2012 Jeep Wrangler Problems

My Oil pump and oil sensor keep going out every 4,000 miles. I have already had to replace it once. I don’t want to have to do it again. Clearly something is causing this issue.

Report from diagnostic service 1-9-2023 cylinder head - has premature failure of valve guides and cylinder head replacement is required for repair. Yes, Jeep extended the warranty but if your vehicle did not show problems they would not fix it, but they did learn and knew at the point the seriousness of the problem and put an end date on the fix. Our vehicle outlasted their warranty by 30,000 but now is undrivable. Before anything serious happens as the driver drives on longer drives we have grounded the vehicle.

Revision 6 November 2019 Dealer Service Instructions for: Customer Satisfaction Notification V41Steering Damper 2018 - 2019 (JL) JeepWrangler vehicles front suspension steering damper on about 192,000 of the vehicles may not effectively damp oscillation of the steering system, resulting in a sustained shake or shimmy in the steering wheel. I have a 2012 Wrangler with the same issue - front-end shake/shimmy. My Mechanic said to replace the stabilizer with the next level-up heavier-duty stabilizer from Mopar. Why isn't my Jeep (JK Series) included in this recall? There aren't any of these stabilizers available at Mopar or online due to exceedingly high demand from vehicle owners. This should obviously be a recall.

I have experienced on a number of occasions, when traveling on the highway at speeds greater than 60 MPH and the vehicle his a bump in the road (expansion joint, pothole, etc), the vehicle begins to bounce uncontrollably. The steering wheel vibrates uncontrollably and it feels like the front end of the vehicle is bouncing on the highway. Its doesn't stop until you slow the vehicle down below 60 mph or so.

The engine's cylinder head/valve train has failed internally, allowing combustion gases to enter the cooling system — confirmed via a chemical block test performed by a master automotive technician on November 29, 2024, which verified combustion gases present in the coolant. This is a widely documented defect on this engine and model year, related to valve seat erosion in the cylinder head. Symptoms first appeared in June 2018 as an unusual higher-pitched, stressed sound from the engine. Over time this progressed to recurring, confirmed misfires on cylinders 1, 2, 3, and 5 (diagnostic codes P0300, P0301, P0302, P0303, P0305) and a mixture control fault (P219B). The check engine light has intermittently stayed illuminated for months at a time, then gone off for extended periods while the same fault codes remain stored and confirmed by a diagnostic scanner — currently the light is off but the codes persist. The vehicle frequently runs rough enough that the engine must be turned off and restarted to temporarily return to closer-to-normal operation. Noticeable vibration is felt during much of this pattern. Spark plugs, ignition coils, oxygen sensors, and the PCV valve have all been inspected/replaced and ruled out as the cause on multiple occasions over more than a year, isolating the cause to the cylinder head itself. This creates a driveability and potential stalling/hesitation risk, though no crash, injury, or fire has occurred to date. The vehicle has not been formally inspected by the manufacturer, police, or an insurance representative. The affected component remains in the vehicle and is available for inspection upon request.

The contact owns a 2012 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated that while driving at 20 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where a scan was completed, and diagnostic trouble codes for the Emissions, engine misfire, timing chain, and crank position sensor failures were displayed. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 71,756.

My complaint is that I was sold a dangerously defective vehicle with a known, unrepaired “stop driving” airbag safety recall, was not warned about the deadly risk, and am now being told to move and tow the car in direct contradiction to official safety instructions. ### Factual background - The vehicle I purchased has a Takata‑type airbag safety recall that carries a formal “do not drive” or “stop driving” warning because the airbag can explode and kill or severely injure occupants, even in a minor crash.[1][2][3][4] - Federal safety authorities have confirmed that at least 28–29 people in the United States have been killed and more than 400 injured by exploding Takata airbag inflators.[3][4][5][1] - I received the recall notice about two months ago, but I was told the repair parts were back‑ordered, which delayed fixing the deadly defect through no fault of my own.[1][3] - During this delay, the vehicle’s battery became completely dead, and I am now being told by the recall and towing company that I must make sure the car is taken out of the garage, which would require entering and moving a vehicle I have been legally and explicitly told not to drive. ### Legal and safety concerns - Official guidance from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the manufacturer is that vehicles under this Takata “do not drive” recall must not be driven at all until the defective airbag is replaced, because even a minor collision can cause the inflator to explode and send metal shrapnel into the cabin.[2][4][3][1] - The instruction to move or drive the car out of the garage conflicts with this clear safety warning and effectively asks me to assume a risk that has already caused multiple deaths and serious injuries nationwide.[4][5][2][3][1] - Federal law prohibits franchised dealers from selling new vehicles with unrepaired safety recalls, and legal experts warn that selling used vehicles with undisclosed safety defects can expose sellers and dealers to

