Is the 2019 Jeep Wrangler a bad year?
749 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Wrangler years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2019 Jeep Wrangler are in line with other Wrangler years. Steering, electrical system and suspension stand out for this year: see below.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2019 Wrangler 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 3,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| SteeringSTANDS OUT | 448 (60%) | 0k–12k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Electrical systemSTANDS OUT | 153 (20%) | 6k–72k miles · ahead | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| SuspensionSTANDS OUT | 134 (18%) | 5k–18k miles · ahead | Ball joint replacement (one joint) $200–$500 · Control arm replacement (one arm) $200–$900 |
| Visibility and wipers | 30 (4%) | 3k–20k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Body structure | 22 (3%) | 1k–15k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 81 (11%) | 8k–67k miles · ahead | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Engine | 49 (7%) | 4k–60k miles · ahead | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Brakes | 32 (4%) | 6k–80k miles · ahead | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Wheels | 28 (4%) | 4k–13k miles · ahead | Wheel bearing / hub assembly replacement (one wheel) $230–$750 |
| Fuel system | 10 (1%) | 7k–51k miles · ahead | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Stability control | 9 (1%) | 4k–15k miles · ahead | — |
| Speed control | 19 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Seats | 7 (1%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Collision avoidance | 6 (1%) | 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 3,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 749 complaints: 10 mention a crash · 11 mention a fire · 7 report an injury · 14 say the car was towed.
70 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Nov 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
Vehicle shut off while driving with no warning. Would not restart. Many warning lights. Was traveling in the passing lane moving at about 70MPH when vehicle turned off.
Jeep slips out of low range into neutral. When off road on steep terrain, transfer case slips into neutral. This is when going up or down dirt trails with axles locked.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 3,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2019 Jeep Wrangler: 9
The wiring harness for the rearview camera and the center brake light may short circuit, which can disable the rearview camera image and center brake light. A rearview camera image that does not display decreases the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
The instrument panel cluster may experience an internal short circuit and fail. An instrument panel that fails to display critical safety information, such as the speedometer or warning lights, can increase the risk of a crash.
The clutch pressure plate may overheat and fracture. Overheated clutch components may increase the risk of a fire. Additionally, damage to other nearby components can result in debris falling onto the road or a loss of drive, increasing the risk of a crash.
The clutch pressure plate may overheat and fracture. Overheated clutch components may increase the risk of a fire. Additionally, damage to other nearby components can result in debris falling onto the road or a loss of drive, increasing the risk of a crash.
In the event of a crash, a front seat belt retractor may not properly slow the occupant's forward movement after locking. In the event of a crash, if the front seat belts fail to lock, there is an increased risk of injury.
A software error can cause the rearview camera image to remain displayed after the vehicle has been shifted out of reverse. The lingering rearview image can distract the driver, increasing the risk of a crash.
The clutch pressure plate may overheat and fracture. The overheated clutch components may increase the risk of a fire. Additionally, damage to other nearby components can result in debris falling onto the road or a loss of drive, increasing the risk of a crash.
These vehicles have improperly machined steering column stub shafts that may break, possibly causing the steering wheel to detach from the steering column. If the steering wheel detaches from the steering column, the driver may lose control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of crash.
The front track bar brackets may be improperly welded, which can cause the bracket to separate from the frame, reducing steering capability. An unexpected reduction in steering ability, can increase 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: 439
Repair instructions Jeep sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2019 Jeep Wrangler. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
The Customer May Complain About a Popping Noise, Grinding Noise, or an Intermittent No Reverse or Forward Transmission Engagement
Powertrain Control Module (PCM) Updates Customers must experience a Malfunction Indicator Lamp…
The vehicle will exhibit a service transmission/check engine warning indicator for the following transmission
Before replacing any parts please refer to SOL S2518000008 if it applies to the vehicle you are working on based on a VIN search in Service Library
NHTSA defect investigations: 2
Frame weld deficiencies
Frame Weld Deficiencies
Neighbouring years
2018 Wrangler: 1,828 complaints, keep it · 2020 Wrangler: 619 complaints, keep it.
Every Jeep Wrangler year
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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 Renegade · Jeep Wagoneer · Jeep Wrangler 4xe · Jeep Wrangler Sahara. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2019 Jeep Wrangler a bad year?
749 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Wrangler years. At 3,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2019 Jeep Wrangler?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: steering (448), electrical system (153), suspension (134), visibility and wipers (30), body structure (22).
How many recalls does the 2019 Jeep Wrangler have?
9 recall campaigns list this model year: Exterior lighting (NHTSA 24V-676), Electrical system (NHTSA 24V-652), Transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA 23V-116), Transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA 21V-028) and more. 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.