Best and worst Jeep Wrangler years — which to avoid

For nearly 40 years, the Jeep Wrangler has remained a synonym for a compact off-road SUV with impressive handling largely due to certain model years that proved to be exceptionally reliable. However, your buying choice won’t be so easy if you are in the market for one of these since there are some Jeep Wrangler years with a pretty bad reliability rating.

Our team of automotive experts wanted to make things at least a bit easier for you by giving you a complete overview of the best years to buy and worst Jeep Wrangler years to avoid. During our evaluation, we’ve counted in all the recall records of certain model years, their common issues, and complaints filed by real drivers, as you’ll be able to see from this guide.

Why you can trust REREV’s advice on which car model years to avoid: Our car experts look at official data, ask real drivers what they think, and talk to experienced mechanics to make sure our list is useful. This reliable info can make buying a car easier for you. Want to know how we do it? Find out more about our research methodology.

How we rated the best and worst Jeep Wrangler years

To make this guide as credible as it can be, our team only used verified and proven details on different Wrangler models and their problem reports. We’ve scanned through the customer feedback on the car posted on trustworthy car reviews platforms like Kelly Blue Book, Edmunds, and Consumer Reports.

Perhaps even more vital are the impressions we’ve got from going through NHTSA records on Wrangler recalls and frequently reported problems. However, our journey didn’t stop there as we also wanted to give you a different perspective by mentioning problems discussed on forums by real Wrangler owners.

So, we hope that knowing the bits and pieces of information from different sources will help you form your purchase decision the same way it helped our team create the following list of the best and worst Wrangler years:

Most common Jeep Wrangler problems

The Jeep Wrangler is a vehicle that’s been in production for quite a long time, so it’s only natural that there will be a few problems throughout the years. The most common issues include a problem with a 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine that’s mostly visible in the 2012 generation.

However, there were other serious issues including airbag faults and power steering issues, so we’ve gone through the most common problems and user reports on renowned automotive reliability platforms:

1. Pentastar engine problems

One of the issues that weren’t so common for all Jeep Wrangler models at the time was the fault with the 3.6-liter V6 Pentastar engine. Some 2012 and 2014 Jeep Wrangler models equipped with this engine suffered from oil contamination, misfires, rough idling, and problems with valve opening.

The valve timing was probably one of the main issues since it forced unexpected combustion problems and the result was drivers finding metal shavings in engine oil. Other problems include frequent shut-offs, and gushing oil which resulted in smoke coming from the exhaust.

Eventually, the Fiat-Chrysler group suffered from a class action lawsuit regarding the matter and the engine became infamous among drivers, as some of them reported the engine completely seizing within 50,000 miles. A rebuilt engine could set you back for up to $4500 which was unacceptable for most drivers.

2. Automatic transmission problems

Another vital component of a car is the transmission, and sadly some Jeep Wrangler model years also had transmission faults. One of the common problems that drivers have faced is the inability to put the shifter into “park” mode. This was later on noted by the manufacturer and there have been gearbox recalls and Jeep dealerships installing a bracket to make sure that the anchor shaft won’t move when the vehicle is parked.

Situations where the gearbox fails to keep the transmission in “park” mode often result in the wheels rolling when the car should have been parked. Another transmission problem showed up in 2007 as the 2007 to 2008 Wrangler model years didn’t have a transmission fluid temperature warning system.

This often led to drivers being unaware of increasingly hot transmission fluid that poses a fire risk in case of boiling. Also, transmission fluid leaks weren’t noted by the TCM, so Jeep had a recall in 2009 to fix these problems.

3. Airbag system faults

Along with the problems concerning engine and transmission systems, there’s also the known airbag system failure for some Jeep Wrangler models. There have been numerous airbag problems over the years, mostly including faulty airbag deployment pressure which caused inflator bags to explode.

Also, some model years had problems with airbag sensors and modules, and there have been numerous recalls due to these issues. Model years that were the most affected by airbag problems included 2007 to 2010 and 2016 to 2017.

4. Steering issues

One of Jeep’s infamous brand problems that are not only specific to the Wrangler but also their other SUVs is the “Death Wobble”. It’s a steering issue that is likely to occur if your Wrangler has ever gone through a suspension or steering component change, but it’s also possible for it to occur on a completely stock vehicle.

The Death Wobble is a problem where you might lose control of the vehicle due to excessive steering wheel shaking. It may also cause you to lose control over the vehicle, and it’s a problem as serious as it gets. It mostly occurred due to excessive oscillations in the ball joints, steering knuckles, and control arms.

The only fix is to inspect the alignment of the suspension components and replace faulty ball joints or tie-rod ends.

Worst Jeep Wrangler years to avoid

The biggest issues with the Jeep Wrangler include the “Death Wobble” steering issue and the airbag issue that sometimes caused the inflator bag to explode. This is a serious safety issue for the driver, but it’s mostly associated with older models. If you are trying to figure out ways of avoiding these, you can’t help but ask the question – which are the worst Jeep Wrangler years to avoid?

