2009 Jeep Wrangler 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, 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
- Airbags10121.2%
- Fuel system8016.8%
- Steering6413.4%
- Suspension6313.2%
- Electrical336.9%
- Powertrain (other)326.7%
- Engine234.8%
- Driver assistance163.4%
- Brakes142.9%
- Other / unspecified132.7%
- Exterior lighting91.9%
- Body & structure81.7%
- Visibility81.7%
- Tires & wheels71.5%
- Interior & seats20.4%
- Transmission20.4%
- Seat belts10.2%
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
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2009 Jeep Wrangler. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 10V236000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic), 16V290000 (Air Bags), and 18V021000 (Air Bags); however, the parts required to complete the recall repairs were not available. The contact stated that the dealer had been contacted several times. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer confirmed that parts were not yet available and were on back order. The dealer informed the contact that parts for NHTSA Campaign Number: 10V23600 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); had been discontinued. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that the parts were discontinued. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The contact had not experienced a failure.
The contact owns a 2009 Jeep Wrangler. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 18V021000 (Air Bags) and 16V290000 (Air Bags); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that the parts were not yet available. The dealer had been waiting for parts for over a month and a half for parts to repair another vehicle. The contact called several other dealers; however, parts were not available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
When filling my tank, it spits gas back out of the nozzle. I’ve been told in several forums that this is a warranty issue and is to be replaced by a dealership for free. The item that needs to be repaired is a fuel filler tube. I don’t wanna spend the money on buying the part myself if this is something that is covered by the dealership through the factory. This happens every time I fill the tank and has been an ongoing problem for over a year almost 2 years. I have to fill it very slowly with gas as well. I cannot fill it fast as it will stop automatically. The part number is 52060489AH
Fuel overflow problem. It happens every time I fill up the gas tank.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
Experiencing the death wobble.
THE JEEP HAS LESS THAN 40.000 IS AND IS NOT USED OFF ROAD. ABOUT 55MPH THE FRONT END GETS A OUT OF CONTROL WOBBLE. YOU HAVE TO SLOW WAY DOWN FOR IT TO STOP. IT HAS DONE A FEW TIMES BEFORE. THE LAST TIME IT WAS 4/29/20.THE TRACK BAR WAS REPLACED WITH OEM PART AND STILL DOES IT. IT SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH A LOT OF WRANGLER JEEPS. I DON'T KNOW IF IT IS A DESIGN FLAW. DOING SOME RESEARCH IT SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH JEEPS. THIS JEEP IT COMPLETELY STOCK WITH THE SAME TIRES IT CAME WITH NEW.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
Frank Hyundai sold this vehicle with significant structural damage to everything that is metal due to rust.
Hi.. My Jeep has the death wobble and that my Jeep is not included in the recall due ; according to the Jeep dealership. The recall has expired for my 2009 Jeep Wrangler. My kids and grand was in the car when my Jeep after hitting a bump started shaking in the middle of the highway. Please help me. I would get it fix on my own, but I can not afford it and this should not happen when it's a known issue and a safety issue. I can be reached at [XXX]. Thanks [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
Turned on ignition and wipers and headlights turned on with no control, car ignition beeped constantly, all dash lights illuminated, all gauges stopped working (speedometer, fuel, tachometer, temperature) and there was a clicking noise on the transmission. Had to drive home hoping my electrical system wouldn’t shut down while driving home. Narrowed down to faulty TIPM.
My Jeep Wrangler warning light cycled on under normal driving conditions. I drove it to my mechanic he said the code read was for the transmission. We checked the transmission fluid and it was filled with fluid. I drove it home into my driveway and I saw smoke and looked under the vehicle. I didn't find anything. When I stood up and walked around the vehicle I noticed smoke coming from the engine compartment. I lifted the hood and flames where present. I closed the hood and ran for fire extinguishers to put out the fire. The Jeep has always been maintained and only has 92k miles on it. The whole incident was captured on my Ring Camera.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
The manual transmission malfunctioned, it is available for inspection upon request. My safety and others are put at risk due to the transmission not accepting first gear when in 1st gear, and it “pops” out of gear unexpectedly, leaving me and others in the middle of an intersection. The problem has been reproduced and confirmed by dealers, the manufacturer knows about the problem, to my knowledge. There were not any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms prior to the failure. This issue happens very frequently, and happens to thousands of others with this Jeep. And it’s extremely dangerous.
