While driving on the freeway at approximately 65 mph with my family in the vehicle, including my fiancée, my [XXX] son, and my fiancée’s mother, the engine suddenly began making a grinding noise that lasted approximately 10 seconds. The engine then began knocking, and the vehicle abruptly shut off, leaving me unable to continue driving. I was forced to maneuver toward the nearest available safe location, but there was no immediately safe place to pull over. I narrowly avoided being hit by other vehicles while trying to get off the freeway and ultimately had to stop on an offramp. This sudden engine failure created a serious safety hazard for my entire family and other motorists. I had to arrange an Uber to transport my fiancée, my young son, and my fiancée’s mother home while I remained in an unsafe location near the freeway waiting for a tow truck. The incident was frightening and emotionally distressing for everyone involved. I believe the failure may involve internal engine components, but the exact cause has not yet been determined. The vehicle has not been driven since the incident and is currently at a Carvana-owned Jeep dealership awaiting diagnostic inspection. The problem has not been reproduced or independently confirmed because the vehicle has not been driven since the engine shut down. To my knowledge, the vehicle has not been inspected by the manufacturer, law enforcement, or an insurance representative. There were no warning lights or warning messages that I noticed before the failure. The engine noise was the first symptom I observed. The engine and related components should be available for inspection upon request. I am requesting that this incident be investigated because the sudden engine failure at highway speed placed my family, including my [XXX] child, and other motorists at significant risk of a collision. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Jeep Renegade engine failure problems
58 of the 2,215 owner complaints about the Jeep Renegade describe engine failure, most of them for the 2017 model year.
- owner complaints
- 58
- worst model year
- 2017
- typical repair cost reported
- $6,600
- typical mileage
- 30,700
By model year
Often reported together
Stalling 21Oil consumption 15Check engine light 10Overheating 5Fire or smoke 4Loss of power 3Fuel pump 3Won't start 2
What owners say
Car has 66,000 miles. Description of the Safety Defect and Incident:Component Malfunction: The radiator cooling fan motor and the low-speed resistor circuit suffered a complete internal electrical failure. The defective part is being removed and is available for inspection upon request.Safety Risk: While idling stationary in live traffic, the vehicle unexpectedly and severely overheated. This created an immediate, dangerous traffic-stall hazard that put my personal safety and the safety of surrounding drivers at risk of a collision.Professional Confirmation: The problem has been fully reproduced, diagnosed, and confirmed by a certified independent service center. Their diagnostic scan tool commands failed, and electronic connector testing proved an open resistor and a faulty, high-resistance motor.Inspections: The vehicle and component have been inspected and verified by the independent service center. No police or insurance representatives were involved as I successfully safely towed the vehicle before a collision occurred.Warning Lamps & Symptoms: There were no symptoms prior to the failure. The problem appeared suddenly while idling. The dashboard cluster flashed an "Engine Coolant Hot" message only after the temperature had already spiked into the red zone because the low-speed fan completely failed to engage. I immediately turned the engine off to prevent a catastrophic engine failure or a traffic collision.This component failure occurred prematurely at only 66,000 miles on a meticulously maintained 2018 Jeep Renegade Trailhawk. This issue directly mirrors the platform defects previously tracked under the federal safety agency Action PE19014 and the manufacturer's Customer Satisfaction Notification V54.
I am writing to report a severe safety defect regarding my 2018 Jeep Renegade. The vehicle suffers from an extreme internal oil consumption defect, burning 1 quart of oil every 1,000 miles. According to certified automotive diagnostics, this is five times the normal operating rate. This rapid oil depletion causes the vehicle to abruptly lose power, stall, and completely shut down while driving in active traffic without warning. Sudden engine failure at highway speeds creates an immediate, critical risk of collisions. The vehicle’s history directly matches documented manufacturer issues. The original purchasing dealership notified me that the vehicle was impacted by Customer Satisfaction Notification W80 for abnormal oil consumption. My research also confirmed related under-hood wiring recalls for this model year that cause fuel pressure drops and engine stalling. However, when I presented the vehicle to an authorized Jeep dealership in Newnan, Georgia, due to repeated stalling, the service department refused recall coverage because my specific VIN was not flagged in their database. They replaced a valve cover gasket instead, but the severe oil depletion and dangerous stalling persisted. A subsequent inspection by an independent licensed automotive shop confirmed the excessive oil burning and determined the engine has suffered fatal internal wear, requiring a complete engine replacement. Because the manufacturer excludes my VIN from the official recall population, they refuse to provide any administrative or financial remedies. However, my vehicle is exhibiting the exact mechanical failures, dangerous stalling, and severe oil consumption targeted by the federal safety agency’s investigations into the engine. Excluding a vehicle experiencing identical safety failures based solely on an arbitrary VIN window leaves consumers unprotected. This unaddressed defect ultimately rendered the vehicle un-driveable, forcing me to surrender it, causing financial hardship and negative credit impact.
The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Renegade. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was able to be restarted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer advised the contact that if the engine was not repaired, to monitor and check the engine oil levels regularly. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was opened. The approximate failure mileage was 82,425.
The contact owns a 2017 Jeep Renegade. The contact stated that after several attempts, the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with coolant intrusion into the cylinder, causing engine failure. In addition, an unknown part of the electrical system had failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle remained at the dealer unrepaired. The contact stated that the engine block on the vehicle was serviced in 2020 under an undisclosed recall. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.
