Which Jeep Wrangler years have the most transmission complaints?

The 2024, 2018, and 2021 model years have the most transmission complaints, with 146, 131, and 116. The 2018 and 2021 reports mostly involve manual clutch failures and fires. The 2024 reports mostly describe sudden loss of drive power. The 2025 and 2026 years have few or no complaints, but they are too new to judge.

Is it safe to drive a Wrangler with clutch problems?

Owner reports say no. A burning smell, slipping, or a pedal that drops can come before a clutch failure that breaks the pressure plate apart. Fires and total losses are reported, some with no warning light. Stop driving it and have a dealer inspect the clutch before using it again.

Is there a recall for Wrangler transmission problems?

Yes. Federal recall records list several clutch pressure plate overheating recalls for manual cars from 2018 to 2023. There is also a 2018 recall for an incorrect park lock rod and a 2021 recall for a powertrain software engine stall. Check the VIN to see which apply and whether work is done.

Do recall repairs fix the clutch problem?

Not always, according to owners. Some report clutch failures after recall work was done, and others describe waiting a long time for parts. One 2018 owner had a clutch fail after a recall repair. Ask a seller for proof of the work and have the clutch checked.

How much does a Wrangler clutch repair cost?

The data has no standard price. One 2019 owner said Jeep quoted $3600 for a new clutch while a recall fix was still pending. Another owner was told the clutch was not covered under powertrain warranty. Independent data puts the model's overall repair cost at $694 a year.

Last updated: 2026-10-10

Jeep Wrangler Transmission Problems

Jeep Wrangler transmission complaints center on manual clutches that overheat and break apart, plus hybrid models that suddenly lose drive power.

Owner complaints: 569
Share of all complaints: 11%
Crash / fire / injury reports: 6 / 24 / 4
Related recalls: 6

Wrangler transmission complaints by model year

Complaint volume is highest for 2024, 2018, and 2021, in that order. Adjusted for sales, 2024 still stands highest, with 2021 and 2018 close behind. The 2018 and 2021 reports are mostly clutch failures and fires, while 2024 centers on sudden loss of propulsion. The 2019, 2020, 2022, and 2023 years sit lower. The 2025 model year has very few complaints and 2026 has none, but those years have had little time to collect reports, so low counts do not make them safer picks.

2018
131 · 5.5/10k sold
2019
52 · 2.3/10k sold
2020
38 · 1.9/10k sold
2021
116 · 5.7/10k sold
2022
45 · 2.5/10k sold
2023
35 · 2.3/10k sold
2024
146 · 9.7/10k sold
2025
6 · 0.4/10k sold

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA under power train. Newer model years have had less time to collect complaints.

What goes wrong

The loudest transmission complaint on the Wrangler is the manual clutch. Owners smell burning, feel the pedal drop to the floor, or watch the revs flare between shifts. In the worst cases the clutch pressure plate comes apart with a bang at highway speed. Automatic cars add reports of lost forward gears, refusal to shift above third, and a shifter stuck in park. Newer hybrid versions bring a different problem: power drops out, a flashing D appears on the selector, and the car puts itself in Park in traffic. Some owners also report a lunge forward while braking to a stop.

This area is serious. Federal complaint records tie many clutch failures to fires, and several Jeeps burned completely. Crash reports exist for the 2020 through 2023 model years, and some failures took out power steering and brakes. Many cars were towed, declared total losses, or left sitting while owners waited on parts.

Symptoms owners report

Burning smell and clutch slip

Owners of manual cars notice a burnt odor, a slipping clutch, or revs that climb between shifts. Some get a clutch-too-hot warning. Others report no warning at all before the failure.

Clutch pedal drops to the floor

The pedal goes down and stays there, and the shifter may feel loose. After that the Jeep will not move, and owners often need a tow. Some pedal losses came within the first few thousand miles.

Bang, smoke, and fire

The clutch pressure plate breaks apart under the Jeep, often with a loud pop and metal pieces coming out. Smoke follows, and fires have started within minutes. Several reports describe a total loss.

Lost gears on automatics

Automatic cars lose forward gears, will not shift above third, or drop suddenly into first at highway speed. Others get stuck in park with a shifter error. Some of these failures hit before 5,000 miles.

Hybrid loses drive power

On hybrid models the drive indicator flashes, a shift-to-park message appears, and the Jeep coasts until restarted. Some owners report this several times on one trip, with power steering and brake assist also dropping out.

Lunge while stopping

A few owners say the Jeep surges or jumps forward while braking to a stop or pulling into a parking space. Reports include a gas engine starting at that moment, and several ended in collisions.

When the problems start

Many owners report failures very early. Complaints describe clutch trouble at 500 miles, 1,500 miles, and 1,000 miles. A 2024 model failed at 512 miles, and a 2025 hybrid shifted itself to park at 1300 miles. Others came later, at 26,000, 28,000, and 34,950 miles. Newer cars with low mileage are not safe from this problem.

Repairs and recalls

Federal recall records list several clutch pressure plate recalls for manual cars covering the 2018 to 2023 model years. Remedies include rerouting a wire harness and inspecting the clutch, adding software to limit torque, and replacing the clutch assembly with a software update. Owners report long waits for parts, failures after recall work, and a warranty dispute over whether the clutch is covered. One owner was quoted $3600 for a new clutch. Independent repair-cost data puts the model's yearly repair cost at $694.

Model years	Campaign	Problem
2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023	23V116000	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.
2022, 2023	23V641000	Chrysler (FCA US), LLC is recalling certain 2022-2023 Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator vehicles equipped with a manual transmission. The rearview camera may fail to display the rearview image and the reverse lights may not…
2021	24V572000	Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021 Jeep Wrangler and Jeep Gladiator vehicles that were previously remedied under NHTSA recall number 23V-116. The software for the powertrain control module may cause an…
2018, 2019, 2020, 2021	21V028000	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.
2018, 2019, 2020	20V124000	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.
2018	18V280000	Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Dodge Charger, Durango and Challenger, Jeep Grand Cherokee and Wrangler, Chrysler 300, and RAM 1500 vehicles. An incorrect transmission park lock rod may have been…

Checking a used Wrangler for transmission problems

Run the VIN through federal recall records and confirm every clutch pressure plate recall shows as completed on any manual car.
Ask for dealer service records showing clutch work, and walk away from a manual car with a burnt smell or a clutch that grabs oddly.
On a manual, drive in stop-and-go traffic and watch for revs that flare between shifts or a pedal that feels soft.
Test an automatic through every gear, including a highway pull, and listen for missed shifts or hard drops into a lower gear.
On a hybrid, ask whether all software updates were applied, then check for flashing drive indicators, shift-to-park messages, or power loss on the test drive.
Look under the rear of the Jeep for oil or fluid drips, and ask why any prior transmission fluid or axle seal repairs were done.

6 transmission recalls cover the Jeep Wrangler. A VIN check shows whether the car you're looking at had its recall work done, plus accident and title history.

Look Up a VIN →