problems?
Yes — 13 recalls, including 24V-572 (software, Aug 1, 2024); 23V-641 (manual transmission, Sep 18, 2023); 23V-116 (clutch assembly, Feb 23, 2023). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Jeep Wrangler transmission problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 33,000 miles; 65% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the manual transmission (188 mentions), followed by the automatic transmission (118).
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.