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2012 Jeep Wrangler engine complaints

Page 2 of 7: complaints 11 to 40 of 179, newest first, as owners wrote them.

See the summary of 2012 Jeep Wrangler engine problems: which part fails, at what mileage and related recalls.

Filed Jan 4, 2024 · Engine · MD

In my 2012 Jeep I had to replace the engine and catalytic converters. The engine number 3 cylinder failed due to excessive ware causing lower compression. After the engine (long block) was replaced, one of the cylinders was miss firing. This miss firing was traced to micro cracks in the plastic/composite intake manifold (original and not part of the engine replacement). Because these micro cracks changed the fuel air ratio on specific cylinders by leaning out the cylinders near the cracks this lean mixture would cause the affected cylinders to run hot that would lead to both the excessive ware on the one cylinder and would comprise the catalytic converters. Because this change in fuel air mixture was caused by the intake manifold and Jeep does not have any inspection requirements or methods for this item and even after the Jeep Dealer did a full diagnosis using their factory specified equipment the issue with the manifold was not found. My local AMMCO shop found the cracking in the manifold that was the route cause of the problem.

Filed Dec 28, 2023 · Engine · KY

Jeep Wrangler 3.6 liter 90k miles lifter making loud noise. Seems you had a recall about this on the 2012 and guess I missed out

Filed Oct 11, 2023 · Engine · MO

6 days after an oil change, the temp gauge while driving went from cool to hot in under a mile and the engine temp light came on. There was coolant all over the underside of the car it was near catastrophic. I had to have it towed to the dealership for repairs. The faulty part was the oil filter adapter it was cracked by over tightening of the oil filter.

Filed Apr 4, 2023 · Engine, Fuel system · VA

Engine Stalls Randomly while Driving. Will crank over several times and over approx 10-15 min. of cranking(Say every 3-5min) vehicle will and will restart. No check engine lights and no warning. The loss of power can be dangerous since brake and steering assist require engine to be running. Vehicle will be fine for several days local commute and problem will recur without warning, usually on longer commute. Vehicle is unsafe and unpredictable.

Filed Dec 7, 2022 · Engine · UT

Cam sensor failed. Check engine light and traction control light appeared. Replaced and same problems occurred. May be wiring or cam/rocker issues.

Filed Nov 17, 2022 · Engine · 60,000 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2012 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, there was an abnormal burning odor around the vehicle. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH and other various speeds the burning odor was still present. The check engine warning light illuminated with the temperature gauge rising from normal to hot. An audible alarm was heard during the failure. The vehicle was driven to the residence and then towed to a dealer. The vehicle was diagnosed and determined that the radiator needed to be replaced. The contact had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic who determined that coolant was leaking into the cylinder head. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.

Filed Jul 12, 2022 · Engine, Transmission · WI

While driving the car randomly stalls. I lose power steering and braking. The car will not restart. This issue has been recorded by the dealer. The vehicle was last inspected on July 5th. I have been issued a Jeep Care case manager, case # 82963828. There are no warnings, while driving makes a left-hand turn the car just stalls!

Filed Jul 4, 2022 · Electrical, Engine · WI

While driving making a turn, shifting from 1st to 2nd gear, and vehicle stalls losing all power. I had a crank no-start scenario! The vehicle has been to the dealer multiple times and the issue can not be duplicated. The vehicle has been inspected multiple times and there are no known issues. No-fault codes are thrown. I was able to cost to a safe location, and wait. after 3-5 min the vehicle restarted.

Filed Jul 4, 2022 · Electrical, Engine · WI

While driving making a turn, shifting from 1st to 2nd gear, and vehicle stalls losing all power. I had a crank no-start scenario! The vehicle has been to the deal multiple times and the issue can not be duplicated. The vehicle has been inspected multiple times and there are no known issues. No-fault codes are thrown. I was able to cost to a safe location, and wait. after 3-5 min the vehicle restarted.

Filed Jul 4, 2022 · Engine, Fuel system · WI

While driving making a turn, shifting from 1st to 2nd gear, and vehicle stalls losing all power. The vehicle has been to the deal multiple times and the issue can not be duplicated. The vehicle has been inspected multiple times and there are no known issues. No-fault codes are thrown. I stalled in the middle of a busy intersection, with my children in the car. I had to push the vehicle to safety!

Filed Jul 4, 2022 · Electrical, Engine · WI

Starting out at a stop sign. engaging the clutch to start moving, while shifting into 2nd gear while turning the vehicle stalls. Losing all power steer and brakes. I try to re-start the car i get a crank no-start scenario. Wait 3-5 min, retry starting the vehicle starts.

Filed Jul 4, 2022 · Electrical, Engine · WI

Starting out at a stop light, engaging the clutch to start moving, I depressed the clutch to shift into second gear while making a turn, the vehicle stalls, losing all power.

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 May 28, 2022 · Engine, Fuel system · WI

While driving the car stalled. Loss of power steering and braking. I was able to coast to a safe location. I tried to restart, but Crank- No Start.

Filed May 2, 2022 · Electrical, Engine · WI

Random Stalling while driving, making a left-hand turn. While entering an intersection, the vehicle stalled losing all power. Was able to coast to a safe spot. Waited 15 min, the vehicle started. No check engine light.

