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

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 9
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
36,563 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 engine problems

engine problem

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2012 Jeep Wrangler Owner Comments (Page 8 of 9)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #23

Aug 252012

Wrangler 6-cyl

  • 16,217 miles

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

Many major mechanical issues for this vehicle 1) 6th cylinder head on the new penstar engine needed to be replaced 2) wind air leak causing whistling in the cabin 3) serpentine belt shredded and cracked 4) belt tensioner was binding and needed to be replaced 5) major vibrations- intake and exhaust phasers shorted 6) motor mounts worn 7) vibration got worse motor mounts trans and exhaust had to be remounted.

- Alexandria, VA, USA

problem #22

Nov 202012

Wrangler 6-cyl

  • 23,000 miles
Check engine light came on. Initial trip to dealer and they decided to just reset the codes. Light came back on the next day. Return to dealer and they reported a bad cylinder head. Told me to keep driving, car now has more engine noise and power lose. (as a side note the dealership has also replaced, about 3 weeks ago, a"bad"pvc valve which resulted in the air filter and housing coated with about a 1/2 inch of engine oil.). have been waiting on parts going on 10 days. Not stupid enough to keep driving the vehicle as the dealer suggested. It is irresponsible for dealers to tell clients to keep driving when this vehicle has power issues and appears at risk for stalling. This is an accident waiting to happen.

- Lexington, SC, USA

problem #21

Nov 282012

Wrangler

  • 805 miles
I experienced a serious problem with my 2012 Jeep sahara. After accelerating and passing another car while driving, I lifted off the accelerator, but my Jeep continued to accelerate. I tapped several times on the accelerator, then tapped the brake a couple of times in case the speed control somehow engaged. I then tried to see if I could lift the accelerator from below with my foot, but it wasn't depressed. The Jeep was continuing to accelerate and at this point I was going well over 80 mph. Finally I was left with no choice but to depress the clutch and take the vehicle out of gear. I quickly shut down the engine as the revs went through the roof. I coasted onto a side road and attempted to restart my Jeep, but it wouldn't turn over. I turned the ignition to the off position and removed the key, put the key back in and turned the ignition at which point it turned over and after about 5 or 6 secs it finally restarted and everything seemed normal. I checked around the accelerator and the floor mat was securely in place and there was nothing around the accelerator to cause it to stick. I have never experienced anything like this before in my life and am 110% sure that the problem was not driver error. My feet were completely off any of the peddles while the Jeep continued to accelerate and as I had a clear road ahead of me, I very methodically and calmly took the actions I outlined above in the attempt to reduce the engine speed with no affect until I finally had to shut it down.

- Peoria, IL, USA

problem #20

Nov 212012

Wrangler 6-cyl

  • 12,000 miles

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

Chrysler pentastar 3.6L recall needed for major defect that is requiring major engine rework and complete cylinder head replacement around 12K miles. This is going on now and needs public announcement/recall. Please google "cylinder 2 misfire pentastar" this is already reported by ~25% of 2012 owners.

- Mission Viejo, CA, USA

problem #19

Aug 062012

Wrangler

  • 14,000 miles
Really have 3 issues with this vehicle. The first is that the engine began to tick noticeably at around 5000 miles, sound definitely coming from #2 cylinder. Was initially told not to worry, noise was normal, oddly it did not tick previously. The short story is that it set a P0302 code at around 12,000 miles. Chrysler did not authorize a rental and the dealer was less than cordial. They put the thing back together and damaged an emissions valve, so more delay. Get the vehicle back, ran silent for 2,000 miles, the tick is back. Now at 19,000, no code yet, but I fear its coming. Problem #2, exhaust smell, get it nearly all the time, especially under load, no resolution yet. Problem #3, wet carpet on drivers side, no resolution yet. Oh, I forgot to mention, there is a fourth, I have just installed the third windshield in less than 6 months. Its not the quality of the glass, its the steep angle of the windshield, but that's what you get when you buy a Wrangler. I have been loyal to us brands, this is our 32nd new vehicle, won't by a Wrangler again.

