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moderate 144 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Of the 144 engine complaints filed for the 2017 Jeep Renegade, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 mi.
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.
Of the 7 model years of Jeep Renegade we track for engine problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 144.
Engine accounts for 26% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 12 categories tracked.
An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering engine on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Verify Reman part number availability. Order the "R" part number for all orders:
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗"2.4L Excessive Oil Consumption XS1 Warranty Extension The customer may describe one or more of the following: ● Oil pressure low indicator lamp illumination between oil changes. ● Excessive oil consumption This bulletin involves performing an oil consumption verification test and possibly replacing the long block. "
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗"2.4L Excessive Oil Consumption XB1 Warranty Extension The customer may describe one or more of the following: ● Oil pressure low indicator lamp illumination between oil changes. ● Excessive oil consumption. This bulletin involves performing an oil consumption verification test and possibly replacing the long block."
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗"Start Stop Charging Warning Lamp Illuminated On, Intelligent Battery Sensor (IBS) State of Charge (SOC) Inaccurate, Battery Charging Message, Presence of IBS related Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs), or Battery Warning Lamp On "
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗"Start Stop Charging Warning Lamp Illuminated On, Intelligent Battery Sensor (IBS) State of Charge (SOC) Inaccurate, Battery Charging Message, Presence of IBS related Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs), or Battery Warning Lamp On "
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The 2017 Renegade's 2.4L engine is consuming oil at abnormal rates—1 to 5+ quarts per 1,000 to 3,000 miles—and stalling without warning when reserves run dry. Owners describe pulling onto highways or turning corners only to have the engine cut off completely, no power steering, no acceleration. Many report the oil warning light never came on before the stall, leaving them stranded at speeds up to 75 mph with family in the car. Several owners found the dipstick bone-dry or smoking despite recent oil changes per the owner's manual intervals. Dealerships are telling owners this is "normal" for the 2.4L or recommending they check oil every 500–1,000 miles on a two-year-old vehicle.
The second major failure is ignition coils failing before 50,000 miles, causing rough running, misfire, and stalling. Owners replace coils and find fouled spark plugs. A few report losing 4WD when the check engine light triggered.
Stalling occurs without diagnostic codes in many cases—dealers plug in scanners, find nothing, and send owners home. When root cause is found, it is severe low oil or internal engine damage (broken bearings). One owner had an engine fire; another received a replacement engine only to have the same failure recur at 1,500 miles.
The recall for this issue (18V131000) does not cover many 2017s despite owners reporting identical symptoms in forums and online. Manufacturers and dealers cite parts shortages and warranty expiration as reasons for denial, even when the defect is documented. One owner's warranty expired while waiting for recalled fuel pump parts to arrive. Transmission shift harshness and hesitation are also reported, often accompanied by dealer blame on low oil—yet the jerking persists even after fresh oil changes. Radiator fans fail around 40,000 miles, and owners are charged to replace them despite the part being known-defective. The bottom line: the engine is unreliable, diagnostics are slow or inconclusive, recalls are incomplete, and warranty coverage is fragmented.
Same Jeep Renegade engine reports on nearby years: 2015 · 2016 · 2018 · 2020
The 2.4L engine consumes oil at abnormal rates (1–5+ quarts per 1,000–3,000 miles or roughly 1 quart per 300–500 miles). When oil depletes, the engine stalls without warning or illuminates a low-oil-pressure message on the dash. Some vehicles fail to restart after stalling; others restart after multiple attempts. No visible leaks are reported. Some owners describe oil being bone-dry or nearly empty despite recent oil changes and service intervals per the owner's manual. The oil indicator light often fails to warn owners in time or at all.
When: Occurs from under 20,000 miles through 98,000+ miles; commonly first appears between 11,000–50,000 miles. Stalling often happens during turning, braking, deceleration, or hill climbs where oil slosh increases demand on the oil pump.
Symptoms owners cite: Engine stalls without warning or check engine light; Stalling during turns, braking, or acceleration from stops; Stalling on hills or during highway driving; Loss of power steering and acceleration when stalling occurs; Low oil pressure warning message on dash; Oil dipstick shows little to no oil despite recent oil changes; Difficulty or failure to restart after stalling; Engine jerking or rough running before stalling; No illumination of oil change indicator light despite severely low oil
Codes mentioned: P0011, P0420, Misfire codes (general)
Repairs/costs cited: Engine replacement (new 2.4L motor installed). Oil consumption test performed by dealer (results typically show 1–2+ quarts per 500–1,000 miles). Some dealers advised to add 1 quart of oil per 1,000 miles as maintenance. Warranty coverage applied in some cases but denied or complicated by mileage or time limits (60,000 miles / 3 years noted in one case). Recall W80 Customer Satisfaction Program mentioned; some owners informed of oil pump housing crack in balance shaft module as root cause.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 18V131000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) issued for some model years; many 2017 models report not being included. Recall 18V731000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) mentioned but parts were on back-order for months, delaying repairs and allowing warranty to expire. Dealer Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) issued recommending owners keep quart of oil on hand. Some dealers stated excessive oil consumption is 'normal' for 2.4L engine or that vehicle is 'working as designed.' Parts distribution delays noted. One owner reported recall-mandated repair was pending at dealer unrepaired. Customer Satisfaction Program W80 referenced.
