Jeep Wrangler Best and Worst Years (2010–2025)
Avoid the 2018, 2021, 2023, and 2024 Jeep Wrangler, which carry the highest Complaint Index scores (93, 87, 80, and 100 of 100). The 2011, 2015, 2017, and 2025 model years score lowest (20, 13, 7, and 0) and are the best bets among the 10,204 total complaints logged across 2010-2025.
Avoid 2018Avoid 2021Avoid 2023Avoid 2024Best 2011Best 2015Best 2017Best 2025
- Model years
- 16
- 2010–2025
- NHTSA complaints
- 10,204
- Recall campaigns
- 60
- Crashes reported
- 250
- Fires reported
- 277
- Top problem area
- Steering
Wrangler Complaint Index by year
Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.
Jeep Wrangler problems and recalls by year
| Year | Verdict | Index | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Recalls | Top issue | MPG | NCAP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Good | 47 | 685 | 14 | 35 | 10 ! | Fuel System | 17 | — |
| 2011 | Best | 20 | 485 | 13 | 20 | 10 ! | Airbags | 17 | — |
| 2012 | Caution | 73 | 834 | 22 | 19 | 9 ! | Transmission & Powertrain | 18 | — |
| 2013 | Good | 33 | 650 | 14 | 16 | 6 ! | Transmission & Powertrain | 18 | — |
| 2014 | Good | 40 | 654 | 21 | 24 | 4 ! | Engine | 18 | — |
| 2015 | Best | 13 | 472 | 15 | 27 | 3 ! | Engine | 18 | — |
| 2016 | Good | 27 | 460 | 28 | 15 | 5 ! | Brakes | 18 | — |
| 2017 | Best | 7 | 309 | 19 | 21 | 5 | Brakes | 18 | — |
| 2018 | Avoid | 93 | 1,820 | 22 | 25 | 14 | Steering | 18 | — |
| 2019 | Caution | 67 | 741 | 9 | 10 | 9 | Steering | 20 | — |
| 2020 | Caution | 60 | 609 | 16 | 12 | 12 | Steering | 20.5 | — |
| 2021 | Avoid | 87 | 934 | 20 | 27 | 15 | Electrical System | 20.5 | — |
| 2022 | Caution | 53 | 396 | 13 | 11 | 15 | Electrical System | 20.5 | — |
| 2023 | Avoid | 80 | 364 | 11 | 6 | 14 | Electrical System | 20.5 | — |
| 2024 | Avoid | 100 | 725 | 10 | 7 | 11 | Engine | 19.5 | — |
| 2025 | Best | 0 | 66 | 3 | 2 | 4 | Electrical System | 20 | — |
Wrangler years to avoid: what went wrong
2024 Jeep Wrangler Index 100 · 725 complaints · 11 recalls
The 2024 Wrangler has the highest Complaint Index of any year, 100. Engine complaints make up 61% of the total, with a median failure mileage of 18,796, and electrical system complaints follow at 57% with a median of 15,000 miles. NHTSA lists 11 recalls, including a central vision processing module issue and the shared steering and battery fire recalls. Owners report unintended acceleration incidents, transmission smoke and oil leaks at very low mileage, and a steering box failure linked to a fatal crash. This makes 2024 the year to avoid most among Wranglers.
2024 engine problems →2024 electrical system problems →2024 fuel system problems →
2018 Jeep Wrangler Index 93 · 1,820 complaints · 14 recalls
The 2018 Wrangler carries a Complaint Index of 93, the second-worst of any year. Steering accounts for 61% of its complaints, with a median failure mileage of 5,000 miles, and owners describe steering loss tied to suspension and wheel problems that showed up around 7,200 miles. NHTSA lists 14 recalls for this year, covering rearview camera wiring, instrument cluster short circuits, and clutch pressure plate fractures on manual transmissions. Electrical system complaints followed at 13,000 miles median. The combination of steering failures at very low mileage and a high recall count makes 2018 one of the years to avoid relative to other Wrangler model years.
2018 steering problems →2018 suspension, wheels & tires problems →2018 electrical system problems →
2021 Jeep Wrangler Index 87 · 934 complaints · 15 recalls
The 2021 Wrangler has a Complaint Index of 87. Electrical system issues make up 33% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 23,682, while steering problems (27% of complaints) failed at a median of 18,050 miles. NHTSA recorded 15 recalls, including a steering pump wiring fire risk and a high-voltage battery fire risk on 4xe models. Owners report engine compartment fires and smoke shortly after purchase, plus airbag non-deployment during crashes. The fire counts (27) and crash counts (20) are notable for this year, pushing it into avoid territory.
2021 electrical system problems →2021 steering problems →2021 engine problems →
2023 Jeep Wrangler Index 80 · 364 complaints · 14 recalls
The 2023 Wrangler posts a Complaint Index of 80. Electrical system complaints dominate at 53% of the total, with failures reported at a median of 16,500 miles, and engine complaints (32% share) failed earlier, at a median of 6,500 miles. This year carries 14 recalls, including the steering pump wiring fire recall and the high-voltage battery fire recall shared with 2021-2025 models. Owners describe sudden loss of motive power leading to being rear-ended, brake pedals sticking, and hybrid drivetrain lunges. The early-mileage engine and electrical failures place 2023 among the years to avoid.
2023 electrical system problems →2023 engine problems →2023 fuel system problems →
Most common Jeep Wrangler problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group. A complaint naming two components counts once in each.
- Steering2,853 (28%)
- Electrical System2,447 (24%)
- Engine2,391 (23%)
- Transmission & Powertrain1,627 (16%)
- Other1,131 (11%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires1,113 (11%)
- Fuel System1,010 (10%)
- Brakes917 (9%)
- Airbags794 (8%)
- Structure & Body406 (4%)
Frequently asked questions
- What year Jeep Wrangler should I avoid?
- Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, the 2018, 2021, 2023, and 2024 Wranglers rank worst, with Complaint Index scores of 93, 87, 80, and 100 respectively out of the 2010-2025 lineup.
- What is the best year for a Jeep Wrangler?
- The 2011, 2015, 2017, and 2025 model years have the lowest Complaint Index scores (20, 13, 7, and 0), making them the strongest choices among the 16 model years with data.
- Is the 2018 Jeep Wrangler reliable?
- The 2018 Wrangler has a Complaint Index of 93, the second-highest in the lineup, driven largely by steering complaints (61% of its total) that occurred at a median of just 5,000 miles.
- Does the Jeep Wrangler have steering recalls?
- Yes. Steering is the top overall problem area across all years, accounting for 28% of the 10,204 total complaints, and a steering pump wiring fire recall (26V363000) covers 2021-2025 Wrangler and Wrangler 4xe models.
- Why is the 2024 Jeep Wrangler rated worst?
- The 2024 model has the highest Complaint Index of all years at 100, with engine complaints making up 61% of its complaints and a median failure mileage of 18,796.