Problems · NHTSA complaints
2020 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited problems
Owners filed 619 complaints about the 2020 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited with NHTSA between Sep 2019 and Nov 2026. The most-cited component is steering (240).
Complaints
619
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
17
Reported by owners
Fires
12
Reported by owners
Injuries
7
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Steering240
- Electrical system183
- Engine56
- Suspension52
- Power train47
- Fuel/propulsion system33
- Visibility/wiper33
- Structure17
- Wheels13
- Service brakes12
- Vehicle speed control12
- Fuel system, gasoline10
- Exterior lighting9
- Engine and engine cooling6
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
23
126
44
50
79
73
131
93
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2019 | 23 |
| 2020 | 126 |
| 2021 | 44 |
| 2022 | 50 |
| 2023 | 79 |
| 2024 | 73 |
| 2025 | 131 |
| 2026 | 93 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Steering
240 reports6 crashes
“At highway speed when hitting even a small bump or road irregularity, the Jeep experienced the notorious "death wobble". Oscillating shimmy and momentary loss of control. I discovered the steering damper was blown out on the track bar. After looking into the technical service bulletins, I found that I have the aluminum steering gear box described in TSB-08-074-20. I took my vehicle to the dealership to have this investigated and they agreed that the aluminum steering box caused the excessive force on the damper and steering components and needs to be replaced. However, since this is not covered under warranty, they are charging me for the repair of a well known and documented FACTORY DEFECT. I applied for goodwill repair and was denied. It is terrible that this should have been a recall and I am stuck paying the bill. But even more so, this is a SEVERE SAFETY ISSUE and is not a matter of if it will happen, but when it will happen. No one should be subject to losing control of their vehicle at highway speed due to a KNOWN DEFECT.”
Electrical system
183 reports2 crashes6 fires
“While driving, the entire digital instrument panel cluster suddenly short-circuited and went completely black, dropping all access to the speedometer and critical safety indicators. My vehicle has the 7-inch display. My independent repair shop diagnosed it as an internal short circuit and ordered a replacement Mopar factory part, which is currently on a 2-month factory backorder, leaving the car grounded.”
Engine
56 reports3 crashes5 fires
“The Hood Silencer Pad (68752887AA, 68292166AA, 68292166AC, 68292166AD) is made from insulating fibers that attract rodents. The rodents detach portions of the silencer pad which can result in loose material that could become a projectile on the highway or contacting hot engine components, potentially creating a fire hazard.”
Suspension
52 reports2 crashes
“When driving down the road, 55mph, I drove across some bumps in the road, and my steering, tires and the front of my Jeep started shaking violently. Couldn't hardly control it. Please help.”
Power train
47 reports1 crash1 fire
“While driving on the highway, the check engine light illuminated. Approximately 5 to 10 minutes later, the battery warning light came on. Upon exiting the highway and coming to a stop at an intersection, the automatic engine Start/Stop system engaged and shut down the engine. When attempting to safely proceed, the vehicle suffered a complete electrical failure due to the 48V mild-hybrid eTorque system failing to restart the engine. The vehicle refused to crank, would not shift, and became entirely disabled and stranded in the middle of a live intersection, creating an extreme safety and collision hazard. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealership, where technicians officially confirmed the failure. The dealer diagnosed the root cause as an internal electrical failure of the Motor Generator Unit (MGU / Belt-Driven Hybrid Starter Generator Assembly), which completely disabled the vehicle's charging and hybrid restart capabilities. The failed component is available for inspection.”
Fuel/propulsion system
33 reports
“My Jeep Wrangler currently has a very strong fuel smell, and when the AC is on the smell is very strong inside the cabin. My kids and I became Ill and had headaches. It's been parked for two weeks. Pending an inspection by an independent mechanic. We came across an article stating that a lot of 2020 Jeep Wranglers with 2.0L motors were recalled because of the same issue but my Jeep was not recalled and I'm having the same issue. Is there anything you can do to help me?”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.