AutoUtility currently tracks 458 official NHTSA owner defect complaints for the 2016 Jeep Wrangler. Brakes & Traction Control issues are the most frequently reported category, appearing in 141 complaints (30.8% of submitted records). Among these NHTSA complaint records, 28 filings cite a crash, 15 cite a fire, 28 report one or more injuries.
- • Total NHTSA Complaints: 458 reports
- • #1 Reported Problem Area: Brakes & Traction Control (141 reports • 30.8% of submitted complaints)
- • Secondary Problem Areas: Engine & Cooling (88), Air Bags & Restraints (81)
- • Crash-Citing Complaints: 28 filings
- • Fire-Citing Complaints: 15 filings
- • Complaints Reporting Injuries / Fatalities: 28 injury filings • 0 fatality filings
Most Reported Problems for 2016 Jeep Wrangler
Top automotive subsystem defect categories ranked by unique owner complaint volume in federal records
Brakes & Traction Control
Engine & Cooling
Air Bags & Restraints
NHTSA records list 3 official safety recall campaigns for this model year involving the same broad component area:
- Campaign #19V680000 SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
- Campaign #19V018000 AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
- Campaign #24V196000 AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER CLOCKSPRING/SPIRAL CASSETTE
Powertrain & Transmission
Electrical System
Recent NHTSA Owner Reports for 2016 Jeep Wrangler
Representative defect filings submitted by owners to the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation
"The ABS module on my jeep has failed. I've been put on a list to get a replacement part but have been on the list for 10 months with no indication of when my parts order will be fulfilled. The failed ABS module caused the BRAKE, ABS and TCS warning lights to be on. I am driving a vehicle under..."
"My 2016 Jeep Wrangler is experiencing an ongoing problem with the ABS/braking system and wheel-speed sensor. The ABS/brake warning light comes on intermittently, particularly when turning right and during hot weather. The vehicle has NOT been repaired for this problem. I am reporting it because I..."
"ABS Brake Sensor is on and the ABS Module needs to be replaced, however there are a lot of other people out there with this same issue and nobody can keep up with the parts to fix the problem. This should be a recall for all Jeeps 2009-10018"
"The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle experienced an ABS module failure. The ABS and traction control warning lights were illuminated. The dealer was contacted and diagnosed the vehicle with ABS control module failure;..."
"The ABS control module has internal problem which shuts down the module. Results of the module shut down includes: -The stability and traction systems are offline. -A failure in the ABS module or hydraulic unit. -Cruise Control inoperable. -The module no longer modulates brake pressure, which can..."
Complaint History for Jeep Wrangler
Reported defect complaint volume across sibling model years (2015–2026)
| Model Year | NHTSA Complaints | Crash Reports | Safety Recalls | Detailed Report |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 Jeep Wrangler | 467 | 15 | 3 | View 2015 Problems → |
| 2016 Jeep Wrangler Current Page | 458 | 28 | 5 | Current |
| 2017 Jeep Wrangler | 309 | 19 | 5 | View 2017 Problems → |
| 2018 Jeep Wrangler | 1811 | 22 | 14 | View 2018 Problems → |
| 2019 Jeep Wrangler | 732 | 9 | 9 | View 2019 Problems → |
| 2020 Jeep Wrangler | 602 | 16 | 12 | View 2020 Problems → |
| 2021 Jeep Wrangler | 909 | 20 | 15 | View 2021 Problems → |
| 2022 Jeep Wrangler | 381 | 13 | 15 | View 2022 Problems → |
| 2023 Jeep Wrangler | 345 | 11 | 14 | View 2023 Problems → |
| 2024 Jeep Wrangler | 887 | 12 | 11 | View 2024 Problems → |
| 2025 Jeep Wrangler | 69 | 5 | 4 | View 2025 Problems → |
| 2026 Jeep Wrangler | 0 | 0 | 3 | View 2026 Problems → |
Detailed NHTSA Component Breakdown for 2016 Jeep Wrangler
Complete distribution of consumer defect reports across all 98 granular NHTSA system and subsystem classifications
| Vehicle Component / System | Total Complaints | Crash Reports | Fire Reports | Reported Injury Entries | Reported Fatality Entries |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Service Brakes NHTSA category: SERVICE BRAKES | 69 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Air Bags NHTSA category: AIR BAGS | 51 | 17 | 0 | 22 | 0 |
| Engine NHTSA category: ENGINE | 48 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain NHTSA category: POWER TRAIN | 42 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other / Uncategorized NHTSA category: UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 28 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 0 |
