2016 JEEP WRANGLER Engine Problems

While driving my vehicle on Monday, February 16, 2026 I heard a loud pop come from the front of the vehicle. Right after that smoke began to come through the hood vents. I stopped the vehicle to inspect and at that point the engine compartment was burning heavily. I could barely get out of the vehicle and away before the whole front end of the vehicle was engulfed with fire and heavy black smoke. It looked as if the fire started somewhere on the righthand side of the engine compartment because the right front tire was the first to blow out in the fire. The vehicle is with the insurance company to inspect, but it was in perfect running condition, all maintenance performed. There were no dash warning lights that came on, no odd sounds heard and the vehicle ran until I stopped and shut it office. There has to...

Head gasket failure, causing motor to overheat.

Unsafe Vehicle, Unresolved Mechanical Failures – Serious Safety Concern On [XXX], I purchased a Jeep (VIN: [XXX] ) from Whipple Auto Sales. Since the purchase, the vehicle has experienced repeated mechanical failures that have created serious safety concerns. Approximately two weeks after purchase, the dealership replaced a fuel injector due to performance issues. About one month later, the vehicle began showing sensor codes and experienced sudden power loss while driving. On [XXX] the vehicle completely shut off while I was traveling on the highway, placing my safety at significant risk. The dealership initially stated that the key required reprogramming. However, after keeping the vehicle for approximately one month, they were still unable to repair the issue. The dealership later claimed the problem was related to the powertrain. Without resolving the issue or providing proper notice, they returned the vehicle to my residence in worse condition than when it was left...

My 2016 jeep wrangler jk will just stop running all power is lost, it's happened on the freeway as well as around town multiple times.. I get no codes. Once I can pull off the hiway it has always started back up after removing key and placing key back in ignition it starts again.. but it's has happened several times.. my wife and kids a to afraid to drive for fear it will happen again.

Oil cooler/filter housing leaking oil and coolant.

Oil Cooler leaking after multiple replacements causing engine stall while driving and lots of burning and smoke potentially leading to fire.

My vehicle would not start, leaving me in the freezing cold after a 10 hour shift at work. After having the vehicle towed to a service center & a week of inspection, I was notified that the engine had siezed up & needed replaced. The engine oil, front & rear differential, & transfer case fluids had just been changed a week prior. There was no engine warning light prior to this event.

I recently had my oil changed about 3 weeks ago from today. Three (3) days ago, while I was driving, my engine lamp came on and my engine began to run hot. I didn't understand why given that I had just got the oil changed. I pulled to the side of the road and turned the car off to allow it to cool down. It would not crank and I had to have it towed to the auto shop to be serviced which is where they told me that the engine needed replacement.

Driver had 50,000 miles maintenance service scheduled when the engine light went on a week prior to the service date. Therefore she asked the mechanic to do a diagnostic check on engine and mechanic at the Jeep dealership reported list of problems which solutions found which include: Replace Thermostat and holding Replace Vacuum Pump Replacing U-Joint Replacing All Ball Joints Replacing Front Axle Seals Replacing Both Shocks Replacing Engine Oil cooler Driver has been working from home for 6 years and the wrangler is driven on weekends and never done off roading. Jeep was purchased new in 2016.

The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated that there was an unknown liquid leaking underneath the front of the engine compartment. There was no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic who diagnosed that the oil filter housing assembly had fractured and needed to be replaced. The oil filter housing had been replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that there were no recalls on the VIN for the failure. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was 73,000.

Vehicle cel for misfire. Replace plugs and coils. Still happens. Dealership says it needs a new engine? My research shows that this is an extremely common problem with Jeep engines. I am aware of a class action suit regarding this issue. I’m not sure of the status. Vehicle has just under 129k miles and is therefore out of warranty. Jeep/FCA knew these engines had problems and continued to sell them without disclosing the highly likely problems ownere would encounter.

