2017 Jeep Wrangler Problems

What owners reported to NHTSA about the 2017 Jeep Wrangler, its recalls, and what to check before you buy one.

Jeep Wrangler, 2012 to 2017 model years
Photo: Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0
How the 2017 compares

One of the better Wrangler years

Owners filed about 53% fewer complaints than a typical Wrangler year. The area owners reported most is the brakes and stability control, which half of owners reported by about 32,000 miles.

Based on owner complaints to NHTSA, compared with other Wrangler years from 2012 to 2024. A good year can still be a bad car, so check the one you are looking at.

Owners have filed 312 complaints with NHTSA about the 2017 Jeep Wrangler. The most reported problem area is the brakes and stability control (82, 26% of complaints), followed by the engine and cooling and the transmission and drivetrain. That is the fewest complaints of any Wrangler year from 2012 to 2024 on file. It has 5 recalls.

Complaints312filed with NHTSA
Recalls5for this model year
Crashes1921 injuries reported
Fires21reported in complaints

5 of these complaints came from Utah owners.

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Most reported problems

Problem areas ranked by how many complaints mention them. One complaint can name more than one area. Open an area to see what to check on a 2017 Jeep Wrangler before you buy.

Brakes and stability control

82 complaintsBrakes that feel soft or grab, grinding, ABS and stability control faults.What to check before you buy

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

The ABS warning light remains illuminated and the vehicle is displaying diagnostic trouble code C2200, indicating an internal failure involving the Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) control module. I am concerned that this is a safety-related defect rather than normal wear. I have found multiple reports from other owners of 2017 Jeep…Owner complaint, filed 2026
The Jeep wrangler has a notoriously bad reputation with ABS Modules. Mine has been broken for over 2 years and I am unable to find a replacement part. I’ve ordered the part 4 times only to find that the item is back ordered. Almost every Jeep owner I know is driving without ABS due to the module breaking and no parts available. I think…Owner complaint, filed 2026

Engine and cooling

63 complaintsStalling, misfires, oil consumption, leaks, overheating and engine failure.What to check before you buy

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 52,000 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

The first time happening I was driving on the interstate going about 70 miles an hour in the dark, the car completely shut down with no warning I was able to coast then tried to restart the vehicle and it started. I was able to get off the road and to my destination. The second time this happened, it was 5am in the morning getting on the…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Oil cooler split due to warming up and cooling down in winter and being made of plastic All brake calipers needed to be replaced on it tooOwner complaint, filed 2026

Transmission and drivetrain

50 complaintsHarsh or delayed shifts, slipping, shuddering, CVT whine, and drivetrain clunks.What to check before you buy

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 19,000 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

Parts of the manual transmission are failing and appear in the bottom of the transmission when changing the fluid. It appears to be part of the synchro. This is apparently not uncommon for these manual transmissions. There were no warning lamps or messages indicating a failure or problem with the transmission. A transmission failure can…Owner complaint, filed 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated that the transmission independently shifted out of reverse(R). The contact immediately grabbed the gear shifter immediately and shifted back into reverse(R). The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the transmission crankshaft…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 37,000 miles

Electrical system

45 complaintsDead batteries, warning lights, failed screens and cameras, and electrical shorts.What to check before you buy

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 25,000 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

The battery terminals will stop tightening, which made me think it was fully tightened. I wiggled them from side-to-side and they didn't move. As I was driving, the vehicle died, which almost caused an accident because the steering wheel locked. I was able to get the vehicle to a safe stop and hook up a jump pack to it. I then discovered…Owner complaint, filed 2026
It randomly will not start and will need a jump start to get going. My safety has been put at risk due to not being able to start the car while in unfamiliar locations. I have had fhe battery and alternator checked and both came back with no issue. No symptoms. Just the issue of not starting even after driving around all day. There’s no…Owner complaint, filed 2025

Air bags

26 complaintsAir bag warning lights, air bags that did not deploy, and inflator recalls.What to check before you buy

