Home · 2011 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited 392 · Complaints

What 481 owners told NHTSA about the 2011 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited 392

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (481)Crash / fire / injury (35)Airbags (144)Fuel system (99)Electrical system (83)Steering (58)Transmission & drivetrain (40)Suspension (39)Engine (36)Body & structure (27)Brakes (27)Speed control (18)

Newest first · 481 complaints · page 18 of 20

Dec 19, 2012Transmission & drivetrain

I USE MY JEEP OFF ROADING ONCE IN A WHILE, EVERYTIME I GET OFF INTO SAND WHETHER ITS HARD PACKED OR SOFT MY TRANSMISSION OVER TEMP LIGHT COMES ON. THE FIRST TIME I HAD THIS HAPPEN I STOOPED AND READ THE OWNERS MANUAL ON WHAT CAUSES THIS LIGHT AND WHAT ACTIONS TO TAKE TO CORRECT IT. THE MANUAL SAYS TO IMMEDIATELY STOP THE CAR AND TURN IT OFF, WHICH IS RIDICULOUS OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE. I RESEARCHED THIS ISSUE AND FOUND THAT THE TRANSMISSION FLUID MAY OVERHEAT AND START A FIRE AS IT SPEWS OUT THE DIP STICK TUBE. THIS IS CRAZY, WHY DID THEY NOT PUT A TRANSMISSION COOLER ON THIS CAR. I HAVE HAD 7 OTHER WRANGLERS OVER THE YEARS AND HAVE NOT HAD THIS ISSUE OR THREAT OF A FIRE BEFORE. STOPPING YOUR CAR TO PREVENT A FIRE SHOULD NOT BE AN IDIOT LIGHT, IT NEEDS AN ENGINEERING FIX. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10489220

Nov 29, 2012SteeringSuspensionWheels

WHILE TRAVELING ON A HIGHWAY OR A HIGH SPEED SERVICE ROAD, MY JEEP WILL BEGIN TO SHAKE TREMENDOUSLY. I HAVE RESEARCHED AND FOUND THIS IS KNOWN AS THE "DEATH WOBBLE." I AM A YOUNGER DRIVER AND WHEN THE FIRST INCIDENT HAPPENED, I BEGAN TO FREAK. ALTHOUGH NOT VERY MANY ACCIDENTS ACTUALLY OCCUR I AM STILL SCARED THAT IT WILL HAPPEN AGAIN. SOMETIMES I CAN FEEL IT COMING ON BUT NOTHING EVER HAPPENS. THIS HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES IN A WEEK AND A HALF, ONCE AT 67MPH, ONCE AT 60MPH, AND ONCE AT 55MPH. THIS IS A VERY SCARY EVENT AND I HOPE TO GET IT FIXED SOON. I WISH THAT YOU WOULD TAKE THE TIME TO LOOK OVER THIS INCIDENT AND FIX IT. ONCE AGAIN BEING A YOUNG DRIVER THIS IS VERY SCARY. I HAVE HAD MY JEEP FOR A YEAR AND 2 MONTHS AND THIS IS THE FIRST TIME IT HAS HAPPENED. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10486488

Nov 20, 2012EngineFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 JEEP WRANGLER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED A FIRE STARTED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT WAS MADE AWARE BY A NEIGHBOR THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE FIRE CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE CONTACTS HOME AND ANOTHER VEHICLE IN THE GARAGE. THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORTED TO THE SCENE AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,500.

