2012 Jeep Wrangler problems

SERVICE BRAKES

The abs module on many of these vehicles has a known fault. You can’t find replacement parts, even the Jeep dealership can’t get them. Many ppl are driving around with faulty modules, on a waiting list for parts. I’m one of those people. All has been fine until I was driving toward 228 business in Angleton to turn towards Walmart. I was going about 45-48 and went to brake to slow down for the stop sign. My brakes were soft instead of firm and it locked up and skid on me. I didn’t hit anything but had someone been behind me it could have been different. It scared me. Now I’m scared to drive it and have no fix for it.

NHTSA complaint #11757859 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING

The abs module on many of these vehicles has a known fault. You can’t find replacement parts, even the Jeep dealership can’t get them. Many ppl are driving around with faulty modules, on a waiting list for parts. I’m one of those people. All has been fine until I was driving toward 228 business in Angleton to turn towards Walmart. I was going about 45-48 and went to brake to slow down for the stop sign. My brakes were soft instead of firm and it locked up and skid on me. I didn’t hit anything but had someone been behind me it could have been different. It scared me. Now I’m scared to drive it and have no fix for it.

NHTSA complaint #11757859 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

The contact owns a 2012 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the ABS and traction control warning lights illuminated. The ABS, cruise control, and traction control features were disabled. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with an ABS module failure. The contact was informed that the ABS module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was informed that the parts were no longer being manufactured. The contact stated that the failure was a known failure with the vehicle. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

NHTSA complaint #11753267 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

For the past two years I have experience intermittent problems with my Jeep ABS system, I ordered the replacement module part # 68145835AE from an authorized dealership on April 2025, and paid $697.39 after more than a year on back order the sales representative told me to cancel the order because they did not have any information form Stellantis North America on when the part will be available. This is the second complaint I filed with NHTSA in a year and I plan to go up to the President if I have to since this is safety concern.

NHTSA complaint #11752033 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

The engine's cylinder head/valve train has failed internally, allowing combustion gases to enter the cooling system — confirmed via a chemical block test performed by a master automotive technician on November 29, 2024, which verified combustion gases present in the coolant. This is a widely documented defect on this engine and model year, related to valve seat erosion in the cylinder head. Symptoms first appeared in June 2018 as an unusual higher-pitched, stressed sound from the engine. Over time this progressed to recurring, confirmed misfires on cylinders 1, 2, 3, and 5 (diagnostic codes P0300, P0301, P0302, P0303, P0305) and a mixture control fault (P219B). The check engine light has intermittently stayed illuminated for months at a time, then gone off for extended periods while the same fault codes remain stored and confirmed by a diagnostic scanner — currently the light is off but the codes persist. The vehicle frequently runs rough enough that the engine must be turned off and restarted to temporarily return to closer-to-normal operation. Noticeable vibration is felt during much of this pattern. Spark plugs, ignition coils, oxygen sensors, and the PCV valve have all been inspected/replaced and ruled out as the cause on multiple occasions over more than a year, isolating the cause to the cylinder head itself. This creates a driveability and potential stalling/hesitation risk, though no crash, injury, or fire has occurred to date. The vehicle has not been formally inspected by the manufacturer, police, or an insurance representative. The affected component remains in the vehicle and is available for inspection upon request.

NHTSA complaint #11748922 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

ABS ETC Traction control Torque management in power train and ABS I have tried to fix everything with no resolve I just drove to and from Oklahoma and the jeep is unsafe to drive

NHTSA complaint #11736063 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL

ABS ETC Traction control Torque management in power train and ABS I have tried to fix everything with no resolve I just drove to and from Oklahoma and the jeep is unsafe to drive

