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

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
8,439 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 drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2012 Jeep Wrangler Owner Comments (Page 2 of 14)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #257

Mar 182020

Wrangler

  • 67,800 miles

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

Beginning of Feb., lost power on freeway. Went from 65 to 40 mph and could not accelerate. Engine and traction lights came on. Exited the fwy and drove to dealer where I was turned away due to high volume. Left my Jeep at the dealer the following day with this issue and to correct campaign #V51 recall. The engine light wasn't lit anymore and dealer couldn't find anything wrong with it so I picked it up. Couple of weeks later, I failed the smog check I need to register my Jeep, and an engine code showed up, P0394. I took it to other places where the same code showed up and was recommended to take it back to the dealer. Going downhill, my father experienced the same while driving my Jeep. Beginning of March, omw to the dealer on the fwy, I lost power again and the engine and traction lights came on. I showed the dashboard to the service advisor, explained the continued problem and the code showing up. I left my Jeep there for several days because they couldn't reproduce the problem and didn't know what was causing it. The code was cleared when I picked it up. The following day, as I was making a right turn into a parking lot, the engine stalled. I used gravity to partly move back down as there was another car driving into the lot. I put it on "park" and I was able to restart the car. No engine light this time. This morning I lost power driving to the first stop on my street (stop on my side only). I had already entered the T-intersection but could not accelerate to turn left. I put it in "park" then back to "drive" and accelerated normally. There were no cars around because of the corona virus, but I would have been hit on the driver's side if a coming vehicle (who has the right-A-way), decided not to slow down.

- Cerritos, CA, USA

problem #256

Mar 012020

Wrangler

  • 52,000 miles
Began leaking small amount of oil under Jeep after use. Took to have issue investigated. Mechanic found the intake gasket on rear of intake causing the issue. Estimated cost to fix $600+ this appears to be a common issue for this Jeep, thus Jeep has never been off road and this should not have occurred. It should be covered under drive train warrenty or a recall as this a manufacturer issue.

- Charleston, WV, USA

problem #255

Apr 252019

Wrangler

  • 90,000 miles
I love my Jeep, but for the past year we have had a love hate relationship. Today I received a letter indicating that the power control module might need reprogramming. Interesting enough this went bad on my 2012 Jeep a year ago. Shortly thereafter my engine failed. Now that I see there was an issue with the PCM needing reprogrammed it made sense why a Jeep with barely 90,000 miles would have an engine that failed, especially considering that I was never rough with it, and always gave it appropriate oil changes. It took me the better part of a year to pay off the cost of the new engine, and when you've got a car this new, there really isn't a good option besides knuckling down and paying for the fix. I would love to love my Jeep again. When this happened it was very cold outside, my Jeep sat outside overnight. While driving to school the temp gauge pinged. I limped it back to a dealership (no Jeep dealers in my hometown) and eventually found out the problem. After what I thought was an initial fix, it was determined that the engine had actually failed and I subsequently had it replaced at a Jeep dealership. I can provide proof of the replacement if necessary.

- Greencastle, IN, USA

problem #254

Feb 162019

Wrangler

  • 103,000 miles

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

When putting the vehicle in reverse from a stopped position the engine will often die. This happens more when the brake is applied hard and if the steering wheel is turned sharply. This has happened many times in the past 2 months.

- Northglenn, CO, USA

problem #253

Jan 202019

Wrangler

  • 80,000 miles
My airbag light has come on at 80,000 miles 1.20.2019. I was told it is the clockspring. 2 months ago my WA580(nag1) transmission began to shift itself going uphill trying to find the right gear. I was told it was the valvebidy which is not under warranty even though the same part was replaced at 35,000 miles.

- Noble, OK, USA

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problem #252

Oct 102013

Wrangler

  • 20,000 miles
Cylinder misfire less than 20K, heat chronically did not work, brought to dealer numerous times for no heat, ticking sound coming from motor. City driven vehicle. Major engine issue at 85K dealer telling me not a systemic problem with this particular vehicle. Extended warranty will not cover engine issues. Jeep over heating, no heat, replaced radiator twice at my own expense.

- New Orleans, LA, USA

problem #251

Mar 132018

Wrangler

  • 3,400 miles

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

Gas tank crack leaks fumes, also the transmission pops out while driving and dealership would not fix under warranty because they said it didn't happen when repairman test drove it. Now its completely blown out does not work has 36,700. Miles on it 700 miles past warranty and one year pass warranty. These are two defective parts and either could run you off the road and gas leak blow up your car. My guess is these parts are made in china. We all have to pay for this with our safety and our lives in some cases.

