The Lemon IndexJeep Wrangler.
The best Jeep Wrangler years are 2015, 2002, 2017. Years to avoid: 2007, 2008, 2018. Across 2010-2022, it has a Lemon Index of 195, where 100 is the average car and lower is better.
Reliability by year, 2000 to 2025.
Every year. Lower is better. Tap a year for its full report.
Scores before 2010 are rough: fewer owners filed complaints back then.
Best years to buy
2015.
Compare the Jeep Wrangler.
vs Toyota RAV4 · vs Honda CR-V · vs Nissan Rogue · vs Ford Escape · vs Chevrolet Equinox · vs Jeep Grand Cherokee · vs Ford Explorer · vs Toyota Highlander
Quick answers.
Is the Jeep Wrangler a good car?
Not overall: it draws more complaints than the average car, by owner complaints to the government per car sold (2010-2022: Lemon Index 195; 100 is average). Some years are much better than others: the best is 2015 and the worst is 2007.
What are the best Jeep Wrangler years to buy?
By owner complaints per car sold: 2015, 2002, 2017.
What Jeep Wrangler years should you stay away from?
The years with the most complaints per car sold: 2007, 2008, 2018.
How many recalls does the Jeep Wrangler have?
212 safety recalls across the 26 model years we track. Most: 2021 (15), 2022 (15), 2018 (14). Each year's page lists them.
What are the most common Jeep Wrangler problems?
Across every year, owners' complaints to the government name steering, electrical and transmission & drivetrain most. Some years are much worse than others: see the chart above.
Every year in one table
| Year | Index | Compared with average | Complaints | Top complaint | Recalls | Crash test | MPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 132 | 1.3× the average car's complaints | 120 | transmission & drivetrain (56%) | 5 | — | 15–17 |
| 2001 | 82 | 1.2× fewer complaints than average | 64 | electrical (27%) | 7 | — | 15–17 |
| 2002 | 69 | 1.4× fewer complaints than average | 46 | airbags (24%) | 6 | — | 14–17 |
| 2003 | 84 | 1.2× fewer complaints than average | 48 | transmission & drivetrain (46%) | 4 | — | 16–17 |
| 2004 | 106 | about average | 70 | transmission & drivetrain (23%) | 3 | — | 16–17 |
| 2005 | 128 | 1.3× the average car's complaints | 70 | suspension (21%) | 2 | — | 14–17 |
| 2006 | 163 | 1.6× the average car's complaints | 91 | steering (18%) | 3 | — | 14–17 |
| 2007 | 735 | 7.3× the average car's complaints | 775 | fuel system, gasoline (33%) | 10 | — | 16–18 |
| 2008 | 684 | 6.8× the average car's complaints | 610 | fuel system, gasoline (50%) | 9 | — | 16–18 |
| 2009 | 277 | 2.8× the average car's complaints | 182 | suspension (21%) | 8 | — | 16–17 |
| 2010 | 199 | 2× the average car's complaints | 206 | transmission & drivetrain (21%) | 11 | — | 17 |
| 2011 | 84 | 1.2× fewer complaints than average | 120 | transmission & drivetrain (18%) | 11 | — | 17 |
| 2012 | 297 | 3× the average car's complaints | 455 | transmission & drivetrain (54%) | 10 | — | 18 |
| 2013 | 183 | 1.8× the average car's complaints | 345 | transmission & drivetrain (59%) | 7 | — | 18 |
| 2014 | 107 | about average | 205 | engine (48%) | 4 | — | 18 |
| 2015 | 63 | 1.6× fewer complaints than average | 125 | engine (24%) | 3 | — | 18 |
| 2016 | 85 | 1.2× fewer complaints than average | 166 | transmission & drivetrain (22%) | 5 | — | 18 |
| 2017 | 69 | 1.4× fewer complaints than average | 138 | electrical (20%) | 5 | — | 18 |
| 2018 | 523 | 5.2× the average car's complaints | 1,270 | steering (73%) | 14 | — | 18 |
| 2019 | 201 | 2× the average car's complaints | 471 | steering (76%) | 9 | — | 19–24 |
| 2020 | 171 | 1.7× the average car's complaints | 322 | steering (59%) | 12 | — | 20–23 |
| 2021 | 336 | 3.4× the average car's complaints | 663 | electrical (30%) | 15 | — | 14–25 |
| 2022 | 135 | 1.4× the average car's complaints | 303 | electrical (39%) | 15 | — | 14–25 |
| 2023 | 186 | 1.9× the average car's complaints | 376 | electrical (53%) | 14 | — | 14–25 |
| 2024 | 727 | 7.3× the average car's complaints | 961 | electrical (59%) | 14 | — | 14–21 |
| 2025 | 79 | 1.3× fewer complaints than average | 80 | electrical (59%) | 6 | — | 14–21 |
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the government within 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average, lower is better. How it works
Updated
Free to use with credit: Source: The Lemon Index (lemonindex.com)
. Get the data