CarModelProblems.com

2012 Jeep Wrangler Problems & Recalls

Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026

High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Power Train — runs 3.9× the fleet median for that category across the 2391 model-years tracked on this site.
829Complaints
10Recalls
22Crashes
19Fires
22Injured
2Deaths

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

Is this problem acknowledged?

The most-reported problem — Power Train (33.5% of complaints) — has no NHTSA recall or open investigation on file.

Power Train complaints here are 3.9× the median for that category across the 2391 model-years tracked on this site.

3 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 3 rest on owner reports alone.

Complaint categoryReportsOfficial statusReference
Power Train278 · 33.5%No official action
Steering203 · 24.5%RecalledRecall 13V234000
Engine172 · 20.7%No official action
Electrical System146 · 17.6%RecalledRecall 14V631000
Air Bags128 · 15.4%RecalledRecall 19V018000 · Recall 18V021000 · Recall 16V352000 · Recall 16V288000 · Recall 11V528000 · Recall 13V176000
Fuel/propulsion System42 · 5.1%No official action

Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Complaints by component

POWER TRAIN278 · 33.5%
STEERING203 · 24.5%
ENGINE172 · 20.7%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM146 · 17.6%
AIR BAGS128 · 15.4%
Unspecified / other52 · 6.3%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM42 · 5.1%
SERVICE BRAKES42 · 5.1%
VISIBILITY/WIPER30 · 3.6%
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)30 · 3.6%

Percentages are the share of the 829 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.

Recalls — 10 campaigns

Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

NHTSA campaign 19V018000 · 2019 · reported 01/15/2019

In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could explode with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

Park it  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Seat Belts:front:anchorage

NHTSA campaign 19V680000 · 2019 · reported 09/26/2019

A separated or severed seat belt buckle strap will result in an inoperable seat belt, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

NHTSA campaign 18V021000 · 2018 · reported 01/09/2018

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

Park it  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

NHTSA campaign 16V352000 · 2016 · reported 05/24/2016

These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment.… Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

Park it  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

NHTSA campaign 16V288000 · 2016 · reported 05/11/2016

Failure of the air bag circuit may prevent the driver's frontal air bag from deploying in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Equipment

NHTSA campaign 13E010000 · 2013 · reported 02/25/2013

If the liner shifts forward it may impede the operation of the accelerator and possibly lead to unintended acceleration, which may increase the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Electrical System

NHTSA campaign 14V631000 · 2014 · reported 10/08/2014

An electrical short increases the risk of a fire. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Air Bags:frontal

NHTSA campaign 11V528000 · 2011 · reported 11/02/2011

A BROKEN ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT IN THE AIRBAG CLOCKSPRING WIRING ASSEMBLY CAN LEAD TO NON-DEPLOYMENT OF THE DRIVER FRONTAL AIRBAG AND WILL NOT BE ABLE TO PROPERLY PROTECT THE DRIVER IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURIES. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Air Bags

NHTSA campaign 13V176000 · 2013 · reported 05/07/2013

In the event of a crash necessitating airbag deployment, a broken electrical circuit in the airbag clockspring wiring assembly can lead to non-deployment of the driver-side frontal airbag and will not be able to properly protect the driver, increasing the risk of injuries. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:hose, Piping, And Connections

NHTSA campaign 13V234000 · 2013 · reported 06/04/2013

A loss of transmission fluid may result in a loss of transmission function which may increase the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

What owners report

“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 JEEP WRANGLER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 13V234000 (POWER TRAIN , STEERING) HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WAS…”NHTSA complaint 10552382 — filed 11/15/2013 · POWER TRAIN
“RECEIVED SAFETY RECALL NOTICE N28, NHTSA 13V23400, AND CONTACT DEALER IN MICHIGAN CITY, IN 46360 SAME DAY TO GET REPAIR DONE. I HAVE SINCE CONTACT…”NHTSA complaint 10552237 — filed 11/14/2013 · POWER TRAIN
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 JEEP WRANGLER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, SHE NOTICED A LEAK COMING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS…”NHTSA complaint 10551891 — filed 11/12/2013 · POWER TRAIN

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Complaint trend by year filed

672012142373201413812020168760201887512020284720222611202417222026

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2012 Jeep Wrangler?

Power train issues are the most-reported category, cited in 278 of 829 NHTSA complaints (33.5%), followed by steering (203), engine (172), electrical system (146). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many complaints does the 2012 Jeep Wrangler have?

829 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 22 involved a crash, 19 involved a fire, and 22 reported injuries. 2 deaths were reported.

Does the 2012 Jeep Wrangler have any recalls?

Yes — 10 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 19V018000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Has NHTSA acted on the 2012 Jeep Wrangler's reported problems?

3 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.

Is a complaint proof of a defect?

No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.