On multiple occasions, while operating my vehicle on the freeway, I have encountered a highly alarming problem. The engine of my car has unexpectedly shut off, resulting in a sudden loss of power and control. This has happened when driving between 45-75mph. This has placed me and other road users in extremely dangerous situations, as it has occurred at high speeds where maneuvering and reacting swiftly are essential. I have taken immediate action to have the issue investigated and resolved by authorized service centers. However, despite their efforts, the problem persists, leaving me deeply concerned about the reliability and safety of my vehicle. This recurring issue indicates a potential flaw in the design or manufacturing of the engine or related components.

ENGINE OIL COOLER WENT OUT AND MY MECHANIC WANTS $1100 TO REPAIR!! SAYS THEY ALL GO BAD EVENTUALLY START LEAKING OIL VERY BADLY!!!!!

Started getting a loud ticking sound on driver side of engine . Took it to an auto mechanic he said it my left side head rocker arms making the noise. He also said Chrysler 3.6l Pentastar engine are known for this problem.

The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer but there was no failure found however, the dealer performed an oil change. The vehicle continued to experience the failure with the abnormal sound being more pronounced. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the cylinders needed to be adjusted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 93,000.

By way of introduction, I am a seventy-five year old retired Arizona Highway Patrol officer, having left that service in 1992. In October 2016, I purchased new, a Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon from York Chrysler in Prescott, Arizona, VIN: [XXX]. Sometime after the purchase, the vehicle began to have a disturbing, recurring problem. While in normal operation, the engine will stop. It is as if the ignition has been turned off. The drill I have developed is, while the Jeep is coasting, to shift to Neutral, re-start the engine, shift to Drive, and proceed. Sometimes, the Check Engine Light activates, and sometimes, although less frequently, this is accompanied with the Electrical Stability Control (ESC) Off indicator light. The first time I documented the phenomenon with a visit to the dealership was 17 May 2023. However, I believe that the problem had happened several times prior to that date. Since then,...

As I drive, the car loses the ability to accelerate. It then passively stalls and the automatic steering locks up. All electrical inside the car still stays on. I put the car in park and it restarts on the first key turn. It has happened up to 3 times in a trip, but it is inconsistent when it happens (not necessarily every trip and not at specific speeds (it happeneded going 70 on the highway as well as going 25 in a neighborhood)). When I brought it to the dealership. I was told unless they could make it happen, they couldn't fix it. They also said even if they could make it happen, they couldn't be sure what it was. The onboard computer that sends error codes indicated different things that have been replaced (computer parts, sensors) and nothing has worked.

Internal manual transmission problem. Cannot put jeep in 3rd gear. Burning smell

75,000 MILES, ENGINE TICKING ON COLD START, ENGINE LIGHT FOR CYL 2 MISFIRE, ENGINE CHUGS AND HAS LOW ACCELERATION. DEALER REPLACED ROCKER ARM UNDER OWNER'S EXTENDED WARRANTY. DID NOT FIX PROBLEM AND NOW ARE DISASSEMBLING ENGINE. READ MANY OTHER CUSTOMERS WITH SAME PROBLEM, CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT IN PROGRESS. MANUFACTURER KNOWS ABOUT PROBLEM BUT WILL NOT TELL OWNERS.

Engine has failed. Had it inspected by two mechanics and they said the same thing, there are broken internal components possibly due to defective components.

Oil cooler housing cracked and leaking oil over entire engine which could cause a fire. Dealership has confirmed the part is damaged. No warning lamps or messages were triggered. Others have experienced the same problem with multiple replacements. Vehicle has been at the dealership now since 2/1/2023 waiting for Chrysler / Mopar Warranty to give the authorization to repair.

