CarBrief

NHTSA has 462 owner complaints on file for the 2016 Jeep Wrangler[1], and brakes, engine, air bags and power train lead the list[2][3][4][5]. The model year also has five recalls, so check that each one was done before you buy[6].

462owner complaints[1]
5recalls[6]
18MPG combined (EPA)[7]

Most reported problems

Of the 462 complaints[1], 28 mention a crash[1], 15 a fire[1] and 38 injuries[1]. No deaths are reported[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name more than one part, so group counts can overlap.

Component group Complaints Median mileage at failure
Brakes[2] 137 58,000
Engine[3] 94 47,000
Air bags[4] 77 62,500
Power train[5] 74 31,000

We read a small sample of the complaint texts in each group. Here is what owners describe in that sample.

The air bag group has the most serious outcomes. It lists 20 crashes and 27 injuries among its 77 complaints[4]. This is a small sample, so it does not tell you how often any of these problems happen.

Recalls

NHTSA lists five recalls for this model year, newest first[6]. Each one lists a free dealer repair[8][9][10][11][12].

Our data does not say which individual vehicles each recall covers or whether a given Wrangler has been repaired.

Fuel economy

EPA rates all four versions we have at 18 MPG combined[7][13][14][15]. Annual fuel cost is estimated at $3,700 for each, using EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new[7][13][14][15].

Version City Highway Combined
Wrangler 4WD, Automatic 5-spd[7] 17 21 18
Wrangler 4WD, Manual 6-spd[13] 17 21 18
Wrangler Unlimited 4WD, Automatic 5-spd[14] 16 20 18
Wrangler Unlimited 4WD, Manual 6-spd[15] 16 21 18

All four use a 3.6L 6-cylinder engine and regular fuel[7][13][14][15].

Safety ratings

NHTSA gives the 2016 Wrangler 3 stars for rollover, with a rollover risk of 27.9%[16][17]. The rating is the same for the 4-door and the 2-door 4WD versions[16][17]. Our data has no other NHTSA star ratings for this model year.

Engine and size

The EPA Test Car List shows 290 hp for a 3.6L 4-cylinder and 290 hp for a 3.6L 6-cylinder[18][19]. Dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.

Version Length Width Height Wheelbase Curb weight
2-door Rubicon[20] 153 in 74 in 72 in 95 in 4,129 lb
2-door Sahara[21] 153 in 74 in 72 in 95 in 3,975 lb
2-door Sport/Willys Wheeler[22] 153 in 74 in 72 in 95 in 3,785 lb
Unlimited 4-door Rubicon[23] 173 in 74 in 71 in 116 in 4,341 lb
Unlimited 4-door Sahara[24] 173 in 74 in 71 in 116 in 4,295 lb
Unlimited 4-door Sport/Willys Wheeler[25] 173 in 74 in 71 in 116 in 4,101 lb

How 2016 compares with other years

1995: 202 complaints, 1 recalls19951997: 411 complaints, 3 recalls1998: 265 complaints, 2 recalls1999: 217 complaints, 1 recalls19992000: 256 complaints, 1 recalls2001: 170 complaints, 3 recalls2002: 108 complaints, 2 recalls20022007: 1,639 complaints, 8 recalls2008: 1,828 complaints, 7 recalls2009: 621 complaints, 7 recalls20092010: 686 complaints, 10 recalls2011: 485 complaints, 10 recalls2012: 835 complaints, 9 recalls20122013: 654 complaints, 6 recalls2014: 657 complaints, 4 recalls2015: 478 complaints, 3 recalls20152016: 462 complaints, 5 recalls46220162017: 311 complaints, 5 recalls2018: 1,827 complaints, 14 recalls20182019: 746 complaints, 9 recalls2020: 616 complaints, 13 recalls2021: 958 complaints, 17 recalls20212022: 409 complaints, 16 recalls2023: 376 complaints, 16 recalls2024: 962 complaints, 14 recalls20242025: 80 complaints, 6 recalls2026: 12 complaints, 3 recalls
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Wrangler model year. The 2016 is highlighted[6].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
19952021
19974113
19982652
19992171
20002561
20011703
20021082
20071,6398
20081,8287
20096217
201068610
201148510
20128359
20136546
20146574
20154783
20164625
20173115
20181,82714
20197469
202061613
202195817
202240916
202337616
202496214
2025806
2026123

NHTSA has 462 complaints and 5 recalls for the 2016 model year[6]. The 2015 model year has 478 complaints and 3 recalls[6], and 2014 has 657 and 4[6]. The 2017 model year has 311 complaints and 5 recalls[6]. Some later years show fewer complaints than 2016, such as 2022 with 409[6] and 2023 with 376[6]. Those years each have 16 recalls[6]. The 2018 model year has 1,827 complaints and 14 recalls[6].

Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, so treat these as rough context only.

Should you buy a used 2016 Wrangler?

The 2016 model year sits in the middle of the Wrangler range for complaints[6]. The recalls that matter most involve air bags and seat belts, so confirm with the VIN that each applicable one was completed[8][9][10][11][12]. Brake and ABS warning lights, stalling and loose manual shift levers show up in the complaint samples we read, so a careful test drive and a pre-purchase inspection make sense[2][3][5]. Fuel economy is 18 MPG combined on every version listed, so expect fuel costs near the EPA estimate of $3,700 a year[7][13][14][15].

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2016 Jeep Wrangler?
NHTSA complaints name brakes most often with 137, then engine with 94, air bags with 77 and power train with 74[2][3][4][5].
How many recalls does the 2016 Jeep Wrangler have?
NHTSA lists 5 recalls for this model year, covering air bags, a seat belt buckle strap and a front impact sensor[6][8][9][10][11][12].
What is the gas mileage of a 2016 Jeep Wrangler?
EPA rates every version at 18 MPG combined, with 16 to 17 MPG city and 20 to 21 MPG highway[7][13][14][15].
How safe is the 2016 Jeep Wrangler?
NHTSA gives it 3 stars for rollover with a 27.9% rollover risk[16][17].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 462 owner complaints on file for the 2016 Jeep Wrangler (28 mention a crash, 15 a fire, 38 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. 137 complaints name the brakes component group (3 crashes, 1 fires, 5 injuries, median mileage at failure 58,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. 94 complaints name the engine component group (1 crashes, 5 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 47,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  4. 77 complaints name the air bags component group (20 crashes, 1 fires, 27 injuries, median mileage at failure 62,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  5. 74 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 31,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  6. Owner complaints and recalls for every Jeep Wrangler model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  7. EPA rating for Wrangler 4WD, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 21 highway / 18 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  8. Recall 24V196, filed March 14, 2024: Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Clockspring / Spiral Cassette. NHTSA recall database
  9. Recall 19V680, filed September 26, 2019: Seat Belts › Front › Anchorage. NHTSA recall database
  10. Recall 19V018, filed January 15, 2019: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  11. Recall 16V734, filed October 13, 2016: Air Bags › Frontal › Sensor / Control Module-Inactive . NHTSA recall database
  12. Recall 16V288, filed May 11, 2016: Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  13. EPA rating for Wrangler 4WD, 3.6L 6-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 21 highway / 18 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  14. EPA rating for Wrangler Unlimited 4WD, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 20 highway / 18 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  15. EPA rating for Wrangler Unlimited 4WD, 3.6L 6-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 21 highway / 18 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  16. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR 4WD: rollover 3 stars; rollover risk 27.9%. NHTSA vehicle records
  17. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 2 DR 4WD: rollover 3 stars; rollover risk 27.9%. NHTSA vehicle records
  18. EPA Test Car List, 2016 Jeep Wrangler with 3.6L 4-cylinder: rated 290 hp. www.epa.gov
  19. EPA Test Car List, 2016 Jeep Wrangler with 3.6L 6-cylinder: rated 290 hp. www.epa.gov
  20. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, WRANGLER 2DR SUV 4WD RUBICON: length 153 in, width 74 in, height 72 in, wheelbase 95 in, curb weight 4,129 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  21. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, WRANGLER 2DR SUV 4WD SAHARA: length 153 in, width 74 in, height 72 in, wheelbase 95 in, curb weight 3,975 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  22. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, WRANGLER 2DR SUV 4WD SPORT/WILLYS WHEELER: length 153 in, width 74 in, height 72 in, wheelbase 95 in, curb weight 3,785 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  23. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, WRANGLER UNLIMITED 4DR SUV 4WD RUBICON: length 173 in, width 74 in, height 71 in, wheelbase 116 in, curb weight 4,341 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  24. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, WRANGLER UNLIMITED 4DR SUV 4WD SAHARA: length 173 in, width 74 in, height 71 in, wheelbase 116 in, curb weight 4,295 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  25. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, WRANGLER UNLIMITED 4DR SUV 4WD SPORT/WILLYS WHEELER: length 173 in, width 74 in, height 71 in, wheelbase 116 in, curb weight 4,101 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.