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.
2012 jeep Wrangler engine problems
severe 105 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100
Complaints
105
Recalls
0
Crashes
0
Avg fix
$3,100
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
OIL LEAKING FROM ENGINE. MECHANIC SAID COULD BE DANGEROUS AS IT WAS GETTING ON THE EXHAUST AND COULD START A FIRE. DOING RESEARCH ON THIS WEBSITE, FOUND OUT IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH A PLASTIC PART ON TOP OF THE ENGINES USED BY JEEP AND CHRYSLER. THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED.
Jeep Wrangler 3.6 liter 90k miles lifter making loud noise. Seems you had a recall about this on the 2012 and guess I missed out
WHILE APPROACHING A STOP-LIGHT ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS (BUT NOT ON EVERY OCCASION), THE 3.6 LITER PENTASTAR ENGINE IN MY 2012 JEEP WRANGLER SPORT HAS STALLED, WHICH CAUSES IMMEDIATE & COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER-STEERING & HYDRAULIC BRAKE-POWER. TO RESTART THE ENGINE, I MUST SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL OR PARK. TO PUT THE VEHICLE BACK INTO DRIVE AFTER RESTARTING, THE VEHICLE'S COMPUTER REQUIRES ME TO COME TO A COM…
Common questions
How serious is the engine problem on the 2012 jeep Wrangler?
It's a meaningful issue. 105 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $3,100.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities.
Repair cost estimates are independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area.
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