While driving my Jeep Wrangler on the highway going speeds of >60 mph for longer than 20 minutes the vehicles check engine and traction control light illuminate and I lose passing capability in the Jeep. Once the vehicle is turned off and on 3 times the system seems to reset itself. Because of this the only way the dealership can read the codes is if the lights are illuminated. I have taken the Jeep to 2 different Jeep dealerships while the lights were on and both have claimed that the "system needed to be reset". Once they do that the Jeep seems to run fine and the lights are gone. However, it is still happening whenever my speed goes 60 mph or more for a short period of time. Due to this problem I am not comfortable but sometimes must take my Jeep on the highway and without fail the...

The camshaft and lifters failed with no check engine light. Upon inspection the left bank cams and lifters were in need of replacement and a pinhole was found in the radiator.

Oil Housing Unit crack. Just bought vehicle used. Weather dropped to 28 degrees and oil housing unit cracked. All oil poured out of vehicle and would not hold any oil when more was added. Took vehicle to Jeep dealer and they confirmed that the PLASTIC piece that was the original part cracked and that this is a very common problem for 2014-2017 Jeeps due to the part being plastic. Part is not covered under any warranty and will cost $1200 to repair. I'm told that the replacement parts have been updated and are no longer made of plastic due to the high instance of problems. All research shows that this was to be a recall but that it has not been made official. This is a huge safety concern as the oil completely drained from the vehicle upon crack. Had I not been in my own driveway and driving down...

Parked vehicle outside corner of home at 9:00 pm. Awoken by loud popping and hissing sounds at 4:45AM. Looked outside to notice a bright orange hue by vehicle. Realizing the car was on fire, we called 911 and proceeded to use garden hose to water down both the vehicle and the home that the car was next to, in order to try to prevent the house from also catching fire. Vehicle was not moved nor accessed during those 7 overnight hours. It was locked and we were all asleep. There were two other vehicles parked next to and behind the vehicle that caught fire - those two other vehicles sustained no damage to them. The house sustained some minimal siding warping from the heat of the fire. Fire chiefs reviewing the damage in person as well as viewing photos have stated that it appears to be battery or fuse box...

P0302 code popped up all four rocker arms on left cylinder need to be replaced. Jeep had normal oil change 50k miles

I had an error message for the thermostat last week had that replaced. Now there is a puddle of oil coming from the oil coolant assembly. Replaced the thermostat awaiting mechanic for the oil coolant issue now.

Cold start, engage reverse and the engine idles really low and sometimes stalls. If I move the shifter to neutral the engine revs back up and does not stall. Rolling down the driveway and then engage reverse the problem does not occur. The issue has been getting worse whether its in the dead of winter or summer.

The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated that upon the approach of a stop sign with his foot on the brake pedal, the engine had begun to rev without warning. With the brake pedal depressed to the floorboard, the vehicle continued to lurch forward as the contact clipped the vehicle in front of him. As the engine continued to rev, the contact immediately shut off the ignition. A police report was not filed and no injuries were reported. Both the contact and the other driver were able to drive away from the scene. The dealer was notified and an appointment was made for a diagnostic. The contact called the manufacturer and was informed that he would receive a callback, the contact had yet to hear back from the manufacturer. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 71,000.

The oil cooler housing exploded in my 2016 Jeep Wrangler. I put my car into reverse- I backed up and tried to put the car into drive. The car would not shift out of neutral for several minutes- 2 quarts of oil spilled onto the ground. My car eventually made its way to drive and has been steadily leaking oil since.

I have a Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon 2016 that suddenly lost power in fast moving traffic with intermittent miss fire and blinking check engine light along with smoke and smell of burning oil. Looking into the engine from the top a large , deep pool of oil was sitting in the middle of the engine and working its way on to hot components of engine and exhausts and smoking. This could have easily become fire hazard in high temperature desert environment where running temperatures and hot exhaust pipes could start a fire. The engine miss fire and sudden loss of power was checked to be failing ignition coils and plugs that are supposed to be warrantied to 100K miles. The Pentastar V6 3.6 oil cooler was leaking badly and its effect could have been disasterous for the engine and car safety. The Oil Cooler faulty plastic design on this engine...

