Recalled components: air bags, electrical system, powertrain, seat belts, and 1 more. Most-described problem: the airbag warning light or an airbag fault (94 complaints, 19%). Most-reported area: air bags (145 complaints, 30%; median mileage when it happened: 78,000).
Fewer complaints than a typical Wrangler year
The 2011 drew 85 owner complaints in its first three years, against 257 for a typical Wrangler year. Best years are picked only from 2016 on, since counts for older years say less: owners filed fewer complaints in the early 2010s.
Years to avoid: 2018. Based on owner complaints, not adjusted for sales.
Data: NHTSA recall, complaint and investigation filesUpdated Oct 2, 2026
Year to avoid
10 safety recalls for the 2011 Jeep Wrangler
Parts with a do-not-drive or park-outside recall come first, then the rest, largest first. Within a part, do-not-drive and park-outside recalls come first, then the newest. Summaries are NHTSA's own wording. Open a recall for what is wrong, the fix and the full notice.
Risk: 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.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.
Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 4, 2019. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is V01.
1,413,222 vehicles.
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2010 Dodge Ram 3500, Ram 4500/5500, 2010-2011 Dodge Dakota, 2010-2014 Dodge Challenger, 2010-2015 Dodge Challenger, Chrysler 300, and 2010-2016 Jeep Wrangler vehicles.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
Additionally, Chrysler is recalling certain 2009-2010 RAM 4500 Cab Chassis, RAM 5500 Cab Chassis, RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Wrangler, Chrysler 300, Dodge Dakota, Dodge Challenger, and Dodge Charger vehicles ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." Chrysler is also recalling certain 2009 RAM 3500, RAM 2500, RAM 4500 Cab Chassis, RAM 5500 Cab Chassis, Dodge Durango, Chrysler Aspen, RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Wrangler, Chrysler 300, Dodge Dakota, Dodge Challenger, and Dodge Charger vehicles ever registered in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these passenger air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 28, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U03.
328,177 vehicles.
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Jeep Wrangler, Chrysler 300, Dodge Challenger and Dodge Charger vehicles, and 2009-2011 Dodge Dakota vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A."
Risk: 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. These inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) expanded the affected population to include 73,712 2005-2009 RAM 2500 trucks produced at the St. Louis North Assembly Plant. With this change, Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2004-2008 RAM 1500, 2005-2009 RAM 2500, 2006-2009 RAM 3500, 2007-2010 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008-2010 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2009 Dodge Durango, 2007-2009 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2012 Jeep Wrangler, 2008-2012 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2012 Chrysler 300, 2006-2012 Dodge Charger, 2005-2011 Dodge Dakota, and 2006-2009 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in AL, CA, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, SC, TX, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Chrysler is also recalling 2004-2008 RAM 1500, 2005-2009 RAM 2500, 2006-2009 RAM 3500, 2007-2009 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008-2009 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2009 Dodge Durango, 2007-2009 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2009 Jeep Wrangler, 2008-2009 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2009 Chrysler 300, 2006-2009 Dodge Charger, 2005-2009 Dodge Dakota and 2006-2009 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in AZ, AR, DE, Washington D.C., IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MO, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NC, OH, OK, PA, TN, VA, and WV, or "Zone B." Lastly, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Chrysler is recalling certain 2005-2008 RAM 2500, 2006-2008 RAM 3500, 2007-2008 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2008 Dodge Durango, 2007-2008 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2008 Jeep Wrangler, 2008 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2008 Chrysler 300, 2006-2008 Dodge Charger, 2005-2008 Dodge Dakota, and 2006-2008 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or registered, in AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MT, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI, and WY.
Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify the Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and RAM owners. Mitsubishi owners will be notified by their company. Dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on March 27, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S43. Note: This recall supersedes recall 14V-7700.
Risk: 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.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
The clockspring assembly may become contaminated with dust and cause the air bag circuit to fail.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the clockspring, wheel back cover, and column shroud, free of charge. The recall began on August 11, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S40.
7,196 vehicles.
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2011-2016 Right Hand Drive Jeep Wrangler vehicles manufactured February 16, 2010, to May 2, 2016.
Risk: 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.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
The affected vehicles have airbag clockspring assemblies that could experience broken airbag circuits.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the clockspring and add a steering wheel dust shield, free of charge. The recall began on June 10, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. This recall supercedes NHTSA recall 11V-528. Chrysler's recall campaign number is M31.
5,440 vehicles.
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 Jeep Wrangler right-hand drive vehicles manufactured February 1, 2007, through October 10, 2011.
