NHTSA (USA)High Risk
At a glance
What can fail
The driver's seat belt buckle mounting strap can fracture and separate from the seat frame.
What the fix does
This page covers 10 recalls, 828 owner complaints and EPA fuel economy for the 2012 Jeep Wrangler.
18 mpg combined
13.1 L/100km
Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 2 tested variants for this model year.
Steering and powertrain complaints dominate what owners report for the 2012 Jeep Wrangler. On the steering side, owners describe loss of control feel, wandering, and handling instability at highway speeds. Powertrain complaints cover transmission hesitation, rough shifts, and four-wheel-drive engagement problems. A notable cluster of reports involves the ABS module, owners describe simultaneous warning lights for ABS, traction control, and hill descent activating together, with the module diagnosed as failed. Several owners note the replacement part has been difficult or impossible to source, leaving vehicles sitting unrepaired for extended periods. The engine complaint category is the third-largest, with owners frequently reporting check engine light illumination, though described symptoms vary and many reports note the vehicle was never fully diagnosed or repaired.
828
Total Complaints
22
Crash-Related
19
Fire-Related
19
With Injuries
By System
The 2012 Jeep Wrangler has 10 recalls, the most serious involving the passenger-side frontal airbag inflator, which can explode during deployment and send metal fragments into the cabin, potentially causing serious injury or death.
Several additional airbag concerns affect this vehicle, most applying only to right-hand drive models. The airbag clockspring assembly can develop a broken or contaminated electrical circuit, preventing the driver's frontal airbag from deploying in a crash. A separate issue also affects right-hand drive vehicles: the driver's seatbelt buckle mounting strap can fracture and separate from the seat frame, leaving the belt unable to restrain the driver.
On the mechanical side, the power steering return line can wear against the transmission fluid cooler line, causing transmission fluid to leak out. This applies to vehicles with the 3.6L engine and automatic transmission. Enough fluid loss can cause the transmission to stop functioning, leading to a loss of drive power. There is also a fire risk tied to the exterior heated power mirrors: corrosion in the mirror's electrical connector can cause a short circuit that may ignite a fire.
At a glance
What can fail
The driver's seat belt buckle mounting strap can fracture and separate from the seat frame.
What the fix does
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Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
Dealers will replace the driver's seat belt buckle at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The driver's frontal air bag inflator may build up excessive internal pressure during deployment and rupture or explode.
What the fix does
The passenger frontal air bag inflator will be replaced at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front airbag inflator may explode during a crash due to propellant degradation from long-term exposure to humidity and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger frontal airbag inflator at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger frontal air bag inflator may fail or deploy unexpectedly, potentially injuring occupants.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Dust contamination in the clockspring assembly can cause the air bag circuit to fail.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the clockspring, wheel back cover, and column shroud at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Corrosion in the exterior heated power mirror electrical connector can cause an electrical short.
What the fix does
Dealers will relocate the exterior mirror power feed to a separate connector at no charge.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The power steering return line may rub against the transmission oil cooler line, causing the transmission line to leak fluid. Loss of transmission fluid can damage the transmission and cause loss of engine power.
What the fix does
A dealer will add a protective sleeve to the line or replace the transmission line to stop the leak.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The power steering line may rub against and puncture the transmission oil cooler line, causing transmission fluid to leak out.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the power steering return tube assembly at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The airbag clockspring assembly can develop broken circuits, which may prevent the airbag from working properly.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the clockspring assembly and install a steering wheel dust shield at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The driver's airbag clockspring assembly may develop an internal circuit problem that disables the airbag system, causing a warning light to appear and preventing the airbag from deploying in a crash.
What the fix does
Chrysler will repair or replace the clockspring assembly at no cost to you. An interim notification will be mailed in March 2012.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