- Waterbury, CT, USA

problem #18

Sep 042011

Wrangler 6-cyl

  • 18,000 miles
3.6 liter V6 pentastar driver's side cylinder head began ticking and failed while returning home from a trip. Cylinder head failed after less than 10 month of service. Repair time was over two weeks due to parts availability. Chrysler gave no explanation for failure.

- Manvel, TX, USA

problem #17

Sep 112012

Wrangler 6-cyl

  • 2,500 miles

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

Loud ticking noise coming from left side of the engine. The engine was quiet previously, there was no ticking noise.

- New Phila, PA, USA

problem #16

Jul 102012

Wrangler 6-cyl

  • 11,800 miles
I bought my 2012 Jeep Wrangler unlimited sport in November 2011. It was working just fine until the summer of 2012 when my wipers would turn on all by themselves for a few seconds, and then off again. This happened several more times during the summer. In addition, the radio would just power off. The only way it would come back on was to hit the top of the dash and it powered back on. Took it in and they flashed a module which stopped the wiper issue but not the radio problem. This was July 2012. After that in same month, I noticed an engine light came on solid. Took it in, they reset it saying it was a cylinder #2 misfire. People on wranglerforums.com were talking about it too (see jk section and look for "ticking pentastar" thread). It was the biggest thread actually. Apparently, over a hundred owners on just this site alone had to have their head replaced. Wtf? the light came back on a couple days later so I took it back in. They confirmed the same result and told me they would order a new head. The local dealer here in savannah (hoover) told me it was in. Took in the Jeep and they said it would take 2-3 days. Big lie. After 3 days, I called to get status and they told me it would be 2-3 weeks!!! there were several people in front of me with same issue and only one guy fixing them. With a major issue like this on a brand new vehicle, this calls for a class-action lawsuit. I get small glitches happening but a new head"?" they did not change anything on the 2013's so this will likely be a huge headache for Jeep. Be warned!!!!

- Richmond Hill, GA, USA

problem #15

Sep 132012

Wrangler 6-cyl

  • 2,463 miles
Loud ticking noise coming from the engine. The engine was quiet previously, there was no ticking noise.

- Hilmar, CA, USA

problem #14

Sep 032012

Wrangler 6-cyl

  • 6,200 miles
The engine has developed a loud ticking noise starting at about 1000 miles. The ticking is louder on the driver's side of the engine and doesn't appear to be normal valvetrain related noise. With reports of bad pentastar V6 heads making it into production Jeep Wrangler, I've taken the vehicle to two different Jeep dealers for analysis. Both dealers said that they think the noise is normal, but did admit they could hear the loud ticking. Mileage has been dropping and the engine has stalled twice. A software update was performed, but doesn't seem to have affected anything.

- Scottsdale, AZ, USA

problem #13

Jun 232012

Wrangler 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 125 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 that exhaust fumes were emitted into the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who was unable to diagnose the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who stated that they would investigate further. The failure mileage was 125 and the current 1,474. Updated 10/3/12 updated 10/05/2012

- Easton , MD, USA

problem #12

May 012009

Wrangler 6-cyl

  • 4,000 miles
Ticking sound, sounds bad first start in the morning.

- Edmond , OK, USA

problem #11

Jan 022012

Wrangler 6-cyl

  • 1,000 miles
Noticed a very prominent ticking noise coming from the drivers side of engine. Occurs at idle and gets more pronounced when increasing speed while in park. Notified the dealer and Jeep spent three days at dealership. The service advisor who had 23 years of experience told me when he heard it that it definitely was a lifter problem. So I called Chrysler Corp and received a claim number. To make a long story short, I was told that all the pentastar engines made a loud ticking noise from the drivers side and this was a normal variant. Was told that it was in the design of the left exhaust manifold and they all made this noise. After much talking between Chrysler Corp and the dealership I was told to come and pick up my Jeep, nothing would be done. I have a friend who is a Dodge mechanic and was told that the pentastar engines are having multiple problems with the left head and cam phaser are going out... I am concerned that the engine will catch fire or stall out on the freeway.

