2011 Jeep Wrangler Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2011 Jeep Wrangler carries a Complaint Index of 35 but is capped to Caution because of 10 recall campaigns, including 3 Do Not Drive airbag recalls. It ranks 14th worst out of 21 model years, with Airbags the top problem area at 30% of complaints.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 35/100
- #14 of 21 Wrangler years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 485
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 10
- 3 Do Not Drive
- Crashes
- 13
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 20
- Injuries
- 13
- Top issue
- Airbags
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 17
- 15 city / 19 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 13 / 0
Top 2011 Jeep Wrangler problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags145 (30%)
- Fuel System99 (20%)
- Electrical System85 (18%)
- Engine60 (12%)
- Steering58 (12%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires44 (9%)
- Transmission & Powertrain40 (8%)
- Brakes37 (8%)
- Other33 (7%)
- Structure & Body33 (7%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Airbags fail to deploy during crashes, sometimes at highway speed with resulting steering loss.
- Tie rods reportedly fracture, causing sudden loss of steering control and crashes into fixed objects.
- Electrical fires start near the dashboard, driver's door, or engine compartment, in some cases after using push-to-start or remote start.
- Fuel system fires ignite near the rear wheel wells or engine compartment while driving or parked.
- Owners describe smoke and burning smells preceding electrical or fuel-related fires, sometimes requiring fire department response.
2011 Jeep Wrangler recalls
10 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 19V680000Sep 26, 2019Seat Belts11,463 vehicles
Seat belts:front:anchorage
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.
Remedy: 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.
- NHTSA 19V018000Jan 15, 2019Airbags1,413,222 vehiclesDo Not Drive
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
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.
Remedy: 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.
- NHTSA 18V021000Jan 9, 2018Airbags328,177 vehiclesDo Not Drive
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
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.
Remedy: 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.
2011 Jeep Wrangler fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 15 MPG
- Highway
- 19 MPG
- Combined
- 17 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,800
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2011 compared with other Wrangler years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2011 Jeep Wrangler reliable?
- NHTSA data shows a Complaint Index of 35 for the 2011 Wrangler, ranking 14th worst among 21 model years. Its verdict is Caution, capped from a lower risk level because of 10 recall campaigns including 3 Do Not Drive airbag recalls.
- What are the most common complaints on the 2011 Jeep Wrangler?
- Airbags account for 30% of complaints, followed by Fuel System at 20% and Electrical System at 18%. Airbag-related median mileage at failure was 78,000 miles.
- Does the 2011 Jeep Wrangler have a Do Not Drive recall?
- Yes. NHTSA lists 3 Do Not Drive recalls for the 2011 Wrangler, including two airbag clockspring campaigns and a related airbag deployment issue.
- How does the 2011 Wrangler compare to other years?
- The 2011 model's Complaint Index of 35 is lower than 2012 (80), 2018 (95), and 2024 (100), all rated Avoid, but higher than the 2017 model, which has an index of 10 and is rated Best.