Jeep Wrangler battery drain problems

Filed Sep 16, 2026 · Electrical, Transmission · IL

I am submitting this complaint regarding a critical electrical issue and potential safety hazard that occurred immediately after the 68C safety recall software update was performed. Since the 68C recall completion, my vehicle has experienced significant overnight High Voltage (HV) battery drain, losing approximately 10% of its state of charge while parked and powered off. I have returned the vehicle to the dealership three times for diagnostic testing. On the most recent visit, the dealership, working with Jeep engineers, claimed that the radio system fails to sleep, causing a continuous power draw from the battery. However, the dealership and Jeep engineer attributed this failure to a dash cam plugged into the factory 12V auxiliary power outlet (cigarette lighter socket). I believe this diagnosis is technically flawed and incorrect: The factory 12V outlet is off when the vehicle is powered down, meaning no current is drawn by the accessory once parked. The dash cam has been in continuous use since I purchased the vehicle without any issues; this battery drain issue began exclusively after the 68C software update. Blaming standard user accessories for the infotainment system's failure to enter sleep is unacceptable and ignores a likely software bug introduced by the 68C update. If the vehicle's electrical control modules fail to power down properly overnight, it poses unpredictable electrical and thermal risks. I escalated this issue to an FCA Case Manager, who upheld the engineer's assessment without addressing the underlying software defect. FCA has failed to perform due diligence in resolving this issue.

Filed Aug 19, 2026 · Acceleration, Electrical · IL

When driving the vehicle down the highway it just randomly hard shifted out of know where almost causing us to be rear-ended. The dash then said service transmission continue in drive do not shift or turn engine off until you reach a desired location. You may not be able to shift again until services. It then limited power to the vehicle. It was show codes U1003, U0101, and U0402 multiple times. The vehicle was taking to a dealer where it was "parked" only it wouldn't go into park. We had to put the e-brake up holding it in place at the dealer so it wouldn't roll. Then when attempting to shut the vehicle off it only stopped the engine from running. It stayed in ACC mode all night until the dealer could mess with it the next day. The dealer is now saying it's just a dead battery. This is unsafe and could have ended very badly just for a dead battery that showed no signs of issues before hand. For a vehicle that on has approximately 57k miles and is 4 years old this is horrible.

Filed Jul 9, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · GA

The 12-volt auxiliary battery and related electrical system in my 2025 Jeep Wrangler 4XE plug-in hybrid (leased new 8/25/2025) repeatedly fail. The battery completely discharges after the vehicle sits plugged into a standard home charger, undisturbed, for several consecutive days, leaving the vehicle completely inoperable. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request and is currently at a dealership. Failures to date (5): 11/05/2025: found dead after charging; required jump start. No warning lamps or messages precede the discharge events; the vehicle is simply dead when approached. 01/26/2026: dead after charging; would not jump start; towed. Dealer replaced the 12V battery and performed recall 68C software. 04/27/2026: check engine light illuminated while driving and the vehicle became stuck in electric mode; it would not switch to hybrid, gas, or E-save despite attempts, and a restart did not resolve it; towed. Dealer could not reproduce the fault. 05/17/2026: dead after charging; towed. 12V battery replaced a second time (same part number) and media hub replaced; vehicle was dead again at dealer pickup. 06/13/2026: dead after charging (plugged in undisturbed 6/9 to 6/13); towed. Tow operator noted the rear tires dragged during loading. Dealer/manufacturer confirmation: dealers have observed and documented the dead-battery condition multiple times, including a vehicle dead at pickup, but no dealer has reproduced the underlying failure or confirmed a root cause across five repair visits and approximately 56 cumulative days out of service as of 7/6/2026. The manufacturer's customer care team is engaged; it suspects a parasitic electrical draw, and the dealer is awaiting specialized test equipment. No police or insurance inspection. Safety risk: inability to leave electric mode while driving with the check engine light active; repeated complete electrical failures stranding occupants; an undiagnosed electrical draw in a plug-in hybrid that charges overnigh

Filed Jul 7, 2026 · Electrical · GA

On 2/2/26 I took my vehicle to Thomson Motor Company to have the 68c recall repair completed. On 2/5/26 my car wouldn’t start and I was stranded. My vehicle was towed back to the same repair facility. On 2/6/26 they told me that my regular battery died and had to be replaced. After researching when the hybrid battery is re-coded/reprogrammed from the recall, it causes the regular battery to die due to and system overload to the regular battery. The dealer wouldn’t take responsibility or Jeep wouldn’t take responsibility. The dealer wanted to charge me $500 so I had the local Auto Zone replace the regular battery with a new battery for $238.00. I sent in a copy of the slip from the dealership to show what they had recommended and submitted a copy of the credit card receipt to Jeep and they are refusing to cover the replacement. I would not have had to replace the regular battery if the 68c recall didn’t cause my regular battery to die due to the overload. From my understanding they should have been replaced at the same time to keep this from happening. I want to be reimbursed for replacing the battery, for the cost of the tow and for the diagnostic at Thomson Motor Center.

