Home › Jeep › Wrangler › 2017
2017 Jeep Wrangler: problems, recalls and fuel economy
The 2017 Jeep Wrangler has fewer NHTSA complaints on file than every Wrangler model year from 2007 through 2024[1]. It also has recalls that touch air bags, brakes, fuel and wiring, so check each one[2][3][4][5].
Most reported problems
NHTSA has 311 owner complaints on file for the 2017 Wrangler[6]. Of these, 19 mention a crash, 21 a fire and 21 injuries, and none report a death[6]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name more than one component.
The largest groups with a named component (the 'unknown or other' group, 37 complaints, is left out)[8]:
- Brakes: 78 complaints, with a median mileage at failure of 31,069[9].
- Engine: 63 complaints, 5 of them mentioning a fire[10].
- Power train: 50 complaints, median mileage 19,000[11].
- Electrical system: 45 complaints, 8 of them mentioning a fire[12].
- Air bags: 26 complaints, 14 of them naming a crash and 14 an injury[13].
In the sample of complaint texts we read, owners describe a few recurring themes. In the brakes group, some describe the vehicle rolling forward with a foot on the pedal, and others describe traction or stability control applying the brakes on its own[9]. In the engine group, some describe oil leaks, overheating or radiator trouble, and a few describe a fire[10]. In the power train group, some describe a manual transmission slipping out of reverse, along with stalling or sudden loss of power[11]. In the electrical group, some describe a car that will not start, stalls, or has a fire inside the cabin[12].
This is a small sample, so it shows what owners report. It does not tell you how often any problem happens. Complaint counts are also not adjusted for how many cars were sold.
Recalls
NHTSA lists five recalls for this model year[1]. The fix for each one is described as free of charge, and none is listed as pending. Newest first[14][2][3][4][5]:
- Seat belt buckle strap (19V680). Covers certain right hand drive Wranglers from 2011 to 2018, about 11,463 vehicles[14]. The driver's seat belt buckle strap can break away from the seat frame, which leaves the belt unusable and raises injury risk in a crash. Dealers replace the driver's buckle at no charge[14].
- Powertrain control module (18V524). A chip in the module's circuit board can fail and cause a stall or a no-start. A stall can raise crash risk. Dealers replace the module at no charge. The recall also covers many other models, and about 12,779 vehicles in total[2].
- Brake switch (18V098). The brake switch can malfunction. Brake lights may stay on, and the vehicle may shift out of PARK without the pedal pressed. That can raise crash risk. Dealers replace the switch at no charge. About 39,456 vehicles are covered, including a Dodge model[3].
- Fuel tank control valve (16V849). A small group of about 359[4] Wranglers built over three days in early November 2016 may have a cracked or broken valve in the tank. This can cause a leak in a rollover, debris in the tank or overfilling, and a leak near a spark can raise fire risk. Dealers inspect the tank and replace the tank and sending unit as needed, at no charge[4].
- Front impact sensor wiring (16V734). Covers 2016 and 2017 Wranglers built from June 2015 to August 2016, about 182,743 vehicles[5]. In some crashes the sensor wiring can pull loose, and then the front air bags and seat belt pretensioners may not deploy. Dealers reroute the wiring and move the sensor branch at no charge[5].
Each recall lists a customer service number owners can call[14][2][3][4][5].
Fuel economy
EPA lists the same combined rating for all four versions in our data, with small differences in city and highway numbers. All use regular fuel and four-wheel drive, and EPA's estimated annual fuel cost is $3,700 for each[7][15][16][17]. That cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices from when the car was new.
Safety ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star ratings for the 4WD SUV list a rollover rating of 3 stars and a rollover risk of 27.9%[18]. Our data has no other star ratings for this model year.
Engine and size
The EPA test car list shows a 3.6L engine rated at 290 hp, listed as both a 4-cylinder[19] and a 6-cylinder[20]. The fuel economy listings above describe the 3.6L as a 6-cylinder[7].
Dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models[21].
| Version | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Curb weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2-door Rubicon[21] | 153 in | 74 in | 72 in | 95 in | 4,129 lb |
| 2-door Sahara[22] | 153 in | 74 in | 72 in | 95 in | 3,975 lb |
| 2-door Sport/Willys Wheeler[23] | 153 in | 74 in | 72 in | 95 in | 3,785 lb |
| 4-door Unlimited Rubicon[24] | 173 in | 74 in | 71 in | 116 in | 4,341 lb |
| 4-door Unlimited Sahara[25] | 173 in | 74 in | 71 in | 116 in | 4,295 lb |
| 4-door Unlimited Sport/Willys Wheeler[26] | 173 in | 74 in | 71 in | 116 in | 4,101 lb |
How 2017 compares with other years
Show the numbers
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 1995 | 202 | 1 |
| 1997 | 411 | 3 |
| 1998 | 265 | 2 |
| 1999 | 217 | 1 |
| 2000 | 256 | 1 |
| 2001 | 170 | 3 |
| 2002 | 108 | 2 |
| 2007 | 1,639 | 8 |
| 2008 | 1,828 | 7 |
| 2009 | 621 | 7 |
| 2010 | 686 | 10 |
| 2011 | 485 | 10 |
| 2012 | 835 | 9 |
| 2013 | 654 | 6 |
| 2014 | 657 | 4 |
| 2015 | 478 | 3 |
| 2016 | 462 | 5 |
| 2017 | 311 | 5 |
| 2018 | 1,827 | 14 |
| 2019 | 746 | 9 |
| 2020 | 616 | 13 |
| 2021 | 958 | 17 |
| 2022 | 409 | 16 |
| 2023 | 376 | 16 |
| 2024 | 962 | 14 |
| 2025 | 80 | 6 |
| 2026 | 12 | 3 |
With 311 complaints, 2017 is the lowest of every Wrangler year listed from 2007 through 2024[1]. Some older years and the newest years show lower counts, including 2001 with 170, 2002 with 108, 2025 with 80 and 2026 with 12[1].
The next model year, 2018, has 1,827 complaints and 14 recalls, compared with 311 complaints and 5 recalls for 2017[1]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for sales, so they show a pattern in reports and not a failure rate.
Should you buy a used 2017 Wrangler?
The complaint record for 2017 is lighter than for the other Wrangler years from 2007 through 2024, though complaint counts are not adjusted for sales[1]. Owner reports about brakes, engine and power train are still worth a close look on a test drive and a pre-purchase inspection[9][10][11]. Confirm that all five recalls were completed on the exact vehicle, since each fix is described as free of charge[14][2][3][4][5]. The 3-star rollover rating is also worth weighing[18].
Frequently asked questions
- What are the most common problems with the 2017 Jeep Wrangler?
- Brakes have the largest complaint group at 78, followed by engine at 63, power train at 50 and electrical at 45[9][10][11][12]. These are unverified owner reports.
- Has the 2017 Jeep Wrangler been recalled?
- Yes. NHTSA lists five recalls, covering the seat belt buckle strap, powertrain control module, brake switch, fuel tank valve and front impact sensor wiring[14][2][3][4][5].
- What gas mileage does the 2017 Jeep Wrangler get?
- EPA rates every version in our data at 18 MPG combined[7]. City ratings are 16 or 17 and highway ratings are 20 or 21[7][15][16][17].
- Is 2017 a good year for the Jeep Wrangler?
- It has fewer complaints than any Wrangler year from 2007 through 2024, but counts are not adjusted for sales[1].
Facts and sources
- Owner complaints and recalls for every Jeep Wrangler model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
- Recall 18V524, filed August 9, 2018: Electrical System › Wiring › Front Underhood. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 18V098, filed February 8, 2018: Exterior Lighting › Brake Lights › Switch. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 16V849, filed November 23, 2016: Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 16V734, filed October 13, 2016: Air Bags › Frontal › Sensor / Control Module-Inactive . NHTSA recall database
- NHTSA has 311 owner complaints on file for the 2017 Jeep Wrangler (19 mention a crash, 21 a fire, 21 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- 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
- 37 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 6 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 20,146). NHTSA vehicle records
- 78 complaints name the brakes component group (2 crashes, 2 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 31,069). NHTSA vehicle records
- 63 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 5 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 52,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 50 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 7 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 19,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 45 complaints name the electrical system component group (1 crashes, 8 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 25,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 26 complaints name the air bags component group (14 crashes, 0 fires, 14 injuries, median mileage at failure 18,175). NHTSA vehicle records
- Recall 19V680, filed September 26, 2019: Seat Belts › Front › Anchorage. NHTSA recall database
- 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
- 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
- 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
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV 4WD: rollover 3 stars; rollover risk 27.9%. NHTSA vehicle records
- EPA Test Car List, 2017 Jeep Wrangler with 3.6L 4-cylinder: rated 290 hp. www.epa.gov
- EPA Test Car List, 2017 Jeep Wrangler with 3.6L 6-cylinder: rated 290 hp. www.epa.gov
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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