2009 Jeep Wrangler 4-Dr 4X4 Rhd Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2009 Jeep Wrangler 4-Dr 4X4 Rhd, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Fuel system623.1%
- Airbags415.4%
- Powertrain (other)311.5%
- Transmission311.5%
- Visibility27.7%
- Electrical27.7%
- Suspension27.7%
- Steering13.8%
- Driver assistance13.8%
- Engine13.8%
- Other / unspecified13.8%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHEN FILLING UP WITH GASOLINE, THE PUMP SHUTS OFF AUTOMATICALLY WHEN THE TANK IS FULL THEN GAS FLOWS BACK OUT OF THE CAR AND SPILLS ALL OVER THE GROUND. THIS HAS HAPPENED EVER SINCE I OWNED THE JEEP AND THEY WANT TO CHARGE $1500 TO FIX A DESIGN FLAW. THE GAS VOLUME THAT SPILLS IS AT LEAST A QUART AND CREATES A DANGEROUS SITUATION.
WHEN FUELING UP THE GAS PUMPS CONTINUALLY SHUT OFF EVERY FEW SECONDS. GAS COMES OUT OF THE FILLER TUBE ONTO ME, THE VEHICLE AND THE GROUND. NO FIRE YET. HAD THIS FIXED UNDER WARRANTY A COUPLE YEARS BACK AND NOW HAPPENING AGAIN??? *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
WE HAVE A 2009 RIGHT HAND DRIVE 4 DOOR WRANGLER. IT IS USED FOR POSTAL WORK. AIR BAG LIGHT KEEPS GOING OFF AND ON. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS BUT CHRYSLER WILL NOT HONOR IT ON OURS FOR SOME REASON THERE IS A RECALL NUMBER OF11V528000 AIR BAGS FRONTAL. THEY WANT US TO PAY FOR ALL WORK ON THIS AND IT SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN RECALL. IN THE MEANTIME AIRBAGS WILL NOT WORK IF NEEDED. *TR
THE AIR BAG LIGHT HAS COME ON AND STAYED ON. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON MY PREVIOUS RIGHT HAND JEEP ALSO. SEVERAL MAIL CARRIERS RIGHT HAND JEEPS HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM OF THE SPRING CAUSING THE AIR BAG LIGHT TO COME ON AS WELL AS AFFECTING THE CRUISE CONTROL. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE BRACKET THAT HOLDS THE TIE ROD ON BROKE OFF THE TRUCK AND HAD TO BE WELDED ON. DEATH WOBBLE FOR AT LEAST 9 MONTHS. REPLACED INNER & OUTER TIE ROD ENDS, 2 STABALIZER BARS, SHOCKS, SWAY BAR AND STILL SHAKES. CALLED JEEP CORP. AND THEY SAID SORRY BUT THEY WERENT PAYING TO GET IT FIXED
FIRST A WHINING SOUND BEGAN IN THE CASE AND GOT WORSE OVER THE NEXT 10,000 MILES, THEN AT 90,000 IT WOULDN'T SHIFT OUT OF 4 WHEEL DRIVE FOR A VARYING AMOUNT OF TIME MAYBE 15 SECONDS ONE TIME OR 10 MINUTES OTHER TIMES ETC. WHEN IT DID SHIFT OUT OF 4 WHEEL IT WOULD BANG SO LOUD AND HARD IT FELT LIKE YOU RAN OVER A LARGE OBJECT, IT ACTUALLY THREW YOU UP IN THE AIR A BIT .WHEN YOU GOT STUCK IN SNOW AND NEEDED 4 WHEEL IT ONLY WOULD MAKE A RATCHETING SOUND. JEEP REFUSED TO FIX IT UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE ITS A RHD POSTAL JEEP. IT COST $1744.00 TO FIX IT WITH A REBUILT CASE THAT CAN ONLY BE PURCHASED FROM JEEP. IT IS DANGEROUS BECAUSE WHEN IT SHIFTED IT WENT OUT OF CONTROL AND WHEN YOU WERE STUCK IN SNOW YOU DIDN'T KNOW WHEN IT WOULD SHIFT INTO OR OUT OF 4 WHEEL. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
