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 1 of 9)

problem #163

Jul 312023

Wrangler

  • miles

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

In my 2012 Jeep I had to replace the engine and catalytic converters. The engine number 3 cylinder failed due to excessive ware causing lower compression. After the engine (long block) was replaced, one of the cylinders was miss firing. This miss firing was traced to micro cracks in the plastic/composite intake manifold (original and not part of the engine replacement). Because these micro cracks changed the fuel air ratio on specific cylinders by leaning out the cylinders near the cracks this lean mixture would cause the affected cylinders to run hot that would lead to both the excessive ware on the one cylinder and would comprise the catalytic converters. Because this change in fuel air mixture was caused by the intake manifold and Jeep does not have any inspection requirements or methods for this item and even after the Jeep Dealer did a full diagnosis using their factory specified equipment the issue with the manifold was not found. My local AMMCO shop found the cracking in the manifold that was the route cause of the problem.

- Great Mills, MD, USA

problem #162

Aug 242023

Wrangler

  • miles
Jeep Wrangler 3.6 liter 90k miles lifter making loud noise. Seems you had a recall about this on the 2012 and guess I missed out

- Irvine, KY, USA

problem #161

Sep 072023

Wrangler

  • miles
6 days after an oil change, the temp gauge while driving went from cool to hot in under a mile and the engine temp light came on. There was coolant all over the underside of the car it was near catastrophic. I had to have it towed to the dealership for repairs. The faulty part was the oil filter adapter it was cracked by over tightening of the oil filter.

- St. Peters, MO, USA

problem #160

Apr 042023

Wrangler

  • miles

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

Engine Stalls Randomly while Driving. Will crank over several times and over approx 10-15 min. of cranking(Say every 3-5min) vehicle will and will restart. No check engine lights and no warning. The loss of power can be dangerous since brake and steering assist require engine to be running. Vehicle will be fine for several days local commute and problem will recur without warning, usually on longer commute. Vehicle is unsafe and unpredictable.

- Sterling, VA, USA

problem #159

Dec 052022

Wrangler

  • miles
Cam sensor failed. Check engine light and traction control light appeared. Replaced and same problems occurred. May be wiring or cam/rocker issues.

- Clinton, UT, USA

problem #158

Jan 142018

Wrangler

  • 60,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, there was an abnormal burning odor around the vehicle. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH and other various speeds the burning odor was still present. The check engine warning light illuminated with the temperature gauge rising from normal to hot. An audible alarm was heard during the failure. The vehicle was driven to the residence and then towed to a dealer. The vehicle was diagnosed and determined that the radiator needed to be replaced. The contact had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic who determined that coolant was leaking into the cylinder head. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #157

Jul 122022

Wrangler

  • miles

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

While driving the car randomly stalls. I lose power steering and braking. The car will not restart. This issue has been recorded by the dealer. The vehicle was last inspected on July 5th. I have been issued a Jeep Care case manager, case # 82963828. There are no warnings, while driving makes a left-hand turn the car just stalls!

- Verona, WI, USA

problem #156

Jul 042022

Wrangler

  • miles
While driving making a turn, shifting from 1st to 2nd gear, and vehicle stalls losing all power. I had a crank no-start scenario! The vehicle has been to the dealer multiple times and the issue can not be duplicated. The vehicle has been inspected multiple times and there are no known issues. No-fault codes are thrown. I was able to cost to a safe location, and wait. after 3-5 min the vehicle restarted.

- Verona, WI, USA

problem #155

Jul 012022

Wrangler

  • miles
While driving making a turn, shifting from 1st to 2nd gear, and vehicle stalls losing all power. I had a crank no-start scenario! The vehicle has been to the deal multiple times and the issue can not be duplicated. The vehicle has been inspected multiple times and there are no known issues. No-fault codes are thrown. I was able to cost to a safe location, and wait. after 3-5 min the vehicle restarted.

- Verona, WI, USA

problem #154

Jul 012022

Wrangler

  • miles
While driving making a turn, shifting from 1st to 2nd gear, and vehicle stalls losing all power. The vehicle has been to the deal multiple times and the issue can not be duplicated. The vehicle has been inspected multiple times and there are no known issues. No-fault codes are thrown. I stalled in the middle of a busy intersection, with my children in the car. I had to push the vehicle to safety!

- Verona, WI, USA

problem #153

Jun 292022

Wrangler

  • miles

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

Starting out at a stop sign. engaging the clutch to start moving, while shifting into 2nd gear while turning the vehicle stalls. Losing all power steer and brakes. I try to re-start the car i get a crank no-start scenario. Wait 3-5 min, retry starting the vehicle starts.

- Verona, WI, USA

problem #152

Jun 272022

Wrangler

  • miles
Starting out at a stop light, engaging the clutch to start moving, I depressed the clutch to shift into second gear while making a turn, the vehicle stalls, losing all power.

- Verona, WI, USA

problem #151

Apr 212021

Wrangler

  • miles
I was driving on the highway and the engine caught fire. I-??ve been looking for an engine to rebuild and all of them had previously been on fire. I believe the engine is defective for the jeeps that year, make and model.

- Grovespring, MO, USA

problem #150

May 282022

Wrangler

  • miles
While driving the car stalled. Loss of power steering and braking. I was able to coast to a safe location. I tried to restart, but Crank- No Start.

- Verona, WI, USA

problem #149

Apr 062022

Wrangler

  • miles
Random Stalling while driving, making a left-hand turn. While entering an intersection, the vehicle stalled losing all power. Was able to coast to a safe spot. Waited 15 min, the vehicle started. No check engine light.

- Verona, WI, USA

problem #148

Apr 182022

Wrangler

  • miles
While crossing an intersection the vehicle stalled for no reason. No Codes were posted. Crank No Start, waited 10 min, and the vehicle started. Drove to the dealer to resolve. Dealer has no known reason for stalling while driving

- Verona, WI, USA

problem #147

Apr 262022

Wrangler

  • miles
While driving making a left-hand turn, crossing an intersection the vehicle stalled. Lossing all power, no power stirring or breaks. When trying to re-start vehicle will not re-start.

- Verona, WI, USA

problem #146

Feb 012022

Wrangler

  • miles
Oil filter housing is cracked and leaking oil. Potential fire hazard, pooling of oil on engine block. Seems to be a widespread problem.

- Berlin, CT, USA

problem #145

Jun 112020

Wrangler

  • 90,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated that the engine would misfire while driving at various speeds. Due to the failure, the vehicle would independently go into limp mode with the traction control and check engine warning lights illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to several unknown dealers and the engine misfire was acknowledged however, the cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000. The VIN was not available.

- Winstead, CT, USA

problem #144

Apr 012021

Wrangler 6-cyl

  • 101,000 miles
I recently purchased a 2012 Jeep Wrangler unlimited (VIN: [xxx]). within 1 month of taking possession of the vehicle, the car began to stall intermittently while driving. Specifically, the engine shuts off and the power steering and breaks deactivate. To state the obvious, this is a very dangerous condition, particularly as our family has three children under the age of six. To date, larry miller Jeep has been unable to diagnose the issue as no error codes appear. Looking online, this appears to be a known defect with Jeep of my model year (https://www.wranglerforum.com/threads/electrical-problem-shuts-off-while-driving.190041/) so I am surprised that Jeep has not issued a recall related to this problem given the dire potential consequences. I have escalated this matter to your customer care group, but I want to make sure fca has situational awareness of this situation as well. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Tucson, AZ, USA

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