Jeep Wrangler 2007–2017
JK (4th generation)
NHTSA data through 12 August 20269,053 complaints, 6,125 with mileageMethod
On this generation, failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 25,000 and 77,100 miles.
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 200,000+ — 26 complaints (0.4%), plotted separately
- 10%
- 8,000
- 25%
- 25,000
- Median
- 50,000
- 75%
- 77,100
- 90%
- 107,272
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–5,000 | 465 | 7.6% |
| 5,000–10,000 | 219 | 3.6% |
| 10,000–15,000 | 264 | 4.3% |
| 15,000–20,000 | 272 | 4.4% |
| 20,000–25,000 | 280 | 4.6% |
| 25,000–30,000 | 235 | 3.8% |
| 30,000–35,000 | 281 | 4.6% |
| 35,000–40,000 | 357 | 5.8% |
| 40,000–45,000 | 327 | 5.3% |
| 45,000–50,000 | 312 | 5.1% |
| 50,000–55,000 | 320 | 5.2% |
| 55,000–60,000 | 274 | 4.5% |
| 60,000–65,000 | 323 | 5.3% |
| 65,000–70,000 | 292 | 4.8% |
| 70,000–75,000 | 250 | 4.1% |
| 75,000–80,000 | 200 | 3.3% |
| 80,000–85,000 | 219 | 3.6% |
| 85,000–90,000 | 150 | 2.4% |
| 90,000–95,000 | 170 | 2.8% |
| 95,000–100,000 | 125 | 2.0% |
| 100,000–105,000 | 133 | 2.2% |
| 105,000–110,000 | 85 | 1.4% |
| 110,000–115,000 | 88 | 1.4% |
| 115,000–120,000 | 62 | 1.0% |
| 120,000–125,000 | 66 | 1.1% |
| 125,000–130,000 | 46 | 0.8% |
| 130,000–135,000 | 49 | 0.8% |
| 135,000–140,000 | 41 | 0.7% |
| 140,000–145,000 | 44 | 0.7% |
| 145,000–150,000 | 27 | 0.4% |
| 150,000–155,000 | 35 | 0.6% |
| 155,000–160,000 | 11 | 0.2% |
| 160,000–165,000 | 10 | 0.2% |
| 165,000–170,000 | 19 | 0.3% |
| 170,000–175,000 | 22 | 0.4% |
| 175,000–180,000 | 5 | 0.1% |
| 180,000–185,000 | 9 | 0.1% |
| 185,000–190,000 | 2 | 0.0% |
| 190,000–195,000 | 3 | 0.0% |
| 195,000–200,000 | 7 | 0.1% |
| 200,000+ | 26 | 0.4% |
What this can and cannot tell you: these are complaints owners chose to file, not a failure rate. Popular models accumulate more of them simply by being common. How this is built.
Owners filed 9,053 complaints with NHTSA about the 2007–2017 Jeep Wrangler, and 6,125 of them record the mileage at which the failure happened. That is enough to show not just what fails, but when.
Failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 25,000 and 77,100 miles. The median is 50,000 miles.
The most-reported areas are the airbag system (13.8% of complaints, typically around 67,000 miles), the engine (11.8% of complaints, typically around 55,000 miles), the transmission and driveline (11.5% of complaints, typically around 32,000 miles).
21 recall campaigns cover this generation.
