2012 Jeep Wrangler Complaint Log

MY 2012 WRANGLER SPORT (6SP) HAS A FAULTY TRANSMISSION. IT MAKES A HORRIBLE RATTLE AT HIGH RPMS IN 3RD AND 4TH GEAR, THE GEARS WHINE AND 1ST IS REALLY HARD TO ENGAGE WHEN THE VEHICLE IS SLOWLY ROLLING. SOMETIMES I HAVE TO DOUBLE CLUTCH IT JUST TO GET 1ST GEAR TO WORK WHEN ROLLING. REVERSE GRINDS. THE GEAR SHIFTER SHAKES EXCESSIVELY WHEN VEHICLE IS IN 4TH AND 5TH GEAR. SHIFTING FROM 1ST TO 2ND IS NOTCHY AS IS 5TH TO 6TH AND WHEN PUTTING IT INTO REVERSE. THE CLUTCH OFTEN HAS A CRUNCHY FEEL WHEN I PRESS THE PEDAL TO THE FLOOR. *TR

LEAKING WATER DRIVERSIDE FLOOR. *TR

PURCHASED A 2012 JEEP WRANGLER SPORT ON 3/3/12 AT ROUGHLY 2PM CST. AT ABOUT 4PM CST, I PARKED THE JEEP IN MY APARTMENT'S PARKING GARAGE. I DECIDED AT ABOUT 6PM CST TO GO GET SOME DINNER, AND TO CRUISE AROUND AS WELL IN THE NEW VEHICLE. I OBSERVED SMOKE COMING FROM THE PARKING GARAGE, AND WHEN I GOT INTO THE GARAGE, I OBSERVED MY NEW JEEP ON FIRE. THE ENTIRE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. BOTH FRONT TIRES EXPLODED AS A RESULT OF THE FIRE, AND THE ENTIRE FRONT END WAS COMPLETELY DAMAGED. THE INTERIOR IS DESTROYED; BASICALLY TOTALED OUT. VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED WITH 11 MILES ON THE ODOMETER, AND ENDED WITH ABOUT 17 TOTAL. *TR

THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAS DOWNSHIFTED-WENT FROM DRIVE TO 2ND .OR 3RD GEAR RANGE. VEHICLE HAS AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. VEHICLE WAS STARTED AND BEGAN DRIVING. SLOWED DOWN AT STOP SIGN AND BEGAN TO PULL OUT VEHICLE WENT FROM "D" RANGE TO 2ND ON INDICATOR. VEHICLE HAS SELECT SHIFT + AND -. EACH TIME I THOUGHT I HAD TOUCHED SELECTOR. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 JEEP WRANGLER 4X4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE COULD SMELL FUMES ENTERING THE VEHICLE FROM THE VENTILATION. THE FUMES CAUSED THE DRIVER AND ANY OTHER PASSENGER THAT ENTERED THE VEHICLE TO BECOME NAUSEOUS AND ENDURE HEADACHES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED THAT THE FAILURE WAS A NORMAL CHARACTERISTIC FOR THE PARTICULAR MODEL VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REMOVABLE HARD TOP WOULD FLEX WHEN DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH OR HIGHER. THE FAILURE WOULD CAUSE EXTREME CABIN PRESSURE AND CAUSING THE DRIVER AND PASSENGERS TO SUFFER SEVERE HEADACHES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THE HARD TOP WAS PERFORMING AS DESIGNED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 77. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 3,080. UPDATED 01/02/2013*LJ UPDATED 1/7/2013 *JS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 JEEP WRANGLER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE ENTIRE VEHICLE BEGAN SHAKING VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE VEHCILE WAS IN NEED OF A WHEEL ALIGNMENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 30,000.

