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)

48 of 453 complaints match · crash/fire/injury only · clear filters · page 1 of 2

Mar 8, 2026Electrical systemSpeed controlBrakesCrash1 injury

Pulled into parking space. Applied brakes and came to a complete stop. Could hear engine revving up.. Thought ok, that gas pedal seem to be pressed. Look at my foot wasn’t pressing the pedal. Looked at floor mats. It was laying flat on floor, not manipulating the pedal. I thought what’s happening? And lifted foot off brake ever so slightly and car jumped 6 inch high curb and hit the building.. Pretty hard. Caused structural damage to the wall. I went to the hospital, driven by husband. Swelling of my right leg on the shin. Released and told to stay off leg for few days, no fractures.After doing research, It seems other jeep riders have had this experience. I have no idea how fast the jeep was going.

NHTSA ODI 11722819

Feb 21, 2026Electrical systemEngineFire

While driving my vehicle on Monday, February 16, 2026 I heard a loud pop come from the front of the vehicle. Right after that smoke began to come through the hood vents. I stopped the vehicle to inspect and at that point the engine compartment was burning heavily. I could barely get out of the vehicle and away before the whole front end of the vehicle was engulfed with fire and heavy black smoke. It looked as if the fire started somewhere on the righthand side of the engine compartment because the right front tire was the first to blow out in the fire. The vehicle is with the insurance company to inspect, but it was in perfect running condition, all maintenance performed. There were no dash warning lights that came on, no odd sounds heard and the vehicle ran until I stopped and shut it office. There has to be something that was wrong with the manufacturing of this specific engine to make a loud pop and burn as hot as it did. I wanted to report this before the vehicle is sent away to be demolished due to it being a complete loss.

NHTSA ODI 11719624

Dec 16, 2025AirbagsCrash

I recently got into an accident in my 2016 Jeep Wrangler. My airbags never deployed however. Also my buttons on the left side of my steering wheel do not work and my horn does not work. After realizing all this I believe it is an issue with the clock spring. I did research and found in 2024 there was a recall for the clock spring but only in the RHD model. My car is a LHD model but it seems the same issue has occurred and my clock spring failed.

NHTSA ODI 11705380

Jun 16, 2025AirbagsCrash1 injury

Side impact and full 6 rollovers, with damage to front. During an accident on 6/13/25. I took pictures if you need them

NHTSA ODI 11667227

Feb 20, 2024Crash1 injury

Stopped at traffic light. Hit from behind, into vehicle in front of said vehicle. Air bags did not deploy. Police report filed; insurance representative, jeep dealership all have inspected. No warning lamps, messages or other symptoms prior to the failure. Rear ended at traffic light. Front end and back end damaged- jeep was undrivable, wrecker service removed from the accident scene. Driver was transported by ambulance and admitted to the hospital.

NHTSA ODI 11572931

Sep 19, 2023Brakes1 injury

Park Brake was set and parked against the curb. Jeep started to move on its on with no one in the driver or passenger seat. It rolled over the curb and started over the hill pulling me along side it as I was reaching for an empty bottle in the floor board causing me injury.

NHTSA ODI 11545311

Jul 10, 2023AirbagsCrash1 injury

The contact owned a 2016 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, another vehicle driving at high speeds rear-ended the contact's vehicle, causing her vehicle to flip over twice; however, no air bags were deployed. The contact sustained a fractured tibia, fibula, and pelvis that required 6 surgeries with 1 surgery pending medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard. The vehicle was deemed totaled by the insurance company. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ODI 11531292

Jun 26, 2023AirbagsCrash2 injuries

The airbags did not go off when I was struck from the front. Impact was 40 to 50MPH. AAA insurance carrier says its a complete loss with over $31,000 worth or repairs. They are salvaging the Jeep. The Jeep is at my home and available for inspection until AAA insurance takes it away. I was the only one in the Jeep when it was hit. With only the seatbelt to restrain me it severely twisted my body to the left. I have head, neck, back pain with 6 herniated disks. I have dizziness, nausea and loud nonstop ringing in the ears. Airbags have not been inspected by anyone. Only the damages were inspected by the insurance carrier. No warning lights, messages or symptoms prior to the accident.

