2014 Jeep Wrangler Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2014 Jeep Wrangler has a complaint index of 45, ranking 12th worst among 21 model years, with a Caution verdict capped by a Do Not Drive airbag recall. Engine problems dominate, making up 53% of its 654 complaints.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 45/100
- #12 of 21 Wrangler years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 654
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 4
- 1 Do Not Drive
- Crashes
- 21
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 24
- Injuries
- 13
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 18
- 16.5 city / 21 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 13 / 0
Top 2014 Jeep Wrangler problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine346 (53%)
- Transmission & Powertrain88 (13%)
- Electrical System87 (13%)
- Brakes81 (12%)
- Airbags70 (11%)
- Other50 (8%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires29 (4%)
- Steering26 (4%)
- Structure & Body23 (4%)
- Fuel System19 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Engine compartments emit gray smoke that turns black and can erupt into flames while driving or shortly after parking.
- Brake pedals go hard and fail to engage, sometimes followed by a hissing or air-release sensation after the emergency brake is applied.
- Vehicles parked in gear on an incline have rolled away or shifted unexpectedly, in one case producing a popping and clicking noise before movement.
- Steering wheels have seized or failed to respond during low-speed turns, leading to collisions with other vehicles or barriers.
- Owners describe unintended acceleration while stopped with the brake pedal depressed, resulting in rear-end crashes.
- Transmissions have jerked the vehicle forward unexpectedly at stoplights, causing collisions with vehicles ahead.
2014 Jeep Wrangler recalls
4 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 16V288000May 11, 2016Airbags7,196 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2011-2016 Right Hand Drive Jeep Wrangler vehicles manufactured February 16, 2010, to May 2, 2016. The clockspring assembly may become contaminated with dust and cause the air bag circuit to fail.
Risk: Failure of the air bag circuit may prevent the driver's frontal air bag from deploying in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the clockspring, wheel back cover, and column shroud, free of charge. The recall began on August 11, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S40.
2014 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.
2014 compared with other Wrangler years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2014 Jeep Wrangler reliable?
- NHTSA lists 654 complaints for the 2014 Wrangler with a complaint index of 45, ranking 12th worst out of 21 model years. Its verdict is Caution, driven mainly by engine-related reports and a Do Not Drive airbag recall.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2014 Jeep Wrangler?
- Engine issues account for 53% of complaints (346 of 654), including reports of smoke and fire, with a median failure mileage of 51,747 miles.
- Does the 2014 Jeep Wrangler have a Do Not Drive recall?
- Yes. Recall 19V018000 covers airbags and instructs owners not to drive the vehicle until the repair is complete, which is why this year's verdict is capped at Caution.
- How does the 2014 Wrangler compare to other years?
- With a complaint index of 45, 2014 is safer than 2012 (80), 2018 (95), and 2024 (100), all rated Avoid, but worse than 2017, which earned a Best verdict with an index of 10.
- How many recalls does the 2014 Jeep Wrangler have?
- NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2014 Wrangler, one of which is a Do Not Drive airbag recall affecting the clockspring and deployment system.