Home · 2016 Jeep Wrangler 4-door 4xe · Complaints

What 453 owners told NHTSA about the 2016 Jeep Wrangler 4-door 4xe

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 (453)Crash / fire / injury (48)Brakes (126)Engine (88)Airbags (77)Transmission & drivetrain (73)Electrical system (55)Speed control (34)Steering (27)Body & structure (18)Fuel system (14)Electronic Stability Control (esc) (13)

88 of 453 complaints match · Engine · clear filters · page 2 of 4

Dec 28, 2022Engine

Oil Housing Unit crack. Just bought vehicle used. Weather dropped to 28 degrees and oil housing unit cracked. All oil poured out of vehicle and would not hold any oil when more was added. Took vehicle to Jeep dealer and they confirmed that the PLASTIC piece that was the original part cracked and that this is a very common problem for 2014-2017 Jeeps due to the part being plastic. Part is not covered under any warranty and will cost $1200 to repair. I'm told that the replacement parts have been updated and are no longer made of plastic due to the high instance of problems. All research shows that this was to be a recall but that it has not been made official. This is a huge safety concern as the oil completely drained from the vehicle upon crack. Had I not been in my own driveway and driving down the highway, this would have caused major issues, engine failure and very possibly an accident. We were planned to be on a 6hr road trip moments before this occurred in the driveway. This part needs to be recalled and replaced by the manufacturer since it is a common and known problem with many Jeeps manufactured during that time frame.

NHTSA ODI 11499201

Nov 16, 2022Electrical systemEngineFire

Parked vehicle outside corner of home at 9:00 pm. Awoken by loud popping and hissing sounds at 4:45AM. Looked outside to notice a bright orange hue by vehicle. Realizing the car was on fire, we called 911 and proceeded to use garden hose to water down both the vehicle and the home that the car was next to, in order to try to prevent the house from also catching fire. Vehicle was not moved nor accessed during those 7 overnight hours. It was locked and we were all asleep. There were two other vehicles parked next to and behind the vehicle that caught fire - those two other vehicles sustained no damage to them. The house sustained some minimal siding warping from the heat of the fire. Fire chiefs reviewing the damage in person as well as viewing photos have stated that it appears to be battery or fuse box related as that side of the engine's damage was greatest as well as the battery and fuse box being completely destroyed by the fire. No warning lights or indications of system failures or malfunctions prior to parking the car. Vehicle was towed away from scene by insurance company. Unsure if vehicle is still at that lot or not. Insurance deemed vehicle totaled and issued check for losses.

NHTSA ODI 11493798

Nov 1, 2022Engine

P0302 code popped up all four rocker arms on left cylinder need to be replaced. Jeep had normal oil change 50k miles

NHTSA ODI 11491858

Oct 24, 2022Transmission & drivetrainEngine

I had an error message for the thermostat last week had that replaced. Now there is a puddle of oil coming from the oil coolant assembly. Replaced the thermostat awaiting mechanic for the oil coolant issue now.

NHTSA ODI 11490577

Jul 25, 2022Transmission & drivetrainEngine

Cold start, engage reverse and the engine idles really low and sometimes stalls. If I move the shifter to neutral the engine revs back up and does not stall. Rolling down the driveway and then engage reverse the problem does not occur. The issue has been getting worse whether its in the dead of winter or summer.

NHTSA ODI 11475700

May 6, 2022EngineCrash

The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated that upon the approach of a stop sign with his foot on the brake pedal, the engine had begun to rev without warning. With the brake pedal depressed to the floorboard, the vehicle continued to lurch forward as the contact clipped the vehicle in front of him. As the engine continued to rev, the contact immediately shut off the ignition. A police report was not filed and no injuries were reported. Both the contact and the other driver were able to drive away from the scene. The dealer was notified and an appointment was made for a diagnostic. The contact called the manufacturer and was informed that he would receive a callback, the contact had yet to hear back from the manufacturer. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 71,000.

NHTSA ODI 11463630

Jan 21, 2022Engine

The oil cooler housing exploded in my 2016 Jeep Wrangler. I put my car into reverse- I backed up and tried to put the car into drive. The car would not shift out of neutral for several minutes- 2 quarts of oil spilled onto the ground. My car eventually made its way to drive and has been steadily leaking oil since.

