2012 Jeep Wrangler Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other Wrangler years
- Far more complaints than other years 4th of 32 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 9 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 835 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Jeep Wrangler. That ranks 4th out of 32 Wrangler model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is power train (282 complaints, 34%), typically at around 18,250 miles. Complaints mention 22 crashes, 19 fires, 22 injuries. There are 9 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 6 defect investigations involving it.
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- 835owner complaints
- 9safety recalls
- 6NHTSA investigations
- 22complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2012 Jeep Wrangler problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power Train problems | 282 | 34% | 18,250 | “power train steering” (48%) | — |
| Steering problems | 204 | 24% | 32,000 | “power train steering” (60%) | — |
| Engine problems | 172 | 21% | 40,500 | “cylinder head” (13%) | — |
| Electrical System problems | 147 | 18% | 47,000 | “windshield wipers” (10%) | $1,500 |
| Air Bags problems | 128 | 15% | 63,000 | “clock spring” (20%) | $840 |
| Unknown or Other | 53 | 6% | 46,250 | — | — |
| Service Brakes | 46 | 6% | 56,000 | — | — |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 42 | 5% | 48,000 | — | — |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 30 | 4% | 42,900 | — | — |
| Structure | 30 | 4% | 35,500 | — | — |
| Visibility/wiper | 30 | 4% | 38,000 | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 25 | 3% | 53,913 | — | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 21 | 3% | 38,000 | — | — |
| Suspension | 20 | 2% | 47,069 | — | — |
| Visibility | 11 | 1% | 36,300 | — | — |
| Seat Belts | 10 | 1% | 100,000 | — | — |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 7 | 1% | 1,000 | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 5 | 1% | 110,000 | — | — |
| Wheels | 4 | 0% | 86,000 | — | — |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 3 | 0% | — | — | — |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 3 | 0% | 500 | — | — |
| Seats | 3 | 0% | 32,150 | — | — |
| Tires | 3 | 0% | 1,768 | — | — |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 2 | 0% | 4,725 | — | — |
| Equipment Adaptive/mobility | 1 | 0% | 49,500 | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Air | 1 | 0% | 55,000 | — | — |
| Traction Control System | 1 | 0% | 55,000 | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2012 Jeep Wrangler recalls (9)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Seat belts:front:anchorage
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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 moduleDo not drive
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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:passenger side:inflator moduleDo not drive
Problem: 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 Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, Chrysler is recalling certain 2009-2010 RAM 4500 Cab Chassis, RAM 5500 Cab Chassis, RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Wrangler, Chrysler 300, Dodge Dakota, Dodge Challenger, and Dodge Charger vehicles ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." Chrysler is also recalling certain 2009 RAM 3500, RAM 2500, RAM 4500 Cab Chassis, RAM 5500 Cab Chassis, Dodge Durango, Chrysler Aspen, RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Wrangler, Chrysler 300, Dodge Dakota, Dodge Challenger, and Dodge Charger vehicles ever registered in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these passenger air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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.
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator moduleDo not drive
Problem: 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 Jeep Wrangler, 2008-2012 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2012 Chrysler 300, 2006-2012 Dodge Charger, 2005-2011 Dodge Dakota, and 2006-2009 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in AL, CA, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, SC, TX, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Chrysler is also recalling 2004-2008 RAM 1500, 2005-2009 RAM 2500, 2006-2009 RAM 3500, 2007-2009 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008-2009 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2009 Dodge Durango, 2007-2009 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2009 Jeep Wrangler, 2008-2009 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2009 Chrysler 300, 2006-2009 Dodge Charger, 2005-2009 Dodge Dakota and 2006-2009 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in AZ, AR, DE, Washington D.C., IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MO, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NC, OH, OK, PA, TN, VA, and WV, or "Zone B." Lastly, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Chrysler is recalling certain 2005-2008 RAM 2500, 2006-2008 RAM 3500, 2007-2008 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2008 Dodge Durango, 2007-2008 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2008 Jeep Wrangler, 2008 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2008 Chrysler 300, 2006-2008 Dodge Charger, 2005-2008 Dodge Dakota, and 2006-2008 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or registered, in AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MT, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI, and WY.
