YearToAvoid

2019 Jeep Wrangler Transmission & Powertrain Problems

NHTSA lists 79 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2019 Jeep Wrangler, 11% of all complaints for the year, with a median failure mileage of 37,250 miles. Three related manual transmission clutch recalls (23V116000, 21V028000, 20V124000) cover this model year.

Transmission & Powertrain complaints
79
11% of 741
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
5
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
37,250 mi
Related recalls
3

Typical transmission symptoms owners report

  • Manual transmission clutch pressure plates overheat and can fracture or explode while driving, sometimes producing smoke and fire.
  • The 8-speed automatic transmission has been reported to fail suddenly during acceleration, with jerky downshifting and loss of power.
  • Some owners report the transmission or transfer case locking up violently or slipping into neutral while off-roading in low range.
  • Owners describe the vehicle failing to engage from a stop, with the shifter's 'D' indicator flashing until shifted to neutral and back.
  • A loud bang followed by loss of power and engine smoke has been reported while driving in higher gears at highway speed.

When 2019 Jeep Wrangler transmission complaints were filed

First complaint Mar 11, 2019, latest Sep 24, 2026.

2019 Jeep Wrangler transmission & powertrain complaints: complaints filed per month7Mar 2019May 2020Jun 2021Jul 2022May 2023Jan 2024Mar 2025Apr 2026
79 complaints filed with NHTSA from Mar 2019 to Sep 2026; peak Jun 2023 (7).

Transmission & Powertrain recalls for the 2019 Jeep Wrangler

  1. 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.

  2. NHTSA 21V028000Jan 28, 2021Transmission & Powertrain42,887 vehicles

    Power train:clutch assembly

    Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Jeep Wrangler and 2020-2021 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: FCA US LLC will notify owners, and dealers will add software to reduce engine torque capability when clutch assembly temperatures rise to a level that may damage the inner pressure plate, free of charge." FCA has ordered a stop sale for the affected vehicles as of February 25, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 4, 2021.

  3. NHTSA 20V124000Mar 3, 2020Transmission & Powertrain33,237 vehicles

    Power train:clutch assembly

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

    Risk: The 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: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will reroute a wire harness and inspect the clutch system, and replace components as needed. The recall began April 30, 2020. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is W12.

Transmission & Powertrain complaints by Wrangler model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 201068 (10%)
  2. 201140 (8%)
  3. 2012282 (34%)
  4. 2013230 (35%)
  5. 201488 (13%)
  6. 201551 (11%)
  7. 201674 (16%)
  8. 201750 (16%)
  9. 2018176 (10%)
  10. 201979 (11%)
  11. 202047 (8%)
  12. 2021143 (15%)
  13. 202263 (16%)
  14. 202350 (14%)
  15. 2024175 (24%)
  16. 202511 (17%)

Frequently asked questions

How many 2019 Jeep Wrangler owners reported transmission or powertrain problems?
NHTSA lists 79 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2019 Jeep Wrangler, which is 11% of the 741 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for the 2019 Jeep Wrangler transmission?
Yes. Three recalls cover manual transmission clutch pressure plates that may overheat and fracture: campaigns 23V116000, 21V028000, and 20V124000, all affecting 2019 Wrangler models with manual transmissions.
At what mileage do 2019 Jeep Wrangler transmission problems usually appear?
The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for this problem area is 37,250 miles.
Have there been any fires linked to 2019 Jeep Wrangler transmission issues?
NHTSA records show 5 fires and 1 crash associated with Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2019 Jeep Wrangler, with no reported injuries.

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.