NHTSA ODI 10485250

Oct 8, 2012Electronic Stability Control (esc)Crash

DEAR[XXX] A VERY HIGH PROFILE ACCIDENT OCCURRED IN THE CHATTANOOGA, TENNESSEE AREA ON APRIL 30, 2011. ON THAT DATE A [XXX] DROVE OFF A CLIFF ON SIGNAL MOUNTAIN AND WENT MISSING FOR 7 MONTHS... T-3.4 SECS, THE YAW RATE SENSOR SHOWED A SUDDEN CHANGE IN THE YAW RATE FROM -23 DEGREES/SECOND TO 0 DEGREES/SECOND IN 0.2 SECS. T-2.9 SECS, THE VEHICLE DETECTS THE SUDDEN CHANGE IN THE YAW RATE AND CAUSES THE ESP TRACTION LAMP TO START FLASHING. THE LAMP REMAINS FLASHING UP UNTIL THE IMPACT WITH A 300# BOULDER AT WHICH TIME THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED RECORDING THESE DATA. T-2.5 SECS, THE DRIVER NOTICES THE FLASHING ESP TRACTION LAMP IN 0.4 SECS LIFTING HER FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR BRIEFLY FOR 0.3 SECONDS. THE ACCELERATOR POSITION IS INDICATED BY THE BLUE LINE. SHE THEN REAPPLIED THE ACCELERATOR TO THE SAME LOCATION BY T-2.2 SECS INDICATING THAT SHE REALIZED SHE WAS NOT SLIDING DESPITE THE ESP TRACTION INDICATOR. SHE HAD HER VEHICLE UNDER CONTROL AT THIS TIME. T-1.8 SECS, THE ESP MODULE APPARENTLY TOLD THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY PUMP TO LOCK BOTH FRONT WHEELS WHILE ALLOWING BOTH BACK WHEELS TO KEEP DRIVING THE VEHICLE FORWARD. THIS SUGGESTS THAT IN ADDITION TO HER YAW SENSOR FAILURE THERE WAS ALSO A SOFTWARE ERROR THAT TOOK PLACE. (I KNOW OF NO CIRCUMSTANCE WHEN ONE WOULD WANT BOTH FRONT WHEELS TO LOCK IN ORDER TO STABILIZE A VEHICLE IN MOTION). THE LOCKING OF BOTH FRONT WHEELS THEN CAUSED HER TO LOSE CONTROL ULTIMATELY PLUNGING HER OFF THE 300 FOOT CLIFF. T-0.5 SECS, ALTHOUGH THE DRIVER IS STILL 0.5 SEC FROM THE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT THE YAW RATE SENSOR LOST COMMUNICATION WITH THE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT RECORDER CONFIRMING THAT HER YAW RATE SENSOR HAD FAILED, I.E. THESE READINGS ARE DENOTED AS SNA. [XXX] CC: [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI 10479246

Oct 8, 2012SteeringSuspensionWheels

AROUND 12/14/2011 HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD MY JEEP STARTED TO SHAKING LOST CONTROL WAS ABLE TO SLOW DOWN AND REGAIN DEATH WOBBLE THEY CALL IT BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER THEY REPLACED STEALING DAMPER THING WHERE GOOD TO AROUND 09/01/2011 SAME THING HAPPENED BROUGHT IT BACK TO DEALER HE BALANCED FRONT TIRES THEN AROUND 09/26/2012 SAME THING BROUGHT IT BACK ON09/29/2012 DEALER CHECKED IT OUT SAID ALL WAS GOOD AND TIGHT ON 09/30/2012 ON MY WAY FROM NY TO CAPE COD ON 84 IN HARTFORD IT HAPPENED AGAIN THIS TIME IT WAS CLOSE DRIVERS AROUND SAW AND MOVED OUT OF THE WAY BUT NO CRASH GOT BACK HOME OK TAKING IT SLOW BROUGHT TO DEALER ON 10/08/2012 THEY TEST DROVE IT CHECKED WHEEL ALIGNMENT SAID ALL WAS GOOD CHRYSLER JEEP OF WARWICK NY AND CHRYSLER CORP HAVE A PROBLEM THIS DEATH WOBBLE IS GOING TO KILL SOMEONE SOMEDAY. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10479261

