2019 Jeep Wrangler: What to check before buying
Owners have filed 691 complaints with NHTSA about this car, most about the steering, electrical, and transmission. The 9 checks below target those problems, in the order you would do them at the car.
2019- Owner complaints
- 691
- Recalls
- 9
- Crashes reported
- 9
- 8 injuries
Your inspection sheet
Tick items off on your phone at the car, or print it. Ticks stay on this device.
0/9 checked
2019 Jeep Wrangler: inspection sheet
Paperwork and questions
Before you go, or before you touch the car0/3
Walk-around and cabin
Engine off, key in hand0/1
Cold start, engine bay, and underside
Ask the seller not to warm the car up first0/2
Test drive
At least 20 minutes, with some highway0/3
These checks are specific to this model year. For tires, body panels, fluids, and the other basics every used car needs, use the general inspection guide.
Which Wrangler is it?
EPA figures for each version of the 2019 Jeep Wrangler. Use them to confirm you are looking at the version that was advertised, and as a yardstick on the test drive.
| Version | Drive | EPA rating |
|---|---|---|
| 3.6L 6-cylGas | 4WD | 20 mpg |
| 2.0L 4-cylHybrid | 4WD | 24 mpg |
- The 2019 Jeep Wrangler was sold in two versions. Confirm which one this is from the window sticker, the engine cover, or the VIN report before you compare prices.
- On the hybrid, watch for the car moving off on electric power at low speed and for any hybrid system warning on the dash.
- Reset the trip computer at the start of the drive. A Wrangler that averages well under the EPA 20 mpg combined on a mixed route may have an engine or tire problem.
Check the odometer against these mileages
Owners report these failures starting around the mileages below. A car inside one of these ranges deserves a closer look at that part, or records showing it was already fixed.
Electrical shutdown, lost power steering
16,000–20,000 miles
Manual clutch slipping and overheating
30,000–40,000 miles
Death wobble front-end shake
36,000–50,000 miles
Instrument cluster goes blank
38,000–44,000 miles
Why these checks: what owners reported
NHTSA complaints for the 2019 Jeep Wrangler, grouped by the part owners named. Open a row to read what goes wrong.
Steering4343 crashes
Violent front-end shaking at highway speeds, often called the death wobble, dominates these reports. It usually starts above 60 mph after a bump, and slowing down is the only way to stop it. Dealers replace the steering damper or track bar, sometimes more than once, and the shake often comes back. A second pattern is sudden electrical failure: the dash fills with warnings, power steering cuts out, the shifter sticks, and the engine may stall at speed. Dealers often cannot reproduce it. Three reports involve crashes.
Electrical692 crashes
Instrument cluster blackouts are the most common fault. The screen flickers or reboots, then goes dark, and the speedometer, fuel gauge and odometer disappear with it, often around 40,000 miles. A recall covers the problem, but many affected VINs are not included. Other reports describe dozens of warning lights at once, lost power steering, wipers turning on by themselves, limp mode, and dead batteries. Uconnect also resets when a phone is plugged in. One false automatic braking event caused a rear-end crash with an injury, and two reports describe fires.
Transmission52No crashes
Manual-transmission clutches overheat, slip, and in the worst cases blow apart at highway speed, followed by smoke and fire. All four fire reports here fit that pattern, and some vehicles burned completely. A federal recall exists, but many complaints describe long waits with no parts or remedy, owners paying for clutches themselves, and overheating warnings that continue after the recall work. Other reports cover an automatic transmission that failed almost new, electrical shutdowns that take out power steering and the shifter, and a rear differential full of metal shards.
Suspension32No crashes
Uncontrollable front-axle shaking after bumps at highway speeds is the main complaint, and it is often worse above 55 mph and in cold weather. The fix is usually a replacement steering damper, which is often on backorder, and some drivers are told to stay under 55 mph until the part arrives. A legal settlement extended coverage for this problem. Rear axle and differential failures also show up, including an axle that broke on the highway with no warning, with replacement assemblies on national backorder. Axle locker warnings and cracked coil spring pocket welds appear too.
Wipers and visibility20No crashes
Two problems lead this category. Sun visors fall out of their brackets on bumps or during normal use and block much of the windshield, and some visors have been replaced more than once and still failed. In snow and freezing weather the defroster clears only the center of the windshield, so the edges and wipers ice over and drivers have to pull over. Dealers often say the defroster works as intended. Other reports describe windshields that crack easily from pebbles and rear glass that shatters while the car is parked.
