Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD · 2 NHTSA variants

2011 Jeep WranglerRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 11 safety recalls and 486 owner complaints for the 2011 Jeep Wrangler. Most complaints involve air bags (146) and fuel/propulsion system (88). The EPA rates it 17 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
17mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
11campaigns
Latest Sep 2019
Owner complaints
486
Top: air bags
Fuel cost / yr
$3,650est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

11 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Air bags: inflator module

Park It: do not driveFree remedy

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2010 Dodge Ram 3500, Ram 4500/5500, 2010-2011 Dodge Dakota, 2010-2014 Dodge Challenger, 2010-2015 Dodge Challenger, Chrysler 300, and 2010-2016 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.

Air bagsReported Jan 15, 2019NHTSA 19V018000

Air bags: inflator module

Park It: do not driveFree remedy

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Jeep Wrangler, Chrysler 300, Dodge Challenger and Dodge Charger vehicles, and 2009-2011 Dodge Dakota vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, Chrysler is recalling certain 2009-2010 RAM 4500 Cab Chassis, RAM 5500 Cab Chassis, RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Wrangler, Chrysler 300, Dodge Dakota, Dodge Challenger, and Dodge Charger vehicles ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." Chrysler is also recalling certain 2009 RAM 3500, RAM 2500, RAM 4500 Cab Chassis, RAM 5500 Cab Chassis, Dodge Durango, Chrysler Aspen, RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Wrangler, Chrysler 300, Dodge Dakota, Dodge Challenger, and Dodge Charger vehicles ever registered in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these passenger air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Air bagsReported Jan 9, 2018NHTSA 18V021000

Air bags: inflator module

Park It: do not driveFree remedy

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) expanded the affected population to include 73,712 2005-2009 RAM 2500 trucks produced at the St. Louis North Assembly Plant. With this change, Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2004-2008 RAM 1500, 2005-2009 RAM 2500, 2006-2009 RAM 3500, 2007-2010 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008-2010 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2009 Dodge Durango, 2007-2009 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2012 Jeep Wrangler, 2008-2012 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2012 Chrysler 300, 2006-2012 Dodge Charger, 2005-2011 Dodge Dakota, and 2006-2009 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in AL, CA, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, SC, TX, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Chrysler is also recalling 2004-2008 RAM 1500, 2005-2009 RAM 2500, 2006-2009 RAM 3500, 2007-2009 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008-2009 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2009 Dodge Durango, 2007-2009 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2009 Jeep Wrangler, 2008-2009 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2009 Chrysler 300, 2006-2009 Dodge Charger, 2005-2009 Dodge Dakota and 2006-2009 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in AZ, AR, DE, Washington D.C., IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MO, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NC, OH, OK, PA, TN, VA, and WV, or "Zone B." Lastly, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Chrysler is recalling certain 2005-2008 RAM 2500, 2006-2008 RAM 3500, 2007-2008 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2008 Dodge Durango, 2007-2008 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2008 Jeep Wrangler, 2008 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2008 Chrysler 300, 2006-2008 Dodge Charger, 2005-2008 Dodge Dakota, and 2006-2008 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or registered, in AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MT, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI, and WY.

Air bagsReported May 24, 2016NHTSA 16V352000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

486 complaints filed with NHTSA · Dec 2010 – Nov 2026
  1. Air bags146
  2. Fuel/propulsion system88
  3. Electrical system84
  4. Steering58
  5. Power train40
  6. Suspension39
  7. Engine36
  8. Structure28
  9. Service brakes26

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

By model year

Complaints for each Wrangler model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1997411
1998265
1999217
2000270
2001170
2002108
20071,059
20081,255
2009650
2010686
2011486
2012835
2013657
2014658
2015479
2016462
2017312
20181,827
2019747
2020618
2021958
2022412
2023374
2024970
202583
20260
Crashes reported
13
Fires reported
20
Injuries reported
13
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Air bags

146 reports4 crashes
“I am filing a formal safety complaint regarding multiple safety-related issues with my 2011 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sahara. My vehicle is experiencing ABS and airbag warning lights, along with an illuminated BRAKE warning light on the dashboard. In addition, the emergency/parking brake is not functioning properly and fails to securely hold the vehicle when engaged. These issues raise serious concerns about the reliability of the vehicle’s braking and occupant protection systems. The ABS warning light suggests a possible malfunction of the anti-lock braking system, while the airbag warning light raises concerns about whether the airbags will function as intended during a collision. The parking brake failure also presents a potential rollaway hazard. I am concerned that these problems may represent broader safety defects affecting other Jeep Wrangler owners. Given the importance of these systems, I respectfully request that NHTSA investigate these issues, review similar owner complaints, and determine whether a safety recall or corrective action is warranted. Thank you for your attention to these safety concerns.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 7, 2026Electrical system, Air bags, Service brakesODI 11776410

Fuel/propulsion system

88 reports3 fires
“(1) Since October, I have had airbag failure in my Wrangler Rubicon. The failure is the 2nd time for the same defective parts. Jeep has failed to repair/replace the parts. I've been waiting for two months. I cannot drive with no airbags. It's a death sentence and SUICIDE to drive without airbags. There is a recall on this same defect issue, yet Jeep has continued to ignore this issue. (2) Jeep repaired a recall on my sidemirror defrosters a few years ago. After their repair, the defroster never worked again. (3) My heated seats failed to work, due to known defects. I've been without the deated seats for more than 2 years now! Jeep refuses to fix their defects.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 22, 2023Air bags, Seats, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11561572

Electrical system

84 reports1 crash9 fires
“Jeep just quit while driving. Towed to dealership….dealership told us it was the TIPM and they couldn’t get another one for at least a year. No other options given. Had to tow the vehicle to my house from there!!!!! This is a known problem/recall for my Jeep her but for some reason my VIN number is not part of the recall…even tho it is obviously the same exact issue of your recall!!!!”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 16, 2026Electrical systemODI 11731648
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Engines
3.8L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 4-spd · Manual 6-spd
Drive
4-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Wrangler 4WD
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.8 L · 4-Wheel Drive
151917$3,650523
Wrangler 4WD
Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.8 L · 4-Wheel Drive
151917$3,650523
  • Wrangler 4WD
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.8 L
    15 city · 19 hwy · $3,650/yr
    17
    mpg comb.
  • Wrangler 4WD
    Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.8 L
    15 city · 19 hwy · $3,650/yr
    17
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2011 Jeep Wrangler as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026Vehicle 104Vehicle 105
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2011 Wrangler questions

How many recalls does the 2011 Jeep Wrangler have?

11 safety recalls as of Nov 10, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2011 Jeep Wrangler problems?

Owners filed 486 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (146), fuel/propulsion system (88), electrical system (84). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2011 Jeep Wrangler get?

The EPA rates the 2011 Jeep Wrangler at 17 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026