The Used Car Index

2012 Jeep Wrangler problems

NHTSA lists 834 complaints for the 2012 Jeep Wrangler, 22 of them mention a crash and 19 mention a fire. 19 complaints mention an injury, with 22 injuries and 2 deaths reported.

Data build 2026-10-08.

NHTSA lists this vehicle as JEEP WRANGLER.

At a glance

Complaints
834
With crash
22
With fire
19
With injury (complaints)
19
Injuries
22
Deaths
2
Recalls
9
Do not drive recalls
3
Park outside recalls
0
Recall potential units (maximum)
4,648,270
Investigations
6
Open investigations
1
Manufacturer communications
244

Complaints per 100k sold unavailable. No sales source is available for this record.

Where the complaints are

Top systems
SystemComplaintsShare of this vehicle's complaints
POWER TRAIN28233.8%
STEERING20424.5%
ENGINE17220.6%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM14717.6%
AIR BAGS12815.3%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER526.2%
SERVICE BRAKES455.4%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM425.0%
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)303.6%
STRUCTURE303.6%
Top subsystems
SystemSubsystemComplaints
STRUCTUREBODY29
POWER TRAINAUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION4
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGEXHAUST SYSTEM2
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCEAUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING2
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGESHOOD2
POWER TRAINCLUTCH ASSEMBLY2
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLACCELERATOR PEDAL2
VISIBILITYDEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEMIGNITION1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEMINSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL1

One complaint can name several systems, so shares can add to more than 100 percent.

Model-generated complaint tags

These labels are model-generated, not NHTSA data.

Failure modes
LabelCountShare of taggedMean confidence
unclear19025.6%0.91
electrical electronic10814.6%0.81
restraint or airbag9612.9%0.85
mechanical failure8912.0%0.79
fluid or fuel leak7710.4%0.79
loss of control7710.4%0.83
noise or comfort476.3%0.82
fire or overheating223.0%0.82
structural or corrosion182.4%0.76
visibility or lighting182.4%0.72
Severities
LabelCountShare of taggedMean confidence
low37250.1%0.73
moderate32043.1%0.80
high415.5%0.77
critical81.1%0.75
none10.1%0.93

Model: typesafe/jev-1.13-20260917; schema version: tag-v1. 742 tagged complaints of 834 complaints (89.0%).

Confidence is the model's own probability for the label it chose (0 to 1), not accuracy.

Model-generated labels on tagged complaints only. Model years 2013 and newer are tagged in full; 2012 in part (see tagged_share); earlier model years have no tags. NHTSA's own flags remain separate in the complaints block.

Recalls

See new recalls and investigations this week.

9 recalls.

19V680000

Date: 2019-09-26. Systems: SEAT BELTS.

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.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

19V018000

Date: 2019-01-15. Systems: AIR BAGS.

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.

Do not drive: Yes. Park outside: No.

18V021000

Date: 2018-01-09. Systems: AIR BAGS.

Defect: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Jeep Wrangler, Chrysler 300, Dodge Challenger and Dodge Charger vehicles, and 2009-2011 Dodge Dakota vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Island (excerpt)

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death. (excerpt)

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 28, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U03. (excerpt)

Do not drive: Yes. Park outside: No.

16V352000

Date: 2016-05-24. Systems: AIR BAGS.

Defect: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) expanded the affected population to include 73,712 2005-2009 RAM 2500 trucks produced at the St. Louis North Assembly Plant. With this change, Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2004-2008 RAM 1500, 2005-2009 RAM 2500, 2006-2009 RAM 3500, 2007-2010 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008-2010 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2009 Dodge Durango, 2007-2009 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2012 (excerpt)

Consequence: These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. These inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants (excerpt)

Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify the Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and RAM owners. Mitsubishi owners will be notified by their company. Dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on March 27, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number (excerpt)

Do not drive: Yes. Park outside: No.

16V288000

Date: 2016-05-11. Systems: AIR BAGS.

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.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

14V631000

Date: 2014-10-08. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, VISIBILITY.