NHTSA ODI 11448383

Nov 18, 2021Engine

I have a Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon 2016 that suddenly lost power in fast moving traffic with intermittent miss fire and blinking check engine light along with smoke and smell of burning oil. Looking into the engine from the top a large , deep pool of oil was sitting in the middle of the engine and working its way on to hot components of engine and exhausts and smoking. This could have easily become fire hazard in high temperature desert environment where running temperatures and hot exhaust pipes could start a fire. The engine miss fire and sudden loss of power was checked to be failing ignition coils and plugs that are supposed to be warrantied to 100K miles. The Pentastar V6 3.6 oil cooler was leaking badly and its effect could have been disasterous for the engine and car safety. The Oil Cooler faulty plastic design on this engine is a well known problem that Chrysler is refusing to address as recall on Wranglers sold . There are hundreds of complaints and cases of failure of this plastic component on the internet and the dealers are all well aware of it and happy to charge $2k for replacement. Chrysler and the dealer refused to admit the faulty oil cooler design and also would not accept ignition coil and spark plug replacement under the Std 80,000 miles California Emission Control warranty that come with all engines sold in CA. Chrysler is hiding this faulty design on Wranglers but accepted it on other Chrysler cars.

NHTSA ODI 11440937

Nov 2, 2021Engine

2016 JEEP WRANGLER UNLIMITED SPORT. Vehicle has 41,500 miles. 3.6 Liter Pentastar V6. Gushing oil from oil cooler on to the exhaust and smoking to the point of catching fire. Known issue from what I am reading online. I guess Chrysler is waiting for one of us Jeep owners to die in a car fire!! $1200 to replace.....UNACCEPTABLE that a recall has not been forced on Chrysler!!!!

NHTSA ODI 11439011

Aug 4, 2021Engine

Oil filter housing/Oil cooler cracked. Dealership says its a common problem on 2014+ jeeps with 3.6 liter engine yet Jeep hasn't issued a recall. Dealer stated that this seems to happen around 50,000 miles on vehicle. No warning lights came on, noticed smoke coming from under hood when driving from oil falling onto exhaust. When pulled over large amount of oil was coming out from underside of Jeep. This happened with 43k miles on the vehicle which is right around where the dealer said they were seeing a large amount of failures for this part.

NHTSA ODI 11427730

May 15, 2021Speed controlBrakesEngine

ON THURSDSY 5/13/2021 AT APPROXIMATELY 5:15-5:20PM, I WAS DROPPING MY DAUGHTER OFF TO WORK AND I GOT BACK ON THE ROAD THEN THROUGH THE U-TURN TO GET BACK ON THE OTHER SIDE. I PROCEEDED TO ENTER THE ROADWAY INITIALLY ABOUT 10MPH AND ALL OF A SUDDEN, THE JEEP ACCELERATED TO ALMOST 80 MPH AND I SMASHED THE BRAKED AND IT WOULD NOT STOP AT ALL. THE RPM'S WERE STEADY GOING UP. I PULLED UP THE EMERGENCY BRAKE RIGHT BEFORE I ALMOST REAR ENDED THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME AT THE LIGHT GETTING READY 6O GO THROUGH THE INTERSECTION. I WAS ON THE BRAKE AT THE SAME TIME. ONCE THE CAR FINALLY CAME TO A STOP, THE ENGINE WAS STILL REVED UP. I PUT IN PARK AND TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF WITH THE IGNITION. I THEN RESTARTED AND WAS SCARED THE REST OF THE WAY HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION WHEN THIS HAPPENED. THERE WAS NOTHING UNDER THE BRAKE. MY FLOOR MATS WERE FLUSH AND FLAT AND THE ACCELERATION WAS SO SCARY. I FEARED FOR MY LIFE. I HAVE NOT DRIVEN IT SINCE. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME TO BRING IT IN THE NEXT MORNING, FRIDAY THE 14TH AT 10 AM BUT THAT THEU WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO LOOK AT IT UNTIL 7-10 DAYS. I DID NOT BRING IT AS THIS WAS UNACCEPTABLE. I WILL CALL BACK AND SPEAK WITH SOMEONE ELSE FOR RESULTS. THE TECH EVEN TOLD ME THAT THIS HAPPENED TO HIS BROTHER THAT ALSO HAVE A JEEP. THERE ISN'T A RECALL FOR THIS THAT I'VE FOUND. SOMEONE WILL LOSE THEIR LIFE BECAUSE OF THIS MALFUNCTION. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD.

