2016 Jeep Wrangler Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
GoodComplaint Index
27/100
#12 most-complained of 16 Wrangler years
The 2016 Jeep Wrangler ranks 12th out of 16 model years with a Complaint Index of 27, earning a 'Good' verdict relative to other Wrangler years. It has 460 complaints, 5 recalls (1 do-not-drive), and its top problem area is Brakes at 31% of complaints.
- Complaints
- 460
- Recalls
- 5
- incl. Do Not Drive
- Crashes / fires
- 28 / 15
- Injuries / deaths
- 38 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 18
- 16.5 city / 21 hwy
Top 2016 Jeep Wrangler problems
NHTSA owner 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%)
What owners report
- Owners report the airbag clockspring can become contaminated and fail, preventing the driver airbag from deploying in a crash.
- Some drivers say the airbags did not deploy during collisions, including a rollover ejection and impacts into a tree or ditch, resulting in serious injuries.
- Owners describe electrical fires starting near the radiator fan or dashboard area, sometimes at very low mileage or while the vehicle was parked.
- Several owners report the vehicle hydroplaning or losing control on wet roads at highway speed, in one case leading to a head-on collision.
- One owner reported the vehicle rolling away on its own while parked on flat ground with the key removed.
- An owner described the vehicle unexpectedly moving forward while stopped at a red light with the brake pedal engaged, causing a rear-end collision.
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?
- Compared to other Wrangler model years, the 2016 is rated 'Good' based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls. It has a Complaint Index of 27, ranking 12th out of 16 model years, with 2015, 2017, and 2025 scoring better.
- What are the most common problems with the 2016 Jeep Wrangler?
- NHTSA data shows Brakes as the top problem area with 142 complaints (31% share), followed by Engine at 126 complaints (27%) and Airbags at 77 complaints (17%). Median mileage at failure for brake complaints is 52,000 miles.
- Does the 2016 Jeep Wrangler have an airbag recall?
- Yes. NHTSA lists recall 16V288000 covering right-hand-drive 2011-2016 Wranglers for a clockspring contamination issue, plus a do-not-drive airbag recall (19V018000) affecting 2010-2016 Wranglers, and another airbag wiring recall (16V734000) for 2016-2017 models.
- How many recalls does the 2016 Jeep Wrangler have?
- NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2016 Jeep Wrangler, including 1 classified as do-not-drive, covering airbags and seat belts.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2016 Jeep Wrangler?
- EPA rates the 2016 Jeep Wrangler at 18 mpg combined (16.5 city / 21 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,600.