Jeep Wrangler Best and Worst Years by Owner Complaints
We rank Jeep Wrangler model years by the number of owner complaints filed with NHTSA, from fewest to most. Complaint counts aren't failure rates: years that sold more cars, or that are older, can show more reports. We rank only model years at least five years old, because newer ones are still collecting reports. Among settled years shown, the 2017 drew the fewest (310) and the 2008 the most (1,904).
Complaints filed by model year
Every year compared
| Most-reported component | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Still collecting reports |
10 | 3 | Fuel/propulsion system | — | 14–21 |
| 2025 Still collecting reports |
68 | 4 | Electrical system | — | 14–21 |
| 2017 Among the fewest complaints |
310 | 5 | Service brakes | — | 18 |
| 2023 | 365 | 14 | Electrical system | — | 14–25 |
| 2022 | 399 | 15 | Electrical system | — | 14–25 |
| 2016 Among the fewest complaints |
460 | 5 | Service brakes | — | 18 |
| 2015 Among the fewest complaints |
474 | 3 | Service brakes | — | 18 |
| 2011 | 485 | 10 | Air bags | — | 17 |
| 2020 | 611 | 12 | Steering | — | 19–25 |
| 2009 | 650 | 7 | Air bags | — | 16–17 |
| 2013 | 654 | 6 | Power train | — | 18 |
| 2014 | 654 | 4 | Engine | — | 18 |
| 2010 | 686 | 10 | Fuel/propulsion system | — | 17 |
| 2024 Still collecting reports |
733 | 11 | Electrical system | — | 14–21 |
| 2019 | 742 | 9 | Steering | — | 19–24 |
| 2012 | 834 | 9 | Power train | — | 18 |
| 2021 | 944 | 15 | Electrical system | — | 14–25 |
| 2007 Among the most complaints |
1,712 | 8 | Fuel system | — | 16–18 |
| 2018 Among the most complaints |
1,824 | 14 | Steering | — | 18–24 |
| 2008 Among the most complaints |
1,904 | 7 | Air bags | — | 16–18 |
Sources: NHTSA ODI complaints, NHTSA recalls, NHTSA NCAP, EPA; retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
What owners reported in the Jeep Wrangler years with the most complaints
These settled model years drew the most owner complaints to NHTSA. The share in brackets is the part of that year’s complaints that names each component; one complaint can name several.
2008 Jeep Wrangler: 1,904 complaints
Most-reported: Air bags 559 (29%); Fuel system 358 (19%); Electrical system 345 (18%).
Reports mention 23 crashes, 60 fires, 18 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 62,000 miles. 7 recall campaigns listed.
2018 Jeep Wrangler: 1,824 complaints
Most-reported: Steering 1,116 (61%); Suspension 342 (19%); Electrical system 268 (15%).
Reports mention 22 crashes, 25 fires, 13 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 6,200 miles. 14 recall campaigns listed.
2007 Jeep Wrangler: 1,712 complaints
Most-reported: Fuel system 445 (26%); Steering 302 (18%); Electrical system 286 (17%).
Reports mention 36 crashes, 41 fires, 28 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 36,000 miles. 8 recall campaigns listed.
The Jeep Wrangler years with the fewest complaints
2017 Jeep Wrangler: 310 complaints
Most-reported: Service brakes 77 (25%); Engine 62 (20%); Power train 50 (16%).
Reports mention 19 crashes, 21 fires, 21 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 23,700 miles. 5 recall campaigns listed.
2016 Jeep Wrangler: 460 complaints
Most-reported: Service brakes 136 (30%); Engine 88 (19%); Air bags 77 (17%).
Reports mention 28 crashes, 15 fires, 38 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 40,000 miles. 5 recall campaigns listed.
2015 Jeep Wrangler: 474 complaints
Most-reported: Service brakes 131 (28%); Engine 128 (27%); Electrical system 81 (17%).
Reports mention 15 crashes, 27 fires, 13 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 37,753 miles. 3 recall campaigns listed.
