2012 Jeep Wrangler Steering Problems
Owners have filed 204 complaints with NHTSA about steering problems on the 2012 Jeep Wrangler, 24% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 32,000 miles. The words owners use most often: “power train steering” (60% of reports).
- 204steering complaints
- 32,000median miles at failure
- 3mention a crash
- 4mention an injury
- 1related recalls
- 44%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Power train steering: mentioned in 122 of 204 complaints (60%)
- Cooler tube: mentioned in 25 of 204 complaints (12%)
- Transmission oil: mentioned in 24 of 204 complaints (12%)
- June should before: mentioned in 18 of 204 complaints (9%)
At what mileage do steering problems happen?
Based on 55 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 204 complaints, 3 mention a crash, 4 an injury.
Jeep Wrangler steering complaints by model year
| Model year | Steering complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Wrangler | 2 | 18% | — |
| 2025 Wrangler | 3 | 4% | — |
| 2024 Wrangler | 71 | 10% | 8,000 |
| 2023 Wrangler | 56 | 15% | 13,255 |
| 2022 Wrangler | 83 | 21% | 18,500 |
| 2021 Wrangler | 254 | 27% | 18,050 |
| 2020 Wrangler | 239 | 39% | 300 |
| 2019 Wrangler | 447 | 60% | 2,175 |
| 2018 Wrangler | 1,116 | 61% | 5,000 |
| 2017 Wrangler | 19 | 6% | 20,500 |
| 2016 Wrangler | 28 | 6% | 30,000 |
| 2015 Wrangler | 29 | 6% | 15,000 |
| 2014 Wrangler | 26 | 4% | 38,000 |
| 2013 Wrangler | 167 | 26% | 23,300 |
| 2012 Wrangler | 204 | 24% | 32,000 |
| 2011 Wrangler | 58 | 12% | 44,500 |
| 2010 Wrangler | 66 | 10% | 50,100 |
| 2009 Wrangler | 65 | 17% | 45,940 |
| 2008 Wrangler | 156 | 18% | 50,000 |
| 2007 Wrangler | 138 | 25% | 51,572 |
| 2006 Wrangler | 86 | 12% | 25,000 |
| 2005 Wrangler | 58 | 9% | 39,000 |
| 2004 Wrangler | 67 | 35% | 48,856 |
| 2003 Wrangler | 14 | 14% | 47,685 |
| 2002 Wrangler | 10 | 9% | 47,500 |
| 2001 Wrangler | 10 | 6% | 55,000 |
| 2000 Wrangler | 11 | 4% | 100,000 |
| 1999 Wrangler | 3 | 1% | — |
| 1998 Wrangler | 16 | 6% | 104,251 |
| 1997 Wrangler | 31 | 8% | 72,798 |
| 1996 Wrangler | 1 | 50% | 6,845 |
| 1995 Wrangler | 6 | 3% | 110,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (1)
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.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
Revision 6 November 2019 Dealer Service Instructions for: Customer Satisfaction Notification V41Steering Damper 2018 - 2019 (JL) Jeepï¢Wrangler vehicles front suspension steering damper on about 192,000 of the vehicles may not effectively damp oscillation of the steering system, resulting in a…
I have experienced on a number of occasions, when traveling on the highway at speeds greater than 60 MPH and the vehicle his a bump in the road (expansion joint, pothole, etc), the vehicle begins to bounce uncontrollably. The steering wheel vibrates uncontrollably and it feels like the front end of…
The vehicle will die while driving it, it is a automatic so you loose power steering power brakes and the engine is completely shut off you have to safely pull over and not get hit to put vehicle in park sometimes it starts in park, sometime it just turns over and you have to wait 10 to 15 minutes…
Frequently asked questions
Do all 2012 Jeep Wranglers have steering problems?
No. NHTSA has 204 owner complaints about steering for the 2012 Jeep Wrangler (24% of the 835 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the 2012 Jeep Wrangler steering?
Yes: 1 safety recall list steering. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
At what mileage do steering problems start?
The median reported mileage is 32,000 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.
What do owners say about steering problems on the 2012 Jeep Wrangler?
The most frequent phrase is “power train steering”, in 122 of 204 complaints, followed by “cooler tube” (25).
Other 2012 Jeep Wrangler problems
- Power Train problems (282)
- Engine problems (172)
- Electrical System problems (147)
- Air Bags problems (128)
See all 2012 Jeep Wrangler problems or steering problems across all Wrangler years.