2017 Jeep Renegade Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2017 Jeep Renegade most often report the engine losing power and stalling while driving, frequently alongside low oil pressure warnings or an unexpected lack of oil in the crankcase. Many of these complaints are filed at relatively low mileage, and some owners describe the oil level dropping between scheduled changes without a visible leak or a warning lamp. Electrical reports, mainly warning lamps and key-fob or lock faults, and rough or delayed automatic transmission shifting make up much of the rest.

1. 1
   Engine

   Engine stalls while driving, sometimes with low oil

   • 246 complaints (43%)
   • median 28,100 mi at 2.9 yrs old (181 state mileage)
   • 6 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2017–2026

   Owners describe the engine shutting down without warning while driving, often at low speeds, in turns, on hills, or when accelerating. The instrument panel sometimes shows a message asking for the shifter to be placed in park, and restarting can take several attempts. Several complaints add that the oil level was low or empty when checked, with no visible leak, and dealers in some cases said the condition was normal or performed an oil consumption test. Reported across the sample from a few thousand miles into the 100,000-mile range, with many entries between roughly 14,000 and 60,000 miles.

   Recall 18V1310004 related service bulletins

   What to check: Check the oil level on the dipstick at every fuel stop for a few weeks and ask a dealer for the service history on oil consumption tests and any related extended warranty work.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My Renegade has stalled 5xs in the last 4 months while driving down the road. Each time, I'm driving at low speeds. It constantly says my oil is low, but the techs keep saying my oil is fine. This last time, I checked the oil. My Renegade didn't even have oil on the dip stick. I searched my usual parking spot and there is no oil on the ground.”

   NHTSA complaint #11383208, filed 2020-12, 10 miles

   “When I turn the vehicle on and start driving, if I slow down and begin to accelerate it gives a warning stating low oil pressure and then the vehicle will stall while I'm driving. This happens when I am going anywhere from 15 to 20 miles per hour. The vehicle burned through 3 quarts of oil between oil changes. It also slams into gear when running low on oil.”

   NHTSA complaint #11330858, filed 2020-06, 23,000 miles
2. 2
   Engine

   Excessive oil consumption between changes

   • 142 complaints (25%)
   • median 27,000 mi at 3.0 yrs old (107 state mileage)
   • filed 2017–2026

   Owners report adding one to several quarts of oil between scheduled changes, in some cases finding the dipstick dry within a couple thousand miles of an oil change. Complaints describe no oil spots under the vehicle, so the loss is not obvious, and some said dealers told them the usage was normal until an oil consumption test was run. A few reports mention that the engine was eventually replaced. Appears from around 20,000 to 90,000 miles in the sample, often noticed in the first two to three years of ownership.

   4 related service bulletins

   What to check: Pull the dipstick before and after a test drive and ask whether an oil consumption test has been performed; the service bulletins describe a warranty extension program for 2.4L oil consumption.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Within 6 months of purchasing new car,the computer needed to be replaced in dash-uses 1 qt. Oil every 2000 miles.ive complained and complained to no avail-dealerships all say its 'normal' now.the transmission is slipping .-when u go from a low speed to a higher speed. I took it to dealership and they think it needed an update ?also,oil was leaking around transfer case;I noticed spots on concrete when parked and the liquid was clear. This car has literally been a hunk of junk!”

   NHTSA complaint #11349734, filed 2020-08, 82,000 miles

   “Oil consumption issue uses more oil than I feel it should. No car unless really high mileage should use more than a quart maybe between oil change I've already put in 2.5 in this oil change.”

   NHTSA complaint #11365374, filed 2020-10, 55,000 miles
3. 3
   Electrical system

   Warning lamps on and key-fob lock faults

   • 192 complaints (34%)
   • median 28,448 mi at 2.8 yrs old (139 state mileage)
   • 9 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2017–2026

   Owners report multiple warning lamps illuminating when nothing appears wrong, including tail light and brake light messages, air bag and stability control lamps, and start-stop charging messages. Others describe the key fob failing to lock or unlock the doors and having to lock manually from inside; replacing fob batteries did not help. Complaints note that diagnostic codes sometimes pointed to a buckle switch or a battery sensor. Reported throughout the sample, commonly between 16,000 and 55,000 miles.

