KnownCarProblems2013 Jeep Wrangler Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 654 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 Jeep Wrangler, most often about the transmission (35% of complaints, typically around 23,000 miles). It is 10th of 27 Wrangler model years by number of complaints and has 6 recalls.
⚠ Safety advisory2 recalls for this car came with a do-not-drive warning. See below and check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Most common 2013 Jeep Wrangler problems
Transmission
230 complaints · 35%Half of these problems showed up before 23,000 miles. Parts named most often: manual transmission.
Received another recall notice regarding the transmission oil cooler tube. Had the vehicle inspected on jan 20, 2014. Called the Jeep dealership and was told again that they are receiving one part per week for the recall. The dealership was working on vehicle #17 and I was #42 in the waiting list. At one part being…
This is specifically regarding the n28/NHTSA 13v-234 transmission oil cooler tube recall. We have waited for perhaps a year for the specified part to be delivered to the dealer. I am now faced with moving overseas with the military and cannot ship my vehicle until all recalls are remedied. This is unacceptable.
Steering
167 complaints · 26%Half of these problems showed up before 23,500 miles. Parts named most often: hydraulic power assist, electric power assist system, column.
Safety recall n28/NHTSA 13v-234 transmission oil cooler tube just called the Jeep dealership in lexington park, md to schedule the repair and they put me on a waiting list. Not a big deal but im number 18 and they are getting about one part in a week. That means I have to wait 18 weeks? Seems chrysler would pump out…
Received another recall notice regarding the transmission oil cooler tube. Had the vehicle inspected on jan 20, 2014. Called the Jeep dealership and was told again that they are receiving one part per week for the recall. The dealership was working on vehicle #17 and I was #42 in the waiting list. At one part being…
Engine
144 complaints · 22%Half of these problems showed up before 63,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine.
My Jeep engine stalled completely. I was taking off from a stop light on a 4 lane highway and it stalled with no warning. I was able to roll to a side road. I waited 5 mins and I was ablet to start it back up, replaced what I thought was the battery. 3 days later was on a busy interstate in downtown miami and it…
The vehicle has stopped blowing hot air on the drivers side and feet but will blow hot air on passengers side. This leads to issues with defrosting and visibility as well as the driver being safe and able to feel their fingers and feet while driving. I took it to the dealer who says there is a star report on this…
Electrical
102 complaints · 16%Half of these problems showed up before 56,000 miles. Parts named most often: instrument cluster/panel, wiring, horn, instrument panel.
Windshield wipers do not work. Fog lights do not work. Engine light and traction control lights come on and off at random. Dealer advised tipm is bad and must be replaced. Back log on replacement part and ship date is unknown.
The vehicle stalled out on one occasion several months ago. It cranked and cranked but wouldn't turn over. Today when trying to leave, I couldn't get it to turn over...after about half an hour and my battery almost dying I disconnected the negative connection to battery and it fired up after reconnecting. I'm reading…
Air bags
72 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 58,500 miles. Parts named most often: frontal.
With only 58,306 miles on my 2013 Jeep Wrangler, the clock spring has failed and air bag system will not deploy. In addition, this poses abandonment concerns as many users with similar problems find their vehicle will not start. I contacted my dealership today (northwest Jeep chrysler dodge) and was dismayed at an…
Airbag light is on, cruise control (as well as all other controls mounted on the steering wheel) are inoperable. This was gradual; I noticed cruise control didn't work first, then the rest of the controls including the airbag stopped shortly after. This was during highway driving (a coast-to-coast road trip).
Other or unspecified
72 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 60,000 miles.
No heat! Clogged heater core! Grit and slime in dirty/discolored OEM coolant (10 yr/150k mile rated). Never touched or added to, unless undocumented by dealer. This is our family vehicle that my wife/kids use daily, and it is about 10f here in vt right now. Very common chrysler issue apparently and dealer does nothing…
The contact owns a 2013 Jeep Wrangler. While driving 55 MPH, the engine stalled without warning. The vehicle was pulled over to a shoulder lane and was unable to restart. The vehicle was towed to hastings chrysler center (2980 vermillion street, hastings, mn 55033), but the cause of the failure could not be…
Brakes
64 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 35,000 miles. Parts named most often: disc.
Emergency brake does not hold the vehicle causing roll back when parked. The vehicle rolled back in my driveway running into a tree and fence at slow speed.
Parking/emergency brake does not work. I am in a few Jeep clubs and all Jeep wranglers, 2007-present have major issues with the parking/emergency brake not holding. Most people do not care as we drive automatic transmission and its really not needed. My Jeep has been to the dealer over 4 times with them unable to fix…
Visibility and wipers
39 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 34,000 miles. Parts named most often: defroster/defogger/hvac system.
The night before and morning of we had snow (01/26/2015-01/27/2015). I went out to my Jeep, cleaned it off, started it up, turned the defroster, put it in drive, and a 8 inch crack appeared on the lower part of the windshield. The crack started right above the windshield frame then ran parallel above the defrost vents.
Thus far in two years of service my vehicle has had four windshields replaced due to cracks. Cracks were from stones thrown from other vehicles while Jeep was being driven on highway. I have done some research and there are many, many other Jeep owners having the same problems. An installer from safelight auto glass…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2013 Jeep Wrangler recalls
Seat belts: anchorage
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 received a second letter and the recall began march 26, 2020. Owners may contact fca customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Fca's number for this recall is va6.
