Model Years

2012 Jeep Wrangler Recalls and Problems

NHTSA lists 9 safety recalls and 834 owner complaints for the 2012 Jeep Wrangler. It has 1 open investigation that names this model year.

3 recalls for this model year tell owners not to drive or to park outside until repaired: Air bags, do not drive (19V-018); Air bags, do not drive (18V-021); Air bags, do not drive (16V-352). Check your VIN below to see whether yours is affected. Every do-not-drive and park-outside recall on 2010 and newer models

Recalled components: air bags, electrical system, seat belts, and steering. Most-described problem: the airbag warning light or an airbag fault (66 complaints, 8%). Most-reported area: powertrain (282 complaints, 34%; median mileage when it happened: 18,200).

More complaints than a typical Wrangler year

The 2012 drew 367 owner complaints in its first three years, against 257 for a typical Wrangler year.

Years to avoid: 2018. Based on owner complaints, not adjusted for sales.

Every Wrangler year ranked

9Safety recalls
834Owner complaints
22Complaints citing a crash
19Complaints citing a fire

Opens NHTSA's lookup in a new tab; your VIN goes to NHTSA, not to us. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard, the door jamb and your registration. Safety recall repairs are free at Jeep dealers for vehicles up to 15 years old from first sale.

How to check a car for recalls, step by step

Get a vehicle history report from EpicVIN (opens in a new tab): a paid report with the car's title, odometer and salvage records, from an approved NMVTIS data provider. Affiliate link: we earn a commission if you buy. If you typed a full VIN above, the link sends it to EpicVIN and opens its checkout page for that VIN. Check the price before you pay: EpicVIN's $1 trial lasts 3 days, then becomes a monthly subscription until you cancel ($49.99 to $99.99 a month on its pages as of Oct 2, 2026). Disclosure

Data: NHTSA recall, complaint and investigation filesUpdated Oct 2, 2026

9 safety recalls for the 2012 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.

Air bags 6 recalls

frontal · passenger side · inflator module

Jan 15, 2019

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.

NHTSA listing: WRANGLER. Jeep campaign V01.

frontal · passenger side · inflator module

Jan 9, 2018

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."

NHTSA listing: WRANGLER. Jeep campaign U03.

frontal · passenger side · inflator module

May 24, 2016

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.

4,648,270 vehicles.

NHTSA listing: WRANGLER. Jeep campaign S43.

frontal · driver side · inflator module

May 11, 2016

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.

NHTSA listing: WRANGLER. Jeep campaign S40.

Air bags

May 7, 2013

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.

NHTSA listing: WRANGLER. Jeep campaign M31.

frontal

Nov 2, 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.

NHTSA listing: WRANGLER. Jeep campaign L37.

Electrical system 1 recall

Electrical system

Oct 8, 2014

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.

NHTSA listing: WRANGLER. Components: Electrical system; Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices, exterior. Jeep campaign P61.

Seat belts 1 recall

front · anchorage

Sep 26, 2019

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.

NHTSA listing: WRANGLER. Jeep campaign VA6.

Steering 1 recall

hydraulic power assist · hose, piping, and connections

Jun 4, 2013

Risk: A loss of transmission fluid may result in a loss of transmission function which may increase the risk of a crash.

What's wrong, the fix and the full notice

The power steering line may contact and wear a hole in the transmission oil cooler line resulting in a loss of transmission fluid.

Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the power steering return tube assembly, free of charge. The recall began on September 23, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N28.

180,131 vehicles.

Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Jeep Wrangler vehicles equipped with a 3.6L engine and an automatic transmission and manufactured January 23, 2011, through February 23, 2013.

NHTSA listing: WRANGLER. Components: Powertrain: automatic transmission, cooling unit and lines; Steering: hydraulic power assist, hose, piping, and connections. Jeep campaign N28.

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 2012 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.

Electrical overstress

Engineering analysis EA19001Closed Sep 19, 2024 (opened Apr 19, 2019)

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.

NHTSA listing: WRANGLER. Component: Seat belts (front, buckle assembly).

Air bag clockspring wiring failure

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 834 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 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

Counted from the complaint text: a complaint counts once for each problem it describes (how we match them). Some complaints describe none of these. Compare other models in the problem owners report most for every model year.

Areas named in complaints

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 2012 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 2012 drew 367.

Owner complaints

2012: 834 complaints

Show as a table
Owner complaints by model year, Jeep Wrangler
Model yearComplaints
2010686
2011485
2012834
2013654
2014654
2015472
2016460
2017309
20181,823
2019742
2020610
2021947
2022400
2023369
2024945
202576
202610

Safety recalls

2012: 9 recalls

Show as a table
Safety recalls by model year, Jeep Wrangler
Model yearRecalls
201010
201110
20129
20136
20144
20153
20165
20175
201814
20199
202013
202117
202216
202316
202414
20256
20263

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.

Tested versionOverallFrontalSideRollover
Jeep Wrangler SUV 4WD
Rollover risk 27.9%
 Not ratedNot ratedNot rated
Jeep Wrangler Unlimited SUV 4WD
Rollover risk 27.9%
 Not ratedNot ratedNot rated

2012 Wrangler MPG

EPA rates the 2012 Jeep Wrangler up to 18 mpg combined.Every version and fuel cost

Questions

What are the most common 2012 Wrangler problems?

In the 834 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2012 Jeep Wrangler, the problems described most are the airbag warning light or an airbag fault (66), stalling or shutting off (51), and the check engine light coming on (48). NHTSA does not verify complaints, and one complaint can describe several problems.

Is NHTSA investigating the 2012 Jeep Wrangler?

Yes. NHTSA has 1 open investigation that names the 2012 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.