CarComplaints.com Notes: Poor side crash test ratings from the IIHS are really no surprise.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
49,109 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.

2012 Jeep Wrangler brakes problems

brakes problem

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2012 Jeep Wrangler Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #30

Aug 072023

Wrangler

  • 100,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2012 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V675000 (Electronic Stability Control, Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

- Burleson, TX, USA

problem #29

Nov 142019

Wrangler

  • 116,000 miles
Driving my vehicle it started raining I went to use my wipers they do not work. My ESC light keeps coming on and off. My mechanic said it's the tipm. Please advise if Jeep with help me with this costly problem

- Monaca, PA, USA

problem #28

Oct 142019

Wrangler

  • 145,000 miles
First my power windows wouldn't work while driving, I pulled off the side of the road and turned the car off and that temporarily fixed the issue (it has happen twice since). That same day I was driving on the interstate using my cruise control set at 70mph and the traction control light came on and the cruise control shut down and disabled itself while keeping the cruise control light on and not allowing me to turn off or reset the cruise control. (these lights went out the following day). A couple days later while driving, a warning of the rear drivers side turn signal being out came on (this comes and goes now almost daily). Last night while my Jeep was parked in driveway of my home the headlights and dome light started coming on randomly. The headlight and dome light switch where both in the off position and the keys were on my kitchen table inside the house (this is continuing to happen in the parking lot at work also). When I got in it to go to work and while idling the hazards lights would randomly blink twice and then stop, wait a couple minutes and happen again. While sitting in the parking lot at work I noticed that when this happen the headlights are also turning on, they turned off after a minute or two, and then it happens again. It is a rainy day but bright enough that I could not tell if the lights were randomly going in and out while driving. Regardless this is turning in to a serious safety issue and it seems to be all too common with these Fiat-Chrysler vehicles.

- Rockland, ME, USA

problem #27

Jul 202019

Wrangler

  • 75,000 miles

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

All the electronics in my steering wheel went out, the horn stopped working, and my airbag no longer works. Some of my warning lights on the dash even stopped working. The fm/am radio also no longer works. I took it to the dealership and they said my clock springs went out. I am very worried about my airbag not deploying in a crash. None of these work, whether the car is moving or stationary.

- Collierville, TN, USA

problem #26

Sep 042019

Wrangler

  • 10 miles
Sway bar light and other indicators flashing because of water entering the electronic sway bar disconnect box in front of the sway bar, under the front of the vehicle in a non-waterproof containment, causing multiple shorts. Common issue in 2012 Jeep Wrangler rubicon unlimited 4X4 because of poor design. This happens when driving in heavy rain, while driving if you hot a large puddle water splashes up in to the box shooting it out.

- Robertsville, MO, USA

problem #25

Sep 052018

Wrangler

  • 44,902 miles
Driving down the road when suddenly all the lights started flashing, radio flashed and then the Jeep started to loose power. Pulled over, put in park and turned it off. Exterior and interior lights were flashing. Clicking noises where coming from the tipm even with the key off. Everything was locked up once it was put in park and wouldn't unlock to tow. The only recourse was to unhook the battery and try to reset everything after waiting for about 20 seconds. I hooked the battery back and was able to drive it home. This is the second time this happened however the first time was in park and everything went haywire. Was able to restart w/O disconnecting the battery. It is getting worse. We are looking at a $1000 repair bill. We are hesitant to drive it.

- Pittsburg, IL, USA

problem #24

Apr 132018

Wrangler

  • 37,826 miles

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

Driving out of my work parkinglot on a clear dry even road onto a fourlane street across traffic ABS and traction control lights came on then front brakes locked up and then started pulsating causing me to almost be T-boned in the drivers side.