NHTSA ODI 11528992

Jan 17, 2023AirbagsBrakesCrash2 injuries

My wife was involved in an injury accident 12/02/2023 due to failure of the ABS Module not activating and the Air bag system not deploying. She was cut off by a hit and run driver. She slammed on the brakes went into an uncontrollable skid lost control on the Highway went off the road tumbled end over end 4 times no air bag deployment. No ABS or Air bag warning lights were on both systems failed.

NHTSA ODI 11502244

Dec 16, 2022Electrical systemFire

I started my Jeep. After a few minutes I could smell smoke and something burning. The alarm started going off, wipers came on, radio etc. smoke came inside cab . I tried to shut everything off but it wasn’t working. I started seeing flames around the hood. My husband was able to disconnect the battery and the fire died out. Insurance would not cover it and said it was electrical. The fuse box was melted and wire harnesses. The vehicle was right by our garage and could’ve caught our house on fire. My son and I were in the vehicle when the fire started. Thank God we weren’t hurt. I did report this but was told it wasn’t Jeeps fault. A week later another jeep caught fire in the small town I live in. Something isn’t right.

NHTSA ODI 11497677

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

Aug 28, 2022AirbagsCrash1 injury

was in a 4way stop approaching it actually .I was going eastbound the other motorist was going south bound. He made a right turnouts west bound lane but he took it without slowing down for stop sign he didn't stop at all .he drove onto my front bumper side head on at a fast rate ofspeed.his airbags deployed my did not. I had my seat belt on but my airbags did go off.i got jerked around violently my head has not stopped from hurting and been dizzy and nauseous lately

NHTSA ODI 11481583

Jun 8, 2022AirbagsCrash1 injury

I ran into a truck that stopped in the middle of the road, The impact was hard. My airbags didnt deploy. My chest is hurting

NHTSA ODI 11468135

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

Mar 29, 2022Service Brakes, AirFire

The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the brakes failed to operate as intended. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was driven to a stop and the contact smelled rubber burning with a little bit of smoke. The vehicle was driven to an independent mechanic and was repaired. The failure recurred and the vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic. The contact was informed that the ABS module was sticking and needed to be replaced however, parts were on back order. The manufacture was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 60,000.

NHTSA ODI 11458822

Feb 28, 2022Electrical systemEngine & coolingFire

The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated that upon replacing the engine oil himself, he noticed that oil was leaking onto the transmission. The contact stated that there was no smell of oil burning or any smoke coming from the oil leak. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the oil filter housing was cracked. The dealer replaced the oil filter housing and repaired the vehicle; however, while the mechanic was test driving the vehicle, the vehicle caught on fire under the hood. There were no injuries sustained. The fire was extinguished with the assistance of the fire department. A fire department report was filed. There was no police report. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and sent an inspector who diagnosed that the fire started under the hood. The contact stated that he believed the fire started out as an electrical fire. The manufacturer advised the contact that the vehicle could not be repaired under warranty; and that the repair would be at his own expense. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 65,700.

NHTSA ODI 11454565

Jul 5, 2021AirbagsCrash3 injuries

I was in a high speed impact collision rear ended at full speed and thrown into vehicle in front of me, me and my husband both suffered facial trauma as airbags did not deploy and both front seats twisted ans broke backwards in backseat where my 2 minor children were located.

