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 transmission fluid so I called the closest Jeep dealership to me, gwinnett Jeep in stone mountain georgia, and took my vehicle…
2012 Jeep Wrangler powertrain problems
moderate 127 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
127
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
3crashes
1fire
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 127 powertrain complaints filed for the 2012 Jeep Wrangler, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 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 127 powertrain 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 powertrain problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Jeep wrangler. The contact stated that NHTSA campaign number: 13v234000 (power train) had exceeded a reasonable time for repair. The dealer advised the contact that the part was not available for repair. The manufacturer was made aware that the part was not available at the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The contact had not experienced…
Had powertrain 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 powertrain problem on the 2012 Jeep Wrangler?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 127 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Across the 64 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 12,000 and 42,000 miles, with the median around 22,058. A quarter of owners report trouble before 12,000; a quarter make it past 42,000. 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 $2,500 for powertrain 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 powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain 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.