2017 Jeep Wrangler electrical problems

Engine will not turn over or cranks but won't fire. Requires multiple key insertions, jumping, or a waiting period before starting. All electrical lights illuminate but no engine start.

When: 10,300–112,000 miles; some from day 1; intermittent across vehicle lifetime

Symptoms owners cite: Key will not turn engine over despite lights being on; Requires 10–20 attempts to start; Requires jump-start; Intermittent—no pattern, sometimes works after waiting 5 minutes; Electrical lights appear on dashboard

Codes mentioned: 18V524000 (electrical system—voltage regulator chip in PCM)

Repairs/costs cited: Dealership recommends battery replacement; independent shops cannot diagnose; some vehicles not included in recall despite symptoms

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 18V524000 applies to some vehicles but not all VINs with identical symptoms; owners report Jeep refuses intervention or acknowledges part is on backorder

Engine shuts down or loses power for 1–10 seconds while vehicle is in motion, without warning. Power steering and brakes lost during event.

When: Random; one case at 5–10 minutes into drive; others over 20 times in one year of ownership

Symptoms owners cite: Engine dies without warning; Loss of power steering and brakes; Engine restarts after brief period; No warning lights prior to event; Occurs in normal driving conditions

Codes mentioned: 18V524000 (PCM voltage regulator)

Repairs/costs cited: TIPM (Totally Integrated Power Module) replacement cited in at least one case; backorder delays of 6–8 months reported

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owners cite previous recalls for same failure in earlier model years; part availability critical safety issue

ABS module fails, disabling antilock braking and cruise control. Warning lights illuminate (ABS, traction control, parking brake). Vehicle experiences sudden unintended braking and poor acceleration response.

When: Intermittent; no specific mileage given in complaints

Symptoms owners cite: ABS light and traction control light illuminate; Sudden unintended braking; Poor acceleration response; Vehicle jerks as if brake pedal is depressed; Cruise control disabled

Codes mentioned: ABS module failure; rear wheel brake sensor code (resolved by sensor replacement, but module remains bad)

Repairs/costs cited: OEM part unavailable—6 months to 2 years backorder reported; service shops searching junkyards for used parts; aftermarket parts from Amazon/eBay do not work

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall mentioned; dealership acknowledges shortage and long lead times; module made in China

Fire starts in vehicle without ignition on, or while parked/driving. Fires reported under front passenger seat, rear passenger seat, behind glove box, and in dashboard. Ignition sometimes off and keys removed.

When: 30,000 miles; 3,000 miles; 40,000–45,000 miles; times vary

Symptoms owners cite: Loud screech in instrument panel; Smoke pours through dashboard; Fire under seat or behind glove box; Burning odor; Fire occurs with key off and battery connected; Instrument panel goes haywire/blinking before fire

Repairs/costs cited: Wiring to airbag seat sensor identified as fire source in one case; vehicle not repaired; battery disconnection provided temporary halt (fire recurred upon reconnection); requires total loss/destruction

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer sends investigator but closes case without repair; dealership cooperation reported as poor; insurance fraud investigation conducted but inconclusive

Recall repair work (solder wiring) performed improperly, causing cascading electrical problems including headlight flicker, wildly oscillating warning lights, speedometer malfunction, and drained battery.

When: Within 2–3 miles of driving after recall repair (late August)

Symptoms owners cite: Turn signal lamp warning appears after repair; Battery drains; Headlights flicker; All warning lights flash randomly on and off; Speedometer oscillates

Repairs/costs cited: Dealership soldered wires (improper technique); later claimed only a bulb was needed; suspected the winch harness caused problem, wanting to charge for troubleshooting

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership initially charged $50 despite factory-designed winch; threat of litigation resulted in free repair; Jeep refused to intervene when called

Rear view camera stops functioning. Failures occur as early as pre-purchase test drives and at very low mileage. Widespread issue affecting 2017–2022 models.

When: 12,000 miles; some with less than 1,000 miles; some on test drive

Symptoms owners cite: Camera image does not display; No backup camera feed

Repairs/costs cited: Dealership charge applies if out of warranty; part repair cost unspecified

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall issued despite being federally mandated safety device; manufacturer silence on widespread issue; possible correlation to MOPAR wireless software updates (unconfirmed)

Engine starts on its own while parked with ignition off and keys removed. Engine runs unattended, creating exhaust danger in garages. Related to key fob/module connection problem.

