Problems · by component

2011 Jeep Wrangler power train problems

40 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2011 Jeep Wrangler cite power train, 8% of all 485 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 1 recall on this component.

Complaints
40
8% of all complaints
Crashes
1
Reported by owners
Fires
3
Reported by owners
Injuries
0
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the power train

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“1. Battery, then alternator, now powertrain control module. 2. Yes, could have been stuck on one of the busiest roads in town. 3. Driving home from work and noticed my radio went off and the noticed lights flashing on my dashboard. My car was chugging so pulled off the road. Once on the side, it just shut down. Tried to restart and nothing happened. Called AAA and they said I needed a new battery and told me my alternator was in the danger mode. Took my jeep to a car repair service and told me they had to replace the alternator, but that this a common problem with my year jeep and it still won't be fixed and battery will still die again because the powertrain control module needs to be replaced. Gave me documents that show the number of jeeps brought into their service center with the same problem. Can't get into a jeep dealership for service until August 29, 2 2024. 4. The engine light has been on for a long time but everyone told me it wasn't anything to worry about, a electronic issue. Low tire light would come on and off at various times for a few years and tires would not be low. Also, my passenger side airbag light comes on and off all the time in the…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 12, 2024Power trainODI 11607934
“I have been experiencing the "death Wobble" for many years, and have gone to various shops to find out the problem but have not been able to fix the "death wobble". The entire car shakes and vibrates uncontrollably when I drive on the free way over a bump, or even when I drive on a regular street and hit a bump. The shaking doesn't stop until I come to a complete stop, and that is very dangerous on the freeway. Once the "death wobble" is going on braking and controlling the jeep are nearly impossible. I have recently found out about a class action lawsuit for this very problem, and I believe my car qualifies to be part of this. I have not been able to document this because it doesn't always happen, and when it does I don't have a camera running.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 17, 2022Steering, Suspension, Power trainODI 11447794
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 JEEP WRANGLER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER PARKING ON A SLIGHT INCLINE AND TURNING THE ENGINE OFF, THE VEHICLE ERRONEOUSLY ROLLED FORWARD AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. DURING THE INCIDENT THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS ENGAGED AND THE GEAR SHIFTER WAS IN FIRST GEAR. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. NO POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE LOCAL DEALER (1200 E. CARROLL ST, TULLAHOMA, TN) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE FAILURE HAD OCCURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 10, 2019Power train, Service brakesCrash reportedODI 11219071
“MY JEEP WAS UNABLE TO GO INTO REVERSE, WENT AND GOT THE CHECKED AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS BAD. WHEN I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE IT HAD ONLY 8K MILES ON IT I KEPT THE MANTINANCE UP ON THE JEEP UNBELIEVABLE THAT I HAVE TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION ON A 2011 JEEP. SO DISAPPOINTED.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 7, 2019Power trainODI 11165032
“OUR JEEP HAS BEEN "SLIPPING" OUT OF GEAR, NO KNOWN CAUSE HAS BEEN FOUND. THE JEEP WOULD NOT ACCELERATE WHEN IN GEAR (MANUAL) WHEN MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING, HE DOWNSHIFTED AND IT GOT WORSE FROM THERE. MY HUSBAND PULLED OVER THE JEEP AND WAS UNABLE TO GET POWER TO START AND PLACE IN GEAR.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 25, 2018Power trainODI 11074724
“I AM HAVING TROUBLE WITH MY THROW OUT BEARING PRELOAD ON MY JEEP. I HAVE NOTICED THERE IS A TSB 06-002-07 FOR THE TJ AND JK WRANGLERS YEAR 2007 AND BEFORE. I HAVE CALLED JEEP AND THEY HAVE NO RECORD ON THE THROW OUT BEARING FOR MY YEAR JEEP. AS SOON AS I GO TO GOOGLE THERE'S 100S OF PAGES ABOUT PRELOAD PROBLEMS ON THE THROW OUT BEARING. THEY HAVE ALSO RECOMMENDED A BEARING THREW NATIONAL BEARING AND SEALS BUT I HAVEN'T TRIED THAT YET. I HAD IT REPLACED IN NOVEMBER 2016 AND ALSO HAD PROBLEMS WITH CARMAX SAYING IT WAS MY DRIVING AND ALSO I HAD TO GO BACK AND FORTH MULTIPLE TIMES BECAUSE OF THERE FAULTY WORK. IT STARTED TO ACT UP AGAIN LOAD SQUEAL WHEN THE CLUTCH PEDAL IS DEPRESSED AND THE NOISE GOES AWAY WHEN PRESSED (AT A STOP IN NUETRAL) ALSO LOUD WHEN DRIVING WHEN CLUTCH IS RELEASED SAME NOICE. I'M NOT SURE WHO ELSE TO TALK TO ABOUT THIS ISSUE BECAUSE JEEP WAS NOT SO HELPFUL. THANK YOU.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 11, 2017Power trainODI 11014671

Showing 6 of 40 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 27, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Related recalls

1 recall on this component

Power train: axle assembly

Free remedy

CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010-2011 JEEP WRANGLER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 12, 2010, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 10, 2010. SOME VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE A DEGRADATION OF FASTENER TORQUE FOR VARIOUS FRONT AND REAR AXLE ATTACHMENTS TO THE CHASSIS MODULE.

Power trainReported Mar 1, 2011NHTSA 11V145000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 27, 2026

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