Car Yearsto Avoid

2011 Jeep Wrangler Problems

What owners have reported about the 2011 Jeep Wrangler, which problems come up most, at what mileage, and which recalls to check.

From NHTSA owner complaints and recalls. Updated Oct 17, 2026.

Is the 2011 Jeep Wrangler a good year?

It's about average for this model. Owners have filed 485 complaints with NHTSA, the 11th most of 18 Wrangler model years. The most reported problems involve the airbags, fuel system and electrical system.

485 complaints 11 recalls, 3 do not drive 11th worst of 18 Wrangler years

Top 2011 Jeep Wrangler problems

1

Airbag problems

145 complaints (30%) name the airbags, most often the driver clockspring / spiral cassette.

Complaints 145 · Usually at 52,000–94,000 miles · Recall 19V018000, 18V021000, 16V352000, 16V288000, 13V176000, 11V528000

2

Fuel system problems

99 complaints (20%) name the fuel system, most often the filler pipe and cap.

Complaints 99 · Usually at 35,000–72,000 miles

3

Electrical problems

83 complaints (17%) name the electrical system, most often the control module and alternator / generator / regulator.

Complaints 83 · Usually at 32,000–78,000 miles · Recall 14V631000

4

Steering problems

58 complaints (12%) name the steering.

Complaints 58 · Usually at 22,000–74,000 miles · Recall 11V315000

Which parts fail most

Share of complaints that name each system. One complaint can name several.

Airbags 30%
Fuel System 20%
Electrical 17%
Steering 12%
Engine 9%
Transmission 8%
Suspension 8%
Unknown or Other 7%
Brakes 6%
Body 6%

Mileage when it failed

Each dot is a complaint that gave a mileage (360 of 485). The amber line is the middle value, about 52,000 miles.

When problems were reported

Complaints by the year the problem happened.

2011 Jeep Wrangler recalls

Driver seat belt buckle strap may break

Injury risk

The strap that holds the driver's seat belt buckle to the seat frame can crack and separate. If that happens, the seat belt cannot be used, which raises the risk of injury in a crash.

Fix: A dealer will replace the driver's seat belt buckle free of charge.

Recall 19V680000 · Sep 2019

Inflator module

Do not drive

Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could explode with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge.

Recall 19V018000 · Jan 2019

Inflator module

Do not drive

S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, Chrysler is recalling certain 2009-2010 RAM 4500 Cab Chassis, RAM 5500 Cab Chassis, RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Wrangler, Chrysler 300, Dodge Dakota, Dodge Challenger, and Dodge Charger vehicles ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." Chrysler is also recalling certain 2009 RAM 3500, RAM 2500, RAM 4500 Cab Chassis, RAM 5500 Cab Chassis, Dodge Durango, Chrysler Aspen, RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Wrangler, Chrysler 300, Dodge Dakota, Dodge Challenger, and Dodge Charger vehicles ever registered in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these passenger air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge.

Recall 18V021000 · Jan 2018

Inflator module

Do not drive

S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Chrysler is also recalling 2004-2008 RAM 1500, 2005-2009 RAM 2500, 2006-2009 RAM 3500, 2007-2009 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008-2009 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2009 Dodge Durango, 2007-2009 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2009 Jeep Wrangler, 2008-2009 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2009 Chrysler 300, 2006-2009 Dodge Charger, 2005-2009 Dodge Dakota and 2006-2009 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in AZ, AR, DE, Washington D.C., IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MO, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NC, OH, OK, PA, TN, VA, and WV, or "Zone B." Lastly, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Chrysler is recalling certain 2005-2008 RAM 2500, 2006-2008 RAM 3500, 2007-2008 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2008 Dodge Durango, 2007-2008 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2008 Jeep Wrangler, 2008 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2008 Chrysler 300, 2006-2008 Dodge Charger, 2005-2008 Dodge Dakota, and 2006-2008 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or registered, in AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MT, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI, and WY. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. These inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify the Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and RAM owners.

Recall 16V352000 · May 2016

Clockspring dust can disable driver air bag

Crash risk

Dust can get into the clockspring, a part in the steering column that carries signals to the air bag, and cause the air bag circuit to fail. If that happens, the driver's frontal air bag may not deploy in a crash, raising the risk of injury.