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

The contact owns a 2017 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated that while traveling at 60 MPH, the vehicle struck a deer. The airbags failed to deploy upon impact. No injuries were reported. No police report was filed. The vehicle remained operable and was driven to the residence. Two days later, the airbag warning light illuminated. The…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 140,000 miles
The airbag clockspring is defective. I know other years have a recall on the defective part. The cost of labor and the cost of the part is too expensive. I consider this a safety issue and feel like it should be under a recall like the previous model years.Owner complaint, filed 2023

Body, doors and structure

21 complaintsRust, doors and liftgates that will not latch, leaks, and frame or structure concerns.What to check before you buy

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 15,000 miles. Parts named most: Body (19).

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

Driving at 65 mph on the highway the hood latches failed and the hood blew back into the windshield, shattered the windshield, and made driving a safety issue. The safety latch also failed. Not able to see out the windshield due to the hood. Spoke with jeep cares and they said the hood latches were not a warranty item. The dealer said it…Owner complaint, filed 2023
The contact called on behalf of the owner of a 2017 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated while the driver was driving approximately 70 MPH, the rubber hood latches on the engine snapped and the hood smashed into the windshield. The entire windshield was damaged. There were no warning lights. The contact was informed that the hood latches…Owner complaint, filed 2022, at 80,000 miles

Steering

19 complaintsLoss of power steering assist, wandering, play in the wheel and noises when turning.What to check before you buy

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 20,000 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

While the vehicle is in motion while at speeds of 65 to 80 when you hit a bump there is severe steering wheel wobble that causes the vehicle to shake. It feels like the entire front end is going to fall apart. I have read other complaints on 2018 jeep wranglers as well citing a steering dampener issue.Owner complaint, filed 2021, at 45,300 miles
My 2017 jeep wrangler needs a new clockspring. Both my 2008 and 2012 jeep wrangler had recalls on the clockspring. Why is there not a recall on the 2017?Owner complaint, filed 2020, at 67,000 miles

Fuel system

15 complaintsHesitation, stalling, fuel smell, fuel pump and injector failures.What to check before you buy

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 27,000 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

The oil filter housing is made of plastic but holds hot oil, over time it cracks since plastic is not made to handle hot (oil) and cold (weather) cyclesOwner complaint, filed 2026
Fuel tank valve control valve leak has small crack where fuel vapors are leaking affecting my fuel efficiency and causing a evap system ECL.Owner complaint, filed 2025

Cruise control and acceleration

14 complaintsHesitation, loss of power, sudden acceleration and cruise control problems.What to check before you buy

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 35,000 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

Our son was driving on 287 south in new jersey around on 7-21-2019. It was a hot day. He had been driving home from the adirondack mountains for about 3 hours and 15 minutes. His speed was just under 70 MPH in the middle lane when suddenly the car wouldn't maintain its speed. The car slowed down and would not accelerate, even though the…Owner complaint, filed 2019, at 12,000 miles
While I was parking in my apartment complex parking space, the car [VIN] itself so drastically while I was not touching the gas pedal. I hit the break several times and could not stop the acceleration. The car stopped accelerating when I turned it off. This was a very scary experience as no one expect the car to accelerate itself. Just…Owner complaint, filed 2019, at 30,800 miles

Lights, wipers and visibility

14 complaintsHeadlights that dim or fail, wiper and washer failures, and windshield cracks.What to check before you buy

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 8,000 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

Heater core constantly “clogs” and no longer blows hot air on drivers side of the vehicle. Either through the defroster vents or floor vents, this makes it difficult to defrost the drivers side windshield or side window (can’t see side mirror!). Jeep wants me to spend &3500 to replace entire system!!!Owner complaint, filed 2023
This event occurred on 12/16/2022. The temperature was 30 degrees Fahrenheit and was snowing in Chicago. Upon turning on the defrost setting in the vehicle, the windshield began to crack and put the safety of the passengers at risk. Upon keeping the defrost on, the crack on the windshield contend to grow (larger than 6"). There were no…Owner complaint, filed 2022

