YearToAvoid

2015 Jeep Wrangler Engine Problems

Engine complaints account for 158 of 472 total complaints (33%) filed for the 2015 Jeep Wrangler, with a median failure mileage of 48,000. NHTSA lists 16 fires and 2 crashes tied to this area, but no related recall exists in the data.

Engine complaints
158
33% of 472
Crashes reported
2
Fires reported
16
Injuries reported
1
Median mileage
48,000 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical engine symptoms owners report

  • Owners report engine compartment fires starting while the vehicle is parked and unattended, sometimes hours after the last drive.
  • Some describe fires breaking out under the hood on the passenger or driver side while driving at highway or city speeds, with smoke and hissing noises preceding the flames.
  • Several complaints mention a burning oil smell and smoke from under the hood traced to a cracked plastic oil cooler leaking oil onto hot engine components.
  • A few owners noted the fire spread quickly enough that the front end of the vehicle was destroyed before fire crews arrived.
  • One report describes instrument panel warning lights and a soft brake pedal occurring alongside the smell of smoke just before an engine fire started.

When 2015 Jeep Wrangler engine complaints were filed

First complaint Mar 9, 2015, latest Sep 13, 2026.

2015 Jeep Wrangler engine complaints: complaints filed per quarter112015 Q12016 Q32018 Q12019 Q42021 Q22022 Q42024 Q22025 Q4
158 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2015 Q1 to 2026 Q3; peak 2021 Q1 (11).

Engine recalls for the 2015 Jeep Wrangler

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Engine complaints by Wrangler model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 201068 (10%)
  2. 201160 (12%)
  3. 2012199 (24%)
  4. 2013162 (25%)
  5. 2014346 (53%)
  6. 2015158 (33%)
  7. 2016126 (27%)
  8. 201775 (24%)
  9. 2018123 (7%)
  10. 201965 (9%)
  11. 202070 (11%)
  12. 2021243 (26%)
  13. 2022106 (27%)
  14. 2023117 (32%)
  15. 2024444 (61%)
  16. 202529 (44%)

Frequently asked questions

How common are engine problems in the 2015 Jeep Wrangler?
NHTSA lists 158 engine complaints for the 2015 Wrangler, which is 33% of the 472 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for the 2015 Jeep Wrangler engine?
No related recall is listed in the NHTSA data for this engine complaint area.
At what mileage do 2015 Jeep Wrangler engine problems typically show up?
The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA is 48,000 miles.
Are engine fires a real risk on the 2015 Jeep Wrangler?
NHTSA data shows 16 fires and 1 injury tied to engine complaints for this model year, alongside 2 crashes.
How does 2015 compare to other Wrangler years for engine complaints?
The 2015 Wrangler's engine share of 33% is lower than 2014's 53% and 2024's 61%, but higher than years like 2018 at 7% and 2019 at 9%.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.