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Jeep Wrangler — Years to Avoid

Reliability breakdown of every Jeep Wrangler model year. Based on NHTSA owner complaints, federal recalls, and safety investigations.

Model Years
44
Years to Avoid
2024, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018
Best Years
2003, 1996, 1993, 1992, 1991, 1989, 1988, 1987, 1986, 1985, 1984
2027
0 complaints0 recalls10 TSBs
2026
21 complaints3 recalls156 TSBs
2025
139 complaints4 recalls272 TSBs
2024Avoid
1,587 complaints11 recalls1 invest.438 TSBs
2023
645 complaints14 recalls2 invest.498 TSBs
2022Avoid
709 complaints15 recalls4 invest.634 TSBs
2021Avoid
1,594 complaints15 recalls3 invest.1039 TSBs
2020Avoid
812 complaints12 recalls3 invest.1020 TSBs
2019Avoid
1,105 complaints9 recalls2 invest.837 TSBs
2018Avoid
2,660 complaints14 recalls5 invest.717 TSBs
2017
426 complaints5 recalls3 invest.142 TSBs
2016
658 complaints5 recalls3 invest.195 TSBs
2015
708 complaints3 recalls3 invest.225 TSBs
2014
861 complaints4 recalls4 invest.216 TSBs
2013
1,055 complaints7 recalls4 invest.236 TSBs
2012
1,293 complaints10 recalls6 invest.244 TSBs
2011
682 complaints11 recalls6 invest.158 TSBs
2010
907 complaints11 recalls6 invest.110 TSBs
2009
502 complaints7 recalls4 invest.89 TSBs
2008
1,254 complaints9 recalls8 invest.95 TSBs
2007
797 complaints10 recalls10 invest.98 TSBs
2006
852 complaints3 recalls1 invest.31 TSBs
2005
757 complaints2 recalls51 TSBs
2004
281 complaints3 recalls47 TSBs
2003Best Year
130 complaints4 recalls51 TSBs
2002
139 complaints6 recalls43 TSBs
2001
235 complaints7 recalls47 TSBs
2000
311 complaints5 recalls1 invest.50 TSBs
1999
262 complaints5 recalls1 invest.65 TSBs
1998
401 complaints6 recalls75 TSBs
1997
548 complaints7 recalls84 TSBs
1996Best Year
2 complaints1 recalls11 TSBs
1995
259 complaints3 recalls3 invest.20 TSBs
1994
184 complaints4 recalls5 invest.18 TSBs
1993Best Year
134 complaints5 recalls5 invest.15 TSBs
1992Best Year
100 complaints6 recalls6 invest.11 TSBs
1991Best Year
100 complaints8 recalls4 invest.10 TSBs
1990
105 complaints7 recalls10 invest.12 TSBs
1989Best Year
86 complaints7 recalls9 invest.12 TSBs
1988Best Year
55 complaints6 recalls9 invest.3 TSBs
1987Best Year
51 complaints8 recalls10 invest.3 TSBs
1986Best Year
1 complaints1 recalls1 invest.3 TSBs
1985Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls1 invest.3 TSBs
1984Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls1 invest.1 TSBs

How we calculate this

Each year receives a composite risk score based on NHTSA owner complaints, federal recalls, safety investigations, and technical service bulletins. Years scoring more than 2x the model's average are flagged as “years to avoid.” Years in the lowest risk bracket are marked as “best years.” All data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Which Jeep Wrangler Years Should You Avoid?

Based on federal safety data, the 2024, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018 Jeep Wrangler are the most problematic years, with significantly higher rates of owner complaints, recalls, and safety investigations compared to other model years.

If you're shopping for a used Jeep Wrangler, consider the 2003, 1996, 1993, 1992, 1991, 1989, 1988, 1987, 1986, 1985, 1984 model years — these have the fewest reported issues relative to other years.

44 model years analyzed