Everyone knows how iconic the Jeep Wrangler is in the world of off-roading, and for the most part, they’re a fantastic machine that performs incredibly on the tarmac and off. However, like the Jeep Cherokee, not all of them lived up to expectations, and there are definitely some Wrangler years to avoid.
I think it’s clear to see, looking at the evidence, that the Jeep Wrangler 2012 model takes the win when it comes to the all-time worst, and it’s the primary one to avoid. Aside from that, we’d also highly advise that you steer clear of the 2007, 2008, 2013, and 2014 models.
Just in case you’re not yet convinced, this guide is going to describe the many faults and issues some of these notorious Jeep Wranglers had by year, and by the end, you’ll be running in the opposite direction from the worst of the models, and know precisely why you should steer clear.
2007
In all honesty, there were many issues with the 2007 Jeep Wrangler. However, some of the problems that occurred were more significant in terms of recalls and serious issues. One was the suspension system, which led to the disreputable death wobble.
The dreaded death wobble is known to cause other significant issues, including problems with the ball joints, track arm, and steering.
But the complications didn’t end there. The 2007 Jeep Wrangler also raised complaints because of engine failure, oil leaks, and Hydro-locked engines as a result of fuel leaking into the compression chamber.
It was also apparent in some of these models that the TIPM was failing, causing the Jeeps to stall and inciting other electrical problems.
2008
Most of the complaints that were reported about the 2008 Jeep Wrangler were regarding electrical malfunctioning and the TIPM failing. This meant that parts such as the dashboard would cut out or restart while in use, or the car’s lights wouldn’t turn off.
These issues were pretty costly to the owners, some rounding up to around $1000 to replace the TIPM.
This particular model was also pretty expensive to run, so it wasn’t particularly eco-friendly with up to 18MPG, which meant you would only get around 325 miles out of a full tank.
There’s a lot to be said about the interior, too; for an expensive car, inside, there was a lot of extremely cheap-looking furnishings.
2012
In 2012 Jeep outdid themselves in terms of creating the worst model of Wrangler known to humanity. Some record!
This vehicle’s biggest fault was related to the airbags, which meant that in some instances, the airbag failed to inflate, a major problem concerning the driver’s safety that led to many recalls.
The airbag was just the tip of the iceberg because many other problems contributed to the 2012 Jeep Wrangler being named the worst of the worst, such as malfunctioning with the air conditioning and heating system and many other electrical complications.
Other recorded issues were with the engine overheating and gasket failure, both of which resulted in replacing or rebuilding the engine.
2013
Amongst the others I’ve discussed so far, you’d also do well to totally steer clear of the 2013 Jeep Wrangler, which had many engine-related problems that left owners footing a hefty bill.
Problems with the crankshaft meant the car would stall or fail to start altogether.
As well as the engine problems, there were complaints about the Totally Integrated Power Module.
There were also other issues with the 2013 Jeep Wrangler, including a common complaint about the steering, which again resulted in the infamous death wobble.
The steering, in general, was typically shoddy on this model, with a failed steering pump, slow response, and overall bad handling.
2014
Lastly, I’d also highly recommend you don’t spend your hard-earned money on the 2014 Jeep Wrangler, which has proven to be a mistake many people should have avoided.
The most notable severe problem with this vehicle was the constant problems with oil leakage, which resulted in the engine seizing up and the car stalling. Not only that, but the price to repair this issue came as a blow to owners who found themselves, in some cases, needing to replace the engine.
There were also reports of electrical faults, including issues with shift control, faulty speed sensors, and transmission complications.
Jeep Wrangler Best Year
Now, it’s not all doom and gloom, and there are plenty of Jeep Wranglers out there which exceed in performance and reliability, with the 2018 model being up there with one of the all-time best.
Multiple factors contribute to making the 2018 model one of the top-notch off-roaders, including impeccable handling, smooth steering, and 25 MPG fuel efficiency.
Conclusion
Well, if you had any doubts in your mind about whether you should invest in any of these five notorious Jeep Wrangler models, this guide has probably confirmed them, and you’d be right to steer clear at all costs.
Not only are these models likely to cause you a lot of stress, time, and frustration, but they’ll also be pretty harmful to your bank balance if you’re not careful.
Now that you know which Jeep Wrangler years to avoid, you can start looking for more reliable and reputable models, such as the 2018.
