"How reliable is the 2012 Jeep Wrangler?"

"Based on 1275 NHTSA complaints, the 2012 Jeep Wrangler has a median complaint mileage of 42000 miles. The most common issue is Power Train."

"What are common problems with the 2012 Jeep Wrangler?"

"The most frequently reported component in NHTSA complaints for the 2012 Jeep Wrangler is Power Train, accounting for a significant portion of the 1275 total complaints filed."

2012 Jeep Wrangler: Reliability Data

Source: NHTSA — 1275 complaints

1275

Total Complaints

42,000mi

Median Mileage

Power Train

Top Issue

Crash Reports

When Do Complaints Happen?

Distribution of NHTSA complaints by vehicle mileage at time of report.

17,350 25th Percentile

42,000 Median Mileage

69,950 75th Percentile

What Fails?

Most reported component issues from NHTSA complaints.

Power Train

278

Steering

203

Engine

170

Electrical System

146

Air Bags

126

Unknown Or Other

Fuel/Propulsion System

Service Brakes

Visibility/Wiper

Electronic Stability Control (Esc)

Severity Assessment

Crashes

Fires

Injuries

Deaths

Sample Complaint Reports

"AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WITH 'ELECTRONIC RANGE SELECT' ALLOWS A DOWNSHIFT WITH A MOVE OF THE SHIFT LEVER TO THE LEFT WHEN IN 'D' DRIVE. A MOVE TO THE RIGHT UP-SHIFTS. ACCIDENTAL DOWNSHIFTS OCCUR FREQUENTLY BECAUSE OF 'HAIR-TRIGGER' NATURE OF SHIFT LEVER CONTROLS. THE SLIGHTEST, BARELY PERCEPTIBLE MO..."

"THIS VEHICLE HAS AUTO STICK SHIFTING WITH AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. FOR UPSHIFTS MOVEMENT ALL THE WAY TO THE RIGHT, HITTING THE END OF TRAVEL IS REQUIRED THE MAKE A SHIFT UP IN GEAR SELECTION. ON DOWN SHIFTS, JUST TOUCHING THE SHIFT HANDLE AND BARELY APPLYING PRESSURE ACTIVATES A DOWNSHIFT. NO MOVE..."

Source: NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Names and identifying details omitted.

When Were Complaints Filed?

Number of complaints by the year the issue occurred.

When Does Each Component Fail?

Median mileage at complaint for top components.

Power Train 278 complaints

25th: 10,800 mi Median: 18,975 mi 75th: 36,000 mi

Steering 203 complaints

25th: 15,395 mi Median: 33,500 mi 75th: 62,000 mi

Engine 170 complaints

25th: 14,500 mi Median: 40,000 mi 75th: 71,000 mi

Electrical System 146 complaints

25th: 29,675 mi Median: 47,000 mi 75th: 69,250 mi

Air Bags 126 complaints

25th: 47,737 mi Median: 62,911 mi 75th: 86,000 mi

Where Are Complaints Coming From?

Top states by complaint count.

CA: 104 FL: 94 TX: 81 VA: 63 NY: 58 AZ: 52 OH: 52 NJ: 47 IL: 45 NC: 44

Who Files Complaints?

1.3%

Original Owners

98.7%

Second+ Owners

Jeep Wrangler — Other Years

See how this model compares across different model years.

Year	Complaints	Median Mileage	Top Issue	Crashes
1990	105	120,000	Conventional	6
1991	100	115,000	Engine	5
1992	100	137,000	Tank Assembly	7
1993	134	96,500	Fuel Pump	10
1994	184	120,000	Fuel Pump	17
1995	259	90,000	Parking Brake	36
1997	548	74,000	Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe	46
1998	401	71,300	Air Bags	28
1999	262	68,512	Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe	16
2000	311	91,912	Manual Transmission	24
2001	235	89,000	Body	25
2002	139	62,792	Body	22
2003	130	26,895	Suspension	11
2004	281	47,000	Steering	27
2005	756	49,450	Fuel System, Gasoline	12
2006	852	36,000	Fuel System, Gasoline	9
2007	791	61,800	Steering	22
2008	1251	64,500	Air Bags	25
2009	492	51,600	Air Bags	10
2010	898	49,500	Fuel/Propulsion System	26
2011	672	53,325	Air Bags	16
2013	1027	50,000	Power Train	24
2014	830	47,000	Engine	32
2015	632	37,200	Engine	21
2016	618	36,450	Service Brakes	37
2017	405	22,500	Service Brakes	25
2018	2566	6,700	Steering	38
2019	1036	5,500	Steering	16
2020	745	1,219	Steering	25
2021	1414	18,000	Electrical System	39
2022	556	18,500	Electrical System	28
2023	511	13,000	Electrical System	16
2024	1221	14,500	Engine	18
2025	87	-	Electrical System	4