Defect: Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Jeep Wrangler vehicles manufactured February 16, 2010, to July 19, 2013. Corrosion in the exterior heated power mirror electrical connector may result in an electrical short.

Consequence: An electrical short increases the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will move the exterior mirror power feed to a separate connector, free of charge. Chrysler issued an interim notification to owners on December 8, 2014. The recall began on March 3, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is P61.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

13V234000

Date: 2013-06-04. Systems: POWER TRAIN, STEERING.

Defect: Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Jeep Wrangler vehicles equipped with a 3.6L engine and an automatic transmission and manufactured January 23, 2011, through February 23, 2013. The power steering line may contact and wear a hole in the transmission oil cooler line resulting in a loss of transmission fluid.

Consequence: A loss of transmission fluid may result in a loss of transmission function which may increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the power steering return tube assembly, free of charge. The recall began on September 23, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N28.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

13V176000

Date: 2013-05-07. Systems: AIR BAGS.

Defect: Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 Jeep Wrangler right-hand drive vehicles manufactured February 1, 2007, through October 10, 2011. The affected vehicles have airbag clockspring assemblies that could experience broken airbag circuits.

Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating airbag deployment, a broken electrical circuit in the airbag clockspring wiring assembly can lead to non-deployment of the driver-side frontal airbag and will not be able to properly protect the driver, increasing the risk of injuries.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the clockspring and add a steering wheel dust shield, free of charge. The recall began on June 10, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. This recall supercedes NHTSA recall 11V-528. Chrysler's recall campaign number is M31.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

11V528000

Date: 2011-11-02. Systems: AIR BAGS.

Defect: CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008-2012 RIGHT HAND DRIVE (RHD) JEEP WRANGLER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 1, 2007, THROUGH OCTOBER 10, 2011. SOME VEHICLES MAY BE EQUIPPED WITH DRIVER'S AIRBAG CLOCKSPRING ASSEMBLIES THAT COULD EXPERIENCE A COMPROMISED AIRBAG CIRCUIT RESULTING IN AN AIRBAG LAMP ILLUMINATION, WHICH INDICATES THAT THE AIRBAG MAY NOT DEPLOY.

Consequence: A BROKEN ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT IN THE AIRBAG CLOCKSPRING WIRING ASSEMBLY CAN LEAD TO NON-DEPLOYMENT OF THE DRIVER FRONTAL AIRBAG AND WILL NOT BE ABLE TO PROPERLY PROTECT THE DRIVER IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURIES.

Remedy: CHRYSLER WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REMEDY THE VEHICLES AS NECESSARY FREE OF CHARGE. CHRYSLER WILL MAIL TO OWNERS AN INTERIM NOTIFICATION DURING MARCH 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

Investigations

6 investigations; 1 open.

EA21002

Opened: 2021-09-17. Closed: Not listed.

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupt

Systems: AIR BAGS.

Linked campaign numbers: None listed.

PE19008

Opened: 2019-07-29. Closed: 2019-12-12.

Seat belt buckle bracket failure

On July 17, 2019, NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation (PE) 19-008 after receiving three Vehicle Owner Questionnaire (VOQ) reports alleging the driver's side seat belt buckle separated from the seat frame, rendering the seat belt non-functional. The VOQs involved model year (MY) 2015 and 2016 Jeep Wrangler (JK platform) that were configured for right-hand dri

Systems: SEAT BELTS.

Linked campaign numbers: 19V680000.

EA19001

Opened: 2019-04-19. Closed: 2024-09-19.

Electrical overstress

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation to determine if the failure of airbags to deploy during severe crashes, in certain vehicles, was the result of a safety related defect.A During the investigation a complex failure was studied that can result in non-deployment of subject vehicle air bags and other restraint system devices in severe crash events. The subject vehicl

Systems: AIR BAGS.

Linked campaign numbers: 20V024.

EA15007

Opened: 2015-12-04. Closed: 2016-07-06.