Crashes, fires and injuries in Jeep Wrangler owner reports
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Typical miles at filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2025 | 68 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2024 | 733 | 11 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 15,000 |
| 2023 | 365 | 11 | 6 | 8 | 0 | 13,000 |
| 2022 | 399 | 13 | 11 | 6 | 0 | 18,300 |
| 2021 | 944 | 20 | 27 | 15 | 0 | 20,000 |
| 2020 | 611 | 17 | 12 | 7 | 0 | 2,500 |
| 2019 | 742 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 0 | 4,500 |
| 2018 | 1,824 | 22 | 25 | 13 | 0 | 6,200 |
| 2017 | 310 | 19 | 21 | 21 | 0 | 23,700 |
| 2016 | 460 | 28 | 15 | 38 | 0 | 40,000 |
| 2015 | 474 | 15 | 27 | 13 | 0 | 37,753 |
| 2014 | 654 | 21 | 24 | 13 | 0 | 50,000 |
| 2013 | 654 | 14 | 16 | 8 | 1 | 50,000 |
| 2012 | 834 | 22 | 19 | 22 | 2 | 42,000 |
| 2011 | 485 | 13 | 20 | 13 | 0 | 51,020 |
| 2010 | 686 | 15 | 35 | 7 | 0 | 46,753 |
| 2009 | 650 | 13 | 19 | 11 | 0 | 51,000 |
| 2008 | 1,904 | 23 | 60 | 18 | 0 | 62,000 |
| 2007 | 1,712 | 36 | 41 | 28 | 0 | 36,000 |
Owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA. “Typical miles” is the median odometer reading in complaints that gave one (shown when at least 10 did). Source: NHTSA ODI complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Largest Jeep Wrangler recalls
- Cruise Control cannot be Cancelled (2018 model year; 4,815,661 vehicles across all models; filed May 2018; 18V332000)
- Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Rupture (2007–2012 model years; 4,648,270 vehicles across all models; filed May 2016; 16V352000)
- Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Explode (2010–2016 model years; 1,413,222 vehicles across all models; filed Jan 2019; 19V018000)
- DAIMLERCHRYSLER/FMVSS 225/CHILD SEAT ANCHOR (2001 model year; 1,211,756 vehicles across all models; filed Nov 2000; 00V366000)
- DAIMLERCHRYSLER/DEBRIS IN MANIFOLD (2000–2002 model years; 1,115,322 vehicles across all models; filed Apr 2002; 02V104000)
All 93 Jeep Wrangler recall campaigns · Jeep Wrangler problems, recalls and mpg by year · Used car inspection checklist
What the numbers can't tell you
- Sales volume. NHTSA publishes no sales figures with complaints, so a popular year draws more reports even if each car is no worse.
- Recent years are under-counted. Owners file reports for years after purchase; the newest model years will keep growing.
- The individual car. Maintenance, mileage and repairs matter more for one used car than any model-year average. Get a pre-purchase inspection and check open recalls by VIN.
Jeep Wrangler years FAQ
Which Jeep Wrangler year has the fewest complaints?
Among the model years shown whose counts have settled, the 2017 has the fewest owner complaints filed with NHTSA (310). That is a count of reports, not a measure of reliability.
Does fewer complaints mean a more reliable car?
Not necessarily. Complaint counts depend on how many cars were sold, how old they are and how many owners file reports. Use them to spot patterns worth asking about, alongside recalls, crash tests and a pre-purchase inspection.
Are there Jeep Wrangler years to avoid?
No model year is officially one to avoid. By owner complaints to NHTSA, the settled years with the most reports are the 2008, 2018 and 2007 models, and across all years the most-reported problem area is the steering. Compare those years with the ones that drew the fewest reports, then check any specific car for open recalls by VIN and get a pre-purchase inspection.
What is the most common Jeep Wrangler problem?
Across the model years shown, owners most often report problems with the steering (3,569 of 14,519 complaints list it). Each model-year report breaks the complaints down by component.
How many recalls does the Jeep Wrangler have?
NHTSA lists 93 recall campaigns covering the Jeep Wrangler. See every one, with official wording and repair rates, on the Jeep Wrangler recall page.
Why are newer years left out of fewest and most?
Owners keep filing complaints for years after a car is sold. We mark the two newest model years as still collecting reports, and we only rank years that are at least five years old.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.