2016 Jeep Wrangler Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2016 Jeep Wrangler carries a Caution verdict, ranking 11th worst out of 21 model years with a complaint index of 50. NHTSA lists 460 complaints, 5 recalls, 28 crashes, and 15 fires, with brakes the top complaint area at 31%.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 50/100
- #11 of 21 Wrangler years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 460
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 5
- 1 Do Not Drive
- Crashes
- 28
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 15
- Injuries
- 38
- Top issue
- Brakes
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 18
- 16.5 city / 21 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 38 / 0
Top 2016 Jeep Wrangler problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Brakes142 (31%)
- Engine126 (27%)
- Airbags77 (17%)
- Transmission & Powertrain74 (16%)
- Electrical System58 (13%)
- Other54 (12%)
- Steering28 (6%)
- Structure & Body22 (5%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires17 (4%)
- Fuel System14 (3%)
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 the radiator fan or engine bay catching fire while the vehicle was parked or idling with low mileage.
- Several drivers describe the airbags failing to deploy in crashes involving swerving, hitting a tree, or hydroplaning into a guardrail or oncoming vehicle.
- Some owners report the vehicle hydroplaning and losing control on wet roads at low mileage, leading to collisions.
- One owner describes the vehicle rolling away on its own on flat ground with the parking brake off and no one inside.
- Owners report electrical fires starting in the cabin or front of the vehicle while driving, with smoke entering the passenger compartment.
- One owner describes the vehicle unexpectedly accelerating while stopped at a red light despite the brake being applied.
2016 Jeep Wrangler recalls
5 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 24V196000Mar 14, 2024Airbags1,831 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:driver clockspring/spiral cassette
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) (Stellantis) is recalling certain right hand drive 2016 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. Debris contamination may cause the clockspring to fail, preventing the driver's air bag from deploying in a crash.
Risk: An air bag that does not deploy in a crash can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the clockspring, steering wheel back cover, and steering column shrouds, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 4, 2024. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 27B.
- 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.
2016 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.
2016 compared with other Wrangler years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2016 Jeep Wrangler reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2016 Wrangler gets a Caution verdict, ranking 11th worst of 21 model years with a complaint index of 50, better than years like 2018, 2021, and 2024 but worse than 2017.
- What problems does the 2016 Jeep Wrangler have?
- NHTSA complaints center on brakes (31% of complaints, median failure mileage 52,000), engine (27%), and airbags (17%), including reports of airbags failing to deploy in crashes.
- Does the 2016 Jeep Wrangler have a recall?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 2016 Wrangler, including one do-not-drive airbag recall (19V018000) and two separate clockspring-related airbag recalls.
- How does the 2016 Wrangler compare to other years?
- The 2016 model's complaint index of 50 is worse than the 2017 Wrangler's index of 10 (Best verdict) but far better than the 2018, 2021, and 2024 Wranglers, which all carry Avoid verdicts with indexes of 95, 90, and 100.
- What is the top complaint area for the 2016 Jeep Wrangler?
- Brakes are the top problem area, accounting for 142 complaints and 31% of the total, with a median failure mileage of 52,000.