Is the 2015 Jeep Renegade a bad year?
511 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 171, 17× a quiet Renegade year.
Keep it, but watch the transmission
Half of the transmission complaints for this year were filed at 18k–59k miles, where you are now. Few of them say the car was towed: 6 of 165 filed since 2016.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2015 Renegade owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 36,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission and drivetrainSTANDS OUT | 171 (33%) | 18k–59k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| EngineSTANDS OUT | 163 (32%) | 21k–54k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Electrical systemSTANDS OUT | 128 (25%) | 6k–56k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Fuel system | 39 (8%) | 25k–60k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Speed control | 27 (5%) | 4k–46k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Exterior lighting | 18 (4%) | 35k–65k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Steering | 14 (3%) | 6k–58k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Brakes | 30 (6%) | 5k–29k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Stability control | 26 (5%) | 15k–33k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Seat belts | 14 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Air bags | 13 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Body structure | 12 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Wheels | 11 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Suspension | 10 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 36,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 511 complaints: 8 mention a crash · 8 mention a fire · 1 reports an injury · 15 say the car was towed.
7 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Oct 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
Cooling fan making loud noises and vibrations, while taking car into drive from being stopped it accelerates without hitting gas.
When turning or veering at semi-low rates of speed (15-35 MPH), traction control light flashes repeatedly and all power to accelerator is lost for about 5-10 seconds.
My car shifts very badly when I'm trying to drive from a stoplight or a complete stop. I start to go when the light turns green it suddenly stops and then picks right back up.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 36,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2015 Jeep Renegade: 4
The trailer hitch assembly may have been attached with only a single fastener per side, not three per side as required. Without the proper amount of fasteners, the trailer hitch assembly may separate from the vehicle, and any towed vehicle may no longer be properly connected, increasing the risk of a crash.
The transmission sensor clusters may have insufficient crimps in the transmission wire harness, and as a result, the transmission may unexpectedly shift to neutral. If the vehicle unexpectedly shifts to neutral, there is an increased risk of a crash.
The affected spacers may have improper or incomplete welds on the top flange on the rear control arm bracket, that can allow the rear axle to shift while driving. If the axle moves there could be an increased risk of a crash.
The affected vehicles are equipped with radios that have software vulnerabilities that can allow third-party access to certain networked vehicle control systems. Exploitation of the software vulnerability may result in unauthorized remote modification and control of certain vehicle systems, increasing the risk of a crash.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Jeep: 205
Repair instructions Jeep sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2015 Jeep Renegade. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
2.4L Excessive Oil Consumption XS1 Warranty Extension
2.4L Excessive Oil Consumption XB1 Warranty Extension
MIL/check engine lamp comes on after performing U90 recall PCM software update
WiTECH Small Leak Verification Test (SLVT) - P0456-EVAP SYSTEM SMALL LEAK
NHTSA defect investigations: 1
Software security vulnerability
Neighbouring years
2016 Renegade: 430 complaints, keep it, but watch the engine.
Every Jeep Renegade year
2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · All Renegade years side by side
Other Jeep models: Jeep Cherokee · Jeep Commander · Jeep Compass · Jeep Gladiator · Jeep Grand Cherokee · Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe · Jeep Grand Cherokee L · Jeep Grand Wagoneer · Jeep Laredo · Jeep Liberty · Jeep Patriot · Jeep Wagoneer · Jeep Wrangler · Jeep Wrangler 4xe · Jeep Wrangler Sahara. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2015 Jeep Renegade a bad year?
511 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 171, 17× a quiet Renegade year. At 36,000 miles the tool says: Keep it, but watch the transmission. Half of the transmission complaints for this year were filed at 18k–59k miles, where you are now. Few of them say the car was towed: 6 of 165 filed since 2016.
What are the most common problems with the 2015 Jeep Renegade?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: transmission and drivetrain (171), engine (163), electrical system (128), fuel system (39), speed control (27). Half of the transmission complaints were filed between 18k–59k miles.
How many recalls does the 2015 Jeep Renegade have?
4 recall campaigns list this model year: Trailer hitch (NHTSA 16V-545), Transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA 16V-529), Suspension (NHTSA 16E013000), Electrical system (NHTSA 15V-508). A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.