The dash displayed multiple warning ICONS and I carried the Jeep to a mechanic. They discovered that the ABS Module, which is the anti braking system, had a fault error and needed to be replaced. After multiple attempts have found out that this particular ABS Module, OEM Part number (68145835AE) is no longer available by Jeep Chrysler and has not been available for the past few years. This means the Jeep is not safe to drive if the roads are wet or icy due to the possibility of loosing the brakes from skidding/loss of control of the vehicle.

What happened? The vehicle was delivered to an authorized dealership for a federally mandated "Stop-Drive" Safety Recall (V01 - Passenger Airbag Inflator). During this service visit, the dealership attempted to charge an illegal $275.00 diagnostic fee for the airbag warning light, which is directly related to the recall system.  The manufacturer’s corporate office confirmed via email that as of April 23, 2026, the recall remains "OPEN" and incomplete in federal records. However, the manufacturer also issued a contradictory statement claiming the repair was "concluded" based on dealer reports.  Most critically, while in the dealer's custody for this safety repair, the vehicle was lost or released to an unauthorized party. A manufacturer-arranged "Reunite" transport service arrived on-site to return the vehicle, but the dealership could not produce it, claiming it was no longer on the lot. The dealer has failed to provide any signature, identification, or surveillance footage to prove a legal release of this "Stop-Drive" recall vehicle. The Supplemental Restraint System (SRS/Airbag). The system is not available for inspection because the dealership lost the vehicle while the recall was still marked as "OPEN" and incomplete.  How was safety put at risk? The vehicle is under a "Stop-Drive" advisory because the airbag inflator may explode, resulting in serious injury or death. By failing to perform the repair, attempting to charge for diagnosis, and losing the vehicle, the dealer and manufacturer have left a high-risk safety defect unaddressed and the vehicle's location unknown.  Has the problem been confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes. The manufacturer’s own database and the NHTSA/Mopar websites confirm the recall is "Incomplete/Open". Furthermore, a third-party towing company confirmed the dealership could not locate the VIN on their lot during a scheduled pickup.

THIS IS 2012 Jeep Wrangler its 14 years old and for 14 years the previous owner renewed the registration put insurance on it and it passed the emission tests despite the fact that it was recalled. Now the parts were in back order and they replaced my airbags but when the tow company went to the dealership to pick up my car the dealership wouldn’t release it This is absurd how does a 14 year old car go unnoticed that long. I had to stop driving the car for months because of this recall and the battery died you know a car can’t stay parked too long I took this recall seriously unlike Stellanis who murdered 29 people by refusing to flag these vin numbers to the DMV like the jeep I had and it’s sick how your agency has enabled this behavior truly sick

ABS ETC Traction control Torque management in power train and ABS I have tried to fix everything with no resolve I just drove to and from Oklahoma and the jeep is unsafe to drive

ABS has gone out and there are no new repair parts available from Jeep

The contact owns a 2012 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the ABS and traction control warning lights illuminated. The ABS, cruise control, and traction control features were disabled. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with an ABS module failure. The contact was informed that the ABS module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was informed that the parts were no longer being manufactured. The contact stated that the failure was a known failure with the vehicle. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

For the past two years I have experience intermittent problems with my Jeep ABS system, I ordered the replacement module part # 68145835AE from an authorized dealership on April 2025, and paid $697.39 after more than a year on back order the sales representative told me to cancel the order because they did not have any information form Stellantis North America on when the part will be available. This is the second complaint I filed with NHTSA in a year and I plan to go up to the President if I have to since this is safety concern.

