Research · Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD

2016 Jeep WranglerRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls and 462 owner complaints for the 2016 Jeep Wrangler. Most complaints involve service brakes (120) and engine (88). The EPA rates it 18 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
18mpg
EPA · 4 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
5campaigns
Latest Mar 2024
Owner complaints
462
Top: service brakes
Fuel cost / yr
$3,550est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

5 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: driver clockspring

Free remedy

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) (Stellantis) is recalling certain right hand drive 2016 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. Debris contamination may cause the clockspring to fail, preventing the driver's air bag from deploying in a crash.

Air bagsReported Mar 14, 2024NHTSA 24V196000

Seat belts: anchorage

Remedy pending

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2011-2018 Jeep Wrangler right hand drive vehicles. The driver's seat belt buckle mounting strap may fracture and separate from the seat frame.

Seat beltsReported Sep 26, 2019NHTSA 19V680000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 3, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

462 complaints filed with NHTSA · Mar 2016 – Oct 2026
  1. Service brakes120
  2. Engine88
  3. Air bags77
  4. Power train74
  5. Electrical system57
  6. Vehicle speed control36
  7. Steering28
  8. Structure18
  9. Service brakes, hydraulic13

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
28
Fires reported
15
Injuries reported
38
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 3, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Service brakes

120 reports3 crashes
“Vehicle reflects a code of C2200. It is due to a faulty ABS module that controls the antilock brake system, traction w and cruise control. The remedy is to replace the part (part number 68259556AD). This part has been on national back order for several years now with no anticipated date of release. The manufacturer has Indicated it will not be made. This is a safety item that not only affects the performance of the vehicle but limits it resale value. Numerous vehicles from 2011-2017 models have been affected.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 6, 2026Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Service brakesODI 11769336

Engine

88 reports1 crash4 fires
“My 2016 Jeep Wrangler will buck and jerk when on the highway. I’ll be going a steady speed, not changing speed. I feel the car slow down and stomp on the gas but it goes all the way to the floor and nothing happens. When I try to go into the break down lane, the steering wheel locks up and won’t turn. Usually I take the key out then put it back in the ignition and it starts no problem. Recently, the engine has been stalling when I put the key back in the ignition. I usually have to take the key out and sit on the side of the highway for 5 minutes before starting it up with no problem. This has happened too many times than I’d like to admit. Take it to the shop, no codes come up. Sometimes the engine light will turn on when this happens, other times it doesn’t.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 3, 2026Steering, Electrical system, EngineODI 11748098

Air bags

77 reports20 crashes1 fire
“I recently got into an accident in my 2016 Jeep Wrangler. My airbags never deployed however. Also my buttons on the left side of my steering wheel do not work and my horn does not work. After realizing all this I believe it is an issue with the clock spring. I did research and found in 2024 there was a recall for the clock spring but only in the RHD model. My car is a LHD model but it seems the same issue has occurred and my clock spring failed.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 16, 2025Air bagsCrash reportedODI 11705380
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

4 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Engines
3.6L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 5-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 3, 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 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L · 4-Wheel Drive
172118$3,550481
Wrangler 4WD
Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L · 4-Wheel Drive
172118$3,550481
Wrangler Unlimited 4WD
Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L · 4-Wheel Drive
162018$3,550504
Wrangler Unlimited 4WD
Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L · 4-Wheel Drive
162118$3,550502
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 3, 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 2016 Jeep Wrangler as of Nov 3, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 3, 2026Vehicle 10167Vehicle 10166
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

2016 Wrangler questions

How many recalls does the 2016 Jeep Wrangler have?

5 safety recalls as of Nov 3, 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 2016 Jeep Wrangler problems?

Owners filed 462 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are service brakes (120), engine (88), air bags (77). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2016 Jeep Wrangler get?

The EPA rates the 2016 Jeep Wrangler at 18 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 3, 2026