Risk: 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.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
Some vehicles may be equipped with driver's airbag clockspring assemblies that could experience a compromised airbag circuit resulting in an airbag lamp illumination, which indicates that the airbag may not deploy.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners and remedy the vehicles as necessary free of charge. Chrysler will mail to owners an interim notification during march 2012. Owners may contact chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
5,437 vehicles.
Chrysler's recall number is l37. or go to <a href=http://www.safercar.gov>http://www.safercar.gov</a> .
Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 right hand drive (rhd) jeep wrangler vehicles manufactured from february 1, 2007, through october 10, 2011.
Risk: An electrical short increases the risk of a fire.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
Corrosion in the exterior heated power mirror electrical connector may result in an electrical short.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will move the exterior mirror power feed to a separate connector, free of charge. Chrysler issued an interim notification to owners on December 8, 2014. The recall began on March 3, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is P61.
313,772 vehicles.
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Jeep Wrangler vehicles manufactured February 16, 2010, to July 19, 2013.
Risk: This could result in noise, or ultimately, degradation in steering and handling characteristics which could lead to loss of directional control of the vehicle increasing the risk of a crash.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
Some vehicles may experience a degradation of fastener torque for various front and rear axle attachments to the chassis module.
Fix: Dealers will re-torque all nineteen fasteners to the maximum residual torque values. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on march 24, 2011. Owners may contact chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
18,326 vehicles.
Chrysler safety recall no. L09. or go to <a href=http://www.safercar.gov>http://www.safercar.gov</a> .
Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 jeep wrangler vehicles manufactured from july 12, 2010, through september 10, 2010.
Risk: 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.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
The driver's seat belt buckle mounting strap may fracture and separate from the seat frame.
Fix: FCA US will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's seat belt buckle, free of charge. Interim notices informing owners of the safety risk were mailed November 19, 2019. Owners will received a second letter and the recall began March 26, 2020. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recall is VA6.
11,463 vehicles.
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2011-2018 Jeep Wrangler right hand drive vehicles.
Risk: A missing or incorrectly installed rivet could compromise the ability of the steering column to support the occupant loads in the event of a frontal crash, decreasing the effectiveness of the frontal impact safety system. As a result, the condition may increase the potential for injury in a frontal crash.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
Some of these vehicles may have been built with a missing or incorrectly installed steering column pivot rivet.
Fix: Dealers will inspect for rivet presence and alignment and repair the steering column pivot as required, free of charge. The safety recall began on july 4, 2011. Owners may contact chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
11,096 vehicles.
Chrysler's safety recall no. L23. or go to <a href=http://www.safercar.gov>http://www.safercar.gov</a> .
Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2011dodge journey, jeep wrangler, chrysler 200, chrysler 200 convertible, dodge avenger, dodge nitro, jeep liberty, dodge caliber, jeep compass, jeep patriot, dodge grand caravan and chrysler town & country vehicles.
NHTSA listing: WRANGLER. Jeep campaign L23.
Questions about any of these recalls: call NHTSA's Vehicle Safety Hotline at 888-327-4236 (TTY 888-275-9171) or check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA also lists 1 equipment recall for parts sold for this vehicle, not the vehicle itself: Equipment (Quadratec, Inc., 13E-010).
NHTSA investigations
NHTSA has opened 5 investigations that name the 2011 Jeep Wrangler; 1 is still open. An investigation means NHTSA is reviewing reports of a problem. It is not a finding that the vehicle has a defect.
Desiccated air bag inflator rupture
Engineering analysis EA21002Open since Sep 17, 2021
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.
NHTSA listing: WRANGLER. Component: Air bags (frontal, driver side, inflator module, passenger side). This investigation names 352 models.
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.
NHTSA listing: WRANGLER. Component: Air bags (air bag/restraint control module). This investigation names 46 models.
Seat belt buckle bracket failure
Preliminary evaluation PE19008Closed Dec 12, 2019 (opened Jul 29, 2019)
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… NHTSA's full summary
NHTSA ties this investigation to recall 19V-680, listed above.
Engineering analysis EA15007Closed Jul 6, 2016 (opened Dec 4, 2015)
On May 10, 2016, Fiat Chrysler America (FCA) submitted a Part 573 Defect Information Report announcing NHTSA recall 16V290 involving 394,258 model year (MY) 2007-2010 Jeep Wrangler vehicles.
NHTSA ties this investigation to recall 16V-288, listed above.
NHTSA listing: WRANGLER. Component: Air bags (frontal).
Air bag clockspring wiring failure
Preliminary evaluation PE15025Closed Dec 7, 2015 (opened Jun 19, 2015)
In it's response to ODI's PE15-025 Information Request letter, FCA identified 1,703 consumer complaints, field reports and legal claims responsive to the subject defect condition on the subject Wrangler vehicles.
