RoadVitals

2016 Jeep Renegade Exterior lighting Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the exterior lighting system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Exterior lighting reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
27
Latest Jun 26, 2026
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
6%
of 429 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
1
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2016 Jeep Renegade submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 27 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming exterior lighting

The 25 most recent of 27, in the owner's own words

ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Jun 26, 2026

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
Body & structureElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Sep 29, 2025

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
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Oct 22, 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
Exterior lighting
Filed Feb 23, 2023

Headlights keep going out. multiple repairs have been done by independent service center. No warning. They have been replaced 7 times and they just keep going out.

NHTSA ID
11508658
Incident
Sep 1, 2022
Exterior lighting
Filed Dec 5, 2022

While running some errands, I put my left turn signal on to change lanes, and I immediately got a dashboard indication that the rear turn signal lamp was out. Curiously enough, I also had a running light out, back up light out, and brake light out indication. I went to a local parts store and purchased two correct bulbs and upon returning home, I replaced them. Didn't fix the problem. After some though, I googled 2016 Jeep Renegade tail light issues and sure enough I got several hits: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2p-cHXBEAs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QhEzVL0Bcns https://www.carproblemzoo.com/jeep/renegade/tail-light-switch-problems.php I went back and looked at the connector to my tail light, and it was in fact burnt (no corrosion) on both the tail light assembly and the mating connector. (I did not take pictures of my connectors because it looks just like the ones in the videos) After the dealer service associate claimed ignorance of the issue and said they would have to replace the whole tail light assembly, and the wiring harness at my cost since the car is out of warranty, I chose to fix the problem myself and it now it works fine. I see this as a known safety issue and genuinely believe Jeep Inc. should recall all 2016 (and perhaps other years as well) and fix this problem at there cost.

NHTSA ID
11496145
Incident
Nov 23, 2022
Exterior lighting
Filed Nov 16, 2022

The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Renegade. The contact stated while parking the vehicle the contact noticed that the headlights were inoperable. The contact replaced the headlight bulbs; however, the headlights remained inoperable. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that water was entering the headlight housings which caused dame to the wiring. The contact was informed that the wiring needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the vehicle needed to be taken to the dealer to be repaired. The failure mileage was 85,000.

NHTSA ID
11493753
Incident
Aug 16, 2022
Mileage
85,000 mi
EngineExterior lightingPowertrain (other)
Filed Apr 22, 2022

Oil consumption, electrical problems like lights flickering, fuel odor, brake light olways on

NHTSA ID
11461830
Incident
Apr 22, 2022
Exterior lighting
Filed Mar 17, 2022

Fog light wiring issue front drivers side. Changed light. It happens to be in the wiring and I’ve heard other people have issues with this and it is a safety concern based on not being able to see or have people see you in the fog.

NHTSA ID
11457172
Incident
Mar 17, 2022
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Oct 11, 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
Exterior lighting
Filed Oct 7, 2021

Parking/Daylight continually goes out after repeated replacement of the bulb. I will have the vehicle available upon request. I have had it inspected by the dealer and third party services each and every time all they do is replace the bulb. It's only been 1 month since I last had the bulb replaced (But I've had it replaced 3 times this year). Additionally, I found a forum of people also complaining about their jeep renegades with the same exact issue: https://www.jeeprenegadeforum.com/threads/parking-light-daytime-running-lights-out.50874/ Seems to be a widespread problem stemming from faulty wiring from the manufacturer. Surprised there hasn't already been a recall.

NHTSA ID
11435954
Incident
Oct 7, 2021
Exterior lighting
Filed Jul 25, 2021

WENT TO CHANGE THE REAR LEFT SIDE LIGHTS, (TAIL, TUNR SIGNAL AND BRAKE). Found that the circuit board holding the lights and the connector pin was burned. The connector pin was actually melted. Research this on-line and found that numerous complaints regarding these circuit boards and connectors have this same problem. Reached out to Jeep and no comments from them. The only place to find a replacement circuit board and connector is on E-bay. Cannot find it elsewhere.

NHTSA ID
11426372
Incident
Jul 25, 2021
ElectricalEngineExterior lighting
Filed Jul 14, 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
Exterior lighting
Filed Apr 27, 2021

REAR TAILIGHTS HAVE STOPPED WORKING. DIAGNOSTIC BY THE DEALERSHIP SHOWS THAT THE CONNECTORS IN MOTH REAR TAILLIGHTS HAVE MELTED. I GOT THE DASH ALERT WHEN I FIRST STARTED MY VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID
11414170
Incident
Apr 25, 2021
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Mar 30, 2021

ELECTRICAL ISSUES CONTINUE WITH BLINKERS, BRAKE LIGHTS, TAIL LIGHTS. REPLACED BATTERY, REPLACED COOLING FAN. STATIONARY, AND WHEN IN MOTION.