ENGINE HAS TICKING SOUND FROM THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ENGINE AND CONTINUES TO. CHRYSLER AND JEEP COMPLAIN THIS TICKING IS "NORMAL VALVE NOISE". BUT, I HAVE HEARD OTHER ENGINES OF THE SAME YEAR AND THEY DO NOT HAVE THIS SOUND. IT APPEARS TO AFFECT QUITE A FEW PEOPLE FROM RESEARCH AS WELL. ENGINE ALSO FEELS LIKE IT STUTTERS WHEN REVERSING. *TR

ENGINE DEVELOPED A TICKING SOUND ON DRIVER'S SIDE ENGINE BAY. SOUNDS LIKE ENGINE IS MISSING OR TAPPING ON DRIVER'S SIDE. LOSS OF POWER/STALLS MORE COMMON NOW. TOOK VEHICLE TO CHRYSLER AND THEY SAY THAT MY ENGINE IS JUST "LOUD" COMPARED TO ALL OTHER 2012'S AND THAT IT'S NORMAL. THEY TOLD ME TO JUST DRIVE IT UNTIL IT FAILS AND THEN BRING IT BACK IN BECAUSE CHRYSLER CORPORATE WILL NOT ALLOW A DEALERSHIP TO WORK ON THE ENGINE AND FIX IT UNTIL A FAILURE OCCURS. SO, NOW I AM STUCK WITH A 3 MONTH OLD 2012 WRANGLER WAITING FOR IT TO BREAKDOWN ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD BEFORE THE DEALERSHIP WILL FIX THE KNOWN ISSUE. MECHANIC SAYS "THAT DOESN'T SOUND RIGHT" WHEN I TOOK IT IN. MIND YOU I TOOK THE WRANGLER INTO TWO DEALERSHIPS AT THIS POINT FOR MULTIPLE OPINIONS. BOTH AGREE THE JEEP WILL FAIL AND TO JUST "WAIT" UNTIL IT DOES BECAUSE THEY ARE TOLD BY CHRYSLER TO NOT WORK ON FAULTY WRANGLERS WITH THE NEW PENTASTAR ENGINE UNTIL THE ENGINE COMPLETELY FAILS. REAL PROACTIVE ON THAT DECISION CHRYSLER. I'M NOT LOOKING FORWARD TO THE DAY POWER IS LOST WHEN I'M ON THE HIGHWAY OR CROSSING TRAIN TRACKS. THANKS A LOT FOR PUTTING MY LIFE AT RISK OVER A KNOWN ISSUE YET NOT ACTING ON THE KNOWN FIX. BOTH DEALERSHIPS CLAIM THEY KNOW HEADS ARE BEING REPLACED WHEN THIS SYMPTOM IS FOUND ON 2012 WRANGLERS. THAT'S ALL I'M LOOKING FOR, FIX WHAT WAS NOT BUILT CORRECTLY IN THE FIRST PLACE LIKE OTHERS. *TR

MY 2012 JEEP WRANGLER SAHARA 2-DOOR WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION EXHIBITS THE FOLLOWING ISSUES: 1) VALVE TRAIN TICKING NOISE. THIS DEVELOPED AFTER A FEW MONTHS OF OWNERSHIP (BOUGHT NOVEMBER 2011) 2) SLUGGISH ACCELERATION AND AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFTING WHEN VEHICLE IS COLD. IT DOES IMPROVE AS VEHICLE IS WARMED UP AFTER DRIVING IT FOR 5-10 MINUTES, AND BY THEN THE VEHICLE SEEMS TO OPERATE NORMAL. 3) I SOMETIMES FEEL A THUD OR VIBRATION COMING UP FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. IT ALMOST FEELS AS SOMETHING IS LOOSE IN THE FRONT-END. THIS HAPPENS SPORADICALLY. THIS STARTED HAPPENING JUST RECENTLY. I AM GOING TO DISCUSS THESE ISSUES WITH THE CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP WHEN I TAKE IT FOR THE FIRST OIL CHANGE. *TR

THE TRANSMISSION BECAME DIFFICULT TO ENGAGE 1ST GEAR. SHIFTING INTO ALL OTHERS WAS VERY NOTCHY. FINALLY, IN TRAFFIC, IT BECAME IMPOSSIBLE TO ENGAGE 1ST GEAR AT ALL. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE STARTED IN 2ND GEAR. THE VEHICLE HAD LIMPED IN TO THE DEALER. UPON INSPECTION IT WAS FOUND THAT THE 1ST GEAR SYNCHRO HAD CRACKED AND FAILED. THIS CAN CREATE A HAZARDOUS SITUATION IN BUSY TRAFFIC. THIS TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN REPORTED BY VARIOUS USER FORUMS AS FAULTY AND PRONE TO FAILURE, INCLUDING POPPING OUT OF GEAR AND DIFFICULT SHIFTING. POPPING OUT OF GEAR IN A BUSY INTERSECTION COULD BE DANGEROUS, ESPECIALLY IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO ENGAGE ANOTHER GEAR. THE DEALER IS REPAIRING THE BROKEN SYNCHRO. *KB