I HAVE A 2009 JEEP WRANGLER UNLIMITED WITH 6 SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION FIRST GEAR SLIPS OUT VIOLENTLY TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES NEW TRANS HAS BEEN PUT IN EVERYTHING AND ITS STILL HAPPENING THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE NEEDS TO BE RECALLED AND FIXED I WAS STOPPED ON A HILL IN SYLVANIA OHIO WENT TO DRIVE OFF FOR THE GREEN LIGHT IT VIOLENTLY POPPED I ROLLED BACK AND HIT A CAR BEHIND ME.. I'VE RESEARCHED THIS AND ITS EXTREMELY COMMON I'VE TALKED TO THE MECHANIC AND HE SAYS IT HAPPENS ON ALMOST EVERY 6SPEED MANUAL HE'S HAD IN THERE THIS HAPPENS TO ME AT LEAST ONCE A DAY AND I DON'T DO ALOT OF DRIVING.. PLEASE RESEARCH THIS AND PUSH FOR RECALL. *TR
TRANSMISSION OIL OVERHEATING.... WHILE MAKING LONG ASCENTS (CLIMBS) UP HILL IN 4 WHEEL DRIVE, THE TRANSMISSION FLUID HAS OVERHEATED TWICE IN MY 2009 JEEP WRANGLER UNDER NON-RIGOROUS CONDITIONS (DIRT ROAD). THIS OCCURRED TWICE OVER THE PAST 4 WEEKS, WHERE I IMMEDIATELY SHUT DOWN THE VEHICLE AND LET IT COOL OFF EACH TIME. I NOTICED THE TRANSMISSION WAS HAVING PROBLEMS BECAUSE I RECEIVED A "HOT OIL" WARNING ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. I HAVE TRAVELED THESE ROADS IN OTHER 4X4 VEHICLES IN THE PAST WITHOUT ANY PROBLEMS. EACH TIME THIS OCCURS, IT IS IMPORTANT TO TURN OFF THE VEHICLE AND LET IT COOL OFF, OTHERWISE THE VEHICLE COULD CATCH FIRE DUE TO THE HOT TRANNY OIL BOILING OUT AND COMING IN CONTACT WITH THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. I TOOK IT THE TO THE DEALER (MOORE JEEP IN PEORIA, AZ) TWICE AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NO KNOWN CORRECTION FOR THIS AND SINCE NOTHING WAS TECHNICALLY BROKEN, NOTHING COULD BE DONE. THEY OFFERED TO PUT IN A TRANNY COOLER AT MY EXPENSE, HOWEVER, THIS WOULD VOID MY LIFETIME TRANSMISSION WARRANTY. I CONTACTED CHRYSLER DIRECTLY AND FILED A FORMAL COMPLAINT. I ASKED THAT THEY SUPPORT ADDING A TRANSMISSION COOLER OR REPLACE THE TRANNY TO THE JEEP, AND THEY DENIED THE REQUEST BECAUSE THEY CAN ONLY REPLACE ITEMS THAT ARE BROKEN. SINCE THE TRANNY HAS NOT COMPLETELY BROKEN DOWN, THEY DON'T SEE A PROBLEM THAT NEEDS FIXED. THEY APPLIED RECALL J31, WHICH MAKE A CHIME WHEN THE TRANNY OIL OVERHEATS - TELLING ME TO TURN OFF THE VEHICLE AND LET COOL. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. I HAVE A 9 MONTH OLD GRANDCHILD WHO TRAVELS WITH ME IN A CHILD SEAT AND I AM CONCERNED THAT IF THE VEHICLE STARTS ON FIRE, I MAY NOT BE ABLE TO UNBUCKLE HIM OUT OF THE CARSEAT IN THE BACK FAST ENOUGH. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
DRIVERS MIRROR FELL OFF WHILE STATIONARY. THE INTERNAL BRACKET HAS CORRODED AND FAILED IT OBVIOUSLY A MATERIAL DEFECT.
