2013 Jeep Wrangler problems
The 2013 Jeep Wrangler has 1,052 complaints on file with NHTSA. The largest share (22%) concerns drivetrain & axles. After that come steering (16%) and engine (14%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 1,052 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Drivetrain & axles 22% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 24 and 29
- Injuries and deaths
- 17 and 2
- Typical mileage
- 50,000 miles 569 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 154 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 91 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 95 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 121 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 60 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 30 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 8 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 8 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 1 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 0 |
| 200k+ miles | 1 |
What the data shows
Among the 569 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 50,000 miles. For drivetrain & axles specifically, the median reported mileage is about 23,000 miles (82 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 24 complaints mention a crash; 29 complaints mention a fire; 17 injuries reported; 2 deaths reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2013 ranks 6th most-complained-about out of 35 model years of the Jeep Wrangler with enough data (764 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 6 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
Vehicle travelling down curved highway ramp, inexplicably lost control, hit the jersey barrier, went over the jersey barrier and crashed into the abutment of the overpass bridge and then flipped over bursting into flames. Driver was killed. No evasive maneuvers were made by the driver, no skid marks, cause of crash unknown. Consumer stated vehicle was disposed approx.6-10 months ago.
Driving approx 65 MPH on highway. RPM jumped then car lost power. Would not shift past neutral and unable to remove key. Auto door unlock failed. Vehicle was evacuated and then struck from behind at high speed.
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 jeep wrangler. The contact stated that the rear driver and passenger's side doors were designed without interior door handles. The contact stated the rear doors had to be opened from the exterior in order for passengers to exit the vehicle. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 1,500.
Changed spark plugs on jeep, when done turned it on. Vehicle stayed running for 5 secs and shut off. Did that 3 times, then never turned back on. Lights, locks, and alarm worked fine. Vehicle would not start at all. Put in a new battery and wouldn't turn on. Left sitting for a day. Checked it again the next day, battery was hot and cables were melting on it. Towed it to the repair shop. Said it was tipm . Ordered a new one. And jeep still will not turn on.