2024 Jeep Wrangler
The 2024 Jeep Wrangler is sold in the U.S. as a plug-in hybrid and gas compact SUV with 10 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Wrangler 2dr 4WD, is EPA-rated at 21 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 14 recall campaigns for this model year, 4 rated critical, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of F. Owners have filed 962 complaints, most often about the electrical system.
| Trim | Powertrain | Drive | MSRP | HP | Torque | MPG comb | Seats | Cargo (2nd row) | Wheels |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sport (two-door) | Gas | 4WD | — | 285 hp | 260 lb-ft | 19 mpg | 4 | 31.7 cu-ft | 17 in |
| Sport S (two-door) | Gas | 4WD | — | 285 hp | 260 lb-ft | 19 mpg | 4 | 31.7 cu-ft | 17 in |
| Rubicon (two-door) | Gas | 4WD | — | 285 hp | 260 lb-ft | 19 mpg | 4 | 31.7 cu-ft | 17 in |
| Sport (four-door) | Gas | 4WD | — | 285 hp | 260 lb-ft | 19 mpg | 5 | 31.7 cu-ft | 17 in |
| Sport S (four-door) | Gas | 4WD | — | 285 hp | 260 lb-ft | 19 mpg | 5 | 31.7 cu-ft | 17 in |
| Sahara (four-door) | Gas | 4WD | — | 270 hp | 295 lb-ft | 20 mpg | 5 | 31.7 cu-ft | 18 in |
| Rubicon (four-door) | Gas | 4WD | — | 285 hp | 260 lb-ft | 19 mpg | 5 | 31.7 cu-ft | 17 in |
| Rubicon 392 (four-door) | Gas | 4WD | — | 470 hp | 470 lb-ft | 14 mpg | 5 | 31.7 cu-ft | 17 in |
MSRP excludes destination. Open a trim for the complete spec sheet and standard/optional equipment. Have the car in front of you? Decode its VIN to see which of these trims it is and what it was priced at.
Specs & fuel economy
Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov| Configuration | Powertrain | Drive | Engine / motor | City | Hwy | Comb | Range | kWh/100mi | Charge (240V) | Annual fuel* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wrangler 4dr 4xe | Plug-in hybrid | 4WD | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo + 100 kW AC Induction | 20 | 20 | 20 (28 MPGe blended) | 22 mi electric | 68 | 2.4 h | $3,350 |
| Wrangler 2dr 4WD | Gas | 4WD | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 20 | 23 | 21 | — | — | — | $3,200 |
| Wrangler 4dr 4WD | Gas | 4WD | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 20 | 22 | 21 | — | — | — | $3,200 |
| Wrangler 2dr 4WD | Gas | 4WD | 3.6L 6-cyl | 18 | 24 | 20 | — | — | — | $3,350 |
| Wrangler 4dr 4WD | Gas | 4WD | 3.6L 6-cyl | 18 | 23 | 20 | — | — | — | $3,350 |
| Wrangler 2dr 4WD | Gas | 4WD | 3.6L 6-cyl | 17 | 23 | 19 | — | — | — | $3,550 |
| Wrangler 4dr 4WD | Gas | 4WD | 3.6L 6-cyl | 16 | 22 | 19 | — | — | — | $3,550 |
| Wrangler Rubicon 2dr 4WD | Gas | 4WD | 3.6L 6-cyl | 16 | 20 | 18 | — | — | — | $3,700 |
| Wrangler Rubicon 4dr 4WD | Gas | 4WD | 3.6L 6-cyl | 16 | 19 | 17 | — | — | — | $3,950 |
| Wrangler 4dr 4WD | Gas | 4WD | 6.4L 8-cyl | 13 | 16 | 14 | — | — | — | $5,850 |
*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 47278, 46728, 46726, 47379, 47378, 46886, 46885, 46888, 46887, 46727.