NHTSA listing: WRANGLER. Component: Air bags (frontal).
A preliminary evaluation is NHTSA's first step, to gather information and decide whether to look further. An engineering analysis is a deeper review, usually opened after a preliminary evaluation. NHTSA lists investigations by make, model and model year only, so one can apply to only some versions of a model, such as one engine; its summary says which.
What owners report
Owners have filed 485 complaints with NHTSA about the 2011 Wrangler. Below, they are sorted by the problems owners describe and by the areas NHTSA files them under. NHTSA does not verify complaints.
Problems owners describe
Airbag warning light or airbag fault94 · 19%
Median 81,300 miles at failure, from 72 reports with mileage
Shaking, shuddering or vibration38 · 8%
Median 45,500 miles at failure, from 32 reports with mileage
Death wobble (violent front-end shaking)28 · 6%
Median 31,000 miles at failure, from 23 reports with mileage
Stalling or shutting off18 · 4%
Median 50,000 miles at failure, from 17 reports with mileage
Most named: frontal, driver clockspring/spiral cassette (4) · Median 78,000 miles at failure, from 95 reports with mileage
Fuel and propulsion system88 · 18%
Median 45,000 miles at failure, from 75 reports with mileage
Electrical system83 · 17%
Median 56,400 miles at failure, from 60 reports with mileage
Steering58 · 12%
Median 44,500 miles at failure, from 46 reports with mileage
Powertrain40 · 8%
Most named: manual transmission (5) · Median 35,000 miles at failure, from 33 reports with mileage
Suspension39 · 8%
Median 45,500 miles at failure, from 34 reports with mileage
Engine36 · 7%
Median 69,000 miles at failure, from 31 reports with mileage
Unknown or other33 · 7%
Median 60,000 miles at failure, from 26 reports with mileage
A complaint can name more than one area, so shares add up to more than 100%. Mileage is shown where at least 15 owners reported it.
Jeep Wrangler recalls and complaints by model year
The highlighted bars are the 2011 model year. Newer model years have had less time on the road, so their counts are lower. Counting complaints filed in each model year's first three years, the 2018 Wrangler drew the most (1,152) and the 2011 drew 85.
Owner complaints
2011: 485 complaintsTap or drag across the chart for other years.
Show as a table
Owner complaints by model year, Jeep Wrangler
Model year
Complaints
2010
686
2011
485
2012
834
2013
654
2014
654
2015
472
2016
460
2017
309
2018
1,823
2019
742
2020
610
2021
947
2022
400
2023
369
2024
945
2025
76
2026
10
Safety recalls
2011: 10 recallsTap or drag across the chart for other years.
Show as a table
Safety recalls by model year, Jeep Wrangler
Model year
Recalls
2010
10
2011
10
2012
9
2013
6
2014
4
2015
3
2016
5
2017
5
2018
14
2019
9
2020
13
2021
17
2022
16
2023
16
2024
14
2025
6
2026
3
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for each version it tested. Rollover risk is NHTSA's estimate of the chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
In the 485 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2011 Jeep Wrangler, the problems described most are the airbag warning light or an airbag fault (94), shaking, shuddering or vibration (38), and the “death wobble” (28). NHTSA does not verify complaints, and one complaint can describe several problems.
Is NHTSA investigating the 2011 Jeep Wrangler?
Yes. NHTSA has 1 open investigation that names the 2011 Jeep Wrangler: desiccated air bag inflator rupture (EA21002, opened Sep 17, 2021). It has closed 4 others. An investigation is not a finding that the vehicle has a defect.
How do I check if my Wrangler has an open recall?
Enter the 17-character VIN from your dashboard, door jamb or registration at nhtsa.gov/recalls. The lookup lists unrepaired recalls for that exact vehicle. Safety recall repairs are free at Jeep dealers for vehicles up to 15 years old from first sale.
Sources and method
NHTSA recalls file (NHTSA datasets), dated Oct 2, 2026; every campaign checked against NHTSA's recalls API.
NHTSA owner complaints file, dated Oct 2, 2026. Counted by complaint number, so a complaint naming three components counts once in the total.
NHTSA investigations file, dated Oct 2, 2026. Defect petitions, which ask NHTSA to open an investigation, are listed apart and only while open. Audit queries, which check whether a company met its recall and reporting duties rather than whether a vehicle has a problem, are not listed.
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP).
NHTSA model names covered: WRANGLER.
Complaint counts are unverified owner reports. They rise with sales volume and time on the road, so compare model years with care. How we build these pages. Spotted an error? Tell us.