2016 Jeep Renegade Problems, Recalls & Reliability
669 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 2016 Jeep Renegade, alongside 2 recall campaigns and 0 defect investigations. It scores 70/100 on the trouble index — one of the years to avoid for this model. Engine leads the reports, typically around 40,000 miles.
Avoid this year if you can. The 2016 Jeep Renegade sits at the top of this model's complaint rankings. Quieter picks in the same family: 2019–2022.
Avoid
Where 2016 sits among all Renegade years
What owners report
“No oil change light, no engine light. Excessive Oil consumption engine Metal to metal brakes”— owner report to NHTSA, 2016 Renegade
“While driving, there is a clunk sound when the engine tries to switch gears. Also, the brake lights, turn signal lights, etc have a warning light that flashes saying the lights are out even when the lights are still working. I also had to replace he cooling fan in may 2018 due to my vehicle…”— owner report to NHTSA, 2016 Renegade
“Traction control engaging too aggressively . Tc seems to come one when not needed during turns and the engine loses power.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2016 Renegade
“The vehicle jerks at take off and periodically when accelerating. Yesterday, while taking off from a red light, the car wouldn't move. Had to shift to park and back to drive. Car has 52000 miles on it.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2016 Renegade
“While driving, car comes to a complete stop and stalls when accelerating. Dangerous during oncoming traffic whether it's the pedestrian or the cars surrounding me. Car won't move instantly upon pressing on gas pedal-- it stalls for a bit before moving.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2016 Renegade
“Car stalls often. Just started happening, recently, but more and more frequently. Seems like a fuel pump issue, like the 2017-18 renegade recall was about. Often stalls shortly after start up, and when going slowly, or when coming up to a stop.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2016 Renegade
Mileage when trouble shows up
Among the 439 reports that include an odometer reading, problems most often appear around 36,000 miles. Half of those reports fall between 11,800 and 50,700 miles — a useful range to weigh against the mileage of the exact car you're looking at.
Recalls (2)
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Jeep Renegade vehicles manufactured August 25, 2014, to June 25, 2016, equipped with a factory-installed optional trailer hitch package. The trailer hitch assembly may have been attached with…
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will install two additional fasteners per side, free of charge. The recall began on October 13, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at…
Daystar Products International, Inc. (Daystar) is recalling certain aftermarket replacement rear control arm brackets included in Daystar's 2015-2016 Jeep Renegade 1.5" spacer kit, part KJ09168BK, shipped from Daystar to distributors between October 27, 2015…
Fix: Daystar will notify owners, and direct them to repair shops to have the brackets inspected and replaced as needed, free of charge. The recall began on March 11, 2016. Owners may contact Daystar…
Technical service bulletins
355 manufacturer communications — service bulletins, the biggest share on electrical and transmission & drivetrain — are on file for the 2016 Jeep Renegade. A TSB is factory repair guidance, not a recall — the repair is not automatically free.
See the 2016 Renegade TSB list →
Complaint history for this model year
When owners filed their reports — a long tail means problems kept surfacing for years.
Questions buyers ask
Is the 2016 Jeep Renegade reliable?
The 2016 Jeep Renegade drew 669 complaints in federal safety records — one of the years to avoid for this model. Its trouble index is 70/100, scored against the model's worst year (2017).
What are the most common 2016 Jeep Renegade problems?
The top reported problems for the 2016 Jeep Renegade are engine (180 complaints), electrical (146), and other (100).
At what mileage do 2016 Jeep Renegade problems show up?
Owners most often report 2016 Jeep Renegade problems around 36,000 miles. Half of all reports that include an odometer reading fall between 11,800 and 50,700 miles.
Does the 2016 Jeep Renegade have recalls?
2 recall campaigns apply to the 2016 Jeep Renegade. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer.
Every number on this page is a count of records in the federal complaint, recall, and investigation files published by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. Check any specific vehicle's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.