   Recall 17V4850004 related service bulletins

   What to check: Cycle all warning lamps on the cluster at startup, test every remote lock and unlock function including from a distance, and ask whether the instrument cluster software update was performed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “This doesn't matter if my vehicle is turned on or off. When stationary the Jeep Renegade will not lock or unlock from the key fob. Previously the key fob would work but I would have to repeatedly push the lock/unlock button. I have replaced the battery on the key fobs to no better results.”

   NHTSA complaint #11351023, filed 2020-08, 42,000 miles

   “When driving, my instrument panel says my left tail light, left blinker and left brake lights are out. They do not work, so all of them were replaced and they still do not work. I know there is a recall to fix this, but my VIN is not on the recall. Can my VIN be added to the recall? I am so afraid of getting into an accident when I am transporting my grandchildren to school. The warning symbol is on all the time. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11352118, filed 2020-08, 40,000 miles
4. 4
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Harsh or delayed transmission shifting

   • 134 complaints (24%)
   • median 26,500 mi at 2.6 yrs old (96 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2017–2026

   Complaints describe hard shifts, jerking into gear, slipping, or delayed engagement at low speeds and under light acceleration. Some owners also mention a whining or humming noise while driving that dealers could not duplicate, and software updates or reflashes were tried in a few cases without a lasting change. Mostly reported between roughly 20,000 and 50,000 miles in the sample.

   What to check: Test drive at low speeds with several stop-and-go cycles and light acceleration to feel for jerks or hesitation; ask whether any transmission software updates were applied.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I have had the Jeep Renegade for about 2 years and the car has started to jerk into gear while driving at around 30 miles per hour. It happens intermittently. I have changed gas types and gotten new air filters, etc. With no resolution. It seems that from reading the reviews on this site, there is some common experiences from other Jeep Renegade owners. At this point it does not seem like a danger to the driver but curious to know if it will lead to a more serious problem long term.”

   NHTSA complaint #11325709, filed 2020-05, 40,000 miles

   “While driving about 25 MPH on city roads, the transmission will frequently shift very hard startling driver and passengers. I fear it will cause damage to the car and potentially distract the driver and cause an accident.”

   NHTSA complaint #11351706, filed 2020-08, 32,000 miles
5. 5
   Fuel system

   Stall or loss of power tied to fuel delivery

   • 100 complaints (18%)
   • median 24,285 mi at 2.6 yrs old (64 state mileage)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2017–2026

   Some owners describe the engine cutting out or refusing to accelerate after refueling, with diagnosis pointing to the fuel pump or fuel pump module, which in some cases was replaced more than once. Others report that the fuel filler neck cracked and that the pump nozzle would not deliver fuel into the tank. Reported from under 5,000 to about 60,000 miles in the sample, occasionally right after refueling.

   Recall 18V731000

   What to check: Ask whether the fuel pump was replaced and whether the vehicle was included in the fuel pump campaign; refuel during the test drive and check for a fuel smell or difficulty filling the tank.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I have tried to get in contact with someone to get my fuel pump fixed. I finally did today. But can't get in until nexta friday. My car has stopped working completely while driving. I have had to wreck into mailboxes stop in the middle of the road, and almost be hit because my car stops working. I can't wait any longer. My car is a danger”

   NHTSA complaint #11374225, filed 2020-11, 5 miles

   “After refueling the engine stalled when I drove onto the highway. After restarting, the engine shut down. A light came in vehicle must be in park or start . I put on 4 way flashers. After several stalls, my Jeep restarted. This is the second time this has happened.”

   NHTSA complaint #11352116, filed 2020-08, 16,600 miles

Buying note. A pre-purchase inspection should include an oil consumption check and a scan for stored codes, since many of the reported symptoms involve low oil levels or warning lamps. Ask for service records covering oil changes, transmission reflashes, and any fuel pump or cluster work, and confirm which open recalls apply to the specific vehicle.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.