2013 Jeep Wrangler Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2013 Jeep Wrangler has a complaint index of 40 and ranks 13th worst out of 21 model years, earning a Caution verdict capped by a Do Not Drive airbag recall. Transmission & Powertrain issues lead at 230 complaints (35%), followed by Steering at 167 (26%).
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 40/100
- #13 of 21 Wrangler years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 650
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 6
- 2 Do Not Drive
- Crashes
- 14
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 16
- Injuries
- 8
- Top issue
- Transmission & Powertrain
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 18
- 16.5 city / 21 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 8 / 1
Top 2013 Jeep Wrangler problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Transmission & Powertrain230 (35%)
- Steering167 (26%)
- Engine162 (25%)
- Electrical System107 (16%)
- Brakes79 (12%)
- Other74 (11%)
- Airbags72 (11%)
- Visibility & Wipers36 (6%)
- Fuel System33 (5%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires30 (5%)
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 transmission fires starting shortly after highway driving, sometimes with brakes failing at the same time.
- Some describe sudden loss of power steering while driving at low speed, leading to crashes into fixed objects.
- Several owners say the vehicle stalled at highway speed with smoke or fire coming from under the driver's seat.
- Airbags reportedly deployed on their own in one case, followed by a fire, after the Jeep got wet with the top and doors off.
- One owner said the engine revved to high RPM on its own after a rear-end collision and would not return to normal until restarted.
- A driver reported the vehicle lost control on a highway ramp, crashed, and caught fire with no clear cause identified.
2013 Jeep Wrangler recalls
6 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.
2013 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.
2013 compared with other Wrangler years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2013 Jeep Wrangler reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2013 Wrangler a complaint index of 40, ranking 13th worst out of 21 model years, so it sits in the middle of the pack with a Caution verdict.
- Why is the 2013 Jeep Wrangler rated Caution instead of based only on complaints?
- The verdict is capped to Caution because the 2013 Wrangler is covered by a Do Not Drive airbag recall, which overrides what the raw complaint index alone would suggest.
- What is the biggest problem area on the 2013 Jeep Wrangler?
- Transmission & Powertrain leads with 230 complaints, 35% of all complaints for this year, and a median failure mileage of 23,161 miles.
- Does the 2013 Jeep Wrangler have any Do Not Drive recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 2 Do Not Drive recalls for the 2013 Wrangler, both tied to airbag campaigns 19V018000 and 18V021000.
- How does the 2013 Jeep Wrangler compare to other years?
- Its complaint index of 40 is lower than 2012 (80), 2018 (95), and 2024 (100), but higher than 2017, which has the lowest index at 10 and a Best verdict.