Electrical, transmission and engine issues among the top complaints received by the NHTSA from vehicle owners
Owners of the 2019 Jeep Renegade believe they got behind the wheel of a compact SUV that turns heads. Even the automaker claims this model will “make them look twice,” but it isn’t for good reasons. In fact, this Renegade model suffers from serious engine, electrical system and powertrain concerns.
Click on other model year to view more problems: 2020 2021 2022
The engine of the Renegade has never been praised for being the most powerful in the lineup, but it should still be reliable. Sadly, that’s not what the majority of owners are finding.
Here is one Edmunds review related to engine concerns. “Bought a 2019 and 2nd day the service engine light came on. So they let me pick out a different 2019 Renegade. The 2nd Renegade the same thing has happened. Then they ‘fixed’ took it home and next day the light came back on. Then they ‘fixed’ and service manager drove it home but the next morning on his way to work the light came on again! They are still refusing to refund the money at this point and are still trying to fix it! Been 4 weeks and still no car! Now we have a lawyer helping us. My 1st car payment is due now and I don’t even have the damn thing!”
No one wants to find out that their new car is a lemon, but it’s even worse when the dealership refuses to make it right. Still, there are plenty of documented instances of trouble with this Jeep engine. Just look at Service Bulletin #18-089-19, which also talks about the problem with an evaporator system leak. These are situations that shouldn’t be occurring on new SUVs.
| Complaint Category | Number of Complaints |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | |
| Engine | |
| Unknown Or Other | |
| Air Bags | |
| Power Train | |
| Seat Belts | |
| Service Brakes | |
| Seats | |
| Back Over Prevention | |
| Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera |
Most people don’t understand how valuable the electric system of a vehicle is until it doesn’t work correctly. Unfortunately, Jeep Renegade owners understand it far too often.
Just look at this Edmunds review. “This car cannot handle much stress at all, 3 years owning a new car and I have had so many problems from engine lights, to cannot start the vehicle and had to have the whole ignition replaced, to throttle problem. This is an absolute worst vehicle and Jeep is a poor brand for so many deficiencies. Never should anyone buy this junk or anything from Jeep.”
The faulty electrical system has even led to a massive recall, affecting more than 25,000 vehicles. NHTSA Campaign Number 19V287000 states that the software can lead the occupant restraint controller to malfunction and disable some of the passive safety features. When this occurs, there is a higher chance of injury after a collision. Basically, even if the engine is working correctly, owners are left with putting their safety and those in the vehicle at risk.
We've fixed thousands of lemon problems. Message or call 877-795-3666 today.
While the powertrain of a vehicle consists of several components that create movement, the most important part is the transmission. In modern vehicles, the transmission should be well-built and durable, but that’s not the case with the Renegade.
Here’s a complaint that was filed with the NHTSA. “The contact owns a 2019 Jeep Renegade. The contact stated while driving at approximately 55 mph the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact made several attempts to restart the vehicle which failed. The vehicle was towed to [dealership] to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the transmission and transmission module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 8,600.”
It’s not fair to this owner that their new SUV was a junkyard candidate after just eight thousand miles. That’s not even a year of driving and completely unacceptable. The company doesn’t deny trouble with the powertrain. In fact, the automaker has twenty service bulletins about the system. One such communication, Service Bulletin #18-063-19 REV. A states that SUVs are struggling with a no-start condition, poor fuel economy, intermittent stalling and pinging noises during acceleration. According to the communication, these issues will be fixed with a simple PCM update, but there are probably lots of owners that also required a new transmission or module.
Think you have a lemon? Sit back and let the experts work out your lemon case at no cost to you. The law makes Jeep pay legal fees. You may be able to get your lemon out of your life. Every year, auto manufacturers buy back, replace or pay cash settlements to thousands of ‘lemon’ owners like you.
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.
See more posts from Brian Jones
HI bought a 2019 jeep renegade latitude in Jan. of 2020. It had 8 miles on it. I now have 50k and service engine light is on stating Transmission issues. I have a contract with CarShield, but when I was calling around to repair shops several of them told me they don’t deal with Carshield due to them not wanting to pay for repairs. Is there any way I can hold Jeep responsible?
Have a 2019 Renegade with the turbo engine last year every once in a while I’d smell gas but upon inspection could not find anything indicating a leak. Nothing on engine or on ground. Made appt with dealership took the Jeep in and the gas line literally ruptured when I pulled in. It’s beyond me how it didn’t catch fire. Definitely had someone watching over me. This all happened just over 50,000 miles. Now at 57,000 I’m having a lot of popping noises and at times sounds like something is loose. Have an appt. with dealership to have this checked out. Glad I took extended warranty out but not many miles left on it. God only knows what will go wrong in the future. Wish I hadn’t let the salesman talk me into purchase.
Seat belts have frayed and come appart. Drivers and two of tthe rear passengers.
Purchase a 2019 Jeep Renegade in 2021, the rear tail light went out took to the dealer they changed the bulb but stated the connector was burnt and the bulbs might last well less than 24 hours it was out again the transmission is sluggish dealer said nothing is wrong with it
Left dealership after oil change, almost made it home when car just stopped pulling in gas station driveway. $112 for oil change, then $140 for tow back to dealership. Next morning they called stating fuel pump needs to be replaced! 58,000 miles on vehicle! Now after reading these comments I’m very concerned.
I purchased a 2019 renegade brand new. Before I even left the lot I noticed my phone wouldn’t charge, I tried 4 different chargers before they finally believed me. My lights have been turning on and off as they please since 30k miles. I have took it in twice for weird noises and they never found anything but the noise magically stopped for a while. At 45k miles going 60mph it started slowing down and would not accelerate so I pulled to the side of the road. I finally realized my car had shut off so I tried to restart it. It started with lots of trouble and died, at that point my transmission light came on. Had it towed to dodge, they said it was throwing transmission and abs codes. A week later with no loaner vehicle I might add, they are now claiming I need a fuel pump too. Absolutely hate this car and my experience with their “service” department.
I have purchased a 2019 Jeep Renegade in April of 2022. It currently has 24,000 miles on it and I’ve just put it in the shop for transmission trouble. I have kept up with all day to day maintenance and haven’t had any trouble until when it failed. Can you help?
Have a was on a 2019 Renegade- just had to have transmission replaced at @ 18,500.00 miles. It had shifting issues from the start but I was told it was “normal”.
Hi my name is Cynthia Lasos I bought my 2019 jeep renegade on May 31st of this year its been at the dealership since with push button start problems it doesn’t start