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
Dealers will replace the driver's seat belt buckle at no cost to you.
This page covers 6 recalls, 643 owner complaints and EPA fuel economy for the 2013 Jeep Wrangler.
18 mpg combined
13.1 L/100km
Small 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 2013 Jeep Wrangler, followed closely by engine-related issues. On the steering side, owners frequently describe a wobble or shimmy, commonly called "death wobble", where the front end shakes violently at highway speeds, often triggered by a bump or road imperfection. Powertrain complaints tend to involve transmission hesitation, rough shifting, and transfer case concerns. A notable secondary pattern involves the ABS control module: owners report a C2200 fault code that disables anti-lock brakes, traction control, and stability control simultaneously, sometimes putting the vehicle into limp mode. Several owners specifically note that replacement modules have been on extended backorder with no aftermarket alternative available, leaving their vehicles undriveable.
643
Total Complaints
14
Crash-Related
16
Fire-Related
7
With Injuries
By System
The 2013 Jeep Wrangler has 6 recalls, the most serious being a defective passenger-side airbag inflator that can explode in a crash and send metal fragments into the cabin, posing a risk of serious injury or death.
The airbag concern covers two filings that describe the same underlying defect, with one filing specifically targeting vehicles registered in high-humidity states and territories where the risk is elevated. Separately from the airbag inflator issue, right-hand-drive models have two additional safety equipment concerns: the driver's seat belt buckle mounting strap can fracture and leave the belt inoperable, and dust contamination in the clockspring assembly can prevent the driver's frontal airbag from deploying in a crash. On the electrical side, corrosion in the exterior heated power mirror connector can cause a short circuit and raise the risk of a fire. Finally, on vehicles with the 3.6L engine and automatic transmission, a power steering line can wear through the transmission fluid cooler line, causing fluid loss and potential transmission failure while driving.
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
Dealers will replace the driver's seat belt buckle at no cost to you.
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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 →
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
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 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.