Emissions & certification
Source: EPA emission certificates| Configuration | Smog rating | Emission standard | Where it can be sold new | SmartWay |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wrangler 2dr 4WD, Wrangler 4dr 4WD, Wrangler 4dr 4xe, Wrangler Rubicon 2dr 4WD, Wrangler Rubicon 4dr 4WD | 7 / 10 | California LEV-III SULEV30 / Federal Tier 3 Bin 30 | All 50 states (federal, all altitudes); California and states following California standards | — |
| Wrangler 2dr 4WD, Wrangler 4dr 4WD | 7 / 10 | Federal Tier 3 Bin 30 / California LEV-III SULEV30 | All 50 states (federal, all altitudes); California and states following California standards | — |
| Wrangler 4dr 4WD | 1 / 10 | California LEV-III LEV160 / Federal Tier 3 Bin 160 | All 50 states (federal, all altitudes); California and states following California standards | — |
Certified for all fifty states, so it can be registered new anywhere in the U.S.
The smog rating scores tailpipe pollutants other than greenhouse gases, 1 (worst) to 10 (best), and is comparable only within a model year. The standard is the federal bin or California tier the configuration was certified to. Both come from the EPA certificate behind the window sticker.
The cheapest ownership win
Insurers price the 2024 Wrangler very differently, and the gap between the best and worst quote on the same car and driver is usually larger than any option you are weighing on this page.
How to compare cover →Affiliate disclosure: some links on this page are affiliate links. If you request a quote or buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Nothing on this page changes because of it.
Recalls (14)
Source: NHTSA recall databaseBack Over Prevention
46DEngine
78CElectrical System
68CElectrical System
A7CTires
56CElectrical System
B9BElectrical System
95BExterior Lighting
77BElectrical System
30BExterior Lighting
90BExterior Lighting
57BSteering
14B,33B,34B,35B,36BVisibility
04BThese are vehicle campaigns — the ones the automaker filed against this model. NHTSA also records equipment recalls, filed by a parts maker against a component (a tyre, a child seat, an aftermarket part), and those are not listed here or counted above. nhtsa.gov/recalls shows both for a VIN.
NHTSA defect investigations
Engine — Loss of Motive Power open
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has identified 68 Vehicle Owner Questionnaire (VOQ) reports for model years (MY) 2021 through 2024 Jeep Wrangler 4xe vehicles alleging a loss of motive power. Recall 22V-865 was issued by the manufacturer to address an engine shutdown condition in certain MY 2021-2023 Wrangler 4xe vehicles. The complaints noted here contain both post recall remedy failures and failures in vehicles not included within the scope of 22V-865. An analysis comparing complaints received before the issuance of recall 22V-865 and complaints outside the scope of the recall has been conducted. The results show the current complaint rate is higher in the out of scope vehicles th
Opened Jul 5, 2024 · action RQ24012 · the investigation’s page →
Whether any of this applies to one specific Wrangler
A campaign covers a build range, not a model year, so two identical-looking cars from 2024 can differ. Both of these check a VIN against the manufacturer’s own list, free, in about ten seconds. Jeep publishes its own lookup because federal rule 49 CFR 573.15 requires it to, and to keep it current to within seven days.
Hear about a recall before the letter does
The manufacturer’s letter is the last step of a recall: it has up to 60 days after filing to mail owners, at the address on the registration. We email you the day NHTSA posts a recall on the 2024 Jeep Wrangler, with what to do next. Nothing else, ever — no newsletter, no marketing, one-click unsubscribe in every message.
Parts & accessories for the 2024 Jeep Wrangler
Search by fitment on eBay Motors — OEM take-offs, aftermarket, and the trim pieces dealers no longer stock. The listing and the price are the seller's.
Find parts for this Wrangler →Owner complaints
Source: NHTSA complaint database14 involved a crash · 13 a fire · 7 injuries · 0 deaths reported
44 per 10,000 built · Jeep reported 220,589 Wrangler built (its Early Warning production report to NHTSA)
Filed per year: 2023: 6 · 2024: 93 · 2025: 521 · 2026: 342
Most-cited components
In depth: electrical problems → · engine problems → · transmission and drivetrain problems → · steering problems →
In owners' own words
Filed with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, one per problem area. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed.
