2019 Jeep Wrangler: True Cost, Problems & Verdict
734 NHTSA owner complaints · 9 recalls · data-computed verdict. No opinions — public data only.
Editor's note
The JK Wrangler (2007–2018) has a moderate, consistent record — the 2011–2017 years score between 60 and 79 — with the usual Jeep electrical complaints and, on the earlier Pentastar engines, cylinder-head problems. The JL Wrangler launched for 2018 and its first year has the highest complaint count of any Wrangler on file: the 'death wobble' steering oscillation, welds on the frame, and the 2.0-litre turbo engine. Read the full note on the model page. 2019 specifically: this is one of the years the note above says to approach with care — 734 complaints on record, verdict AVOID.
Read the guide
Used Jeep Grand Cherokee and Wrangler: the years the record supports, including 2019 — written and signed by Adir Trabelsi, 2026-09-01.
Owner complaints: 734 filed with NHTSA
Complaints per year on the road: 104.86
What owners say
Verbatim reports filed with the United States safety regulator (NHTSA) by owners of this exact model year. Public record.
The IPC Cluster completely blank. Unsafe to operate vehicle, as speed was unknown, unable to read fuel gauges, and unable to see any warning lights. Experienced the exact problem noted in Recall Campaign 30B/NHTSA 24-V 652 for jeeps with the 3.5 inch cluster layout, and my VIN is not listed on the recall list.
The IPC Cluster stopped working and the screen is completely blank. It is unsafe to drive since I don’t know how fast I’m going, how much gas is in the tank, and inability to see any warning lights. The recall for this is Recall Campaign 30B/NHTSA 24-V 652 for jeeps with the 3.5 inch cluster layout, which I have but my VIN is not listed on the recall list. It should be!
The contact owns a 2019 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the instrument panel was blank. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and was diagnosed with instrument cluster failure. The contact was informed that the instrument cluster needed to be replaced. The vehicle was awaiting the repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V…
Recalls: 9 campaigns (3 severe)
| Campaign | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| 20V124000 | Power Train:Clutch Assembly | Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Jeep Wrangler and 2020 Gladiator vehicles equipped with manual transmissions. The clutch pressure plate may overheat and fracture. |
| 24V652000 | Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel | Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2020-2024 Jeep Gladiator and 2018-2024 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. The instrument panel cluster may experience an internal short circuit and fail. |
| 20V191000 | Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera | Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2020 Jeep Gladiator and Jeep Cherokee, 2019-2020 Ram 1500 Pickup, Ram 2500 Pickup, Ram 3500 Pickup, Chrysler Pacifica, Dodge Durango, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Jeep Wrangler, and Jeep Renegade and 2019 Dodge Challenger vehicles equipped with 8.4" or 12" radio displays. A software error can cause the rearview camera… |
| 24V676000 | Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera | Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2018-2024 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. The wiring harness for the rearview camera and the center brake light may short circuit, which can disable the rearview camera image and center brake light. |
| 19V201000 | Steering | Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019 Jeep Wrangler and 2019 Ram 1500 vehicles. These vehicles have improperly machined steering column stub shafts that may break, possibly causing the steering wheel to detach from the steering column. |
| 23V116000 | Power Train:Clutch Assembly | Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2018-2023 Jeep Wrangler, and 2020-2023 Jeep Gladiator vehicles equipped with manual transmissions. The clutch pressure plate may overheat and fracture. |
| 20V580000 | Seat Belts | Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019 Jeep Wrangler and Ram 2500, 2019-2020 Ram 1500 and 2020 Jeep Gladiator vehicles. In the event of a crash, a front seat belt retractor may not properly slow the occupant's forward movement after locking. |
| 21V028000 | Power Train:Clutch Assembly | Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Jeep Wrangler and 2020-2021 Jeep Gladiator vehicles equipped with manual transmissions. The clutch pressure plate may overheat and fracture. |
What it costs to buy — and what owning it really takes
Class-level estimates, priced as a mid-size SUV of its model year, re-priced to your country. Not a quote, not a valuation of one specific car — condition, mileage and options move it. How these are computed.
What it costs to run
EPA combined 24 MPG · estimated annual fuel cost $2,550
Re-priced automatically from your country's retail fuel, electricity and parts indices — change country in the bar at the top. Estimates; see methodology.
What this car's problems cost to fix
Ranked by the components owners of this exact model year actually complain about. Each figure is flat-rate labour hours x the local shop rate plus a parts band — an estimate of what this kind of failure costs, not a quote, and not a prediction that this car will need it. Formula.
- Steering443 complaints · typical job: Electric power-steering rack or column motor replacement (5.0 h labour + parts)$1,020–$2,500
- Electrical System147 complaints · typical job: Alternator, battery-drain or body-module diagnosis and replacement (3.0 h labour + parts)$540–$1,310
- Suspension132 complaints · typical job: Struts, springs and control-arm bushings, one axle (4.0 h labour + parts)$780–$1,580
- Power Train78 complaints · typical job: Transmission service or clutch-pack repair (7.0 h labour + parts)$1,290–$4,040
- Unknown Or Other63 complaints · typical job: Diagnosis and mixed repair (2.0 h labour + parts)$360–$940
- Engine43 complaints · typical job: Cooling-system or timing-drive repair (6.0 h labour + parts)$1,040–$2,220
Other Jeep Wrangler years
FAQ
What is the most common problem with the 2019 Jeep Wrangler?
The most-reported issue in NHTSA complaint data is Steering (443 complaints in our indexed sample).
Is the 2019 Jeep Wrangler a good used car to buy?
Our data verdict is AVOID with a reliability score of 41/100, computed from 734 NHTSA complaints and 9 recall campaigns. See the verdict card for the top reasons.
How much does it cost to fix the 2019 Jeep Wrangler's most common problem?
443 of the NHTSA complaints filed against the 2019 Jeep Wrangler sit in the Steering group — more than any other component on this model year. The representative job there is electric power-steering rack or column motor replacement: about 5.0 hours of labour plus parts, roughly $1,020–$2,500 at a US independent shop and re-priced to your country at the top of the page. It is an estimate of what this class of failure costs, not a quote for this car.
What does a 2019 Jeep Wrangler cost to run per year?
About $6,192 a year in fuel or energy plus the maintenance band — roughly $30,960 over five years, before purchase price, insurance and depreciation. Figures come from available EPA fuel-economy data and industry maintenance averages, and are re-priced to your country.
Does the 2019 Jeep Wrangler have recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 9 recall campaign(s) for the 2019 Jeep Wrangler, 3 of them touching fire, crash or stall risk, the most recent recorded 03/03/2020. Check this car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls before you buy.
Compare with
Other midsize suvs of about the same age.
What will a 2019 Jeep Wrangler really cost YOU per year?
Fuel, maintenance band and depreciation — computed from public data in 10 seconds.
Open the true-cost calculatorData sources
Complaints & recalls: NHTSA ·
Fuel economy: EPA fueleconomy.gov ·
Scoring: our published methodology.
Maintenance bands are industry-average estimates (AAA Your Driving Costs, CarMD index) — labeled estimates, not measurements.
Last updated: 2026-10-04.
Strong evidence — 734 complaints, 9 recalls on record
- 734 NHTSA complaints on record (104.9/yr of exposure) — worse than a typical year of this model (52.1/yr)
- 9 recall campaigns, 3 touching safety-critical systems