2019 Jeep Wrangler: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed Oct 15, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · MI · fire

On [XXX], my 2019 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon (2.0L turbo) caught fire in the engine compartment while driving, at approximately 101,437 miles. The fire started near the turbocharger and heat shield area. There were no injuries, but the vehicle was moving on a public road with four occupants, including two young children in car seats in the rear, when the fire started. The vehicle had been returned to me four days earlier, after approximately 2.5 months at Preferred Chrysler Dodge Jeep of Muskegon, MI for a timing chain replacement. After the fire, I found that the coolant reservoir hose had come off its fitting, and the hose barb appears to have been broken and the hose pushed back on. Several under-hood trim fasteners were also missing. My best assessment is that coolant sprayed onto the hot turbo/exhaust components and ignited. The vehicle has not been altered since the fire and is available for inspection at Watson's in Ludington, MI. I reported the fire to the manufacturer. They directed me to take it to the local dealer, then instructed the dealer not to inspect or work on it. The case was escalated internally, but as of 10/15/2026 no manufacturer inspection has occurred and no one has contacted me. The cause has not been confirmed by a dealer or independent shop. The fire occurred within the vehicle's Certified Pre-Owned warranty period. As of this filing, the manufacturer has not provided towing, rental, or any other assistance. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Jun 17, 2026 · Engine · 65,000 miles · FL · fire

The contact owns a 2019 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the Check Engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to O'Reily's, where a portable diagnostic machine was used; however, no fault codes were retrieved. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was an old warning light. In addition, the contact was informed that the vehicle could be driven. The contact stated that while driving to the residence, the check engine warning light turned off. The failure reoccurred, and the engine seized. The contact stated that the vehicle rolled near the shoulder of the road. The contact became aware of smoke coming from the engine compartment. The contact stated that a good Samaritan stopped and assisted the contact. The contact and a good Samaritan became aware of fire coming from the engine compartment near the battery. The good Samaritan attempted to extinguish the fire with a sweatshirt, then used a jug of water from inside the vehicle. No injuries were sustained. The vehicle was towed to the local tow yard. The Carvana dealer where the vehicle was purchased was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was then towed to a repair shop assigned by Carvana. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.

Filed Apr 19, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · MS · fire

I was driving my 2019 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sahara 2.0T/AT to the gym with my spouse. No Check Engine Light, Jeep Temps were perfect. All gauges operated as it should, so there was no sign of trouble. The vehicle was OFF. We parked and walked into the gym and then into the 1 set of exercises, Someone yelled in the gym that someone's truck was on fire. We ran outside and Lo and Behold it was our Jeep. The Engine Compartment Was totally Destroyed. Please Look At the Pictures for Reference.

Filed Jul 8, 2025 · Electrical, Transmission · NY

I have had the recall completed but now my car to give a “service transmission “ message and that there is a problem with my clutch getting hot. There is no burning smells. are no issues such as rough gear changes or engine issues. It states the clutch is overheating and I’ve barely left the driveway. And this is after sitting still overnight Didn’t the recall fix this issue? It’s terrifying as it comes up stating that the transmission needs to be service then all information as to what gear you are in disappears while you are driving. This isn’t a recall fix it’s a nightmare. It wasn’t having a problem before but now it warning messages act like it’s going to burn up. There is NO burning smells no rough gear changes. Afraid to drive it.

Filed Mar 2, 2025 · Transmission · TX · fire

Driving on interstate 35 south in fifth gear. There was a loud BANG! and then we lost power. Barely made it off a tight overpass and we saw the smoke. The car was quickly on fires we got out as it started to engulf the jeep with flames. It was a total and complete loss - and very dangerous.

Filed Nov 27, 2024 · Fuel system · UT

We were exploring some remote mountain roads on Saturday 11/23/2024. The Jeep was running fine and nothing abnormal was observed. We stopped for lunch at an area with a nice view. We made sandwiches and took our time eating. After packing up, we jumped back into the Jeep to continue our journey. I started the Jeep and we immediately smelled fuel. I turned the Jeep off to investigate and found a large amount of fuel on the ground under the rear area of the engine. I had my wife start the Jeep again briefly to see where the gas was coming from. As soon as she started it, an ALARMING volume of fuel began to spray all over the exhaust and turbo. The high pressure fuel line from the gas tank to the high pressure fuel pump on the rear of the motor had ruptured and was dangerously spraying an enormous amount of fuel all over the rear driver side area of the engine bay. We were lucky in that we had stopped for lunch and the exhaust had cooled down and did not ignite the gas. We were unlucky because we were stranded in the backcountry with a vehicle that was inoperable. Fortunately, we were able to get the Jeep off of the mountain and back onto the trailer 5 hours after the incident and before dark. Had the timing of the failed fuel line been different, I could have been driving down the road or highway with a hot exhaust and the Jeep would have ignited and caught fire very quickly. What is even scarier to me is that I take my two toddlers to day care every day in this Jeep. Had a vehicle fire ignited with the amount of fuel that was spraying (and would have continued to spray if the Jeep was left on) would have engulfed the Jeep very quickly. Who knows if I would have been able to get both kids out of their car seats in time to save them. This is very dangerous! I know there have been many Jeep JLs that have caught fire. I have an example of the failure that is likely causing these fires! The part is available for inspection.

