Which Jeep Wrangler years should I avoid?

NHTSA data flags 2018, 2021, 2023, and 2024 as Wrangler years to avoid, with 2024 carrying the highest complaint index at 100 and 2018 showing 1,820 complaints, the most of any Wrangler year.

Which Ford Bronco years should I avoid?

NHTSA data flags 2022 and 2023 as Bronco years to avoid. 2022 has the highest complaint index at 100 and the most complaints at 376, with 23 recall campaigns that year.

Which model has more recalls, Wrangler or Bronco?

The Jeep Wrangler has 60 total recall campaigns over 16 model years, while the Ford Bronco has 47 recall campaigns over just 5 model years.

Which has better fuel economy, Wrangler or Bronco?

The Wrangler averages 18.8 mpg combined across its model years, slightly better than the Bronco's 17.7 mpg combined average.

Are complaint totals comparable between the two models?

No. NHTSA publishes no sales data, so these totals are not normalized per vehicle sold and should not be used to declare an overall winner.

Jeep Wrangler vs Ford Bronco: Which Years to Avoid

Jeep Wrangler owners should be most cautious about 2018, 2021, 2023, and 2024, while Ford Bronco years to avoid are 2022 and 2023. Wrangler logs 60 recall campaigns and 10,204 complaints across 16 model years; Bronco has 47 recalls and 956 complaints across just 5 years.

Head to head

Jeep Wrangler

Model years: 2010–2025 (16)
NHTSA complaints: 10,204
Per model year: 638
Recall campaigns: 60
Years to avoid: 2018, 2021, 2023, 2024
Best years: 2011, 2015, 2017, 2025
Top problem area: Steering
Avg. EPA combined MPG: 18.8
Avg. NHTSA overall rating: —

Ford Bronco

Model years: 2021–2025 (5)
NHTSA complaints: 956
Per model year: 191
Recall campaigns: 47
Years to avoid: 2022, 2023
Best years: 2024
Top problem area: Visibility & Wipers
Avg. EPA combined MPG: 17.7
Avg. NHTSA overall rating: —

Year by year

Complaint Index is relative within each model (0 = that model’s best year, 100 = its worst). Complaints and recalls are raw counts.

Year	Wrangler				Bronco
Year	Verdict	Complaints	Recalls	MPG	Verdict	Complaints	Recalls	MPG
2010	Good	685	10	17	—	—	—	—
2011	Best	485	10	17	—	—	—	—
2012	Caution	834	9	18	—	—	—	—
2013	Good	650	6	18	—	—	—	—
2014	Good	654	4	18	—	—	—	—
2015	Best	472	3	18	—	—	—	—
2016	Good	460	5	18	—	—	—	—
2017	Best	309	5	18	—	—	—	—
2018	Avoid	1,820	14	18	—	—	—	—
2019	Caution	741	9	20	—	—	—	—
2020	Caution	609	12	20.5	—	—	—	—
2021	Avoid	934	15	20.5	Good	229	20	18
2022	Caution	396	15	20.5	Avoid	376	23	18
2023	Avoid	364	14	20.5	Avoid	225	18	17
2024	Avoid	725	11	19.5	Best	74	16	17.5
2025	Best	66	4	20	Caution	52	19	18

Complaint Index by year

Jeep Wrangler

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Ford Bronco

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Frequently asked questions

Which Jeep Wrangler years should I avoid?: NHTSA data flags 2018, 2021, 2023, and 2024 as Wrangler years to avoid, with 2024 carrying the highest complaint index at 100 and 2018 showing 1,820 complaints, the most of any Wrangler year.
Which Ford Bronco years should I avoid?: NHTSA data flags 2022 and 2023 as Bronco years to avoid. 2022 has the highest complaint index at 100 and the most complaints at 376, with 23 recall campaigns that year.
Which model has more recalls, Wrangler or Bronco?: The Jeep Wrangler has 60 total recall campaigns over 16 model years, while the Ford Bronco has 47 recall campaigns over just 5 model years.
Which has better fuel economy, Wrangler or Bronco?: The Wrangler averages 18.8 mpg combined across its model years, slightly better than the Bronco's 17.7 mpg combined average.
Are complaint totals comparable between the two models?: No. NHTSA publishes no sales data, so these totals are not normalized per vehicle sold and should not be used to declare an overall winner.