Body and structure15No crashes
Poor frame welds and corrosion account for most of these reports. Welds show spatter, slag, pits and small holes, and rust can appear within the first months of ownership, even in dry climates. Paint bubbles and peels around the door and hood hinges, and dealer repaints do not stop it from coming back. Isolated reports include a water leak at the mirror area, windshield bolts found loose, rear glass that shattered, and a soft-top panel that came loose at 50 mph and flew into traffic.
Engine10No crashes
Sudden loss of power with no warning light is the most serious pattern. Some engines stall on the highway and will not restart, and one seized with a blown piston. Another engine revved high and stalled for months before the dealer replaced it at about 21,421 miles. A bulletin covers coolant leaks from loose inlet tube fasteners on 2.0L turbo engines, and the cooling fan can get loud with the A/C running. One report describes an engine fire with an injury. Clutch slipping under the open recall also appears here.
Airbags42 crashes
Airbags that fail to deploy or deploy late in crashes are the core complaint in this small group. One report describes no deployment in a tree impact at 15 to 20 mph. Another describes a late deployment in a near head-on collision while the seatbelt did not lock. These two crashes account for three injuries. A separate report describes the passenger airbag sensor sometimes reading off with an adult in the seat after a dealer installed an aftermarket trailer brake system.
In owners' own words
Excerpts from complaints Wrangler owners filed with NHTSA, as written. Listen for the same symptoms on your test drive.
ABS light came on, car will stop on its own while driving 70 miles an hour and kill the acceleration. steering will go out. speedometer will not work. check engine light will come on. gear shift gets stuck in place. This car is a major safety hazard that Jeep has ignored. I have gotten stuck on the side of the road on bridges, highways side streets due to the fact the gear shift will not move out of park and all the lights come on in the car.
Filed with NHTSA, August 2024
Took jeep to dealership it had 36,000 miles They worked on it for 40,000miles service And to ck wobble on jeep Mechanic took jeep for test drive it exploded luckily he new how to escape I don’t know what the cause of it was insurance are taking care of it
Filed with NHTSA, October 2023
Recall 30B regarding the instrument panel cluster is affecting my jeep it only has 30k miles and is defective. Diagnosed 5/13/25 by Mitchell Auto Group service department in Avon, CT
Filed with NHTSA, May 2025
A safety Recall of the Clutch assembly was put out in February of 2023. No dealerships in a 50mile radius of my location had the parts available to perform the necessary corrective repair and vehicle update at that time. I was told I would be notified of parts availability. It is already 2024 and 11 months later and my vehicle is still at risk of catching on fire and there is still no available parts for performing the repair.
Filed with NHTSA, January 2024
There's some issue with the clutch, after shifting to the 3rd, 4th, 5th or 6th gear when you release the clutch accelerate the car makes a horrible sound really loud metal scratching sound. And sometimes while driving, the car automatically accelerates for 3-4 seconds. And now auto start/stop symbol with the exclamation mark shows up and the screen stops showing what gear the car is in. It's been happening since April this year.
Filed with NHTSA, June 2023
The front suspension steering damper on my vehicle not effectively damp oscillation of the steering system, resulting in a sustained shake or shimmy in the steering wheel. This can be more noticeable when driving at speeds exceeding 55 Miles Per Hour (MPH) 88 Kilometers Per hour (KPH) after contacting a bumpy road surface and in temperatures below 40° Fahrenheit (5° Celsius).
Filed with NHTSA, March 2024
When driving down the interstate my 2019 jeep hit a small bump in the road. Front end started shaking violently. At first I thought I had blown a tire but tire pressure warning did not show on dashboard. I let off the gas and it ebbed till gone. I was going 70 miles an hour when it started. It was intermittent through out the day and started each day after
Filed with NHTSA, August 2022
How the 2019 compares with other Wrangler years
Complaints for this year next to the average for the other model years, area by area.
The 2019 ranks fourth for owner complaints among 8 Wrangler years, close to the average of the others. Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, so compare like with like.
- Steering434246
- Electrical69152
- Transmission5274
- Suspension3221
- Wipers and visibility208
- Body and structure1510
Where the 2019 fits in the Wrangler's history
Redesigns and mid-cycle updates change what can go wrong.
The 2019 is the second model year of the Wrangler's fourth generation (2018–2023).
Recalls to confirm (9)
Recall repairs are free at any Jeep dealer, but the seller may never have had them done. Check each campaign number against the VIN.