NHTSA ID
11405663
Incident
Aug 20, 2020
Exterior lighting
Filed Feb 8, 2021

MY PASSENGER SIDE FOG LIGHT KEEPS GOING OUT. I HAVE CHANGED IT 3X IN A VERY SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME. I HAVEN'T RECOGNIZED ANY PATTERN OR CAUSE BEHIND THIS. I'M SEEING ON FORUMS THAT BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO ACCESS THE BULB THROUGH THE WHEEL WELL, POSSIBLE MOISTURE MAY BE GETTING INTO THE COMPARTMENT CAUSING THE LIGHT TO GET WET AND SHORT. I'VE BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY WANT ME TO PAY A DIAGNOSTIC FEE AND SAY IT'S NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THIS TO ME SOUNDS LIKE A DESIGN FLAW AND I THINK THEY NEED TO FIX IT.

NHTSA ID
11395127
Incident
Mar 19, 2018
Mileage
10,000 mi
BrakesElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Jul 8, 2020

THE CONNECTOR TO THE BRAKE LIGHTS (WHERE THE WIRES MEETS BULBS) MELTED AND HAS CAUSED MY RIGHT REAR LIGHTS TO MALFUNCTION. I WAS TOLD THE WAREHOUSE THE PART WAS ORDERED FROM HAD 8 OF THE PARTS IN STOCK AND THAT IT WASN'T NORMAL FOR THAT MANY TO BE AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
11338193
Incident
Jul 8, 2020
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed May 26, 2020

MY VEHICLE'S CONNECTOR TO THE PASSENGER SIDE TAIL LIGHT HAS A BURN MARK ON THE MIDDLE PIN OF THE CONNECTOR. I HAVE FOUND COUNTLESS OTHERS ON FORUMS WITH THE SAME ISSUE, WHERE THE CONNECTOR TO THEIR TAIL LIGHT FRIED, THUS CAUSING THE BRAKE LIGHT, BLINKER, AND REVERSE LIGHTS TO BE UNUSABLE WHICH IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT CAN NOT BE FIXED BY SIMPLY CHANGING A BULB. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY WHEN THE ERROR FIRST OCCURRED. *TR

NHTSA ID
11326085
Incident
May 15, 2020
Mileage
59,000 mi
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed May 12, 2020

ALL RIGHT REAR LAMPS FAILED DUE TO WIRING HARDNESS WITH CENTER GROUNDING WIRE BURNT. REAR LAMPS ARE NO LONGER FUNCTIONAL. ALSO THIS WOULD HAVE CAUSE A SPARK, ENOUGH IN THE RIGHT CIRCUMSTANCES TO CAUSE A FIRE, AND CONSIDER IT A SAFETY CONCERN. BULBS WHEN OUT WHEN OUT AFTER REPLACING WHEN OUT AGAIN THIS LEAD ME TO INVESTIGATE AND SAW THE BURNT GROUND WIRE. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND ASK IF ANY RECALLS AND TOLD ME THEY WOULD LOOK AT IT AND ALSO CHARGE 130 DIAGNOSTIC CHARGE . I BELIEVE YOU HAVE A SIMILAR COMPLAINT ON THIS ISSUE. PLEASE INVESTIGATE. *TR

NHTSA ID
11324226
Incident
May 7, 2020
Mileage
35,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed May 6, 2020
Fire reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 JEEP RENEGADE. THE CONTACT STATED THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE FOG LIGHT REFLECTOR MELTED, WHICH CAUSED THE LIGHT TO BECOME INOPERABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FAILURE MADE IT DIFFICULT TO SEE THE ROADWAY WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LARRY H. MILLER CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE RAM SANDY LOCATED AT 10905 AUTO MALL DR, SANDY, UT 84070, AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE BULB NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE BULB WAS REPLACED HOWEVER, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE BULB EXPERIENCED A SIMILAR FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.

NHTSA ID
11323582
Incident
Oct 2, 2019
Mileage
65,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Apr 29, 2020

ALL RIGHT REAR LAMPS FAILED AT THE SAME TIME, SHOWING FAILURES ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. AFTER ONLINE INVESTIGATION, I FOUND THAT SEVERAL PEOPLE HAD THE SAME ISSUE. THERE WERE PICTURES OF THE WIRING HARNESS WITH THE CENTER (GROUNDING) PIN BURNT OFF. I FOUND THE SAME ISSUE WITH MINE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED DURING NORMAL DRIVING WITH NO LIGHTS ON ON AN OPEN COUNTY ROAD, IN GOOD WEATHER. NO SIGNS OF ANY MOISTURE IN THE TAIL LIGHT ENCLOSURE. I WAS ABLE TO SOLDER IN A WIRE TO COMPLETE THE GROUND CIRCUIT AND ALLOW THE LIGHTS TO FUNCTION AGAIN. BUT DUE TO THE FAILURE, I WAS WITHOUT A RIGHT REAR TURN SIGNAL UNTIL I GOT HOME, WHICH IS A SAFETY CONCERN. AND APPARENTLY I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE IT'S HAPPENED TO.