- Palm Springs, CA, USA

problem #250

Jan 082018

Wrangler 6-cyl

  • 40,090 miles
On Jan 8th I was heading home on union road in the middle of rush hour traffic. A car infront of me decided to turn left so I had to stop when I proceeded to go around him I heard a loud bang and my Jeep stopped dead. When I tried to put the car in drive, reverse, or neutral the Jeep didn't move. Had I have been going the speed limit or got on the thurway in which was 200 ft away where I was headed to go home my Jeep would have flipped from the sudden lock up of my wheels. I could have died. There was no warnings, noises, ect. It just snapped. Not only the 1500 dollar repair the technician told me that there had to be a defect in the differential. I would like Jeep to contact me [xxx] on this matter I feel that I should not have to pay for this thank you [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Amherst, NY, USA

problem #249

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 #248

Sep 282017

Wrangler

  • miles
When driving and accelerate to around 3500 to 5000 RPM randomly the Jeep stalls and doesn't accelerate nore passes 2500 rpms. Very dangerous when driving in the freeway. I cleared the check engine light around 3 different occasions. Obd code was P06dd

- Long Beach, CA, USA

problem #247

Jul 252017

Wrangler

  • 93,000 miles

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

Check engine light and hill assist always lit. Dealer constantly resetting and I was repeatedly told not to worry as it is probably "bad gasoline." Now, no acceleration and is more pronounced when on an incline ie highway entrance ramp. Presently, one week into diagnostics and repairs with present diagnosis being "probably" cam shaft phasers. Important to note engine repairs previously done one month of ownership on brand new vehicle. In addition, engine light has been on while in warranty but told not to worry. Now, almost complete engine rebuild. Jeep will not assist even though engine light has been on and reported to dealer (and documented) while in warranty. Vehicle purchased brand new, never used "four wheeling" or utilized to tow. Mileage reflects ~ highway travel. Religiously maintained through dealership.

- Lorain, OH, USA

problem #246

Apr 282017

Wrangler

  • 74,000 miles
Parking break will not hold. Have had the parking break shoes replaced and adjusted but still will roll slowly if not on a flat surface. Mine has a manuel transmission so I have to leave it in gear to keep it from rolling. I have spoken with several other Jeep owners and they say this is a common Jeep problem but I fill like this should be covered under a recall. The clutch also is in need of replacement after only 74,000 miles of driving. Has been like this since I bought it in April 2017.

- Cedar Point, NC, USA

problem #245

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 #244

Aug 312014

Wrangler

  • miles
Takata recall. The contact owns a 2012 Jeep Wrangler. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 13V234000 (power train, steering), 14V631000 (electrical system, visibility), and 16V352000 (air bags) however, the parts to do the repairs were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

- Lancaster, PA, USA

problem #243

Dec 212015

Wrangler

  • 15,000 miles
3rd gear drops into 4th gear very easily at times when standing still. In 4WD low if you think you in neutral but are in 4th gear when releasing the clutch which makes the vehicle drive forward. This could be life threatening.

- Long Jetty Nsw, AP, USA

problem #242

Jan 292016

Wrangler

  • 52,119 miles
12 jkru 52,000 miles. It first happened at night while wife was driving on interstate Jeep went crazy mode all lights in cluster illuminated warning lights flashing and with hot oil msg, warning dings going off, heard electric fan running. It seemed that nothing was controllable, auto trans went into and would not shift out of first gear. Scared the hell out of my wife. Got home after shut off I tried to restart but nothing happened. I disconnected battery to reset cpu that did not work. I stopped by auto zone to get codes scanned. They told me every system was reporting failure and needs to go to dealer. After restart every thing was normal. After 100 yards down the street it all happened again. Pulled into store parking lot, turned Jeep off and would not restart till 4th try. Drove it strait to dealer in first gear with all. They said that it was tipm and not under warranty, gave MA a rental car for 10 days because part is on back order. After 10 days Chrysler quit paying for rental car and still have no part to fix Jeep it has been 16 days. I guess there are alot of failures for the tipm causing back order and do not know when they will get one.

- Kernersville, NC, USA

problem #241

Oct 192015

Wrangler

  • 64,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Jeep Wrangler. While parked, the vehicle failed to restart without warning. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 64,000. The VIN was unavailable.....updated 12/11/15 the consumer stated the problem was something different. Updated 01/28/16.

- Pinckney, MI, USA

problem #240

Sep 032015

Wrangler

  • 40,000 miles
My 2012 Jeep Wrangler was being driven at 40mph when the clutch inadvertently went out. I am concerned that there might be a greater problem related to the flywheel and the related clutch assembly of these factory parts on this vehicle. I only use this vehicle to commute in the city and my driving habits are mild. I do not use this vehicle off-road and I live in the state of Florida which is incredibly flat. The clutch and surrounding assembly should not defect at 40K miles.

- Satellite Beach, FL, USA

problem #239

Aug 012013

Wrangler

  • 42,808 miles
First thing that happened with this vehicle while driving on a highway the air condition and defogger for the winshield went out, winshield fogged up could not see on a rainy foggy night when I had to open all windows for air to take mist off winshield.second incident when I pulled into a service area to check the A/C the vehicle above was locked in park when suddenly the vehicle started going in reverse with engine running almost running over my brother who was in rear of vehicle.

- Greenlawn, NY, USA

problem #238

Dec 052013

Wrangler

  • 35,000 miles
Appears that during winter months/cold weather the manual transmission will jump out of gear. It happens during sudden jars to vehicle, examples would be railroad tracks and pot holes. Also it will jump out of gear during heavy acceleration.

- Boiling Springs, PA, USA

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