- Decatur, IL, USA

problem #23

May 012018

Wrangler

  • miles
Check engine illuminated in mid-2017, but no codes were present and Jeep appeared to run fine. In Sept 2017, while driving on I-75, the Jeep shuddered and the electronic throttle control light came on, along with the anti-lock brake system light. I took it to the Jeep dealership immediately, but they couldn't figure out the problem because the lights had turned off. They ended up swapping out the spark plugs and two ignition coils. The check engine light came back on a few days later. I was able to pull codes for the throttle position system 1 and 2. in Oct 2017, the vehicle jumped/shuddered and stopped running. I had to coast to the shoulder and leave it sit for 10 minutes. I was able to restart the vehicle and drive it a local repair shop where they were unable to pull any codes and based off of my description of the issues, replaced the pedal assembly and cleared the codes. They said if the issue came back to replace the battery. The issue came back within 5 minutes of leaving the automotive garage, so I changed the battery in November. After that, the check engine light when away, but would come back on sporadically. The Jeep was still shuddering/jumping and would then completely stop after the check engine light, the electronic throttle control, and the anti-lock brake system notification, still. I just took it to another garage (aril 2018), since the previous two had no idea what the issue was. At this point I was still pulling throttle position 1 and 2 codes. This garage replaced the entire throttle body and ran a fuel injection service. Within 15 minutes of me driving away from that garage, the check engine light came on, followed by a softer shudder of the vehicle and the electronic throttle control light. I tried to pull codes when I got home, but there were none--but the check engine light and the electronic throttle control light are still on.

- Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

problem #22

Dec 242017

Wrangler

  • 59,000 miles
Engine dash lights ABS, traction control and engine light came on then off then back on will in motion. Also while in motion, an RPM surge occurred which almost caused me to rear end the car in front of me. This surge has occurred twice in the last day so have parked the vehicle for fear of having an accident that could result in bodily harm.

- Fort Myers Beach, FL, USA

problem #21

May 022017

Wrangler

  • 22,500 miles
The stability control system will turn on at random. When it happens, the cruise control is disabled, engine power decreased and the gas pedal rendered almost useless. I cannot safely accelerate onto a interstate freeway. When the highway goes uphill, the Jeep does not have enough power to maintain speed despite downshifting. Case in point; I was in the slow lane on a highway. I looked in my mirror and saw a semi- truck coming in my lane. I looked over to the fast lane and it was full of cars. I knew the truck will over come me and it had no option to move into the fast lane. To avoid being rear ended, I pulled the Jeep over to the shoulder. When I did that, the semi truck passed me on my left. There is a button to turn off the stability control but it does not work. Another situation; I went off road in very sandy soil. The stability control went on and engine power reduced. Because of that, I was not able to apply power to the wheels thus I got stuck in the sand over ten times in a very remote area where there is absolutely no possibility of help.

- Watsonville, CA, USA

problem #20

Jan 172017

Wrangler

  • 60,684 miles

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

Tipm failure.

- Fairbanks, AK, USA

problem #19

Nov 012016

Wrangler

  • 15,000 miles
The left rear brake caliper engages randomly. When engaged the vehicle is slowed somewhat. Sometimes there will be coming off the disc pads. I have noticed that I can clear the condition by following the hill start assist on/off procedure. A mechanic told me this is a computer failure and he can fix it for $1300. I think it is a serious safety issue.

- Florham Park, NJ, USA

problem #18

Nov 022016

Wrangler

  • miles
Stop at red light, wheels locked. Electric stability control light went on. Jeep has only 47,000 miles, repairs over $1200. Calibers and sensor for ABS...

- Miami, FL, USA

problem #17

Sep 232016

Wrangler

  • 75,000 miles
Tipm went out lost all control of the vehicle while traveling 55 mph! could have be a deadly situation! Jeep needs to have a recall asap....

- Kingston, TN, USA

problem #16

May 232016

Wrangler

  • 70,000 miles
When in motion on an uneven or bumpy road the anti stabilation light starts flashing and tires fell like something is grabbing them and makes grinding sound. This happens when applying brake or not applying brake. Three other co workers are having same problem all 2012 right hand drive.