Air Bag Clockspring Wiring Failure

On May 10, 2016, Fiat Chrysler America (FCA) submitted a Part 573 Defect Information Report announcing NHTSA recall 16V290 involving 394,258 model year (MY) 2007-2010 Jeep Wrangler vehicles.Under the recall FCA will replace the clockspring and install a steering wheel back cover and steering wheel column shroud.This recall also includes approx. 4,524 MY2007-2010 right hand drive (RHD) Jeep Wrangle

Systems: AIR BAGS.

Linked campaign numbers: 16V288000, 16V290000.

PE15025

Opened: 2015-06-19. Closed: 2015-12-07.

Air Bag Clockspring Wiring Failure

In it's response to ODI's PE15-025 Information Request letter, FCA identified 1,703 consumer complaints, field reports and legal claims responsive to the subject defect condition on the subject Wrangler vehicles.Six of these reports alleged an air bag non-deployment in a crash in which either the air bag warning light was allegedly on or came on afterward the crash, one of which also alleged injur

Systems: AIR BAGS.

Linked campaign numbers: None listed.

DP14004

Opened: 2014-09-25. Closed: 2015-07-24.

Totally Integrated Power Module Failure

In a letter dated August 21, 2014, the Center for Auto Safety (CAS) petitioned the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to initiate a defect investigation of alleged failures associated with the Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM) installed in Chrysler SUV?s, trucks, and vans beginning in the 2007 model year. The petitioner alleges that TIPM defects may result in engine stall,

Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

Linked campaign numbers: None listed.

Manufacturer communications

244 manufacturer communications.

Communications by system
SystemCount
EQUIPMENT61
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM60
STRUCTURE40
POWER TRAIN35
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING26
VISIBILITY21
STEERING12
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE9

11023612

Date: 2025-09-18. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: SERVICE BRAKES.

SWITCH - CLUTCH STARTER INTERLOCK & MASTER CYLINDER ASSEMBLY - CLUTCH

11022026

Date: 2025-08-15. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.

Verify Reman part number availability. Order the "R" part number for all orders: Warranty, Mopar, customer pay and service contract. Order "68" part number for New unsold units only.

11022027

Date: 2025-08-15. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.

Verify Reman part number availability. Order the "R" part number for all orders: Warranty, Mopar, customer pay and service contract. Order "68" part number for New unsold units only.

11017435

Date: 2025-04-02. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.

ACTUATOR - A/C AND HEATER

11017445

Date: 2025-04-02. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.

ACTUATOR - A/C AND HEATER

11010205

Date: 2024-10-30. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: POWER TRAIN.

Plate - Planetary

11008246

Date: 2024-09-25. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: STRUCTURE.

BOW - FOLDING TOP

10244356

Date: 2023-09-20. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: SUSPENSION.

LIFTER, Hydraulic Roller Deactivating Please do not replace MDS lifters because the disconnecting pin is not lined up, this is normal and not a defect.

10248517

Date: 2023-09-20. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: EQUIPMENT.

LIFTER, Hydraulic Roller Deactivating Please do not replace MDS lifters because the disconnecting pin is not lined up, this is normal and not a defect.

10248509

Date: 2023-09-15. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

Connector kit Before ordering this connector repair kit 68018957A$, check it in the Mopar Connector Repair Kit Website to confirm part number and applicability. There is an error with the wiring diagrams in Service Library that is causing the incorrect repair kit part number to populate. Please use

Notes on this record

  • Complaints from the API and bulk file are merged and deduplicated by ODI number; the API alone misses records.
  • System and subsystem counts are numbers of distinct complaints, recalls or communications that name them. One record can name several systems, so shares across systems can add to more than 100 percent; a single share never exceeds 100 percent.
  • Recalls are counted once per campaign, investigations once per action and manufacturer communications once per NHTSA id, even when NHTSA lists several model names for the same record.
  • A sales denominator is a calendar-year proxy, not the population of vehicles still in use. Rates are copied from verified pipeline output.

Other names NHTSA uses

None listed.

Matched NHTSA models

Matched labels and complaints
NHTSA model labelComplaints
WRANGLER834

Same model, other years

All model years | All Jeep models

Other Jeep models, 2012

Sources

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