What fails, and when
- Airbag system67,000median 67,000 miles, middle half 47,000 to 90,000
- Engine55,000median 55,000 miles, middle half 29,000 to 80,000
- Transmission and driveline32,000median 32,000 miles, middle half 12,000 to 61,000
- Electrical system58,000median 58,300 miles, middle half 31,000 to 84,000
- Steering45,000median 45,000 miles, middle half 24,000 to 74,000
- Brakes49,000median 49,000 miles, middle half 27,000 to 76,000
- Fuel and propulsion system51,000median 51,000 miles, middle half 30,000 to 76,000
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airbag system | 1,249 | 13.8% | 67,000 | 47,000–90,000 |
| Engine | 1,070 | 11.8% | 55,000 | 29,000–80,000 |
| Transmission and driveline | 1,039 | 11.5% | 32,000 | 12,000–61,000 |
| Electrical system | 968 | 10.7% | 58,000 | 31,000–84,000 |
| Steering | 956 | 10.6% | 45,000 | 24,000–74,000 |
| Brakes | 584 | 6.5% | 49,000 | 27,000–76,000 |
| Fuel and propulsion system | 560 | 6.2% | 51,000 | 30,000–76,000 |
| Problems owners could not categorise | 467 | 5.2% | 54,000 | 22,000–80,000 |
| Suspension | 439 | 4.8% | 47,000 | 27,000–74,000 |
| Fuel system | 247 | 2.7% | 36,000 | 21,000–50,000 |
Which systems, and when
Complaints about this generation are not spread evenly across the vehicle, and the systems that generate the most of them do not all fail at the same point in a car's life. The median failure across all systems here is 50,000 miles; the figures below show which parts of the car run ahead of that and which run behind.
The airbag system accounts for 13.8% of complaints (1,249 reports, 793 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 67,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 46,753 and 90,000 miles.
The engine accounts for 11.8% of complaints (1,070 reports, 775 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 55,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 29,000 and 79,900 miles.
The transmission and driveline accounts for 11.5% of complaints (1,039 reports, 585 of them with a mileage figure), and it fails early — a median of 32,000 miles, well before the vehicle's overall median. Failures clustered this far below the rest of the car usually point to a design or manufacturing problem rather than wear, because wear does not selectively target one system on low-mileage examples. The middle half of these reports falls between 12,000 and 60,628 miles.
The electrical system accounts for 10.7% of complaints (968 reports, 706 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 58,300 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 31,000 and 84,000 miles.
The steering accounts for 10.6% of complaints (956 reports, 608 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 45,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 24,000 and 74,100 miles.
The brakes account for 6.5% of complaints (584 reports, 205 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 49,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 26,835 and 76,000 miles.
Differences between model years
Within this generation, complaint volume is not constant across model years. The 2012 model year drew the most — 1,285 complaints — while 2017 drew the fewest at 422. The median year sits at 792.
Recalls and what they cover
NHTSA records 21 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation. A recall means the manufacturer or the regulator concluded there was a safety defect or a standard was not met, and that a free remedy is owed to owners — including second and later owners.
The campaigns cluster around the airbag system (9), the transmission and driveline (3), the hydraulic brake circuit (2). Repeated recalls against the same area of the car generally mean the first remedy did not fully resolve the underlying problem.
Recall status is specific to the individual vehicle, not the model. Checking a VIN against NHTSA's lookup is free and takes under a minute, and it is the only way to know whether a particular car has had the work done.
Reported severity
Of the 9,053 complaints filed against this generation, 274 reported a crash; 386 reported a fire; 253 reported an injury; 8 reported a fatality. Crash-involved reports represent 3.0% of the total.
These are owner-reported outcomes, not verified investigations, and they are not adjusted for how many of these vehicles are on the road. They are included because the distinction between a fault that strands a car and a fault that causes a collision is the one that matters most, and it is not visible in a complaint count alone.
What this means if you are buying one
For a buyer, failures on this generation are spread rather than concentrated: the middle half falls between 25,000 and 77,100 miles, with a median of 50,000. There is no single mileage threshold to watch, which means condition and maintenance records are more informative than the odometer.
On inspection, the airbag system and the engine are where this generation's reports concentrate, so those are the areas worth a specific look. The engine in particular shows a median failure mileage of 55,000, which gives a concrete number to compare against the odometer of any car you are considering.
None of this is a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on the individual car. Aggregate patterns describe a population; the example in front of you has its own history.
Documented problems
Engine (3.6l Pentastar Cylinder Head) 2012–2013
Left-bank (cylinders 1-3) cylinder head failure, typically a valve seat or valve guide defect producing a persistent tick, misfire and check-engine light. Chrysler issued an extended warranty on affected heads to 150,000 miles for early Pentastar builds.