I purchased in 2015 (Jeep Renegade). The dealership promised a “lifetime warranty” for the duration of my ownership, but despite repeated service visits over the past 10 years for persistent electrical problems, they have refused to honor this warranty. It has come to my recent attention that the two major reasons jeep has stopped making the Renegade was due to electrical and engine issues. Both issues with my car never told to me, and games are being played. Key points: I have complete documentation: purchase receipts, service records, text messages, and emails confirming the warranty and the repeated service attempts. The dealership now claims they have no record of my purchase. I was assured by a service representative that the issues were covered under warranty so I brought it there time and time again. The last time I brought it in the representative was working on it under warranty, but the representative was later terminated while still working to resolve the problem. These service manager, Keri has played games to avoid repairs and has even tried to tell me that I didnt buy my car there when I have proof I did. She said my receipts mean nothing and aren't proof. Its been a non stop headache for almost 10 years when all they had to do was be honest from the beginning. This car has had these problems on and off since 2017 and caused the dealer to have to replace the engine due to this parasitic draw. Each time pretending to fix it and not doing so. These issues have caused significant inconvenience, expenses, and emotional stress over a decade. I would like to explore: Enforcing the lifetime warranty and having the electrical issues properly fixed free of charge Pursuing remedies under Tennessee’s consumer protection laws for unfair or deceptive trade practices. Discussing compensation for damages resulting from the dealership’s repeated failures to repair the vehicle. I am fully prepared to provide all documentation, a detailed timeline of events
The contact owns a 2015 Jeep Renegade. While the contact's husband was driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine seized. The contact stated several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact's husband attempted to restart the vehicle; however, the vehicle failed to restart. The contact stated that after several attempts, the vehicle eventually started. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with a failed shift solenoid number 5 control circuit range performance. The contact was informed that the shift solenoid number 5 circuit range performance needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact referenced an unknown recall; however, the VIN was not under recall. The contact was advised to contact the federal safety agency Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 83,300.
Summary of Ongoing Issues with Shaver Automotive & Stellantis Regarding W80 Recall -Initial Reporting (December 2018): At 35,104 miles, I first reported engine stalling, performance issues, and excessive oil consumption to Shaver Automotive. -Recall Notification & Incomplete Testing (January 2024): I received a recall letter in January 2024 for the W80 oil consumption test. Shaver Automotive performed the first part of the test but instructed me to return for Part 2—which they subsequently delayed. -Delays & Failed Recall Test (July 2024–January 2025): From July to December 2024, Shaver ignored multiple requests to schedule the second test. In January 2025, part 2 of the test was finally conducted. W80 Recall test failed, prompting a promise of a new engine installation by mid-to-late March 2025. -Dealership Fraud & Negligence (March–June 2025): From March to June 2025, Shaver: -Ignored all follow-up requests for updates. -Falsified service records, including a fabricated appointment on 3/26/25 while I was out of town. -Falsified mileage on my Jeep at said fabricated appointment. -Closed my Stellantis case without notification, obstructing resolution. -Stellantis’ Failure to Intervene (2024–2025): Despite three active case numbers (#93024832, #93352240, #93372613), Stellantis repeatedly directed me back to Shaver Automotive, refusing to escalate or resolve the issue. -Legal & Ethical Violations: Shaver’s misconduct, mileage tampering, falsified documents, and deliberate delays, has left me with an unsafe vehicle for over 18 months, violating: -Consumer protection laws (e.g., Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act). -Recall compliance obligations under the federal safety agency guidelines. Stellantis’ negligence in overseeing its dealership network exacerbated the harm.
The 2015 Jeep Renegade has had a vibrating sensation since I purchased it used in 2021 from an auto dealership. The vibrations got stronger as time went on. The issue was finally determined what caused the vibrations in May, 2025 and confirmed by an independent mechanic. The vehicle was inspected by a Jeep dealer previously. The vehicle was not inspected by the police or insurance representatives. The auto needed a new Engine Motor Mount. A new one was installed on the front right side, engine mount. The auto is available for inspection. My safety and the safety of others was put at risk because a failed mount leads to excessive engine movement, which can damage other components, affect handling, and lead to accidents.
I have a 2017 Jeep Renegade Latitude. I bought it in 2020 and had it for 2 weeks when the engine blew up. There was a recall on the engine so Chrysler paid for the “new” engine. Two weeks after I got it back it started stalling out when I was driving down the road. I had a new starter put in it and now when it decides to shut down while driving the brakes come on, including the emergency brakes, it comes to a screeching halt, and the gear shift throws itself from drive into park. I just want to either get my car fixed or Stellantis to trade with me to make things right. It is very unsafe to drive. Especially when you don’t know when it is going to do this because it doesn’t happen every time you drive the car.
Related recalls
Engine and engine cooling: engine
- What is wrong
- Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2017 Jeep Renegade vehicles equipped with a 2.4L engine. These vehicles may be equipped with a cracked oil pump housing/balance shaft module (BSM), which can cause the oil pump to fail and the engine to stall.
- Risk
- An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the oil pump for its production information, and replace the BSM as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 13, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1‑800‑853‑1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U18.
Recall number 18V131000 · Recall details
Questions about the Jeep Renegade engine failure
Which Jeep Renegade years have engine failure problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2017 (18 complaints), 2018 (15 complaints) and 2015 (10 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix engine failure on the Jeep Renegade?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $6,600 (median of 6 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used Jeep Renegade?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history