NHTSA ODI 11423437

Mar 26, 2021AirbagsCrash2 injuries

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 JEEP WRANGLER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER STOPPING AND ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO PASSENGER'S SIDE WHEEL AND FENDER OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE WHEEL WAS PUSHED UP INTO THE WHEEL WELL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PUSHED LATERALLY APPROXIMATELY 7-10 FEET. THE FORCE OF THE IMPACT WENT THROUGH THE ENGINE BLOCK AND WENT OUT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. ADDITIONALLY, THE WINDSHIELD WAS CRACKED AND HOOD CLIP ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE WAS SEVERED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT ASSUMED THAT THE OTHER VEHICLE WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH AT THE TIME OF IMPACT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW LOT BUT WAS NOT YET INSPECTED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE BACK AND NECK, AND A MINOR LACERATION TO THE RIGHT LEG. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT HE MIGHT HAVE ALSO SUSTAINED POSSIBLE BRAIN AND SPINAL CORD INJURIES. THE OTHER DRIVER SUSTAINED A LACERATION TO THE LEFT LEG BELOW THE KNEE AND WAS TRANSPORTED FROM THE SCENE BY THE PARAMEDICS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE CHOSE NOT TO LEAVE WITH THE PARAMEDICS BECAUSE AT THE TIME HE FELT NO PAIN HOWEVER, LATER IN THE EVENING AND THROUGHOUT THE NIGHT, HE EXPERIENCED EXCRUCIATING PAIN. THE NEXT MORNING THE CONTACT WENT TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM TO SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION. THERE WERE CT SCANS AND X-RAYS PERFORMED ON THE CONTACT. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V734000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT HE HAD NOT RECEIVED ANY INFORMATION OR NOTIFICATION FROM THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE RECALL FOR WHICH THE VIN WAS INCLUDED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

NHTSA ODI 11405047

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

May 2, 2020Body & structure1 injury

MY DAUGHTER HAD HER RIGHT HAND PINKY FINGER TOP SEMI AMPTUATED WITH A TUFT FRACTURE WITH THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR OF THE STRIKER AND LATCH. THIS HAPPENED ON JAN 2019 AND WE PAID OVER 10K IN MEDICAL BILLS AND HER PINKY IS DISFIGURED. WE HAVEN'T REACH OUT TO LAWYERS BUT WE DO SEE A FLAW WITH THE STRIKER AND DOOR SETUP WITH THE 4 DOOR JEEPS THAT A REDESIGN OR COVER WOULD HELP. THE ISSUE IS ANY BOOSTER SEAT OR CHILD CAR SEAT PUTS A TODDLER OR KIDS HAND/FINGERS AT RISK WHICH FALL WITHIN 1-2 INCHES FROM THE BRACKET OF THE DOOR OF THE ARM REST OF MOST MAJOR BRAND SEATS. THIS SITS LEVEL TO THE STRIKER AND LATCH. THE PROXIMITY OF THE SEATBELT AND THE LEVEL AT THE DOOR STRIKER IS A SAFETY CONCERN FOR LITTLE ONES SITTING IN BACK. THERE IS NO GUARD OR BARRIER TO PREVENT FROM TINY FINGER BEING CAUGHT IN THE STACK AND BEING STRUCK BY THE DOOR OR STRIKER. FROM THE INSIDE, WITH THE DOOR CLOSED, YOU CAN CLEARLY SEE THE REAR DOOR STRIKER AND LATCH. NOT ONLY FINGERS BUT HAIR TOO IS A PROBLEM. THIS IS CONCERNING TO US EVERY TIME WE PUT OUR LITTLE ONES IN THE BACK. IF NEED BE I CAN SEND A VIDEO OF IT AND REPLICATE THE RISK. I DID CONTACT A NEWS AGENCY BUT WAITING TO HEAR FROM THEM.*DT*JB*DT*JS*DT*JB

NHTSA ODI 11323036

Mar 23, 2020Speed controlBrakesCrash1 injury

WHILE BRAKING TO SLOW MY VEHICLE DOWN TO PULL INTO A PARKING SPACE IN FRONT OF A LAUNDROMAT, THE BRAKES WOULD NOT ENGAGE FOR THE PURPOSE OF MAKING A COMPLETE STOP WHEN EMPLOYED; INSTEAD THE JEEP UNEXPECTEDLY ACCELERATED AND LAUNCHED FORWARD INTO THE FRONT DOOR OF THE LAUNDROMAT, STRIKING THE WALL THEREOF AND A WASHING MACHINE ,WHEREFORE MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AT ANYTIME.

