2016 Jeep Wrangler problems, complaints & recalls

Updated Oct 11, 2026 from NHTSA data · How we count

Owners have filed 295 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Jeep Wrangler, most often about brakes. There are 5 recalls for this model year.

Complaints: 295
Recalls: 5
Crashes: 15
Fires: 6
Injuries: 19
Median mileage: 60,058 mi

Safety warning: at least one recall for this vehicle tells owners not to drive it until it is repaired. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Key facts

Brakes is the most-reported problem area, named in 123 of 295 complaints (42%).
Engine (65) and airbags (42) follow.
Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 60,058 mi.
Owners reported 15 crashes, 6 fires and 19 injuries.
The 2016 Jeep Wrangler has 5 recalls on file, including at least one “do not drive” warning.
NHTSA has opened 3 defect investigations covering this vehicle.
It ranks 7th of 22 Jeep Wrangler model years by our severity-weighted complaint score (1st = worst).

A complaint can mention more than one problem area, so categories add up to more than the total.

Most-reported components

Component (as filed with NHTSA)	Complaints
Service brakes	106
Engine	61
Air bags	41
Electrical system	40
Power train	37
Unknown or other	30
Vehicle speed control	24
Steering	21

When problems happen (mileage)

Mileage at the time of the problem, for 2016 Jeep Wrangler complaints that list mileage.

2016 Jeep Wrangler recalls (5)

Recall 24V196000Mar 14, 20241,831 vehicles
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER CLOCKSPRING/SPIRAL CASSETTE
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.
Risk: 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.
Recall 19V680000Sep 26, 201911,463 vehicles
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
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.
Risk: 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.
Recall 19V018000Jan 15, 20191,413,222 vehiclesDo not drive
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
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.
Risk: 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.
Recall 16V734000Oct 13, 2016182,743 vehicles
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE
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).
Risk: 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.
Recall 16V288000May 11, 20167,196 vehicles
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
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.
Risk: 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.

NHTSA defect investigations

EA21002Opened Sep 17, 2021Open
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 rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.C…
PE19008Opened Jul 29, 2019Closed Dec 12, 2019led to recall 19V680000
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 drive (RHD) use. On August 8, 2019, ODI issued an information request (IR) letter to FCA.The scope of the IR included all JK Wrangler produced for sale in the U.S. (both left- and right-hand drive), and …
EA19001Opened Apr 19, 2019Closed Sep 19, 2024led to recall 20V024
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. 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 vehicles may be equipped with an airbag control unit (ACU) for the supplemental restraint system (SRS) Electronic Control Unit (ECU) manufactured by ZF-TRW. The ECU receives signals from crash sensors mount…

NHTSA 5-Star safety ratings

Version	Overall	Frontal	Side	Rollover
2016 Jeep Wrangler 2DR 4WD	Not Rated	Not Rated	Not Rated	★★★☆☆
2016 Jeep Wrangler 4DR 4WD	Not Rated	Not Rated	Not Rated	★★★☆☆

Recent 2016 Jeep Wrangler complaints

Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Filed Oct 6, 2026GABrakesElectrical SystemAcceleration & Cruise Control
Vehicle reflects a code of C2200. It is due to a faulty ABS module that controls the antilock brake system, traction w and cruise control. The remedy is to replace the part (part number 68259556AD). This part has been on national back order for several years now with no anticipated date of release. The manufacturer has Indicated it will not be made. This is a safety item that not only affects the performance of the vehicle but limits it resale value. Numerous vehicles from…
NHTSA complaint #11769336 · source
Filed Sep 13, 2026NMSteeringSuspensionTransmission & Drivetrain
When I was coming to a stop at a stoplight, my vehicle started to violently wobble almost having me to loose control. I was unable to slow down when pressing the brakes and almost hit vehicles in front of me.this has happened numerous times and I have had my tires rotated and alignment done just recently.
NHTSA complaint #11763902 · source
Filed Aug 31, 2026CABrakesElectrical System
ABS Control Module stopped working with several warning lights showing on dash display. After 12 months the dealer is unable to supply a replacment part or a possible date when a new part might be available.
NHTSA complaint #11760973 · source
Filed Aug 24, 2026FLBrakes
The ABS module on my jeep has failed. I've been put on a list to get a replacement part but have been on the list for 10 months with no indication of when my parts order will be fulfilled. The failed ABS module caused the BRAKE, ABS and TCS warning lights to be on. I am driving a vehicle under unsafe conditions and the manufacturer does not care.
NHTSA complaint #11759082 · source
Filed Aug 20, 2026PABrakesWheels & Tires
My 2016 Jeep Wrangler is experiencing an ongoing problem with the ABS/braking system and wheel-speed sensor. The ABS/brake warning light comes on intermittently, particularly when turning right and during hot weather. The vehicle has NOT been repaired for this problem. I am reporting it because I am concerned that there may be a defect involving the wheel-speed sensor, sensor wiring/connection, wheel hub, or ABS system. Because these components are connected to the vehicle’s…
NHTSA complaint #11758210 · source
Filed Aug 17, 2026NCBrakes
ABS Brake Sensor is on and the ABS Module needs to be replaced, however there are a lot of other people out there with this same issue and nobody can keep up with the parts to fix the problem. This should be a recall for all Jeeps 2009-10018
NHTSA complaint #11757343 · source
Filed Aug 10, 202680,000 miUTBrakes
The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle experienced an ABS module failure. The ABS and traction control warning lights were illuminated. The dealer was contacted and diagnosed the vehicle with ABS control module failure; however, the part to repair the vehicle was not available. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time to provide…
NHTSA complaint #11755958 · source
Filed Jul 21, 2026VABrakesOther / UnknownAcceleration & Cruise Control
The ABS control module has internal problem which shuts down the module. Results of the module shut down includes: -The stability and traction systems are offline. -A failure in the ABS module or hydraulic unit. -Cruise Control inoperable. -The module no longer modulates brake pressure, which can result in brakes locking. Currently, Mopar has stopped production of this item, so there is no method to replace a failed or non-working module with an original part.
NHTSA complaint #11751719 · source

Compare the 2016 Jeep Wrangler with another vehicle →

Other 2016 Jeep models

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 11, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology