2013 Jeep Wrangler reliability

Is it reliable?

Owners have filed 650 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 Jeep Wrangler over 14 years — 96 per year. That is more complaints per year than most Wrangler years here — over the median of the other years, which is 77. NHTSA has 7 recalls on file, including Anchorage, Inflator, and Electrical system.

2012 Jeep Wrangler
Photo by Koenigseggvibes, resized from the original. Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 4.0
Complaints

650

Per year

96

Recalls

7

Years on the road

14

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Powertrain (230 of 650), then Steering (167) and Engine (140). Those filings include 14 that report a crash, 16 that report a fire, 7 that report an injury, and 1 that reports a death.

Next to 2012 and 2014

The 2012 Wrangler has 833 complaints, 122 per year, and the 2014 has 654 complaints, 44 per year. The 2013 has fewer complaints per year than the 2012. The 2013 has more complaints per year than the 2014.

The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2013 Jeep Wrangler. How we count. Data as of .

Recalls (7)

Recall seat belts, front, anchorage 2019-09-26 · NHTSA campaign 19V680000
Summary Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2011-2018 Jeep Wrangler right hand drive vehicles. The driver's seat belt buckle mounting strap may fracture and separate from the seat frame.
Remedy FCA US will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's seat belt buckle, free of charge. Interim notices informing owners of the safety risk were mailed November 19, 2019. Owners will received a second letter and the recall began March 26, 2020. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recall is VA6.
Recall air bags, frontal, passenger side, inflator 2019-01-15 · NHTSA campaign 19V018000
Summary Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2010 Dodge Ram 3500, Ram 4500/5500, 2010-2011 Dodge Dakota, 2010-2014 Dodge Challenger, 2010-2015 Dodge Challenger, Chrysler 300, and 2010-2016 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.
Remedy Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 4, 2019. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is V01.
Recall air bags, frontal, passenger side, inflator 2018-01-09 · NHTSA campaign 18V021000
Summary Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Jeep Wrangler, Chrysler 300, Dodge Challenger and Dodge Charger vehicles, and 2009-2011 Dodge Dakota vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, Chrysler is recalling certain 2009-2010 RAM 4500 Cab Chassis, RAM 5500 Cab Chassis, RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Wrangler, Chrysler 300, Dodge Dakota, Dodge Challenger, and Dodge Charger vehicles ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." Chrysler is also recalling certain 2009 RAM 3500, RAM 2500, RAM 4500 Cab Chassis, RAM 5500 Cab Chassis, Dodge Durango, Chrysler Aspen, RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Wrangler, Chrysler 300, Dodge Dakota, Dodge Challenger, and Dodge Charger vehicles ever registered in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these passenger air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Remedy Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 28, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U03.
Recall air bags, frontal, driver side, inflator 2016-05-11 · NHTSA campaign 16V288000
Summary Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2011-2016 Right Hand Drive Jeep Wrangler vehicles manufactured February 16, 2010, to May 2, 2016. The clockspring assembly may become contaminated with dust and cause the air bag circuit to fail.
Remedy Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the clockspring, wheel back cover, and column shroud, free of charge. The recall began on August 11, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S40.
Recall Electrical system 2014-10-08 · NHTSA campaign 14V631000
Summary Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Jeep Wrangler vehicles manufactured February 16, 2010, to July 19, 2013. Corrosion in the exterior heated power mirror electrical connector may result in an electrical short.
Remedy Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will move the exterior mirror power feed to a separate connector, free of charge. Chrysler issued an interim notification to owners on December 8, 2014. The recall began on March 3, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is P61.
Recall steering, hydraulic power assist, hoses and connections 2013-06-04 · NHTSA campaign 13V234000
Summary Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Jeep Wrangler vehicles equipped with a 3.6L engine and an automatic transmission and manufactured January 23, 2011, through February 23, 2013. The power steering line may contact and wear a hole in the transmission oil cooler line resulting in a loss of transmission fluid.
Remedy Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the power steering return tube assembly, free of charge. The recall began on September 23, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N28.
Recall Equipment 2013-02-25 · NHTSA campaign 13E010000
Summary Quadratec, Inc. is recalling certain aftermarket accessory, driver-side, Ultimate Floor Liners part numbers 14254.0301 07, 14254.0301 08, 14254.0301Q, 14254.0302 07, 14254.0302 08, 14254.0302Q, 14254.0303 07, 14254.0303 08, 14254.0303Q, 14254.0309 07, 14254.0309 08, and 14254.0309Q sold from May 1, 2012, through February 14, 2013. The liners are for use in 2007-2013 Jeep Wranglers. The anchor point for the affected floor liners may tear during use, particularly when exposed to high temperatures. The tearing may allow the floor liner to shift forward.
Remedy Quadratec will notify owners and either exchange the liners or provide them with a hook guard kit to help secure the driver-side mat, free of charge. The recall began on April 4, 2013. Owners may contact Quadratec at 1-800-463-2998 or info@quadratec.com.

Complaints by component (650 total)

Powertrain
230
Steering
167
Engine
140
Electrical system
102
Air bags
72
Service brakes
58
Visibility and wipers
32
Fuel and propulsion system
30
Speed control
27
Structure
20
Suspension
20
Electronic stability control (ESC)
18
Exterior lighting
10
Wheels
10
Visibility
7
Seat belts
5
Engine and engine cooling
4
Tires
4
Fuel system, gasoline
3
Seats
3
Adaptive and mobility equipment
2
Forward collision avoidance
2
Latches, locks, and linkages
2
Traction control
2
Air brakes
1
Hydraulic brakes
1
Show 18 more Show less
Crash-flagged

14

Fire-flagged

16

Injury reports

7

Death reports

1

Complaints filed per year

4520131932014492015582016492017472018702019332020142021232022172023102024182025242026
Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings
  • "In September of 2023 our 13’ Jeep Wrangler Rubicon had an ABS Module failure. We went to our local Jeep (Gettel Jeep of Punta Gorda, FL) where they placed us on a list @number 1600. They told us to was safe to drive…"
    Powertrain · filed 2026-09-06
  • "Faulty Clockspring Diagnosed by independent dealer. The occupant restraint system came on my dash about a 2 weeks ago without any warning. The clockspring controls the airbags and puts me and my family at risk for…"
    Air bags · filed 2026-08-08
  • "2013 Jeep Wrangler, which is currently subject to a manufacturer-issued “Do Not Drive” safety recall involving the driver’s airbag. Upon learning of the recall, I immediately acted responsibly by delivering my vehicle…"
    Air bags · filed 2026-07-20
  • "The abs module is providing a code and mechanic states it is defective and needs to be replaced. Manufacturer has no parts available for repair. No accident occurred, only way to use vehicle is without abs protected…"
    Service brakes · filed 2026-07-13
  • "Had this 2013 Jeep Wrangler since new and has ABS module internal failure code C2200. ABS, ANTI SKID, BRAKE lights are constantly lit on the dashboard. No ABS on this Jeep making it unsafe in an emergency braking…"
    Service brakes · filed 2026-06-29

NHTSA crash ratings

Version Overall Front Side Rollover
2013 Jeep Wrangler SUV 4WD Not rated Not rated Not rated 3 stars
2013 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited SUV 4WD Not rated Not rated Not rated 3 stars

Stars are how this vehicle did in NHTSA crash tests. They are a safety result, separate from the complaint record. Not rated means that test was not run for this version.

Fuel economy

Trim Engine Transmission Drive City Hwy Combined Annual fuel cost
Wrangler four-wheel drive 3.6L, 6-cyl Automatic 5-speed Four-wheel drive 17 21 18 MPG $3600
Wrangler four-wheel drive 3.6L, 6-cyl Manual 6-speed Four-wheel drive 17 21 18 MPG $3600
Wrangler Unlimited four-wheel drive 3.6L, 6-cyl Automatic 5-speed Four-wheel drive 16 20 18 MPG $3600
Wrangler Unlimited four-wheel drive 3.6L, 6-cyl Manual 6-speed Four-wheel drive 16 21 18 MPG $3600

Specs and fitment

JK generation, 2012–2017
Body styles SUV
Oil 5W-20 (3.6L Pentastar); 5W-30 (3.8L V6) , 6 qt capacity
Tire size 225/75R16 to 255/75R17 (trim dependent)
Towing capacity 3,500 lbs

Known issues for this generation

Safety recall 19V-018 (Chrysler V01) covers certain 2010-2016 Jeep Wrangler vehicles among other FCA models: upon frontal air-bag deployment, excessive internal pressure may cause the passenger frontal inflator to explode, and metal fragments can strike occupants. Chrysler advises owners not to drive until the repair is complete; dealers replace the passenger frontal air-bag inflator free of charge. The campaign's published population also includes certain Ram, Dakota, Challenger, and Chrysler 300 vehicles under the same number.

Compare

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2013 Jeep Wrangler reliable?

Owners have filed 650 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 Jeep Wrangler over 14 years — 96 per year. That is more complaints per year than most Wrangler years here — over the median of the other years, which is 77. NHTSA has 7 recalls on file, including Anchorage, Inflator, and Electrical system.

What are common problems with a 2013 Jeep Wrangler?

The complaints owners file most often name Powertrain (230 of 650), then Steering (167) and Engine (140). Those filings include 14 that report a crash, 16 that report a fire, 7 that report an injury, and 1 that reports a death.

Is the 2013 Jeep Wrangler more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2012 Wrangler has 833 complaints, 122 per year, and the 2014 has 654 complaints, 44 per year. The 2013 has fewer complaints per year than the 2012. The 2013 has more complaints per year than the 2014.

Has the 2013 Jeep Wrangler been recalled?

The 2013 Jeep Wrangler has 7 recalls on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2013 Jeep Wrangler?

Owners have filed 650 complaints about the 2013 Jeep Wrangler with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2013 Jeep Wrangler get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2013 Jeep Wrangler is 18 MPG. See the fuel economy table on this page for city and highway figures by engine and transmission.

What oil does a Wrangler take?

5W-20 (3.6L Pentastar); 5W-30 (3.8L V6)

What does NHTSA recall 19V-018 cover on the Jeep Wrangler?

Safety recall 19V-018 (Chrysler V01) covers certain 2010-2016 Jeep Wrangler vehicles among other FCA models: upon frontal air-bag deployment, excessive internal pressure may cause the passenger frontal inflator to explode, and metal fragments can strike occupants.

What generation is the 2013 Jeep Wrangler?

JK generation (2012-2017).