Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 309 complaints with NHTSA about the 2017 Jeep Wrangler, and it carries 5 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 43 | 14% |
| Service brakes | 43 | 14% |
| Power train | 30 | 10% |
| Unknown or other | 22 | 7% |
| Electrical system | 21 | 7% |
| Air bags | 16 | 5% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 9 | 3% |
| Structure | 9 | 3% |
| Steering | 8 | 3% |
| Electrical system | 5 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
The first time happening I was driving on the interstate going about 70 miles an hour in the dark, the car completely shut down with no warning I was able to coast then tried to restart the vehicle and it started. I was
NHTSA complaint: Engine
ABS system module has failed and the manufacturer has it on indefinite backorder. I read reports of some customer waiting over 400 days for this part. It compromises the effectiveness of the antilock braking system. How
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
My ABS module is confirmed faulty resulting in an unsafe car to drive. The ABS module is extremely hard to come by, on an indefinite backorder, and I cannot get the part anywhere. Maybe people waiting over a year for the
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
During a routine maintenance visit, a pre-purchase/general inspection was performed on my 2017 Jeep Wrangler, which documented the front axle and differential housing as intact and in one piece. Subsequent to that inspec
NHTSA complaint: Wheels
ABS MODULE HAS FAILED VIN [XXX] No ABS and no cruise control The ABS module is on back order and cannot be purchased by OEM. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
Oil cooler split due to warming up and cooling down in winter and being made of plastic All brake calipers needed to be replaced on it too
NHTSA complaint: Engine
The contact owns a 2017 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated that while traveling at 60 MPH, the vehicle struck a deer. The airbags failed to deploy upon impact. No injuries were reported. No police report was filed. The ve
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
Front brake caliper became loose, moved away from the rotor, resulted in the caliper grinding against the inner wheel. Inspection by mechanic revealed missing caliper mounting bolts on both driver and passenger side of
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 2017 Jeep Wrangler. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2011-2018 Jeep Wrangler right hand drive vehicles. The driver's seat belt buckle mounting strap may fracture and separate from the seat frame.
Risk: A separated or severed seat belt buckle strap will result in an inoperable seat belt, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Fix: FCA US will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's seat belt buckle, free of charge. Interim notices informing owners of the safety risk were mailed November 19, 2019. Owners will rece
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Jeep Renegade, Compass and Grand Cherokee, RAM 1500 and Promaster, Fiat 500x, Dodge Journey, Challenger, Charger and Durango and Chrysler 300x vehicles, 2017-2018 Jeep Wrangler, Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town and Country vehicles and 2018-2019 J
Risk: A vehicle stall can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began October 2, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403.
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2017 Jeep Wrangler vehicles manufactured November 1, 2016, to November 3, 2016. The affected vehicles may have a fuel tank that has a cracked or broken control valve, possibly resulting in a fuel leak in a rollover event, debris in the fuel tank
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and Jeep dealers will inspect the fuel tank and replace fuel tank and sending unit, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 12, 2017. Owners may contact C
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Jeep Wrangler vehicles manufactured June 16, 2015, to August 14, 2016. In certain crash conditions, the front impact sensor wiring may be pulled until it detaches before a signal can be received by the Occupant Restraint Controller (OR
Risk: If the ORC module does not receive a signal from the front impact sensor, both frontal air bags and the seat belt pretensioners will not deploy in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will reroute the front impact sensor wiring and relocate the impact sensor branch, free of charge. The recall began on November 10, 2016. Owners may contact
| Reliability raw | 59 | average |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 67 | good |
| Maintenance | 70 | good |
| Depreciation | 66 | good |
| Performance | 68 | good |
| Efficiency | 35 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other SUVs in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 309 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and engine is the most reported area with 43 of them (14%). There are 5 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 59/100 (average) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 67/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2017 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 62/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.