Risk: 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 resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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 for this recall is S43. Note: This recall supersedes recall 14V-7700.
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.
Visibility:rearview mirrors/devices:exterior; electrical system
Problem: 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.
Risk: An electrical short increases the risk of a fire.
Fix: 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.
Power train:automatic transmission:cooling unit and lines; steering:hydraulic power assist:hose, piping, and connections
Problem: 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.
Risk: A loss of transmission fluid may result in a loss of transmission function which may increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Air bags
Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Air bags:frontal
Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
NHTSA defect investigations
- Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture (EA21002) — opened Sep 17, 2021, still open.
- Seat belt buckle bracket failure (PE19008) — opened Jul 29, 2019, closed Dec 12, 2019, led to recall 19V680000.
- Electrical overstress (EA19001) — opened Apr 19, 2019, closed Sep 19, 2024, led to recall 20V024.
- Air Bag Clockspring Wiring Failure (EA15007) — opened Dec 4, 2015, closed Jul 6, 2016, led to recall 16V288000.
- Air Bag Clockspring Wiring Failure (PE15025) — opened Jun 19, 2015, closed Dec 7, 2015.
- Totally Integrated Power Module Failure (DP14004) — opened Sep 25, 2014, closed Jul 24, 2015.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
This failed part has not for me caused an accident but it could easily cause one. A failing or failed ABS module renders the ABS braking system useless. As well as no cruise control, traction control and throwing the jeep into limb mode whenever it decides. NO warning. Thousands of jeeps are…
The contact owns a 2022 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle unexpectedly went into LIMP Mode. The ABS, BRAKE, and traction control warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local independent mechanic to be diagnosed and DTC: C2200…
ABS Control module, went out while driving on the interstate , causing vehicle to go into limp mode , and almost causing multiple vehicle accidents, loss traction Control, emergency brake light, and abs warning light on
The abs module on many of these vehicles has a known fault. You canât find replacement parts, even the Jeep dealership canât get them. Many ppl are driving around with faulty modules, on a waiting list for parts. Iâm one of those people. All has been fine until I was driving toward 228…
The contact owns a 2012 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the ABS and traction control warning lights illuminated. The ABS, cruise control, and traction control features were disabled. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with an…
Other Jeep Wrangler years
← 2011 Wrangler · 2013 Wrangler →
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 Wrangler | 11 | 3 |
| 2025 Wrangler | 71 | 4 |
| 2024 Wrangler | 741 | 11 |
| 2023 Wrangler | 368 | 14 |
| 2022 Wrangler | 404 | 15 |
| 2021 Wrangler | 949 | 15 |
| 2020 Wrangler | 613 | 12 |
| 2019 Wrangler | 743 | 9 |
| 2018 Wrangler | 1,824 | 14 |
| 2017 Wrangler | 311 | 5 |
| 2016 Wrangler | 461 | 5 |
| 2015 Wrangler | 476 | 3 |
| 2014 Wrangler | 657 | 4 |
| 2013 Wrangler | 654 | 6 |
| 2012 | 835 | 9 |
| 2011 Wrangler | 485 | 10 |
| 2010 Wrangler | 686 | 10 |
| 2009 Wrangler | 372 | 6 |
| 2008 Wrangler | 873 | 7 |
| 2007 Wrangler | 558 | 8 |
| 2006 Wrangler | 730 | 3 |
| 2005 Wrangler | 650 | 1 |
| 2004 Wrangler | 192 | 1 |
| 2003 Wrangler | 98 | 0 |
| 2002 Wrangler | 108 | 2 |
| 2001 Wrangler | 170 | 3 |
| 2000 Wrangler | 251 | 1 |
| 1999 Wrangler | 213 | 1 |
| 1998 Wrangler | 265 | 2 |
| 1997 Wrangler | 401 | 3 |
| 1996 Wrangler | 2 | 0 |
| 1995 Wrangler | 202 | 1 |
See all Jeep Wrangler problems by year, every Jeep model, or the Jeep VIN decoder.
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2012 Jeep Wrangler?
Owners most often report power train, steering, engine problems. The top one, power train, accounts for 282 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2012 Jeep Wrangler?
Yes, 9 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2012 Jeep Wrangler a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Wrangler model years, the 2012 has far more complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.