2016 Jeep Renegade Electrical Problems

In the past year, I have already had to replace the bulb for the "daytime running light" on the front passenger side of my Renegade. Now, the light has just popped back onto my dashboard for the 3rd time stating that the light is out again for the 3rd time in a year. I have also noticed several other Renegades in my area driving with the same exact light out on their vehicle as well. The first 2 times I took my vehicle to my mechanic to be repaired, both times they stated all they found was the bulb not working. Being the 3rd time, they have advised me to reach out about a recall to have this fixed.

NHTSA ID

11746662

Incident

Jun 25, 2026

Electrical warning lights turn off and on on panel. Fob stopped working and car became immobilised blocking traffic. Car towed by AAA to an AAA recommended repair shop, has been there one week, diagnosis leads back to fob and programming/ electrical system. Battery checked and was not an issue. Fob and electrical programming systems is the issue. I will have itemized receipts once fob/programming work is completed.

NHTSA ID

11744731

Incident

Jun 9, 2026

The service engine light , service hill start ,traction light , airbag light warning , escape system , parking brake, lights warning system all continuously flash on and off , when vehicle is in motion. The service dealership had my vehicle for two weeks and couldn't find the problem so then told us that while the lights are on that those features would not function. 0

NHTSA ID

11717873

Incident

Dec 1, 2024

The indoor cloth paneling is peeling off due to cheap adhesive materials used by Jeep manufacturers. The filament inside the cloth paneling is falling out and getting in the air I am breathing in the car. I looked online and it seems this is a problem with many 2015-2017 Jeep Renegades and is said to be a design/material defect. This should be a recall. The head lights and right side parking light flicker and sometimes don’t come on. This may be an electrical issue that other 2015-2017 Jeep Renegade owners document having as well. The dealer wants to charge hundreds of dollars for these repairs when they are Jeep brand defects.

NHTSA ID

11690392

Incident

Sep 1, 2023

Vehicle Started to overheat when sitting still and AC was reduced at a stop. Found the cooling fan to be unresponsive and not operating. Found CSN V54 tsb and conducted determination of it's application to my vehicle. Vehicle had the bushing style plastic heat shield from the examples and using proper scan tool, found the fan unresponsive to run command. Called dealership to schedule repair and they were adamant that it was not covered, or must have been repaired already, but did not provide proof of such repair. The unit in the vehicle is the plastic heat shield bushing style unit, not the ball bearing replacement unit.

NHTSA ID

11661777

Incident

May 18, 2025

Problem with the rear tail light bulb assembly wiring. This is a poor design with intermittent failures that causes your brake, side marker, and blinkers to fail and not work. The wiring harness / plug assembly shorts out and stops working. The plug is short with a plastic plug. The mopar part assembly replacement cost over $600.00 dollars and is not guaranteed to last. Jeep forums state this is a recurring problem with multiple replacements ending in the same result failure again. They know this is a flaw and yet do nothing about it. This is not normal wear and tear as the plug actually shorts out.

NHTSA ID

11648530

Incident

Aug 20, 2024

The fog light housing and wiring connector have melted due to high heat created by halogen bulb

NHTSA ID

11642350

Incident

Feb 12, 2025

On 3 occasions, in the past three weeks, the vehicle has lost power while in motion and display states “shift to park”. Restarting vehicle is required. This occurs while in motion and could be dangerous for driver and passenger. Car repair unable to diagnose issue. Reported numerous codes concerning “communication errors”

NHTSA ID

11638911

Incident

Jan 24, 2025

Complaint #11629826. i also have had safety issues with my 2016 Jeep Renegade. Engine shuts down while driving flashes check engine signs and has to be put in park to be restarted. Currently, engine stops while driving and " emergency brake goes on " I have to restart jeep and drive with emergency brake on because it won't go off even though I have not set the brake on. This is happening frequently and almost was hit on the highway due to Jeep engine stopping while I was driving. I have had it in for service several times and paid for software/connection replacements etc. Problem still exists and very dangerous. Jeep dealership unsure how to fix the problem. Numerous dates of occurrence within the last 2 months-

NHTSA ID

11636082

Incident

Jan 14, 2025

Keyless entry working intermittently. Using 2 original key fobs, doors will lock, unlock, remote start and panic alarm will sound. Then they will not. Both keys respond the same. Either they are both working or they are both not working. Works most of the time, but then the system will stop working and the emergency key will be needed to access the vehicle.