NHTSA complaint #11736063 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

AIR BAGS

What happened? The vehicle was delivered to an authorized dealership for a federally mandated "Stop-Drive" Safety Recall (V01 - Passenger Airbag Inflator). During this service visit, the dealership attempted to charge an illegal $275.00 diagnostic fee for the airbag warning light, which is directly related to the recall system.  The manufacturer’s corporate office confirmed via email that as of April 23, 2026, the recall remains "OPEN" and incomplete in federal records. However, the manufacturer also issued a contradictory statement claiming the repair was "concluded" based on dealer reports.  Most critically, while in the dealer's custody for this safety repair, the vehicle was lost or released to an unauthorized party. A manufacturer-arranged "Reunite" transport service arrived on-site to return the vehicle, but the dealership could not produce it, claiming it was no longer on the lot. The dealer has failed to provide any signature, identification, or surveillance footage to prove a legal release of this "Stop-Drive" recall vehicle. The Supplemental Restraint System (SRS/Airbag). The system is not available for inspection because the dealership lost the vehicle while the recall was still marked as "OPEN" and incomplete.  How was safety put at risk? The vehicle is under a "Stop-Drive" advisory because the airbag inflator may explode, resulting in serious injury or death. By failing to perform the repair, attempting to charge for diagnosis, and losing the vehicle, the dealer and manufacturer have left a high-risk safety defect unaddressed and the vehicle's location unknown.  Has the problem been confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes. The manufacturer’s own database and the NHTSA/Mopar websites confirm the recall is "Incomplete/Open". Furthermore, a third-party towing company confirmed the dealership could not locate the VIN on their lot during a scheduled pickup. 

NHTSA complaint #11733432 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

Multiple warning light activations (ABS, TCS, hill descent) diagnosed by mechanic as failed ABS module (combines electronic and hydraulic components) (PN: 68145835AE). I have been on a waiting list for a replacement part from Stellantis for almost a year. Numerous owners report online that this part is unavailable or no longer being manufactured. Stellantis has not publicly acknowledged the problem or provided a proposed solution or timeline. ABS is widely acknowledged as a key component of modern automobile safety systems. Stellantis's failure to provide replacement components for these modern vehicles places the driving public at unnecessary risk. A recommended resolution is that Stellantis provide NHTSA with a credible plan of action to begin providing replacements for this critical component (and other related part numbers).

NHTSA complaint #11732840 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

AIR BAGS

THIS IS 2012 Jeep Wrangler its 14 years old and for 14 years the previous owner renewed the registration put insurance on it and it passed the emission tests despite the fact that it was recalled. Now the parts were in back order and they replaced my airbags but when the tow company went to the dealership to pick up my car the dealership wouldn’t release it This is absurd how does a 14 year old car go unnoticed that long. I had to stop driving the car for months because of this recall and the battery died you know a car can’t stay parked too long I took this recall seriously unlike Stellanis who murdered 29 people by refusing to flag these vin numbers to the DMV like the jeep I had and it’s sick how your agency has enabled this behavior truly sick

NHTSA complaint #11729478 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

The contact owns a 2012 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated that while driving at 20 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where a scan was completed, and diagnostic trouble codes for the Emissions, engine misfire, timing chain, and crank position sensor failures were displayed. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 71,756.

NHTSA complaint #11728445 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:CRANK/CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR

The contact owns a 2012 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated that while driving at 20 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where a scan was completed, and diagnostic trouble codes for the Emissions, engine misfire, timing chain, and crank position sensor failures were displayed. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 71,756.