Engine (3.8l V6) 2007–2011
Excessive oil consumption and piston/ring wear with associated cold-start tick on the 3.8L EGH V6; also weak on power relative to the vehicle's weight, especially in the 4-door Unlimited.
Electrical (tipm) 2007–2013
Totally Integrated Power Module failure causing no-start, fuel pump relay sticking on or off, stalling, and random accessory operation. A widely reported Chrysler-wide defect of this era.
Front Suspension / Steering 2007–2018
'Death wobble' front-end oscillation from worn track bar, ball joints and steering linkage on the solid front axle; the subject of sustained NHTSA complaint volume across the generation.
Front Axle 2007–2018
Front axle inner 'C' and ball joint wear producing steering looseness and contributing to the wobble complaints, more pronounced on 4-door and larger-tire vehicles.
By model year
| Year | Complaints | With mileage |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 792 | 652 |
| 2008 | 1,254 | 1,038 |
| 2009 | 495 | 396 |
| 2010 | 905 | 720 |
| 2011 | 680 | 517 |
| 2012 | 1,285 | 746 |
| 2013 | 1,045 | 569 |
| 2014 | 852 | 600 |
| 2015 | 679 | 335 |
| 2016 | 644 | 329 |
| 2017 | 422 | 223 |
Recalls (21)
| Campaign | Date | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 24V196000 | 2024-04-04 | Air Bags:frontal:driver Clockspring/Spiral Cassette |
| 19V680000 | 2020-03-26 | Seat Belts:front:anchorage |
| 19V018000 | 2019-02-04 | Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module |
| 18V524000 | 2018-10-02 | Electrical System:wiring:front Underhood |
| 18V098000 | 2018-03-22 | Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch |
| 18V021000 | 2018-02-28 | Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module |
| 16V352000 | 2017-03-27 | Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module |
| 16V849000 | 2017-01-12 | Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly |
| 16V290000 | 2016-12-14 | Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module |
| 16V734000 | 2016-11-10 | Air Bags:frontal:sensor/Control Module-Inactive |
| 16V288000 | 2016-08-11 | Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module |
| 14V631000 | 2015-03-03 | Visibility:rearview Mirrors/Devices:exterior |
| 14V632000 | 2014-10-23 | Tires:pressure Monitoring and Regulating Systems |
| 13V234000 | 2013-09-23 | Power Train:automatic Transmission:cooling Unit and Lines |
| 13V176000 | 2013-06-10 | Air Bags |
| 12V216000 | 2012-07-16 | Power Train:automatic Transmission |
| 11V315000 | 2011-07-04 | Steering:column |
| 11V145000 | 2011-03-24 | Power Train:axle Assembly |
| 10V236000 | 2010-12-06 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic |
| 10V315000 | 2010-08-16 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:master Cylinder |
| 11V528000 | — | Air Bags:frontal |
What owners reported
The seat belts in the back when buckling are locked. Making it hard to move around. Since day the i bought the car. Took it to the dealership for repair and they said they found nothing. Only after my warranties were up did they say they would fix the problem if i paid for the labor. The engine has an oil…
2007 · 20 miles · Engine
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Jeep Wrangler. While driving the vehicle would stall without any prior warnings. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection. The technician could not locate any diagnostic error codes therefore no repairs were made. The failure mileage was 20. The current mileage was 44000. Updated…
2007 · 32 miles · Electrical system
Tl*the contact owns a 2007 Jeep Wrangler. An alarm technician informed the contact that the air bag knee bolsters were not installed in the vehicle. The contact stated that the owner's manual indicated that they were standard and should come equipped with the knee bolsters. The contact filed two complaints with…
2007 · 70 miles · Airbag system
When filling with gas spews out. On january 10th flew out so bad, my winter coat, pants, gloves and shoes were ruined. Been ongoing problem. Has repair orders from dealership. In addition, the hard top has leaked since day one and never been repaired. I am not driving vehicle since the awful spillage on january…
2007 · 100 miles · Fuel system
Built from 6,125 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-08-12 · open data · reproduce this page