Filed Jan 11, 2024 · Transmission · TX

A safety Recall of the Clutch assembly was put out in February of 2023. No dealerships in a 50mile radius of my location had the parts available to perform the necessary corrective repair and vehicle update at that time. I was told I would be notified of parts availability. It is already 2024 and 11 months later and my vehicle is still at risk of catching on fire and there is still no available parts for performing the repair.

Filed Oct 26, 2023 · Transmission · MA

Clutch failed for the 3rd time, there is another open recall for the clutch that states the pressure plate can fracture and damage the clutch. in 4 years the vehicle has had 3 clutches replaced, 2 of the 3 i was made to pay for and Jeep is refusing to reimburse. While driving 70 on a highway, there was a burning smell that started, when pulling over, there was a loud bang and the vehicle began to shake. Pulled over, had son in car, we both got out because of the smell of smoke and fear the vehicle was on fire. Previous recalls updated software to give a warning when the clutch was hot. There where NO warning lights that went off as stated for a hot clutch. The clutch pressure plate had fractured and pieces were projected out of the clutch and blew a hole in the transmission. The damage required a new clutch assembly and a new transmission. Jeep refused to pay for the damaged clutch, it was $3600, but replaced the transmission. There have now been 7 recalls in 4 years. There have been 3 new clutches in the vehicle, each time the Jeep was in for repairs for 3 to 4 weeks at a time. Sometimes parts took over a week to be delivered. Dealerships never have courtesy vehicles and i have had to make due myself each time, over a month once. It has cost me over $7000 and there is no fix in site, estimated for early to mid 2024.

Filed Jul 5, 2023 · Engine · MD · fire · 1 injury

Engine caught on fire

Filed Mar 13, 2023 · Transmission · UT · fire

Clutch blew two holes through my transmission. I was driving home from skiing. Early that morning an error code came on stating my clutch was getting too hot. I was in stop and go traffic for like 15 min when it happened. I mostly kept my car in neutral and only used the clutch when I needed to move forward more than my car could roll on its own. Driving home from the mountain I was on the freeway when an emblem turned on with a Sterling wheel and and exclamation point. Right soon after that as I was getting off the freeway I downshifted to 3rd gear and my car shot up to 5 rpm’s so I shifted to 4th gear and my car shot up to 5 rpm’s so I shifted to 5th gear and my car shot up to 5 rpm’s so I shifted to 6th gear and my car shot up to 5 rpm’s and then I head a loud explosion and my car and I hurried and pulled over. I had two other cars pull over because they saw my car of fire. They yelled at me to get out of my car and then quickly checked everything and found the fire had put itself out. I had my 6 year old nephew in the car and I was worried about his safety if the car was on fire but also the safety of having his outside of the car on a major highway. We determined the car wasn’t at a full engulfed in flames risk so I kept him in the car. I then towed my car to the dealership who misdiagnosed it so I towed it to a clutch shop when showed me there were actually two holes through my transmission. My warranty wouldn’t cover it and the recall refused it because they had “don’t the recall” aka looked at it and did a software update and said that’s all the were required to do. I ended up finding a used transmission and was able to get that installed as well as a clutch. I was out of a car for 6 weeks and the emotional stress of being jerked around and not being helped when it’s clear with the recalls this is a huge issue that is getting ignored. The GM of the dealership is now involved and trying to help me get this solved.

Filed Sep 20, 2021 · Electrical, Engine · FL · fire

2 Batteries were replaced in my 2019 Jeep Wrangler on 9/10 at Arrigo DCJF in West a palm Beach Florida. A battery sensor Was ordered for future service. Drive Jeep to Atlanta area on 9/15. On 9/17 check engine light came on. Set appointment with Palmer Jeep in Alpharetta Ga. 1/2 block from arriving a dealership my Jeep caught FIRE and engine compartment was fully engulfed in minutes. Jeep was towed to Palmer.

Filed Mar 11, 2019 · Transmission · 1,000 miles · MD · fire

While driving to work had problems with engine revving trying to shift there was a loud bang, pulled off the road, started seeing smoke come from the vehicle then was engulfed in flames and burned completely up. There is a complaint with fca case number 58132542 the vehicle was traveling at 40 MPH on 295 parkway when the problem started. I did not take any pictures there is a police report if needed. The vehicle had only been in my position sense 26 jan 2019 with only 1000 miles on it when it had a catastrophic failure that resulted jeep totally burning up. *dt