2016 Jeep Renegade problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Engine (111) · Power Train (55) · Electrical System (34)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Jeep Renegade model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
306 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (2)
Trailer Hitches 2016-07-20 · campaign 16V545000 · 8,581 vehicles
Defect: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Jeep Renegade vehicles manufactured August 25, 2014, to June 25, 2016, equipped with a factory-installed optional trailer hitch package. The trailer hitch assembly may have been attached with only a single fastener per side, not three per side as required.
Risk: Without the proper amount of fasteners, the trailer hitch assembly may separate from the vehicle, and any towed vehicle may no longer be properly connected, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will install two additional fasteners per side, free of charge. The recall began on October 13, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S62.
Suspension:rear 2016-02-18 · campaign 16E013000 · 50 vehicles
Defect: Daystar Products International, Inc. (Daystar) is recalling certain aftermarket replacement rear control arm brackets included in Daystar's 2015-2016 Jeep Renegade 1.5" spacer kit, part KJ09168BK, shipped from Daystar to distributors between October 27, 2015 and November 5, 2015. The affected spacers may have improper or incomplete welds on the top flange on the rear control arm bracket, that can allow the rear axle to shift while driving.
Risk: If the axle moves there could be an increased risk of a crash.
Fix: Daystar will notify owners, and direct them to repair shops to have the brackets inspected and replaced as needed, free of charge. The recall began on March 11, 2016. Owners may contact Daystar customer service at 1-623-907-0081 or by email at Jbilyeu@daystarweb.com. Daystar's number for this recall is 16-01.
Service bulletins (355)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Electrical System 2026-03-04 · S1408000384 REV.J · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
start stop charging warning lamp illuminated on, intelligent battery sensor (ibs) state of charge (soc) inaccurate, battery charging message, presence of ibs related diagnostic trouble codes (dtcs), or battery warning lamp on
Electrical System 2026-02-14 · S1408000384 REV.I · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
start stop charging warning lamp illuminated on, intelligent battery sensor (ibs) state of charge (soc) inaccurate, battery charging message, presence of ibs related diagnostic trouble codes (dtcs), or battery warning lamp on
Unknown Or Other 2025-10-07 · S2524000012 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
high voltage air conditioning refrigerant dye
Structure:body 2025-08-16 · 31-001-25 REV. B · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
aluminum body panel corrosion repair aluminum corrosion or bubbling along the leading edge of hood, hinges or other exterior surface areas of the hinges, doors, fenders, swing gates or liftgates.
Structure:body 2025-08-14 · 31-001-25 REV. A · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
aluminum body panel corrosion repair aluminum corrosion or bubbling along the leading edge of hood, hinges or other exterior surface areas of the hinges, doors, fenders, swing gates or liftgates.
Structure:body 2025-08-13 · 31-001-25 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
aluminum body panel corrosion repair aluminum corrosion or bubbling along the leading edge of hood, hinges or other exterior surface areas of the hinges, doors, fenders, swing gates or liftgates
Showing the 6 most recent of 355 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-10-13 · Power Train“while driving on the freeway at approximately 65 mph with my family in the vehicle, including my fiancée, my [xxx] son, and my fiancée’s mother, the engine suddenly began making a grinding noise that lasted approximately 10 seconds. the engine then began knocking, and the vehicle abruptly shut off, leaving me unable to continue driving. i was forc…”
2026-09-23 · Unknown Or Other“there is an emissions recall on this jeep; it is currently at the dealership for the repairs. in order to reach the part that must be replaced in order to complete the recall, there is a bolt that is sheared off. the dealership is telling us that we have to pay $3,800 in order to replace the head, because of the bolt being sheared off. this bolt…”
2026-07-17 · Wheels“understanding the vehicle is not under wheel stud recall but it needs to be. the exact same thing happened to my renegade as the recall states. at the jeep dealer because the wheel came off when my wife was driving. towed to jeep dealer and all stud/ nuts are stressed and stretched and causing this life threatening situation. wrong tourque specs pu…”
2026-06-26 · Unknown Or Other“in the past year, i have already had to replace the bulb for the "daytime running light" on the front passenger side of my renegade. now, the light has just popped back onto my dashboard for the 3rd time stating that the light is out again for the 3rd time in a year. i have also noticed several other renegades in my area driving with the same exact…”
2026-06-17 · Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System:fan · 127,000 mi“the contact owns a 2016 jeep renegade. the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal sound while the cooling fan was in operation. the contact stated that the sound became louder over time. the vehicle was taken to a dealer to be diagnosed. the vehicle was diagnosed with fan bearing and spindle failure. the ve…”
2026-06-17 · Unknown Or Other“electrical warning lights turn off and on on panel. fob stopped working and car became immobilised blocking traffic. car towed by aaa to an aaa recommended repair shop, has been there one week, diagnosis leads back to fob and programming/ electrical system. battery checked and was not an issue. fob and electrical programming systems is the issue…”
2026-04-18 · Unknown Or Other · 🔥 fire“ my car suddenly caught fire while driving on the freeway. i heard a boom, felt my car shake and saw flames out my back window, i pulled over immediately and got out of the car. going around the passenger side to inspect my tires and car. as in doing this i noticed that the entire car by then underneath was completely consumed in flames. i ran from…”
2026-04-04 · Service Brakes“i had a service airbag, service parking brake and the seatbelt light starts flashing. it happens every time i drive the vehicle and i had it looked at by a mechanic and they see no issue with the sensors. they told me to check for any recalls and i don’t see any here.…”
2026-03-04 · Engine And Engine Cooling · 80,000 mi · 🔥 fire“the contact's son owned a 2016 jeep renegade. the contact stated that after his son parked the vehicle in the driveway and turned the vehicle off, the son entered the home and moments later noticed an orange glow coming from outside. the son went outside to investigate and discovered a foot tall flames coming from under the hood of the vehicle. the…”
2026-02-13 · Electrical System“the service engine light , service hill start ,traction light , airbag light warning , escape system , parking brake, lights warning system all continuously flash on and off , when vehicle is in motion. the service dealership had my vehicle for two weeks and couldn't find the problem so then told us that while the lights are on that those features …”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.