10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
42,754 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2006 Jeep Wrangler engine problems

engine problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2006 Jeep Wrangler:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2006 Jeep Wrangler Owner Comments

problem #15

Feb 272012

Wrangler 6-cyl

  • 70,280 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Opda has a high pitched squealing noise coming from it. From what I read this can lead to engine failure.

- Wayne, NJ, USA

problem #14

Sep 012011

Wrangler

  • 35,500 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Jeep Wrangler. The contact was driving 60 mph when a squealing noise was heard from the oil pump assembly near the cam shaft. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the dealer confirmed that the oil failed to pump through the vehicle properly. The manufacturer was contacted and they advised that the VIN did not qualify for repairs under NHTSA campaign id number: 06V147000 (power train: Clutch assembly). The vehicle was not repaired, the VIN was unavailable. The failure mileage was 35,500 and the current mileage was 37,000.

- North Little Rock, AZ, USA

problem #13

Sep 232011

Wrangler 6-cyl

  • 51,000 miles
Opda(distributor) appears to have created excessive heat at the drive gear from the camshaft and caused a failure of a camshaft lifter or follower which wore down the camshaft and ran metal shavings or chips throughout the engine with the oil and caused engine failure. The oil level was full prior to draining it to see how much metal it contained.

- Poway, CA, USA

problem #12

Jun 222011

Wrangler 4WD 6-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 34,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2006 Jeep Wrangler. While driving approximately 50 mph the check engine warning light illuminated, followed by a rapid decrease in the rpms. The engine stalled and restarted. The failure occurred ten times while driving various speeds. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer twice for the similar failure. The technician was unable to duplicate or locate the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the defect. The approximate failure mileage was 34,000. Updated 07/28/11 updated 11/18/11

- Brush Prairie, WA, USA

problem #11

Feb 262011

Wrangler

  • 100,000 miles
Jeep suddenly lost all power at freeway speed. Almost got creamed by semi. Check engine light came on. Pulled over on shoulder, restarted engine and limped home under 2500 RPM. Any higher RPM resulted in complete power loss. Ran obd got "intermittent cam sensor". tried to change sensor but assembly was full of metal shavings. Did research found out that the oil pump drive assembly is faulty. Part on back order, no one has it. Common problem with 05 models due to faulty design. Very dangerous and can destroy engine.

- Hemet, CA, USA

problem #10

Oct 012010

Wrangler

  • 25,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated that the vehicle would idle improperly and stall intermittently. The check engine warning light would also illuminate. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic who advised the contact that the oil pickup drive assembly would need to be replaced. Both the dealer and manufacturer were notified and were aware of the issue; however, informed the contact that the parts to repair the failure were on back order. The vehicle was not repaired. The current mileage was 29,556 and the failure mileage was 25,000.

- Gresham, OR, USA

problem #9

Aug 132010

Wrangler

  • 79,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I would like to complain about a 2006 RHD Jeep Wrangler I purchased from [xxx]. on 4/01/10. Lemon is not the word. Before driving off the lot with veh. I noticed the fan switch for the ac/heater only operated on high speed. Hours later the dealership finally replaced the switch from someones personal veh. Because the switch is so hard to come by apparently. Within 2 mos the switch for the fan went out again. Had to wait another 3 mos. (on back order) the gear shifter cable broke next and had car towed and repaired. Also, it was running extremely hot, I would have to shut veh. Down to cool. Then to top it off on Aug. 13th 2010 the trans fell out on my way to work. I bought the veh on Apr 1st (fools day) and boy was I fooled. I thought this would be a dependable, reliable veh. For my job, the postal svc even gives $1000 incentives for their carriers to buy Jeep. Biggest mistake I've ever made. I could of lost my job trying to drive this Jeep if my boss hadn't been understanding about all the breakdowns and downtimes I had. I would not recommend a Jeep to my worst enemy. Jeep to me stands for just empty each pocket. Even Jeep wont stand behind their veh. Can't buy extended warranty for a RHD Jeep they designed to deliver mail in. Is that a joke or what? I have owned numerous veh. And not paid near the price I did for this Jeep and this has to be the worst experience ever. Be smart don't make the mistake I did. If you do buy a Jeep better buy it brand new under warranty cause you will need it. Big time. And get out from under it before the warranty goes out. The dealership nor the manufactures of the Jeep were willing to help me at all. I was stuck with it and nothing I could do. I am just now (6 mos. Later)rebuilding the trans. I had to have a break from it. I was tired of staying stressed out and upset. As soon as it is repaired I am trading it. Get a warranty for sure. Parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the freedom