Oct 8, 2012SteeringSuspension

THE FIRST INCIDENT OCCURRED ON 9/26. MY PARTNER WAS DRIVING TO WORK AND MADE A RIGHT HAND TURN FROM MT. HOLLY HUNTERSVILLE RD ON TO HARRIS BLVD. HE WAS TRAVELING 45 MPH AND HIT A SMALL DIP IN THE ROAD WHILE GOING AROUND A CURVE. AFTER HITTING THE BUMP THE VEHICLE SHOOK SO VIOLENTLY IT FELT AS IF THE TIRES WERE GOING TO FLY OFF THE CAR, STEERING THE VEHICLE BECAME ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE. LUCKILY HE WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER NEAR PET'S MART AS HE SLOWED THE SHAKING LESSENED. AFTER PUTTING THE CAR IN PARK AND SHUTTING THE CAR OFF HE LOOKED TO ENSURE THERE WERE NO FLAT TIRES. ALL TIRES WERE GOOD, HE AGAIN STARTED THE CAR AND ARRIVED TO WORK SAFELY. I RESEARCHED THIS TYPE OF INCIDENT AND FOUND THE SYMPTOMS TO BE RELATED TO THE "DEATH WOBBLE." IMMEDIATELY I CALLED LAKE NORMAN JEEP DEALERSHIP EXPLAINED THE ISSUES AND SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT FOR 9/28. AT THE DEALERSHIP THEY INSTALLED A STEERING DAMPER AND BALANCED THE TIRES. WE WERE HOPING THIS SOLVED THE PROBLEM IT DIDN'T. TONIGHT (10/8) MY PARTNER WAS EXITING 277 ON TO HIGHWAY 16 TRAVELING 55 MPH AND AGAIN EXPERIENCED THE "DEATH WOBBLE." AS HE WAS MERGING ONTO HIGHWAY 16 THE CAR AGAIN SHOOK SO VIOLENTLY HE COULD NOT CONTROL THE STEERING, THERE WAS A CAR NEXT TO HIM AND IN THE REAR. AN ATTEMPT TO TURN THE CAR MADE THE SHAKING WORSE. HE QUICKLY PUT ON HIS HAZARDS AND SLOWED THE JEEP DOWN TO 20 MPH ON THIS HIGHWAY. HE WAS ONLY ABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THE STEERING AFTER THE CAR REACHED 20 MPH. LUCKILY NO ONE WAS HURT AND HE ARRIVED HOME SAFELY. I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE FOR JEEP AND YET THERE HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL ON THIS PRODUCT. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10479313

Sep 30, 2012Body & structure

WE BOUGHT TWO 2011 JEEP WRANGLERS IN JULY 2011. STARTING IN SEPT. WE NOTICED WHEN IT RAINS THE PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR AND SEAT WOULD GET COMPLETELY SOAKED, TOOK IT TO DEALER AND THEY SAID IT WAS FIXED. NOW EVERY TIME IT RAINS BOTH OF THEM LEAK ON PASSENGER SIDE. SO I WILL BE TAKING BOTH OF THEM BACK IN TO DEALERSHIP. WHEN I STARTED RESEARCHING THIS ONLINE I NOTICED THAT THIS IS HAPPENING ON SEVERAL JEEP WRANGLERS, SO WHY HASN'T THERE BEEN A RECALL INVOLVED WITH THIS?? *TR

