For those looking for a compact SUV with a fair price and decent dependability, buying a Jeep Renegade is one of the obvious options. However, there are some Jeep Renegade years to avoid based on poor reliability ratings and common problems often affecting the engine and transmission.
Don't worry, though - our team of automotive experts will guide you through the best and worst Jeep Renegade years based on NHTSA submissions and official reliability records. We've done the research in your stead so you can just relax and read on to find out which Renegade years are the go-to options, and which are best avoided.
How we rated the best and worst Jeep Renegade years
The first thing on your mind is probably how we can be so sure that certain Renegade years should be avoided. The answer is in official complaints filed to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and logs of official recalls that were issued by Jeep due to severe issues.
Not only that, but we also considered the overall safety rating of specific model years thanks to IIHS records and Euro NCAP, as well as dug deeper into the ratings and reviews that the model scored on Edmunds and KBB. Finally, our team browsed popular Jeep Renegade forums looking for first-hand ownership experiences, so here’s the result:
| Jeep Renegade Generations | Best Jeep Renegade Years | Worst Jeep Renegade Years |
|---|---|---|
| 1st generation | 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 | 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
Most common Jeep Renegade problems
Since Jeep Renegade is advertised as a reliable compact SUV and there are several known issues with the model already, we’ll let you decide by giving you an overview of the Jeep Renegade main problems in this guide:
1. Automatic transmission faults
Jeep Renegade had a fair share of transmission issues but these were most common for cars equipped with a 9-speed ZF 948 TE gearbox. When it comes to such models, drivers have complained about bad transmission sensor clusters and wiring harnesses that eventually led to the car suddenly shifting back to neutral.
As you may have guessed, this situation could lead to driving safety problems especially if this occurs while driving on an open road. So, Jeep issued an official recall in 2016 to fix the issue and adjust the sensor clusters, as well as reprogram the powertrain control module. However, this doesn’t have to affect you as a buyer if you only avoid the 9-speed ZF automatic. You can go with the 6-speed manual, 6-speed automatic with a dual-clutch system that’s ready to shift regardless of the rev range, or even a 5-speed manual.
2. Low fuel pressure
Another common problem with the Renegade is the lack of proper fuel pressure in certain situations that require an immediate power supply to the wheels. This issue is mostly present for the Renegade vehicles equipped with a 2.4-liter Tigershark inline-four engine. If you’ve been wondering about what happens when the fuel pump goes out while driving, there’s a risk of the engine stalling under low fuel pressure.
Without combustion, the engine can’t keep supplying the wheels with power and it becomes a genuine safety threat if you are driving like that for some time.
3. Faulty oil pump
Another delicate issue that was quite frequent for Renegade is the faulty oil pump situation. It caused low oil pressure and flow into the engine, which ultimately could lead to a stalling engine. Once again, the problem seems to be mostly affecting the 2.4-liter Tigershark engine, so we suggest you avoid this engine completely.
The true source of the problem was the housing/balance shaft module crack which prevented the oil pump from properly doing its job. Therefore, this problem not only affected the lubrication of metal parts within the engine but also engine cooling.
4. Electrical problems
Finally, we are left with one more major issue and that’s an electrical problem that caused a no-start condition. Precisely, it’s a problem with a powertrain control module (PCM) chip that was prone to failure under unregulated voltage, resulting in a problem with the circuit board.
This problem mostly affected the 2018 Renegade, so at least you’ll know which model to avoid to prevent this problem from occurring.
Worst Jeep Renegade years to avoid
Well, there comes the hard part right after exploring the main problems that affected this model - figuring out the model years that are best avoided. So, the main question is - what are the worst Jeep Renegade years?
The worst Jeep Renegade years are 2015 and 2017, but there are two more affected by similar issues:
- 2015
- 2016
- 2017
- 2018
Of course, we’ll further discuss those model years and their main issues so you can understand the difference between them and the best-rated years.
First-generation Jeep Renegade (2015-2018 model years)
The Renegade arrived in the US for the 2015 model year (the 2014 was sold only outside the US), and there are several consecutive model years that you should avoid, starting from 2015 one, and going all the way to the 2018 Renegade.
The 2017 model has the most NHTSA complaints (566), followed closely by the 2015 model (512). During these four production years, owners have reported issues with the 9-speed automatic transmission, faulty fuel pumps and oil pumps, and electrical issues.
There have also been reports of the improperly calibrated occupant restraint controller that triggered the SRS light (the 2019 was later recalled for it) along with the already mentioned electric issues. So, at least you know that all these model years from 2015 to 2018 should be avoided, so that helps narrow down the selection to a few worthy model years.
What are the best Jeep Renegade years to buy?
After going through all those bothersome faults and mechanical flaws, it’s time for the fun part - giving you a list of the best Jeep Renegade years. Outside the US, the 2014 model is a good pick. Surprisingly, it’s the first model year and that’s often the worst model year for many cars. In the US, the 2020 is the one we’d go for.
Here’s a complete list of the safe Renegade models to buy on the used car market:
- 2014 (sold outside the US)
- 2019
- 2020
- 2021
- 2022
So, drivers will be left with two options - you can either go with the early 2014 model if you’re outside the US or pick one of the most recent models starting with a 2019 one. We recommend going with the 2020 model after all, since the 2019 one had a few slight issues with the electric connections and software.
2014 Jeep Renegade
As the initial year of production outside the US, the 2014 Renegade was surprisingly well-made and it didn’t have any severe issues reported. On top of that, it’s also a great choice if you go with the six-speed manual which didn’t have the issues that plagued the ZF 9-speed automatic gearbox.
The 2.0-liter diesel engine (never sold in the US) proved to be reliable as well, so the only potential issue you might live through with a 2014 Renegade is improperly working electrical accessories.
2020 Jeep Renegade
Among the recent Renegade models, the 2020 one proved to be the best-rated option with just 64 complaints submitted to NHTSA and three recalls, and driver feedback is also pretty positive on forums.
Owners are delighted to have a Renegade model that isn’t affected by automatic gearbox issues, so this model is a refreshment in the late first-gen lineup. It’s also a better option than the 2019 one since it didn’t have any cooling system issues or electrical problems reported so far.
Is the Jeep Renegade worth buying?
Finally, the time comes for our team to make a final verdict on the Renegade as a model, and we think it’s a decent buy as long as you avoid the problematic model years. In terms of general reliability, you can also consider other options like the Mazda CX-30 or Ford EcoSport, but we think that this car makes a great buy if you pick one of the best model years.
We also hope that this guide will help you on that quest since you will at least be able to easily tell which model years to avoid without even thinking about getting them.
As you gear up to make your next car purchase, ensure you’re armed with all the facts. Our research doesn’t just scratch the surface; it goes deep into identifying which years to steer clear of for specific models. Curious about which ones to avoid? Check out our comprehensive reviews on Mazda CX-3 years to avoid, and Subaru Crosstrek years to avoid, for the lowdown. These articles are your compass in the journey toward owning a car that meets your expectations, helping you drive off into the horizon with confidence.
Which model is the best Jeep Renegade?
In the US, the best Jeep Renegade is the 2020 model. Outside the US, the 2014 is a good pick too.
At what mileage do Jeep Renegades start having problems?
There’s no set mileage. The 2015-2018 models are the ones most likely to have problems, often early on.
Are Jeep Renegades high maintenance?
Jeep Renegades offer affordable maintenance so you won’t be spending much more on these when compared to the closest competitors like Mazda CX-30.
Is Jeep Renegade a reliable car?
Jeep Renegade is a reliable car in all model years except for the 2015-2018 Renegade models that proved to be fairly less reliable.