Our analysis found that engine, electrical system, and steering issues are among the most common problems reported by owners
The 2023 Wrangler, Jeep says, is “the original icon of adventure,” and “the greatest adventures are electrified.” But when owners experience problems that dealers don’t recognize or can’t diagnose or fix, they rethink their adventure options. Most complaints relate to electrical system problems, engine shutdowns, and the infamous speed wobble caused by steering defects.
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Launched in the U.S. in July 2022, the 2023 Jeep Wrangler attracted engine and steering National Highway Traffic Administration (NHTSA) complaints from the start. By November 2024, they had not abated but had been overtaken in numbers by electrical system complaints. By this time, only two of the 130 complaints did not highlight electrical, engine, and/or steering problems. This doesn’t mean that these three components represent the only problems owners are experiencing. Airbags, forward collision avoidance, the fuel system (diesel and gasoline), lane departure, parking and service brakes, power train, seat belts, structure, suspension, vehicle speed control, visibility, and wheels also feature in complaints. There are nearly as many complaints highlighting the powertrain as the problem as there are steering complaints, but almost all of them are coupled with other components or systems.
Additionally, there are a total of 13 recalls, five affecting the electrical system and one each for the engine and steering. Two of the electrical system recalls are urgent fire-risk safety recalls. Both of these and two others relate directly to the high-voltage battery that the automaker states offers an “electrified” adventure. Other recalls relate to the airbags, backover prevention, exterior lighting (2), the diesel fuel system, powertrain (2), and visibility issues. A large number of owners continue to complain about recall parts for many of the recalls not being available, including those that warn of a fire risk.
There are also two open NHTSA Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) — one classified as Steering and the other on the Engine and Electrical System!
Owners have every reason to be concerned.
| Complaint Category | Number of Complaints |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | |
| Engine | |
| Steering | |
| Power Train | |
| Unknown Or Other | |
| Suspension | |
| Fuel/propulsion System | |
| Vehicle Speed Control | |
| Visibility/wiper | |
| Structure:body |
Problems with the Wrangler engine shutting down are well-known and widespread — and have been since this model was launched. Many complaints identify that both the engine and electrical system appear to be part of the problem. Similarly, dealerships started out by saying they were unable to replicate problems. Now they simply can’t fix these problems.
The very first electrical system/engine complaint to the NHTSA was from a Pennsylvania owner who said that while driving at about 25 mph in December 2022, the 2023 Wrangler 4xe “came to an abrupt stop.” Less than 1% of the battery was reflected at the time. He placed the vehicle in Park, pressed the brakes, and restarted the Wrangler. The dealership was unable to replicate the problem.
Oddly, at that stage, there were already two recalls that warned of the possibility of 2023 Wranglers facing a possible loss of drive power.
Since then, many electrical system complaints have highlighted incidents of vehicles losing drive power and shutting down.
The most recent electrical system recall, NHTSA Campaign Number 24V720000 (September 27, 2024) warns, “The high-voltage battery may fail internally and lead to a vehicle fire while parked or driving.”
On October 23, 2024, an owner complained about one of the high-voltage battery fire risk recalls. Stating that there was still no fix for the problem, he said he could no longer charge the Wrangler but had to run it on gasoline. The reason for purchasing this Jeep was to use “the battery to go to and from work on a single charge.” Now he can’t charge it or even park it in their garage because of the potential fire risk.
An owner from Arizona states that in August 2024, “While driving in all-electric mode, (the) car abruptly lost power and would not accelerate. After power loss, (the) car lunged forward abruptly without (any) noticeable cause. I worried I had been hit from behind and quickly checked the rearview mirror, but nothing had impacted the back of my Jeep.”
An owner from California states his Jeep has lost power multiple times. The first time, he was “driving on the freeway and my car had started flashing lights telling me my electrical charging system was faulty.” At the time he was “in the fast lane with no shoulder and had to pull 5 lanes over, nearly hitting an unquantifiable amount of cars. When the car reached roughly 15-10 miles per hour as I was merging, it put itself into park and would not let me shift back into gear.
“At this point, I was still in the number 2 lane and had cars swerve around me. I tried turning on the car multiple times and finally, after the fifth or sixth time, it turned on and drove to the shoulder.” While the dealership was unable to replicate the issue, they had heard of the problem before. “They said that they would try to diagnose the issue but they could not.“
An owner from California stated on October 21, 2024, that his vehicle had caught on fire. It was only after learning about the global recall for this model due to battery issues that he realized the implications. “This only confirms my suspicion that the fire in my vehicle was the result of a manufacturing defect. Given the timing of the recall, I believe my incident is directly related to this defect, and the issue raises significant safety concerns. The total cost of my vehicle was approximately $78,454, and I have only driven it for about 15,000 miles. After filing an insurance claim, I was offered $45,215, which does not adequately cover the financial loss I have incurred. This leaves me at a significant financial deficit.” Rentals had already cost about $36,000.
An owner from New York describes another incident. “I was going 70 with my child in my car. The car seemed like it lost communication. I was on a highway with cars moving around me and almost hitting me. The car engine overheats after I’ve taken it to Jeep several times.” While there is no indication of what Jeep thought the problem was, NHTSA Campaign Number 22V768000 states: “The high-voltage (HV) battery pack assembly was built with incorrect fasteners to secure the 200-amp fuse, which can generate excessive heat.”