NHTSA ODI 10478004

Aug 23, 2012SteeringSuspensionSpeed controlWheels

WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 55-60 MPH, MY 2011 4-DOOR JEEP WRANGLER HIT A SMALL BUMP. THE JEEP'S FRONT-END/STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO SHAKE UNCONTROLLABLY. WHEN TRYING TO REDUCE THE SPEED BY BRAKING, THE VIOLENT SHAKING ONLY BECAME WORSE. I WAS UNABLE TO KEEP THE VEHICLE IN THE LANE WHICH I WAS DRIVING BECAUSE OF THE OUT-OF-CONTROL SHAKING. HAD THERE BEEN OTHER VEHICLES IN THE ADJACENT LANES, THERE MOST DEFINITELY WOULD HAVE BEEN AN ACCIDENT, WITH POSSIBLE INJURIES, GIVEN THE RATE OF SPEED THAT I WAS TRAVELING. I HAD TO REDUCE THE SPEED OF THE VEHICLE SIMPLY BY NOT APPLYING THE GAS OR BRAKE, CAUSING CARS BEHIND ME TO HAVE TO BRAKE, WHICH IN TURN COULD HAVE RESULTED IN ADDITIONAL ACCIDENTS/INJURIES. THIS UNCONTROLLABLE SHAKING HAS OCCURRED IN THIS VEHICLE APPROXIMATELY 5 TIMES. I HAVE SINCE LEARNED THAT THIS IS THE INFAMOUS "DEATH WOBBLE." SINCE THIS IS A KNOWN OCCURRENCE, ESPECIALLY IN JEEPS, MY CONCERN IS WHY THIS IS NOT BEING ADDRESSED AND BEING REQUIRED TO BE FIXED. *TR *JS

NHTSA ODI 10472075

Aug 11, 2012Transmission & drivetrain

SHIFTING THE 4-WHEEL DRIVE TRANSFER CASE (TC) FROM 2HI TO 4HI OR 4LOW (OR IN REVERSE ORDER) CAN CAUSE THE TRANSFER CASE SHIFTING CABLE (TCSC) (MOPAR PART 52060462AG) TO FAIL AND BECOME DISCONNECTED FROM EITHER THE TC OR THE SHIFT LEVER IN THE CAB (OR BOTH). THE PART?S PLASTIC COMPONENTS ARE INHERENTLY TOO WEAK TO WITHSTAND NORMAL USE. SAFETY RISKS WHICH CAN ARISE UPON COMPONENT FAILURE, IF THE VEHICLE OWNER AND THEIR FAMILY (CHILDREN) ARE AT A LOCATION AND/OR TERRAIN WHERE THE VEHICLE IS DESIGNED/MARKETED FOR TRAVEL (WHETHER BY RECREATION OR NECESSITY), AND THE LOCATION/TERRAIN IS: (I) SUBJECT TO INCLEMENT WEATHER (E.G. SNOW, ICE, FLOODING, EXTREME HEAT); OR (II) ON AN EXTREME INCLINE WHICH IS UNSAFE TO NEGOTIATE WITHOUT 4WD; OR (III) ANY CIRCUMSTANCE WHICH REQUIRES 4WD TO NAVIGATE TO A SAFE LOCATION; OR (IV) THE TCSC FAILS WHEN THE TC BECOMES STUCK IN THE NEUTRAL POSITION WHILE SHIFTING, AND IS UNABLE TO ESCAPE IMPENDING HARM (FLASH FLOOD) ... THERE IS OBVIOUS RISK TO LIFE/SAFETY. THE OWNER HAS A RIGHT TO RELY ON THE COMPONENTS AND REASONABLE SAFETY PERFORMANCE FOR WHICH THE PRODUCT IS DESIGNED/MARKETED. JEEP IS AWARE OF THE ISSUE, AND THE MANUAL FAILS TO CITE THIS AS A POSSIBLE CATASTROPHIC EVENT, LEAVING THE UNSUSPECTING OWNER AT A LOSS IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION. IT IS NOT REASONABLE FOR THIS COMPONENT TO FAIL WITHIN A FEW THOUSAND MILES AS REPORTED BY JEEP OWNERS. ADVANCE ADAPTERS (WWW.ADVANCEADAPTERS.COM) MANUFACTURES A TCSC WHICH MEETS THE CRITERIA (PRODUCT# 715596) REQUIRED FOR THIS COMPONENT. THERE IS NO REASON THAT JEEP CANNOT DO THE SAME AND/OR CONTRACT WITH ADVANCE ADAPTORS TO SUPPLY THE PART TO JEEP OWNERS. WE URGE NHTSA?S INVESTIGATION OF THIS SAFETY DEFECT AND JEEP WILL REDESIGN THE DEFECTIVE PART AND ISSUE A RECALL FOR AFFECTED VEHICLES ON WHICH THE PART WAS INSTALLED AS OEM AND TO EXTEND THE WARRANTY TO REPLACEMENT FOR LIFE OF THE VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10470213

