6 Out of 9 Used Jeep Wranglers Are on Consumer Reports’ No-No List
The Jeep Wrangler is an iconic SUV, a vehicle known for its ability to off-road as well as for its carefree appearance. The Jeep Wrangler brings to mind images of driving to the beach with the top down, the sun and wind beating on bare legs and shoulders. Yet if you own one of these used Jeep Wranglers, you may not be feeling that laissez-faire attitude. Instead, you might be facing huge repair bills. And if you’re considering buying a used Jeep Wrangler, you’ll definitely want to be aware of the six SUVs you should avoid from the last nine years.
The 2012 is the oldest of the used Jeep Wranglers you should avoid
Consumer Reports recommends avoiding the 2012 Jeep Wrangler. It comes with a host of problems, including engine minor, engine cooling, and drive system. Each of these gets a 1/5 in Consumer Reports’ reliability ratings. So do the fuel system, the electric system, and the suspension. How about the brakes? Those are a 1/5. The paint/trim scores the same poor rating. You should definitely avoid the 2012 Jeep Wrangler
Jeep Wrangler’s problems don’t get better in 2013
The Jeep Wrangler problems persist into the next model year. The 2013 Jeep Wrangler is somehow even worse than the 2012. Getting a 1/5 for overall reliability, the 2013 Wrangler also gets a 1/5 for minor and major engine problems, engine cooling, as well as minor and major transmission problems. Add to that a 1/5 for the drive system, climate system, brakes, paint/trim, and body integrity, and you have one Jeep Wrangler model that you should avoid.
The 2014 Jeep Wrangler is slightly better, but still not good
Consumer Reports extends its recommendation to avoid the 2014 Jeep Wrangler. With its 1/5 overall rating, the 2014 Jeep Wrangler has poor minor and major engine ratings, as well as the climate system, body integrity, and power equipment.
Don’t buy a 2015 Jeep Wrangler, either
Jeep obviously hadn’t figured out how to make their Wranglers reliable by 2015. The 1/5 reliability rating is representative of problems with the engine major and engine cooling, as well as the electric system, suspension, and brakes. Body integrity and power equipment didn’t fare any better.
The 2018 Jeep Wrangler is another used Jeep Wrangler to avoid
The 2016 and 2017 Jeep Wranglers scored a 2/5 for reliability. Not great, but enough to keep them off Consumer Reports’ list of SUVs to avoid. Yet in 2018 the problems were back in full force.
The 2018 Jeep Wrangler has major transmission problems, as well as climate system and suspension issues. Body integrity, power equipment, and in-car electronics also have poor ratings.
The 2019 Jeep Wrangler belongs on the list of cars to avoid
The 2019 Jeep Wrangler gets poor ratings for its suspension system and body integrity. Just two things, but it still causes the 2019 Jeep Wrangler to make it onto Consumer Reports’ list of cars to avoid.
If you love Jeeps and were hoping to buy a used Jeep Wrangler, this is probably unwelcome news. Six of the last nine Jeep Wranglers made are SUVs you should definitely avoid. And the 2016 and 2017 models don’t seem much better. However, if the 2020 Jeep Wrangler is in your budget, you may be happy to learn that it currently has a 4/5 reliability rating. Of course that could change as time goes on. Whichever SUV you decide to buy, check out the reliability and safety ratings before you make your decision. You don’t want to regret your purchase down the road.
