2012 Jeep Wrangler Problems

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 18,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Drive it from cold if you can. Shifts should be smooth in every gear, including reverse.
• Feel for slipping (revs rise without the car speeding up), shudder at low speed and a delay when you put it in gear.
• Listen for whining, which is a common CVT complaint, and clunks when you go from drive to reverse.
• If it has 4WD or AWD, engage it on the test drive and ask when the transmission and differential fluids were last changed.

Tools that help

What owners said

My Oil pump and oil sensor keep going out every 4,000 miles. I have already had to replace it once. I don’t want to have to do it again. Clearly something is causing this issue.Owner complaint, filed 2026

Report from diagnostic service 1-9-2023 cylinder head - has premature failure of valve guides and cylinder head replacement is required for repair. Yes, Jeep extended the warranty but if your vehicle did not show problems they would not fix it, but they did learn and knew at the point the seriousness of the problem and put an end date on…Owner complaint, filed 2024

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 32,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Turn the wheel lock to lock while parked and listen for groaning, clicking or binding.
• On a straight road the car should track straight with the wheel centered and no loose feeling.
• A power steering warning on the dash, even briefly, deserves a mechanic’s look before you buy.

Tools that help

What owners said

Revision 6 November 2019 Dealer Service Instructions for: Customer Satisfaction Notification V41Steering Damper 2018 - 2019 (JL) JeepWrangler vehicles front suspension steering damper on about 192,000 of the vehicles may not effectively damp oscillation of the steering system, resulting in a sustained shake or shimmy in the steering…Owner complaint, filed 2023

Driving vehicle at low speeds (30-40mph), front end of Jeep shakes uncontrollably. Vehicle must be stopped in order for shaking to stop. This shaking is becoming worse and dangerous. Two independent tire shops have reviewed the concerns and are unable to determine source of shaking. This is becoming a daily occurrence.Owner complaint, filed 2021

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 40,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Ask the seller not to warm the car up, and start it cold. Listen for ticking, knocking or a rough idle in the first minute.
• Pull the oil dipstick and the oil cap. Low oil, a gasoline smell or a milky film on the cap are reasons to walk away or get an inspection.
• Plug in an OBD2 scanner. Stored or pending codes matter, and so do readiness monitors that show "not ready", which usually means the codes were cleared right before the sale.
• Ask for oil change records. A gap in the records on a model known for engine complaints is a negotiating point at minimum.

Tools that help

What owners said

While driving my 2012 Jeep Wrangler Sport, the vehicle experienced a sudden and severe loss of engine power due to a cylinder failure on the left/driver-side cylinder head (cylinder #2). This defect causes the engine to experience persistent cylinder misfires, resulting in severe engine stumbling, hesitation, and a dangerous drop in…Owner complaint, filed 2026

The engine's cylinder head/valve train has failed internally, allowing combustion gases to enter the cooling system, confirmed via a chemical block test performed by a master automotive technician on November 29, 2024, which verified combustion gases present in the coolant. This is a widely documented defect on this engine and model…Owner complaint, filed 2026

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 47,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Test every switch: windows, locks, mirrors, seat heaters, the screen, the backup camera, Bluetooth and every USB port.
• Watch the dash at startup. Every warning light should come on briefly and then go out.
• Have the battery and charging system tested. A weak alternator or battery drain shows up here.

Tools that help

What owners said

In 2020 I bought this Jeep, within the first 3 months I had to replace the TIPM, at $950.00, now 5 years later the same problem, the TIPM is having issues again. Causing the engine to overheat. Jeep is telling me this happens, not at $950 every 5 years, I was told there was a recall initially when they were new. There has to be some sort…Owner complaint, filed 2025

The 2012 jeep jk wrangler has serious electrical issues. The jeep randomly stalls while driving and sometimes won’t start at all. Right before it stalls, every light on the dashboard flashes and continues to flash until the car dies. Replacing the battery doesn’t fix the issue. Numerous complaints about jeep wranglers TIPM issues have…Owner complaint, filed 2025

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 63,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• The air bag (SRS) light should come on at startup and go out within a few seconds. If it stays on, the system may not work in a crash.
• Air bag recalls are some of the most serious. Check this exact VIN for open recalls and get proof any recall work was done.

