2012 Jeep Wrangler Engine Problems

NHTSA component category: ENGINE · data through 07/14/2026

172Engine complaints

20.7%Of all 829 complaints

#3Most-reported category

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

How engine ranks on this vehicle

POWER TRAIN278 · 33.5%

STEERING203 · 24.5%

ENGINE172 · 20.7%

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM146 · 17.6%

AIR BAGS128 · 15.4%

Share of the 829 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2012 Jeep Wrangler overview page.

What owners report

“CHECK ENG LIGHT CAME ON .WENT TO DEALER THEY SAID NO2 CYLINDER BAD NEEDS NEW HEAD WTF THEIRS ONLY 20000 MILES ON IT .ITS NOW…”NHTSA complaint 10551540 — filed 11/08/2013

“RECALL NOTIFICATION RECEIVED IN NOV 2013. DEALER SAYS THEY ONLY GET ONE REPAIR KIT PER WEEK. I WAS PUT ON A WAIT LIST ALONG WITH…”NHTSA complaint 10550825 — filed 11/04/2013

“REC'D CHRYSLER SAFETY RECALL NOTICE #1 IN AUGUST - CALLED DEALERSHIP WHERE JEEP WAS PURCHASED - NO PARTS, DON'T KNOW WHEN THEY'LL GET THEM IN…”NHTSA complaint 10550603 — filed 11/02/2013

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Engine complaints by year filed

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2012 Jeep Wrangler have engine problems?

Engine is the #3 most-reported problem area on the 2012 Jeep Wrangler: 172 of 829 complaints on file (20.7%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.

How many complaints does the 2012 Jeep Wrangler have in total?

829 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Across all categories, 22 involved a crash, 19 involved a fire, 22 reported injuries, and 2 reported deaths.

What does NHTSA's engine category include?

NHTSA assigns each complaint to standard component categories; this page reports the ENGINE category exactly as NHTSA defines and records it.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/14/2026.