2017 Jeep Wrangler Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Best The 2017 Jeep Wrangler has a complaint index of 10, the lowest of any year with data, and ranks 19th of 21 model years in reported problems, earning a Best verdict. It has 309 complaints, 5 recalls, and no do-not-drive recalls, with brakes as the top problem area.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 10/100
- #19 of 21 Wrangler years
- Verdict
- Best
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 309
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 5
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 19
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 21
- Injuries
- 21
- Top issue
- Brakes
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 18
- 16.5 city / 21 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 21 / 0
Top 2017 Jeep Wrangler problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Brakes80 (26%)
- Engine75 (24%)
- Transmission & Powertrain50 (16%)
- Electrical System48 (16%)
- Other37 (12%)
- Airbags26 (8%)
- Structure & Body26 (8%)
- Steering19 (6%)
- Fuel System15 (5%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires13 (4%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Some owners report a burning odor from the vehicle while driving, without a clear cause identified.
- Owners describe engine fires starting shortly after purchase, sometimes with smoke and oil visible near the engine bay at low mileage.
- Airbags reportedly failed to deploy in several crashes, including rear-end and side impacts, leading to injuries.
- Owners report the vehicle lurching forward at a stop with foot on the brake, with the vehicle only stopping once shifted into neutral.
- Electrical fires reportedly started in the dashboard area after heated seat malfunctions and fuse issues were addressed by a dealer.
- Owners describe the steering wheel locking up unexpectedly during low-speed off-road driving with axles locked.
- Some owners report a loud banging noise and violent side-to-side shaking tied to a driveshaft issue, along with heat felt from the floor.
2017 Jeep Wrangler recalls
5 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 18V524000Aug 9, 2018Electrical System12,779 vehicles
Electrical system:wiring:front underhood
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Jeep Renegade, Compass and Grand Cherokee, RAM 1500 and Promaster, Fiat 500x, Dodge Journey, Challenger, Charger and Durango and Chrysler 300x vehicles, 2017-2018 Jeep Wrangler, Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town and Country vehicles and 2018-2019 Jeep Cherokee and 2018 Chrysler Pacifica and Pacifica Hybrid vehicles. The powertrain control module may be equipped with a voltage regulator chip in the circuit board that may fail, causing a stall or a no start condition.
Risk: A vehicle stall can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began October 2, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U87.
- NHTSA 18V098000Feb 8, 2018Electrical System39,456 vehicles
Exterior lighting:brake lights:switch
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2017 Dodge Caravan and Jeep Wrangler vehicles. The brake switches on these vehicles may malfunction, keeping the brake lights illuminated and/or allowing the vehicle to be shifted out of the PARK position without the brake pedal being pushed.
Risk: Having the brake lamps continuously illuminated or being able to shift the vehicle out of PARK when the brake pedal is not pressed (and the ignition is in the RUN mode) can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake switches, free of charge. The recall began March 22, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U09.
2017 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.
2017 compared with other Wrangler years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2017 Jeep Wrangler reliable?
- Based on NHTSA data, the 2017 Wrangler has a complaint index of 10, the lowest among all 21 model years with data, and carries a Best verdict relative to other Wrangler years.
- What problems does the 2017 Jeep Wrangler have?
- NHTSA complaints center on brakes (26% of complaints), engine (24%), and transmission/powertrain (16%) issues, with 309 total complaints logged for the year.
- Does the 2017 Jeep Wrangler have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2017 Wrangler covering seat belts, electrical system (powertrain control module and brake switches), fuel system, and airbags, with none rated do-not-drive.
- How does the 2017 Wrangler compare to other years?
- The 2017 model ranks 19th worst of 21 years by complaint index, far below years like 2018 (index 95) and 2024 (index 100), both rated Avoid.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2017 Jeep Wrangler?
- EPA rates the 2017 Wrangler at 18 mpg combined (16.5 city / 21 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,600.