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ProblemsByVin File / 2012-JEEP-WRANGLER
2012 · jeep

jeep Wrangler problems

3 safety recalls. 826 owner complaints. We mapped every trouble spot before you sign the papers.

0 5 10
Reliability score
5.8 / 10

Average for the segment. Some recurring trouble spots worth knowing about.

1
Critical
2
Severe
0
Moderate

Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints

steering
204 reports · avg $700
critical
powertrain
127 reports · avg $2,500
moderate
electrical
124 reports · avg $850
severe
engine
105 reports · avg $3,100
severe
airbags
102 reports · avg $1,100
severe
brakes
25 reports · avg $450
severe
body
24 reports · avg $1,500
severe
cruise control
15 reports · avg $600
severe

What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim

2012 Wrangler · electrical
CAR COMPLETELY DIES WHEN SITTING IDLE. I BELIEVE THE CONTROL MODULE IS FAULTY AND I HAVE HEARD MANY COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER DODGE/CHRYSLER/JEEP CUSTOMERS ABOUT THIS SAME ISSUE. MY 15 MONTH OLD SON WAS IN THE CAR WHEN THIS HAPPENED AND IT SCARED THE HECK OUT OF ME TO BE SITTING…
12/31/2020 · NHTSA ODI #11385741.0
2012 Wrangler · powertrain
I RECEIVED AN E-MAIL FROM JEEP AROUND DECEMBER STATING RECALL N28 WOULD AFFECT MY JEEP BECAUSE THE POWER STEERING LINE WILL RUB THE TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER TUBE CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LEAK TRANSMISSION FLUID. I NOTICED ON DECEMBER 18TH THAT MY JEEP WAS IN FACT LEAKING…
12/31/2014 · NHTSA ODI #10669270.0
2012 Wrangler · steering
UNABLE TO GET SAFETY RECALL N28 / NHTSA 13V-234 TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER TUBE REPAIRED. HAVE CONTACTED MULTIPLE DEALERS AND THEY ARE UNABLE TO GET THE PART. DEALERS REPORT THEY ARE ONLY ALLOWED ONE RECALL PART PER WEEK OR TWO WEEKS, NOW BACKED UP FOR MONTHS. THEY REPORT 100'S…
12/31/2013 · NHTSA ODI #10557990.0
2012 Wrangler · engine
OIL LEAKING OFF TOP OF ENGINE. CRACKED PLASTIC PART CAUSED OIL TO LEAK OUT ON ENGINE AND EXHAUST CREATING A BURNING SMELL AND MY MECHANIC SAID IT IS A FIRE HAZARD. FOUND MANY OTHERS WITH SAME ISSUE FROM JEEP AND CHRYSLER PRODUCTS.
12/30/2020 · NHTSA ODI #11385676.0

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Active recalls showing 3 of 3

critical NHTSA 16V352000 24/05/2016

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) expanded the affected population to include 73,712 2005-2009 RAM 2500 trucks produced at the St

These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. These inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify the Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and RAM owners. Mitsubishi owners will be notified by their company. Dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on March 27, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S43. Note: This recall supersedes recall 14V-7700.
severe NHTSA 13V176000 07/05/2013

Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 Jeep Wrangler right-hand drive vehicles manufactured February 1, 2007, through October 10, 2011

In the event of a crash necessitating airbag deployment, a broken electrical circuit in the airbag clockspring wiring assembly can lead to non-deployment of the driver-side frontal airbag and will not be able to properly protect the driver, increasing the risk of injuries.

Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the clockspring and add a steering wheel dust shield, free of charge. The recall began on June 10, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. This recall supercedes NHTSA recall 11V-528. Chrysler's recall campaign number is M31.
severe NHTSA 11V528000 02/11/2011

CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008-2012 RIGHT HAND DRIVE (RHD) JEEP WRANGLER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 1, 2007, THROUGH OCTOBER 10, 2011

A BROKEN ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT IN THE AIRBAG CLOCKSPRING WIRING ASSEMBLY CAN LEAD TO NON-DEPLOYMENT OF THE DRIVER FRONTAL AIRBAG AND WILL NOT BE ABLE TO PROPERLY PROTECT THE DRIVER IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURIES.

Fix: CHRYSLER WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REMEDY THE VEHICLES AS NECESSARY FREE OF CHARGE. CHRYSLER WILL MAIL TO OWNERS AN INTERIM NOTIFICATION DURING MARCH 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

Common questions

Is the 2012 Jeep Wrangler reliable?

It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 5.8 out of 10 based on 826 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2012 Jeep Wrangler has a higher-than-average rate of reported issues. The areas to watch are listed above. Whether it's worth owning depends on price, condition, and how much repair exposure you can absorb.

What's the most common problem on the 2012 Jeep Wrangler?

Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is steering, with 204 complaints filed. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop.

What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?

The steering is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.

How do I check if my Jeep Wrangler has open recalls?

Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.

Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2012 Jeep Wrangler?

Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 826 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $700, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans aren't always better value.

Related vehicles

Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 10 hours ago. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. We are not affiliated with jeep. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we may earn a commission if you complete a quote or purchase.
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