Seats and seat belts

13 complaintsBelts that will not latch or retract, seat adjusters and passenger occupancy sensors.What to check before you buy

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 3,000 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

I had already had to replace 2 rear seat belts in my wrangler over a year ago. Both seat belts tore completely in half. The cost for the seat belts alone was 500. A year later, I had another seat belt rip in half. One that was already replaced ripped right in half again. I only occasionally have had anyone in the back seat. Possibly once…Owner complaint, filed 2021
The left rear seat belt shoulder strap became unattached as my 9 year old, 50 pound grandson was attempting to strap himself in. A week later on the right side of the back seat, that seatbelt was discovered to have a tear more than half way across. I have only the middle seat that is safe for my grandson to sit in. This is only a 3 year…Owner complaint, filed 2021, at 40,000 miles

Suspension

8 complaintsClunks over bumps, broken springs, worn struts and uneven tire wear.What to check before you buy

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

Vehicle has severe death wobble that began around teh 90K mile mark. Have spent several thousand dollars replacing front suspension components, shocks, etc...and nothing will correct the issue. When talking to the local dealership, they indicated that they had a fix, but would not guarantee that if I spent XYZ dollars on said fix that…Owner complaint, filed 2024
Severe "death wobble" at speeds over 40MPH occurs at random times, usually at highway speeds. Have replaced steering damper, shocks, upper and lower control arms, front u-joints, etc....and these repairs have only masked the problem. The OEM suspension is completely unmolested...no lifts, etc. Tires were replaced around 55-60K miles with…Owner complaint, filed 2023

Wheels and tires

6 complaintsTire failures, wheels and lug nuts, and tire pressure sensor faults.What to check before you buy

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

Upon inspection of leaking tire, it was discovered that the steel re-enforcement was protruding in two (2) locations, approximately 8-10" apart inside tire and outside tire. Tire was replaced with spare tire for now. Good year wrangler sr-a 255/75 r17, [VIN] 2017, original tire on 2017 jeep wrangler unlimited, 13,200 miles. Vehicle was…Owner complaint, filed 2020, at 13,200 miles
During a routine maintenance visit, a pre-purchase/general inspection was performed on my 2017 Jeep Wrangler, which documented the front axle and differential housing as intact and in one piece. Subsequent to that inspection, while the vehicle was undergoing service, it was discovered that the front axle housing bracket on the driver’s…Owner complaint, filed 2026

Driver assist systems

5 complaintsPhantom braking, false collision warnings, and lane keeping or backup sensors that act up.What to check before you buy

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

ABS MODULE HAS FAILED VIN [XXX] No ABS and no cruise control The ABS module is on back order and cannot be purchased by OEM. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)Owner complaint, filed 2026
Recent ABS module failure w C2200 code. Took to Chrysler/Jeep dealer for repair and was told replacement module part is unavailable with up to and more, a year backorder. Was advised there was nothing they could do to repair. Researched other dealers and suppliers with same results. This is certainly a safety concern as this ABS module…Owner complaint, filed 2026

Jeep Wrangler complaints by year

Compare the 2017 with other years before you choose one. Tap a year to see its problems.

Compare with similar 2017 off-road SUVs

Each car is rated against its own other years, since popular models always get more complaints than rare ones.

CarVs. its other yearsRecallsMost reported
2017 Jeep WranglerOne of the better years5Brakes and stability control
2017 Toyota 4RunnerOne of the better years5Brakes and stability control
Compare side by side

2017 Jeep Wrangler recalls

This is every recall issued for the 2017 Jeep Wrangler, not what is still open on one car. A recall that was fixed does not show up any differently here. Check a VIN at NHTSA to see what is still open on the car you are looking at, and ask the seller for proof any recall work was done.

Seat belts Anchorage

Sep 2019 · NHTSA campaign 19V680000
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.
Fix
FCA US will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's seat belt buckle, free of charge.
Full recall summary

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.