24V676000Backup cameraSep 2024
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2018-2024 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. The wiring harness for the rearview camera and the center brake light may short circuit, which can disable the rearview camera image and center brake light. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 111, "Rear Visibility" and 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment.".
Risk: A rearview camera image that does not display decreases the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash. Additionally, a center brake light that fails to illuminate can fail to indicate to other drivers that the vehicle is slowing down, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers replaced the harness for the center brake light and rearview camera and/or the spare tire carrier/harness assembly, as necessary, free of charge. All vehicles were repaired by January 15, 2024. Owner notification letters were mailed September 26, 2024. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 77B.
24V652000ElectricalSep 2024
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2020-2024 Jeep Gladiator and 2018-2024 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. The instrument panel cluster may experience an internal short circuit and fail. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 101, "Controls and Displays.".
Risk: An instrument panel that fails to display critical safety information, such as the speedometer or warning lights, can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the instrument panel cluster, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed between October 3, 2024, and January 23, 2025. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recall is 30B.
23V116000TransmissionFeb 2023
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2018-2023 Jeep Wrangler, and 2020-2023 Jeep Gladiator vehicles equipped with manual transmissions. The clutch pressure plate may overheat and fracture.
Risk: Overheated clutch components may increase the risk of a fire. Additionally, damage to other nearby components can result in debris falling onto the road or a loss of drive, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the clutch assembly and update the software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed from November 16, 2023 through July 25, 2024. Owners may contact (FCA US, LLC) customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US LLC's number for this recall is 19A. This recall expands and replaces previous recall 21V-028. Vehicles previously repaired under recall 21V-028 will need to have the new remedy completed.
21V028000TransmissionJan 2021
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Jeep Wrangler and 2020-2021 Jeep Gladiator vehicles equipped with manual transmissions. The clutch pressure plate may overheat and fracture.
Risk: Overheated clutch components may increase the risk of a fire. Additionally, damage to other nearby components can result in debris falling onto the road or a loss of drive, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: FCA US LLC will notify owners, and dealers will add software to reduce engine torque capability when clutch assembly temperatures rise to a level that may damage the inner pressure plate, free of charge." FCA has ordered a stop sale for the affected vehicles as of February 25, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 4, 2021.
20V580000Seat beltsSep 2020
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019 Jeep Wrangler and Ram 2500, 2019-2020 Ram 1500 and 2020 Jeep Gladiator vehicles. In the event of a crash, a front seat belt retractor may not properly slow the occupant's forward movement after locking.
Risk: In the event of a crash, if the front seat belts fail to lock, there is an increased risk of injury.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front seat belt retractors, free of charge. The recall began November 12, 2020. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is W67.
20V191000Backup cameraSep 2020
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2020 Jeep Gladiator and Jeep Cherokee, 2019-2020 Ram 1500 Pickup, Ram 2500 Pickup, Ram 3500 Pickup, Chrysler Pacifica, Dodge Durango, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Jeep Wrangler, and Jeep Renegade and 2019 Dodge Challenger vehicles equipped with 8.4" or 12" radio displays. A software error can cause the rearview camera image to remain displayed after the vehicle has been shifted out of reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rearview Mirrors.".
Risk: The lingering rearview image can distract the driver, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler has notified owners, and dealers will update the radio display software, free of charge. Optionally, owners can choose to remotely update their software via an Over-The-Air (OTA) update available as of May 1, 2020. The recall began April 27, 2020. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is W30-W37.
20V124000TransmissionMar 2020
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Jeep Wrangler and 2020 Gladiator vehicles equipped with manual transmissions. The clutch pressure plate may overheat and fracture.
Risk: The overheated clutch components may increase the risk of a fire. Additionally, damage to other nearby components can result in debris falling onto the road or a loss of drive, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will reroute a wire harness and inspect the clutch system, and replace components as needed. The recall began April 30, 2020. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is W12.
19V201000SteeringMar 2019
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019 Jeep Wrangler and 2019 Ram 1500 vehicles. These vehicles have improperly machined steering column stub shafts that may break, possibly causing the steering wheel to detach from the steering column.
Risk: If the steering wheel detaches from the steering column, the driver may lose control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the steering column, replacing it, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began April 5, 2019. Owners may contact FCA US customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is V29.
18V675000Body and structureSep 2018
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. The front track bar brackets may be improperly welded, which can cause the bracket to separate from the frame, reducing steering capability.
Risk: An unexpected reduction in steering ability, can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and repair the track bar bracket welds, as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin November 17, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is UA5.
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