2013 Jeep Wrangler Reliability
The 2013 Jeep Wrangler has 657 owner complaints and 7 recall campaigns on file with NHTSA, most often about powertrain / transmission and steering. Compared with other Wrangler model years, it rates as a caution year: complaints run above the Wrangler's typical year, while the 2015 has a cleaner record.
By CarWhere Research · Updated 2026-11-04 · Source: NHTSA
657
NHTSA owner complaints
7
Recall campaigns
14
Complaints citing a crash
16
Complaints citing a fire
2013 Jeep Wrangler complaints by component
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2013 model year, filed between 2013 and 2026. A complaint can name more than one component.
| Component | Complaints | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Powertrain / transmission | 230 | 35% |
| Steering | 167 | 25% |
| Engine | 140 | 21% |
| Electrical system | 104 | 16% |
| Air bags | 72 | 11% |
| Unknown or other | 72 | 11% |
| Service brakes | 67 | 10% |
| Visibility / wipers | 39 | 6% |
2013 Jeep Wrangler recalls
7 recall campaigns on NHTSA record for the 2013 model year, by the date NHTSA received the manufacturer's report. Recall repairs are free at a dealer.
| NHTSA campaign | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13E010000 | Feb 25, 2013 | Equipment | Quadratec, Inc. is recalling certain aftermarket accessory, driver-side, Ultimate Floor Liners part numbers 14254.0301 07, 14254.0301 08, 14254.0301Q, 14254.0302 07, 14254.0302 08, 14254.0302Q, 14254.0303 07, 14254.0303 08, 14254.0303Q, 14254.0309 07,… |
| 13V234000 | Jun 4, 2013 | Steering — hydraulic power assist / hose, piping, and connections | Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Jeep Wrangler vehicles equipped with a 3.6L engine and an automatic transmission and manufactured January 23, 2011, through February 23, 2013. The power steering line may contact and wear… |
| 14V631000 | Oct 8, 2014 | Electrical system | Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Jeep Wrangler vehicles manufactured February 16, 2010, to July 19, 2013. Corrosion in the exterior heated power mirror electrical connector may result in an electrical short. |
| 16V288000 | May 11, 2016 | Air bags — frontal / driver side / inflator module | Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2011-2016 Right Hand Drive Jeep Wrangler vehicles manufactured February 16, 2010, to May 2, 2016. The clockspring assembly may become contaminated with dust and cause the air bag circuit to fail. |
| 18V021000 | Jan 9, 2018 | Air bags — frontal / passenger side / inflator module | Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Jeep Wrangler, Chrysler 300, Dodge Challenger and Dodge Charger vehicles, and 2009-2011 Dodge Dakota vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii,…NHTSA park-it advisory: do not drive until repaired. |
| 19V018000 | Jan 15, 2019 | Air bags — frontal / passenger side / inflator module | Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2010 Dodge Ram 3500, Ram 4500/5500, 2010-2011 Dodge Dakota, 2010-2014 Dodge Challenger, 2010-2015 Dodge Challenger, Chrysler 300, and 2010-2016 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag,…NHTSA park-it advisory: do not drive until repaired. |
| 19V680000 | Sep 26, 2019 | Seat belts — front / anchorage | Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2011-2018 Jeep Wrangler right hand drive vehicles. The driver's seat belt buckle mounting strap may fracture and separate from the seat frame. |
How the 2013 compares with nearby Wrangler years
Verdicts come from CarWhere's year-by-year Wrangler analysis where it covers the year, otherwise from the years shown here.
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Most-reported area | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 485 | 11 | Air bags | Solid |
| 2012 | 836 | 10 | Powertrain / transmission | Caution |
| 2013 (this page) | 657 | 7 | Powertrain / transmission | Caution |
| 2014 | 658 | 4 | Engine | Caution |
| 2015 | 481 | 3 | Service brakes | Solid |
Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA and are not adjusted for how many of each year were sold, so they compare years of the same model rather than different models.
What to check on a used 2013 Jeep Wrangler
- Transmission: test-drive from cold through every gear, feel for slipping, harsh or delayed shifts and shudder, and ask whether the fluid has been serviced.
- Steering: check for a steering warning light, heavy or notchy steering and clunks over bumps; power-steering faults show up at low speed.
- Engine: cold-start it yourself, listen for ticking or knocking, check for oil leaks and oil consumption, and ask for oil-change records.
- Electrical: test every light, window, lock, the infotainment screen and the charging system; scan for stored fault codes.
- Recalls: confirm each of the 7 campaigns above was completed on this VIN; open recalls are repaired free at a dealer.
- History: run the VIN for salvage, theft and odometer records, and have an independent mechanic inspect the car before you pay.
Check this exact car
Any 2013 Jeep Wrangler can be better or worse than its model year. The CarWhere Used Car Report checks one VIN for salvage records, salvage-auction records (with damage photos when the auction published them), stolen-vehicle records, the odometer trail and its listing and price history since 2015. Free preview first; the full report is $12.99, one time.
2013 Jeep Wrangler reliability FAQ
Is the 2013 Jeep Wrangler reliable?
The 2013 Jeep Wrangler has 657 owner complaints and 7 recall campaigns on file with NHTSA, most often about powertrain / transmission and steering. Compared with other Wrangler model years, it rates as a caution year: complaints run above the Wrangler's typical year, while the 2015 has a cleaner record.
What are the most common 2013 Jeep Wrangler problems?
The most-reported problem areas in NHTSA owner complaints for the 2013 Jeep Wrangler are powertrain / transmission (230), steering (167), engine (140), electrical system (104). One complaint can name more than one component.
Does the 2013 Jeep Wrangler have recalls?
NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for the 2013 Jeep Wrangler, including 13E010000 (equipment) and 13V234000 (steering — hydraulic power assist / hose, piping, and connections). Recall repairs are free at a dealer, and whether one was done is tracked by VIN.
How does the 2013 Jeep Wrangler compare with the 2012 and 2014 models?
By NHTSA records, the 2012 has 836 complaints and 10 recalls (caution); the 2014 has 658 complaints and 4 recalls (caution). The 2013 has 657 complaints and 7 recalls.
How do I check a specific used 2013 Jeep Wrangler?
Run its VIN. The CarWhere Used Car Report checks one VIN for salvage records, salvage-auction records (with damage photos when the auction published them), stolen-vehicle records, the odometer trail and its listing and price history since 2015, with a free preview first and the full report at $12.99, one time. Pair it with an independent pre-purchase inspection.
More Jeep Wrangler research
Other Jeep Wrangler model years:
Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation owner complaints (all body-style listings for the 2013 Wrangler, de-duplicated by complaint number) and NHTSA recall campaigns, retrieved 2026-11-04.