2016 Jeep Wrangler Problems, Recalls & Reliability
644 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 2016 Jeep Wrangler, alongside 5 recall campaigns and 3 defect investigations. It scores 32/100 on the trouble index — a middle-of-the-pack year for this model. Brakes & stability leads the reports, typically around 58,000 miles.
Typical
Where 2016 sits among all Wrangler years
What owners report
“I have had to replace my abs module already. The jeep only has 41,700 miles on it. I am just reporting in case this comes up down the road”— owner report to NHTSA, 2016 Wrangler
“Engine oil cooler assembly leaking at back of engine. Oil leaking down back of engine and bell housing creating a possible fire. Very hot smell and smoking from engine bay”— owner report to NHTSA, 2016 Wrangler
“Airbag light came on in jeep, took it to the dealership and they said it was the modular that controls the entire airbag system and he couldn't guarantee the airbags would deploy. The warranty expired at 36,000 (it has 39,000) and it would be $900 to fix.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2016 Wrangler
“On a cold morning, i started it up, put it in reverse and it sputtered and stalled out. This has happened 3 times now. Online investigating indicates that the torque converter may be the culprit.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2016 Wrangler
“Traction control light coming on while driving 40+ mph and vehicle seems to almost stall out while driving. Have taken to dealer and they say they cannot find an issue. Taking back to dealer again for re-evaluation.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2016 Wrangler
“Airbag clockspring has been recalled previously on this vehicle and was replaced , but same issue has occured again, with air bag warning light on and no horn or steering wheel controls. Vehicle is only a 2016 and should not have this reoccuring issue.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2016 Wrangler
Mileage when trouble shows up
Among the 314 reports that include an odometer reading, problems most often appear around 39,900 miles. Half of those reports fall between 20,000 and 65,000 miles — a useful range to weigh against the mileage of the exact car you're looking at.
Recalls (5)
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) (Stellantis) is recalling certain right hand drive 2016 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. Debris contamination may cause the clockspring to fail, preventing the driver's air bag from deploying in a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the clockspring, steering wheel back cover, and steering column shrouds, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 4, 2024. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC…
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2011-2018 Jeep Wrangler right hand drive vehicles. The driver's seat belt buckle mounting strap may fracture and separate from the seat frame.
Fix: 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…
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2010 Dodge Ram 3500, Ram 4500/5500, 2010-2011 Dodge Dakota, 2010-2014 Dodge Challenger, 2010-2015 Dodge Challenger, Chrysler 300, and 2010-2016 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air…
Fix: 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…
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Jeep Wrangler vehicles manufactured June 16, 2015, to August 14, 2016. In certain crash conditions, the front impact sensor wiring may be pulled until it detaches before a signal can be received…
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will reroute the front impact sensor wiring and relocate the impact sensor branch, free of charge. The recall began on November 10, 2016. Owners may contact…
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2011-2016 Right Hand Drive Jeep Wrangler vehicles manufactured February 16, 2010, to May 2, 2016. The clockspring assembly may become contaminated with dust and cause the air bag circuit to fail.
Fix: 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…
Federal defect investigations
Led to recall campaign 19V680000.
Led to recall campaign 20V024.
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 Wrangler reliable?
The 2016 Jeep Wrangler drew 644 complaints in federal safety records — a middle-of-the-pack year for this model. Its trouble index is 32/100, scored against the model's worst year (2008).
What are the most common 2016 Jeep Wrangler problems?
The top reported problems for the 2016 Jeep Wrangler are brakes & stability (131 complaints), engine (93), and airbags (77).
At what mileage do 2016 Jeep Wrangler problems show up?
Owners most often report 2016 Jeep Wrangler problems around 39,900 miles. Half of all reports that include an odometer reading fall between 20,000 and 65,000 miles.
Does the 2016 Jeep Wrangler have recalls?
5 recall campaigns apply to the 2016 Jeep Wrangler. At least one carries a do-not-drive or park-outside warning — check your VIN before driving.
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.