NHTSA ODI 11416735

May 6, 2021Transmission & drivetrainEngine

ENGINE OIL COOLER ASSEMBLY LEAKING AT BACK OF ENGINE. OIL LEAKING DOWN BACK OF ENGINE AND BELL HOUSING CREATING A POSSIBLE FIRE. VERY HOT SMELL AND SMOKING FROM ENGINE BAY

NHTSA ODI 11415477

Apr 29, 2021Engine

THE OIL FILTER CANISTER/OIL COOLER IS CRACKED AND IS LEAKING OIL. THIS IS AN ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARD. WE HAVE TAKEN IT TO OUR MECHANIC AND SPOKE WITH THE DEALERSHIP THAT IT WAS BOUGHT FROM AND HAVE BEEN TOLD BY MANY OTHER PART HOUSES THAT THIS REPLACEMENT PART IS ON A 50,000 + PARTS BACK ORDER AND THAT IT CAN TAKE ANYWHERE FROM 20-60 DAYS TO GET THE PART IN TO REPLACE IT. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY WHEN WE NOTICED THE LEAK AND NEVER DRIVEN AGAIN AFTER THAT. THIS TELLS ME THAT THIS IS A HUGE ISSUE AND THAT THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE. I UNDERSTAND THE MANUFACTURING SIDE OF THINGS BUT THAT IS A LARGE NUMBER FOR THE BACK ORDER.

NHTSA ODI 11414514

Mar 22, 2021Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 JEEP WRANGLER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLED HAS STALLED AT 30MPH AND AT 65 MPH WITH THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THIS HAS HAPPENED RANDOMLY AT LEAST FIVE TIMES IN THE PAST THREE MONTHS. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND DROVE AS DESIGNED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TWICE TO GOOD BROTHERS DODGE RAM (577 COLUMBIAN ST, SOUTH WEYMOUTH, MA 02190, (781) 331-8300) HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CALLED QUIRK CHRYSLER JEEP (441 QUINCY AVE, BRAINTREE, MA 02184, (781) 917-1400) HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,000. *DT*JB

NHTSA ODI 11404275

Mar 4, 2021Transmission & drivetrainEngine

MY VEHICLE HASN'T BEEN DRIVEN MUCH, I WORK FROM HOME, I NOTICED A POOL OF OIL UNDER IT, TOOK TO DEALERSHIP AND HE OIL COOLER IS LEAKING.

NHTSA ODI 11399061

Mar 2, 2021Engine

ENGINE OIL COOLER IS OUT AND LEAKING OIL EVERYWHERE. THE VEHICLE IS NOT DRIVEABLE AND THE PART IS ON OVER A 45 DAY BACK ORDER. NO COMPANY WILL EVER TAKE MY VEHICLE IN DUE TO THE PART UNABLE TO BE ORDERED. EVERYONE SEEMS TO BE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. MY JEEP HAS 62K MILES ON IT AND IS MY DAILY DRIVER. THIS NEEDS TO BE RECALLED.

NHTSA ODI 11398644

Mar 2, 2021Engine

OIL COOL IS LEAKING AFTER COLD WEATHER

NHTSA ODI 11398661

Mar 2, 2021Engine

THE OIL FILTER HOUSING IS MADE OF PLASTICS AND IT CRACKS AND OIL LEAKS ON TO EXHAUST WHICH COULD CAUSE A FIRE AND ALSO ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUER DUE TO OIL LEAKING ON GROUND. THIS IS A BIG PROBLEM WITH THE JEEP PENTASTAR 3.6 V6 ENGINE. AFTER CONTACTING JEEP DEALERS TO FIX LEAK THEY TELL ME THE PART IS ON BACK ORDER DUE TO SO MANY JEEP AND CARS THAT HAVE THIS PART. THE NUMBER THEY GAVE ME IS OVER 40,000 AND TIME FRAME OF GETTING ONE COULD BE A MONTH. THIS EXPLAINS WHY JEEP DROP POWER TRAIN WARRANTY FROM 100,000 MILES TO 60,000. I NOTICED A LITTLE LEAK AT 65,000 MILE AND NOW AT 70,000 MILES YOU HAVE TO KEEP ADDING OIL OR PARK IT DUE TO MAYBE IT CATCHING ON FIRE. ONE DEALER TOLD ME HE HAD 30 VEHICLE SITTING ON LOT WAITING ON PART.I FEEL JEEP SHOULD HAVE A RE-CALL FOR THIS ISSUER. NOW I HAVE A JEEP THAT I CAN'T USE FOR A MONTH OR MORE IF LUCKY.

NHTSA ODI 11398723

Feb 24, 2021EngineFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 JEEP WRANGLER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45-50 MPH, THERE WAS A BURNING OIL SMELL DETECTED INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT PARKED THE VEHICLE AND SAW THERE WAS OIL LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE ONTO THE GROUND. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE FAILURE WAS DIAGNOSED AS A CRACKED OIL COOLER THAT LEAKED INTO THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. THE CONTACT INFORMED A JEEP DEALER OF THE FAILURE BUT THE PART TO REPAIR WAS ON BACK ORDER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

NHTSA ODI 11397729

Dec 28, 2020Engine

ENGINE OIL COOLER FAIL, EXTREME FIRE HAZARD. SMALL AMOUNT OF OIL FOUND ON DRIVEWAY WHILE PARKED, ATTEMPTED TO LOCATE SOURCE BY STARTING ENGINE. OIL FLOODED OUT OF THE ENGINE, STREAMING DOWN THE ENGINE TO THE FRAME. HAD MY WIFE DRIVEN THE JEEP TO WORK IT WOULD'VE PROBABLY CAUGHT FIRE ONCE THE OIL REACHED THE EXHAUST.