Loud noise and vibration on low rpm Once above 1000 rpm it starts acting normally. Camera get disconnected and blue screen shows up
The contact owns a 2024 Jeep Wrangler. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V652000 (Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair.
The contact owns a 2024 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated that the manual transmission failed to operate as designed, and the vehicle intermittently hesitated while shifting gear. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated.
I am submitting this formal complaint to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) regarding a premature front CV axle boot failure on a Jeep Wrangler with only 16,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2024 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated that the side marker lights do not function when connected to the Recreational Vehicle he towed. The contact installed a tow vehicle wiring harness from Mopar and connected the wires to the recreational vehicle.
I have not had any incident with this vehicle as of yet, but I bought it brand new a few months ago from Westgate motors in Raleigh, North Carolina. It’s a brand new jeep.
Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.
Reported by Jeep itself: 52 death-or-injury claims on this model year in its quarterly Early Warning reports to NHTSA (49 CFR 579.21): 2 killed, 59 injured, as claimed, not verified — about 24 per 100,000 built. Every Wrangler model year, by year and system → Dated and by system, they are exhibit F of the defect dossier.
When owners reported it
miles, typically
Half the 89 owner reports with an odometer reading on file fall between 8,000 and 25,000 miles. That is when problems get reported, which is not the same as when they start — and not a failure rate, because nobody knows how many of these cars never had a problem at all.
Median mileage by component
| Component | Reports | Median miles | Vs same age |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 64 | 15,000 | 1.25× |
| Engine | 57 | 15,000 | 0.88× |
Vs same age is this model year’s median for the system divided by the median of every 2024-model-year complaint about the same system, all makes: under 1× means owners of this car reported it at lower mileage. Which systems go early across the whole fleet: the component study.
Odometer readings as filed by owners with NHTSA. Readings under 100 or over 400,000 miles are dropped as data entry rather than history, and a component needs at least 12 readings before a median is shown for it.
Crash ratings
Source: NHTSA NCAP| Configuration | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SUV 4WD | not rated | not rated | not rated | ★★★☆☆ | 27% |
| SUV 4WD | not rated | ★★★★☆ | not rated | ★★★☆☆ | 27% |
| SUV 4WD | not rated | not rated | not rated | ★★★☆☆ | 21% |
| SUV 4WD | not rated | not rated | not rated | ★★★☆☆ | 27% |
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program.
Service bulletins & campaigns
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications- Term not in NHTSA’s summary · Jeep warranty extension ID-26-24 REV.AA (XC2) 2.0L PHEV Engine - Select 2024 - 2025 Jeep Wrangler (JL) and 2023 - 2025 Grand Cherokee/ Grand Cherokee L (WL)
- Term not in NHTSA’s summary · Jeep warranty extension D-26-11 REV.AA (XC2) 2.0L PHEV Engine - Select 2024 - 2025 Jeep Wrangler (JL) and 2023 - 2025 Grand Cherokee/ Grand Cherokee L (WL)
- Term not in NHTSA’s summary · Jeep warranty extension ID-26-04 REV.AA Addition of 2.0L T4 Long Block or Complete Engine to the Powertrain Service Center (PTSC) Pre-Approval Program To clarify when an OEM part and the Recall Campaign part should be used.
- Term not in NHTSA’s summary · Jeep warranty extension D-26-03 REV.AAddition of 2.0L T4 Long Block or Complete Engine to the Powertrain Service Center (PTSC) Pre-Approval Program - ALL Dealers (Rev.
- Term not in NHTSA’s summary · Jeep warranty extension ID-26-24ID-26-24 (XC2) 2.0L PHEV Engine - Select 2024 - 2025 Jeep Wrangler (JL) and 2023 - 2025 Grand Cherokee/ Grand Cherokee L (WL)
- Term not in NHTSA’s summary · Jeep warranty extension 112147D-26-11 (XC2) 2.0L PHEV Engine - Select 2024 - 2025 Jeep Wrangler (JL) and 2023 - 2025 Grand Cherokee/ Grand Cherokee L (WL)
20 more in this page’s JSON.