When: Occurred twice in same vehicle; second time with keys removed several hours

Symptoms owners cite: Engine runs with ignition off and keys removed; Doors locked during unintended start; Carbon monoxide fills living space (garage start)

Repairs/costs cited: Key had to be reinserted and ignition cycled to shut down vehicle

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall exists for key fob/module connection (18V524000 mentioned in another complaint) but not all affected VINs included

Dashboard loses power intermittently or completely, causing loss of all electrical functions including lights and brakes. Warning lights flicker on and off erratically. Vehicle may not turn off.

When: Intermittent; occurs while moving and in park

Symptoms owners cite: Dash power drops to zero; All warning lights go out then jump back on; Loss of headlights and directional lights; Brake warning lights flicker on and off; Vehicle will not turn off; Overheating during event; Requires battery terminal disconnection to shut down

Repairs/costs cited: Large fuse removal needed to shut off engine in one case; battery tested fine; no pattern identifiable

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall; dealership claims issue unrelated to vehicle design

Horn stops working or responds with delay. Steering wheel controls work intermittently then fail completely. Clockspring failure disables horn, driver airbag, and radio controls.

When: 18,000 miles; around June 2021 (RHD vehicle); unspecified mileage for clockspring

Symptoms owners cite: Horn delay or no response; Horn works intermittently then quits entirely; Steering wheel controls intermittent then non-functional; Third horn replacement needed; Driver airbag disabled; Radio controls non-functional

Repairs/costs cited: Clockspring replacement required; horn replaced at least 3 times in one vehicle; extended warranty denied coverage on RHD vehicle

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership states vehicle performs as designed; Recall 16V-288 covered 2007–2016 RHD JKU but not 2017; no expanded recall issued

ESC warning light flashes and brakes apply automatically without driver input while cruising at highway speeds. No trouble codes generated. Issue cannot be reproduced by dealership but recurs repeatedly.

When: Highway cruising at 65 mph; more than 5 occurrences

Symptoms owners cite: ESC warning light flashes; Automatic braking without pedal input; Risk of accident and rollover

Repairs/costs cited: No codes stored; dealership cannot reproduce

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No repair offered; issue not documented

Traction control warning light illuminates. Problem recurs after previous repair by dealership.

When: 67,000 miles

Symptoms owners cite: Traction control warning indicator on

Repairs/costs cited: Previously repaired but failure recurred; no second repair attempted

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall; manufacturer not notified

Heater blows air but does not warm; blend door actuator fails due to poor manufacturing quality.

When: 3 years of age

Symptoms owners cite: Heater blows cold air only; No heat output

Repairs/costs cited: Part replacement required; owner notes online complaints from others with same failure at early age

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: None

Power door locks fail intermittently; door becomes unlocked but cannot be unlocked manually or electrically, trapping occupant.

When: Unspecified mileage

Symptoms owners cite: Power locks work sometimes, fail other times; Door locked but manual unlock inoperable; Occupant must crawl through console to exit

Repairs/costs cited: None cited

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: None

Rear window spontaneously exploded while vehicle parked in driveway with no external interference. Suspected rear defroster malfunction.

When: Clear, cool day; vehicle sitting still

Symptoms owners cite: Rear window shatters without impact; No outside pressure or cause identified

Repairs/costs cited: None cited

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership denies rear defroster caused failure

Service brakes warning light illuminates due to frontal impact sensor failure.

When: 112,000 miles

Symptoms owners cite: Service brakes warning light on

Codes mentioned: Frontal impact sensor failure

Repairs/costs cited: Sensor replacement required but not performed

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Sensor identified as needing replacement but no recall; vehicle not repaired

Cruise control stops functioning. Associated with ABS module failure and idle speed issues.

When: Unspecified mileage

Symptoms owners cite: Cruise control inoperable; Vehicle idles too fast when stopped but underpowers at speed

Repairs/costs cited: ABS module identified as cause; module unavailable on backorder

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: None