2013 Jeep Wrangler Problems
What owners have reported about the 2013 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 2013 Jeep Wrangler a good year?
It's about average for this model. Owners have filed 654 complaints with NHTSA, the 9th most of 18 Wrangler model years. The most reported problems involve the transmission, steering and engine.
654 complaints 7 recalls, 2 do not drive 9th worst of 18 Wrangler years
Top 2013 Jeep Wrangler problems
Transmission problems
230 complaints (35%) name the transmission, most often the manual transmission.
Steering problems
167 complaints (26%) name the steering, most often the hose, piping, and connections and electric power assist system.
Engine problems
144 complaints (22%) name the engine, most often the crank / camshaft position sensor.
Electrical problems
102 complaints (16%) name the electrical system, most often the instrument cluster / panel and wiring.
Which parts fail most
Share of complaints that name each system. One complaint can name several.
Mileage when it failed
Each dot is a complaint that gave a mileage (355 of 654). The amber line is the middle value, about 50,000 miles.
When problems were reported
Complaints by the year the problem happened.
2013 Jeep Wrangler recalls
Anchorage
The driver's seat belt buckle mounting strap may fracture and separate from the seat frame. A separated or severed seat belt buckle strap will result in an inoperable seat belt, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Fix: FCA US will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's seat belt buckle, free of charge.
Recall 19V680000 · Sep 2019Inflator module
Do not driveUpon 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 2019Inflator module
Do not driveS. 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 2018Inflator module
The clockspring assembly may become contaminated with dust and cause the air bag circuit to fail. Failure of the air bag circuit may prevent the driver's frontal air bag from deploying in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the clockspring, wheel back cover, and column shroud, free of charge.
Recall 16V288000 · May 2016Exterior
Fire riskCorrosion in the exterior heated power mirror electrical connector may result in an electrical short. An electrical short increases the risk of a fire.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will move the exterior mirror power feed to a separate connector, free of charge.
Recall 14V631000 · Oct 2014Cooling unit and lines, Hose, piping, and connections
6L engine and an automatic transmission and manufactured January 23, 2011, through February 23, 2013. The power steering line may contact and wear a hole in the transmission oil cooler line resulting in a loss of transmission fluid. A loss of transmission fluid may result in a loss of transmission function which may increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the power steering return tube assembly, free of charge. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N28.
Recall 13V234000 · Jun 2013Equipment
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 2013Get an email when your 2013 Jeep Wrangler gets a new recall
We check NHTSA every month. If a new recall or safety investigation covers the 2013 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.
2013 Jeep Wrangler problems by system
Common questions
Is the 2013 Jeep Wrangler a reliable year?
It's about average for this model. Owners have filed 654 complaints with NHTSA, the 9th most of 18 Wrangler model years. The most reported problems involve the transmission, steering and engine.
What are the most common 2013 Jeep Wrangler problems?
Owners most often report problems with the transmission, steering, engine and electrical system. 230 complaints (35%) name the transmission, most often the manual transmission.
At what mileage do 2013 Jeep Wrangler transmission problems start?
Reported mileage ranged widely, but most complaints fell between about 8,000–60,000 miles, with a middle value near 24,000 miles.
How many recalls does the 2013 Jeep Wrangler have?
7. Anchorage (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 2013 Jeep Wrangler?
Ask for service records covering the transmission, 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.