2015 Jeep Wrangler: engine knocking or ticking

Filed Sep 13, 2026 · Airbags, Engine · AZ

I purchased this 2015 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon new and have maintained and serviced it regularly. At approximately 75,000–80,000 miles, the engine began developing a ticking noise from the passenger/right cylinder head area. The problem progressively worsened. At approximately 100,000 miles, repairs were performed involving the right-side cylinder head and camshaft because of camshaft/valvetrain wear and a persistent cylinder #2 misfire. The right-side cylinder head/camshaft area has required repair more than once. Rocker arms were also replaced, but the underlying problem continued. The vehicle now has approximately 150,000 miles. The engine recently shut down and developed a loud mechanical noise. Upon inspection, significant wear/damage was again found involving the right-side exhaust camshaft/valvetrain, and there are concerns involving the timing chain/tensioning system. A failure of these components while driving could cause sudden engine shutdown or loss of power, creating a safety risk. The vehicle has also developed electrical/safety-related problems. The airbag warning light is illuminated, and the steering-wheel controls and steering-wheel illumination are not functioning. The vehicle was involved in an accident in 2019; however, the engine ticking condition was already present before that accident, although it was less noticeable at that time. Despite previous repairs, the engine/valvetrain problem has returned. I am reporting this because the repeated camshaft/valvetrain failure, persistent cylinder #2 issue, possible timing-system problem, and associated risk of engine shutdown appear abnormal and potentially safety-related for a regularly maintained vehicle.

Filed Jul 12, 2026 · Engine · FL

Lifters ticking noise causing damage to cam shafts.

Filed Jun 29, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · VA

am the original owner of this 2015 Jeep Wrangler, which I purchased new. The vehicle has been properly maintained according to the manufacturer's recommended maintenance schedule. I have records documenting routine maintenance, including regular oil changes. At approximately 75,000 miles, I began hearing a persistent ticking noise from the engine. Because I was concerned that the noise could indicate a mechanical problem, I scheduled an inspection with an authorized Jeep dealership. The dealership diagnosed the vehicle with a failed rocker arm that caused damage to the exhaust camshaft. The dealership advised that the intake camshaft remained in good condition, indicating that the failure was isolated to the exhaust valvetrain at the time of diagnosis. This type of internal engine failure at approximately 80,000 miles was unexpected for a properly maintained vehicle. My concern is that if this condition is not diagnosed promptly, continued operation could result in further engine damage, loss of engine performance, engine misfire, or potential engine failure while the vehicle is being driven, creating a potential safety hazard. While researching this issue after receiving the diagnosis, I found numerous reports from other owners of vehicles equipped with the 3.6L Pentastar engine describing similar rocker arm and camshaft failures across Jeep owner forums, Reddit, Facebook owner groups, and YouTube. Although I understand there has not been a recall for this condition on my vehicle, I believe the number of similar owner reports suggests the issue may warrant further review. I am submitting this complaint so that the federal safety agency is aware of the issue and can evaluate whether similar failures are occurring with sufficient frequency to justify additional investigation.

Filed Mar 29, 2025 · Engine · CA

Ticking noise in engine from lifters and faulty pin. Potential failure for cams.

Filed Jan 17, 2024 · Engine · VA

At 134,000 miles the engine developed a loud ticking. My garage reported that rocker arms, cam shafts and heads needed rrplacement. They recommended that Jeep dealer should be performing the work so that I might have a parts warranty. The dealer reported back that the work would be extensive and recommended engine replacement with a $13,000 estimate.

Filed Jun 7, 2022 · Engine · RI

There’s a ticking sound coming from my engine and it’s misfiring in cylinder 5 and the check engine light is on. My concern is it’s the rocker arm

Filed Oct 21, 2021 · Engine · CA

I have 2015 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon 1000,15 miles on and it has the ticking noise. I took it to my independent mechanic shop. The independent mechanic diagnosed the issue and said that the tick is coming from the passenger side of the Engine .I chatted with FCA to see if they can provide any assistance on this issue they denied even if the vehicle its out of warranty therefore is has to be cover out of my pocket cost.

