2016 Jeep Wrangler problems
What owners report to NHTSA, grouped by component, with the recalls that cover them.
NHTSA has 460 owner complaints on file for the 2016 Jeep Wrangler, filed between 2016-03-16 and 2026-09-13. The most common problem areas are the service brakes (119, 26%), engine (88, 19%) and air bags (77, 17%). Owners reported 28 crashes, 15 fires and 38 injuries in these complaints. NHTSA lists 5 recalls for this model year.
Last updated: · Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls databases
2016 Jeep Wrangler complaints by component
| Component | Complaints | Share | Crashes | Fires | Injuries |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Service brakes | 119 | 26% | 3 | 0 | 5 |
| Engine | 88 | 19% | 1 | 4 | 0 |
| Air bags | 77 | 17% | 20 | 1 | 27 |
| Power train | 74 | 16% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 56 | 12% | 1 | 7 | 1 |
| Unknown or other | 54 | 12% | 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Vehicle speed control | 35 | 8% | 4 | 0 | 2 |
| Steering | 28 | 6% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 18 | 4% | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Electronic stability control (esc) | 13 | 3% | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 13 | 3% | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 13 | 3% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 12 | 3% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 10 | 2% | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| Wheels | 9 | 2% | 1 | 1 | 2 |
A complaint can name several components, so shares can add up to more than 100%. Crashes, fires and injuries are as reported by owners.
The top problem areas, in plain English
Each summary is built from the complaint counts and NHTSA recall notices, not from individual owner stories.
Service brakes: 119 complaints
- 119 complaints of 460 (26%) name the service brakes — the foot-brake system: pads, rotors, calipers, lines and ABS.
- 20 of them also name the vehicle speed control; owners reported 3 crashes and 5 injuries in these complaints.
- No NHTSA recall for the 2016 Jeep Wrangler covers this system.
Engine: 88 complaints
- 88 complaints of 460 (19%) name the engine.
- 20 of them also name the power train; owners reported 1 crash and 4 fires in these complaints.
- No NHTSA recall for the 2016 Jeep Wrangler covers this system.
Air bags: 77 complaints
- 77 complaints of 460 (17%) name the air bags — frontal, side and curtain air bags, their crash sensors and control module.
- 13 of them also name the electrical system; owners reported 20 crashes, 1 fire and 27 injuries in these complaints.
- 4 NHTSA recalls cover this system on the 2016 Jeep Wrangler; the latest, campaign 24V196000, says: “Debris contamination may cause the clockspring to fail, preventing the driver's air bag from deploying in a crash.”
Power train: 74 complaints
- 74 complaints of 460 (16%) name the power train — the transmission, transfer case, driveshafts and axles.
- 20 of them also name the engine; none of these complaints reports a crash, fire or injury.
- No NHTSA recall for the 2016 Jeep Wrangler covers this system.
Electrical system: 56 complaints
- 56 complaints of 460 (12%) name the electrical system — wiring, battery and charging, fuses, control modules and in-car electronics.
- 13 of them also name the air bags; owners reported 1 crash, 7 fires and 1 injury in these complaints.
- No NHTSA recall for the 2016 Jeep Wrangler covers this system.
Vehicle speed control: 35 complaints
- 35 complaints of 460 (8%) name the vehicle speed control — cruise control and accelerator/throttle control.
- 20 of them also name the service brakes; owners reported 4 crashes and 2 injuries in these complaints.
- No NHTSA recall for the 2016 Jeep Wrangler covers this system.
When the complaints were filed
| Year filed | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2016 | 37 |
| 2017 | 33 |
| 2018 | 26 |
| 2019 | 70 |
| 2020 | 65 |
| 2021 | 31 |
| 2022 | 30 |
| 2023 | 26 |
| 2024 | 34 |
| 2025 | 65 |
| 2026 | 43 |
What is counted
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the model names WRANGLER, model year 2016. Complaints are unverified owner reports; a recall is NHTSA's confirmed safety defect. See the 2016 Jeep Wrangler recalls.
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Jeep Wrangler?
By NHTSA owner complaints, the 2016 Jeep Wrangler's most common problem areas are the service brakes (119 of 460 complaints), engine (88 of 460 complaints) and air bags (77 of 460 complaints).
How many complaints does the 2016 Jeep Wrangler have?
NHTSA has 460 owner complaints on file for the 2016 Jeep Wrangler, including 28 reported crashes and 15 reported fires.
Is there a recall for the 2016 Jeep Wrangler's problems?
NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2016 Jeep Wrangler; 1 of the top 6 complaint areas have a matching recall. Recall repairs are free at a dealer; check your VIN for open recalls.