Look — Jeep's engine story is well-documented in the NHTSA file, and it ain't pretty. 5,112 complaints across 100 year-model entries from 2005 to 2025. Not a small number. Complaints are spread across the lineup with no single year carrying the load. That tells you it's a platform pattern, not a fluke. 3 fatality reports on file with NHTSA tied to this category on Jeep vehicles. That elevates this from nuisance to safety-critical. Repair exposure averages $3,100, which is meaningful money outside warranty. Across the 3,475 complaints reporting odometer mileage, the median failure lands at about 48,261 miles. Budget for a real pre-purchase inspection — compression and leakdown test, not just a code scan. Both are cheap and tell you what is left in the engine.
ProblemsByVin JEEP / ENGINE
100 model-year entries · 2005–2025
Jeep engine problems
5,112 owner complaints filed with NHTSA against Jeep vehicles for engine issues. 13 active recall campaigns. See engine across all makes →
Complaints
5,112
Recalls
13
Year-models
100
Avg fix
$3,100
40crashes
162fires
33injuries
3fatalities
Worst-affected Jeep model-years for engine Top 25 by complaint volume
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25
2006 Jeep Commander
355 complaints · ~$3,100 moderate
2014 Jeep Wrangler
262 complaints · ~$3,100 moderate
2007 Jeep Commander
229 complaints · ~$3,100 critical
2018 Jeep Compass
197 complaints · ~$3,100 moderate
2019 Jeep Cherokee
179 complaints · 1 recall · ~$3,100 moderate
2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee
147 complaints · ~$3,100 moderate
2017 Jeep Renegade
144 complaints · 1 recall · ~$3,100 moderate
2016 Jeep Cherokee
137 complaints · ~$3,100 moderate
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee
137 complaints · ~$3,100 moderate
2015 Jeep Cherokee
130 complaints · 1 recall · ~$3,100 severe
2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee
126 complaints · ~$3,100 severe
2016 Jeep Patriot
125 complaints · ~$3,100 moderate
2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee
118 complaints · 1 recall · ~$3,100 severe
2016 Jeep Renegade
109 complaints · ~$3,100 moderate
2018 Jeep Renegade
108 complaints · ~$3,100 moderate
2012 Jeep Wrangler
105 complaints · ~$3,100 severe
2017 Jeep Cherokee
104 complaints · ~$3,100 moderate
2016 Jeep Compass
91 complaints · 1 recall · ~$3,100 moderate
2007 Jeep Wrangler
86 complaints · ~$3,100 severe
2015 Jeep Wrangler
84 complaints · ~$3,100 moderate
2015 Jeep Renegade
82 complaints · ~$3,100 severe
2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee
81 complaints · ~$3,100 moderate
2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee
77 complaints · ~$3,100 moderate
2013 Jeep Wrangler
75 complaints · ~$3,100 moderate
2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee
74 complaints · ~$3,100 severe
Active recalls — Jeep engine 12 on file
Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2012 Chrysler vehicles, including 200 and town and country models, Dodge vehicles, including charger, durango, grand caravan and journey models and Jeep grand cherokee vehicles manufactured from august 31, 2011, through september 13, 2011, that are equipped with 3
Connecting rod failure may lead to engine seizure which may increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners and replace the engine free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or about november 18, 2011. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021 Dodge Durango, Jeep Grand Cherokee WK, 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee, and 2021-2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vehicles equipped with 3
An unexpected loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the EGR valve assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 23, 2022. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is Z31.
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019 Jeep Cherokee vehicles equipped with 2
Cylinder damage or camshaft failure can cause the engine to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and repair or replace the affected engine components, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began August 9, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U52.
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Jeep Cherokee and Compass vehicles equipped with 2
If the oil pump fails, the engine will stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the oil pump, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began December 5, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T65.
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Jeep Wrangler 4xe vehicles equipped with 2
An engine shutdown can cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: There is more than one involved component and calibration software. Updating the calibration software in the Transmission Control Module, Hybrid Control Processor and Auxiliary Hybrid Control Processor that changes fail safe from shut down to limp home. Dealers will update the transmission control module software, Hybrid Control Processor and Auxiliary Hybrid Control Processor, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 22, 2022. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall ZB7.
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2017 Jeep Renegade vehicles equipped with a 2
An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the oil pump for its production information, and replace the BSM as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 13, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U18.
Accessible Technologies, Inc
A brake fluid leak may lengthen the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: ATI will notify owners and will replace the supercharger brackets, free of charge. The recall began on December 12, 2017. Owners may contact ATI customer service at 1-913-338-2886.
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2015 Jeep Cherokee vehicles manufactured October 1, 2014, to June 18, 2015
If the line is misrouted, it may contact the exhaust manifold, increasing the risk of a vehicle fire.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the routing of the air conditioning hose. Any hose that is misrouted will be replaced and installed correctly. This work will be performed free of charge. The recall began on November 23, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R57.
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2016 Dodge Journey, Jeep Compass, and Jeep Patriot vehicles manufactured May 9, 2016, to July 15, 2016
If the engine stalls, there is an increased the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the crankshaft or camshaft sensor connector, free of charge. The recall began February 8, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S89.
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Grand Cherokee L vehicles
An improper air bag deployment can increase the risk of injury. A fuel leak can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and secure the crossmember bolts as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 9, 2025. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recall is D1B.
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles equipped with the 3
Combustion in the intake manifold can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: FCA US LLC will notify owners, and dealers will replace the EGR cooler, free of charge. Dealers will also inspect and, as necessary, replace the intake manifold. Parts are not currently available. Owners were mailed an interim notification on December 21, 2021. A second notification will be mailed when parts are available, currently expected to be around March 11, 2021. The recall began March 11, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US LLC's number for this recall is W79.
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2019 Ram 1500 and 2014-2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles equipped with 3
An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will update the powertrain control module software to maintain vehicle propulsion, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed August 3, 2023. Some owner notification letters were mailed October 31, 2023. The remaining owner notification letters will be mailed at a future date, anticipated July 2024. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 66A. This recall is an expansion of recall 20V-475.
Common questions
How many Jeep engine complaints are on file with NHTSA?
5,112 complaints across 100 model-year entries from 2005 to 2025. 13 active recall campaigns cover engine issues across the Jeep lineup.
Which Jeep model has the most engine complaints?
The 2006 Jeep Commander leads with 355 complaints in this category. Next: 2014 Wrangler (262) and 2007 Commander (229).
What does it cost to fix Jeep engine problems?
Independent shops average $3,100 for engine repairs across the Jeep lineup. Dealer pricing tends to run twenty to forty percent higher. Specific cost depends on the failure mode and parts availability.
Are there Jeep engine recalls?
Yes — 12 active recall campaigns cover engine on Jeep vehicles. Recall fixes are free regardless of mileage or warranty status. The list below shows current campaigns with their NHTSA numbers.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database.
Editorial commentary written by Tony Marino, an independent contributor to ProblemsByVin
and not affiliated with Jeep.
Severity ratings derive from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities on the NHTSA complaint and recall record.
Repair cost averages reflect independent-shop pricing and may differ in your area.