Ignition coils fail prematurely, causing cylinder misfire, rough running, and stalling. Fouled spark plugs observed (corroded or heavily fouled). Swapping coils moves the misfire to another cylinder, confirming faulty coil. Check engine light illuminates with misfire codes. Stalling occurs unpredictably or under load (acceleration, hill climbing). Loss of 4WD has been reported when check engine light triggers. Vehicle may hesitate to accelerate or hesitate after stops.
When: Reported from 32,000 to 42,000+ miles; one occurrence at 40,000 miles. Failures occur during driving at various speeds, often during acceleration or uphill driving.
Symptoms owners cite: Cylinder misfire (typically cylinders 2, 3, or 4); Check engine light illuminates; Engine running rough or misfiring; Vehicle stalling (occasionally; more often hesitation/sluggish acceleration); Loss of 4WD engagement due to check engine light triggering; Fouled or corroded spark plugs; Jerking or hesitation during acceleration; Poor performance climbing hills or in mountain terrain
Codes mentioned: P0300 (Random misfire), P0302 (Cylinder 2 misfire), P0304 (Cylinder 4 misfire)
Repairs/costs cited: Ignition coils replaced (cost and dealer labor noted but specifics not provided). Spark plugs replaced (one reported as badly fouled/corroded). Issue resolved after coil replacement. Aftermarket repair at non-dealer shop also reported successful.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No specific recalls cited for ignition coils. Owners note this is a 'common problem' in forums and online research but Jeep has not addressed it with a recall despite being a 'potential life-threatening issue.' One owner reported a 2018 Renegade recall for 'identical' issues (two separate recalls mentioned by that owner), suggesting 2017 may be excluded from current recalls.
Vehicle stalls without warning during driving—often during turns, braking, acceleration from stops, or at random. No warning lights illuminate in many cases (though some show low oil pressure after stalling). Dealer diagnostic often finds no codes or cannot duplicate the issue. When dealership eventually identifies root cause, it is frequently severe low oil or oil pump failure. In one case, bearings broke inside engine. Vehicle may require multiple restart attempts or cooling period before restarting. Safety risk is acute because stalling can occur at highway speeds or in traffic.
When: Reported from 11,000 miles to 119,000+ miles; majority of incidents occur below 60,000 miles. First stall often occurs between 14,000–35,000 miles in new vehicles.
Symptoms owners cite: Engine stalls during turns, braking, or acceleration from stops; Engine stalls at highway speeds without warning; No warning lights or check engine light before stall; Message on dash: 'Put car in park to shift' or 'Low oil pressure' after stalling; Vehicle dies completely; loss of power steering and acceleration; Difficulty or multiple attempts required to restart; Engine may need cooling period before restart; Stalling recurs multiple times within short period (same day or within 24 hours); Stalling occurs despite recent oil change
Codes mentioned: No codes retrieved by dealer in many cases, P0011 (Cam timing issue)
Repairs/costs cited: Complete engine replacement in multiple cases (new motor installed under warranty or extended service). One owner received replacement engine but same failure recurred after 1,500 miles, requiring second engine replacement. Oil consumption test ordered in many cases. Some dealerships unable to replicate issue in shop and unable to diagnose root cause. Warranty covered replacement engine in some cases; warranty denial noted in others due to mileage or time limits exceeded. One owner involved in class action lawsuit filed in 2020.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 18V131000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) cited by owners but many 2017 Renegades report exclusion from this recall despite experiencing identical symptoms. Recall parts (fuel pump) were on back-order for months in one case, delaying diagnosis and allowing owner's warranty to expire (60,000 miles / 3 years). One case mentioned '7 different case managers' providing zero help and manufacturer attempting to avoid coverage. Class action lawsuit filed in 2020 per one complaint. Warranty extension offered in at least one case (extension on loaner vehicle provided).
