2012 Jeep Wrangler Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2012 Jeep Wrangler has a complaint index of 80 and ranks 5th worst out of 21 model years, earning an Avoid verdict. NHTSA lists 834 complaints, 9 recalls (3 do-not-drive), and transmission/powertrain issues make up 34% of complaints, the largest share.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 80/100
- #5 of 21 Wrangler years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 834
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 9
- 3 Do Not Drive
- Crashes
- 22
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 19
- Injuries
- 22
- Top issue
- Transmission & Powertrain
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 18
- 16.5 city / 21 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 22 / 2
Top 2012 Jeep Wrangler problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Transmission & Powertrain282 (34%)
- Steering204 (24%)
- Engine199 (24%)
- Electrical System153 (18%)
- Airbags128 (15%)
- Brakes75 (9%)
- Other54 (6%)
- Fuel System45 (5%)
- Visibility & Wipers39 (5%)
- Structure & Body34 (4%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report engine fires starting near the front of the vehicle shortly after purchase, in one case within hours of delivery.
- Some describe the vehicle rolling away unexpectedly while parked on an incline and striking property.
- Steering wheels have reportedly detached while driving at highway speed, causing loss of control.
- Owners report brake pedals failing to stop the vehicle at low speeds, resulting in collisions.
- Electrical fires have started near the battery or starter, sometimes while the vehicle was parked in a garage overnight.
- Clutch burnout with smoke has been reported at very low mileage during normal driving.
2012 Jeep Wrangler recalls
9 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.
2012 Jeep Wrangler fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 16.5 MPG
- Highway
- 21 MPG
- Combined
- 18 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,600
- 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.
2012 compared with other Wrangler years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2012 Jeep Wrangler reliable?
- NHTSA data shows the 2012 Wrangler has a complaint index of 80, ranking 5th worst among 21 model years, which earns it an Avoid verdict relative to other Wrangler years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2012 Jeep Wrangler?
- Transmission & Powertrain issues account for 34% of complaints, followed by Steering at 24% and Engine at 24%, based on NHTSA owner complaints.
- Does the 2012 Jeep Wrangler have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns for the 2012 Jeep Wrangler, including 3 do-not-drive recalls related to airbags.
- At what mileage do 2012 Wrangler problems typically appear?
- The median mileage at failure across all complaints is 42,000 miles, though transmission complaints show a lower median of 18,250 miles.
- How does the 2012 Wrangler compare to other years?
- With a complaint index of 80, the 2012 model ranks worse than most other Wrangler years except 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2024, which also carry Avoid verdicts.