JK
2016 Jeep Wrangler
The most reported problem on the 2016 Jeep Wrangler is brake wear, with 136 complaints, usually around 58,000 miles.
- 460owner complaints
- 5recalls
- 28involved a crash
- 43,000median miles at failure
Newest report Sep 13, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
What is your Wrangler doing?
Each one opens a sheet built from the owner reports of that problem on the 2016 model year.
Is the 2016 Jeep Wrangler reliable?
The 2016 Jeep Wrangler has 460 owner complaints on file with NHTSA, 1.9 times the median of 248 for 2016 SUVs on this site. Of the 13 Wrangler model years since 2014, it has the 8th most complaints. Complaint counts rise with sales as well as faults, so read what owners report below before deciding.
At a glance
- Next to the 2017
- At 42 complaints for each year on the road, the 2016 runs above the 2017 (31). That's the only adjacent model year with enough complaints to set beside it.
- Top problem
- Brake wear leads with 136 of the 460 complaints (30%), ahead of airbag at 77. A quarter of the 52 owners who gave a mileage for brake wear saw it by about 37,000 miles, and half by about 58,000.
- Crash, fire and injury reports
- 48 of the 460 complaints (10%) report a crash, a fire or an injury. The typical vehicle on this site sits at 6%, so this one runs well above it. Counted separately (one report can carry more than one), 28 reports mention a crash, 15 mention a fire and 38 people were hurt. The most crash reports, 20 of 28, fall under airbag.
- Recalls behind the top problems
- Airbag has a recall on the same system (16V-288, 16V-734 and 2 others). Brake wear and stalling have none. A recall on the same system doesn't always cover the failure owners describe, so compare its summary with the complaints.
- When owners filed
- Filings peaked in 2019 at 70 (full calendar years only). In 2025 there were 65. So far in 2026, 43 more have come in.
When each problem shows up
Each bar covers the middle half of the mileages owners reported for that problem. A quarter saw it earlier, a quarter later. The tick is the median. Most reported: brakes grind, pulse or wear early, 136 complaints.
middle half of reports, median tick. The heavier grey bars have 75 or more reports.
Behind you
Around your mileage
Ahead of you
How this compares
460 complaints is 1.8 times the median 2016 model on this site and 1.9 times the median 2016 SUV. Among the 13 Wrangler model years here it ranks 8th for complaints. Counts follow sales volume as much as reliability, so a truck that sells 700,000 a year draws more reports than a sedan that sells 200,000.
Service bulletins for the 2016 Jeep Wrangler
Jeep filed 195 bulletins and other notices with NHTSA that list the 2016 Jeep Wrangler. 24 of them deal with a problem owners have reported on this car. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 2 bulletins · 136 complaints
Wheel Speed Sensors For Jeep Wrangler (JK) only. Before replacing the wheel speed sensors, please check for wiring/connection to the speed sensor. If the sensor is replaced, record the fault codes and note any damage to the sensor.~
Incorrect Front Caliper Slide Pins This bulletin involves inspecting the front caliper slide pins and if necessary replacing the slide pins. The customer may describe rattle in front brakes.
Airbag warning light or recall 1 bulletin · 77 complaints
Non-desiccated Passenger Frontal Airbag This bulletin involves providing to purchasers of affected un-sold vehicles, prior to purchase, the attached "Important Notice" document and retain a signed copy.
Check engine light or misfire 8 bulletins · 19 complaints
wiTECH Small Leak Verification Test (SLVT) - P0456-EVAP SYSTEM SMALL LEAK
Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) Illumination. Diagnostic Trouble Codes P0407 ? EGR Sensor B Circuit Low, or P0408 ? EGR Sensor B Circuit High Set
6 more on this problem
Fuel Tank and Fuel Evap System Components 1) For JK MIL On ? P0441: Before replacing this part due to fault code P0441, check for restriction due to plastic over-flash in the Purge Hose Port of the Intake Manifold.
Fuel Tank 1) Before replacing this part due to fault code P0441, check for restriction due to plastic over-flash in the Purge Hose Port of the Intake Manifold for the ERB (3.6L engine only).
Fuel Tank and Fuel Evap System Components Before replacing this part due to fault code P0441, check for restriction due to plastic over-flash in the Purge Hose Port of the Intake Manifold.
Oil Pump Assembly If error code P06DD present on any Pentastar V6 application, please inspect oil pump for relief valve failure. See photo attached.
Fuel Tank Pressure Sensor and Purge Valve Canister Before replacing this part due to fault code P0441, please call David Thomas at cell (248) 613-6908. Engineering may want to visit dealers in the metro Detroit area with this condition.
