The Lemon Index2012 Jeep Wrangler.
The 2012 Jeep Wrangler is one of the worst years by owner complaints: 455 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 297, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about transmission & drivetrain, it has 10 recalls, and it gets 18 mpg combined. The best Jeep Wrangler year is 2015.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
Fixes owners look up most.
From 100 YouTube videos about the 2007–2018 Jeep Wrangler (JK), 30.1M views. The 2012 is the same Jeep.
What owners say it costs
- Other repairs (parts or shop quote)$3008 videos · most $50–$1,000Hear it ▶
- Transmission$1,4004 videos · most $280–$2,000Hear it ▶
- Tires$3,0002 videos · most $2,000–$4,000Hear it ▶
Dollar amounts people say out loud in these videos (median, so one wild number can't swing it). Not verified sales; real prices depend on year, miles, condition and where you live. Tap Hear it to jump to the moment.
Most-watched topics
- Death wobble & steering4.3M views
JK 2.5 Ton Steering Kit Install (07-18) — Core 4x4CORE 4X4 · 2.7M views · 10 videos - Heat, A/C & blend door1.2M views
Jeep NO HEAT Fast Pinpoint / Fix Wrangler JK Temperature Blend door actuatorNoNonsenseKnowHow · 592K views · 4 videos - Oil leaks & gaskets935K views
Jeep Wrangler JK JKU - Oil Cooler Filter Housing Replacement 3.6L Pentastar Doorman 926-876ATEM OFFROAD · 231K views · 7 videos - Cooling system594K views
How to change the coolant in your JK. DIY Jeep Coolant FlushJK Jeep · 154K views · 5 videos
Show 4 more
- Intake, EGR & engine sensors508K views
Jeep JK First 5 Mods | Top 5 Mods For Your Wrangler JK - Throttle OutExtremeTerrain Jeep · 508K views - Driveshaft, axles & 4x4433K views
How To Run 40" Tires on Stock JK Axles; Ultimate JK Axle BuildBig Tire Garage · 175K views · 3 videos - Brakes & ABS420K views
How to fix ABS & Traction Control Light Jeep Wrangler JK | Wrangler ABS & Traction Control Light OnThe Odyssey · 223K views · 2 videos - Windows, doors & mirrors420K views
DIY DOOR HANGER for Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator Trucks - Works for JL / JT and JK too!Wayalife · 205K views · 3 videos
Before you buy, watch
Top 5 Problems Jeep Wrangler JK SUV 3rd Generation 2007-20181A Auto: Repair Tips & Secrets Only Mechanics Know · 1.3M views
How Reliable Is a Jeep Wrangler Rubicon After 50,000 miles? Long-Term 2018 Wrangler ReviewEdmunds Cars · 820K views
2007-2017 Jeep Wrangler JK Comprehensive Buyer's GuideThe Fast Lane Car · 685K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them.
How serious. Out of 835 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Jeep Wrangler year. 2012 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 17K to 70K miles on the car (503 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- transmission & drivetrain complaints mostly came at 10K–36K miles
- steering complaints mostly came at 15K–62K miles
- engine complaints mostly came at 14K–71K miles
Recalls 10
- seat belts 2019
The driver's seat belt buckle mounting strap may fracture and separate from the seat frame.
- airbags 2019
Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.
- airbags 2018
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Show all 10 recalls
- airbags 2016
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) expanded the affected population to include 73,712 2005-2009 RAM 2500 trucks produced at the St.
- airbags 2016
The clockspring assembly may become contaminated with dust and cause the air bag circuit to fail.
- electrical 2014
Corrosion in the exterior heated power mirror electrical connector may result in an electrical short.
- steering 2013
The power steering line may contact and wear a hole in the transmission oil cooler line resulting in a loss of transmission fluid.
- airbags 2013
The affected vehicles have airbag clockspring assemblies that could experience broken airbag circuits.
- equipment 2013
If the liner shifts forward it may impede the operation of the accelerator and possibly lead to unintended acceleration, which may increase the risk of a crash.
- airbags 2011
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008-2012 RIGHT HAND DRIVE (RHD) JEEP WRANGLER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 1, 2007, THROUGH OCTOBER 10, 2011.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Jeep told dealers about
Jeep sent dealers 244 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Transmission oil cooler tubes, power steering return, protective sleeve needs installing on…
- New Safety Recall Advanced Communication ?
- The Electronic Vehicle Information Center EVIC Does Not Function Properly This bulletin…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- OpenDesiccated air bag inflator rupture2021
- ClosedElectrical overstress2019–2024
- ClosedSeat belt buckle bracket failure2019
- ClosedAir bag clockspring wiring failure2015–2016
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jeep Wrangler SUV 4WD | not rated | not rated | not rated | ★★★☆☆ |
| Jeep Wrangler Unlimited SUV 4WD | not rated | not rated | not rated | ★★★☆☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $3550 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 3.6L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
Received recall notice n28,made appointment with dealer. No parts available,2nd. Appointment, no parts available, after 3rd. Try in two months,ask dealer to notify me when part is available.
2012 Jeep Wrangler owner · NHTSA complaint 10551079
More owner reports
Submission from constituent re safety recall n28/NHTSA 13v-234 transmission oil cooler tube - 2012 Jeep Wrangler.
NHTSA complaint 10560945
Safety recall n28/NHTSA 13v-234 transmission oil cooler tube I have been contacted twice by Chrysler about this recall to date no parts are made available to my dealer.
NHTSA complaint 10575684
Quick answers
Is the 2012 Jeep Wrangler reliable?
No, it is one of the worst by government complaints. It drew 3× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 297; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Jeep Wrangler year by this measure is 2015.
What are the most common 2012 Jeep Wrangler problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are transmission & drivetrain (54%), steering (39%) and engine (19%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2012 Jeep Wrangler have?
10 safety recalls (latest: seat belts). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2012 Jeep Wrangler get?
18 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2012 Jeep Wrangler problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 17,000 and 70,000 miles. The middle report was at 42,000 miles, from 503 complaints.
Does the 2012 Jeep Wrangler have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 54% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2012 Jeep Wrangler cost in fuel a year?
About $3550 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2012 Jeep Wrangler have?
3.6L 6-cyl.
What Jeep Wrangler year is better than the 2012?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2015, 2017 and 2011.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works