YearToAvoid

2016 Jeep Wrangler Engine Problems

NHTSA lists 126 engine complaints for the 2016 Jeep Wrangler, 27% of all complaints filed for the year, with a median mileage at failure of 40,600. Five fires and five crashes are linked to this area, and there are no related recalls in NHTSA data.

Engine complaints
126
27% of 460
Crashes reported
5
Fires reported
5
Injuries reported
2
Median mileage
40,600 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical engine symptoms owners report

  • Owners describe sudden unintended acceleration while braking at stops or on ramps, in some cases resulting in a collision.
  • Some vehicles caught fire in the engine compartment, with owners reporting a loud pop or hissing sound followed by heavy smoke before flames spread.
  • Engine oil leaks were traced to a cracked oil cooler or oil filter housing, sometimes accompanied by a burning oil smell while driving.
  • At least one owner reported the engine stalling while climbing a hill, with the transmission then failing to engage any gear afterward.
  • A revving engine with no accelerator input was reported while the vehicle was parked or stopped, in one case causing the vehicle to jump a curb.

When 2016 Jeep Wrangler engine complaints were filed

First complaint Mar 16, 2016, latest Jul 21, 2026.

2016 Jeep Wrangler engine complaints: complaints filed per quarter122016 Q12017 Q42019 Q12020 Q22021 Q32022 Q42024 Q22025 Q3
126 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2016 Q1 to 2026 Q3; peak 2020 Q1 (12).

Engine recalls for the 2016 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 many engine complaints does NHTSA have for the 2016 Jeep Wrangler?
NHTSA lists 126 engine-related complaints for the 2016 Jeep Wrangler, which is 27% of the 460 total complaints filed for this model year.
Is there a recall for the 2016 Jeep Wrangler engine?
No. The data shows no related recalls for the engine area on the 2016 Jeep Wrangler.
At what mileage do 2016 Jeep Wrangler engine problems usually show up?
The median mileage at failure for engine complaints is 40,600 miles.
Are 2016 Jeep Wrangler engine problems dangerous?
NHTSA records tie 5 crashes and 5 fires to engine-area complaints for this year, along with 2 injuries.
Is engine trouble worse on the 2016 Wrangler than other years?
The 2016 model's 27% share of complaints tied to engine problems is lower than the 2014 model's 53% and the 2024 model's 61%, but higher than the 2018 or 2019 models.

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.