NHTSA (USA)Medium Risk
At a glance
What can fail
The wiring harness for the rearview camera and center brake light can short circuit, disabling the rearview camera image and center brake light.
This page covers 10 recalls, 709 owner complaints and EPA fuel economy for the 2019 Jeep Wrangler.
20–24 mpg combined
9.8–11.8 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 3 tested variants for this model year.
Steering is the dominant complaint category for the 2019 Jeep Wrangler by a wide margin, with owners frequently describing wobble or vibration that develops at highway speeds, often called "death wobble", where the front end shakes severely enough to require pulling over. Many describe the onset as sudden, triggered by a bump or highway expansion joint. Suspension complaints, the second-most-reported system, tend to overlap with these steering concerns, with owners noting worn or failed front-end components they feel contribute to the instability. Electrical complaints come in third, where owners report the instrument cluster going completely dark, losing the speedometer, fuel gauge, and warning lights simultaneously. A smaller number of electrical reports describe a melted connector in the steering column wiring, and isolated reports mention the engine stalling on the highway with the transmission subsequently refusing to engage drive.
709
Total Complaints
9
Crash-Related
8
Fire-Related
7
With Injuries
By System
The 2019 Jeep Wrangler has 10 recalls, the most serious being a steering column stub shaft that can break and allow the steering wheel to detach completely, leaving the driver with no steering control.
Manual transmission models face a separate steering concern: the front track bar bracket may be poorly welded and can pull away from the frame, causing a sudden loss of steering response. Those same manual transmission vehicles also have a clutch pressure plate that can overheat and fracture, raising the risk of fire in the drivetrain. Prior repair attempts did not fully resolve this clutch issue, which is why it appears across multiple recall campaigns.
Two recalls address the front seatbelts: the retractor may fail to slow an occupant's forward movement in a crash, reducing the belt's ability to restrain the driver or passenger at the moment it matters most.
On the visibility side, the rearview camera can linger with a stale image after shifting out of reverse, which can distract the driver. A separate wiring issue can knock out the rearview camera and center brake light at the same time. The instrument panel cluster can also short internally and go dark, taking the speedometer and warning lights with it.
At a glance
What can fail
The wiring harness for the rearview camera and center brake light can short circuit, disabling the rearview camera image and center brake light.
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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 →
What the fix does
Dealers replaced the wiring harness for the center brake light and rearview camera and/or spare tire carrier assembly as needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The instrument panel cluster may develop an internal short circuit and stop working, causing the display to fail.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the instrument panel cluster at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The clutch pressure plate can overheat and crack, potentially affecting manual transmission operation.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the clutch assembly and update the transmission software at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The clutch pressure plate may overheat and crack in certain 2018-2021 Jeep Wranglers and 2020-2021 Jeep Gladiators with manual transmissions.
What the fix does
Dealers will install software that reduces engine torque when clutch temperatures rise to prevent damage to the pressure plate.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front seat belt retractors may malfunction, preventing the seat belts from working properly during a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front seat belts to restore proper function.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
During a crash, the front seat belt retractor may fail to properly slow the occupant's forward movement after locking, reducing protection.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front seat belt retractors at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A software error in the 8.4" or 12" radio display can cause the rearview camera image to stay on screen after shifting out of reverse, blocking your view.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the radio display software for free. You can also download the update yourself via Over-The-Air update starting May 1, 2020.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The clutch pressure plate can overheat and crack in certain manual transmission vehicles.
What the fix does
Dealers will reroute a wire harness, inspect the clutch system, and replace any damaged components.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The steering column stub shaft may be improperly machined and could break, potentially causing the steering wheel to detach from the steering column.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the steering column and replace it if necessary at no charge.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front track bar brackets may have improper welds that can fail, causing the bracket to separate from the frame and reduce steering capability.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and repair the track bar bracket welds as needed at no charge.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