NHTSA ODI 11319037

Mar 12, 2020Speed controlCrash

PURCHASED PRE-OWNED ON NOV 9, 2019 WITH APPROX 23,100 MILES. ON JAN 2, 2020, AT APPROX 23,900 MILES, JEEP WAS ASCENDING EXIT RAMP WHILE BRAKING. CRUISE WAS ON BUT DISENGAGED. STARTED TO ACCELERATE UNEXPECTEDLY AND WITH BRAKE PEDAL FULLY DEPRESSED, COLLIDED WITH CAR STOPPED AT LIGHT. SHUT ENGINE OFF AS JEEP CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE AGAINST STOPPED CAR. ACCIDENT REPORT MADE. TOOK TO DEALER, WHO COULD FIND NO CAUSE FOR RANDOM ACCELERATION. DEALER CONTACTED MANUFACTURER WHO SENT 3RD PARTY INSPECTOR TO EXAMINE JEEP AND CONTENTS OF DATA RECORDER. RECEIVED A LETTER FROM MANUFACTURER TWO WEEKS LATER STATING THEY DID NOT 'BELIEVE' THE VEHICLE WAS AT FAULT. ON FEB 28, 2020 AT 24,564 MILES, JEEP WAS STOPPED AT LIGHT ON EXIT RAMP, WHEN SUDDENLY BEGAN TO ACCELERATE. CRUISE WAS OFF. IMMEDIATELY SHUT ENGINE OFF, BUT WAS STILL PUSHED FORWARD A COUPLE FEET. LUCKILY WAS ALONE AT LIGHT, SO NO ACCIDENT. TOOK TO DEALER AGAIN, WHO COULD STILL FIND NO CAUSE. THEY AGAIN CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, BUT I HAVE NOT YET RECEIVED ANY FURTHER WORD.*DT VIN UNAVAILABLE*JB

NHTSA ODI 11317787

Jan 1, 2020AirbagsCrash1 injury

I WAS TRAVELING DOWN A CITY STREET AND THE PERSON COMING THE OTHER DIRECTION CROSSED THE DOUBLE YELLOW LINE. WE COLLIDED HEAD ON AND MY AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. I HAD RECENTLY REPLACED THE AIRBAG DUE TO A RECALL FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THIS ACCIDENT RESULTED IN MY VEHICLE BEING TOTALED. FURTHERMORE I RECEIVED SEVERAL INJURIES INCLUDING A CONCUSSION AND WHIPLASH. THE AIRBAG DID DEPLOY ON THE KIA THAT HIT ME.

NHTSA ODI 11292488

Dec 31, 2019Body & structureWheelsFire

CONTACT STATED VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DRIVEN FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME. WEEK BEFORE, ANTI SKID AND THE ABS WARNING LIGHTS WERE ON BUT SHUTS OFF. DRIVING ON A PAVED ROAD WHEN ENGINE DIED. FIRE BROKE OUT INSTANTLY FROM THE FRONT RIGHT CONSUMING ENTIRE VEHICLE. WE HAD JUST LEFT A DIRT ROAD ONTO THE PAVED ROAD, DROVE ABOUT 200-300 YARDS WHEN THE INCIDENT OCCURRED.*DT*JB

NHTSA ODI 11292328

Oct 14, 2019Fire

2016 JEEP WRANGLER UNLIMITED RUBICON CAUGHT FIRE AND COMPLETELY BURNED TO THE GROUND WHILE PARKED.*DT *TR

NHTSA ODI 11268414

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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 →