The worst Jeep Wrangler years to avoid include 2007, 2008, 2012, and 2014, but here’s a full list of the badly rated years:

• 1997
• 2005
• 2007
• 2008
• 2009
• 2012
• 2018
• 2019

We’ll try to further explain these issues by going through the problems for specific model years that were plagued by them.

Second-generation Jeep Wrangler (1997 and 2005 model years)

The production of the first-generation Jeep Wrangler lasted for 10 years, and this period is when the iconic SUV gained so much attention. Other than some minor fuel injection system issues, the first generation was free of any major problems or complaints.

Still, the second generation started in 1996, and the earliest problems were reported for the 1997 model year, including issues with the steering and suspension, as well as grease leaks from the axles.

Problems with CV joints and leaks from CV boots occurred frequently, and bad CV joint symptoms were reported by many drivers.

Third-generation Jeep Wrangler (2007-2010 and 2012 model years)

The third generation of Wrangler was in production from 2006 to 2017, and there weren’t many changes in terms of the main problems reported. The steering system and the Death Wobble issue remained a threat for inexperienced drivers and those who didn’t check their suspension parts.

However, the years 2007 to 2010 brought a new issue and it was the airbag problem concerning the inflator bags and the airbag circuit that was prone to failing. So, a 2016 recall partially fixed these issues, and model years 2007 to 2010 got the faulty airbag system components replaced.

The 2012 and 2014 models were also associated with 3.6-liter V6 engine failure, as well as ECU faults which often set drivers back for up to $1000 spent on repairs.

Fourth-generation Jeep Wrangler (2018-2019 model years)

The fourth generation Jeep Wrangler faced significantly fewer issues with the airbag and the Death Wobble, and the choice of engines got enriched for a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder petrol that didn’t show many problems.

While this generation is one of the most reliable, there were some minor issues, especially with the electrical wiring and door latches. This triggered two recalls of the 2017 to 2018 model to replace the faulty latches so the passenger doors could be closed properly. The other recall dealt with a bad powertrain control module chip that sometimes prevented the engine from starting properly.

What are the best Jeep Wrangler years to buy?

Jeep Wrangler is without any doubt one of the best off-road SUVs that left a big mark on automotive history. While there were some problems, there were also some pretty reliable models and that leaves you wondering – what are the best Jeep Wrangler years to buy? Some of the best Jeep Wrangler model years to buy include:

• 1996
• 1998
• 1999
• 2000
• 2001
• 2003
• 2005
• 2015
• 2016
• 2017
• 2020
• 2021

The first-generation Wrangler only got occasional complaints about the fuel injection system clogs and minor engine repairs. However, the second generation received a lot of criticism primarily for the steering stability and suspension parts faults. These issues were properly sorted out for the last years of production, and the third-generation Wrangler had its own set of issues.

It’s best to avoid 2012 as the worst production year of the generation and go for the 2011, 2015, and 2016 model years. These didn’t have as many airbag issues and didn’t receive so much Death Wobble documentation either. The best Jeep Wrangler years are by far 1996, 2001, and 2020, so we’ll discuss those models in more detail.

1996 Jeep Wrangler

The 1996 Jeep Wrangler is one of the most reliable models up to date with a history of complaint reports being slim to none. The only few reports made to the NHTSA revolved around electrical issues, so there weren’t any major problems for this model year.

That being said, it’s no wonder it picked up positive feedback and earned itself a pretty decent rating of 4.5 out of 5.

2001 Jeep Wrangler

For the 2001 model, Jeep made some adjustments when compared with the early models of the second generation, and that resulted in a low amount of owner grievances. Since it’s a pretty popular model sold in millions, having around 200 complaints on NHTSA records is a great result, especially when most of the reports reflect simpler issues like problems with light and interior accessories.

The 2001 Wrangler earned a 4.5 out of 5 rating on Edmunds, making it one of the best-rated models of the Wrangler overall.

2020 Jeep Wrangler

Apart from some reported steering issues and electrical system faults, the 2020 Wrangler goes hand in hand with the 2001 and 1996 in terms of reliability. There weren’t any engine issues reported for this one at least when it comes to mainstream reviews and ratings of this model.

It’s still a pretty new model, so we have to see if the results will stick in a few years, but a positive overall rating makes this one the best fourth-gen Wrangler to buy used.

Is the Jeep Wrangler worth buying?

If you are in pursuit of a reliable compact SUV with immense off-road capabilities, Jeep Wrangler is the best choice. Even though the car was criticized for its Death Wobble steering issue, it can be controlled by frequent suspension and steering system inspections and timely servicing of the car.

As long as you buy a model that’s gone through airbag system recall or avoid problematic years altogether, buying a used Wrangler is a great choice.

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