THE HEATER WORKED GREAT FOR 3 YEARS, THEN IT JUST BROKE 1 PART AT A TIME, NOW IT BLOWS ANTIFREEZE OUT THE DUCTS AND NO HEAT AT ALL, ALL THE BLEND MOTORS ARE BROKE ALL THE FLAPPERS ARE BROKE THE HOUSING IS WARPED THE SWITCH IS BROKE, THERE IS NO HEAT AT ALL IT TAKES 3 DAYS FOR SOMEONE WITH EXPERIENCE TO FIX IT AND THE DEALERSHIPS DON'T IMPROVE IT THEY JUST REPLACE PARTS WITH THE SAME DEFECTIVE PARTS, THIS IS A SHAME THEY WONT REDESIGN THIS HEATER OR THE PARTS AND IT WILL NEED A 2,000$ REPAIR EVERY 3 YEARS, PS. THE AIR CONDITIONING IS TOTALLY GONE TOO. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
STARTED MY CAR WITH THE REMOTE STARTER. EVERYTHING FROM WIPERS TO ALARM TO WINDOW WASHER TO LIGHTS WENT ON A FRITZ. SMOKE CAME OUT OF THE HOOD. I MADE SURE CAR WAS TURNED OFF AND OPENED THE HOOD TO DISCOVER A FIRE. I HAD A SMALL FIRE EXTINGUISHER AND WAS BARELY ENOUGH TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. ONCE EXTINGUISHED I CALLED THE DEALER WHO HAD JUST SERVICED THE CAR AND AM WAITING FOR AN IDEA WHY IT HAPPENED. IT MELTED THE ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS NEXT TO THE AIR DAM, WIRES AROUND THE BATTERY ETC. *TR
WE HAVE A 2009 RIGHT HAND DRIVE 4 DOOR WRANGLER. IT IS USED FOR POSTAL WORK. AIR BAG LIGHT KEEPS GOING OFF AND ON. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS BUT CHRYSLER WILL NOT HONOR IT ON OURS FOR SOME REASON THERE IS A RECALL NUMBER OF11V528000 AIR BAGS FRONTAL. THEY WANT US TO PAY FOR ALL WORK ON THIS AND IT SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN RECALL. IN THE MEANTIME AIRBAGS WILL NOT WORK IF NEEDED. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
I HAVE A 2009 JEEP WRANGLER RUBICON. I DROVE CROSS COUNTRY IN 2010 (MILITARY MOVE) AND GOT THE TIRES ROTATED AFTER THE LONG DRIVE. WHEN I DID, WHILE DRIVING OVER A BRIDGE OUTSIDE OF WASHINGTON DC, MY CAR STARTED SHAKING UNCONTROLLABLY AND I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO FALL OFF THE SIDE OF THE BRIDGE AND FALL INTO THE WATER 100 FEET DOWN. LUCKILY IT STOPPED ONCE I SLOWED DOWN TO UNDER 10 MILES PER HOUR. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY BLAMED THE TIRES. THEY NEVER SAID ANYTHING ABOUT THE KNOWN DEATH WOBBLE, SO WHILE I DIDN'T FULLY BELIEVE IT, I JUST REPLACED THE TIRES AND DIDN'T HAVE ANY ISSUES FOR A WHILE. I RECENTLY MOVED TO NORTHERN CALIFORNIA THIS SUMMER FOR WORK, AND HAVE TO NOW DRIVE OVER MORE BUMPY WINDY MOUNTAIN ROADS. NOW, ANY TIME I AM DRIVING OVER 45MPH ON THESE WINDY ROADS, PARTICULARLY WHEN GOING DOWNHILL, THE WHOLE JEEP SHAKES UNCONTROLLABLY. I HAVEN'T GONE OFF THE SIDE OF A CLIFF YET - BUT I FEEL LIKE I MIGHT AT ANY POINT DURING ONE OF THESE DRIVES. AND WHERE I LIVE NOW, I HAVE TO DRIVE THESE ROADS, WHICH IS SCARY FOR MY WIFE AND I AND OUR TWO YOUNG KIDS. THE JEEP IS ALMOST PAID OFF - BUT NOT YET, SO I'D TRADE IT IN, BUT WILL LOSE ALOT OF MONEY TO DO THAT - AND WAS HOPING TO HAVE THIS JEEP FOR YEARS AFTER I PAID OFF THE JEEP - BUT AM NOT SO SURE NOW. I ALSO WAS A LOYAL JEEP CUSTOMER, UNTIL NOW.