NHTSA complaint #11728445 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

AIR BAGS

My complaint is that I was sold a dangerously defective vehicle with a known, unrepaired “stop driving” airbag safety recall, was not warned about the deadly risk, and am now being told to move and tow the car in direct contradiction to official safety instructions. ### Factual background - The vehicle I purchased has a Takata‑type airbag safety recall that carries a formal “do not drive” or “stop driving” warning because the airbag can explode and kill or severely injure occupants, even in a minor crash.[1][2][3][4] - Federal safety authorities have confirmed that at least 28–29 people in the United States have been killed and more than 400 injured by exploding Takata airbag inflators.[3][4][5][1] - I received the recall notice about two months ago, but I was told the repair parts were back‑ordered, which delayed fixing the deadly defect through no fault of my own.[1][3] - During this delay, the vehicle’s battery became completely dead, and I am now being told by the recall and towing company that I must make sure the car is taken out of the garage, which would require entering and moving a vehicle I have been legally and explicitly told not to drive. ### Legal and safety concerns - Official guidance from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the manufacturer is that vehicles under this Takata “do not drive” recall must not be driven at all until the defective airbag is replaced, because even a minor collision can cause the inflator to explode and send metal shrapnel into the cabin.[2][4][3][1] - The instruction to move or drive the car out of the garage conflicts with this clear safety warning and effectively asks me to assume a risk that has already caused multiple deaths and serious injuries nationwide.[4][5][2][3][1] - Federal law prohibits franchised dealers from selling new vehicles with unrepaired safety recalls, and legal experts warn that selling used vehicles with undisclosed safety defects can expose sellers and dealers to

NHTSA complaint #11727336 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

My complaint is that I was sold a dangerously defective vehicle with a known, unrepaired “stop driving” airbag safety recall, was not warned about the deadly risk, and am now being told to move and tow the car in direct contradiction to official safety instructions. ### Factual background - The vehicle I purchased has a Takata‑type airbag safety recall that carries a formal “do not drive” or “stop driving” warning because the airbag can explode and kill or severely injure occupants, even in a minor crash.[1][2][3][4] - Federal safety authorities have confirmed that at least 28–29 people in the United States have been killed and more than 400 injured by exploding Takata airbag inflators.[3][4][5][1] - I received the recall notice about two months ago, but I was told the repair parts were back‑ordered, which delayed fixing the deadly defect through no fault of my own.[1][3] - During this delay, the vehicle’s battery became completely dead, and I am now being told by the recall and towing company that I must make sure the car is taken out of the garage, which would require entering and moving a vehicle I have been legally and explicitly told not to drive. ### Legal and safety concerns - Official guidance from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the manufacturer is that vehicles under this Takata “do not drive” recall must not be driven at all until the defective airbag is replaced, because even a minor collision can cause the inflator to explode and send metal shrapnel into the cabin.[2][4][3][1] - The instruction to move or drive the car out of the garage conflicts with this clear safety warning and effectively asks me to assume a risk that has already caused multiple deaths and serious injuries nationwide.[4][5][2][3][1] - Federal law prohibits franchised dealers from selling new vehicles with unrepaired safety recalls, and legal experts warn that selling used vehicles with undisclosed safety defects can expose sellers and dealers to

NHTSA complaint #11727336 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

My complaint is that I was sold a dangerously defective vehicle with a known, unrepaired “stop driving” airbag safety recall, was not warned about the deadly risk, and am now being told to move and tow the car in direct contradiction to official safety instructions. ### Factual background - The vehicle I purchased has a Takata‑type airbag safety recall that carries a formal “do not drive” or “stop driving” warning because the airbag can explode and kill or severely injure occupants, even in a minor crash.[1][2][3][4] - Federal safety authorities have confirmed that at least 28–29 people in the United States have been killed and more than 400 injured by exploding Takata airbag inflators.[3][4][5][1] - I received the recall notice about two months ago, but I was told the repair parts were back‑ordered, which delayed fixing the deadly defect through no fault of my own.[1][3] - During this delay, the vehicle’s battery became completely dead, and I am now being told by the recall and towing company that I must make sure the car is taken out of the garage, which would require entering and moving a vehicle I have been legally and explicitly told not to drive. ### Legal and safety concerns - Official guidance from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the manufacturer is that vehicles under this Takata “do not drive” recall must not be driven at all until the defective airbag is replaced, because even a minor collision can cause the inflator to explode and send metal shrapnel into the cabin.[2][4][3][1] - The instruction to move or drive the car out of the garage conflicts with this clear safety warning and effectively asks me to assume a risk that has already caused multiple deaths and serious injuries nationwide.[4][5][2][3][1] - Federal law prohibits franchised dealers from selling new vehicles with unrepaired safety recalls, and legal experts warn that selling used vehicles with undisclosed safety defects can expose sellers and dealers to

NHTSA complaint #11727336 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

AIR BAGS

Dealer repair unavailable in local zip:99901. Require identification and shipment of part to be installed by certified mechanic or system access to report satisfactory repair has been conducted.