NHTSA ODI 11385357

Dec 26, 2020Engine

I NOTICED AN OIL BURNING SMELL AND UPON FURTHER INSPECTION SAW OIL ALL OVER THE UNDERCARRIAGE OF MY VEHICLE INCLUDING THE TRANSMISSION AND EXHAUST . LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD AND NOTICED OIL UNDERNEATH MY ENGINE COVER BY THE OIL FILTER HOUSING. SO NOW EVERY TIME I DRIVE IT SMELLS LIKE IT'S ON FIRE. SO I GUESS THEY ARE NOT WORRIED ABOUT THE PEOPLE WHO BUY THEIR VEHICLES BURNING UP.

NHTSA ODI 11384975

Nov 8, 2020Transmission & drivetrainEngine

THE OIL FILTER HOUSING ASSEMBLY IS MADE OF PLASTIC THAT CRACKS. THIS LEADS TO OIL LEAKING AND SEVERAL INCHES OF OIL SITS IN THE V OF THE HOT ENGINE UNTIL IT SPILLS OVER. THIS IS A DEFINITE FIRE HAZARD. FCA NEEDS TO RECALL WITH A REDESIGNED PART MADE OF METAL. I HAVE ALREADY REPLACED MINE TWICE IN 1 YR. REPLACING IT WITH THE SAME PART IS NOT FIXING IT. FAILED AT 29K MILES AND NOW AT 42K MILES. THIS IS A $1000 REPAIR EACH TIME. MINE WAS COVERED UNDER POWER TRAIN WARRANTY BUT THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE QUALITY AND PRACTICES. I NOTICED OIL LEAKING UNDERNEATH THE ENGINE AGAIN AND THIS TIME I THOUGHT IT WAS THE REAR MAIN SEAL. I NOTICED BURNT OIL IN THE V OF THE ENGINE BLOCK AS WELL. TO MY SUPRISE, SAME PART HAS FAILED ALREADY. PARTS FAILING AT THIS LOW OF MILEAGE ARE A DESIGN FLAW THAT IS BEING IGNORED BY FCA. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE. OH... ONE LAST THING..WHILE THE MECHANIC HAD IT APART, HE NOTICED THE HEAD GASKET WAS LEAKING TOO SO HE REPLACED THAT AT 29K MILES. NO WONDER CHRYSLER/FIAT IS THE WORST CAR MAKER IN THE WORLD.

NHTSA ODI 11373644

Oct 29, 2020Engine

AFTER DRIVING FOR ABOUT 20 MINS THE RADIATOR FAN WOULD RUN AT FULL SPEED TO COOL THE ENGINE. TOOK IT TO THE SHOP 12/31/2019 AND THE DIAGNOSIS WAS THAT THE RADIATOR WAS LEAKING WITH NO WARNING. THE SERVICE ADVISOR CLAIMED THAT RUNNING THE HEAT TOO HIGH INSIDE THE VEHICLE PROBABLY CAUSED THE RADIATOR TO CRACK AND LEAK... THE VEHICLE ONLY HAD 40K MILES ON IT WHEN THE RADIATOR WAS REPLACED AND WAS NOT COVERED UNDER FACTORY WARRANTY.

NHTSA ODI 11367086

Sep 20, 2020SteeringEngine

HAVE HAD TO HAVE MOST IF NOT ALL FRONT OF VEHICLE REPLACED WITH BALL JOINTS AND UPPER RIGHT AXLE THE LATEST. NOW I HAVE A DECA CODE 0198 FOR SEVERAL MONTHS AND NOW THE VEHICLE IS RUNNING HOT.

NHTSA ODI 11360110

Sep 1, 2020Engine

I HAD THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COME ON AND IT WAS READING A P0302 CODE. THIS CODE IS ASSOCIATED WITH THE "PENTASTAR TICK". I KNEW THAT THIS MEANT THAT THE CYLINDER HEAD MAY BE CRACKED AS THERE ARE MANY JEEP OWNERS THAT HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER SHIP AND THEY CONFIRMED THAT THE CYLINDER HEAD WAS DEFECTIVE.*DT*JB

NHTSA ODI 11352590

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Working with the data? Download all 453 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 18, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2016 Jeep Wrangler 4-door 4xe verdict →