Jeep Renegade transmission and drivetrain problems, 2016–2023
254 of the 1,691 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Jeep Renegade 2016–2023 name the transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA’s “Power Train” heading — the transmission, transfer case, driveshafts, axles and differentials — NHTSA files them under one heading). The loudest years: 2017 (95), 2016 (73), 2018 (58). Filed under the same heading across these years: 3 manufacturer bulletins. Every figure is a linked federal record; none is a failure rate, none a repair cost, and none a verdict on one car.
Jeep Renegade transmission and drivetrain problems by model year
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsOne row per model year on file, newest first. A year marked in depth has its own page: the complaints, the owners’ words and every document under this heading for that year.
| Model year | Complaints naming the transmission and drivetrain | Share of the year’s | Typically at | On file under the heading | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2 | 10% | — | — | the year → |
| 2022 | 6 | 23% | — | — | the year → |
| 2021 | 6 | 9% | — | 40 TSBs | the year → |
| 2020 | 7 | 11% | — | 36 TSBs | the year → |
| 2019 | 7 | 9% | — | 55 TSBs | the year → |
| 2018 in depth | 58 | 13% | 20k | 29 TSBs | the record → |
| 2017 in depth | 95 | 17% | 25k | 47 TSBs | the record → |
| 2016 in depth | 73 | 17% | 19k | 86 TSBs | the record → |
Two things the counts carry that are not the car: how many of each year were sold, and how long each has been on the road — an older year out-counts a newer one before anything is wrong with it. The share column is the honest comparison across years: what part of that year’s complaints named the transmission and drivetrain. Nothing here is a rate.
When the transmission and drivetrain complaints were filed, and at what mileage
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled per calendar year, every model year together: 2016: 15 · 2017: 22 · 2018: 33 · 2019: 60 · 2020: 41 · 2021: 19 · 2022: 14 · 2023: 18 · 2024: 19 · 2025: 9 · 2026: 4
Across the model years, half of the 167 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the transmission and drivetrain problem between 7,000 and 42,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the transmission and drivetrain, from the model years with the most to say. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
My 2017 Renegade Jeep is stalling at stop lights, stop signs, or as I accelerate to leave a stop light or stop sign. I almost got hit by a 18 wheeler truck 2 weeks ago because the Jeep stalled and I could not move out of the truck's way. My Jeep also accelerates, or loses power. It is rattling since 3 months after I bought it.
At approximately 31,500 miles transmission is making a loud clunk sound and jars the vehicle. So loud and hard it startles the passengers. I believe it is happening between 20-30 MPH and when I remove accelerator and begin to coast. It seems to be when I coast downhill. No warning lights display on the dash.
The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Renegade. While driving 60 MPH, the vehicle made a "rough truck" sound, independently shifted into a lower gear and independently decelerated to 25 MPH. The engine overheating and oil warning indicators illuminated. The failure recurred three more times. The vehicle was towed to a dealer.
The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Renegade. While parked and/or driving at any speed, the contact heard a ding sound and the check engine indicator illuminated. A giant "p" appeared on the instrument panel, a vehicle icon appeared, and "ets, air coolant temperature, service hill start assist" appeared.
The transmission skips gears around 80-90mph. It jerks and the gearbox light comes on. Light only goes on while driving. Check engine light accompanies the transmission light. It does it on the highway
What is on file about the transmission and drivetrain, across the years
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications3 manufacturer bulletins filed under this heading, any model year
- Sep 19, 2026
- Not applicable to vehicles built for US market. 1.5L Transmission Diagnosis Service Solution Customers may experience one or more of the following: SYMPTOM: ● Transmission warning light on and/or vehicle jerking. ● Vehicle is not shifting correctly or has no traction. This service bulletin is to provide a diagnostic guide for a transmission warning light on, vehicle jerking, not shifting correctly
- May 6, 2026
- Not applicable to vehicles built for US market. Vehicle Does Not Operate In Electric Mode And/Or Reverse Gear Is Unavailable Customers may experience one or more of the following: ● The vehicle does not operate in electric mode. ● Reverse gear is not available.
- Oct 2, 2025
- 948TE Transmission Reaction Shaft Service Bushing Kit Customers may experience a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illumination and the vehicle may exhibit/set the following Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC): ● P1DB7-00 - Torque Converter Clutch Performance.
Every one filed under the heading is listed. Quote the document number at a service desk — it is a diagnosis the maker has already written down.
Other systems with a record on the Jeep Renegade
Source: the same filesEvery system, every model year: Jeep Renegade problems by year →
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsWhich Jeep Renegade years have the most transmission and drivetrain complaints?
2017, 95; 2016, 73; 2018, 58. Raw counts, and an older year has had longer to collect them; by share of each year's own complaints the loudest is the 2022 (23%).
Is there a recall for the transmission and drivetrain on the Jeep Renegade?
No recall campaign is filed under this heading on any of these model years. A bulletin is not a recall: it carries no federal duty to repair for free.
When do transmission and drivetrain problems show up on the Jeep Renegade?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 21,446 miles across the model years; half of them between 7,000 and 42,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Power Train" heading cover?
The transmission, transfer case, driveshafts, axles and differentials — NHTSA files them under one heading. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.