MY 2012 WRANGLER WITH ONLY 200 MILES START TO OVERHEATING WHEN USE MORE POWER TO RUN UPHILL A ROAD. I GO TO THE DEALER TO VERIFY AND SAID TO ME THAT ITS NORMAL. I SAID TO THEME THAT CHANGE ME THIS WRANGLER BECAUSE WAS NEW AND NOT CHANGE IT WITH ANOTHER. ALSO NOW AT 987 MILES THE ENGINE MAKE A NOISE LIKE A LIFTERS. MY QUESTION IS , WHEN THE WRANGLER WON MORE MILES THE PROBLEMS ARE MORE? I READ ON INTERNET THAT SOME PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS. CHRYSLER NEED TO VERIFY ALL PENTASTAR ENGINES. *TR

NOTICED A VERY PROMINENT TICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE DRIVERS SIDE OF ENGINE. OCCURS AT IDLE AND GETS MORE PRONOUNCED WHEN INCREASING SPEED WHILE IN PARK. NOTIFIED THE DEALER AND JEEP SPENT THREE DAYS AT DEALERSHIP. THE SERVICE ADVISOR WHO HAD 23 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE TOLD ME WHEN HE HEARD IT THAT IT DEFINITELY WAS A LIFTER PROBLEM. SO I CALLED CHRYSLER CORP AND RECEIVED A CLAIM NUMBER. TO MAKE A LONG STORY SHORT, I WAS TOLD THAT ALL THE PENTASTAR ENGINES MADE A LOUD TICKING NOISE FROM THE DRIVERS SIDE AND THIS WAS A NORMAL VARIANT. WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS IN THE DESIGN OF THE LEFT EXHAUST MANIFOLD AND THEY ALL MADE THIS NOISE. AFTER MUCH TALKING BETWEEN CHRYSLER CORP AND THE DEALERSHIP I WAS TOLD TO COME AND PICK UP MY JEEP, NOTHING WOULD BE DONE. I HAVE A FRIEND WHO IS A DODGE MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD THAT THE PENTASTAR ENGINES ARE HAVING MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH THE LEFT HEAD AND CAM PHASER ARE GOING OUT... I AM CONCERNED THAT THE ENGINE WILL CATCH FIRE OR STALL OUT ON THE FREEWAY. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 2012 JEEP WRANGLER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIANS REPLACED THE SENSOR AND SWITCH IN THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE MAP SENSOR. THE FAILURE RECURRED. ADDITIONALLY THE CONTACT NOTICED THE VEHICLE REVS UP SUDDENLY WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,000.

SINCE THE JEEP WAS NEW, IT HAS MADE A NOISE SIMILAR TO "SPARK KNOCK" OR PRE-IGNITION COMING FROM THE AREA OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE NOISE DID GO AWAY AFTER A FEW MINUTES, HOWEVER IT NOW PERSISTS EVEN AFTER THE ENGINE HAS WARMED UP. THE NOISE IS MORE NOTICEABLE IN COLD WEATHER. THE JEEP DEALER HAS TRIED TO LOCATE THE SOURCE TO NO AVAIL. A JEEP TECHNICIAN EVEN CAME OUT TO OUR HOME FOR AN EARLY MORNING TEST RIDE AND HE HEARD THE NOISE. HE CHECKED FOR LOOSE CABLES ETC. BUT THE NOISE CONTINUES. THIS IS VERY FRUSTRATING AS I HAVE THIS FEELING THAT THE ANSWER WILL BE FOUND ABOUT THE TIME THE JEEP IS "OUT OF WARRANTY". *TR

THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - TIPTRONIC SHIFT - IS MUCH TOO SENSITIVE, DOWN SHIFTING. THE TRANSMISSION IS AN AUTOMATIC WITH A MANUAL -TIPTRONIC- CAPABILITY. THERE IS NO ADJUSTMENT LINKAGE. MY DEALER HAS ORDER AND REPLACED THE ORIGINAL UNIT, BUT THERE IS NO DIFFERENCE. THE PULL DISTANCE OF THE LEVER TO DOWN SHIFT IS LESS THAN 1/16TH INCH. CONVERSELY, THE PUSH DISTANCE OF THE LEVER TO UP SHIFT IS APPROXIMATELY 3/4 INCH. *TR

WATER FILLING UP ON THE INSIDE FRONT FLOORBOARDS WHEN IT RAINS; COMING IN FROM FIREWALL; POSSIBLE FIRE HAZARD. *KB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 JEEP WRANGLER SPORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN TRAVELING OVER 65 MPH, THE FRONT HOOD WOULD CONTINUOUSLY LIFT AND BANG AGAINST THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE AND ADVISED THAT THE FAILURE WOULD NOT CAUSE ANY PROBLEMS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED WHO OFFERED NO OTHER ASSISTANCE. THERE WERE NO REPAIRS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,250. UPDATED 12/12/11 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE HOOD LIFTS AND BANGS AGAINST THE SAFETY LATCH. THE CONSTANT BANGING AGAINST THE SAFETY CANNOT BE GOOD AND COULD POTENTIALLY DAMAGE THE LATCH TO THE POINT IT IS NO LONGER FUNCTIONAL. THE CONSUMER STATED THE HOOD LATCH IS MADE OF RUBBER AND PLASTIC. THE RUBBER STRETCHES WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. UPDATED 12/14/11

10/17/12- STEERING COLUMN SHUTTERS, HORN PADS LOOSE- DEALER RETORQUED BOLTS TO HORN PAD AND DRIVER'S AIR BAG. 1/4/12- BRAKE/STEERING CONCERN; STEERING WHEEL HAS EXCESSIVE PLAY, EXCESSIVE PULL TO RIGHT- DEALER CHECKED AND ADJUSTED ALIGNMENT, VEHICLE STEERING CONTINUED TO DRIFT; DEALER ROTATED FRONT TIRES. 4/14/12- DEAD BATTERY, VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER, BATTERY FAILED MIDTRONICS TEST, DEALER REPLACED BATTERY. 4/16/12- FRONT BRAKES SQUEALING; DEALER SCUFFED AND CLEANED PADS AND ROTORS. 4/28/12- ENGINE LIGHT ACTIVATED; DEALER IDENTIFIED #2 CYLINDER MISFIRE, DEALER RE-PROGRAMMED PCM WITH NEW UPDATE SOFTWARE PER TECH SERVICE BULLETIN 18-007-12. 5/31/12- ENGINE LIGHT ACTIVATED AGAIN; DEALER IDENTIFIED LOW COMPRESSION CYLINDER #2 MISFIRE, EXHAUST VALVES LEAKING, REPLACED LEFT CYLINDER HEAD PER STAR CASE #327244. RENTAL VEHICLE 2 DAYS. 6/15/12- ENGINE LIGHT ACTIVATED AGAIN, STEERING PULLS TO RIGHT AGAIN; DEALER IDENTIFIED BANK 2 CAMSHAFT SLOW RESPONSE, REPLACED BOTH EXHAUST CAMSHAFT PHASERS, DEALER ROTATED TIRES. RENTAL VEHICLE 2 DAYS. *TR

AUTO SHIFTER JUST BARELY GETS BUMPED AND VEHICLE DOWNSHIFTS. *TR

START THE VEHICLE AFTER IT HAS BEEN SITTING FOR A FEW HOURS THERE IS AN EXTREMELY HARD BRAKE PEDAL. YOU CAN PRESS AS HARD AS YOU CAN THE VEHICLE ROLLS AWAY FOR 5 TO 10 SECONDS DEPENDING HOW LONG THE VEHICLE HAS SAT. THE VEHICLE IS A MANUAL TRANSMISSION SO IN ORDER TO START THE CLUTCH NEEDS TO BE COMPRESSED THUS PUTTING YOU IN NEUTRAL WITH NO BRAKES. THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ALSO DOES NOT WORK IN THE ALL THE WAY UP POSITION. SO WHEN STARTING IN THE MORNING OR AFTER A FEW HOURS THERE ARE NO BRAKES AT ALL. *TR