Filed May 4, 2021 · Engine · 40,867 miles · CA

Apologies if this complaint is a repeat, but I keep getting a submission error notice whenever I try to submit this form. The jeep 4.0 liter six cylinder engine has a known defect with respect to the rocker arm bearings that causes a loud ticking noise in the engine and failure of the exhaust and intake camshafts. This happened to our 2015 jeep in january 2020 when it had only 31,000 miles but was one month out of warranty. Chrysler did fix it at that time as a courtesy subject to a $100 fee, and a copy of the invoice for that repair is provided. Unfortunately, a little over one year later, and with less than 10,000 miles having been driven since the initial repair, the same problem has reappeared. The dealer is now claiming the problem is with the remaining rockers that were not replaced, as it is chrysler's policy to only replace the rocker arms and camshafts that are damaged at that time. The service manager at the dealer says that they "see this all the time" and that they try to get all the rocker arms replaced when doing any repairs, but chrysler does not allow them to do so. Of course, chrysler is now refusing to cover the repairs, even though this is a known problem and should have been fixed the first time. This is totally unacceptable, and chrysler should be forced to do a full recall of all affected engines and pay for all required repairs. There are thousands of complaints about this problem online, yet chrysler still refuses to correct this problem.

Filed Mar 24, 2021 · Engine · 70,335 miles · MD

Noticed significant knocking noise coming from engine that continued to get louder. Took to dealer for a nice 2 thousand dollar fix. Dealer replaced right side lifters, rocker arms, and both cam shafts. This sounds way too much like the 2011-2013 issue that jeep "fixed" and was under warranty for those it sounds like. Very coincidental and I am not the only one with these issues based on jeep forums

Filed Jan 3, 2021 · Engine · 75,000 miles · MA

I get frequent oil changes and I noticed that the last two oil changes it started making this ticking noise. I brought it to my mechanic and he told me that after the next few oil changes it should go away. Than my other mechanic that heard this ticking noise said that it was serious and this has something to do with an engine part callled a lifter. I nervous when he told me that if it's not fixed the engine could seize. I just bought this jeep from a dealer not knowing this was a common problem among wranglers. I did my research and came to the conclusion that it has nothing to do with the mileage but more so on how the engine was built. I spoke to number of dealerships and they fix this common problem on all ages and mileage wranglers. The estimated cost of repair would range from $2000 and up. I don't think we as consumers of this product should be repairing an engine problem from chrysler. I don't have any pictures yet til the dealership opens up the engine

Filed Nov 1, 2020 · Engine · 50,727 miles · NY

Arm rockers in the injun constantly have to be replaced. Giving the injun a knocking song.

Filed May 28, 2020 · Electrical, Engine · MS

First owner of vehicle. Issues began with engine light appearing/blinking & vehicle struggling to run within 15k miles. Dealership diagnosed as cylinder misfire & repaired. Has occurred multiple times over life of ownership- always diagnoses as misfires. At apx 75k miles, upon cranking & during operation, heater became inconsistent in operation & this is still an issue. At apx 80k miles, upon cranking & during operation, ticking noise from front passenger side began. Faint at first & became increasingly louder within several days. Out of warranty. Solid check engine light began to appear off/on, remaining on for 24-48hrs then off 24-48hrs. Air conditioner conditioner has about a 15 sec delay before it turns on at every crank & power light for A/C slowly blinks until after the delayed start. Mechanic found 2 rocker heads damaged & they were replaced. Light not on at repair & code could not be pulled. Within 2 days of repair, a faint ticking noise became present on drivers side. Has been a week & ticking is now extremely loud. I am one of many with parallel issues & request this be addressed as my year & VIN do not fall in to the approved extended warranty to cover these very same issues.