2016 Jeep Wrangler
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Brakes
Brakes leads by volume: 142 of 459 complaints (31%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (27) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed fell from 469 in 2015 to 459 in 2016.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | vs. 2016 Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 3,450 | 3,450 | 3,450 | 3,450 | 3,100–3,500 | |
| Combined MPG | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18–24 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 16–17 / 20–21 | 16–17 / 20–21 | 16–17 / 20–21 | 16–17 / 20–21 | 16–23 / 20–25 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 481–504 | 481–504 | 481–504 | 480–504 | 375–504 | |
| Complaints filed | 654 | 469 | 459 | 309 | 1,815 | |
| Recalls issued | 4 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 14 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 21 | 15 | 28 | 19 | 22 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 24 | 27 | 15 | 21 | 25 | |
| Injuries reported | 13 | 13 | 38 | 21 | 13 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 10 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2016 Jeep Wrangler have?
5 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2016 Jeep Wrangler?
Brakes: 142 of 459 NHTSA complaints (31%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2016 Jeep Wrangler get?
EPA rates it 18 MPG combined across 4 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2016 Jeep Wrangler?
EPA estimates $3,450 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (4)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 5-spd | 6 | 3.6L | 4-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 17 mpg (high) | 21 mpg (high) | 18 mpg | $3,450 | 481 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 2 | Manual 6-spd | 6 | 3.6L | 4-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 17 mpg (high) | 21 mpg (high) | 18 mpg | $3,450 | 481 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic 5-spd | 6 | 3.6L | 4-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 16 mpg (low) | 20 mpg (low) | 18 mpg | $3,450 | 504 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 4 | Manual 6-spd | 6 | 3.6L | 4-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 16 mpg (low) | 21 mpg (high) | 18 mpg | $3,450 | 502 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 93 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 73 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 14 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 56 | 1 | 7 | 1 | 0 |
| Brakes | 142 | 4 | 1 | 7 | 0 |
| Steering | 27 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 16 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 81 | 20 | 1 | 27 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 47 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 22 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 54 | 3 | 8 | 5 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (5)
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER CLOCKSPRING/SPIRAL CASSETTE · Campaign 24V196000 · Mar 14, 2024
Defect: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) (Stellantis) is recalling certain right hand drive 2016 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. Debris contamination may cause the clockspring to fail, preventing the driver's air bag from deploying in a crash.
Consequence: An air bag that does not deploy in a crash can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the clockspring, steering wheel back cover, and steering column shrouds, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 4, 2024. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 27B.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE · Campaign 19V680000 · Sep 26, 2019
Defect: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2011-2018 Jeep Wrangler right hand drive vehicles. The driver's seat belt buckle mounting strap may fracture and separate from the seat frame.
Consequence: A separated or severed seat belt buckle strap will result in an inoperable seat belt, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Remedy: FCA US will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's seat belt buckle, free of charge. Interim notices informing owners of the safety risk were mailed November 19, 2019. Owners will received a second letter and the recall began March 26, 2020. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recall is VA6.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE · Campaign 19V018000 · Jan 31, 2019
Defect: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2010 Dodge Ram 3500, Ram 4500/5500, 2010-2011 Dodge Dakota, 2010-2014 Dodge Challenger, 2010-2015 Dodge Challenger, Chrysler 300, and 2010-2016 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.
Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could explode with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 4, 2019. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is V01.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE · Campaign 16V734000 · Oct 13, 2016
Defect: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Jeep Wrangler vehicles manufactured June 16, 2015, to August 14, 2016. In certain crash conditions, the front impact sensor wiring may be pulled until it detaches before a signal can be received by the Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC).
Consequence: If the ORC module does not receive a signal from the front impact sensor, both frontal air bags and the seat belt pretensioners will not deploy in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will reroute the front impact sensor wiring and relocate the impact sensor branch, free of charge. The recall began on November 10, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S76.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE · Campaign 16V288000 · May 11, 2016
Defect: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2011-2016 Right Hand Drive Jeep Wrangler vehicles manufactured February 16, 2010, to May 2, 2016. The clockspring assembly may become contaminated with dust and cause the air bag circuit to fail.
Consequence: Failure of the air bag circuit may prevent the driver's frontal air bag from deploying in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the clockspring, wheel back cover, and column shroud, free of charge. The recall began on August 11, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S40.