YearToAvoid

2019 Jeep Wrangler Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Avoid The 2019 Jeep Wrangler has a complaint index of 75, ranking 6th worst out of 21 model years, with 741 complaints and 9 recalls. Steering issues dominate, making up 60% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 2,050 miles, earning it an Avoid verdict relative to other Wrangler years.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
75/100
#6 of 21 Wrangler years
Verdict
Avoid
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
741
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
9
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
9
reported in complaints
Fires
10
Injuries
8
Top issue
Steering
Best nearby year
2017
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
20
18 city / 23.5 hwy
Injuries / deaths
8 / 0

Top 2019 Jeep Wrangler problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Steering445 (60%)
  2. Electrical System151 (20%)
  3. Suspension, Wheels & Tires140 (19%)
  4. Transmission & Powertrain79 (11%)
  5. Engine65 (9%)
  6. Other63 (9%)
  7. Brakes40 (5%)
  8. Structure & Body29 (4%)
  9. Visibility & Wipers29 (4%)
  10. Fuel System10 (1%)

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 steering column stub shaft breaking or the steering wheel loosening, sometimes causing the console screen to fail after a loud popping noise.
  • Some describe the transmission causing engine revving and a loud bang while shifting, followed by smoke and fire from the vehicle.
  • Several report the automatic braking system engaging unexpectedly at low speed with no object present, leading to a rear-end collision.
  • Owners describe the vehicle failing to start intermittently, sometimes traced to battery or electrical faults, with dashboards resetting or fuses needing to be tapped.
  • A few report brakes locking up and increasing stopping distance, linked to a defective steering column control module or shift module.
  • Some describe engine compartment fires occurring after battery replacements or following a check engine light warning.
2019 Jeep Wrangler complaints: complaints filed per quarter792018 Q42019 Q42020 Q42021 Q42022 Q42023 Q42024 Q42025 Q4
741 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2018 Q4 to 2026 Q3; peak 2019 Q4 (79).

2019 Jeep Wrangler recalls

9 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 24V676000Sep 12, 2024Collision Avoidance & Cameras46 vehicles

    Back over prevention: sensing system: camera

    Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2018-2024 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. The wiring harness for the rearview camera and the center brake light may short circuit, which can disable the rearview camera image and center brake light. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 111, "Rear Visibility" and 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

    Risk: A rearview camera image that does not display decreases the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash. Additionally, a center brake light that fails to illuminate can fail to indicate to other drivers that the vehicle is slowing down, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers replaced the harness for the center brake light and rearview camera and/or the spare tire carrier/harness assembly, as necessary, free of charge. All vehicles were repaired by January 15, 2024. Owner notification letters were mailed September 26, 2024. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 77B.

  2. NHTSA 24V652000Sep 5, 2024Electrical System32,863 vehicles

    Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel

    Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2020-2024 Jeep Gladiator and 2018-2024 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. The instrument panel cluster may experience an internal short circuit and fail. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 101, "Controls and Displays."

    Risk: An instrument panel that fails to display critical safety information, such as the speedometer or warning lights, can increase the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the instrument panel cluster, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed between October 3, 2024, and January 23, 2025. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recall is 30B.

  3. NHTSA 23V116000Feb 23, 2023Transmission & Powertrain69,201 vehicles

    Power train:clutch assembly

    Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2018-2023 Jeep Wrangler, and 2020-2023 Jeep Gladiator vehicles equipped with manual transmissions. The clutch pressure plate may overheat and fracture.

    Risk: Overheated clutch components may increase the risk of a fire. Additionally, damage to other nearby components can result in debris falling onto the road or a loss of drive, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the clutch assembly and update the software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed from November 16, 2023 through July 25, 2024. Owners may contact (FCA US, LLC) customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US LLC's number for this recall is 19A. This recall expands and replaces previous recall 21V-028. Vehicles previously repaired under recall 21V-028 will need to have the new remedy completed.

See all 9 recalls for the 2019 Jeep Wrangler →

2019 Jeep Wrangler fuel economy and fuel cost

City
18 MPG
Highway
23.5 MPG
Combined
20 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$3,250
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.

2019 compared with other Wrangler years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2017Best10309518
2018Avoid951,8201418
2019Avoid75741920
2020Avoid856091220.5
2021Avoid909341520.5

All Jeep Wrangler years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2019 Jeep Wrangler reliable?
Compared with other Wrangler model years, the 2019 ranks 6th worst out of 21 years tracked, with a complaint index of 75 and 741 NHTSA complaints, most involving steering.
What is the biggest problem with the 2019 Jeep Wrangler?
Steering is the top problem area, accounting for 60% of complaints (445 of 741), with a median failure mileage of 2,050 miles, tied to a recall for improperly machined steering column stub shafts.
Does the 2019 Jeep Wrangler have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns for the 2019 Jeep Wrangler, covering steering columns, seat belts, manual transmission clutches, collision avoidance camera software, and electrical systems.
How does the 2019 Wrangler compare to other years?
The 2019 model's complaint index of 75 is higher than earlier years like 2017 (10, rated Best) but lower than 2018 (95), 2021 (90), and 2024 (100), all also rated Avoid.
What is the fuel economy of the 2019 Jeep Wrangler?
The 2019 Jeep Wrangler gets an EPA-rated 20 mpg combined (18 city / 23.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,250.

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.