2016 JEEP WRANGLER UNLIMITED SPORT. Vehicle has 41,500 miles. 3.6 Liter Pentastar V6. Gushing oil from oil cooler on to the exhaust and smoking to the point of catching fire. Known issue from what I am reading online. I guess Chrysler is waiting for one of us Jeep owners to die in a car fire!! $1200 to replace.....UNACCEPTABLE that a recall has not been forced on Chrysler!!!!

Oil filter housing/Oil cooler cracked. Dealership says its a common problem on 2014+ jeeps with 3.6 liter engine yet Jeep hasn't issued a recall. Dealer stated that this seems to happen around 50,000 miles on vehicle. No warning lights came on, noticed smoke coming from under hood when driving from oil falling onto exhaust. When pulled over large amount of oil was coming out from underside of Jeep. This happened with 43k miles on the vehicle which is right around where the dealer said they were seeing a large amount of failures for this part.

ON THURSDSY 5/13/2021 AT APPROXIMATELY 5:15-5:20PM, I WAS DROPPING MY DAUGHTER OFF TO WORK AND I GOT BACK ON THE ROAD THEN THROUGH THE U-TURN TO GET BACK ON THE OTHER SIDE. I PROCEEDED TO ENTER THE ROADWAY INITIALLY ABOUT 10MPH AND ALL OF A SUDDEN, THE JEEP ACCELERATED TO ALMOST 80 MPH AND I SMASHED THE BRAKED AND IT WOULD NOT STOP AT ALL. THE RPM'S WERE STEADY GOING UP. I PULLED UP THE EMERGENCY BRAKE RIGHT BEFORE I ALMOST REAR ENDED THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME AT THE LIGHT GETTING READY 6O GO THROUGH THE INTERSECTION. I WAS ON THE BRAKE AT THE SAME TIME. ONCE THE CAR FINALLY CAME TO A STOP, THE ENGINE WAS STILL REVED UP. I PUT IN PARK AND TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF WITH THE IGNITION. I THEN RESTARTED AND WAS SCARED THE REST OF THE WAY HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS IN...

ENGINE OIL COOLER ASSEMBLY LEAKING AT BACK OF ENGINE. OIL LEAKING DOWN BACK OF ENGINE AND BELL HOUSING CREATING A POSSIBLE FIRE. VERY HOT SMELL AND SMOKING FROM ENGINE BAY

THE OIL FILTER CANISTER/OIL COOLER IS CRACKED AND IS LEAKING OIL. THIS IS AN ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARD. WE HAVE TAKEN IT TO OUR MECHANIC AND SPOKE WITH THE DEALERSHIP THAT IT WAS BOUGHT FROM AND HAVE BEEN TOLD BY MANY OTHER PART HOUSES THAT THIS REPLACEMENT PART IS ON A 50,000 + PARTS BACK ORDER AND THAT IT CAN TAKE ANYWHERE FROM 20-60 DAYS TO GET THE PART IN TO REPLACE IT. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY WHEN WE NOTICED THE LEAK AND NEVER DRIVEN AGAIN AFTER THAT. THIS TELLS ME THAT THIS IS A HUGE ISSUE AND THAT THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE. I UNDERSTAND THE MANUFACTURING SIDE OF THINGS BUT THAT IS A LARGE NUMBER FOR THE BACK ORDER.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 JEEP WRANGLER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLED HAS STALLED AT 30MPH AND AT 65 MPH WITH THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THIS HAS HAPPENED RANDOMLY AT LEAST FIVE TIMES IN THE PAST THREE MONTHS. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND DROVE AS DESIGNED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TWICE TO GOOD BROTHERS DODGE RAM (577 COLUMBIAN ST, SOUTH WEYMOUTH, MA 02190, (781) 331-8300) HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CALLED QUIRK CHRYSLER JEEP (441 QUINCY AVE, BRAINTREE, MA 02184, (781) 917-1400) HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,000. *DT*JB

MY VEHICLE HASN'T BEEN DRIVEN MUCH, I WORK FROM HOME, I NOTICED A POOL OF OIL UNDER IT, TOOK TO DEALERSHIP AND HE OIL COOLER IS LEAKING.