Filed May 2, 2022 · Engine, Fuel system · WI

While crossing an intersection the vehicle stalled for no reason. No Codes were posted. Crank No Start, waited 10 min, and the vehicle started. Drove to the dealer to resolve. Dealer has no known reason for stalling while driving

Filed May 2, 2022 · Engine, Fuel system · WI

While driving making a left-hand turn, crossing an intersection the vehicle stalled. Lossing all power, no power stirring or breaks. When trying to re-start vehicle will not re-start.

Filed Feb 9, 2022 · Engine, Transmission · CT

Oil filter housing is cracked and leaking oil. Potential fire hazard, pooling of oil on engine block. Seems to be a widespread problem.

Filed Jun 11, 2021 · Engine · 90,000 miles · CT

The contact owns a 2012 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated that the engine would misfire while driving at various speeds. Due to the failure, the vehicle would independently go into limp mode with the traction control and check engine warning lights illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to several unknown dealers and the engine misfire was acknowledged however, the cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000. The VIN was not available.

Filed Apr 6, 2021 · Brakes, Engine · 101,000 miles · AZ

I recently purchased a 2012 jeep wrangler unlimited (VIN: [xxx]). Within 1 month of taking possession of the vehicle, the car began to stall intermittently while driving. Specifically, the engine shuts off and the power steering and breaks deactivate. To state the obvious, this is a very dangerous condition, particularly as our family has three children under the age of six. To date, larry miller jeep has been unable to diagnose the issue as no error codes appear. Looking online, this appears to be a known defect with jeeps of my model year (https://www.wranglerforum.com/threads/electrical-problem-shuts-off-while-driving.190041/) so I am surprised that jeep has not issued a recall related to this problem given the dire potential consequences. I have escalated this matter to your customer care group, but I want to make sure fca has situational awareness of this situation as well. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Mar 31, 2021 · Engine · 69,000 miles · FL

Oil cooler cracked and leaking antifreeze all over engine and under frame. Antifreeze in the oil. Only 69k miles on the vehicle. This is a really big problem with these oil coolers on jeeps and should be recalled. Cost to replace is very expensive!!

Filed Feb 27, 2021 · Engine · 73,000 miles · OK

Oil cooler broke and started leaking after the cold temperature in oklahoma on 2/14/21

Filed Feb 7, 2021 · Engine · 112,672 miles · NC

The oil cooler failing, leaking. I have just discovered that my oil cooler is leaking from a puddle on the ground and my lower engine full of oil. I got no warning light. If there had not been a noticable puddle I would have never noticed it. If not my motor would have locked up and would need to be replaced. I checked my oil level and no oil is on the dipstick. I have done research and found that this is a very big problem in the jeep community. I strongly feel that this should be recalled and repaired. If it was a here and there incident, it would b different. But it's a very big problem. In the photo look to the left of the oil filter housing. It's a puddle of oil. The price of oil is not cheap. Neither is the time consuming and cost of the repair. Please add this to the recalls for this vehicle.

Filed Dec 31, 2020 · Electrical, Engine · 56,000 miles · NC

Car completely dies when sitting idle. I believe the control module is faulty and I have heard many complaints from other dodge/chrysler/jeep customers about this same issue. My 15 month old son was in the car when this happened and it scared the heck out of me to be sitting at a major stoplight and the car completely die. I was scared for my safety and scared for my son's safety. I do not understand how this is not an open recall right now. When the jeep dies all of the relays start engaging and the dash lights blink on and off. I have had my battery, alternator, and started checked by a licensed mechanic. I do not have any other electrical issues either. Please create a recall for this so my family will be safe when I drive them around.

Filed Dec 30, 2020 · Engine · 112,000 miles · ME

Oil leaking from engine. Mechanic said could be dangerous as it was getting on the exhaust and could start a fire. Doing research on this website, found out it is a common problem with a plastic part on top of the engines used by jeep and chrysler. This should be recalled.

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 Oct 5, 2020 · Engine · 30,000 miles · TX

While driving engine looses power and vibrates excessively, engine light flashes during this process, after about 30 seconds light goes out and engine resumes normal operation. It has done this multiple times sometimes on startup sometimes stopped at a light and other while driving.

Filed Sep 27, 2020 · Engine · TX

The lifters (headers) have gone bad. Incredible ticking noise from the engine in drive and idle. As rpms increase the ticking is louder. The only way to fix is to replace the headers. I have read a multitude of complaints on the federal safety agency page regarding this and additional complaints all over jeep forums that this is a known issue with the 2012 engines ... Why is this not been recalled?

Filed Sep 18, 2020 · Electrical, Engine · 56,000 miles · NC

Jeep loses all power while driving. I have a 1 year old and this is very very dangerous. Ive had to stop and pull battery power terminal off multiple times to reset it. The jeep completely dies then all lights and switches start firing. Jeep will not restart. Debating selling it and getting something other than a jeep product. Battery is good and alternator is good. I had both checked by a mechanic. This has happened multiple times and I take great care of my jeep as well.

Filed Sep 12, 2020 · Electrical, Engine · 118,000 miles · CA

My jeep will randomly just shut off while idling in a parking lot or stopped at a ligh. If I turn the key it will start right back up. No check engine lights or codes. I have had it to a mechanic and they can't figure out what is wrong .

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