Jul 30, 2012SteeringSuspension

I WAS A PASSENGER RIDING ALONG IN A 2011 JEEP WRANGLER THAT EXHIBITED THE INFAMOUS JEEP DEATH WOBBLE, WHICH IS A VIOLENT SHAKING AND SHUDDERING OF THE VEHICLE AND STEERING WHEEL ON A COMPLETELY STOCK VEHICLE WITH 20K MILES. THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE THEN TOLD ME THAT THIS WAS THE 3RD OCCURRENCE HE HAS EXPERIENCED WITH HIS VEHICLE. I OBSERVED HOW VIOLENTLY THE VEHICLE SHOOK AND WAS VERY RELIEVED THAT WE DID NOT ROLL OVER NOR HIT ANY OTHER VEHICLES ON THE ROAD. THE JEEP DEALERSHIP HAS TOLD HIM REPEATEDLY THAT THEY CANNOT FIND OR REPLICATE THE PROBLEM HE EXPERIENCED. I AM SHOCKED THAT SOMETHING SO COMMON AND DANGEROUS HAS GONE UNFIXED ALL THIS TIME. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10468215

Jul 29, 2012Transmission & drivetrain

WHILE TRAVELING IN TRAFFIC LANE, ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT TRANSFER CASE (NOT TRANSMISSION!) TO HIGH RANGE FROM LOW RANGE.THIS IS A 4-WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLE WITH A MANUAL X-FER CASE. (MANUFACTURER OK'S SHIFT WHILE IN MOTION) VEHICLE ENDED UP COASTING IN NEUTRAL, AND UPON LATER EXAM IT WAS FOUND THAT THE FLIMSY PLASTIC SHIFT CABLE RETAINING CLIP ON THE CABLE WHICH CONNECTS THE SHIFT LEVER IN THE CABIN TO THE SHIFT ARM ON THE X-FER CASE HAD SHATTERED. THIS IN TURN ALLOWED THE SHIFT CABLE TO FALL OFF THE LEVER, DISABLING THE VEHICLE IN AN ACTIVE TRAFFIC LANE. *JS

NHTSA ODI 10468175

Jun 22, 2012Electrical systemEngine

TRAVELING AT 30-35MPH I BRAKED AND TURNED QUICKLY TO MAKE A LEFT TURN ACROSS TRAFFIC INTO A PARKING LOT. THE ENGINE STALLED CAUSING MY STEERING TO SEIZE. I HAD NO CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE EXCEPT TO MASH ON THE BRAKES WHICH LOST POWER. I WAS ALMOST HIT BY CROSS TRAFFIC. I COASTED TO A STOP, HITTING A CURB AND NEARLY HITTING SEVERAL PARKED VEHICLES. *TT

NHTSA ODI 10462795

Jun 11, 2012SteeringAirbagsCrash1 injury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 JEEP WRANGLER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING WHEEL ON AN ELEVATED ROAD. THE VEHICLE WENT AIRBORNE AND CRASHED INTO A FIELD WHERE THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER WAS TRANSPORTED BY AMBULANCE TO THE HOSPITAL. THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED A FRACTURE TO HER SPINAL CORD AND SEVERAL BRUISES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,600.