Bearings break off inside engine, causing internal mechanical failure. Engine requires complete replacement. Owner reports Jeep attempting to deny coverage despite internal mechanical failure being manufacturing defect. Failure linked to recall parts being on back-order during attempted repair, causing warranty to expire before issue was resolved.
When: At or before 62,000 miles; owner was at 60,000 miles when warranty expired; currently at 62,000 miles at time of complaint.
Symptoms owners cite: Engine randomly turns off or stalls; Sometimes engine turns over but won't start; Internal bearing breakage (discovered upon disassembly)
Repairs/costs cited: Complete engine replacement required. Warranty initially denied due to mileage exceeding 60,000-mile limit. Local Jeep mechanic verified engine replacement was direct result of recalled parts. Parts were on back-order for months, preventing timely recall repair and causing warranty expiration.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall parts on back-order for months. Owner attempted recall repair while under warranty (under 60,000 miles) but could not receive parts. During back-order delay, warranty expired. Manufacturer denying coverage; class action lawsuit filed in 2020 for similar cases. Zero assistance from case managers per owner report.
Engine caught fire while driving. Owner noticed abnormal burning odor and smoke from under hood. Upon opening hood in driveway, flames erupted from engine. Vehicle deemed total loss by fire department. Owner sustained minor arm injuries but no burns. Fire and police reports filed.
When: Approximately 58,000 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Abnormal burning odor inside and outside vehicle; Smoke from under hood while driving; Flames erupted when hood was opened
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle total loss per fire department determination. Neither dealer nor manufacturer were notified by owner at time of fire.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owner mentioned NHTSA Campaign 18V131000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) as possible related recall but VIN was not included in recall. No manufacturer involvement documented as owner did not notify them at time of incident.
Radiator fan fails prematurely, causing rattling noise under hood and burning smell. Check engine light illuminates. Dealership confirmed radiator fan failure, rendering vehicle unsafe to drive due to cooling system failure. Owner notes this is a defective part and Jeep is aware but replaces it at owner's cost rather than recalling.
When: Around 40,000 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Rattling noise under hood; Burning smell (engine cooling related); Check engine light illuminates
Codes mentioned: Code indicating radiator fan failure (specific code not provided)
Repairs/costs cited: Radiator fan replaced by Jeep (at owner's cost, not as recall). Owner notes Jeep is aware of the defect and replaces the part for other owners, suggesting it is a known inferior part.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall issued despite known defect. Jeep replaces fan for owners at owner's expense. Owner considers this 'highly negligent' and advocates for recall coverage.
Check engine light illuminates due to catalytic converter failure. Vehicle experiences hesitation during driving at various speeds. Failure occurred at high mileage (108,600 miles), but indicates premature wear.
When: At 108,600 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light illuminates; Engine hesitation while driving at various speeds
Codes mentioned: P0420 (Catalyst system efficiency below threshold)
Repairs/costs cited: Not repaired. Owner checked with multiple parts retailers (O'Reilly, AutoZone, Advance Auto) who retrieved code P0420. Dealer confirmed VIN not in recall.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: VIN not included in related recall per dealer. No manufacturer involvement.
Transmission exhibits harsh shifting, jerking into gear, lunging forward during shifts, and hesitation during acceleration. Loud clunk noise precedes jerking. Vehicle jerks or hesitates after reaching ~30 mph or during gear shifts. Owners report transmission computer update was performed once (transmission update), but issue recurred. Dealership claims harsh shifting is 'normal' for 2.4L transmissions and blames low oil as cause, but jerking continues even after fresh oil change. Issue occurs on vehicles with fewer than 15,000 miles and normal driving patterns.
When: Reported from 15,000 to 35,000 miles; one case at over 50,000 miles. Transmission computer update performed at 27,000 miles in one case; issue recurred within 8 months.
Symptoms owners cite: Harsh shifting, jerking into gear; Lunging forward when shifting; Loud clunk noise during shift; Hesitation during acceleration from stop; Jerky behavior when accelerating quickly or releasing gas pedal; Vehicle hesitates or loses power after reaching ~30 mph; Message on dash: 'Must shift to park to drive' during shift event; Poor performance going uphill or in mountains (lag, jerking); Jerky behavior in cruise control; Persistent issue even after oil change
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission computer/software update performed in at least one case at 27,000 miles. Dealership advised jerking is 'normal for 2.4L transmissions.' Issue persists after update and after fresh oil changes. No lasting repair noted.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recalls specifically for transmission shift quality. One owner reported dealership blame on 'low oil' despite issue occurring after fresh oil changes and continuing thereafter.