- Spring, TX, USA

problem #10

May 012012

Wrangler 6-cyl

  • 7,000 miles
Engine ticking coming from driver's side. Took it to one dealer and the technician confirmed the tick. Dealership refused to act. Took it to another dealer and service tech told me that Chrysler was aware of the problem but that repairs were on hold. Took it back to that dealer and service employee denied any knowledge of a problem. Ticking has gotten worse and engine power is decreasing.

- Schaumburg, IL, USA

problem #9

Jul 112012

Wrangler

  • 4,180 miles
Drivers side cylinder head ticking noise that 2012 pentastar based Jeep Wrangler have. Chrysler has extensive knowledge of this issue and makes you run through hoops to get resolve. This is the potential cause of fires and engine malfunction that they are aware of and refuse to fix it immediately. This is a hazard to all owners and should be seriously addressed.

- Pensacola, FL, USA

problem #8

Oct 172011

Wrangler 6-cyl

  • 272 miles
10/17/12- steering column shutters, horn pads loose- dealer retorqued bolts to horn pad and driver's air bag. 1/4/12- brake/steering concern; steering wheel has excessive play, excessive pull to right- dealer checked and adjusted alignment, vehicle steering continued to drift; dealer rotated front tires. 4/14/12- dead battery, vehicle towed to dealer, battery failed midtronics test, dealer replaced battery. 4/16/12- front brakes squealing; dealer scuffed and cleaned pads and rotors. 4/28/12- engine light activated; dealer identified #2 cylinder misfire, dealer re-programmed PCM with new update software per tech service bulletin 18-007-12. 5/31/12- engine light activated again; dealer identified low compression cylinder #2 misfire, exhaust valves leaking, replaced left cylinder head per star case #327244. Rental vehicle 2 days. 6/15/12- engine light activated again, steering pulls to right again; dealer identified bank 2 camshaft slow response, replaced both exhaust camshaft phasers, dealer rotated tires. Rental vehicle 2 days.

- Glendale, AZ, USA

problem #7

Jun 012012

Wrangler 4WD 6-cyl

  • 3,000 miles
I had bought my 2012 Jeep Wrangler with 2200 miles on it. I took my 2012 Jeep Wrangler to the dealership for an oil change at 3000 miles when I noticed after the oil change I heard a ticking coming from the engine. I drove it around thinking it might go away until after 1000 miles it did not. I took it to the dealership June 15th at 9:00 in the morning and spoke with a mechanic, manager, and my salesperson said, since it had only been a few weeks since I bought it. The manager told me they had 4 Jeep in there they had to do repairs on with the no.2 cylinder. He told me not to worry until it threw a code. I have been looking online at youtube and forums, and my case is not the only case. There are other people out there with these new 2012 Jeep who are having the same problem and it all has to do with this pentastar engine that Chrysler has released for 2012.

- Louisville, KY, USA

problem #6

Apr 022012

Wrangler 6-cyl

  • 3,700 miles
My 2012 Jeep Wrangler suffers from the common and well document "engine tick". I have had the tick for a least a few thousand miles. I might have had the tick since day one but never noticed it because this is my first Jeep and quite honestly didn't know how the engine was supposed to sound like.

- Van Nuys, CA, USA

problem #5

May 012012

Wrangler 6-cyl

  • 1,650 miles
Vehicle developed an audible ticking from the left hand side of the engine which is present at all times, increasing with engine speed. Intermittent loss of power while driving.

- Springfield, VA, USA

problem #4

Feb 012012

Wrangler 6-cyl

  • 3,500 miles
My 2012 Jeep Wrangler sahara 2-door with automatic transmission exhibits the following issues: 1) valve train ticking noise. This developed after a few months of ownership (bought November 2011) 2) sluggish acceleration and automatic transmission shifting when vehicle is cold. It does improve as vehicle is warmed up after driving it for 5-10 minutes, and by then the vehicle seems to operate normal. 3) I sometimes feel a thud or vibration coming up from the steering wheel. It almost feels as something is loose in the front-end. This happens sporadically. This started happening just recently. I am going to discuss these issues with the Chrysler dealership when I take it for the first oil change.

- Rocky River, OH, USA

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