Tools that help

What owners said

What happened? The vehicle was delivered to an authorized dealership for a federally mandated "Stop-Drive" Safety Recall (V01 - Passenger Airbag Inflator). During this service visit, the dealership attempted to charge an illegal $275.00 diagnostic fee for the airbag warning light, which is directly related to the recall system. The…Owner complaint, filed 2026

THIS IS 2012 Jeep Wrangler its 14 years old and for 14 years the previous owner renewed the registration put insurance on it and it passed the emission tests despite the fact that it was recalled. Now the parts were in back order and they replaced my airbags but when the tow company went to the dealership to pick up my car the dealership…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 260,992 miles

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 56,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• The pedal should feel firm and the car should stop straight without pulling, grinding or a pulsing pedal.
• The ABS and stability control lights should go out after startup and stay out.
• Look through the wheels at the rotors. A deep lip on the edge means brakes are due soon, which is a fair thing to negotiate on.

Tools that help

What owners said

This failed part has not for me caused an accident but it could easily cause one. A failing or failed ABS module renders the ABS braking system useless. As well as no cruise control, traction control and throwing the jeep into limb mode whenever it decides. NO warning. Thousands of jeeps are affected and jeep knows it is a major problem…Owner complaint, filed 2026

The contact owns a 2022 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle unexpectedly went into LIMP Mode. The ABS, BRAKE, and traction control warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local independent mechanic to be diagnosed and DTC: C2200; was retrieved. The vehicle was scheduled…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 120,000 miles

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 38,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Check every light: headlights on low and high, fog lights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights.
• Run the wipers on every speed with washer fluid, and run the defroster front and back.

Tools that help

What owners said

Headlights, turn signals and windshield wipers do not work. All went out at the same time. Fuses checked and are ok. Forums list multiple complaints for this safety issue with the tipm failure. I was driving in a light rain and could not turn in my headlights, turn signals or wipers.Owner complaint, filed 2019, at 56,000 miles

For the 2012 wrangler, tipm 68105503ab was required to have additional relays installed due to wiper failure. Https://static.NHTSA.gov/odi/rcl/2009/rcrit-09v438-9017.pdfOwner complaint, filed 2019, at 80,000 miles

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 48,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Smell around the engine bay and under the rear of the car for raw fuel.
• On the test drive, accelerate firmly from a stop and up a grade. Stumbling, surging or a flashing check engine light are red flags.
• Fuel pump recalls are common. Check this exact VIN for open recalls before you buy.

Tools that help

What owners said

Having a hard time putting gas, I have to do it slowly so it can go in, the worst is when I put fuel a bit more fast it will throw gas out even if it ain't even close to half the tank.Owner complaint, filed 2025

When the fuel vents on the top of the fuel cell get old, they are extremally brittle. Washboard roads or a pot hole can jar the fuel tank breaking the connectors that go to the emissions system and the rollover valve. If any of these plastic pieces break, there is a chance for fueling problems and effects the drivability of the vehicle.…Owner complaint, filed 2023

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 32,000 miles. Parts named most: Body (29).

What to check before you buy

• Look underneath with a flashlight. Utah road salt is hard on frames, brake lines and the bottoms of doors.
• Open and close every door, the hood and the liftgate, and lock and unlock each one.
• Use a paint thickness gauge and compare panels. A panel that reads very differently from the rest has likely been repaired.

Tools that help

What owners said

The secondary hood latch failed, and was not securing the hood. In the event of a primary hood latch failure, the hood could release and strike the windshield while driving, obscuring vision and potentially causing bodily harm. My research indicates that this is not an isolated incident.Owner complaint, filed 2022

There is galvanic corrosion forming on all of my hinges on my vehicle. The steel hinges touching the aluminium door panel. You can see the bubbling happening and it is a known issue on jeep wranglers. Eventually it will rust and cause major problems being that it is happening on all of my door hinges. I first noticed it in 2016 and it…Owner complaint, filed 2020

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 54,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• On the test drive, press the gas gently and firmly. The response should be smooth with no lag or surge.
• Set the cruise control, then use resume and cancel to make sure each one works.