- Cordova, AL, USA

problem #8

Jan 152011

Wrangler

  • 31,000 miles
My Jeep is experiencing premature failure of the oil pump drive assembly (opda), with only 31,000 miles on the Jeep. The failure was noticed when a chirping was heard coming from the opda upon engine start up. I contacted Chrysler who had me get the problem diagnosed at a local Jeep dealer, which led to the replacement of the oil pump drive gear. The replacement of the drive gear did nothing to eliminate the chirping. There was some wear on the drive gear when it was replaced. A search on jeepforum.com indicates the problem with the opda is a bushing that isn't getting oil, due to a seal that is blocking oil flow. The part comes packed with grease, but when it wears out there is no longer lubrication. Chrysler released a service bulletin (E05) reference this issue, but refuses to acknowledge that the opda is of faulty design and continues to supply faulty opda's when a replacement is in fact supplied. A recall should be in place, but is not. In fact customers are lucky to get any assistance in covering the cost of repairs if they are not the first owner or are not covered under the factory warranty. This problem places all Jeep owners with 2005 build dates at risk of engine failure, due to a known faulty factory part, which could result at anytime, including at highway speeds. This could result in a traffic accident, fire or both, which in turn could result in injury or death of the occupants of said vehicles.

- Rochelle, IL, USA

problem #7

Dec 222010

Wrangler 4WD 6-cyl

  • 44,000 miles
The vehicle is a 2006 Jeep Wrangler rubicon w/~44,000 miles. The check engine light illuminated during a trip and upon return a diagnostic tool read the error codes = P0016 and others. The code P0016 indicated a cam-crankshaft sensor which is part of the camshaft synchornizer (part #53010624ac). Inquiry into purchasing this part, we were told the part is on national back order and has been for more than 9 months. Further inquiry into numerous other dealers and parts company's support the national back order problem. And after deeper research online into this issue including the following thread at www.jeepforum.com/forum/F9/Chrysler-paying-install-new-cam-2005-2006-owners-should-read-963235/?referrerid=211189 it shows a much more serious problem exists than just a sensor causing a check engine light. There was a recall (EO5) for the 2005 model year but yet the problem still exists in the 2006 model as evidenced by the thread (there are other threads and research) as well as the national back order for the parts supporting this problem. The problem is the teeth on the associated gears for the synchronizer and the camshaft parts prematurely wear out causing play between these two gears thus activating the sensor which then causes the check engine light to be illuminated. This cel activity limits the maximum rpms at ~3,000 thus causing limited drivability. For example, if when exceeding this RPM limit due to changing gears to either accelerate or decelerate, the vehicle sputters and hesitates significantly thus reducing drivability potentially endangering the occupants during normal city and interstate driving conditions. Further use of the vehicle causes further failure of these gears resulting in a shut down of the vehicle and complete inoperable. When the gears stop turning, this action stops turning the oil pump resulting in no oil flow. No oil flow could potentially cause the engine to seize should these gears fail while driving on our interstate system.

- Atlanta, GA, USA

problem #6

Sep 112010

Wrangler

  • 57,000 miles
2006 Jeep Wrangler sport less then 60,000 miles on it and keeps getting service code P0431 P0431-catalyst warm up efficiency below threshold all 4 oxygen sensors replaced and still getting code.