NHTSA ID

11632769

Incident

Dec 27, 2024

While driving the car, the wheel locked and we lost acceleration, and a warning light for the electric engine throttle came on. The car is undriveable, and we are extremely lucky that we were not in an accident. We suspect that the W79 recall for other Jeeps is implicated for our car.

NHTSA ID

11624254

Incident

Nov 8, 2024

While driving around I suddenly got an alert from the car that the driver's side back up light, left turn signal light/rear tail light was no longer functioning. I had to drive around without people driving behind me knowing of any intent to turn left, which was a safety issue. I took it to an independent mechanic who replaced the bulbs and everything was back to normal, but only for 30 minutes. The same thing happened again on my drive home and I had to turn around to take it back to the mechanic. Upon further investigation, the mechanic noted that the connector for the light was burnt out and thus, causing a faulty connection, that had nothing to do with the lights themselves, and that could fail at any time. In trying to get a new connector, the mechanic found that they are on backorder, presumably because this is an issue being faced by numerous jeep renegade owners. So now, even if I wanted to fix the problem, I can't, which again, is a safety issue.

NHTSA ID

11621185

Incident

Oct 14, 2024

On more than one occasion, this car has stalled or stopped, leaving me coasting to the side of the road in active traffic. I was going about 30-35 mph. It has had oil consumption problems since 2021 when I purchased it. It was presented to me at point of sale as gas consumption...it wasn't getting good mileage and would need a tune up. Also misrepresented as having a spare and it did not. On 4 Aug 2024 I completed the most recent oil consumption test and it failed. Leith Jeep refused to provide me with paperwork and said "no charge." But it needed another quart of oil which I added. Before the test was completed it needed a quart of oil. I have all records and will attach here if possible or email under separate emails. Not sure how many doc can be attached. I had recall repairs made. My car is part of the class action lawsuit but is unsafe. I am told to correct I need a new engine which will cost me out of pocket $11,000.00 due to no longer under warranty. But it has had this problem since I bought it and prior, an oil consumption test was done by the dealer in possession then.

NHTSA ID

11613804

Incident

Jul 12, 2021

Was driving with cruise co trip on going about 70 mph. On an interstate. All of a sudden I saw my dash all go out and was pushing down on my accelerator and had no power and car was slowing down. Next it came back on and the the steering wheel light with exclamation showed up. Today 2 days later driving and it states service 4wd and the. When at a stop light it again did the same thing and this time shut down. This is a high priority in my mind I can’t allow younger drivers to drive. I see other complaints like this too.My spouse also observed the first time. Could of cause fatalities and or severe harm.

NHTSA ID

11606883

Incident

Aug 4, 2024

The engine cooling fan died. There was a recall for it and it was supposed to be replaced according to the v54 recall. My vehicle still has the version 1 fan even though it was supposed to have been replaced back in 2019. Since the fan does not work I cannot idle for too long or else the car will overheat.

NHTSA ID

11603914

Incident

Jul 13, 2024

I'm getting multiple messages displayed saying lights are out when they are not, have had many instances where the language is changed to something else. And the cooling fan stops working intermittently causing over heating and most recent melted wiring harness plugs to and from fan.

NHTSA ID

11593204

Incident

May 23, 2024

Drivers tail light grounding wire burnt out and cause multiple repairs.

NHTSA ID

11592948

Incident

May 28, 2024

Check engine light on. ECM (engine control computer) malfunction. Dealer first denied any problems with vehicle even with check engine light on. So I took to it to independent service center, which confirm problem. By providing the service center report, the dealer then confirm problem. Problems/symptoms occur 2 days after financing vehicle.

NHTSA ID

11589583

Incident

Jan 3, 2024

Was sitting in a drive through and car started smoking. It stopped after I shut everything down. Then another time it overheated after driving for seven minutes had to stop. Air conditioning doesn’t work . Engine light on. Just bought from dealer with 20000 miles like a lemon. So not right.

NHTSA ID

11585592

Incident

Mar 14, 2024

I started up my Renegade as usual and when I got to the stop sign at the end of my street, I had a message on the screen telling me to press the break and push the start button. I never turned my car off. No check engine lights before or after this incident.