The term and the vehicles it covers are the manufacturer’s, as NHTSA’s summary of each filing states them; a dealer checks one particular car by its VIN. Every Stellantis warranty extension (117) → · Every warranty extension on file, all makes →
Most often about: Electrical System, Structure, Engine, Power Train, Unknown Or Other.
- 9100946 Service bulletin2026-10-15 · Unknown Or Other
- Compressor Assy High number of compressor replacements when complaint is noise and supplier analysis comes back as Trouble not found. Before replacing compressor due to noise complaint review the NEW Compressor noise section in the service library under 24 Heating and Air Conditioning- Diagnosis and Testing.
- 9100935 Service bulletin2026-10-14 · Electrical System
- FUSE BLOCK - PWR DISTRIBUTION A/C Blowing hot air or not working. A/C relay clutch not operating, dealers are unnecessary replacing PDCs. Battery disconnection is required to reset PCM. Please follow SOL S2624000004.
- S2608000038 Service bulletin2026-10-10 · Electrical System
- High Voltage Battery Has Lower SOC After Overnight Sleep Cycle
- S2608000038 Service bulletin2026-10-10 · Electrical System
- High Voltage Battery Has Lower SOC After Overnight Sleep Cycle
- 08-355-26 Service bulletin2026-10-09 · Electrical System
- Flash: Drivetrain Control Module (DTCM) Updates Customers must experience a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illumination and the vehicle must SYMPTOM: exhibit/set the following Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC): ● C147B-92 - Front Axle Disconnect Sensor Performance or Incorrect Operation Customers may comment on one or more of the following: ● 4WD system warning lights, service messages, or flashing
- 08-355-26 Service bulletin2026-10-09 · Electrical System
- Flash: Drivetrain Control Module (DTCM) Updates Customers must experience a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illumination and the vehicle must SYMPTOM: exhibit/set the following Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC): ● C147B-92 - Front Axle Disconnect Sensor Performance or Incorrect Operation Customers may comment on one or more of the following: ● 4WD system warning lights, service messages, or flashing
- S2621000004 Service bulletin2026-09-30 · Power Train
- The Customer May Complain About a Popping Noise, Grinding Noise, or an Intermittent No Reverse or Forward Transmission Engagement. The Tech May Find Damaged and/or Worn Transmission Output Shaft Splines (850RE Transmission Only)
- 114746 Service bulletin2026-09-24 · Steering
- SOCKET - DRAG LINK INNER
A service bulletin is the manufacturer telling its dealers how to diagnose or repair a known condition. It is not a recall, not a finding that the vehicle is defective, and the work is not automatically free — though a bulletin is often what a dealer works from when you describe a symptom, so quoting the document number can save a diagnosis. The count is every communication filed; the list shows the most recent, one entry per campaign, because a single campaign is usually filed as several documents on the same day. The summaries are NHTSA's; the full documents come from the manufacturer.
Diagnostic trouble codes on file
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications and complaintsCodes documented against this model year in the federal record. A code appearing here does not mean this vehicle will set it — it means the code is part of this nameplate-year's documented history.
| Code | What it means | Most often filed under | Where it appears |
|---|---|---|---|
| P0032 | Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard. | Power Train | 10 bulletins · 1 owner report |
| P1E1D | Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard. | Electrical System · Battery → | 10 owner reports |
| B12B4 | Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard. | Power Train | 8 bulletins |
| P061B P061B on Jeep → | Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard. | Power Train | 8 bulletins |
| P06E4 | Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard. | Power Train | 8 bulletins |
| P0133 P0133 on Jeep → | The upstream bank 1 oxygen sensor is responding too slowly to be trusted. | Unknown Or Other · Oxygen sensor → | 7 bulletins |
| P0038 | Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard. | Power Train | 5 bulletins |
| P2453 P2453 on Jeep → | Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard. | Unknown Or Other | 5 bulletins |
| B1560 B1560 on Jeep → | Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard. | Electrical System · Battery → | 4 bulletins |
| B1561 B1561 on Jeep → | Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard. | Electrical System · Battery → | 4 bulletins |
| B1562 B1562 on Jeep → | Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard. | Electrical System · Battery → | 4 bulletins |
| B1E21 B1E21 on Jeep → | Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard. | Electrical System · Battery → | 4 bulletins |
Generic codes (the second character is 0 or 2) mean the same thing on every vehicle sold in the United States. Manufacturer-specific codes (1 or 3) mean whatever the automaker assigned, and no honest source can define them for you — which is why the ones here carry the evidence instead of a definition. A code is a link when enough separate federal documents name it across the catalogue to be worth a page of its own; the rest are listed here, where the vehicle is the context that makes them mean something.