- Parma, OH, USA

problem #5

Dec 182009

Wrangler

  • 76,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My camshaft position sensor on my 2006 Jeep unlimited lj has caused my Jeep check engine light to come on and to have misfire codes, transmission failure codes, and emission sensor codes, causing my Jeep to run rough and may cause further damage to my motor if the problem is not fixed. The codes produced, does not point out my that my camshaft position sensor is the problem but masks the problem with other sensor codes.this has been going on for a while and the dealership couldn't even tell me what was wrong with my Jeep and said they would have to just start with one thing and keep replacing parts till the problem goes away. I am still trying to get the problem fixed and I have an appointment scheduled with a reputable Jeep mechanic at a specialty Jeep shop to try and fix the problem this Wednesday 8/4/2010. Hopefully my engine has not been damaged due to this problem that Chrysler is fully aware of! my mileage is in the 76,000 mile range and I do not know if my drivetrain warranty covers this.

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

problem #4

Mar 142008

Wrangler

  • 2,596 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Jeep Wrangler. While driving approximately 30 mph on normal conditions, the vehicle stalled as it approached a curve. A warning indicator illuminated on the instrument panel and remained lit until the engine was turned off. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for diagnostic testing and the brakes were replaced. The failure recurred, which resulted in a crash. There were no injuries; however, three vehicles were damaged. The police was called to the scene and a report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence and is currently inoperable. No repairs have been performed. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 2,596 and current mileage was 3,273.

- Dacula , GA, USA

problem #3

Jul 302008

Wrangler

  • 20,000 miles
'06 Jeep Wrangler looses power, bucks, shakes as of 20,000mi. Gas gage sometimes does not read correctly, ac goes warm at neutral, smelled burning, could not shift past 1st. Has had to be towed to dealer. Stalls and shakes intermittingly during moving and stopped positions. Has a rough idle, which at times is more severe than others, but has never died - just shook severely a few times. It intermittingly acts as if it is going to loose all power. This can occur several times in one day, 1 time during the day or not at all for 1 or several days in a row. There is no set pattern. It occurs during cold and hot weather, with electrical devices on or off, in neutral or drive, if the engine has warmed up or is still cold. Have taken it to dealer several times. Dealer tells me something is wrong but they are unsure of what. They have tried several times to replace or fix parts with no success. Chrysler's star mechanics are now working on it. This vehicle is not safe. Dies at all speeds, times and road conditions.

- North Port, FL, USA

problem #2

Aug 072007

Wrangler 4WD 6-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 4,886 miles
Brand new, 2006 Jeep Wrangler 4X4, less than 5,000 miles on it when driving down the road (first incident,50 mph), engine stalls. Try to restart...pull off to the side of the road, wait about 5 minutes, and the Jeep finally restarts. Second incident, driving down the interstate in rush hour traffic, middle lane, approximately 70 miles per hour, Jeep engine stalls again. Loss of all power, steering components, no dashboard lights or check engine lights flash. Just complete and total loss of power. Almost get rear-ended by several cars before managing to get the Jeep off on the shoulder. Sat on the side of the road for 45 minutes before the Jeep would restart. First dealership I took it to refused to look at it because I didn't have an appointment, and said they could get to it in a week or so. I told them I didn't have an appointment because I didn't know it was going to die, and secondly I wasn't driving a vehicle that was unsafe and I didn't know what was wrong with it. I was then referred to another dealership, where the technician stated he was unable to duplicate the defect...so nothing has been fixed and I'm still driving an unsafe car.

- Lugoff, SC, USA

problem #1

Nov 062006

Wrangler 4WD 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 11,050 miles
I was driving my 2006 Jeep Wrangler rubicon (11,000 miles) on the freeway, when it totally lost power. It literally shut down. I was able coast to the center medium. (this had happened just 4 days before also) I was almost in a crash as I tried to coast to a safe place. When I started the car up, the check engine light came on, and I bought the Jeep to a Jeep dealership near by. They put the car on the diagnostic machine, and on the rack to check it, and told me everything came out fine, and they could not find anything wrong. Needless to say it is a very very dangerous car to drive. It is less than one year old and under warranty.

- Brisbane, CA, USA

Not what you are looking for?