Filed Apr 6, 2026 · Airbags · 260,992 miles · IL

THIS IS 2012 Jeep Wrangler its 14 years old and for 14 years the previous owner renewed the registration put insurance on it and it passed the emission tests despite the fact that it was recalled. Now the parts were in back order and they replaced my airbags but when the tow company went to the dealership to pick up my car the dealership wouldn’t release it This is absurd how does a 14 year old car go unnoticed that long. I had to stop driving the car for months because of this recall and the battery died you know a car can’t stay parked too long I took this recall seriously unlike Stellanis who murdered 29 people by refusing to flag these vin numbers to the DMV like the jeep I had and it’s sick how your agency has enabled this behavior truly sick

Filed Mar 6, 2026 · Electrical · VA

We took the car in for the death shake and were informed there was a recall on the Jeep (25V741000). The dealership performed the maintenance work. The 12V battery was also inspected and listed as good. Since the repair, the 12V battery has shorted multiple times and finally ceased running yesterday. It has been two weeks since the dealership recall repair. While the recall specifically impacted the HV battery, the 12V is interconnected and the liklihood of that battery being impacted is high. The safety impact is the car temporarily not being able to gain power after stopping at red lights and the battery draining when stopped or turned off. The check engine light appears every time.

Filed Nov 8, 2025 · Electrical · CA

The battery died multiple times and has been replaced costing multiple days without transportation. Battery caused additional part repair and has been recently repaired. This is the 5th time going into shop for recall/issues on my vehicle with only 10k miles on it. Now with the safety recall with no solution I do not feel confident that this vehicle is safe and reliable for my family and daily life.

Filed Sep 5, 2025 · Electrical · GA

The engine/power shut off while I was driving on the interstate (70mph). I had to use the remaining momentum to pull over to safety and get it towed to the dealer. It ended up the battery died, but I wasn’t notified in advance before this incident.

Filed Apr 11, 2025 · GA

Since purchasing my 2021 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, the vehicle’s radio system has been defective, creating a significant safety hazard. The original radio (Radio 1) had a short that drained the battery and was replaced by a dealer. The replacement radio (Radio 2) has never functioned properly: the Bluetooth system fails to stay paired, requiring manual re-pairing every time the vehicle is started. Multiple software updates have been attempted, but the issue persists unchanged. This defect prevents reliable hands-free phone operation, which is critical for safe driving. My wife uses this vehicle daily to transport our children to school, and the lack of a functional hands-free system forces her to either forgo phone use entirely or risk distracted driving, violating Georgia’s hands-free law (O.C.G.A. § 40-6-241), which prohibits holding a phone while driving. This malfunction endangers my family and other road users, as it compromises the driver’s ability to communicate safely in emergencies or navigate without distraction. Repair History: * Initial Defect: Radio 1 shorted and drained the battery; replaced with Radio 2 (date unknown, within first year of ownership). * Ongoing Issue: Radio 2’s Bluetooth has required re-pairing every drive since installation, despite multiple dealer visits and software updates. * Recent Action: Dropped off vehicle on April 11, 2025, at Rick Hendrick Duluth (mileage: 48,177). Dealer staff (Heather Kratky and Matt Otis) stated Jeep has not authorized a fix and considers the issue unresolvable, leaving the defect unaddressed. * Mopar Escalation: Escalated to Mopar. Safety Impact: The persistent Bluetooth failure eliminates hands-free capability, a standard safety feature in modern vehicles. This defect directly contributes to distracted driving risks, particularly in a family vehicle used for school transportation.

Filed Dec 6, 2024 · Electrical · CT

Jeep wrangler has 46k miles, 2 years, but battery died while car was running. Would not start once car engine shut down. I was stuck in the middle of a busy intersection and was out ant risk of an collision. Upon running diagnostics, battery is fully drained and alternator is not starting. Online forms suggest it could be the alternative battery, charging the start/stop function, that died and drained the charge from the main battery. Prior to the incident, there was a low voltage warning which got worse over 2 days, until ultimately it died completely.