NHTSA ODI 10461190

Jun 5, 2012SteeringTransmission & drivetrain

AFTER SHIFTING FROM 4 WHEEL DRIVE TO 2 WHEEL DRIVE, THE VEHICLE REMAINED IN 4 WHEEL DRIVE AT ALL SPEEDS. THIS RESULTED IN A REDUCED STEERING RANGE AND, I BELIEVE, IMPAIRED THE VEHICLE IN AN AVOIDANCE SITUATION. THIS WAS ESPECIALLY NOTICED AT SLOW SPEED. THE JEEP DEALER FOUND A DISCONNECTED 4 WHEEL DRIVE ACTUATOR CABLE TO THE TRANSMISSION. A NEW REPLACEMENT BUSHING WAS INSTALLED AT THE TRANSMISSION. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THE REPLACEMENT PART MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROVED BECAUSE IT DID NOT HAVE THE SAME PART NUMBER AS THE ORIGINAL. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10460634

May 24, 2012Transmission & drivetrain

2011 JEEP WRANGLER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE CLUTCH ISSUES *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE SITTING IN TRAFFIC, SHE BEGAN TO SMELL TRANSMISSION FLUID AND THEN AN ELECTRICAL BURNING SMELL. THEN A YELLOW LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD AND THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE POLICE AND FIRE TRUCK WERE CALLED TO THE SCENE. THE FIRE FIGHTER LIFTED THE HOOD AND THERE WAS A SMELL OF TRANSMISSION FLUID AND A BURNING ELECTRICAL SMELL, BUT THE SMOKE HAD DISSIPATED AND THERE WAS NO FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. A DIAGNOSIS REVEALED THE CLUTCH OVERHEATED BY DRIVING IN FIRST GEAR AS THE CONSUMER INCHED HER WAY UP A HILL. THE DEALER STATED THE PROBLEM STARTED WITH THE CLUTCH SENSOR OVERHEATING AND THAT LEAD TO THE FLYWHEEL OVERHEATING. THE CLUTCH PRESSURE PLATE WAS REPLACED. *JB

NHTSA ODI 10459451

May 22, 2012Transmission & drivetrain

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 JEEP WRANGLER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT ANY SPEED, THE TRANSMISSION WOULD SLIP OUT OF GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TRANSMISSION BOOT WAS REPLACED, HOWEVER THE CONTACT WAS STILL EXPERIENCING THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 56,000.

NHTSA ODI 10459250

May 15, 2012Fuel systemFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 JEEP WRANGLER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH WHEN VARIOUS DRIVERS ALERTED HIM TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MANEUVERED TO THE SHOULDER AND STOPPED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT THEN NOTICED THAT BOTH REAR WHEEL WELLS WERE ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT APPEARED ON THE SCENE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND NO ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT GRASS WAS WEDGED BETWEEN THE FUEL TANK AND BODY OF THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE GRASS CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,200. ...UPDATED 08-03-12 *BF

