2020 Jeep Wrangler Transmission & Powertrain Problems
NHTSA lists 47 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2020 Jeep Wrangler, 8% of its 609 total complaints, with a median failure mileage of 3,750. Three recalls (20V124000, 21V028000, 23V116000) address clutch pressure plate overheating on manual-transmission models.
- Transmission & Powertrain complaints
- 47
- 8% of 609
- Crashes reported
- 1
- Fires reported
- 1
- Injuries reported
- 0
- Median mileage
- 3,750 mi
- Related recalls
- 3
Typical transmission symptoms owners report
- Manual-transmission clutch overheats and fractures, sometimes with burning smell and smoke before the vehicle loses forward propulsion.
- Vehicle loses all forward gears unexpectedly at highway speed, in one case triggering a valve body solenoid voltage code.
- 8-speed automatic transmission repeatedly upshifts and downshifts on the highway and stalls in gear at stops, requiring the driver to shift to neutral.
- Vehicle periodically loses acceleration and will not shift past 3rd gear, with the issue temporarily resolving after a restart.
- Chassis vibrates near the gear selector at highway speed and rpm, worsening under load.
- Owners report recall parts for the clutch pressure plate fix were unavailable at dealers, delaying repairs beyond a reasonable time.
When 2020 Jeep Wrangler transmission complaints were filed
First complaint Feb 3, 2020, latest Aug 11, 2026.
Transmission & Powertrain recalls for the 2020 Jeep Wrangler
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Frequently asked questions
- Are there transmission recalls for the 2020 Jeep Wrangler?
- Yes. NHTSA lists three related recalls — 20V124000, 21V028000, and 23V116000 — all covering manual-transmission models where the clutch pressure plate may overheat and fracture.
- How many transmission complaints does the 2020 Jeep Wrangler have?
- NHTSA lists 47 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2020 Wrangler, 8% of its 609 total complaints that year.
- At what mileage do 2020 Wrangler transmission problems typically show up?
- The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for this problem area is 3,750 miles.
- Did the transmission issue cause any crashes or fires?
- NHTSA data for this problem area on the 2020 Wrangler records 1 crash and 1 fire among the complaints, with no injuries reported.