Fix: The dealer will replace the clockspring, wheel back cover, and column shroud free of charge.

Recall 16V288000 · May 2016

Corroded mirror connector can short and start fire

Fire risk

Corrosion in the electrical connector for the heated power mirrors can cause an electrical short. A short can lead to a fire.

Fix: The dealer will move the exterior mirror power feed to a separate connector at no cost to you.

Recall 14V631000 · Oct 2014

Airbags

The affected vehicles have airbag clockspring assemblies that could experience broken airbag circuits. In the event of a crash necessitating airbag deployment, a broken electrical circuit in the airbag clockspring wiring assembly can lead to non-deployment of the driver-side frontal airbag and will not be able to properly protect the driver, increasing the risk of injuries.

Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the clockspring and add a steering wheel dust shield, free of charge. This recall supercedes NHTSA recall 11V-528.

Recall 13V176000 · May 2013

Equipment

0301 07, 14254.0301 08, 14254.0301Q, 14254.0302 07, 14254.0302 08, 14254.0302Q, 14254.0303 07, 14254.0303 08, 14254.0303Q, 14254.0309 07, 14254.0309 08, and 14254.0309Q sold from May 1, 2012, through February 14, 2013. The liners are for use in 2007-2013 Jeep Wranglers. The anchor point for the affected floor liners may tear during use, particularly when exposed to high temperatures. The tearing may allow the floor liner to shift forward. If the liner shifts forward it may impede the operation of the accelerator and possibly lead to unintended acceleration, which may increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: Quadratec will notify owners and either exchange the liners or provide them with a hook guard kit to help secure the driver-side mat, free of charge.

Recall 13E010000 · Feb 2013

Clockspring fault may disable driver airbag

Injury risk

The clockspring, the part that carries power and signals to the steering wheel airbag, can develop a broken circuit. When this happens the airbag warning light comes on and the driver airbag may not deploy in a crash, raising the risk of injury.

Fix: The dealer will replace the clockspring assembly as needed, and the repair is free of charge.

Recall 11V528000 · Nov 2011

Steering column may fail in frontal crash

Injury risk

Some vehicles may be missing or have an incorrectly installed steering column pivot rivet. Without it, the steering column may not hold up under occupant loads in a frontal crash, raising the chance of injury.

Fix: The dealer will inspect the rivet and its alignment and repair the steering column pivot if needed, at no cost to you.

Recall 11V315000 · Jun 2011

Axle fasteners may loosen, affecting steering

Crash risk

Some bolts holding the front and rear axles to the chassis can lose torque over time. This can cause noise and, eventually, worse steering and handling, which could lead to a loss of directional control and a higher crash risk.

Fix: The dealer will re-torque all nineteen fasteners to the required values at no charge.

Recall 11V145000 · Mar 2011
Check your VIN for open recalls

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We check NHTSA every month. If a new recall or safety investigation covers the 2011 Jeep Wrangler, you'll hear about it the same week.

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Wrangler years to avoid

Total NHTSA complaints by model year. Newer years have had less time on the road, so their totals will keep climbing. See the full comparison.

2011 Jeep Wrangler problems by system

Common questions

Is the 2011 Jeep Wrangler a reliable year?

It's about average for this model. Owners have filed 485 complaints with NHTSA, the 11th most of 18 Wrangler model years. The most reported problems involve the airbags, fuel system and electrical system.

What are the most common 2011 Jeep Wrangler problems?

Owners most often report problems with the airbags, fuel system, electrical system and steering. 145 complaints (30%) name the airbags, most often the driver clockspring / spiral cassette.

At what mileage do 2011 Jeep Wrangler airbags problems start?

Reported mileage ranged widely, but most complaints fell between about 52,000–94,000 miles, with a middle value near 79,000 miles.

How many recalls does the 2011 Jeep Wrangler have?

11. Driver seat belt buckle strap may break (19V680000); Inflator module (19V018000); Inflator module (18V021000). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if the work was done.

Should I buy a used 2011 Jeep Wrangler?

Ask for service records covering the airbags, confirm the recall work was done, and compare with the 2025, 2017 and 2023 models, which have the fewest complaints.

Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls databases. Complaints are unverified owner reports. Counts include each complaint once per model year.