| POWER TRAIN,ENGINE | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Service Brakes NHTSA category: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure & Body NHTSA category: STRUCTURE | 12 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Steering NHTSA category: STEERING | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle Speed Control NHTSA category: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 8 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES | 8 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Electrical System NHTSA category: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 7 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE | 7 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel & Propulsion System NHTSA category: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC),SERVICE BRAKES | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine & Cooling NHTSA category: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat Belts NHTSA category: SEAT BELTS | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| AIR BAGS,UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| POWER TRAIN,UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| STEERING,SUSPENSION | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC),ENGINE | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance NHTSA category: FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| POWER TRAIN,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| POWER TRAIN,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| POWER TRAIN,WHEELS,SERVICE BRAKES | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats & Restraints NHTSA category: SEATS | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, AIR | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| STEERING,SERVICE BRAKES | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| STEERING,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC),SERVICE BRAKES | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Wipers NHTSA category: VISIBILITY/WIPER | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Wheels & Hubs NHTSA category: WHEELS | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| WHEELS,SERVICE BRAKES | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| AIR BAGS,ENGINE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| AIR BAGS,SEATS | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| AIR BAGS,SERVICE BRAKES | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| AIR BAGS,SERVICE BRAKES, AIR,SEAT BELTS | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| AIR BAGS,VISIBILITY/WIPER | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS,UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC),SERVICE BRAKES | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,VISIBILITY/WIPER | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,SERVICE BRAKES | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System NHTSA category: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| POWER TRAIN,TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| SEATS,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, AIR,TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| STEERING,AIR BAGS | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| STEERING,AIR BAGS,SERVICE BRAKES | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| STEERING,ENGINE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| STEERING,POWER TRAIN | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| STEERING,STRUCTURE,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| STEERING,SUSPENSION,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| STEERING,SUSPENSION,WHEELS | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| STRUCTURE,VISIBILITY/WIPER | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| STRUCTURE,WHEELS,UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension NHTSA category: SUSPENSION | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| SUSPENSION,POWER TRAIN,ENGINE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires NHTSA category: TIRES | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER,SERVICE BRAKES | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER,SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,SERVICE BRAKES | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility / Glass NHTSA category: VISIBILITY | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| WHEELS,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
Official NHTSA Defect Investigations (3)
Formal safety defect inquiries and engineering analyses opened by the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI)
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious...
Seat belt buckle bracket failure
On July 17, 2019, NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation (PE) 19-008 after receiving three Vehicle Owner Questionnaire (VOQ) reports alleging the driver's side seat belt buckle separated from the seat frame, rendering the seat belt non-functional. The VOQs involved model year (MY) 2015 and 2016 Jeep Wrangler (JK platform) that were configured for right-hand drive (RHD) use. On August 8, 2019, ODI issued an inf...
Electrical overstress
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation to determine if the failure of airbags to deploy during severe crashes, in certain vehicles, was the result of a safety related defect. During the investigation a complex failure was studied that can result in non-deployment of subject vehicle air bags and other restraint system devices in severe crash events. The subject vehicles may be equipped with an airbag control unit (AC...
The complaint records on this page are retrieved directly from the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) public database.
Local Production Store Compiled: August 2026 • Deterministic Audited Dataset • Zero Dynamic External API Runtime Latency.