2016 Jeep Renegade: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 429 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine (34% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · 3 new complaints in the last 90 days · latest recall Jul 2016
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 429 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Understanding the vehicle is not under wheel stud recall but it needs to be. The exact same thing happened to my Renegade as the recall states. At the Jeep dealer because the wheel came off when my wife was driving. Towed to Jeep dealer and all stud/ nuts are stressed and stretched and causing this life threatening situation. Wrong tourque specs published. Luckily my wife wasn't hurt or killed. I have attached pictures and video. Talked to Jeep customer care with no help. This is a very serious situation and needs to be addressed.”Owner report · Wheels · Jul 2026
“In the past year, I have already had to replace the bulb for the "daytime running light" on the front passenger side of my Renegade. Now, the light has just popped back onto my dashboard for the 3rd time stating that the light is out again for the 3rd time in a year. I have also noticed several other Renegades in my area driving with the same exact light out on their vehicle as well. The first 2 times I took my vehicle to my mechanic to be repaired, both times they stated all they found was the bulb not working. Being the 3rd time, they have advised me to reach out about a recall to have this fixed.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Jun 2026
“Electrical warning lights turn off and on on panel. Fob stopped working and car became immobilised blocking traffic. Car towed by AAA to an AAA recommended repair shop, has been there one week, diagnosis leads back to fob and programming/ electrical system. Battery checked and was not an issue. Fob and electrical programming systems is the issue. I will have itemized receipts once fob/programming work is completed.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jun 2026
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“my car suddenly caught fire while driving on the freeway. i heard a boom, felt my car shake and saw flames out my back window, i pulled over immediately and got out of the car. going around the passenger side to inspect my tires and car. as in doing this i noticed that the entire car by then underneath was completely consumed in flames. i ran from the car in fear of my safety. my car burned to the ground in front of my eyes. there were no warning lights on my dash, no flashing, no indication of anything wrong.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Mar 2026
“The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Renegade. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal sound while the cooling fan was in operation. The contact stated that the sound became louder over time. The vehicle was taken to a dealer to be diagnosed. The vehicle was diagnosed with fan bearing and spindle failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that after leaving the dealer, the engine started to overheat, and the coolant temperature gauge moved into the red zone. No warning lights were illuminated. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 127,000.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Feb 2026
“I had a service airbag warning go off days prior which was then followed by my parking brake warning and a constant seatbelt warning chime that happened concurrently. The vehicle had these issues cleared by my mechanic but hasn't been able to be resolved. From what i understand, the seatbelt sensor is faulty and should I have an accident in the near future the airbags will not deploy.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jan 2026
“I had a service airbag, service parking brake and the seatbelt light starts flashing. It happens every time I drive the vehicle and I had it looked at by a mechanic and they see no issue with the sensors. They told me to check for any recalls and I don't see any here.”Owner report · Seat Belts · Nov 2025
“My car just shut off out of now where while I was driving, tried to turn it on and wouldn't start, get u I was in the middle of the road bc it just shut off. I left it off for about 10 minutes and finally it turned back on but yet the battery and everything was good on the car, this is definitely a road hazard â ï¸!”Owner report · Engine · Aug 2025
“Vehicle Started to overheat when sitting still and AC was reduced at a stop. Found the cooling fan to be unresponsive and not operating. Found CSN V54 tsb and conducted determination of it's application to my vehicle. Vehicle had the bushing style plastic heat shield from the examples and using proper scan tool, found the fan unresponsive to run command. Called dealership to schedule repair and they were adamant that it was not covered, or must have been repaired already, but did not provide proof of such repair. The unit in the vehicle is the plastic heat shield bushing style unit, not the ball bearing replacement unit.”Owner report · Electrical System · May 2025
“After starting up the vehicle several dash lights turned on including check engine and power system indicator. The accelerator pedal would not provide throttle to the engine and vehicle was in limp mode. after reading codes P2138(Throttle/Pedal Position Sensor) and P0653(Sensor Reference Voltage B Circuit High) After Dealer diagnostic it was determined that the accelerator pedal sensor was faulty and is being replaced. The issue appears common as the part is on nationwide backorder and the dealer has been waiting on the part for 4 weeks. The car is still not repaired.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Apr 2025
When filing, owners marked a crash in 9 of these complaints and injuries in 15 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 campaigns
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Jeep Renegade vehicles manufactured August 25, 2014, to June 25, 2016, equipped with a factory-installed optional trailer hitch package. The trailer hitch assembly may have been attached with only a single fastener per side, not three per side as required.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will install two additional fasteners per side, free of charge. The recall began on October 13, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S62.
Daystar Products International, Inc. (Daystar) is recalling certain aftermarket replacement rear control arm brackets included in Daystar's 2015-2016 Jeep Renegade 1.5" spacer kit, part KJ09168BK, shipped from Daystar to distributors between October 27, 2015 and November 5, 2015. The affected spacers may have improper or incomplete welds on the top flange on the rear control arm bracket, that can allow the rear axle to shift while driving.
Remedy: Daystar will notify owners, and direct them to repair shops to have the brackets inspected and replaced as needed, free of charge. The recall began on March 11, 2016. Owners may contact Daystar customer service at 1-623-907-0081 or by email at Jbilyeu@daystarweb.com. Daystar's number for this recall is 16-01.
Trouble codes owners mention
OBD-II codes that appear in NHTSA complaints about this car.
How other years compare
Check your exact Renegade by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2016 Jeep Renegade reliable?
NHTSA has 429 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 2016 Jeep Renegade. The most complained-about area is engine (34% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2016 Jeep Renegade problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 38,000 miles or less.
Does the 2016 Jeep Renegade have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning trailer hitches. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.