Fuel gauge displays inaccurate level, causing owner to run out of fuel when gauge shows over 1/4 tank remaining (resulting in towing charge). Coolant temperature gauge ramps to maximum (red) when idling at stop lights, returns to middle when driving, then ramps back to maximum when idling again. Issue present from pickup after dealership engine replacement. Owner reports dealership gaslighting about excessive oil consumption (which was later found to be a recall issue and fixed by dealership).
When: Fuel gauge issue caused owner to run out of fuel and be towed. Coolant temperature issue began immediately upon pickup of vehicle after new engine installation; owner noted coolant smell from first day of pickup.
Symptoms owners cite: Fuel gauge displays inaccurate fuel level (reads higher than actual); Coolant temperature gauge ramps to red (maximum) while idling at stops; Coolant temperature gauge returns to normal when driving; Coolant smell from engine (noted on first day of new engine pickup); Coolant temperature fluctuation pattern: high at idle, normal while driving
Repairs/costs cited: Fuel gauge malfunction caused $80 tow charge. Coolant temperature issue noted; dealership advised owner it's 'normal' to smell coolant after new engine installation. Owner was told by FCA Recall Center to take vehicle to dealership for diagnosis of coolant temperature issue as manufacturing defect, but repair status not provided.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: FCA Recall Center advised owner to take vehicle to dealership for diagnosis. Excessive oil consumption issue (separate) was later determined to be a recall and was fixed by dealership. Owner reports dealership previously gaslighted owner about oil consumption before recall was identified.
Engine experiences hesitation, jerking, and vibration when accelerating or going uphill. Engine shakes and loses power when exiting highways or decelerating. Check engine light may flash or illuminate. Some cases show misfiring at speed (60–70 mph). Engine responds sluggishly to throttle input and has difficulty climbing hills or mountains. Jerking is present even while stationary. Shifting is jerky and inconsistent.
When: Reported from 32,000 miles through 119,000+ miles. One case noted check engine light illuminated for almost a year with frequent oil light illumination.
Symptoms owners cite: Engine hesitation or jerking during acceleration from stop; Engine shakes while driving or idling; Loss of power during deceleration or exiting highways; Check engine light flashing or continuously illuminated; Engine misfiring at speed (60–70 mph noted); Lag in acceleration going uphill; Jerky shifting between gears; Vibration while accelerating or in cruise control; Poor performance climbing mountains; Slow acceleration after stops; Hesitation after recent fuel fill-up (in one case)
Codes mentioned: P0300 (Random misfire) or cylinder-specific misfire codes
Repairs/costs cited: Spark plugs replaced in some cases. Ignition coils replaced in some cases (noted above separately). Oil change performed; issue often persists despite oil service. One case involved cylinder compression failure diagnosis (independent mechanic). No repairs completed in multiple cases due to lack of recall or warranty coverage.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recalls issued for engine hesitation/jerking. One case mentioned NHTSA Campaign 18V131000 but VIN was not under recall. One owner mentioned seeing recalls for 2018 models for 'identical' issues but 2017 excluded from recall coverage.
Engine stalls while driving and then fails to restart despite multiple attempts. Dealer diagnostic finds engine is completely out of oil or severely low in oil. Issue recurs after oil replenishment and engine restart, indicating systemic oil consumption problem rather than single incident.
When: Reported from early ownership through 55,000+ miles. Failure mileage in one case approximately 55,000 miles after engine replacement, with failure recurring.
Symptoms owners cite: Engine stalls without warning while driving; Engine fails to restart or requires multiple attempts and extended crank time; Dipstick reading shows little to no oil (smoking when pulled out in one case); No warning light illuminated before stall in many cases; Failure recurs after oil change and restart in at least one case
Repairs/costs cited: Engine oil refilled or changed. Full engine replacement ordered/installed in multiple cases. In one case, new engine was installed but failure recurred at 1,500 miles post-replacement, requiring second engine replacement. Dealer informed owner of oil pump failure or oil pressure issue.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Engine replacement covered under warranty in multiple cases. One case noted warranty denial because VIN was not under recall. Extended warranty or loaner vehicle extension provided in some cases.
Synthesized from 144 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
When I am driving the car, it jerks. I have all my maintenance up to par. The dealership can find nothing wrong with it.
My car has cut off with out notice while driving on highway three times, always at least a 1,000 miles before my next oil change . I can not make it 3.000 without having to get an oil change
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 144 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
Across the 104 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 20,000 and 51,836 miles, with the median around 33,306. A quarter of owners report trouble before 20,000; a quarter make it past 51,836. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
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.
Yes — 1 active recall(s) cover engine issues on this vehicle. Recall fixes are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status. Use the VIN decoder at the top of the page to check if your specific vehicle is affected.