Jeep Renegade Transmission Problems by Year
By CarWhere Research · Updated
Yes. 423 of the 2,182 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2015–2023 Jeep Renegade (19.4%) name the transmission, 1.5× the median share across the 139 models we track. We have no published sales figures for this model, so there is no per-1,000 rate. The worst years are 2015, 2017 and 2016.
Transmission complaints
423
Filed with NHTSA, 2015–2023 models
Per 1,000 sold
No sales data
Not computed without a published sales figure
Share of all complaints
19.4%
of 2,182 complaints for this model
Transmission recalls
1
NHTSA campaigns, all years
Jeep Renegade transmission complaints by model year
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA whose component list includes Power Train (transmission, transfer case and driveline). Worst years are highlighted.
| Model year | Transmission complaints | Share of all complaints | Crash / fire / injury | Transmission recalls | Transmission TSBs* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015WORST | 170 | 33.3% | 3 | 16V529000 | 80 |
| 2016WORST | 73 | 17.1% | 3 | — | 86 |
| 2017WORST | 94 | 16.8% | 3 | — | 47 |
| 2018 | 58 | 13.2% | 0 | — | 29 |
| 2019 | 7 | 9.1% | 1 | — | 55 |
| 2020 | 7 | 11.3% | 0 | — | 36 |
| 2021 | 6 | 9.5% | 0 | — | 38 |
| 2022 | 6 | 26.1% | 0 | — | 0 |
| 2023 | 2 | 10% | 0 | — | 0 |
- Older model years have had more time on the road to collect complaints, so compare neighboring years, not 2010 against 2024.
- Crash / fire / injury = complaints where the owner reported a crash, a fire or an injury.
- *Technical service bulletins in the year's leading TSB categories that name the transmission.
Common Jeep Renegade transmission problems owners describe
We searched the narratives of all 423 transmission complaints for symptom keywords. One complaint can mention several, so the shares don't add up to 100%.
Jeep Renegade years to avoid for the transmission
2015 Jeep Renegade
170 transmission complaints (33.3% of the year's 511). Most often described: jerking, lurching or harsh shifts. Covered by transmission recall 16V529000.
2017 Jeep Renegade
94 transmission complaints (16.8% of the year's 559). Most often described: jerking, lurching or harsh shifts.
2016 Jeep Renegade
73 transmission complaints (17.1% of the year's 428). Most often described: jerking, lurching or harsh shifts.
Worst years are those with at least 10 transmission complaints and at least 1.5 times the model's median year. For every year's overall verdict, including other systems, see the Jeep Renegade years to avoid.
Jeep Renegade transmission recalls
NHTSA recall campaigns filed under Power Train for any Jeep Renegade model year. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check a specific car by VIN on NHTSA's site.
- 16V529000 · 2016-07-12 · 2015 models
The transmission sensor clusters may have insufficient crimps in the transmission wire harness, and as a result, the transmission may unexpectedly shift to neutral. On August 29, 2016 Chrysler added the 2016 Fiat 500X vehicles to this recall.
Which transmission does the Jeep Renegade use?
- ZF 9-speed (9HP / 948TE) — 2015–2017 (automatic models)
Years are as listed for that transmission's applications. Some apply to certain engines only.
Related research
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2015 Jeep Renegade have transmission problems?
Yes, it is one of the worst years. Owners filed 170 transmission complaints with NHTSA for the 2015 Jeep Renegade, 33.3% of all 511 complaints for that year. The most common description is "jerking, lurching or harsh shifts" (48 complaints). One transmission-related recall covers it: 16V529000. 3 of those complaints report a crash, fire or injury.
Does the 2017 Jeep Renegade have transmission problems?
Yes, it is one of the worst years. Owners filed 94 transmission complaints with NHTSA for the 2017 Jeep Renegade, 16.8% of all 559 complaints for that year. The most common description is "jerking, lurching or harsh shifts" (23 complaints). 3 of those complaints report a crash, fire or injury.
Does the 2016 Jeep Renegade have transmission problems?
Yes, it is one of the worst years. Owners filed 73 transmission complaints with NHTSA for the 2016 Jeep Renegade, 17.1% of all 428 complaints for that year. The most common description is "jerking, lurching or harsh shifts" (13 complaints). 3 of those complaints report a crash, fire or injury.
Which Jeep Renegade years have the most transmission complaints?
2015 (170), 2017 (94) and 2016 (73), by owner complaints filed with NHTSA that name the transmission. Raw counts favor older and higher-selling years, so treat them as a signal, not a rate.
What are the most common Jeep Renegade transmission problems?
In the 423 transmission complaints, owners most often describe jerking, lurching or harsh shifts (23.2%), hesitation or delayed engagement (11.6%) and will not shift, stuck in gear or no reverse (11.3%). One complaint can mention several symptoms.
Is this a transmission failure rate?
No. These are complaints owners chose to file with NHTSA. Many failures are never reported, and one complaint is not a confirmed defect. Without sales figures, a high count can simply mean a high-selling model.
How we count
Counts are unique owner complaints (by NHTSA ODI number) filed with NHTSA for each Jeep Renegade model year, from NHTSA's public complaints data fetched July 2026 to November 2026. A complaint counts as a transmission complaint when NHTSA's component list for it includes Power Train (transmission, transfer case and driveline).
Per 1,000 sold divides complaints by published U.S. calendar-year sales for that year. A year needs at least 5,000 sales to get a rate, and a model needs at least 3 such years for its overall rate. The comparison median covers every model with at least 50 transmission complaints that clears those floors.
These are complaint rates, not failure rates. Owners report some problems more than others, and a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
Sources
- NHTSA complaints by vehicle (owner complaints API) — National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle — National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- Report a vehicle safety problem — National Highway Traffic Safety Administration