TIPM failure while driving is very unsafe. Can cause lights, wipers, and other failures while driving, including intermittent dangerous stalling and non starting. Please don’t wait until deaths or injury occur before action of this widely known issue.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
My Jeep Wrangler warning light cycled on under normal driving conditions. I drove it to my mechanic he said the code read was for the transmission. We checked the transmission fluid and it was filled with fluid. I drove it home into my driveway and I saw smoke and looked under the vehicle. I didn't find anything. When I stood up and walked around the vehicle I noticed smoke coming from the engine compartment. I lifted the hood and flames where present. I closed the hood and ran for fire extinguishers to put out the fire. The Jeep has always been maintained and only has 92k miles on it. The whole incident was captured on my Ring Camera.
AT 16000 MILES, MY DRIVER SIDE EXHAUST MANIFOLD CRACKED. THE DEALER REPLACED. IT HAS NOW BEEN REPLACE 6 ADDITIONAL TIMES. THE DEALER WILL NOT HONOR THEIR ORIGINAL REPAIR WHICH OBVIOUSLY DID NOT WORK. I AM BREATHING INSAFE EXHAUST FUMES. CHRYSLER CORP HAS KNOW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM (TSB 09-001-13) NOW CHRYSLER WILL NOT FIX.IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY THE FIRST 4 TIMES IT CRACKED. CLEARLY IT IS A WARPED HEAD OR VALVE PROBLEM. EITHER WAY EXHAUST COMES IN THE CAR.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
CLOCK SPRING IN STEERING COLUMN HAS FAILED. AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT IS ON, HORN DOES NOT WORK, CRUISE CONTROL DOES NOT WORK, TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT IS ON. I DRIVE IN VERY DUSTY CONDITIONS WHILE DELIVERING US MAIL, RECORDS SHOW A RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR THIS JEEP AND THIS PROBLEM. RECORDS ALSO INDICATE THAT THE RECALL WORK WAS COMPLETED. BUT I HAVE THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM THAT THE RECALL WAS SUPPOSED TO FIX? WHAT CAN I DO?
WHEN DRIVING THE JEEP ON THE EXPRESSWAY, THE ENTIRE FRONT END STARTED SHIMMYING FROM SIDE TO SIDE, THREATENING TO PULL THE STEERING WHEEL OUT OF MY HANDS. IT STOPPED WHEN I REDUCED SPEED TO UNDER 55 MPH. WHENEVER I TRIED TO GO OVER 55 MPH, THE JEEP RESUMED IT'S DEATH WOBBLE. THIS IS NOT A SAFE CONDITION TO BE DRIVING A VEHICLE IN. *TR
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2009 Jeep Wrangler. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 10V236000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic), 16V290000 (Air Bags), and 18V021000 (Air Bags); however, the parts required to complete the recall repairs were not available. The contact stated that the dealer had been contacted several times. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer confirmed that parts were not yet available and were on back order. The dealer informed the contact that parts for NHTSA Campaign Number: 10V23600 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); had been discontinued. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that the parts were discontinued. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The contact had not experienced a failure.
My wrangler's brakes locked up repeatedly and I took it to the dealer. They said that it needs a new ABS module but that part is not made anymore. This is a safety issue and I now have a car that I can't sell, can't fix, and can't drive. My wife almost got into an accident.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE JEEP HAS LESS THAN 40.000 IS AND IS NOT USED OFF ROAD. ABOUT 55MPH THE FRONT END GETS A OUT OF CONTROL WOBBLE. YOU HAVE TO SLOW WAY DOWN FOR IT TO STOP. IT HAS DONE A FEW TIMES BEFORE. THE LAST TIME IT WAS 4/29/20.THE TRACK BAR WAS REPLACED WITH OEM PART AND STILL DOES IT. IT SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH A LOT OF WRANGLER JEEPS. I DON'T KNOW IF IT IS A DESIGN FLAW. DOING SOME RESEARCH IT SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH JEEPS. THIS JEEP IT COMPLETELY STOCK WITH THE SAME TIRES IT CAME WITH NEW.