NHTSA ID

11487782

Incident

Oct 4, 2022

Since I drive the Jeep off the lot 1/20/2017 with 9 miles on the vehicle I got home and saw that the passenger side daylight running light was not functioning. I called the sales rep and he informed me to bring in the vehicle to find out what was wrong. During the next six years of ownership, I have consistently had the same issue with the running light bulb being burnt out and the two messages of daylight running light out and parking light out. On 9/22/20 with 19,437 miles on the vehicle I paid $34.69 to fix broken wires and have two new bulbs installed. Then on 6/30/22 with 27,236 I paid $33.92 to replace the passenger daytime running light and parking light. Then on 8/10/22 with 27,858 miles on the vehicle I paid $319.82 to have the passenger side daytime running light and parking light bulb and the tech also replaced the driver's side running light socket and bulb because driver's side running light because it was making a poor connection. I addition the vehicle was at the dealership for four days running an electrical diagnostic. I picked up the car and no messages existed. Ten days later I called the dealership and told my service rep that the two messages of the daylight running light and the parking. On 9/14/22 with 28,510 miles on vehicle I went in to see the service manager and the service tec to ask how they would resolve this ongoing light issue and was told that they would need to complete more diagnostic and that I was looking at four hours of diagnostics at a cost to me of $600. Since I was at the dealership, I had an oil change and was given a failure on the light evaluation because the passenger side daylight running light and parking light were out. I got home and started researching the 2016 Jeep Renegade and came across dozens of complaints regarding the same issue I was having of the daylight running light and parking light out. I replaced the factory bulb with a led bulb and after that change I am only getting one message of parking light out

NHTSA ID

11485040

Incident

Sep 14, 2022

while driving the door locks start activating (locking and unlocking) AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT KEEPS FLASHING BRAKE WARNING LIGHT COMES ON AND DISAPEARS SHIFTER FAILS TO ENGAGE WHEN IN DRIVE VEHICLE LOSES ALL POWER BUT WILL NOT SHUT DOWN ESP INDICATOR LIGHT COMES ON SHIFTER INDICATOR STARTS FLASHING EMERGENCY BRAKE WILL ENGAE WHILE DRIVING

NHTSA ID

11445645

Incident

Aug 5, 2021

After work I got in my renegade Trailhawk and turned it on as usual to go home. Upon starting up the vehicle, warning lights came on telling me the headlights, tail lights, blinkers, daytime lights, tag lights, parking lights and back up lights were not working or out. I got out and inspected them only to see they were in fact all still functioning as should be. I got someone from the dealership to look at the issue and was told it would be alright, but definitely get the service department to look at it in the morning. I am having it inspected today by the service department and hopefully the issue will be resolved. As an update on this particular issue, I took the Renegade to the Service department the next morning and after just a few minutes I was informed this would be remedied within less than 15 -20 minutes. Apparently there was a new update to the system that was installed by the awesomely knowledgeable crew at Marshall CDJR and I haven’t had any of the same issues since.

NHTSA ID

11436247

Incident

May 17, 2021

Had this car since 2016,only 39,289miles,no problems whatsoever,and then I did this recall thing the 12th of July 2021,and today the 14th of July 2021 I have an engine light on,I have this horrible noise when I turn it on,I am so pissed and mad!!!really mad!!!Techs should not touch anything else than whats is called for to be fixed!!!i feel that when we take the cars they mess things out so we,the customers have to end up putting money since is free,they need customers to go back and spend on something that it didn’t needed it from the beginning!!!like I said 6yrs and not a problem,even have a multi point inspection sheet that it shows everything was great!!!i am scare to take back,because now I’m going to end up paying for their mistakes/fault/unprofessional work.I am so disappointed,upset,mad.I was planning to buy there again,but now I’m re thinking bout it!it won’t get fixed I know I will end up paying,but I want to make a complaint so that way at least it will pile with other people who end up having the same problems!why do Mechanics do that,or Techs do it!if is not broken,don’t fix it please.They should take an integrity test and not take advantage of the situation.

NHTSA ID

11424879

Incident

Jul 14, 2021

After work I got in my renegade Trailhawk and turned it on as usual to go home. Upon starting up the vehicle, warning lights came on telling me the headlights, tail lights, blinkers, daytime lights, tag lights, parking lights and back up lights were not working or out. I got out and inspected them only to see they were in fact all still functioning as should be. I got someone from the dealership to look at the issue and was told it would be alright, but definitely get the service department to look at it in the morning. I am having it inspected today by the service department and hopefully the issue will be resolved.

NHTSA ID

11417873

Incident

May 19, 2021