ENGINE OIL COOLER IS OUT AND LEAKING OIL EVERYWHERE. THE VEHICLE IS NOT DRIVEABLE AND THE PART IS ON OVER A 45 DAY BACK ORDER. NO COMPANY WILL EVER TAKE MY VEHICLE IN DUE TO THE PART UNABLE TO BE ORDERED. EVERYONE SEEMS TO BE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. MY JEEP HAS 62K MILES ON IT AND IS MY DAILY DRIVER. THIS NEEDS TO BE RECALLED.

OIL COOL IS LEAKING AFTER COLD WEATHER

THE OIL FILTER HOUSING IS MADE OF PLASTICS AND IT CRACKS AND OIL LEAKS ON TO EXHAUST WHICH COULD CAUSE A FIRE AND ALSO ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUER DUE TO OIL LEAKING ON GROUND. THIS IS A BIG PROBLEM WITH THE JEEP PENTASTAR 3.6 V6 ENGINE. AFTER CONTACTING JEEP DEALERS TO FIX LEAK THEY TELL ME THE PART IS ON BACK ORDER DUE TO SO MANY JEEP AND CARS THAT HAVE THIS PART. THE NUMBER THEY GAVE ME IS OVER 40,000 AND TIME FRAME OF GETTING ONE COULD BE A MONTH. THIS EXPLAINS WHY JEEP DROP POWER TRAIN WARRANTY FROM 100,000 MILES TO 60,000. I NOTICED A LITTLE LEAK AT 65,000 MILE AND NOW AT 70,000 MILES YOU HAVE TO KEEP ADDING OIL OR PARK IT DUE TO MAYBE IT CATCHING ON FIRE. ONE DEALER TOLD ME HE HAD 30 VEHICLE SITTING ON LOT WAITING ON PART.I FEEL JEEP SHOULD HAVE A...

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 JEEP WRANGLER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45-50 MPH, THERE WAS A BURNING OIL SMELL DETECTED INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT PARKED THE VEHICLE AND SAW THERE WAS OIL LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE ONTO THE GROUND. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE FAILURE WAS DIAGNOSED AS A CRACKED OIL COOLER THAT LEAKED INTO THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. THE CONTACT INFORMED A JEEP DEALER OF THE FAILURE BUT THE PART TO REPAIR WAS ON BACK ORDER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

ENGINE OIL COOLER FAIL, EXTREME FIRE HAZARD. SMALL AMOUNT OF OIL FOUND ON DRIVEWAY WHILE PARKED, ATTEMPTED TO LOCATE SOURCE BY STARTING ENGINE. OIL FLOODED OUT OF THE ENGINE, STREAMING DOWN THE ENGINE TO THE FRAME. HAD MY WIFE DRIVEN THE JEEP TO WORK IT WOULD'VE PROBABLY CAUGHT FIRE ONCE THE OIL REACHED THE EXHAUST.

I NOTICED AN OIL BURNING SMELL AND UPON FURTHER INSPECTION SAW OIL ALL OVER THE UNDERCARRIAGE OF MY VEHICLE INCLUDING THE TRANSMISSION AND EXHAUST . LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD AND NOTICED OIL UNDERNEATH MY ENGINE COVER BY THE OIL FILTER HOUSING. SO NOW EVERY TIME I DRIVE IT SMELLS LIKE IT'S ON FIRE. SO I GUESS THEY ARE NOT WORRIED ABOUT THE PEOPLE WHO BUY THEIR VEHICLES BURNING UP.