I HAVE A 2009 JEEP WRANGLER UNLIMITED X, PURCHASED NEW. A FEW YEARS AFTER PURCHASE I BEGAN EXPERIENCING 'DEATH WOBBLE.' A MECHANIC'S DIAGNOSTIC STATED MY TRACK BAR WAS BENT AND MY BUSHINGS WERE WORN AND NEEDED REPLACING AS A RESULT OF ALL THE VIOLENT SIDE TO SIDE SHAKING. THIS WAS REPAIRED AT GREAT EXPENSE OUT OF POCKET. THIS REPAIR SEEMED EFFECTIVE FOR SOME TIME BEFORE THE SPEED WOBBLE STARTED UP AGAIN THIS PAST YEAR. DURING ONE EPISODE, THE HARSH SHAKING CAUSED MY LEFT SIDE BLINKERS AND BRAKE LIGHT TO FAIL. NO ONE SHOULD REASONABLY BE EXPECTED TO OPERATE A VEHICLE WHEN IT HAS THE POTENTIAL TO SUDDENLY, UNEXPECTEDLY, UNCONTROLLABLY, VIOLENTLY, HARSHLY, AND DANGEROUSLY START SHAKING, ESPECIALLY WHILE IN OPERATION AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. I AVOID DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY ANYMORE BECAUSE I CAN'T KEEP UP WITH THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC BEFORE JARRING SHAKING WILL START. ANY DRIVING IS NOW INCREASINGLY DANGEROUS TO ME, MY PASSENGERS, AND OTHER NEARBY DRIVERS. THE UNCONTROLLABLY VIOLENT SHAKING IS DIFFICULT TO CONTROL, FRIGHTENING, AND FORCES ME TO ABRUPTLY PULL OVER, GREATLY INCREASING MY CHANCES OF BEING SEVERELY INJURED OR EVEN KILLED IN AN ACCIDENT. IT IS NOT RIGHT FOR JEEP OWNERS TO SUFFER THIS. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE FOR JEEP. THEY SHOULD BE LIABLE FOR AND REIMBURSE JEEP OWNERS ANY AND ALL COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH REPAIRS, ALTERNATE TRANSPORTATION, INJURIES, DEATHS, DISTRESS, OR ANY OTHER CONDITIONS OR COMPLICATIONS ARISING FROM, RELATED TO, OR OTHERWISE RESULTING FROM 'DEATH WOBBLE.' CAUSES FOR THIS HAZARD VARY, SO DIAGNOSTICS AND REPAIRS CAN BE EXTREMELY LENGTHY AND COSTLY, NOT TO MENTION REPAIRS NEEDED FOR OTHER AREAS OF THE VEHICLE WORN AND DAMAGED AS A RESULT OF SUCH AGGRESSIVELY UNSAFE SHAKING. THIS IS NOT STANDARD WEAR AND TEAR, BUT A SERIOUS, DANGEROUS AND POTENTIALLY DEADLY ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED AND CORRECTED BY NHTSA, THE CENTER FOR AUTO SAFETY, LAWYERS, AND COURTS.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
Turned on ignition and wipers and headlights turned on with no control, car ignition beeped constantly, all dash lights illuminated, all gauges stopped working (speedometer, fuel, tachometer, temperature) and there was a clicking noise on the transmission. Had to drive home hoping my electrical system wouldn’t shut down while driving home. Narrowed down to faulty TIPM.
DURING A "DEATH WOBBLE" EVENT, MY PASSENGER SIDE BLINKERS AND BRAKE LIGHT STOPPED WORKING. WE ATTEMPTED TO CHANGE THE BULBS, FUSES, AND CHECKED THE WIRING UNDER THE STEERING COLUMN TO NO AVAIL. HOW MUCH MORE IS THIS VEHICLE COST ME?
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
Excessive heat on shoes while driving. Found defective and rusted floor boards on driver and passenger side.
