Is the 2016 Jeep Renegade a bad year?
430 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 180, 16× a quiet Renegade year.
Keep it, but watch the engine
Half of the engine complaints for this year were filed at 25k–48k miles, where you are now. Few of them say the car was towed: 1 of 180 filed since 2016.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2016 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 40,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| EngineSTANDS OUT | 177 (41%) | 25k–48k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Electrical systemSTANDS OUT | 119 (28%) | 13k–57k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 74 (17%) | 4k–47k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Fuel system | 28 (7%) | 20k–50k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Exterior lighting | 27 (6%) | 22k–61k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Brakes | 23 (5%) | 6k–50k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Air bags | 17 (4%) | 12k–55k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Steering | 15 (3%) | 6k–58k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Seat belts | 14 (3%) | 16k–58k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Speed control | 29 (7%) | 6k–34k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Stability control | 21 (5%) | 2k–20k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Seats | 9 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Body structure | 7 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Suspension | 7 (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 40,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 430 complaints: 9 mention a crash · 10 mention a fire · 7 report an injury · 12 say the car was towed.
13 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
Radiator fan motor burned out. Cause the engine to over heat, created smoke condition and failure of all systems.
At about 50,000 miles the engine fan has gone bad causing the car to overheat.
When driving the car and entering the on ramp to the freeway the car lost the ability to accelerate. It appeared the gas peddle was inactive and the car was in neutral.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 40,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2016 Jeep Renegade: 2
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 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.
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: 168
Repair instructions Jeep sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2016 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
Neighbouring years
2015 Renegade: 511 complaints, keep it, but watch the transmission · 2017 Renegade: 567 complaints, consider selling.
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 2016 Jeep Renegade a bad year?
430 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 180, 16× a quiet Renegade year. At 40,000 miles the tool says: Keep it, but watch the engine. Half of the engine complaints for this year were filed at 25k–48k miles, where you are now. Few of them say the car was towed: 1 of 180 filed since 2016.
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Jeep Renegade?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: engine (177), electrical system (119), transmission and drivetrain (74), fuel system (28), exterior lighting (27). Half of the engine complaints were filed between 25k–48k miles.
How many recalls does the 2016 Jeep Renegade have?
2 recall campaigns list this model year: Trailer hitch (NHTSA 16V-545), Suspension (NHTSA 16E013000). 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.