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 · see engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
105
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
7fires
2injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 105 engine complaints filed for the 2012 Jeep Wrangler, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 100,000-125,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Owners have filed 105 engine complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Among the 19 model years of Jeep Wrangler in our records for engine problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
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…
Had engine trouble with your 2012 Jeep Wrangler?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
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?
Across the 81 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 14,000 and 72,000 miles, with the median around 35,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 14,000; a quarter make it past 72,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
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.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2012/Jeep/Wrangler.
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. Some links on this page are affiliate links.