Problems · by component
2010 Jeep Wrangler engine problems
38 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2010 Jeep Wrangler cite engine, 6% of all 686 complaints for this model year.
Complaints
38
6% of all complaints
Crashes
1
Reported by owners
Fires
12
Reported by owners
Injuries
1
Reported by owners
What owners say about the engine
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“Started vehicle and went inside to grab my bag and there was a loud explosion and the engine bay went up in flames. Determined to be electric and originated in or near the TIPM. The vehicle is a total loss, house has damage, and other vehicles.”
“The contact owns a 2010 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked in his driveway three to four feet away from the house the vehicle caught on fire and burned his house down The vehicle and the house was condemned total loss. A Police and Fire report was filed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 107,000.”
“I did not have a check engine light. I began to notice a slight ticking sound. I took it to a dealership and they say I need a brand new engine. I have had no issues with my vehicle and have maintained it well. I went from a slight ticking sound to a $11,000 estimate for an engine swap. My Jeep only has about 66,000 miles on it.”
“When starting the vehicle the check engine light comes on. Including the low tire pressure sensor comes on. The tires have been repaired yet the pressure system still says low. The car when shortly after it's been turned on only going several miles an hour and staying about 2RPMs starts to kick forward in a abrupt motion as if it wants to accelerate. Sometimes it's a hit or miss to start the car so I have to put it in neutral to start it. In conclusion everytime the vehicle starts to move from a complete stop or braking a loud clanking noise repeats a 2-3 times (clank,clank,clank) continues then stops after driving continually, then repeats after every stop that is made. I'm not sure what to make of it but my guess it has to do with the braking system even though no warning lights for brakes have come up.”
“The contact owns a 2010 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated that while stopped at a light, the front passenger side wheel rail started to flame. The contact then stated that she exit the vehicle and noticed that everything under the hood started to melt. No injuries were sustained. No medical attention was required. The air bags did not deploy. No police report was filed. The fire department extinguished the fire. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard. Additionally, the contact stated that on two separate occasions while driving at various speeds, the gears failed to shift into second gear. No warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer nor the manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.”
“I was driving from the store, I was coming up to a cross road when my wipers just went wild for reasons unknown. When I went to turn them off it completely shut off putting at a sudden stop thankfully just before the crossroad and I'm blessed my kids weren't with me. Put it in park then tried to start it and it was shortly after when I was able to get it started again. Once it was able to start I put into drive and the whole dash was up in lights, and it was almost like it was bogging the rest of the way, under a certain Rpm it was gunna die and I couldn't get it to sustain at a rpm. Almost like it was bogging down on me. Just hoping and praying it would last till home. Once I got it home it died on me. Once it was parked and I tried to figured it out it only tries to turn over after that it dies on me. For how sudden it happened I just don't think I can trust taking it out anymore especially with my children. I am greatful that myself and no one else was injured if it had happened seconds later it would of been a different story. I haven't been able to move it or get it checked because of work and towing costs. So I'm at a loss for what it could be.”
Showing 6 of 38 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 27, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.