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ProblemsByVinFile / 2016-JEEP-RENEGADENHTSA data synced 4 days ago
Jeep
2016 Jeep Renegade problems
The 2016 Jeep Renegade has 429 NHTSA owner complaints and 2 active recall campaigns on file. Here's the breakdown — what's serious, what's noise, and what a working mechanic would actually do about it.
The 2016 Jeep Renegade has 429 NHTSA owner complaints and 2 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). The most-reported system is engine at 110 complaints, typically surfacing around 42,238 miles (~$3,100 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
Average for the segment. Some recurring trouble spots worth knowing about.
0
Critical
2
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2016 Renegade?
Acceptable — with caveats
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
Electrical system: 99 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 26,376–58,084 mi
Reliability score 6.8/10 — around the segment average
2 recall campaigns on file
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model —
not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
NHTSA crash-test safety ratings
4 / 5 overall
Overall★★★★★4/5
Frontal crash★★★★★4/5
Side crash★★★★★5/5
Rollover★★★★★3/5
Driver-assist features on the tested model:
Electronic stability control: Standard · Forward collision warning: Optional · Lane departure warning: No
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program — tested configuration: 2016 Jeep Renegade SUV 4WD. Stars rate crash protection in NHTSA's tests, not overall reliability — see the owner-complaint data below for what actually goes wrong.
Buying a used 2016 Jeep Renegade? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or
make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
engine — 110 owner reports
· tends to show around 42,238 mi · ~$3,100 to fix
electrical — 99 owner reports
· tends to show around 40,396 mi · ~$850 to fix
powertrain — 70 owner reports
· tends to show around 30,064 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
cruise control — 17 owner reports
· tends to show around 15,071 mi · ~$600 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: electrical is flagged
severe on this model
, showing up around 40,396 mi.
Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — 2 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 6.8/10 model. The priciest documented failure is
engine (~$3,100) — get the
seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report
tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in
this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.
Photo attached — type a question or just hit Ask.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
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When owners report each system failing, in actual miles — so you can see what's likely behind you,
what's due around now, and what to budget for next. Enter your mileage to mark where you are.
"Typical" = median owner-reported failure mileage from the NHTSA complaint record for this exact
year and model. Not a maintenance schedule — a heads-up on where this model's failures cluster.
What owners are saying
recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
2016 Renegade· electrical
while driving the door locks start activating (locking and unlocking) AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT KEEPS FLASHING BRAKE WARNING LIGHT COMES ON AND DISAPEARS SHIFTER FAILS TO ENGAGE WHEN IN DRIVE VEHICLE LOSES ALL POWER BUT WILL NOT SHUT DOWN ESP INDICATOR LIGHT COMES ON SHIFTER…
Jeep lost acceleration and died in the middle of the road. Fortunately I had just gotten off the freeway or we could have been seriously injured. No warning or check engine lights illuminated, it just completely lost the acceleration and died in the road.
At less than 1000 miles on my 2016 Jeep renegade trailhawk appeared to have had an electrical issue where when started alerts for all lights are being seen (brake light failure, headlight failure, turn signal failure, fog light failure, etc.) however all lights appear to work.…
Keyless entry working intermittently. Using 2 original key fobs, doors will lock, unlock, remote start and panic alarm will sound. Then they will not. Both keys respond the same. Either they are both working or they are both not working. Works most of the time, but then…
Had a problem with your 2016 Jeep Renegade?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Jeep Renegade vehicles manufactured August 25, 2014, to June 25, 2016, equipped with a factory-installed optional trailer hitch package
Without the proper amount of fasteners, the trailer hitch assembly may separate from the vehicle, and any towed vehicle may no longer be properly connected, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will install two additional fasteners per side, free of charge. The recall began on October 13, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S62.
If the axle moves there could be an increased risk of a crash.
Fix: Daystar will notify owners, and direct them to repair shops to have the brackets inspected and replaced as needed, free of charge. The recall began on March 11, 2016. Owners may contact Daystar customer service at 1-623-907-0081 or by email at Jbilyeu@daystarweb.com. Daystar's number for this recall is 16-01.
Common questions
Is the 2016 Jeep Renegade reliable?
It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 6.8 out of 10 based on 429 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2016 Jeep Renegade 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.
Should you avoid the 2016 Jeep Renegade?
The 2016 Jeep Renegade is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Electrical system: 99 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 26,376–58,084 mi; Reliability score 6.8/10 — around the segment average; 2 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2016 Jeep Renegade?
Inspect the engine first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 110 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 42,238 miles. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2016 Jeep Renegade a good used car to buy?
It scores 6.8 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 429 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is engine. Typical failure occurs around 42,238 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2016 Jeep Renegade?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is engine, with 110 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 42,238 miles. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The engine is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 42,238 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Jeep Renegade 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 2016 Jeep Renegade?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 429 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $3,100, 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 are not always better value.
Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database, last synced 4 days ago. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2016/Jeep/Renegade.
Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics.
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