Tools that help

What owners said

The contact owns a 2012 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the accelerator became stuck and the vehicle accelerated inadvertently with the traction control warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle continued to accelerate while depressing the brake pedal. The contact had not taken the vehicle to…Owner complaint, filed 2021, at 111,000 miles

The contact owns a 2012 jeep wrangler. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds in cruise control, the traction control warning light illuminated causing the cruise control to disengage intermittently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer fitzgerald chrysler jeep dodge ram lexington park located at 22231 three notch rd…Owner complaint, filed 2020, at 914 miles

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 47,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Drive over a few bumps and potholes slowly with the radio off and listen for clunks or rattles.
• Check the tires for uneven wear on the inside or outside edges, a sign of alignment or suspension trouble.
• Look behind the wheels for oily, wet shocks or struts.

Tools that help

What owners said

The contact owns a 2012 jeep wrangler. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the vehicle experienced the death wobble. The contact stated that the failure recurred several times. The vehicle was taken to lithia chrysler jeep dodge of twin falls located at 1310 pole line rd e, twin falls, id 83301, (208) 293-8571 however, the mechanic…Owner complaint, filed 2020, at 100,002 miles

The contact owns a 2012 jeep wrangler. The contact stated that since early november of 2019, the vehicle experienced the "death wobble" four separate times while driving. The most recent failure occurred while driving 45 MPH. The steering wheel started to turn left and right without warning and the front of the vehicle shook violently.…Owner complaint, filed 2019, at 110,000 miles

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 58,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Pull out and latch every seat belt, and let each one retract on its own.
• Try every seat adjuster, and watch for a passenger air bag "off" light when an adult is in the seat.

Tools that help

What owners said

Both the front drivers side and front passenger side seat belts no longer retract fully. The mechanism and surrounding areas seems to be free of debris. Additionally the airbag light comes on and off when anyone sits in the front passenger seat. I travel in the vehicle alone mostly. The fact that the seat belts and airbag systems are not…Owner complaint, filed 2022

The contact owns a 2012 jeep wrangler. The contact stated that the front driver's side seat belt failed to retract correctly in order to secure the driver in the seat. The contact also stated that the seat belt fabric was unraveling. The contact called franklin sussex auto mall (located at 315 state route 23, sussex, nj 07461…Owner complaint, filed 2019, at 140,000 miles

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 58,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Read the four-digit DOT date on each tire. Tires older than about six years should be replaced, whatever the tread looks like.
• Check tread depth on all four. On AWD vehicles all four tires should match.
• The tire pressure light should go out after startup.

Tools that help

What owners said

The contact owns a 2012 Jeep Wrangler equipped with Duraturn tires, Tire Line: Travia A/T, Tire Size: LT285/70/R17, DOT Number: [VIN], [VIN], [VIN], [VIN]. The contact stated that one of the tires experienced tread separation and the set of tires were replaced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 20T016000 (Tires). The vehicle and tire failure…Owner complaint, filed 2022

Tl * the contact owns a 2012 jeep wrangler sport equipped with goodyear wrangler radial tubeless, size p255/75/r17 (n/a). The contact stated that the rear passenger side tire exploded. The contact temporarily lost control of the vehicle but she was able to pull over. After inspecting the vehicle, she noticed that the tread separated from…Owner complaint, filed 2013, at 2,426 miles

What to check before you buy

• Where it is safe, try the adaptive cruise and lane keeping on the test drive and watch for sudden braking or warnings with nothing there.
• Check the windshield in front of the camera and the bumper sensors for cracks, chips or poor repairs.
• Ask whether the windshield has been replaced. The camera has to be recalibrated afterward, and many shops skip it.

Tools that help

What owners said

The abs module on many of these vehicles has a known fault. You can’t find replacement parts, even the Jeep dealership can’t get them. Many ppl are driving around with faulty modules, on a waiting list for parts. I’m one of those people. All has been fine until I was driving toward 228 business in Angleton to turn towards Walmart. I was…Owner complaint, filed 2026

ABS ETC Traction control Torque management in power train and ABS I have tried to fix everything with no resolve I just drove to and from Oklahoma and the jeep is unsafe to driveOwner complaint, filed 2026