What 828 owners told NHTSA about the 2012 Jeep Wrangler 4-door 4xe

My complaint is that I was sold a dangerously defective vehicle with a known, unrepaired “stop driving” airbag safety recall, was not warned about the deadly risk, and am now being told to move and tow the car in direct contradiction to official safety instructions. ### Factual background - The vehicle I purchased has a Takata‑type airbag safety recall that carries a formal “do not drive” or “stop driving” warning because the airbag can explode and kill or severely injure occupants, even in a minor crash.[1][2][3][4] - Federal safety authorities have confirmed that at least 28–29 people in the United States have been killed and more than 400 injured by exploding Takata airbag inflators.[3][4][5][1] - I received the recall notice about two months ago, but I was told the repair parts were back‑ordered, which delayed fixing the deadly defect through no fault of my own.[1][3] - During this delay, the vehicle’s battery became completely dead, and I am now being told by the recall and towing company that I must make sure the car is taken out of the garage, which would require entering and moving a vehicle I have been legally and explicitly told not to drive. ### Legal and safety concerns - Official guidance from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the manufacturer is that vehicles under this Takata “do not drive” recall must not be driven at all until the defective airbag is replaced, because even a minor collision can cause the inflator to explode and send metal shrapnel into the cabin.[2][4][3][1] - The instruction to move or drive the car out of the garage conflicts with this clear safety warning and effectively asks me to assume a risk that has already caused multiple deaths and serious injuries nationwide.[4][5][2][3][1] - Federal law prohibits franchised dealers from selling new vehicles with unrepaired safety recalls, and legal experts warn that selling used vehicles with undisclosed safety defects can expose sellers and dealers to

NHTSA ODI 11727336

The dash displayed multiple warning ICONS and I carried the Jeep to a mechanic. They discovered that the ABS Module, which is the anti braking system, had a fault error and needed to be replaced. After multiple attempts have found out that this particular ABS Module, OEM Part number (68145835AE) is no longer available by Jeep Chrysler and has not been available for the past few years. This means the Jeep is not safe to drive if the roads are wet or icy due to the possibility of loosing the brakes from skidding/loss of control of the vehicle.

NHTSA ODI 11718094

THE 2012 Jeep 4 door Wrangler had the ABS Control Module internal error failure, this makes the car unsafe to drive. The dealer cannot get repair parts, the car is un-repaired since October 2025. Further, they cannot source the chips for the components, the make cannot provide a delivery date.(UNKNOWN when this will be rectified. Other years of this car have been recalled for this issue. This year has not yet. PLEASE Help us !)

NHTSA ODI 11705139

In 2020 I bought this Jeep, within the first 3 months I had to replace the TIPM, at $950.00, now 5 years later the same problem, the TIPM is having issues again. Causing the engine to overheat. Jeep is telling me this happens, not at $950 every 5 years, I was told there was a recall initially when they were new. There has to be some sort of recourse, you just can’t sell faulty parts and say it just happens! Thank you [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11695900

The 2012 jeep jk wrangler has serious electrical issues. The jeep randomly stalls while driving and sometimes won’t start at all. Right before it stalls, every light on the dashboard flashes and continues to flash until the car dies. Replacing the battery doesn’t fix the issue. Numerous complaints about jeep wranglers TIPM issues have been ignored by authorities. I suppose people will have to die in a crash or spends thousands fixing the TIPM or electrical issues before getting relief.

NHTSA ODI 11645843

Clockspring failed causing airbag to malfunction. Jeep dealer ordered a replacement in April 2023 and still has not received the part(even though they have one in stock the manufacturer will not allow them to use and install the stock clockspring). We have been forced to drive the vehicle without an operating clockspring which creates a major safety hazard since the airbags may not deploy on impact.