Electrical system Front underhood

Aug 2018 · NHTSA campaign 18V524000
Risk
A vehicle stall can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the powertrain control module, free of charge.
Full recall summary

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Jeep Renegade, Compass and Grand Cherokee, RAM 1500 and Promaster, Fiat 500x, Dodge Journey, Challenger, Charger and Durango and Chrysler 300x vehicles, 2017-2018 Jeep Wrangler, Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town and Country vehicles and 2018-2019 Jeep Cherokee and 2018 Chrysler Pacifica and Pacifica Hybrid vehicles. The powertrain control module may be equipped with a voltage regulator chip in the circuit board that may fail, causing a stall or a no start condition.

Lights Switch

Feb 2018 · NHTSA campaign 18V098000
Risk
Having the brake lamps continuously illuminated or being able to shift the vehicle out of PARK when the brake pedal is not pressed (and the ignition is in the RUN mode) can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake switches, free of charge.
Full recall summary

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2017 Dodge Caravan and Jeep Wrangler vehicles. The brake switches on these vehicles may malfunction, keeping the brake lights illuminated and/or allowing the vehicle to be shifted out of the PARK position without the brake pedal being pushed.

Fuel system Tank assembly

Nov 2016 · NHTSA campaign 16V849000
Risk
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix
Chrysler will notify owners, and Jeep dealers will inspect the fuel tank and replace fuel tank and sending unit, as necessary, free of charge.
Full recall summary

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2017 Jeep Wrangler vehicles manufactured November 1, 2016, to November 3, 2016. The affected vehicles may have a fuel tank that has a cracked or broken control valve, possibly resulting in a fuel leak in a rollover event, debris in the fuel tank and/or the potential of over fueling the vehicle.

Air bags Sensor / control module

Oct 2016 · NHTSA campaign 16V734000
Risk
If the ORC module does not receive a signal from the front impact sensor, both frontal air bags and the seat belt pretensioners will not deploy in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will reroute the front impact sensor wiring and relocate the impact sensor branch, free of charge.
Full recall summary

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).

2017 Jeep Wrangler questions

What are the most common problems with the 2017 Jeep Wrangler?

The most reported problem areas on the 2017 Jeep Wrangler are the brakes and stability control (82 complaints), the engine and cooling (63 complaints) and the transmission and drivetrain (50 complaints).

Is the 2017 Jeep Wrangler a good year to buy?

One of the better Wrangler years. Owners filed about 53% fewer complaints than a typical Wrangler year. The area owners reported most is the brakes and stability control, which half of owners reported by about 32,000 miles. Based on owner complaints to NHTSA, compared with other Wrangler years from 2012 to 2024. A good year can still be a bad car, so check the one you are looking at.

How many recalls does the 2017 Jeep Wrangler have?

NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2017 Jeep Wrangler. The most recent, from Sep 2019, covers the anchorage. Recalls cover the whole model year, so check the VIN of the car you are looking at to see which are still open.

At what mileage do 2017 Jeep Wrangler problems start?

Half of the owners who reported a problem with the brakes and stability control gave a mileage of about 32,000 miles or less. Half of the owners who reported a problem with the engine and cooling gave a mileage of about 52,000 miles or less. Plenty of cars have these problems later or never, so ask for service records.

Which Jeep Wrangler years should I avoid?

The Wrangler years with the most complaints compared with the rest are 2018. Years with clearly fewer complaints are 2017. Years from 2022 on are too new to rate fairly yet.

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Where these numbers come from. Complaints are reports that owners filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), counted from NHTSA’s complaint database as of November 5, 2026. Owners do not have to prove a problem to file one, so a complaint is a report, not a confirmed defect. Models that sell in big numbers get more complaints, and newer model years have had less time on the road, so compare years of the same model rather than different models. Recalls come from NHTSA’s recall database and cover every vehicle of that model year, not one particular car. Quotes are trimmed, and anything that looks like a VIN is hidden.