Jeep Wrangler Unlimited: Years to Avoid and Best Years to Buy
Jeep Wrangler Unlimited: 9 model years scored from 3,516 NHTSA owner complaints and 0 recall campaigns. Worst year 2020, best year 2017.
Jeep Wrangler Unlimited: which years to avoid
Across 6 scored model years the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited ranges from 58/100 in 2020 to 90/100 in 2017 — a 32-point spread, so which year you buy matters. The weakest year’s complaints concentrate in Steering (238 of them).
Safest years: 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017 — scored 70 or better.
Check carefully: 2020.
Scored from NHTSA complaints per year of exposure and recall campaigns. How the score works · every car’s years to avoid.
Read the guide
Used Jeep Grand Cherokee and Wrangler: the years the record supports — written and signed by Adir Trabelsi, 2026-09-01.
Year-by-year data table
Best year in our data: 2017 (score 90). Worst: 2020 (score 58, CAUTION).
| Year | Score | Verdict | Running cost / yr | NHTSA complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 58 | CAUTION | $6,249 | 606 | 0 |
| 2019 | — | DATA PENDING | $4,170 | 0 | 0 |
| 2018 | — | DATA PENDING | $4,910 | 0 | 0 |
| 2017 | 90 | BUY | $5,702 | 309 | 0 |
| 2016 | — | DATA PENDING | $5,190 | 0 | 0 |
| 2015 | 87 | BUY | $6,138 | 468 | 0 |
| 2014 | 81 | BUY | $6,502 | 652 | 0 |
| 2013 | 84 | BUY | $6,558 | 649 | 0 |
| 2012 | 79 | BUY | $6,879 | 832 | 0 |
Running cost is fuel or energy plus the maintenance band midpoint for that car at its age today, re-priced to your country. Purchase price, insurance and depreciation are not included.
Wrangler Unlimited sub-models & family
What goes wrong on the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited
Across every Wrangler Unlimited model year in our index, owners report these component groups most often. The cost beside each one is the representative repair for that group at a US independent shop, re-priced to your country.
- Engine875 complaints across all Wrangler Unlimited years · typical job: Cooling-system or timing-drive repair$1,040–$2,220
- Power Train747 complaints across all Wrangler Unlimited years · typical job: Transmission service or clutch-pack repair$1,290–$4,040
- Electrical System629 complaints across all Wrangler Unlimited years · typical job: Alternator, battery-drain or body-module diagnosis and replacement$540–$1,310
- Steering609 complaints across all Wrangler Unlimited years · typical job: Electric power-steering rack or column motor replacement$1,020–$2,500
- Air Bags368 complaints across all Wrangler Unlimited years · typical job: Airbag module, clockspring or sensor replacement$600–$1,700
- Unknown Or Other323 complaints across all Wrangler Unlimited years · typical job: Diagnosis and mixed repair$360–$940
Flat-rate labour hours x local shop rate plus a parts band. An estimate of what this class of failure costs, not a quote. Formula.
FAQ
What are the best Jeep Wrangler Unlimited years to buy?
2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017 all score 70 or better. The strongest is the 2017 at 90/100, on 309 complaints and 0 recall campaigns.
Which Jeep Wrangler Unlimited years should I avoid?
The 2020 is the weakest year we score, at 58/100 (CAUTION), on 606 complaints and 0 recalls. Check the year-by-year table above before committing to any particular car.
What is the most common Jeep Wrangler Unlimited problem?
875 of the complaints filed against the Wrangler Unlimited across all its model years sit in the Engine group — more than any other component.
Compare with
Sources: NHTSA, EPA · Methodology · Updated 2026-10-04