The Lemon Index

All cars · Jeep Wrangler · Transmission

Jeep Wrangler transmission problems by year.

Worst years for transmission complaints per car sold: 2008 (125 complaints), 2007 (96 complaints), 2000 (66 complaints). Fewest since 2010: 2025, 2020, 2015.

Jeep Wrangler
Photo shows a 2018 Jeep Wrangler. Kevauto, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0 · background removed

Transmission complaints owners filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) for each model year, per 100,000 cars sold. A complaint counts when it's filed under the transmission, or under the power train and the owner describes the transmission (shifting, slipping, gears, CVT). It's an owner's report, not a confirmed defect, and older years have had longer to collect complaints.

What owners describe

Lost power while driving16%
Slipping5%
Stuck in gear or limp mode4%
Hard or jerky shifting4%
Rolled away or park trouble3%
Transmission replaced3%

Share of this model's transmission complaints that mention each symptom. One complaint can mention several.

Transmission and power train recalls

  • 2023 2023

    The clutch pressure plate may overheat and fracture.

  • 2023 2023

    The rearview camera may fail to display the rearview image and the reverse lights may not illuminate when the vehicle is placed in reverse.

  • 2021 2024

    The software for the powertrain control module may cause an engine stall, which can result in a loss of drive power.

  • 2018 2018

    An incorrect transmission park lock rod may have been installed in the transmission.

  • 2011 2011

    CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010-2011 JEEP WRANGLER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 12, 2010, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 10, 2010.

Recall repairs are free at any dealer. Check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

In owners' words

2008 jeep sahara unlimited continually pops out of 1st gear (violently) when attempting to start driving from a full stop.

2008 Jeep Wrangler owner · NHTSA complaint

When accelerating while in 3rd gear the manual shifter pops out of gear making a rather loud noise. It occurs sporadically.

2008 Jeep Wrangler owner · NHTSA complaint

Quick answers

Which Jeep Wrangler years have transmission problems?

By transmission complaints filed with NHTSA per car sold, the worst Jeep Wrangler years are 2008, 2007, 2000.

What are common Jeep Wrangler transmission problems?

Owners most often describe lost power while driving, slipping, stuck in gear or limp mode.

Which Jeep Wrangler years have the fewest transmission complaints?

Since 2010, the Jeep Wrangler years with the fewest transmission complaints per car sold are 2025, 2020, 2015.

See every problem, not just the transmission: Jeep Wrangler reliability by year. How we count

Updated

Free to use with credit: Source: The Lemon Index (lemonindex.com). Get the data