Electrical and engine issues are among the top complaints received by the NHTSA from vehicle owners
Born in the 1940s, the Jeep brand has a loyal following that has continued for decades, even though ownership of the company has changed about 10 times.
With dozens of different vehicles, the company recorded its highest point in 2016, selling 1.41 million units worldwide. At this stage, the company was owned by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles. Since 2021, it’s been owned by Stellantis, which is a merger between Fiat Chrysler and the PSA Group that manufactures the Peugeot brand.
2016 was the year before they launched the Jeep Renegade, the brand’s first small sport utility vehicle (SUV). Sales of the 2015 launch model totaled 60,946 according to GoodCarBadCar, which publishes easy-to-access automotive sales and data statistics for North America. In keeping with the rest of the Jeep brand, sales soared to an all-time high with 106,605 units sold in 2016.
Sales have dropped progressively ever since, to 62,847 in 2020 and only 47,138 in 2021.
The volume of complaints to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has also dropped. That said, they have been constant for the 2015 Jeep Renegade which registers 447 complaints to NHTSA, with 26 filed in 2021, and 8 as recently as 2022.
In an article about 2019 Jeep Renegade problems and complaints, Lemberg Law pointed out the electrical, transmission, and engine issues rank high.
But back to the beginning. A total of 153 powertrain problems, 143 engine issues, and 110 electrical system problems are identified in complaints about the 2015 model.
So far, there are a minimal 9 complaints listed by NHTSA, together with 34 manufacturer communications that draw attention to malfunctions and other problems that relate to the 2021 model. We’re going to explore the problems in more detail below.
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While there are only 9 complaints on file, these incorporate a total of 22 problems. There are also many complaints in various online forums and on other websites.
It’s no surprise to find electrical system problems near the top of the list in 4 of the complaints. The engine and powertrain are also featured, but so, too, do forward-collision avoidance and lane departure.
Because there is an overlap in complaints, we are grouping some. For example, 2 of the 5 forward-collision avoidance problems also relate to land departure. Some of these also highlight electrical problems.
| Complaint Category | Number of Complaints |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | |
| Unknown Or Other | |
| Engine | |
| Power Train | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings | |
| Air Bags | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking | |
| Lane Departure: Blind Spot Detection | |
| Service Brakes | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:emission Control:catalytic Convertor |
Forward-collision avoidance is mentioned 5 times and land departure, 3 times. But there are only 6 complaints in all that relate to these 2 systems.
A major issue is that when these systems malfunction, safety features are disabled. From the complaints, it appears the manufacturer was aiming to update software as well as sort out physical issues. There are also complaints that dealers are unable or unwilling to supply rental or replacement cars while the problems are fixed.
As one complaint says: “The safety features are disabled because of this malfunction! This is dangerous and unprofessional for a company of their caliber, not only for our family but also for everyone buying these vehicles.”
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There are 4 complaints that highlight electrical system problems. Some relate to the stereo system that warns it is unavailable. This also turns off the safety features, which, according to one of the complaints, is an issue that has recurred since 2018. They researched the problem, and were also told it was “a problem with all Jeep Renegades.”
Another complaint states that the radio sometimes “blasts its volume”, changes station, or won’t shut off. The electrical system fault also affects the operation of a rear window.
“I took it in to the dealer and was told there was nothing they could do. They had to wait for a fix for the software from Chrysler.”
Someone who had owned a Jeep Renegade for less than a month states, “the steering wheel becomes self-operating, the brakes respond, and during driving, the vehicle literally stops responding to manual driving.”
They maintain, “It’s dangerous and can lead to death by car accident.”
A Jeep Renegade owner whose complaint is listed in both the Engine and Powertrain categories says, “Feel like I’m driving a time bomb.”
Another, whose complaint is listed in the categories for Engine, Service Brakes, and Forward-Collision Avoidance says:
“My car stalled in traffic causing a risk for accidents. I couldn’t steer the vehicle. There were numerous things going off in the car that prevented the mobility of the vehicle.”
A complaint listed in Powertrain and Seat Belts says:
“Dashboard lights suddenly start blinking, from the seatbelt airbag, check engine… Then the D starts flashing and the car loses power (goes into neutral) forcing me to pull over when I can.”
The complaint states this happens often, but the dealership cannot find any “trouble.”
When problems recur and impact the value, use, or safety of your vehicle, you’ve got good reason to believe you may have bought a lemon. If this is the case, Lemberg Law can help you.
Call our Helpline as soon as you can and our team will assess your problems. As a specialist consumer law firm that specializes in lemon law cases, we can negotiate an agreeable settlement. This may be a trade-in or buyback. It may be a replacement vehicle.
Just remember that the law makes Jeep pay when it’s a lemon law case.
Brian Jones spent more than 30 years working as an ASE Certified Master Tech and Parts Specialist at multiple dealerships. Brian has become an authority in the industry, traveling across the country to consult for car dealerships and contributing his expertise as a writer for several major automotive publications. In his spare time, Brian enjoys working on pickup trucks, muscle cars, Jeeps and anything related to motorsports.
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Im scared for my safety. I brought a 2021 Jeep Renagade out the box. While driving on the highway the check engine light came on , service Electronic Throttle control came on, stop / start unavailable came on. My car started shaking . It turn off on me I was afraid someone was going to hit me. Thankful my car turn back on and was able to get to a safe spot. I went to the dealership and they said I had a lot wrong with it but they only clean the Throttle body and reboot the brain. Told me that was the problem. Two days later everything came back up and now they say it because of an oil change . It was not only shaking but driving backwards while in drive. I know for a fact it has nothing to do with that. Ive been to the dealership so many time. Ive reach out to corporate as well. The dealership wont even give me a loaner car or put me into a rental. I don’t have an other car to get around. Its been very stressful. I need help
Ok, So my 2021 Renegade first had issues on a trip to TN in May. On Friday the 13th of all days. My then-fiance were driving to look at a home and all of a sudden EVERY warning light came on and repeatedly cycled off and on. Service engine soon, service transmission, service 4×4, traction control, EVERYTHING! The transmission started jerking violently, P, R, N, D all were flashing. Fortunately the GPS had us routed on a path that passed the dealer. We got it there and they adjusted the PCM, saying they had heard of Renegades having issues with those coming loose. This was around 13k miles, they said it should hold once they put it back in. Anyways, it hits 14k miles, it happens again. Again, I get to the dealer and they noticed THEN that the clip that held the PCM harness in was broken. They refused at first to provide a loaner or a rental, claiming they had none available. I left it, only because I had a car of my parents that I could use. After having it for a month, the dealer says they are unsure if the part I need is available. A couple weeks after that, the part is shockingly available. They order it, get it in, only to find out that the part doesn’t fit and/or is the wrong part. They tell me they’ve talked to people where the Renegade is assembled, people at Chrysler, and now all of a sudden the part I need can’t be found in any company catalog. I told them I can’t have a vehicle that isn’t dependable or safe, they said all they can do is try and hope a suitable part can be found. In the meantime, on a drive today, the Renegade flips out again. I’m done! I wrote an email to Jeep, demanding a full refund of purchase price, or we can pursue other options.
My car loses power when going around a corner in my neighborhood. Sounds like it’s stalled, but it’s just super sluggish. I’m afraid if someone is behind me they’re going to hit me. It’s a scary feeling.
I’m having all these problems with my Jeep Renagade.