The most-reported Wrangler run is 1C4HJXDG7JW (2018 builds) with 64 complaints, 13.6× the typical run. Steering problems make up 22% of reports; 2018 is the worst model year at 9.5 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 99 recall campaigns for Wrangler model years 1986–2026.
Which build runs owners report most
A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Jeep Wrangler has 3,055 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 2% of every Wrangler complaint on file.
| Production run (VIN 1–11) | Year | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1C4HJXDG7JW•••••• | 2018 | — | — | |
| 1C4HJXDG0JW•••••• | 2018 | 1 | 1 | |
| 1C4HJXDG2JW•••••• | 2018 | — | — | |
| 1C4HJXDG6JW•••••• | 2018 | — | 1 | |
| 1C4HJXDG8JW•••••• | 2018 | — | 1 | |
| 1C4HJXDG1JW•••••• | 2018 | 2 | — | |
| 1C4HJXDGXJW•••••• | 2018 | — | — | |
| 1C4HJXDG9JW•••••• | 2018 | 1 | 2 | |
| 1C4HJXDG4JW•••••• | 2018 | — | — | |
| 1C4HJXDG3JW•••••• | 2018 | — | 2 | |
| 1C4HJXEG3JW•••••• | 2018 | — | — | |
| 1C4HJXDG5JW•••••• | 2018 | 1 | 1 |
Each of the other 3,043 Wrangler runs has 46 complaints or fewer. ForCar has checked 1,638 Wrangler VINs so far, most often 2024, 2025, 2023 builds; 15 of them belong to one of the 12 runs above.
Which model years to check twice
Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Jeep Wrangler the gap between build years is 3.5×: a 2018 car draws 9.5 complaints per run, a 2004 one 2.7.
| Year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 368 | 83 | 11 | |
| 2022 | 399 | 116 | 14 | |
| 2021 | 939 | 171 | 20 | |
| 2020 | 609 | 124 | 17 | |
| 2019 | 732 | 106 | 10 | |
| 2018 | 1771 | 187 | 19 | |
| 2017 | 299 | 95 | 16 | |
| 2016 | 447 | 111 | 28 | |
| 2015 | 457 | 106 | 14 | |
| 2014 | 613 | 124 | 20 | |
| 2013 | 576 | 138 | 13 | |
| 2012 | 752 | 147 | 19 | |
| 2011 | 428 | 118 | 12 | |
| 2010 | 591 | 140 | 13 | |
| 2009 | 398 | 113 | 10 | |
| 2008 | 1059 | 183 | 16 | |
| 2007 | 874 | 152 | 20 | |
| 2006 | 547 | 101 | 5 | |
| 2005 | 490 | 92 | 10 | |
| 2004 | 137 | 50 | 13 |
Heaviest year here is 2018 at 9.5 complaints per run; lightest is 2004 at 2.7. The 2023 line is still collecting reports, so it reads low.
What to inspect on this car
One system accounts for 22% of everything Jeep Wrangler owners report: Steering, 3,288 of 14,316 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.
| System | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steering | 61 | 6 | |
| Electrical System | 33 | 173 | |
| Power Train | 49 | 62 | |
| Engine | 25 | 129 | |
| Suspension | 22 | 1 | |
| Air Bags | 155 | 5 | |
| Fuel System | 6 | 35 | |
| Gasoline | 6 | 33 |
Recalls to check against your VIN
NHTSA has 99 recall campaigns on the Jeep Wrangler; the 6 below cover build years 1986 to 2018. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.
| Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|
| 04E041000 | Equipment | 1986–2003 |
| 06E026000 | Exterior Lighting | 1987–2003 |
| 06E022000 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 1997–2005 |
| 19V680000 | Seat Belts:front:anchorage | 2011–2018 |
| 06E011000 | Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump | 1997–2004 |
| 94V106000 | Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump | 1987–1994 |
The Wrangler against its rivals
The Wrangler draws 4.7 complaints per production run; the Toyota RAV4 2.3, the Honda CR-V 3.7 and the Mazda CX-5 2.7. That is the highest rate of the 4.
| Model | Complaints | Runs | Per run | Involved a crash |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jeep Wrangler | 14,316 | 3,055 | 3.2% | |
| Toyota RAV4 | 8,453 | 3,661 | 8.5% | |
| Honda CR-V | 14,848 | 4,017 | 5.1% | |
| Mazda CX-5 | 2,107 | 772 | 5% |
How serious were they
Of the 14,316 reports on the Jeep Wrangler, 3.2% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, below the norm.
| Outcome | Jeep Wrangler | All vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints filed | 14,316 | 1,116,631 |
| Involved a crash | 452 (3.2%) | 64,221 (5.8%) |
| Involved a fire | 437 (3.1%) | 26,977 (2.4%) |
| Injuries reported | 350 | 58,047 |
| Deaths reported | 12 | 2,728 |
Crash-related reports run 45% below the all-vehicle rate.
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How this check works
The file behind this page holds 1,116,631 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 299,142 production runs. The Jeep Wrangler share of that is 14,316 complaints over 3,055 runs, 1.3% of everything on record.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a Jeep Wrangler VIN for free?
Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 14,316 NHTSA complaints from 3,055 Wrangler runs and 99 recall campaigns. No account, no card.
Which Wrangler production run has the most complaints?
1C4HJXDG7JW, a 2018 build, with 64 complaints. The typical Wrangler run has 4.7.
Which Wrangler years have the most complaints?
Per production run, 2018 is heaviest at 9.5 complaints per run and 2004 lightest at 2.7.
Does the Wrangler get more complaints than the Toyota RAV4?
Yes: 4.7 complaints per production run for the Wrangler against 2.3 for the Toyota RAV4.
How many Wrangler complaints involve a crash?
3.2% of 14,316 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 437 involved a fire.
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