NHTSA ODI 11558888

The vehicle will die while driving it, it is a automatic so you loose power steering power brakes and the engine is completely shut off you have to safely pull over and not get hit to put vehicle in park sometimes it starts in park, sometime it just turns over and you have to wait 10 to 15 minutes for vehicle to start. Dealer keeps telling me there is no issue with the vehicle, and they cannot replicate issue. I fear for me and my family's life every day in my jeep wrangler.

NHTSA ODI 11502083

Starting out at a stop light, engaging the clutch to start moving, I depressed the clutch to shift into second gear while making a turn, the vehicle stalls, losing all power.

NHTSA ODI 11472273

Starting out at a stop sign. engaging the clutch to start moving, while shifting into 2nd gear while turning the vehicle stalls. Losing all power steer and brakes. I try to re-start the car i get a crank no-start scenario. Wait 3-5 min, retry starting the vehicle starts.

NHTSA ODI 11472274

While driving making a turn, shifting from 1st to 2nd gear, and vehicle stalls losing all power. I had a crank no-start scenario! The vehicle has been to the deal multiple times and the issue can not be duplicated. The vehicle has been inspected multiple times and there are no known issues. No-fault codes are thrown. I was able to cost to a safe location, and wait. after 3-5 min the vehicle restarted.

NHTSA ODI 11472278

While driving making a turn, shifting from 1st to 2nd gear, and vehicle stalls losing all power. I had a crank no-start scenario! The vehicle has been to the dealer multiple times and the issue can not be duplicated. The vehicle has been inspected multiple times and there are no known issues. No-fault codes are thrown. I was able to cost to a safe location, and wait. after 3-5 min the vehicle restarted.

NHTSA ODI 11472279

Becoming the new owner in 2021, I was issued a recall for the passenger airbag inflator replacement. After repairing this recall, the vehicle air bag light came on and has not turned off since. I made several attempts with dearlership to access the problem and in May 2022 the dealership diagnosed the problem stating it was the airbag clockspring. This clockspring had a recall on it in June 2016 and was replaced in September 2016. The dealership along with another AMS certified mechanics shop stated the clockspring that was replaced in 2016 is defective. This is causing multiple safety issues with the vehicle. The anti skid system activates, the anti lock braking is activated, the cruise control will not operate, along with the fact the air bags are inoperable or not operating at full capacity as they are required to.

NHTSA ODI 11465221

Random Stalling while driving, making a left-hand turn. While entering an intersection, the vehicle stalled losing all power. Was able to coast to a safe spot. Waited 15 min, the vehicle started. No check engine light.

NHTSA ODI 11463049

MY JEEP IS NOW STALLING MID DRIVE WHEN I TURN MY WHEEL. 3 TIMES IT'S HAPPENED WHILE TURNING FROM A STOP LIGHT AND ONCOMING TRAFFIC HAD TO STOP AND GO AROUND ME. I'VE HAD 2 MECHANICS LOOK AT IT AND NEITHER OF THEM CAN FIND AN ISSUE. RPMS GO TO ZERO AND MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UP. THE ONLY WAY TO RESET IT IS TO PUT IT IN PARK, TURN THE CAR OFF THEN BACK ON. OUTSIDE OF THOSE 3 TIMES IT'S HAPPENED WHILE THE VEHICLE IS RUNNING AND TURNING ONTO A STREET OR INTO A PARKING LOT - THERE IS NO RHYME OR REASON TO WHAT WILL TRIGGER IT. I'VE READ QUITE A FEW FORUMS WHERE THIS SEEMS TO BE AN ISSUE. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE AND NEEDS TO BE LOOKED INTO IMMEDIATELY!! I WENT FROM FEELING CAREFREE IN MY JEEP TO KEEPING BOTH OF MY HANDS ON THE WHEEL WHILE MAKING ANY TURN AND BEING CONSTANTLY TENSE. PLEASE PLEASE ANNOUNCE A RECALL AND FIX THIS!