HOOD PATCHES DON'T HOLD THE HOOD SECURE IT COMES LOOSE AT HYWAY SPEEDS
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
Turned on ignition and wipers and headlights turned on with no control, car ignition beeped constantly, all dash lights illuminated, all gauges stopped working (speedometer, fuel, tachometer, temperature) and there was a clicking noise on the transmission. Had to drive home hoping my electrical system wouldn’t shut down while driving home. Narrowed down to faulty TIPM.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 JEEP WRANGLER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH MALFUNCTIONED AND THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD NOT TURN ON OR OFF. ADDITIONALLY, THE TURN SIGNAL LIGHT FAILED TO OPERATE AND THE REVERSE LIGHTS WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS MALFUNCTIONED AND WOULD INADVERTENTLY LY TURN ON. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES WERE NOT YET DETERMINED. THE LOCAL DEALER CLAY COOLEY DODGE LOCATED AT 1261 E AIRPORT FWY, IRVING, TX 75062 AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE CONTACT ALSO INDICATED THAT THE THROTTLE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY VALVE STEM FELL INTO RIM THIS ,I BELIEVE WAS CAUSED DO THE FACT THE STEEL RIM HAS A LIP THAT HOLDS WATER IF THE VALVE STEM IS IN THE SIX O CLOCK POSITION IT SITS IN WATER /THE ONLY WAY THE WATER CAN BE REMOVED IS BY THE RIM TURNING ,THE RIM IS STEEL ,THE STEM IS ALUMINUM THE LOCK NUT IS ALUMINUM ALL OF THESE DIFFERENT METALS MIXED WITH WATER CREATES A CORROSION (ELECTROLASIS) PROBLEM INSIDE THE RIM THE VALVE STEM CONNECTS TO THE TPMS SENSOR ON OTHER MODEL JEEPS THE VALVE STEM IS RUBBER IT SEEMS TO ELIMINATE THE CORROSION PROBLEM I CALLED JEEP CASE#25386092 OFFERED NO RESULTS. UPDATED 4/24/15 *JS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 JEEP WRANGLER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SUDDENLY BEGAN TO VIOLENTLY SHAKE CAUSING THE DRIVER TO NEARLY LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING STABILIZER BAR WAS DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. ALSO, THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE SUDDENLY DEFLATED. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE TIRE AIR VALVE WAS FRACTURED. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE DEFECT RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 JEEP WRANGLER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 63 MPH, THE HOOD LATCH DETACHED AND CAUSED THE SAFETY LATCH TO OPEN. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, USED A CARGO STRAP TO SECURE THE HOOD, AND DROVE HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,000.
2009 JEEP WRANGLER. CONSUMER STATES PROBLEM WITH HOOD LATCHES *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, AN 18-WHEELER PASSED IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION GOING APPROXIMATELY THE SAME SPEED, WHEN SUDDENLY THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY. WHEN IT HAPPENED AGAIN, HE THEN NOTICED THE HOOD VIOLENTLY BOUNCING UP AND DOWN. THE CONSUMER FOUND A CUSTOMER SATISFACTION NOTIFICATION ON THE INTERNET REGARDING THE HOOD LATCH. *JB
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
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 JEEP WRANGLER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS ON A TRAFFIC STOP AND WHEN HE TRIED TO PULL OFF THE VEHICLE POPPED OUT OF GEAR. THE FAILURE HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES NTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 13,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 JEEP WRANGLER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE A MANUFACTURER VOLUNTARY SAFETY RECALL REPAIR WAS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE, ASSOCIATED WITH THE NOTIFICATION CODE OF J31. THE CONTACT WAS IN DISAGREEMENT WITH THE RECALL REMEDY RELATED TO THE TRANSMISSION. HE WAS ALSO IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE MANUFACTURER CONCERNING THE INSUFFICIENT RECALL REMEDY. THERE WERE NO FAILURES AT THIS TIME. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
The passenger seatbelt locking mechanism is stuck and won't release, rendering the seatbelt unusable. When attempting to release the seatbelt, it locks and tightens, potentially choking the passenger. The dealership is unwilling to fix the issue for less than $1000.
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 .