NHTSA complaint #11721298 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

AIR BAGS

2012 Jeep Wrangler Sahara. Received Stop-Drive letter from Stellantis/FCA on Takata airbag recall—front airbags may explode in crash, sending metal shards. Letter says do not drive until fixed. Called hotline (833-585-0144) twice yesterday & today—no help. Dealer (Corwin Springfield) says call Chrysler. No tow arranged despite free towing advertised for Stop-Drive. No loaner or rental offered. Can't drive safely—PTSD makes group transport impossible. Have VA medical appointment March 2nd & lawyer meeting March 3rd. Can't afford rental for weeks (they say mid-March fix). Manufacturer failed to remedy timely—need tow to dealer + transport/loaner now.

NHTSA complaint #11720945 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

ABS module failure C2200. Repair parts not available.

NHTSA complaint #11719699 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

ABS system faile, There is no replacement part to correct the fault, and there is no replacement date, code C2200

NHTSA complaint #11718585 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The dash displayed multiple warning ICONS and I carried the Jeep to a mechanic. They discovered that the ABS Module, which is the anti braking system, had a fault error and needed to be replaced. After multiple attempts have found out that this particular ABS Module, OEM Part number (68145835AE) is no longer available by Jeep Chrysler and has not been available for the past few years. This means the Jeep is not safe to drive if the roads are wet or icy due to the possibility of loosing the brakes from skidding/loss of control of the vehicle.

NHTSA complaint #11718094 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

The dash displayed multiple warning ICONS and I carried the Jeep to a mechanic. They discovered that the ABS Module, which is the anti braking system, had a fault error and needed to be replaced. After multiple attempts have found out that this particular ABS Module, OEM Part number (68145835AE) is no longer available by Jeep Chrysler and has not been available for the past few years. This means the Jeep is not safe to drive if the roads are wet or icy due to the possibility of loosing the brakes from skidding/loss of control of the vehicle.

NHTSA complaint #11718094 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

ABS brake module (Part # 68145835AE) is a known defect on Jeep Wranglers 2012-2014. This part becomes defective, eliminating the ABS braking feature, also causing other transmission related problems. The real problem is Mopar support. Currently, NATIONALLY, this part is, and has been on back order (over 300 backorders) with no expectations of being available. I have been waiting for this part for over 6 months (no ABS) and problems with the vehicle have been escalating. This is a known problem, discussed on JEEP Forum.com, Mopar parts suppliers and among dealerships

NHTSA complaint #11714990 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

ABS has gone out and there are no new repair parts available from Jeep

NHTSA complaint #11714391 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING

ABS has gone out and there are no new repair parts available from Jeep

NHTSA complaint #11714391 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

ABS module malfunction. This has been an ongoing problem for Jeep Wranglers of this year, previous and later. Jeep recalled other models for ABS module malfunctions. Being a retired auto worker am aware that same components are used on other models to defer manufacturing costs. Vehicle lot numbers do NOT isolate the problem. Bulk purchase of components should be checked per manufacturing date. I have taken my vehicle to dealer for diagnosis and they say the ABS module is bad, BUT part is on back order with no real time date ( could be 2 weeks or 6 months)for delivery. Jeep dealer wants me to pickup vehicle until part arrives. Driving vehicle under this condition could cause brakes to seize, not work at all, fire and/or a possibility of an accident! Jeep knows and has know this is a problem but never a recall on this model. Researching other Jeep owners and Jeep forums it is documented of this problem and the expense that an owner has to incur to get it resolved! Jeep has made no effort evidently to recognize this problem with the example being that parts are back ordered. Then again there is a real problem and the original part was junk but now the owner is stuck with the bill and all the safety issues because new parts are back ordered.

NHTSA complaint #11711140 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.