Affiliate disclosure: some links on this page are affiliate links. If you request a quote or buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Nothing on this page changes because of it.
At the New York inspection station
Source: New York State DMVIn New York’s inspection lanes over the 12 months to Oct 10, 2026, the 2024 Jeep Wrangler failed the emissions check on 2.5% of first inspections — higher than the 1.5% for every 2024 model-year vehicle inspected; and the safety inspection on 0.53% (every 2024 vehicle: 0.74%).
failed emissions
11,037 initial inspections of 10,875 vehicles.
| Measure | The 2024 Wrangler | Every 2024 vehicle | Behind it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Failed the emissions check | 2.5% | 1.5% | 8,205 |
| Failed the safety inspection | 0.53% | 0.74% | 11,037 |
| Air-bag warning lamp stayed lit | 0.16% | 0.17% | 11,037 |
| Miles driven a year | 8,902 | 9,424 | odometer at inspection |
| Average odometer | 19,438 | 21,104 | odometer at inspection |
New York’s emissions test on these model years is an on-board diagnostics check: it fails a car whose check-engine light is on or whose self-tests have not finished. First inspections only, so a car that failed and came back is counted once; private and special plates, not taxis, livery or commercial plates. A rate appears only where at least 200 inspections stand behind it. “Every 2024 vehicle” is every 2024 model-year car, SUV and pickup inspected in the same window, all makes. This is the state’s record of test results, not a reliability score by itself. Source: New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, Vehicle Inspections (data.ny.gov, Open NY terms).
Common questions about the 2024 Wrangler
Source: EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer press kitsDoes the 2024 Jeep Wrangler have any recalls?
NHTSA has posted 14 recall campaigns for the 2024 Jeep Wrangler, 4 of them rated critical. The most serious on file is 26V363000, covering Steering. 3 of them were filed with no repair available at the time — NHTSA's file records what the manufacturer had in hand on the filing date, not what exists today. There is an active park outside advisory — act on it before driving. Check your own VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls; a recall applies to specific build ranges, not every car.
How safe is the 2024 Jeep Wrangler?
NHTSA has not published a crash-test rating for the 2024 Jeep Wrangler yet. On the recall record WhichTrim grades it F (34/100), which measures open and severe recalls rather than crash protection.
What is the fuel economy of the 2024 Jeep Wrangler?
Across the 10 EPA-rated configurations of the 2024 Jeep Wrangler, the best EPA combined figure is 21 mpg (MPGe on the electrified versions). Figures are the EPA's own, per configuration, and every one is listed above.
What do owners complain about on the 2024 Jeep Wrangler?
Owners have filed 962 complaints with NHTSA about the 2024 Jeep Wrangler, most often about electrical system, engine, fuel/propulsion system. Of those, 14 involved a crash, 13 a fire, 7 reported injuries. Complaints are unverified owner reports, so treat the pattern as a signal and the individual report as an anecdote.
How clean is the 2024 Jeep Wrangler?
The EPA smog rating for the 2024 Jeep Wrangler runs 1 to 7 out of 10 across its configurations. That score covers tailpipe pollutants other than greenhouse gases, and it only compares vehicles within the same model year. It is certified for all fifty states, so it can be registered new anywhere in the U.S. Its configurations were certified to different standards — California LEV-III LEV160, California LEV-III SULEV30, Federal Tier 3 Bin 160, Federal Tier 3 Bin 30 — which the table above lists per configuration.