A New York owner stated on October 21, 2024: “FCA has done nothing to fix the problem and has no forecast for the parts or repairs. Meanwhile, I cannot charge my $60K vehicle, or park it at my house. I have been trying to reach FCA for 3 days now and nobody answers their phone calls either. This is the worst customer service on a safety issue that I have ever seen.”
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There are numerous engine complaints some of which may be related to the recalls. These examples illustrate how dealers are unable to assist.
An owner from Virginia describes how the engine of his 2023 Wrangler 4xe stalled. There were flashing warning lights and sudden deceleration. This is “a significant safety concern considering I was in a city with cars driving around me. Had they not slowed (down), may have struck my vehicle because it decelerated so quickly. I attempted to push on the gas to accelerate, but nothing happened. After pulling over, I turned the vehicle off and back on again, and the problem was no longer there.”
Since then, the Wrangler’s engine tends to over-rev when it accelerates more than 3,500 RPM to increase speed by 10-15 mph with a normal to light touch on the gas. There has also been “a jerkiness to acceleration and shifting of gears” since this occurred. Additionally, when he turns the Jeep on, the engine revs up to 2,000 RPM “without me touching the gas to accelerate.” And it idles around 2,000 RPM “until I drive or turn it off.”
The Jeep dealership ran diagnostics and took it for a test drive but couldn’t find anything wrong. Aware of the 2023 Jeep Wranglers 4xe recall, he states that it only applies to 2023 models manufactured before his.
An owner from Georgia states that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. “The vehicle failed to restart. The check engine warning light and service battery warning light were illuminated.” The vehicle was towed to the dealer but wasn’t diagnosed or repaired. ” The failure mileage was 1,488, but no further assistance was provided.
As reported above, steering problems rank high on the subject line of NHTSA complaints, just as they do for previous models. And it’s all got to do with what is now known as the Wrangler’s “death wobble.”
A total of 432, which is nearly half of the complaints about the 2018 model relate to steering issues. At 360, more than half the complaints about the 2019 model are about steering defects. This pattern continues with 160 out of 256 for the 2020 model. The percentage drops to 68/222 for the 2021 model, and 15/51 for the 2022 model. But all the numbers remain high and will inevitably continue to increase as time passes.
By November 2024, 28/130 complaints about the 2023 model focused on steering.
In December 2022, the owner of a 2023 Wrangler from South Dakota described the defect as causing the Jeep to sway from side to side. The dealer maintained that “the steering was operating as designed.” Adding to this, the dealer said “the electronic control module that communicated with the steering box and the steering wheel could override intended steering.” Nothing was done to fix the problem.
A year later, in December 2023, several owners reported this same problem. An owner from Tennessee complained that the “death wobble” was a known issue with Jeeps. “While riding on the highway going approx 65 mph the vehicle began to death wobble causing the driver to nearly lose control of the car. We were on a 4-lane interstate that could have resulted in a severe accident had the driver actually lost control. With so few miles (5,200) on the vehicle, there is no reason other than a manufacturing defect.”
A Minnesota owner also laid a complaint to the NHTSA in December 2023. “The ‘death wobble’ (has) occurred twice since I bought the vehicle new from a dealership about a year ago. The miles are low (2,000) as the Jeep is my extra vehicle. The first time it happened I was going about 55 mph, and the second time about 65 mph. After the second incident, I reviewed the internet and saw the death wobble class action suit that does not cover post-2020 Wranglers.” He made an appointment with the dealership but stated he would have to wait until 1/9/2024. “Loss of steering/control in traffic makes this a serious issue.”
The complaints continue, but there is no recall on record.
Perhaps oddly, the investigation, NHTSA Action Number PE24024 — Steering — focuses on underhood fires. Opened on September 6, 2024, it warns that underhood fires can start while the ignition of an estimated 781,459 2021-2023 Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator vehicles are “in ignition off state.”
The ODI Resume explains that the investigation was initiated after they received “9 Vehicle Owner’s Questionnaire (VOQ) reports, 1 Death and Injury report, and multiple field reports alleging incidents of engine compartment fires” in these Jeeps. Most had occurred when the vehicle ignition was off.
“An ignition ‘OFF’ vehicle fire can result in an increased risk of occupant injury, injury to persons outside the vehicle, and property damage, with little to no warning.”
The reason it is classified as a Steering Investigation is because the ODI “learned of several thermal events originating at the power steering pump electrical connector.” The pump connector is located at the “passenger front side of the engine compartment,” which is where most of the reported fires occurred.
If you think your 2023 Jeep Wrangler is a lemon, do something about it. The law makes Wrangler pay the legal fees for lemon-related legal fees, so it’s not going to cost you anything to pursue a settlement through a lemon lawyer.
Lemberg Law has helped thousands of lemon vehicle owners get settlements from various manufacturers. So, if we can help you prove you have a lemon, you might get a replacement Wrangler or a cash refund. If you’d like us to assess your 2023 Jeep Wrangler problems free of charge, call our Helpline or fill out a contact form and we’ll get back to 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.
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