THE OIL FILTER HOUSING ASSEMBLY IS MADE OF PLASTIC THAT CRACKS. THIS LEADS TO OIL LEAKING AND SEVERAL INCHES OF OIL SITS IN THE V OF THE HOT ENGINE UNTIL IT SPILLS OVER. THIS IS A DEFINITE FIRE HAZARD. FCA NEEDS TO RECALL WITH A REDESIGNED PART MADE OF METAL. I HAVE ALREADY REPLACED MINE TWICE IN 1 YR. REPLACING IT WITH THE SAME PART IS NOT FIXING IT. FAILED AT 29K MILES AND NOW AT 42K MILES. THIS IS A $1000 REPAIR EACH TIME. MINE WAS COVERED UNDER POWER TRAIN WARRANTY BUT THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE QUALITY AND PRACTICES. I NOTICED OIL LEAKING UNDERNEATH THE ENGINE AGAIN AND THIS TIME I THOUGHT IT WAS THE REAR MAIN SEAL. I NOTICED BURNT OIL IN THE V OF THE ENGINE BLOCK AS WELL. TO MY SUPRISE, SAME PART HAS FAILED ALREADY. PARTS FAILING AT THIS LOW OF MILEAGE ARE A DESIGN FLAW...

AFTER DRIVING FOR ABOUT 20 MINS THE RADIATOR FAN WOULD RUN AT FULL SPEED TO COOL THE ENGINE. TOOK IT TO THE SHOP 12/31/2019 AND THE DIAGNOSIS WAS THAT THE RADIATOR WAS LEAKING WITH NO WARNING. THE SERVICE ADVISOR CLAIMED THAT RUNNING THE HEAT TOO HIGH INSIDE THE VEHICLE PROBABLY CAUSED THE RADIATOR TO CRACK AND LEAK... THE VEHICLE ONLY HAD 40K MILES ON IT WHEN THE RADIATOR WAS REPLACED AND WAS NOT COVERED UNDER FACTORY WARRANTY.

HAVE HAD TO HAVE MOST IF NOT ALL FRONT OF VEHICLE REPLACED WITH BALL JOINTS AND UPPER RIGHT AXLE THE LATEST. NOW I HAVE A DECA CODE 0198 FOR SEVERAL MONTHS AND NOW THE VEHICLE IS RUNNING HOT.

I HAD THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COME ON AND IT WAS READING A P0302 CODE. THIS CODE IS ASSOCIATED WITH THE "PENTASTAR TICK". I KNEW THAT THIS MEANT THAT THE CYLINDER HEAD MAY BE CRACKED AS THERE ARE MANY JEEP OWNERS THAT HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER SHIP AND THEY CONFIRMED THAT THE CYLINDER HEAD WAS DEFECTIVE.*DT*JB

WHEN STARTING CAR -ESPECIALLY IN COLD WEATHER-AND BACKING OUT OF PARKING AREA ENGINE WILL STALL/JAR AND AT TIMES DIE OUT REQUIRING PUTTING INTO PARK AND RESTARTING. CONCERN IS IF THIS HAPPENS IN TRAFFIC IT WILL CAUSE AN ACCIDENT NOT BEING MOVED FAST ENOUGH. THERE IS A WARRANTY ON THE VEHICLE AND THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE FOR 6MO + AND IS CONTINUOUSLY QUESTIONED AND EVALUATED. WE'VE BEEN TOLD IT HAS OCCURRED IN OTHER JEEPS AND THERE IS A FIX BUT THIS HAS YET TO BE CORRECTED FOR THIS VEHICLE. *TR

I REPLACED A SINGLE ROLLER ROCKER ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ENGINE EARLY IN 2019. NOW I AM LOOKING AT A FAILED ROLLER ROCKER ON THE SAME SIDE OF THE ENGINE AND POTENTIALLY AN ENGINE REPLACEMENT.