THIS VEHICLE HAS AUTO STICK SHIFTING WITH AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. FOR UPSHIFTS MOVEMENT ALL THE WAY TO THE RIGHT, HITTING THE END OF TRAVEL IS REQUIRED THE MAKE A SHIFT UP IN GEAR SELECTION. ON DOWN SHIFTS, JUST TOUCHING THE SHIFT HANDLE AND BARELY APPLYING PRESSURE ACTIVATES A DOWNSHIFT. NO MOVEMENT OF THE SHIFT HANDLE IS REQUIRED. THIS WAY TO SENSITIVE. *TT

3.6 LITER V6 PENTASTAR DRIVER'S SIDE CYLINDER HEAD BEGAN TICKING AND FAILED WHILE RETURNING HOME FROM A TRIP. CYLINDER HEAD FAILED AFTER LESS THAN 10 MONTH OF SERVICE. REPAIR TIME WAS OVER TWO WEEKS DUE TO PARTS AVAILABILITY. CHRYSLER GAVE NO EXPLANATION FOR FAILURE. *TR

I HAVE A SAFETY RECALL N28/NHTSA 13 V-234 TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER TUBE ON MY VEHICLE AND I HAVE SPENT 6 MONTHS TRYING TO GET PAT MCGRATH DODGE TO REPLACE THIS PART WITH NO LUCK OF THEM CALLING ME BACK OR BEING ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE INTO BE FIXED. IT STATED IN THE RECALL THIS MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH AND YOU ARE CONCERNED ABOUT MY SAFETY. I NOT ONLY WORRY ABOUT MY SAFELY BUT THE SAFELY OF MY CHILDREN. I BELIEVE PAT MCGRATH HAS NO CONCERN FOR MY SAFELY. I HAVE ALSO CALLED THE HOTLINE SAFETY NUMBER AND LEFT A MESSAGE WITH NO RETURN CALL FROM YOU. *TR

WHEN YOU FILL THE GAS TANK, THERE IS ALWAYS A SPILL OVER OF GAS THAT COMES OUT. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS AND IT IS A VERY COMMON ISSUE WITH JEEP OWNERS. PLEASE FORCE A RECALL. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS TO HAVE FUEL ALL OVER THE SIDE OF THE CAR AND ON THE FLOOR EVERY TIME I FILL UP FOR GAS. *TR

LOUD TICKING NOISE FROM LEFT ENGINE BANK. AT IDLE AND DRIVING. INCREASE TICKING WITH INCREASED RPM. *TR

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WITH 'ELECTRONIC RANGE SELECT' ALLOWS A DOWNSHIFT WITH A MOVE OF THE SHIFT LEVER TO THE LEFT WHEN IN 'D' DRIVE. A MOVE TO THE RIGHT UP-SHIFTS. ACCIDENTAL DOWNSHIFTS OCCUR FREQUENTLY BECAUSE OF 'HAIR-TRIGGER' NATURE OF SHIFT LEVER CONTROLS. THE SLIGHTEST, BARELY PERCEPTIBLE MOVEMENT LEFT CAUSES A DOWNSHIFT, OFTEN UNINTENDED AND UNEXPECTED. UP-SHIFTING REQUIRES A DEFINITE MOVEMENT TO THE RIGHT. DISCUSSION OF THIS ISSUE WITH 2012 AUTOMATIC WRANGLERS DRIVERS ON JEEP INTERNET FORUMS SUGGESTS A NUMBER OF PEOPLE EXPERIENCE AND HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THIS, WHILE A NUMBER OF DRIVERS STATE THEIR SHIFTER REQUIRES A DEFINITE MOVE LEFT TO DOWNSHIFT. I EXPERIENCE FREQUENT, ACCIDENTAL DOWNSHIFTS ON EVERY TRIP DUE TO THIS DEFECT. CURRENT MILEAGE ON THIS VEHICLE IS 1100 MILES. SUDDEN DECELERATION DUE TO ACCIDENTAL DOWNSHIFTS CAN CAUSE LOSS OF TRACTION ON UNPAVED, GRAVEL, ICY OR SNOWY ROADS, CONFUSION, DISORIENTING, AND OVER-REVVING THE ENGINE. *KB

TICKING SOUND, SOUNDS BAD FIRST START IN THE MORNING. *TR