- Lockport, LA, USA

problem #15

Oct 022015

Wrangler

  • miles
I was involved in a single vehicle collision, with "multiple front end impacts" and significant damage to the vehicle. I was driving approximately 35-40 mph, when the vehicle jerked to the right I hydroplaned (this is my best guess and veered to the shoulder. The street is narrow, with only a very thin shoulder. The Jeep then went off the road, drove through a deep rain-filled ditch, hit the front end of that ditch, launching the Jeep airborne. During that impact, the front axle was ripped off. I then landed in another ditch (a culvert with 2 cement walls), where the Jeep bounced twice on the cement wall, cracking the frame each time, then landed in the ditch, where I kept going until I hit a small construction pole. My Jeep had the additional side airbag package. Despite the severity of the crash, my airbags did not deploy, and my seat belt never tightened. This resulted in me being thrown forwards and backwards multiple times (at least 3 that I recall). I suffered a tbi, and missed 2.5 months of work. I had to quit my second job. I have also had ongoing neck pain, initially thought to be muscular. An mri recently completed shows disk herniation of C3-C6.

- Virginia Beach, VA, USA

problem #14

Apr 122016

Wrangler

  • 151,000 miles
The clock spring has was replaced once at partial cost to me. It is now out again. Now the traction control light is on, and it affects the way I'm driving.

- Herod, IL, USA

problem #13

Feb 122016

Wrangler

  • 42,900 miles
Tipm failure. Failure also affected starter and steering module. Initially vehicles lights and horn would go on without vehicle turned on. Doors lock and unlock by themselves. Ac and heater would shut down and restart. On these instances, dealership was advised, I was told that it was a code problem and codes were reset. Lately vehicle would downshift to first gear at both high and slow speeds causing a hazard in traffic. From a start position vehicle would not shift out of first gear. Vehicle engine would die out in traffic or turnover then die out as if fuel pump was failing. Instrumentation panel would flash and malfunction not allowing driver to see what gear indication was showing. Vehicle power steering would fail at various speeds causing dangerous situations. Last instance the vehicle was towed to dealership due to the unsafe conditions. Dealership and Chrysler advised. Remedy from each is "we are looking for parts, do not know when or can give you a repair date. Vehicle has been at dealer since being towed in. Chrysler refuses to give any assistance. Initial cost of repair quoted at $1100+. owner refused to pay this amount since it is a known problem with Chrysler products. Dealership will lower costs to $250. Still unacceptable due to Chrysler refusal to admit a problem that they are aware of and have had a previous recall for only after threat of lawsuit. But they have limited it to only specific models and years. Problem goes back to 2007. Vehicle in with this problem is a hazard and dangerous to drive at any speeds. No offer of vehicle assistance while waiting to see when vehicle can be put back into use.

- Naperville, IL, USA

problem #12

Jan 272016

Wrangler

  • 39,500 miles
Yesterday when driving my Jeep to the gas station all of the warning lights started turning on and the Jeep battery light turned on. Knowing that it could be a problem with the alternator I headed home immediately. A block from my house in the middle of an intersection the battery finally died thankfully someone was able to push me out of the intersection because it was dark out and I didn't have any lights. I had the car checked and it is the alternator. I searched online and found that there is a recall for a pentastar 3.6 L V6 alternators but I'm being told that my vehicle is not included in the recall. By specifically excluding my vehicle from the recall they have risked my safety and the safety of those around me.

- Cuyahoga Falls, OH, USA

problem #11

Oct 312015

Wrangler

  • 58,000 miles
Several problems occurred electronically with my Wrangler in the past 2 months. 1. headlights turned on when I came out of the store 2. check engine light came on (4cyl. Misfire) but cleared itself after 100 miles 3. while sitting idle at a red light, the dash warning light lit up and flickered as well as chimed for a minute. 4. while cruising on the interstate about 70mph, the Jeep shut off for a few seconds and turned back on before I was almost rear ended by the vehicle behind me.

- Easthampton, MA, USA

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