Are there service bulletins for the 2024 Jeep Wrangler?
The manufacturer has filed 660 service bulletins and related communications with NHTSA for the 2024 Jeep Wrangler, most often covering electrical system, structure, engine. The most recent is dated 2026-10-15. A bulletin is not a recall: it is the repair procedure a manufacturer sends its dealers for a condition it knows about, and the work is not automatically paid for. It is still worth knowing — if the symptom matches, quoting the bulletin number at the service desk can save a diagnosis. The document numbers and summaries are listed above.
How does the 2024 Jeep Wrangler do at state inspection?
In New York’s inspection lanes over the 12 months to Oct 10, 2026, the 2024 Jeep Wrangler failed the emissions check on 2.5% of first inspections — higher than the 1.5% for every 2024 model-year vehicle inspected; and the safety inspection on 0.53% (every 2024 vehicle: 0.74%). The figures are New York State DMV’s own inspection records, first inspections only, and the table above sets each one against every vehicle of the same model year.
What we hold, and what an empty row means
Paid vehicle-history reports will not tell you the difference between “nothing happened to this car” and “we never received that record” — both of the big two say as much in their own help pages. Most of what is on this page comes from complete federal registers, so we can tell you which is which, row by row.
| Data | Held | Source | What it covers — or what empty means |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel economy & configurations | 10 configurations | EPA certification records | Every configuration the EPA certified for sale, with its own test figures. |
| Emission certificates | 10 configurations | EPA emission certificates | Smog rating, standard and the sales area that decides where the car can be sold new. |
| Recalls | 14 | NHTSA recall campaigns | A complete federal register: every campaign covering this model year, with severity and advisory flags. |
| Owner complaints | 962 | NHTSA complaint database | Also complete, but unverified: these are reports owners filed, not findings. Counts scale with how many were sold. |
| Crash ratings | 4 tested | NHTSA NCAP | Only the configurations NHTSA chose to crash-test, which is never all of them. |
| Service bulletins | 660 | NHTSA manufacturer communications | Everything the manufacturer told its dealers about a defect or malfunction, short of a recall. |
| Investigations | 1 | NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation | Open and closed defect investigations, with the agency's own narrative. |
| Driver-assist crash reports | none | NHTSA Standing General Order 2021-01 | No report has been filed. Only entities named in the order report, and only crashes they hear of — so this is also what an unequipped car, or a manufacturer without telematics, looks like. |
| Specifications filed with NHTSA | none | NHTSA vPIC, decoded from VIN patterns | We had no VIN pattern to decode for this model year, or the manufacturer filed nothing usable. |
| Trims, pricing & equipment | 8 trims | Manufacturer press kit | Transcribed from the manufacturer's own press material, every value carrying the document it came from. |
Rebuilt nightly; this page was generated 2026-10-26. Every figure above is traceable to the source named beside it, and the JSON for this page carries the same values with their identifiers.
Sources & method
Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). The most serious recall counts in full and each further one counts 85% of the one before, because a vehicle sold in millions is recalled more often than a rare one without being more dangerous — and because a flat subtraction bottomed the scale out, scoring a vehicle with 22 recalls within a point of one with six. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Read it as what it counts: recall campaigns on the federal record, weighted by severity. The damping reduces the sales bias by roughly 40% but does not remove it: like our complaint counts, this is not normalized by how many were sold, so a best-seller still scores somewhat worse than an obscure model with the same real risk. NHTSA crash ratings, do-not-drive and park-outside advisories, and the crash, fire, injury and death counts in owner complaints are reported separately on every page and never blended into the letter — a vehicle can hold five stars and a poor letter at once, and where that happens we say so rather than leave you to notice. Because the scale subtracts from a clean sheet, a model year too new to have been recalled, complained about or bulletined scores full marks on an empty record; we label those grades provisional rather than present them as earned.
EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed nightly. Trim-level specifications and pricing are transcribed from the manufacturer's official press kit; every value carries its source in the data file.