Having a hard time putting gas, I have to do it slowly so it can go in, the worst is when I put fuel a bit more fast it will throw gas out even if it ain't even close to half the tank.

When the fuel vents on the top of the fuel cell get old, they are extremally brittle. Washboard roads or a pot hole can jar the fuel tank breaking the connectors that go to the emissions system and the rollover valve. If any of these plastic pieces break, there is a chance for fueling problems and effects the drivability of the vehicle. The 3 connector vent is a non-serviceable part, requiring the gas tank to be replaced. The replacement has the same plastic connectors, leaving the possibility for breakage. These connectors breaking can lead to a multitude of issues, including but not limited to fuel spills while filling, leaking fuel from hoses. I have had 2 tanks in my 2012 jku have this issue and a quick search on jeep forums will show that this is not an isolated problem.

PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT FAILURE. REPAIRS MADE TO WIRING, AND REPLACEMENT HEADLIGHT INSTALLED. LAMP STILL ONLY WORKS INTERMITTENTLY. AFFECTING LOW LIGHT VISIBILITY. POTENTIALLY AN ISSUE WITH TIPM WHICH HAS LEAD TO OTHER ELECTRICAL ISSUES, SUCH AS TRANSMISSION NOT ENGAGING. HAS CAUSED ENGINE FAILURE, AND CONTROL FAILURE IN OTHER VEHICLES. HAPPENS AT ANY TIME, STATIONARY, MOVING, FWD, REVERSE, TURNING, ETC.

DRIVING MY VEHICLE IT STARTED RAINING I WENT TO USE MY WIPERS THEY DO NOT WORK. MY ESC LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON AND OFF. MY MECHANIC SAID IT'S THE TIPM. PLEASE ADVISE IF JEEP WITH HELP ME WITH THIS COSTLY PROBLEM

The secondary hood latch failed, and was not securing the hood. In the event of a primary hood latch failure, the hood could release and strike the windshield while driving, obscuring vision and potentially causing bodily harm. My research indicates that this is not an isolated incident.

THERE IS GALVANIC CORROSION FORMING ON ALL OF MY HINGES ON MY VEHICLE. THE STEEL HINGES TOUCHING THE ALUMINIUM DOOR PANEL. YOU CAN SEE THE BUBBLING HAPPENING AND IT IS A KNOWN ISSUE ON JEEP WRANGLERS. EVENTUALLY IT WILL RUST AND CAUSE MAJOR PROBLEMS BEING THAT IT IS HAPPENING ON ALL OF MY DOOR HINGES. I FIRST NOTICED IT IN 2016 AND IT CONTINUES TO GET WORSE. YOU CAN GOOGLE RUST ON WRANGLER DOOR HINGES AND SEE THE THOUSANDS OF PICTURES OF JEEP OWNERS WITH THE SAME ISSUES, OR GO ONTO A JEEP FORUM OR TALK TO ANY JEEP WRANGLER OWNER. I CAN PROVIDE MY OWN PICTURES IF NEEDED I DIDN'T TAKE ANY YET.

PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT FAILURE. REPAIRS MADE TO WIRING, AND REPLACEMENT HEADLIGHT INSTALLED. LAMP STILL ONLY WORKS INTERMITTENTLY. AFFECTING LOW LIGHT VISIBILITY. POTENTIALLY AN ISSUE WITH TIPM WHICH HAS LEAD TO OTHER ELECTRICAL ISSUES, SUCH AS TRANSMISSION NOT ENGAGING. HAS CAUSED ENGINE FAILURE, AND CONTROL FAILURE IN OTHER VEHICLES. HAPPENS AT ANY TIME, STATIONARY, MOVING, FWD, REVERSE, TURNING, ETC.