Fuel Pump: JK ONLY: If a customer has a P0461 fault code (Fuel level sensor 1 performance) please take a picture of the fuel module orientation / alignment to the fuel tank flange as it is received. Send the picture to Bob.Bruni@fcagroup.com.
Engine overheats or leaks coolant 3 bulletins · 15 complaints
Suspected Engine Coolant Leak
Water Quality When Mixed With Engine Coolant
1 more on this problem
Issue involves overheating, running hot, coolant leaks and related symptoms after a Mopar replacement engine has been installed in the vehicle.
Seat belt or seat problems 3 bulletins · 14 complaints
Dimpled Driver Side Front Leather Heated Seat This bulletin involves inspecting and installing heater element patches and replacing seat cushion cover, on the driver?s front seat.The customer may describe, the driver?s front leather seat has dimples in the ...
Squeaking Noise Below The Front Seat While Turning and Going Over Bumps This bulletin involves replacing the bolt and bushing on driver and passenger side seat slide mechanism to resolve a squeaking issue (Two door models only).
1 more on this problem
Passenger Seat Is Difficult To Move This bulletin involves greasing the inboard passenger seat track. The customer may describe it is difficult to move the passenger seat forward or backwards.
Engine leaks oil 2 bulletins · 13 complaints
Customer Complaint May Include Engine Oil Leak Or Consumption
Customer complaint may include engine oil leak/consumption.
Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 4 bulletins · 10 complaints
RADIO [RES] New and/or Service Exchange For RES radio concerns. Use the wiTECH 2.0 and inspect the radio part number and serial number under the Radio/ECU Details tab. Please verify that the radio part number and/or serial number is not "FFFF".
Flash: Powertrain Diagnostic And System Enhancements This bulletin involves reprogramming the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) with the latest available software.
2 more on this problem
RA3 RA4 Radio Enhancements This bulletin involves inspecting and, if required, updating the radio software. A small number of customers may experience one or more of the following: · Navigation failed message is displayed.
Hands Free Feature Inoperative This bulletin involves updating the Hands Free Module (HFM) software. The customer may notice that the hands free feature (Bluetooth) does not work.
Suspension noise, struts or alignment 1 bulletin · 8 complaints
Air Suspension Components Star Parts Catalog has been updated to show individual service parts for the compressor assembly. This will allow service technicians to repair the root cause without over repairing the system.
Complaints filed by year
70 complaints came in 2019, 2.7 times the year before. Owners file in waves when a problem gets press or an investigation, so a spike measures attention as much as failures.
NHTSA investigations
Desiccated air bag inflator rupture. Open.
NHTSA summary
Seat belt buckle bracket failure. Closed dec 12, 2019, led to recall 19V-680.
NHTSA summary
Electrical overstress. Closed sep 19, 2024, led to recall 20V-024.
NHTSA summary
Recalls that include the 2016 Jeep Wrangler
Whether your car is included depends on its VIN. Check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) (Stellantis) is recalling certain right hand drive 2016 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. Debris contamination may cause the clockspring to fail, preventing the driver's air bag from deploying in a crash.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Dealers will replace the clockspring, steering wheel back cover, and steering column shrouds, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 4, 2024. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 27B.
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2011-2018 Jeep Wrangler right hand drive vehicles. The driver's seat belt buckle mounting strap may fracture and separate from the seat frame.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: 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.
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 and remedy
Remedy: 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.
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Jeep Wrangler vehicles manufactured June 16, 2015, to August 14, 2016. In certain crash conditions, the front impact sensor wiring may be pulled until it detaches before a signal can be received by the Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC).
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will reroute the front impact sensor wiring and relocate the impact sensor branch, free of charge. The recall began on November 10, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S76.
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. The clockspring assembly may become contaminated with dust and cause the air bag circuit to fail.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: 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.
All 5 recalls on the 2016 Jeep Wrangler, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
Guide One recall here carries a do-not-drive warning. What that means
Questions
What is the most common problem on the 2016 Jeep Wrangler?
Brake wear, with 136 of the 460 complaints. Owners who gave a mileage for it put the median at about 58,000 miles.
At what mileage do 2016 Jeep Wrangler problems start?
Of the 257 complaints that give a mileage, a quarter came by about 22,000 miles and half by about 43,000.
Is the 2016 Jeep Wrangler better or worse than the 2017?
Counted per year on the road, the 2016 has more complaints than the 2017: 42 a year against 31.
How many 2016 Jeep Wrangler complaints involve a crash, fire or injury?
48 of them (10%). The typical vehicle on this site is at 6%.
Is there a recall for brake wear on the 2016 Jeep Wrangler?
No recall on file for the 2016 Jeep Wrangler is on the same system as brake wear. Another recall may still cover your car, so check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.