Jeep Wrangler engine problems, 2016–2027
1,362 of the 6,691 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Jeep Wrangler 2016–2027 name the engine (NHTSA’s “Engine” heading — the engine and its cooling system). The loudest years: 2024 (546), 2021 (222), 2023 (105). Filed under the same heading across these years: 3 manufacturer bulletins, 2 recall campaigns, 1 NHTSA investigation. Every figure is a linked federal record; none is a failure rate, none a repair cost, and none a verdict on one car.
Jeep Wrangler engine 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 engine | Share of the year’s | Typically at | On file under the heading | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2026 | 1 | 10% | — | 34 TSBs | the year → |
| 2025 | 27 | 36% | — | 66 TSBs · 1 recall | the year → |
| 2024 in depth | 546 | 58% | 15k | 87 TSBs · 1 recall · 1 investigation | the record → |
| 2023 in depth | 105 | 28% | — | 102 TSBs · 1 recall · 1 investigation | the record → |
| 2022 in depth | 93 | 23% | — | 137 TSBs · 1 recall · 1 investigation | the record → |
| 2021 in depth | 222 | 23% | 26k | 210 TSBs · 1 recall · 1 investigation | the record → |
| 2020 in depth | 60 | 10% | 31k | 180 TSBs | the record → |
| 2019 | 49 | 7% | 17k | 115 TSBs | the year → |
| 2018 in depth | 103 | 6% | 19k | 108 TSBs | the record → |
| 2017 in depth | 63 | 20% | 52k | 27 TSBs | the record → |
| 2016 in depth | 93 | 20% | 45k | 28 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 engine. Nothing here is a rate.
When the engine complaints were filed, and at what mileage
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled per calendar year, every model year together: 2016: 5 · 2017: 6 · 2018: 19 · 2019: 30 · 2020: 45 · 2021: 65 · 2022: 99 · 2023: 140 · 2024: 181 · 2025: 463 · 2026: 309
Across the model years, half of the 262 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the engine problem between 12,000 and 54,000 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 engine, 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.
Car engine cut off completely 3 separate times during a short 1.2 mile trip through neighborhood (20-25mph). Car prompted me to put car in park and start engine. I had to coast to side of road, stop, park, then restart engine each time. 30 seconds between each start/failure. Scary!!
A software update for the Uconnext system was pushed to the vehicle and accepted. Immediately after the car said the system was updated, the vehicle engine stopped completely, and the whole dashboard shut down. Restarted the car, but this repeated several times in a very short distance. The “D” was blinking in the transmission.
The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4XE. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The accelerator pedal was depressed, but the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended, hesitated and jerked. The vehicle was taken to the dealer however, the failure could not be duplicated.
The engine caught on fire after a short drive. The fire burned the entire top of the rear of the engine and completely through the wiring harness before I could extinguish it with a fire extinguisher and water. The fire appears to have started at the top rear of the engine where the fuel line enters the intake.
On June 17 I was driving on the highway in Tupelo,MS with my sister and three children. I was going about 80 mph when the entire engine shut down spontaneously. The dash lights said plug into a power outlet. I was driving in hybrid mode with a half tank of gas.
What is on file about the engine, across the years
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecall campaigns filed under this heading, any model year
- 25V766000 CriticalNov 6, 2025 · 117,904 vehicles
- Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4XE and 2024-2025 Jeep Wrangler 4XE Plug-In Hybrid Electric (PHEV) vehicles. Debris inside the engine may cause engine failure, which can result in a loss of drive power and/or an engine compartment fire.
- 22V865000 HighNov 23, 2022 · 62,909 vehicles
- Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Jeep Wrangler 4xe vehicles equipped with 2.0L Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle engines. A loss of communication may cause an engine shutdown.
NHTSA investigation
- RQ24012 Loss of Motive Poweropened Jul 5, 2024 · 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…
3 manufacturer bulletins filed under this heading, any model year
- Sep 11, 2026
- MIL-On and/or Engine Oil Leak
- Aug 26, 2026
- Turbocharger Kit Please note that many turbo components are serviceable separately and full turbo replacement may not be required. If the turbo is being inspected for: Noise/Rattle: Inspect heat shield fasteners for looseness and check the wastegate actuator/linkage for binding. The actuator kit is serviced separately. Oil Leak: Inspect the turbo oil feed O-ring area for leaks. O-ring is serviced
- Jul 7, 2026
- CORE – HEATER
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 Wrangler
Source: the same files- electrical problems
- transmission and drivetrain problems
- steering problems
- fuel system problems
- suspension problems
- body and structure problems
- airbag problems
Every system, every model year: Jeep Wrangler problems by year →
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsWhich Jeep Wrangler years have the most engine complaints?
2024, 546; 2021, 222; 2023, 105. Raw counts, and an older year has had longer to collect them; by share of each year's own complaints the loudest is the 2024 (58%).
Is there a recall for the engine on the Jeep Wrangler?
Yes — 2 campaigns are filed under this heading across these model years: 25V766000 (2025), 22V865000 (2023). A recall is matched by VIN, and applies to specific years; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do engine problems show up on the Jeep Wrangler?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 25,126 miles across the model years; half of them between 12,000 and 54,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Engine" heading cover?
The engine and its cooling system. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.