2020 Jeep Wrangler: engine failure

Filed Mar 27, 2026 · Engine · GA

While driving on hwy at high rate of speed while in moderate to heavy traffic- the engine failed, locked up and stalled in the fast lane- thermostat overheated without warning or lights- engine lost compression- should be recall as this is prevalent in this model engine- 2020 jeep wrangler sahara unlimited 4 cyl 2.0 turbo

Filed Nov 11, 2025 · Engine · GA

TSB 07–0 01–22REVB on August 2022 upgraded to ZD8 December 2022 official open recall on January 2023. Both bolts fell off the water inlet engine overheated without antifreeze or water steering locked and entire engine needs to be replaced. Jeep wrangler 2.0T VIN number was not on the recall list. Please explain why not and what we can do about getting this covered.

Filed Aug 16, 2025 · Engine · CA

The engine in my 2020 Jeep Wrangler Sahara suddenly failed and was diagnosed by the dealership as a complete internal failure involving the lifters and camshaft. The dealership explained that this type of failure can spread metal fragments throughout the oil system, requiring a full engine replacement. This creates a serious safety hazard, as the engine can shut down unexpectedly while driving, putting both the driver and others at risk. The issue has been confirmed by the dealership’s technician and shop foreman, and the vehicle has been at the dealer for over a month awaiting a replacement engine, which is currently on national backorder. There were no prior warning lights or error messages before the failure. The failure occurred without warning, and the vehicle is not drivable. This problem appears to be affecting multiple Jeep Wrangler owners and may represent a systemic defect that should that should be investigated!

Filed Apr 25, 2025 · Driver assistance, Engine · 124,000 miles · IL

The contact owns a 2020 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH and decelerating while approaching a stop light, there was misfire coming from the engine, and the traction control activated, causing the brakes to become inoperable. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The “Service START/STOP System” message was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined there were metal shavings in the oil. The dealer recommended an engine replacement. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and confirmed there was no warranty or recall coverage on the vehicle. The failure mileage was approximately 124,000.

Filed Feb 16, 2024 · Engine, Fuel system · MI

An internal defect in the 2014-2020 Jeep Wranglers with the 3.6L Pentastar V6 engine affects its rocker arms, lifters, and related valvetrain components, including the engine control module (ECM) software that controls the precise timing and function of the lifters. Specifically, the rollers of a Pentastar engine’s rocker arms prematurely wear down, become loose, and then drop, which shifts the rocker arm out of alignment. The rocker arms then come into contact with the cam, scraping both components and creating metal debris. This Pentastar V6 engine defect creates an audible ticking sound that stems from metal particles and debris from the failed rocker arms and other components, contaminating the engine oil and circulating throughout the engine. This defect also causes engine misfires, resulting in bucking and surging, decreased engine performance, hesitation, loss of power, premature wear on internal components, and eventually catastrophic engine failure. The check engine light came on in my 2020 Jeep Wrangler with 69,000 miles. After having it read by a dealer, it showed the P219A code, Bank 1 air/fuel imbalance. The dealership told me that if the Jeep was running fine, I did not have to worry about it, as it was likely an O2 sensor. The code was cleared, and the P219A code returned the following day. It was driven approximately 500 miles before noticing that it began idling roughly and had an engine tick, which the dealership confirmed to be a valvetrain issue. The rocker arms, lifters, valves, and camshaft components of the Pentastar V6 engine in my 2020 Jeep Wrangler with 70,000 miles have failed. Three Jeep dealerships in my area and MANY online forums stated that this is a common occurrence with this engine, which has escalated my concern about this problem.

Filed Sep 11, 2020 · Brakes, Electrical · 800 miles · NY

Vehicle intermittently does not turn back on after engine shuts off during normal electronic start system operation. Engine shuts off when nearly and at a stop. When releasing the brake pedal, the engine does not turn back on. There have been three occurrences as follows: occurrence 1 6/27/2020: exiting the thruway and nearly at a complete stop at a light at exit when the engine shut off due to ess system. Upon releasing the brake to begin driving, the engine failed to turn on. Operator was pushing gas pedal to go, the engine remained off. Remedy was to tap the brake again in which the engine turned on and was able to move. Occurrence 2 7/13/2020: came to a stop in traffic on a street. Engine shut off due to ess system as designed. Upon releasing the brake, the engine did not restart. Operator pushing gas pedal multiple times and engine still did not turn back on, sitting 'dead' in the middle of traffic. Attempting to push the push start button did not turn vehicle back on. Remedy again was to push brake pedal again and engine turned on. Occurrence 3 august 2,2020: operator in traffic, came to a complete stop. Released brake pedal to begin moving. Engine did not turn back on, and shifter 'd' symbol began flashing. Tapping brake pedal would not restart vehicle. Dashboard stated 'shift to p to park', to place vehicle in park position. Placed vehicle into park, had to restart engine by pushing start button. Engine turned on and was able to move. I have a video showing the third occurrence, however this submission only allows picture format so took snapshots of code. Sent video to fca, have multiple recorded visits to dealer to find issue, no root cause determined at this point. Requested refund/replacement.

Filed Sep 5, 2020 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 589 miles · WA

On 8/3/2020 with 300 miles battery is dead. On 8/13/2020 took to dealership and found nothing. 8/13 engine died at a signal and radio shuts down. Jeep is fine for 9 days without engine light on. 8/24 engine light returns on. 8/25 engine dies at a signal,and the radio shuts down. While on the freeway, battery lights, ABS, and traction/stabilizer lights come on. The power steering goes out, and was hard to steer. The heater comes on via defrost vents blasting hot air and unable to turn off. Power acceleration goes out. Very scarey and dangerous. All lights are flashing on dash panel and the car is dies. Jeep towed to dealership. On 8/27 the technician tried to charge batteries for one and half hours on 1st attempt with no success. Technician said battery severely discharged and they could not retrieve information. On 8/31 after hours on a charge on the 2nd attempt, the batteries charge and technician cleared all codes technician drove it a couple of days (mileage is now 670) and because no codes returned "on", says the jeep is fixed. On 9/3 we pick up the jeep. The next day 9/4 new panel lights come on for the parksense system. The dash panel says to wipe clean. They are clean. The turn on/off button light continues to blink. Opened a case # 77098337 with jeep care on 8/31 and have had no help and sent detailed documention and videos of the problems. The cause is definitely electrical with the batteries not being able to hold a charge. We are in fear of driving this jeep and being stranded somewhere remote and have what happened to us happen again ending in an injury accident or death because of the loss of power to steering and acceleration. Extremely dangerous. We thought the jeep was going to catch fire because of the heat coming out of the vents. Please help! I have videos but cannot upload here so took screenshots from the videos.