Problems · by component

2016 Jeep Renegade power train problems

74 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2016 Jeep Renegade cite power train, 17% of all 431 complaints for this model year.

Complaints
74
17% of all complaints
Crashes
3
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
7
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the power train

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“While driving on the freeway at approximately 65 mph with my family in the vehicle, including my fiancée, my [XXX] son, and my fiancée’s mother, the engine suddenly began making a grinding noise that lasted approximately 10 seconds. The engine then began knocking, and the vehicle abruptly shut off, leaving me unable to continue driving. I was forced to maneuver toward the nearest available safe location, but there was no immediately safe place to pull over. I narrowly avoided being hit by other vehicles while trying to get off the freeway and ultimately had to stop on an offramp. This sudden engine failure created a serious safety hazard for my entire family and other motorists. I had to arrange an Uber to transport my fiancée, my young son, and my fiancée’s mother home while I remained in an unsafe location near the freeway waiting for a tow truck. The incident was frightening and emotionally distressing for everyone involved. I believe the failure may involve internal engine components, but the exact cause has not yet been determined. The vehicle has not been driven since the incident and is currently at a Carvana-owned Jeep dealership awaiting diagnostic…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 13, 2026Power train, EngineODI 11770893
“The jerking, delayed take off reported originally that was supposedly corrected with a motor replacement STILL happens. Spoken with multiple other Renegade drivers and tow truck drivers, the transmission appears to be the issue. Each recorded visit to the dealership has reported transmission ok. My safety is my absolute #1 concern. Want transmission checked, rechecked, repaired, replaced or whatever makes my driving life safe as possible.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 4, 2025Power train, EngineODI 11646162
“Check engine light on. ECM (engine control computer) malfunction. Dealer first denied any problems with vehicle even with check engine light on. So I took to it to independent service center, which confirm problem. By providing the service center report, the dealer then confirm problem. Problems/symptoms occur 2 days after financing vehicle.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 20, 2024Power train, Electrical system, EngineODI 11589583
“My customer satisfaction number is W20. I have been waiting since December 2022 to get the catalytic converter replaced. I was told there were 2 people ahead of me. Everytime I called I was told they were still trying to reach the people. They did update the software but now my Jeep is sluggish. I have to force the gas pedal to force the accelerator to the floor to pick up speed. So my gas mileage is very bad. I hope the engine does not go waiting so long to get a defective part replaced. I am in Arkansas now and will be until my Mom gets out of the hospital. I want to get my Jeep fixed now. I am close to Batesville and Jonesboro Arkansas. Please tell me where I can take my Jeep to get it repaired or do I take the recall card to any Jeep dealer. I feel I have waited long enough.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 25, 2023Power train, EngineODI 11528719
“recently while driving to work at a traffic light as i rolled i heard my car start to accelerate and the check engine light came on. I began to observe, and found out that the gearbox does this when it is downshifted from 5th to 4th gear. of course I didn't hit the car in front several times. the presence of such errors as u0402 and C2502. i went to the dealer but the dealer had never heard of this and only did a software update on the transmission and engine. but it didn't help, they changed the oil in the transmission, no result either, they gave me a document and said that the reason was the electricity. after searching the entire Internet, I saw that Cherokee had such a phantom acceleration for 14-15 years. and really the problem is inside the transmission. i want to fix this problem because the dealer doesn't know what to do.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 27, 2023Power trainODI 11513897
“I recently had the following situation. Tuesday, Dec. 13th, 2022 a big storm hit, showered snow on us ALL day. My Jeep was parked with the passenger side to the north... just setting the scene. Rain, ice, & snow coated my Renegade when I left work and I noticed that the dash temp reading was not working. I didn't need 4WD on the drive home. Wednesday morning, I started up and got a "service engine" notification with solid engine light. The snow was slick enough on the roads that I attempted to put it into 4WD but couldn't. THINKING that the engine light was on due to a 4WD issues, I babied it from my home to the dealership. I was told that a solid engine light means not critical and I should be able to drive it until my appointment on the 21st. Then I was advised to go to an auto parts store to have a free diagnostic. I had to wait until Friday. The tech there came out and within 5 minutes told me the codes P0072 & P0073. He looked them up for me to ease my mind (4WD still not going in so I'm still thinking that's the issue). He informed me that the codes are for the AIR CONDITIONING SENSOR!! I did an internet search and found two pages of blog concerning the…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 19, 2022Power trainODI 11498055

Showing 6 of 74 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 29, 2026NHTSA vehicle page

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.