NHTSA ODI 11395666

MY JEEP WRANGLER 2012 JKU WILL SHUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD WHILE RUNNING. I HAVE A 18 MONTH OLD THAT RIDES IN THE BACKSEAT AND THERE HAVE BEEN MULTIPLE TIMES THAT I HAVE FELT VERY UNSAFE FOR HIS LIFE AND MINE. I HAVE REPLACED 2 BATTERIES AS I THOUGHT THAT WAS THE ISSUE. NOW I AM SURE IT IS THE TIPM IS FAULTY. MY JEEP HAS UNDER 60K MILES ON IT. CHRYSLER/FIAT NEEDS TO PUT A RECALL ON THESE AS THEY ARE JUNK AND SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN MADE SO BAD AS THEY ARE THE BRAIN OF THE SUV. THIS HAS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING OR STATIONARY ON CITY STREET, TURNING, AND HIGHWAY RAMPS.

NHTSA ODI 11391056

2012 JEEP WRANGLER JK CLOCK SPRING ASSEMBLY IS FAULTY, CIRCUIT IS OPEN CAUSING AIR BAG LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE AND POSSIBLE ISSUES DEPLOYING AIR BAG IN EVENT OF A CRASH. SAME ISSUE AS PREVIOUS MY JKS. AIR BAG LIGHT WILL ILLUMINATE WHEN STEERING WHEEL IS TURNED, SOMETIMES STAYING ON OR TURNING BACK OFF. ALSO SEEMS TO BE HAPPEN MORE FREQUENTLY DURING COOL WEATHER (LESS THAN 60 DEGREES F).

NHTSA ODI 11387521

CAR COMPLETELY DIES WHEN SITTING IDLE. I BELIEVE THE CONTROL MODULE IS FAULTY AND I HAVE HEARD MANY COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER DODGE/CHRYSLER/JEEP CUSTOMERS ABOUT THIS SAME ISSUE. MY 15 MONTH OLD SON WAS IN THE CAR WHEN THIS HAPPENED AND IT SCARED THE HECK OUT OF ME TO BE SITTING AT A MAJOR STOPLIGHT AND THE CAR COMPLETELY DIE. I WAS SCARED FOR MY SAFETY AND SCARED FOR MY SON'S SAFETY. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND HOW THIS IS NOT AN OPEN RECALL RIGHT NOW. WHEN THE JEEP DIES ALL OF THE RELAYS START ENGAGING AND THE DASH LIGHTS BLINK ON AND OFF. I HAVE HAD MY BATTERY, ALTERNATOR, AND STARTED CHECKED BY A LICENSED MECHANIC. I DO NOT HAVE ANY OTHER ELECTRICAL ISSUES EITHER. PLEASE CREATE A RECALL FOR THIS SO MY FAMILY WILL BE SAFE WHEN I DRIVE THEM AROUND.

NHTSA ODI 11385741

CLOCKSPRING GOING OUT , CONTROLS ON STEERING WHEEL AND HORN NOT WORKING PLUS NO PART AVAILABLE UNDER THE PART # 05156106AC. NOW TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT IS ON AND WON'T CLEAR.

NHTSA ODI 11363760

JEEP LOSES ALL POWER WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE A 1 YEAR OLD AND THIS IS VERY VERY DANGEROUS. IVE HAD TO STOP AND PULL BATTERY POWER TERMINAL OFF MULTIPLE TIMES TO RESET IT. THE JEEP COMPLETELY DIES THEN ALL LIGHTS AND SWITCHES START FIRING. JEEP WILL NOT RESTART. DEBATING SELLING IT AND GETTING SOMETHING OTHER THAN A JEEP PRODUCT. BATTERY IS GOOD AND ALTERNATOR IS GOOD. I HAD BOTH CHECKED BY A MECHANIC. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES AND I TAKE GREAT CARE OF MY JEEP AS WELL.