Full defect summary
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.
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could explode with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began february 4, 2019. Owners may contact chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is v01.
Full defect summary
Chrysler (fca US llc) is recalling certain 2010 dodge ram 3500, ram 4500/5500, 2010-2011 dodge dakota, 2010-2014 dodge challenger, 2010-2015 dodge challenger, chrysler 300, and 2010-2016 jeep wrangler vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began february 28, 2018. Owners may contact chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is u03.
Full defect summary
Chrysler (fca US llc) is recalling certain 2009-2013 jeep wrangler, chrysler 300, dodge challenger and dodge charger vehicles, and 2009-2011 dodge dakota vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of alabama, california, florida, georgia, hawaii, louisiana, mississippi, south carolina, texas, puerto rico, american samoa, guam, the northern mariana islands (saipan), and the u.s. Virgin islands or "zone a." additionally, chrysler is recalling certain 2009-2010 ram 4500 cab chassis, ram 5500 cab chassis, ram 3500 cab chassis, jeep wrangler, chrysler 300, dodge dakota, dodge challenger, and dodge charger vehicles ever registered in the states of arizona, arkansas, delaware, district of columbia, illinois, indiana, kansas, kentucky, maryland, missouri, nebraska, nevada, new jersey, new mexico, north carolina, ohio, oklahoma, pennsylvania, tennessee, virginia, and west virginia or "zone
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: Failure of the air bag circuit may prevent the driver's frontal air bag from deploying in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the clockspring, wheel back cover, and column shroud, free of charge. The recall began on august 11, 2016. Owners may contact chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is s40.
Full defect summary
Chrysler (fca US llc) is recalling certain model year 2011-2016 right hand drive jeep wrangler vehicles manufactured february 16, 2010, to may 2, 2016. The clockspring assembly may become contaminated with dust and cause the air bag circuit to fail.
Visibility and wipers: exterior
Risk: An electrical short increases the risk of a fire.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will move the exterior mirror power feed to a separate connector, free of charge. Chrysler issued an interim notification to owners on december 8, 2014. The recall began on march 3, 2015. Owners may contact chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is p61.
Full defect summary
Chrysler group llc (chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 jeep wrangler vehicles manufactured february 16, 2010, to july 19, 2013. Corrosion in the exterior heated power mirror electrical connector may result in an electrical short.
Transmission: cooling unit and lines
Risk: A loss of transmission fluid may result in a loss of transmission function which may increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the power steering return tube assembly, free of charge. The recall began on september 23, 2013. Owners may contact chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is n28.
Full defect summary
Chrysler group llc (chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 jeep wrangler vehicles equipped with a 3.6l engine and an automatic transmission and manufactured january 23, 2011, through february 23, 2013. The power steering line may contact and wear a hole in the transmission oil cooler line resulting in a loss of transmission fluid.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Desiccated air bag inflator rupture
Summary
From 2000 through 2017, takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("psan") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004l. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 blomquist report at www.NHTSA.gov/sites/NHTSA.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substa
Seat belt buckle bracket failure
Summary
On july 17, 2019, NHTSA's office of defects investigation (odi) opened preliminary evaluation (pe) 19-008 after receiving three vehicle owner questionnaire (voq) reports alleging the driver's side seat belt buckle separated from the seat frame, rendering the seat belt non-functional. The voqs involved model year (my) 2015 and 2016 jeep wrangler (jk platform) that were configured for right-hand drive (rhd) use. On august 8, 2019, odi issued an information request (ir) letter to fca.the scope of the ir included all jk wrangler produced for sale in the u.s. (both left- and right-hand drive), and amongst other things, requested any reports or allegations of driver's seat belt bracket failures on
Electrical overstress
Summary
The office of defects investigation (odi) opened this investigation to determine if the failure of airbags to deploy during severe crashes, in certain vehicles, was the result of a safety related defect.â during the investigation a complex failure was studied that can result in non-deployment of subject vehicle air bags and other restraint system devices in severe crash events. The subject vehicles may be equipped with an airbag control unit (acu) for the supplemental restraint system (SRS) electronic control unit (ecu) manufactured by zf-trw. â the ecu receives signals from crash sensors mounted in the vehicle and deploys the vehicle air bags and seat belt pretensioners in accordance with m
Totally integrated power module failure
Summary
In a letter dated august 21, 2014, the center for auto safety (cas) petitioned the national highway traffic safety administration (NHTSA) to initiate a defect investigation of alleged failures associated with the totally integrated power module (tipm) installed in chrysler SUV?s, trucks, and vans beginning in the 2007 model year. The petitioner alleges that tipm defects may result in engine stall, airbag non-deployment, failure of fuel pump shutoff resulting in unintended acceleration, fire, and other symptoms. On september 25, 2014, the office of defects investigation (odi) opened dp14-004 to evaluate the petition for a grant or deny decision. Odi analyzed complaint data provided by cas as
Questions about the 2013 Jeep Wrangler
- What are the most common problems with the 2013 Jeep Wrangler?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: transmission (230 complaints, typically around 23,000 miles); steering (167 complaints, typically around 23,500 miles); engine (144 complaints, typically around 63,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2013 Jeep Wrangler have?
- 6 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from September 26, 2019 (seat belts). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2013 a bad year for the Jeep Wrangler?
- It is 10th of 27 Wrangler model years by number of complaints, with 654 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.