THE BRACKET THAT HOLDS THE TIE ROD ON BROKE OFF THE TRUCK AND HAD TO BE WELDED ON. DEATH WOBBLE FOR AT LEAST 9 MONTHS. REPLACED INNER & OUTER TIE ROD ENDS, 2 STABALIZER BARS, SHOCKS, SWAY BAR AND STILL SHAKES. CALLED JEEP CORP. AND THEY SAID SORRY BUT THEY WERENT PAYING TO GET IT FIXED
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE BRACKET THAT HOLDS THE TIE ROD ON BROKE OFF THE TRUCK AND HAD TO BE WELDED ON. DEATH WOBBLE FOR AT LEAST 9 MONTHS. REPLACED INNER & OUTER TIE ROD ENDS, 2 STABALIZER BARS, SHOCKS, SWAY BAR AND STILL SHAKES. CALLED JEEP CORP. AND THEY SAID SORRY BUT THEY WERENT PAYING TO GET IT FIXED
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: I HAVE A 2009 FOUR DOOR JEEP WRANGLER UNLIMITED WITH A DEFECT IN THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY SYSTEM. WHILE TRAVELING ON THE INTERSTATE IN MAY 2010, THE DASH BOARD SLIPPING INDICATOR LIGHT STARTED FLASHING AND THE VEHICLE CLAMPED DOWN ON THE FRONT RIGHT BRAKE DRIVING ME OFF THE INTERSTATE INTO THE GRASS. FORTUNATELY, I WAS ABLE TO STOP BEFORE HAVING AN ACCIDENT. THE SYSTEM THEN INDICATED THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM AND THE ESP DISARMED ITSELF WHILE DISABLING THE ESP. THE BAS INDICATOR LIT. SHORTLY BEFORE I WAS ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE TO THE GARAGE, THE ESP MODULE APPARENTLY RESET ITSELF AND THE VEHICLE SWERVED TO THE RIGHT (FRONT RIGHT BRAKE AGAIN CLAMPING DOWN) WHILE I WAS GOING 30MPH. FORTUNATELY, I HAVE 3 MPG VIDEOS OF THIS 2ND INCIDENT BECAUSE I HAPPENED TO HAVE MY CAMERA IT THE PASSENGER SEAT. VIDEOS OF 2NF INCIDENT AND REPAIR RECEIPT: HTTP://WWW.ECJONES.ORG/JEEPESP/ ON MAY 20, 2010, COGDILL DODGE (865-690-1611) REPLACED THE ANTILOCK-BRAKE/ESP MODULE. UNFORTUNATELY, LAST SATURDAY JUNE 4, 2010 WHILE DRIVING HOME, THE VEHICLE ESP SLIPPAGE INDICATOR AGAIN FLASHED AND THE JEEP SWERVED SHARPLY TO THE RIGHT. MY SON [XXX] WAS DRIVING AT THE TIME WHILE I WAS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. [XXX] STATES THE JEEP WAS ALSO TRYING TO ACCELERATE WHILE SIMULTANEOUSLY APPLYING THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE. I BELIEVE THAT THE PROBLEM IS A FAILURE OF THE FRONT LEFT WHEEL SPEED SENSOR GETTING THE SPEED INDICATION TO THE ESP MODULE. THE MODULE WAS REPLACED BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTS. [XXX] P.S. THE JEEP IS CURRENTLY PARKED WHILE I AWAIT A 2ND REPAIR BY JIM COGDILL DODGE THIS WEDNESDAY.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
STARTED MY CAR WITH THE REMOTE STARTER. EVERYTHING FROM WIPERS TO ALARM TO WINDOW WASHER TO LIGHTS WENT ON A FRITZ. SMOKE CAME OUT OF THE HOOD. I MADE SURE CAR WAS TURNED OFF AND OPENED THE HOOD TO DISCOVER A FIRE. I HAD A SMALL FIRE EXTINGUISHER AND WAS BARELY ENOUGH TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. ONCE EXTINGUISHED I CALLED THE DEALER WHO HAD JUST SERVICED THE CAR AND AM WAITING FOR AN IDEA WHY IT HAPPENED. IT MELTED THE ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS NEXT TO THE AIR DAM, WIRES AROUND THE BATTERY ETC. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
I HAVE A 2009 JEEP WRANGLER UNLIMITED WITH 6 SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION FIRST GEAR SLIPS OUT VIOLENTLY TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES NEW TRANS HAS BEEN PUT IN EVERYTHING AND ITS STILL HAPPENING THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE NEEDS TO BE RECALLED AND FIXED I WAS STOPPED ON A HILL IN SYLVANIA OHIO WENT TO DRIVE OFF FOR THE GREEN LIGHT IT VIOLENTLY POPPED I ROLLED BACK AND HIT A CAR BEHIND ME.. I'VE RESEARCHED THIS AND ITS EXTREMELY COMMON I'VE TALKED TO THE MECHANIC AND HE SAYS IT HAPPENS ON ALMOST EVERY 6SPEED MANUAL HE'S HAD IN THERE THIS HAPPENS TO ME AT LEAST ONCE A DAY AND I DON'T DO ALOT OF DRIVING.. PLEASE RESEARCH THIS AND PUSH FOR RECALL. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .