The Jeep Wrangler is known for its off-roading capabilities and customizable features, making it popular among road enthusiasts. We have seen models created year after year with improved features to benefit Jeep Wrangler enthusiasts. However, not all Jeep models are made perfectly, as there were years considered to be the worst on the manufacturing side of this vehicle.
So, in what year Jeep Wrangler to avoid? Based on statistics, the 2012 model is the worst, with 10 recalls. The 2007 and 2008 models follow with 10 and 9 recalls, respectively. There are also other model years with various issues, which will be discussed in this article.
| Model Year | Number of Recalls |
| 2012 | 10 |
| 2007 | 10 |
| 2008 | 9 |
Table of Contents
2012: Worst Model Year
According to CarComplaints.com, an online automotive complaint resource website, the 2012 Jeep Wrangler is considered the worst model for so many seasons. In fact, it has a total of 10 recalls which ties to the 2007 model.
When it comes to specific issues, the airbags have the most complaints among Jeep users. These issues coming from the airbags are the main reason for one of the recalls that happened this particular year, which unfortunately affected many vehicles.
During this time, electrical issues were also a common problem during this time of the year. Among the issues reported are coming from the power module and the tendency of the electrical system to stall out while driving.
During this year, engine issues were fewer compared to previous years. However, there were still issues that were complained about by the users. For example, the need to replace the cylinder heads was frequently happening, but on the upside, there were fewer reports of excessive oil consumption.
There were also some complaints about interior accessories and body and paint issues. On a positive note, fewer reports of “death wobble” occurred during this manufacturing year.
2007 Jeep Wrangler: Facing Multiple Issues
With 10 recalls, the 2007 Jeep Wrangler is also considered one of the worst manufacturing models. During this year, the “death wobble” was reported frequently. 2007 is also the year that many road users have some problems with the steering and the fuel systems.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), steering problems were the most common issue during that year. Several airbag issues were also reported, causing significant recalls during that year.
The same NHTSA also reported engine and suspension issues, which need a huge amount of money for repair. Overall, the 10 recalls are still one of the worst, making it one of the model years to avoid from future buyers.
2008 Model: Failure to Fix the Issues
2008 is best remembered as when the Jeep manufacturer failed to correct the same mistake the previous year. Same as in 2007, faulty airbags were a significant issue that forced a major recall during that year.
It was also in 2008 when the “death wobble” was frequently reported. This issue, where the vehicle starts shaking when hitting 45 miles per hour, was frequently reported on CarComplaints.com. Some of the causes of this problem include suspension wear, improper lift installation, and uneven tire pressure.
The same website also received a lot of complaints about excessive fuel consumption. This problem is considered a significant issue since it can directly affect engine performance. Failure to address this issue can also lead to engine damage.
2010 Jeep Wrangler: Transmission Issues
In 2010, there were fewer complaints than the previous year, but still, major issues in transmission were frequently reported to the authorities. 2010 was also the year when Jeep users reported electrical problems.
The major issue that happened in 2010 was transmission failure. Frequent complaints show the tendency of the vehicle to fail before it reaches 100,000. This issue was big in the sense that it required fixing major parts of the vehicle and the owner shelling out a lot of money.
2014 Jeep Wrangler: Leaning Issues
2014 is considered the last year that the Jeep Wrangler faced major issues. But during this year, issues were not minor either, especially on leakage. The 2014 Jeep Wrangler experienced a lot of leaking oil and some oil housing issues.
These complaints were recorded on CarComplaints.com, including some issues with the filter cracking out, which caused the oil to spill out quickly. This problem is the most dominant issue during this time, making the 2014 Jeep Wrangler a vehicle to avoid when buying Jeep models.
Conclusion
If you want to know what year Jeep Wrangler to avoid, 2012 is considered the worst year with 10 recalls. Other worst years were also discussed in this article. On the other hand, If you want to know what Jeep Wrangler year is the most reliable, 2013 to 2016 and 2018 to 2020 get the highest rating from Consumer Reports, an American non-profit consumer organization.