NHTSA ID
11322701
Incident
Apr 26, 2020
Mileage
60,000 mi
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Feb 11, 2020

THE INSTRUMENT LIGHTS COME ON AND TELL ME MY LIGHTS ARE OUT AND THEY ARE NOT. THE RADIO IS ALL JACKED UP CLOCK IS OFF THE NAVIGATION DOESN'T KNOW WHERE I AM OR IF THERE IS A ROAD THERE OR NOT. BEEN ON PHONE WITH UCONNECT SEVERAL TIMES AND TO DEALER SEVERAL TIMES AND NOTHING

NHTSA ID
11308592
Incident
Dec 21, 2019
Mileage
75,064 mi
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Nov 7, 2019

MULTIPLE WARNING LIGHTS APPEAR ON THE DASHBOARD WHEN STARTING VEHICLE WHILE NO PROBLEMS EXIST. WARNING LIGHTS STAY ON AT ALL TIMES. CHRYSLER HAS A RECALL NUMBER "T50" ON JEEP RENEGADE 2017 MODELS.

NHTSA ID
11278746
Incident
Oct 21, 2019
Mileage
60,000 mi
ElectricalEngineExterior lighting
Filed Oct 31, 2019

DASH DISPLAY STATES MULTIPLE LEFT SIDE LIGHTS ARE OUT WHEN NO LIGHTS ARE OUT AT ALL. THIS HAS HAPPENED EVERY WINTER SINCE 2016. WHEN HEADLIGHTS ARE OFF THINGS SEEM TO BE FINE ON THE DASH. WHEN I TURN HEADLIGHTS OFF SHOWS BAD LIGHT IN 3 PLACES. LIGHTS ARE NOT OUT. DASH ALSO FLICKERS. I'M WEATHER UNDER 40 SERVICE ENGINE INDICATOR COMES ON, AND ENGINE WILL NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY. FEELS LIKE HALF OF CYLINDERS ARE FIRING. CHRYSLER KNOWS IT'S A FAULTY THERMOSTAT. LEFT ME STRANDED 2 WINTERS STRAIGHT. THERMOSTAT OPERATES NORMALLY DURING SPRING/SUMMER. WHILE UNDER WARRANTY THE TECHNICIANS AT DAVID STANLEY DODGE IN MIDWEST CITY, OK SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH BOTH ISSUES. REFUSED TO FIX UNDER WARRANTY. VEHICLE IS NOW OUT OF WARRANTY AND IT WILL COST NEARLY $1000 TO DIAGNOSE AND FIX. I PUT TODAY'S DATE IN, BUT IT'S BEEN HAPPENING FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS. WITH THE THERMOSTAT PROBLEM AND THE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE DASH THERE IS SOMETHING SERIOUSLY WRONG WITH THIS ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THESE ISSUES ARE RAMPANT AND ALL OVER THE FORUMS. MILES WHEN ISSUE OCCURRED ARE FROM 800 MILES - 70483. I WILL OUR CURRENT MILEAGE IN THE 'WHAT WAS THE MILEAGE' BLOCK ON NEXT PAGE.

NHTSA ID
11277251
Incident
Oct 31, 2019
Mileage
70,483 mi
EngineExterior lightingPowertrain (other)
Filed Jul 4, 2019

TAKATA RECALL JEEP NEEDING OIL CHANGE AT 7600 MILES, BONE DRY WITH NO INDICATION, NO SMOKE, NO NOTICE, ENGINE STALLS THROUGH AN INTERSECTION. WON'T RESTART FOR 30 SECONDS. FAN BEARING FAILED. REPAIRED WITH OEM PART, FAILING AGAIN. ELECTRICAL ISSUES, HEADLIGHTS SHUT OFF ON DARK HIGHWAY, INDICATING ALL EXTERIOR LIGHTING HAS FAILED, ELECTRICAL RESTORED. MULTIPLE SMALLER EVENTS OF BLINKER RIGHT OR LEFT BEING OUT, INDICATORS INCLUDED RAPID FLASHING OF DASHBOARD INDICATOR. BULBS ALWAYS SELF RESTORED AND FAULT CLEARED. EVAP FAILURE INDICATED, SELF RESOLVED WHILE TROUBLE SHOOTING.

NHTSA ID
11229479
Incident
Jul 4, 2019
Mileage
51,000 mi
Driver assistanceElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Jun 27, 2019

A FEW MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE ALL THE LIGHTS ON MY DASHBOARD AND HEADLIGHTS CONSTANTLY FLICKER, THEY GET REALLY BRIGHT AND THEN THEY DIM DOWN, THE ACCELERATION DOES NOT WORK IF I SLOWDOWN TO 5 MILES PER HOUR OR LESS, IT STALLS UNTIL I COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. MY EMERGENCY BREAK, SEAT BELT AND AIRBAG MAINTENANCE LIGHTS GO OFF AT RANDOM TIMES WHEN I FIRST START MY CAR, THE DEALERSHIP CANNOT DUPLICATE THE ACCELERATION ISSUE, AND THEY ARE NOT SEEING ERROR CODES FOR THE AIRBAGS, SEAT BELT AND EMERGENCY BREAK BUT THEY HAVE ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS AT LEAST 3-4 TIMES WITH NO PERMANENT SOLUTION.

NHTSA ID
11223022
Incident
Jan 1, 2019
Mileage
800 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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