Active Recalls (10)

Federal safety recalls issued for this vehicle.

Inflator Module

Campaign 19V018000 | 15/01/2019

In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could explode with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.

Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 4, 2019. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chry

Anchorage

Campaign 19V680000 | 26/09/2019

A separated or severed seat belt buckle strap will result in an inoperable seat belt, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash.

FCA US will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's seat belt buckle, free of charge. Interim notices informing owners of the safety risk were mailed November 19, 2019. Owners will received a second letter and the recall began March 26, 2020. Owners may contact FCA customer service a

Inflator Module

Campaign 18V021000 | 09/01/2018

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 28, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chr

Inflator Module

Campaign 16V352000 | 24/05/2016

These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. These inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and tempe

Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify the Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and RAM owners. Mitsubishi owners will be notified by their company. Dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on

Inflator Module

Campaign 16V288000 | 11/05/2016

Failure of the air bag circuit may prevent the driver's frontal air bag from deploying in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the clockspring, wheel back cover, and column shroud, free of charge. The recall began on August 11, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S40.

Equipment

Campaign 13E010000 | 25/02/2013

If the liner shifts forward it may impede the operation of the accelerator and possibly lead to unintended acceleration, which may increase the risk of a crash.

Quadratec will notify owners and either exchange the liners or provide them with a hook guard kit to help secure the driver-side mat, free of charge. The recall began on April 4, 2013. Owners may contact Quadratec at 1-800-463-2998 or info@quadratec.com.

Electrical System

Campaign 14V631000 | 08/10/2014

An electrical short increases the risk of a fire.

Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will move the exterior mirror power feed to a separate connector, free of charge. Chrysler issued an interim notification to owners on December 8, 2014. The recall began on March 3, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrys

Frontal

Campaign 11V528000 | 02/11/2011

A BROKEN ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT IN THE AIRBAG CLOCKSPRING WIRING ASSEMBLY CAN LEAD TO NON-DEPLOYMENT OF THE DRIVER FRONTAL AIRBAG AND WILL NOT BE ABLE TO PROPERLY PROTECT THE DRIVER IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURIES.

CHRYSLER WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REMEDY THE VEHICLES AS NECESSARY FREE OF CHARGE. CHRYSLER WILL MAIL TO OWNERS AN INTERIM NOTIFICATION DURING MARCH 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

Air Bags

Campaign 13V176000 | 07/05/2013

In the event of a crash necessitating airbag deployment, a broken electrical circuit in the airbag clockspring wiring assembly can lead to non-deployment of the driver-side frontal airbag and will not be able to properly protect the driver, increasing the risk of injuries.

Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the clockspring and add a steering wheel dust shield, free of charge. The recall began on June 10, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. This recall supercedes NHTSA recall 11V-528. Chrysler's recall campaign number is M31.

Hose, Piping, And Connections

Campaign 13V234000 | 04/06/2013

A loss of transmission fluid may result in a loss of transmission function which may increase the risk of a crash.

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. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N28.

Extend Your Transmission Life

Based on the most common issues reported for this vehicle.

Change transmission fluid at manufacturer intervals — not 'lifetime' fluid
Come to a full stop before shifting from reverse to drive
Don't ride the brakes on hills — use a lower gear
Check transmission fluid level and color monthly — dark fluid needs changing
Address slipping, hard shifts, or delayed engagement immediately

Vehicle Rankings

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Data source: View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov | NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Public domain.

Methodology: Complaint counts and mileage distributions are computed directly from consumer-reported NHTSA complaints. This data represents reported issues, not failure rates — vehicles without complaints are not represented. Full methodology.

Data through: 2026-03-28