Reliability Guide for Jeep Wranglers

Are Jeep Wranglers Reliable

Jeeps are the first cars that come to your mind when you want to hit the road for off-road driving. The freedom to go anywhere, the ability to conquer different terrains, stability, and durability are some of the perks that come with owning a Jeep. The history of Jeep’s strength dates back to World War II.

With the numerous types of Jeeps out there, are Jeep Wranglers reliable? Unfortunately, Jeep Wranglers are not reliable cars. They are not the Jeep model that we can recommend for purchase.

Jeep Wrangler has a poor reliability rating on different survey platforms, multiple recalls, marginal and poor crash avoidance and mitigation system, and a marginal overall safety evaluation. Jeep Wranglers’ bad reliability is due to their poor fuel economy and handling.

Here's all you need to know about Jeep Wranglers and why they are not so reliable.

Are Jeep Wranglers Reliable?

The reliability of the Jeep Wrangler covers how good they are, how safe you should feel inside them, and their overall dependability on different factors.

Jeep Wranglers are great cars to drive, but they are not so reliable. They are not the type of cars you need for quiet rides or enormous power delivery.

Jeep Wrangler greatly fails in the amount of accommodation and space an SUV should provide. We can dispute the fact that they offer the vintage and ultramodern looks of Jeeps, but they fail greatly in major areas. This is evident in its poor reliability rating on different reliability survey reports.

Consumer Reports rate the 2019 Jeep Wrangler 12/100 on reliability standards. RepairPal gives you the Jeep Wrangler a 3.5/5.0 reliability rating, ranking 25th out of 26 compact SUVs. The repair and maintenance cost of the Jeep Wrangler also shoots above average.

Jeep already issued a recall for close to 43,000 Wranglers with manual transmissions due to the ease of a fire outbreak from faulty clutch pressure plates. This is not good news to hear.

These Jeeps are not the best with safety. You should expect so much comfort from them as you will from just any good SUV. They exist just for the fun of off-road driving.

The beauty of Jeep Wranglers is that they can handle the worst terrains and harsh conditions. They are easily customizable, so you can design them to suit your needs. If you don’t have any intentions of off-road driving, then Jeep Wranglers are not for you.

Why Jeep Wranglers are Not so Reliable

Here are reasons why Jeep Wranglers have low reliability ratings

1. Bad Steering System

Owning a Jeep Wrangler gives you the burden of battling poor handling and driving performance. This fault is linked to the bad steering system. Many factors influence the bad steering system in Jeep Wrangler.

In 2020, NHTSA opened an investigation on 2018 and 2019 Jeep Wranglers. There were suspicions that close to 270,000 Wranglers had bad frame welds. This impacted the Jeep’s steering ability.

Jeep Wranglers are bugged with a lot of problems that range from bad transmissions, and axle failure. These common problems impact the steering and handling of the Jeep Wrangler.

2. Failing Safety Systems

Jeep Wrangler has a poor safety rating and passenger protection. There are many recalls in different production years of the Jeep Wrangler due to the hazards they pose to drivers. This includes the numerous faults that can compromise your safety.

For instance, most Jeep Wranglers battle with failing airbag crash sensors. This compromises the fitness and safety supports of your airbags and seatbelt pre-tensioners. Your seatbelts might be disabled without your approval, even in the face of danger.

Jeep Wrangler received low safety ratings from the tests conducted by Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The 2022 Jeep Wrangler IIHS safety rating records thus;

  • Poor and minimal headlights
  • Minimal seat belt reminders
  • Minimal crash-worthiness on small overlap front-driver side and side, updated test
  • Poor driver injury measures on lower leg/foot
  • Poor/minimal rear passenger head protection

There are a few areas where the Jeep Wrangler performs well, but because most of its trim levels lack minor safety features like adaptive curve systems and high-beam assists, it poses many risks to users.

3. Bad Gas Mileage

Jeep Wrangler has bad gas mileage. The gas mileage ranges from 16-21 MPG mixed, 17-19 MPG city, and 24-29 highway. This depends on the trim level you are going for.

Most Jeep Wranglers use the 3.0L Ecodiesel V6 engine. This is one of the most fuel-efficient engines available for Jeep Wranglers. This spurs questions on why Jeep Wranglers use so much gas, even though they have fuel-efficient engines.

The bad gas mileage of Jeep Wranglers is based on its poor design and the reduced airflow and aerodynamics around the car. The angular shape design and sleek exteriors of Jeep Wranglers increase wind resistance, making the car burn more gas than usual.

4. Lack of Stability

Stability and balance are the major features that Jeep Wranglers lack. Most Jeep Wranglers have problems with death wobble. Almost all 2007 and 2008 Jeep Wrangler models battle with the problem of death wobble.

Jeep discovered that the infamous death wobble problem in all of its Jeep Wranglers was caused by a design flaw; the solid front axle design.

This triggers vibrations in the steering wheel after hitting a bump or driving down a bad road at high speeds. Although Jeep announced a fix for this problem, its existence already jeopardized the reliability of the Jeep Wrangler.

5. Design Fails

Jeep Wrangler has a lot of design failures that impact its reliability. There is a bad gear shifter design, glitches in the TIPM, different electrical modules, and ease of hacking the Uconnect infotainment systems.

Often, these design fails become numerous, so Jeep must recall a lot of Jeep Wranglers.

Benefits of Owning a Jeep Wrangler

We cannot just write off the Jeep Wrangler. There are quite a few benefits of owning a Jeep Wrangler. Here are some of the benefits of owning a Jeep Wrangler.

  1. Potent engines
  2. Off-road ability
  3. Easy to use Infotainment

Jeep Wrangler Reliability: Pros

  • Impressive off-road performance

Jeep Wrangler Reliability: Cons

  • Bad fuel economy
  • Noisy rides
  • Poor handling and stability
  • Poor safety technology

Common Jeep Wrangler Problems

  • Oil leaks
  • Engine stalling
  • TIPM failure
  • Death wobble
  • Sensor failures
  • Transmission faults

Verdict

Jeep Wranglers are not the type of cars you need for daily driving. They are great options to take for an adventure, crush mountains, ride through hills, or participate in some daredevil stunt.

You don’t need a Jeep Wrangler if you want a car that will get you through the snow; a regular SUV will be a better choice.

The bad gas mileage, small interiors, and terrible performance are setbacks for many drivers. However, Jeep Wranglers are one of the best cars you should drive if you are strictly in for off-road driving.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Jeep Wranglers expensive to maintain?

Yes. Jeep Wranglers are expensive to maintain. The average annual cost of maintaining a Jeep Wrangler is $694. This is higher than the $521 average cost for maintaining compact SUVs and $652 for all vehicle models.

Do Wranglers hold their value?

Yes. Jeep Wranglers retain their value because of their durability, good resale value, and excellent on and off-road performance. They depreciate slower and tend to hold their value better than other SUVs.

How long can a Jeep Wrangler last?

The Jeep Wrangler is known for its longevity. They can last between 100,000 to 400,000 miles before they start having major problems. However, their ability to last long depends on how well they’re maintained and driven.