Is the 2016 Jeep WRANGLER reliable?

The 2016 Jeep WRANGLER has 633 complaints filed with NHTSA (0.8x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: above-average. Most common issue: BRAKES problems.

What are common problems with the 2016 Jeep WRANGLER?

Top problems: BRAKES (126 complaints, avg repair $500); ENGINE (92 complaints, avg repair $500); AIR BAGS (77 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2016 Jeep WRANGLER?

Yes, there are 5 recall(s): AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE, SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER CLOCKSPRING/SPIRAL CASSETTE. Contact any Jeep dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2016 Jeep WRANGLER?

The 2016 Jeep WRANGLER gets 18 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $2667. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2016 Jeep WRANGLER?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2016 Jeep WRANGLER is approximately $1,617/year (suv-midsize class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2016 Jeep WRANGLER

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Above Average

Quick Summary

The 2016 Jeep WRANGLER has 633 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.8x the segment average of 844. The most common issue is brakes problems (20% of all complaints), specifically: my jeep was bought brand new less than a month ago and when i take my foot off the brake or press the brakes there's a noise. its not the same noise that the car would make if the brakes where bad. i brought my car back to the dealer that i got it from and they said all jeeps do that which doesn't m. There are 5 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 22 fire reports filed.

22 fire reports 32 crash reports 40 injuries

633

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

0.8x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

BRAKES

126 complaints

20%

• MY JEEP WAS BOUGHT BRAND NEW LESS THAN A MONTH AGO AND WHEN I TAKE MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE OR PRESS THE BRAKES THERE'S A NOISE. ITS NOT THE SAME NOISE THAT THE CAR WOULD MAKE IF THE BRAKES WHERE BAD. I BROUGHT MY CAR BACK TO THE DEALER THAT I GOT IT FROM AND THEY SAID ALL JEEPS DO THAT WHICH DOESN'T M
• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 JEEP WRANGLER. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND, UPON RELEASE, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SLOW DOWN. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, IT ALSO FAILED TO SLOW DOWN THE VEHICLE FOR APPROXIMATELY 20 SECONDS. WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS RELEASED,
• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 JEEP WRANGLER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE HESITATED TO ACCELERATE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE ABS WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. T

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 1 fire reports💥 3 crashes

“MY JEEP WAS BOUGHT BRAND NEW LESS THAN A MONTH AGO AND WHEN I TAKE MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE OR PRESS THE BRAKES THERE'S A NOISE. ITS NOT THE SAME NOISE THAT THE CAR WOULD MAKE IF THE BRAKES WHERE BAD. I BROUGHT MY CAR BACK TO THE DEALER THAT I GOT IT FROM AND THEY SAID ALL JEEPS DO THAT WHICH DOESN'T M”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2016 Jeep WRANGLER

Based on 329 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 37K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

144

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

TRANSMISSION

In line with typicalmedian 31K mi · 49 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

OTHER

In line with typicalmedian 19K mi · 32 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ELECTRICAL

In line with typicalmedian 37K mi · 23 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

SPEED CONTROL

In line with typicalmedian 28K mi · 20 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

BODY/STRUCTURE

In line with typicalmedian 19K mi · 16 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

STEERING

In line with typicalmedian 30K mi · 13 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (5)

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE15/01/2019

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. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.

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.

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.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2016 Jeep WRANGLER

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$2,667

Per month

$222

Per mile

22.2¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$2,824/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$2,286/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2016 Jeep WRANGLER

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,617

Full coverage / month

$135

Liability only / year

$639

vs US avg

-3%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (suv-midsize)1.05x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating1.00x

× vehicle age0.92x

= Full coverage estimate$1617

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Jeep WRANGLER Service Intervals

Oil change

8K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

8K mi

Brake fluid

36 months

Transmission fluid

60K mi

Engine coolant

100K mi

Spark plugs

100K mi

Cabin air filter

24K mi

Engine air filter

30K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

20K mi

4WD Wrangler/Gladiator have shorter transfer case + differential intervals if off-roaded frequently.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Jeep New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

3 yr / 36K mi

Powertrain

5 yr / 60K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

5 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

5 yr / 60K mi

These are the terms for a new Jeep. If you're buying a used 2016 WRANGLER, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Jeep dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

AIR BAGS(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 633 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
BRAKES: MY JEEP WAS BOUGHT BRAND NEW LESS THAN A MONTH AGO AND WHEN I TAKE MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE OR PRESS THE BRAKES THERE'S A NOISE. ITS NOT THE SAME NOISE THAT THE CAR WOULD MAKE IF THE BRAKES WHERE BAD. I BROUGHT MY CAR BACK TO THE DEALER THAT I GOT IT FROM AND THEY SAID ALL JEEPS DO THAT WHICH DOESN'T M
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: I HAVE A 2016 JEEP WRANGLER UNLIMITED WITH 20,000 MILES., TODAY I WAS GOING UP A HILL STOPPED AT A MAILBOX THEN STARTED TO TAKE OFF AND THE MOTOR STALLED WHILE IN DRIVE. IT CASED ME TO ROLL BACK ABOUT 3' BEFOR I COULD HIT THE BRAKE ALMOST CAUSED A ACCIDENT. I THEN RESTARTED THE JEEP PLACED IT BACK I
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
AIR BAGS: THIS VEHICLE HAS A POSSIBLE AIR BAG CLOCK SPRING MALFUNCTION..THIS IS A SERIOUS THING BUT THIS IS A 2016 MODEL....NOW WE TRADED IN S 2011 WRANGLER THAT HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. 5 YEARS LATER AND STILL NOT FIXED SO I NEED AN ANSWER... THE CLOCK SPRING WAS REPLACED ON THE 2011 ABOUT 4 YEARS AGO BUT B
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
TRANSMISSION: I HAVE A 2016 JEEP WRANGLER UNLIMITED WITH 20,000 MILES., TODAY I WAS GOING UP A HILL STOPPED AT A MAILBOX THEN STARTED TO TAKE OFF AND THE MOTOR STALLED WHILE IN DRIVE. IT CASED ME TO ROLL BACK ABOUT 3' BEFOR I COULD HIT THE BRAKE ALMOST CAUSED A ACCIDENT. I THEN RESTARTED THE JEEP PLACED IT BACK I
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 5 recalls have been completed — free at any Jeep dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)