FIRST MY POWER WINDOWS WOULDN'T WORK WHILE DRIVING, I PULLED OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TURNED THE CAR OFF AND THAT TEMPORARILY FIXED THE ISSUE (IT HAS HAPPEN TWICE SINCE). THAT SAME DAY I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE USING MY CRUISE CONTROL SET AT 70MPH AND THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CRUISE CONTROL SHUT DOWN AND DISABLED ITSELF WHILE KEEPING THE CRUISE CONTROL LIGHT ON AND NOT ALLOWING ME TO TURN OFF OR RESET THE CRUISE CONTROL. (THESE LIGHTS WENT OUT THE FOLLOWING DAY). A COUPLE DAYS LATER WHILE DRIVING, A WARNING OF THE REAR DRIVERS SIDE TURN SIGNAL BEING OUT CAME ON (THIS COMES AND GOES NOW ALMOST DAILY). LAST NIGHT WHILE MY JEEP WAS PARKED IN DRIVEWAY OF MY HOME THE HEADLIGHTS AND DOME LIGHT STARTED COMING ON RANDOMLY. THE HEADLIGHT AND DOME LIGHT SWITCH WHERE BOTH IN THE OFF POSITION AND THE KEYS WERE ON MY KITCHEN TABLE INSIDE THE HOUSE (THIS IS CONTINUING TO HAPPEN IN THE PARKING LOT AT WORK ALSO). WHEN I GOT IN IT TO GO TO WORK AND WHILE IDLING THE HAZARDS LIGHTS WOULD RANDOMLY BLINK TWICE AND THEN STOP, WAIT A COUPLE MINUTES AND HAPPEN AGAIN. WHILE SITTING IN THE PARKING LOT AT WORK I NOTICED THAT WHEN THIS HAPPEN THE HEADLIGHTS ARE ALSO TURNING ON, THEY TURNED OFF AFTER A MINUTE OR TWO, AND THEN IT HAPPENS AGAIN. IT IS A RAINY DAY BUT BRIGHT ENOUGH THAT I COULD NOT TELL IF THE LIGHTS WERE RANDOMLY GOING IN AND OUT WHILE DRIVING. REGARDLESS THIS IS TURNING IN TO A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND IT SEEMS TO BE ALL TOO COMMON WITH THESE FIAT-CHRYSLER VEHICLES.

I have experienced on a number of occasions, when traveling on the highway at speeds greater than 60 MPH and the vehicle his a bump in the road (expansion joint, pothole, etc), the vehicle begins to bounce uncontrollably. The steering wheel vibrates uncontrollably and it feels like the front end of the vehicle is bouncing on the highway. Its doesn't stop until you slow the vehicle down below 60 mph or so.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 JEEP WRANGLER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE DEATH WOBBLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LITHIA CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE OF TWIN FALLS LOCATED AT 1310 POLE LINE RD E, TWIN FALLS, ID 83301, (208) 293-8571 HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,002.

I was driving through a parking lot, I made a left turn and the airbag light lit up on the dashboard.Then, a chime sounded, like a low fuel chime or door open chime. I turned off the jeep and went inside the store, I then returned to my jeep, started it back up, and drove home. Every time I’m at a low speed, and make a left turn, that same chime sound starts to chime and the airbag light flickers. A scan detected the following: B1B06(1/3)Active B1CDC(3/3)Stored B1B56(2/3)Stored I checked for a recall, but can not find anything helpful.

Both the front drivers side and front passenger side seat belts no longer retract fully. The mechanism and surrounding areas seems to be free of debris. Additionally the airbag light comes on and off when anyone sits in the front passenger seat. I travel in the vehicle alone mostly. The fact that the seat belts and airbag systems are not working properly caused me to call a local dealership about repair and they told me the could not assist for more than a month.

The contact owns a 2012 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle the ABS, Traction Control and check engine warning lights had remained illuminated. The contact indicated that while pressing the brake pedal to stop, the brake pedal extended to the floor causing the braking distance to become extended. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the ABS module was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 55,000.

ABS LIGHT, ANTI-SKID LIGHT AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT COME ON. TOUCHED THE BRAKE SLIGHTLY AND JEEP WENT INTO A SKID. MY STEERING WHEEL WANTS TO LOCK UP, MY BRAKES ARE TRYING TO BRAKE. SEEMS LIKE A FAULTY ABS WHEEL SENSOR AND EVEEYONE IS HAVING THIS PROBLEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 JEEP WRANGLER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE CLUTCH EMITTED SMOKE AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CLUTCH BURNED OUT AND REPLACED THE UNIT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,000.

