2013 Jeep Wrangler Steering Problems

Source: NHTSA · Updated Sep 29, 2026 · 167 complaints analyzed

Owners have filed 167 complaints with NHTSA about steering problems on the 2013 Jeep Wrangler, 26% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 23,300 miles. The words owners use most often: “power train steering” (58% of reports).

What owners describe

Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.

  • Power train steering: mentioned in 97 of 167 complaints (58%)
  • Cooler tube: mentioned in 19 of 167 complaints (11%)
  • Transmission oil: mentioned in 16 of 167 complaints (10%)
  • Safety N28: mentioned in 13 of 167 complaints (8%)

At what mileage do steering problems happen?

Based on 50 complaints that reported the odometer reading.

Under 10k miles12 · 24%
10k–25k miles14 · 28%
25k–50k miles6 · 12%
50k–75k miles10 · 20%
75k–100k miles5 · 10%
100k–150k miles3 · 6%
150k+ miles0 · 0%

How serious are the reports?

Of 167 complaints, 3 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 1 an injury.

Jeep Wrangler steering complaints by model year

Peak: 2018, with 1,117 complaints
1995: 619951996: 11997: 311998: 1619981999: 32000: 112001: 1020012002: 102003: 142004: 6720042005: 582006: 862007: 13820072008: 1562009: 652010: 6620102011: 582012: 2042013: 16720132014: 262015: 292016: 2820162017: 192018: 1,1171,1172019: 44720192020: 2392021: 2542022: 8320222023: 562024: 712025: 320252026: 2

n = 3,541 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Model yearSteering complaintsShare of that yearMedian miles
2026 Wrangler218%—
2025 Wrangler34%—
2024 Wrangler7110%8,000
2023 Wrangler5615%13,255
2022 Wrangler8321%18,500
2021 Wrangler25427%18,050
2020 Wrangler23939%300
2019 Wrangler44760%2,175
2018 Wrangler1,11761%5,000
2017 Wrangler196%20,500
2016 Wrangler286%30,000
2015 Wrangler296%15,000
2014 Wrangler264%38,000
2013 Wrangler16726%23,300
2012 Wrangler20424%32,000
2011 Wrangler5812%44,500
2010 Wrangler6610%50,100
2009 Wrangler6517%45,940
2008 Wrangler15618%50,000
2007 Wrangler13825%51,572
2006 Wrangler8612%25,000
2005 Wrangler589%39,000
2004 Wrangler6735%48,856
2003 Wrangler1414%47,685
2002 Wrangler109%47,500
2001 Wrangler106%55,000
2000 Wrangler114%100,000
1999 Wrangler31%—
1998 Wrangler166%104,251
1997 Wrangler318%72,798
1996 Wrangler150%6,845
1995 Wrangler63%110,000

When owners reported it

Peak: 2014, with 114 complaints
2013: 202013202014: 11420141142015: 7201572016: 5201652017: 5201752018: 2201822019: 7201972020: 3202032022: 3202232026: 120261

n = 167 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Related recalls (1)

Power train:automatic transmission:cooling unit and lines; steering:hydraulic power assist:hose, piping, and connectionsJun 4, 2013 · NHTSA campaign 13V234000 · 180,131 vehicles

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.

My 2013 RHD jeep wrangler is showing codes B1B02 and B1B06. I took it to jason lewis automotive in sparta tn yesterday. The airbag light is on and the horn does not work. These are the exact same failures identified in safety recall s40. The previous owner of my car got this done in 2021 but the…

Received Apr 29, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11734495

The contact owns a 2013 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, the contact crashed into the guard rail. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact exited the vehicle and noticed the steering box shaft was snapped. There were no air bags deployed. There were…

Received Aug 17, 2022 · NHTSA complaint 11479803

Air bag light keeps coming on and off while driving . none stop digging....can not seem to Find the problem other them air bags may not work properly

Received Jul 17, 2022 · NHTSA complaint 11474333
Jeep Wrangler
Jeep_Wrangler_Rubicon_(JL)_4xe at Retro Classics 2022. Representative photo; appearance varies by model year. Photo: Alexander Migl, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Frequently asked questions

Do all 2013 Jeep Wranglers have steering problems?

No. NHTSA has 167 owner complaints about steering for the 2013 Jeep Wrangler (26% of the 654 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 2013 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 23,300 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.

What do owners say about steering problems on the 2013 Jeep Wrangler?

The most frequent phrase is “power train steering”, in 97 of 167 complaints, followed by “cooler tube” (19).

Other 2013 Jeep Wrangler problems

See all 2013 Jeep Wrangler problems or steering problems across all Wrangler years.