2016 Jeep Wrangler Problems

Typical for Model

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2016 Jeep Wrangler. Part of Generation 3 (JK) — 2007–2018.

20152017
Complaints
626
per 10K Sold
32.6
US Sales
191,788
Crashes
37
Fires
25
Injuries
50
Fatalities
Recalls
5

Worst 2016 Jeep Wrangler Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#1106 complaints

Brakes

Avg mileage:80,974 mi
Crash-related:3
#287 complaints

Engine Problems

Avg mileage:51,061 mi
Crash-related:1
Fires:4
#376 complaints

Airbags

Avg mileage:58,646 mi
Crash-related:20
Fires:1
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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2016 Jeep Wrangler.

Brakes
106
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
Avg Miles
80,974
Engine Problems
87
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
4
Avg Miles
51,061
Airbags
76
complaints
Crashes
20
Fires
1
Avg Miles
58,646
Transmission / Drivetrain
72
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
55,902
Electrical Faults
52
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
7
Avg Miles
39,415
Unintended Acceleration
33
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
Avg Miles
36,611
Steering Defects
25
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
50,057
Body Structure
16
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
39,903
Electronic Stability Control
13
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
23,805
Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking
12
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Fuel System
12
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
36,026
Seat Belt Issues
10
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
51,717
Wheel Issues
8
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
181,011
Hydraulic Brakes
7
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
91,320
Suspension Failures
7
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
26,750
Wipers & Visibility
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
56,510
Service Brakes, Air:Antilock:Abs Warning Light
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
Headlight/Taillight Failures
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Seat-Related Issues
3
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Traction Control System
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Abs Warning Light
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Clockspring/Spiral Cassette
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Instrument Cluster
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine & Cooling
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Radiator Assembly
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Crank/Camshaft Position Sensor
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Oil/Lubrication:Filter/Screen
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Oil/Lubrication:Pipes, Hoses, And Fittings
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2016 Jeep Wrangler. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2016 Jeep Wrangler

5 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~1,616,455 vehicles.

24V196000Air Bags:frontal:driver Clockspring/spiral Cassette
~1,831 affected

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.

19V680000Seat Belts:front:anchorage
~11,463 affected

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.

19V018000Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
~1,413,222 affected

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.

16V734000Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control Module-inactive
~182,743 affected

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).

16V288000Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module
~7,196 affected

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.

Other Jeep Wrangler Years

2016 Jeep Wrangler — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2016 Jeep Wrangler reliable?
Verdict: Typical for Model. The 2016 Jeep Wrangler has 626 NHTSA complaints, 37 crash-related, and 5 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Brakes with 106 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2016 Jeep Wrangler?
Top reported problems: Brakes (106 complaints, avg 80,974 mi); Engine Problems (87 complaints, avg 51,061 mi); Airbags (76 complaints, avg 58,646 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2016 Jeep Wrangler?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 57,602 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2016 Jeep Wrangler?
NHTSA complaints for the 2016 Jeep Wrangler include 37 crash-related reports, 25 fire reports, 50 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2016 Jeep Wrangler have any recalls?
Yes — 5 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 1,616,455 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 2016 Jeep Wrangler?
Complaint levels are in line with what's expected. Normal used-car due diligence applies — check the specific VIN for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full Jeep Wrangler reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

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