I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS PART (TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER TUBE) SINCE LAST JULY. I CALLED IMMEDIATELY TO HAVE IT ADDRESSED BY MY DEALER AND THEY PUT ME ON A WAITING LIST. ALMOST A YEAR LATER (AND SEVERAL PHONE CALLS DURING THIS YEAR TO THEM) I AM STILL ON THAT WAITING LIST. MY RECALL STATES: "...OPERATING THE VEHICLE WITH INSUFFICIENT TRANSMISSION FLUID MAY CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE TRANSMISSION AND A LOSS OF TRANSMISSION FUNCTION WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH." I AM SUPPOSED TO BE OKAY WITH THIS? I TRIED TO TRADE IT IN FOR A NEWER MODEL, BUT THE DEALER DID NOT GIVE ME A DECENT DEAL. MY JEEP IS ONLY A YEAR OLD. *JS

Both the front drivers side and front passenger side seat belts no longer retract fully. The mechanism and surrounding areas seems to be free of debris. Additionally the airbag light comes on and off when anyone sits in the front passenger seat. I travel in the vehicle alone mostly. The fact that the seat belts and airbag systems are not working properly caused me to call a local dealership about repair and they told me the could not assist for more than a month.

JEEP WRANGLER SAHARA 2012 HEATED SEATS MALFUNCTIONED. THE PASSENGER SIDE HEATED SEAT BUTTON WORKS WELL. THE DRIVER SIDE DOES NOT WORK WHEN DASHBOARD BUTTON IS PRESSED DOWN. THE DRIVER SIDE HEATED SEAT INDICATOR BUTTON TURNS OFF AFTER 5 SECONDS AND DOES NOT WORK. THERE ARE NUMEROUS BLOGS AND TROUBLESHOOTING ONLINE SITES WHERE CUSTOMERS COMPLAIN OF THIS ISSUE WITH NO PERMANENT RESOLVE. MANY JEEP OWNERS WITH THIS ISSUE SHARE THEIR EXPERIENCES OF GOING TO THE DEALER TO GET THIS HEATED SIT MALFUNCTION FIXED....SADLY TO ONLY HAVE THE ISSUE REOCCURR WEEKS LATER. AGAIN TO BE CLEAR, THE DRIVER SIDE HEATED SEATS DO NOT HEAT UP AT ALL. FURTHERMORE, THE DRIVER SIDE HEATED SEAT BUTTON LIGHT GOES OFF AFTER 5 SECONDS. THE FEATURE DOES NOT WORK THEREFORE RESULTING IN A LOSS IN RESALE VALUE AND EXISTING COMFORT FROM THE COLD. CHRYSLER HAS NOT DONE ANYTHING TO DATE TO ISSUE A RECALL TO FIX THIS ISSUE. MOST JEEP OWNERS ARE LOYAL RETURN CUSTOMERS SO IT'S SAD THAT THE HEATED SEAT ISSUE HAS NOT BEEN DEEMED IMPORTANT ENOUGH TO ISSUE A RECALL.

The contact owns a 2012 Jeep Wrangler equipped with Duraturn tires, Tire Line: Travia A/T, Tire Size: LT285/70/R17, DOT Number: UFWMFLC3416, UFWMFLC1916, UFWMFLC0216, UFWMFLC2016. The contact stated that one of the tires experienced tread separation and the set of tires were replaced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 20T016000 (Tires). The vehicle and tire failure mileages were unknown.

TL * THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 JEEP WRANGLER SPORT EQUIPPED WITH GOODYEAR WRANGLER RADIAL TUBELESS, SIZE P255/75/R17 (N/A). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE EXPLODED. THE CONTACT TEMPORARILY LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE BUT SHE WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, SHE NOTICED THAT THE TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE INNER PART OF THE TIRE. THE CONTACT CALLED A TOW SERVICE AND THE DAMAGED TIRE WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE DEALER WAS ALSO CONTACTED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 2,426. UPDATED 03/01/13*LJ GOODYEAR REPLACED THE TIRE AT NO COST TO THE CONSUMER. UPDATED 03/07/13