NHTSA ODI 10458584

Apr 25, 2012Engine & coolingElectrical system

POTENTIALLY A ROOT CAUSE OF THE RASH OF FIRES IN JEEP WRANGLERS THAT ARE SITTING PARKED: FAILURE OF THE TIPM (TOTALLY INTEGRATED POWER MODULE). IN DEC 2011, MY DAUGHTER DROVE HER NEW (3000 MILES) 2011 JEEP WRANGLER UNLIMITED TO CHURCH, PARKED IT, TURNED OFF THE KEY, TOOK THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION, EXITED THE VEHICLE AND LOCKED THE DOOR, AND WENT INTO THE CHURCH BUILDING - NEVER REALIZING THAT MOTOR WAS ACTUALLY STILL RUNNING!! (THEY'RE VERY QUIET WHEN IDLING AND SHE WAS TALKING TO A FRIEND.) ABOUT 20 TO 30 MINUTES LATER, A MAN CAME RUNNING INTO CHURCH THAT KNOWS OF HER VEHICLE AND SAID "YOUR JEEP IS RUNNING, THERE'S SMOKE OR STEAM COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD, THE DOOR IS LOCKED, AND I CAN'T GET IN TO TURN IT OFF! MY DAUGHTER CHECKED AND SHE INDEED HAD THE IGNITION KEY IN HER HAND. SHE RAN OUT OF CHURCH AND UNLOCKED THE DOOR, PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION BUT IT WOULD NOT KILL THE ENGINE! WE HAD TO ENGAGE THE CLUTCH IN A HIGH GEAR ON THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION TO KILL IT. RADIATOR COOLANT ALL OVER THE GROUND. WE FOUND THAT RADIATOR FLUID WAS JUST ABOUT ALL BOILED OUT OF THE ENGINE. THE TIPM WAS ALLOWING THE ENGINE TO CONTINUE TO RUN EVEN THOUGH THE IGNITION WAS OFF AND KEY REMOVED - BUT THE TIPM DID SHUT OFF THE ELECTRICALLY OPERATED COOLING FAN IN FRONT OF THE RADIATOR. THERE WAS ELECTRICAL POWER GOING TO THE MOTOR IGNITION SO THAT THE MOTOR CONTINUED TO RUN - BUT W/O A FAN. THE COOLANT BOILED OUT OF THE ENGINE AND HAD OUR FRIEND NOT INTERVENED OUR MOTOR DEFINITELY WOULD HAVE BOILED ITSELF DRY AND CONTINUED TO RUN UNTIL IT EITHER SEIZED UP DUE TO EXCESSIVE HEAT AND/OR IGNITED A FIRE DUE TO THE EXCESSIVE HEAT (POTENTIALLY BY IGNITING THE FUEL WITHIN THE FUEL SYSTEM?? ELECTRICAL WIRE INSULATION CAUSING AN ELECTRICAL FIRE?? BATTERY BOILING AND FIRE??). AS YOU'RE AWARE, THERE ARE SEVERAL POTENTIAL SECONDARY SOURCES FOR FIRE IGNITION UNDER THE VEHICLE HOOD. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10456498

Apr 16, 2012Fuel system

WHILE 4X4ING AT A HIGH ALTITUDE AND HOT WEATHER THERE WAS A SMELL OF GAS IN THE JEEP. WE WERE TOLD BY OTHERS THAT THE SAME THING HAS HAPPENED AND TO NOT ROLL THE WINDOW DOWN AS IT WOULD MAKE IT WORSE. WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND HE COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. *JS

NHTSA ODI 10455364

Apr 12, 2012Electrical systemFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 JEEP WRANGLER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE STARTED THE VEHICLE BY USING THE PUSH TO START FEATURE. THE CONTACT THEN OPENED THE FRONT DRIVER'S DOOR AND NOTICED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR WAS ON FIRE. THE WAS ABLE TO SUCCESSFULLY EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO THE DEALER, BUT THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TOW THE VEHICLE BACK HOME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND AN INVESTIGATOR WAS SENT TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE INVESTIGATOR STATED THAT THE FIRE ORIGINATED NEAR THE HEATED MIRROR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE DEALER WAS WAITING ON REPLACEMENT PARTS TO ARRIVE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RECEIVE A RESPONSE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 16,000.

NHTSA ODI 10454932

Apr 11, 2012Transmission & drivetrain

CPSC#I1240022A. 2011 JEEP WRANGLER. CONSUMER STATED THAT AS HE WAS DRIVING UP A STEEP HILL THE CLUTCH BURNT OUT BECAUSE IT DIDN'T HAVE THE HOLDING POWER TO PERFORM AS TO ITS INTENDED USE. ALSO STATED THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. *LN THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO FIX THE VEHICLE, EVEN THOUGH IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. *JB

NHTSA ODI 10455191

Apr 3, 2012Speed control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 JEEP WRANGLER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STOPPED, THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELEARTED TO SPEEDS OF 60 MPH. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED DURING THE FAILURE YET THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO SURGE WHILE THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES. THE CONTACT SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND WAS ABLE TO SUCCESSFULLY STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 23,750.

