2012 Jeep Wrangler: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed Jan 30, 2025 · Engine · CA · fire

Engine spontaneously caught fire. It had been parked for hours before it happened. Everything under the hood was totaled

Filed Jun 26, 2022 · Engine · MO · fire · 1 injury

I was driving on the highway and the engine caught fire. I’ve been looking for an engine to rebuild and all of them had previously been on fire. I believe the engine is defective for the jeeps that year, make and model.

Filed Oct 2, 2021 · Transmission · OH

The power steering line has rubbed a hole in the transmission line causing a loss of flammable transmission fluid onto the hot exhaust and underside of vehicle and the transmission isn't shifting properly. Transmission fluid could ignite on the hot exhaust setting the jeep on fire while driving. The dealer refused to work on my jeep because of some modifications that do not affect the Transmission lines or power steering lines in any way to cause this issue. No warning lights came on, I had noticed the lines rubbing about a month and a half prior which is when the dealer said there's nothing they can do they didn't even look at it.

Filed Dec 30, 2020 · Engine · 112,390 miles · ME

Oil leaking off top of engine. Cracked plastic part caused oil to leak out on engine and exhaust creating a burning smell and my mechanic said it is a fire hazard. Found many others with same issue from jeep and chrysler products.

Filed Nov 19, 2019 · Fuel system · 47,500 miles · IA

We use this jeep only for highway travel. It has 48,000 miles. On our way to church, yes unbelievably we had a strong smell of 'gasoline' once we arrived back home there was a steady stream of gasoline running down the bell housing of the transmission to the ground, this was in an area about underneath the front seats or near the rear of the engine. This leak occurred only while the jeep was idling. Once we turned the engine off, the gasoline stopped leaking or running down the bell housing. The greatly alarmed us due to the potential it could easily have ignited to flames since this was very flammable gasoline leaking was so close to so many other hot exhaust parts. We had to tow the jeep (obviously not driving it leaking so much gas any longer) to our jeep dealer service center for further inspection and repair. They discovered a small lengthwise split in the forward hard plastic fuel line several inches from where it attaches to the fuel rail. This is the fuel line tube that goes to the end of the engine. I had several times requested the jeep dealer to save the old defective parts but they threw them away. I honestly dont know if that was by design to avoid a recall or not, I certainly would have photographed the split would I have had the part.

Filed Jun 16, 2019 · 65,000 miles · TX · fire

This vehicle caught on fire between the rear of the engine and the firewall on the passenger side of the vehicle. All fire suppression efforts failed and the vehicle burned to the ground. This vehicle had just returned from the dealership after being serviced for transmission problems. This vehicle a long history of mechanical defects requiring service, all of which was done at a jeep dealership. Shortly before the fire began it looks like the vehicle started leaking transmission fluid. It was being operated at about 50mph on a paved roadway just prior to the fire. The fire was first noticed when pulling to a stop and parking after leaving the main roadway and pulling into a private drive of a residence. A trail of fluid was found on the main roadway beginning just prior to the turn into the driveway and ending at the jeep. This jeep had no modifications to the suspension or drive train and had stock size tires. The vehicle was up to date on all recall service work. I do not know what was the initial source of ignition but I did see transmission fluid feeding the fire.

Filed Oct 15, 2018 · Engine · 76,000 miles · CA

3. 6 pentastar v6 oil filter / oil cooler assembly developed a major oil leak. . . Oil could be smelled dripping on exhaust stopped driving until dealer had replacement part. Was in fear that engine oil could catch on fire, or run out of oil and destroy motor. All new chrysler 3. 6 3. 2 v6's are affected. Chrysler charged almost 600. 00 to replace part and allow safe operation of 3 year old car. Their has been a new part for 2014 models that is having more oil leak problems.

Filed Jul 17, 2018 · Electrical · 48,000 miles · GA · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 jeep wrangler. While driving for approximately 15 minutes, gray smoke emerged from the engine compartment. The contact pulled over and opened the hood to find the harness (that goes around the battery) engulfed in flames. The contact extinguished the fire with water. The vehicle was driven to an independent mechanic and they referred the contact to the dealer (georgia chrysler dodge jeep, 12114 us-301, statesboro, ga 30458) where a diagnostic appointment was scheduled. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 48,000.

Filed Jan 3, 2017 · Brakes · 68,966 miles · MI

After a 30 mile trip, I discovered that the left front brake of my jeep wrangler was overheated, confirmed by a distinct burning smell, an extremely hot left front wheel, and a pulling sensation when brakes were applied. The next day, I took the vehicle to an authorized jeep dealer for diagnosis and repair. I was told that both front brake calipers were "bad", and needed replacing. The vehicle has only 69,000 miles on the odometer. My 2012 dodge journey had the exact same problem with the rear brake caliper.

Filed Sep 14, 2016 · 42,000 miles · NC · fire

Started with a window leaking on october 2, 2012. Then proceeded to traction light coming on along with the engine light.. Well on may 26, 2014 I was working.. I work for usps and it is a right hand jeep I notice smoke coming from the vents of my jeep.. I stopped looked under hood seen no fire. Scared to death and not knowing what was going on.. I sit there for a while and it stopped. Call dealership and took it to them and they returned to me with "no obvious problem". Approximately 2 weeks later it happen again. Smoke coming from vents.. This time my jeep caught fire and burned to the ground!! I later discovered, after the fire, that my vehicle was subject to a recall that I never received.. I become aware of the recall from a coworker whom had bought her jeep 1 month after me...

Filed Jul 11, 2016 · Engine · 44,000 miles · NJ · fire

Vehicle caught fire while I was driving and lost all power. Engine shut off and there was little ability to steer. As soon as I pulled over smoke started to come out from the sides of the hood. When I opened the hood, there were flames coming from the engine near the firewall. Luckily a police officer happened to be driving by. He quickly put out the fire using an extinguisher from his patrol car; had he not been there the car would have quickly been consumed. This happened a few days ago. Since that time I have done some research and I have become aware that this is an ongoing problem with wranglers for many years now. It's disappointing that chrysler has not figured out what causes these fires; had this happened while I was driving on a highway the lack of steering ability could have easily resulted in the serious injury or death of not just me but other drivers as well.

Filed Jan 14, 2016 · Electrical, Engine · 84,000 miles · TX · fire

Vehicle engine light came on after starting engine and driving 30 feet from initial parked location. Vehicle was stopped and explosion occurred under the hood while driver was still in vehicle. No previous indication there was any issue with vehicle. Upon driver emergency exit of vehicle, further explosions and large flames engulfed the vehicle resulting in a total loss of vehicle within minutes.