NHTSA ODI 11355714

MY JEEP WILL RANDOMLY JUST SHUT OFF WHILE IDLING IN A PARKING LOT OR STOPPED AT A LIGH. IF I TURN THE KEY IT WILL START RIGHT BACK UP. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS OR CODES. I HAVE HAD IT TO A MECHANIC AND THEY CAN'T FIGURE OUT WHAT IS WRONG .

NHTSA ODI 11354624

CONTROLS ON THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED TO GO, INCLUDING HORN, AIR BAG LIGHT, HANDS FREE CONTROLS. MECHANIC AND RESEARCH DONE INDICATES IT'S THE CLOCK SPRING. THIS IS A LEFT HAND DRIVE VEHICLE. I KNOW THERE IS A RECALL ON THE RIGHT HAND DRIVE VEHICLES FROM THIS YEAR.

NHTSA ODI 11325666

PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT FAILURE. REPAIRS MADE TO WIRING, AND REPLACEMENT HEADLIGHT INSTALLED. LAMP STILL ONLY WORKS INTERMITTENTLY. AFFECTING LOW LIGHT VISIBILITY. POTENTIALLY AN ISSUE WITH TIPM WHICH HAS LEAD TO OTHER ELECTRICAL ISSUES, SUCH AS TRANSMISSION NOT ENGAGING. HAS CAUSED ENGINE FAILURE, AND CONTROL FAILURE IN OTHER VEHICLES. HAPPENS AT ANY TIME, STATIONARY, MOVING, FWD, REVERSE, TURNING, ETC.

NHTSA ODI 11298423

NOTHING ON STEERING WHEEL WORKS. NO HORN NO STEERING WHEEL CONTROLS NOTHING. APPARENT CLOCKSPRING FAILURE AS MECHANIC HAS TOLD ME.

NHTSA ODI 11290395

DRIVING HOME EVERY LIGHT ON MY DASH STARTED BLINKING, NO RPM, NO SPEEDOMETER. BLINKERS DID NOT WORK. WHEN I TURNED INTO MY DRIVEWAY, PARKED AND I TURNED THE KEY BUT JEEP DID NOT TURN OFF. I WAS ABLE TO TAKE MY KEY OUT AND THE JEEP STAYED RUNNING FOR A MINUTE THEN TURNED OFF. JEEP WOULD NOT RESTART.

NHTSA ODI 11287737

THE VEHICLE IS STALLING WHILE DRIVING OR ACTING AS IF ITS GOING TO CUT OFF WHILE IN MOTION CAUSING A VERY UNCOMFORTABLE JERKING MOTION. IT ALSO POWERS OFF AND WILL NOT MOVE UNTIL 3-5 MINUTES LATER REGARDLESS OF WHAT GEAR IT'S IN. THIS VEHICLE HAS CUT OFF ON ME NUMEROUS TIMES WHILE DRIVING AND HAS EVEN CAUSED ME TO BE STUCK IN THE ROAD BLOCKING TRAFFIC. I'VE CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP MULTIPLE TIMES OVER THE PAST FEW MONTHS AND I ALSO HAVE DIAGNOSTIC RECEIPTS THAT CLAIM THEY CAN'T FIND ANY ISSUES WITH MY VEHICLE WHEN THEY INSPECT IT. HOWEVER, ABOUT A WEEK AGO I WAS WATCHING CHANNEL 4 NEWS AND THEY REPORTED A RECALL FOR 2011-2013 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE AND DURANGOS FOR ENGINE STALLING ISSUES RELATED TO THE FUEL PUMP. I ALSO FIND AN ARTICLE ONLINE RELATED TO THIS ISSUE AS WELL (HTTPS://WWW.USNEWS.COM/NEWS/US/ARTICLES/2019-11-21/JEEP-DODGE-SUVS-RECALLED-DUE-TO-RISK-OF-ENGINES-STALLING). I WOULD LIKE FOR THIS ISSUE TO BE INVESTIGATED BECAUSE IT'S A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN.

NHTSA ODI 11286521