NHTSA ODI 10453945

Apr 2, 2012Electrical systemFire

I WENT TO A JEEP JAMBOREE ON THE WEEKEND OF SEPTEMBER 17TH AND AS I WAS DRIVING TO GO WASH MY JEEP MY JEEP FIRST SPEED UP AND I COULDN'T GET IT TO SLOW DOWN THEN I SMELLED A BURNING SMELL AND THEN DASHBOARD STARTED HAVING TROUBLE LIGHTS COME ON SO I GOT IT OFF THE HIGHWAY AS I EXITED THE HIGHWAY I SAW SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD SO I STOPPED IMMEDIATELY AND OPENED THE HOOD AFTER SHUTTING IT OFF AND SAW IT COMING FROM THE MAIN FUSE BLOCK GRABBED SOME TOOLS TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY BUT BY THEN IT STARTED TO BURN SO I POURED WATER ON THE FUSE BLOCK PUT IT OUT AND CALLED A TOW TRUCK TOOK IT TO TRI STAR JEEP IN UNIONTOWN, PA THEY GOT IT FIXED AFTER ALMOST 2 WEEKS AND ON THE WAY HOME IT STARTED AGAIN AND I CAUGHT IT EARLIER BUT THIS TIME I HAD TO PAY OUT OF POCKET. EVER SINCE THOSE 2 EPISODES IT'S HAD LOTS OF ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS AND IT JUST NEVER STOPS. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10453855

Mar 23, 2012Engine & cooling

MY JEEP HAS BEEN IN FOR THE 3RD TIME THIS MONTH FOR THE SAME THING. LEAKING TRANSMISSION FLUID ON THE GARAGE FLOOR. THE 1ST TIME DEALER FOUND THE LEAK BETWEEN TRANSMISSION ADAPTOR HOUSING AND TRANSFER CASE INPUT, REPLACED TRANS. REAR ADAPTOR SEAL AND TRANSFER CASE INPUT SHAFT SEAL. THE 2ND TIME DEALER VERIFIED LEAK AND REPLACED THE SAME AS PREVIOUS. NOW THE 3RD TIME IT IS IN FOR THE SAME THING. STILL WAITING TO GET MY VEHICLE BACK AND IT HAS BEEN 5 DAYS. DEALER CALLED AND IT WONT BE TIL AT LEAST MONDAY TIL ITS READY. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10452813

Mar 21, 2012Steering

MY JEEP WAS EXPERIENCING A WOBBLE AND LOOSE STEERING THE FIRST TIME AT 2900 MILES (5OCT2011). AFTER MY SECOND VISIT (15NOV2011) TO THE DEALER TO ADDRESS THE CONTINUED ISSUE, THEY REPLACED THE STEERING DAMPENER. THE THIRD AND FOURTH VISIT (22 AND 29NOV2012), THE SERVICE TECH SAID HE LOOKED AT THE SUSPENSION AND TIGHTENED UP SOME "THINGS". THIS WORKED FOR A FEW WEEKS. ON THE FIFTH VISIT (13MAR2012), I WAS EXPERIENCING A MORE SEVERE WOBBLE/SHAKE. THE SERVICE TECH STATED THAT HE REVIEWED THE VEHICLE AND THAT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE ISSUE. AS A RESULT, IT WAS STATED ALL WAS IN VEHICLE STANDARDS. I WAS ADVISED I COULD PURCHASE AN AFTER MARKET STEERING DAMPENER THAT WAS MORE ROBUST THAT THE ISSUED DAMPENER. TO DATE, THE VEHICLE STILL DRIVES IN A LOOSE MANNER ON THE ROAD. WHEN I HIT MINOR AND MAJOR BUMPS ON THE ROADS, I GET A SEVERE WOBBLE EFFECT. THIS WOBBLE/SHAKING REVERBERATES THROUGHOUT THE STEERING WHEEL WHICH CAUSES TO SLOW THE VEHICLE DOWN TO GAIN CONTROL. THE BEST WAY TO OPERATE IT AT THIS TIME IS TO DRIVE AT A LOWER SPEED (40-50 MPH). AT THIS POINT, I AM MERELY SEEKING ADVICE ON HOW TO REMEDY THE SITUATION TO MAKE THE VEHICLE MORE STABLE TO DRIVE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE ON THE VEHICLE IS 9500. *JS

NHTSA ODI 10452587

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