Skip to content
Electrical systemPart report

2012 Jeep Wrangler Electrical system Problems

Complaints
148about this part
Share
18%of 836 total for the year
Median mileage
47,000miles
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 148 complaints about the electrical system of the 2012 Jeep Wrangler, 18% of the 836 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 47,000 miles. 7 a fire, according to the filers.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“Engine dash lights ABS, traction control and engine light came on then off then back on will in motion. Also while in motion, an RPM surge occurred which almost caused me to rear end the car in front of me. This surge has occurred twice in the last day so have parked the vehicle for fear of having an accident that could result in bodily harm.”

NHTSA complaint #11056333, filed 2017-12, 59,000 miles

“All the electronics in my steering wheel went out, the horn stopped working, and my airbag no longer works. Some of my warning lights on the dash even stopped working. The fm/am radio also no longer works. I took it to the dealership and they said my clock springs went out. I am very worried about my airbag not deploying in a crash. None of these work, whether the car is moving or stationary.”

NHTSA complaint #11256551, filed 2019-09, 75,000 miles

“Driving home every light on my dash started blinking, no RPM, no speedometer. Blinkers did not work. When I turned into my driveway, parked and I turned the key but Jeep did not turn off. I was able to take my key out and the Jeep stayed running for a minute then turned off. Jeep would not restart.”

NHTSA complaint #11287737, filed 2019-12, 141,000 miles

“My vehicle clock spring has gone out. My vehicle has 45000 miles and is a model year 2012. Other years, specifically 2008-2011 have been recalled for the very same thing. Also 2012 rhd models have been recalled for the very thing. My airbag light chimes and is illuminated when driving the vehicle, whenever I turn left, right or stop or accelerate.”

NHTSA complaint #10927471, filed 2016-11, 45,000 miles

“The tipm unit went out, causing lots of issues. The issues we're aware of are: the doors wouldn't lock, shifter was stuck in park, radio/cd/bluetooth wouldn't work, and the front headlights wouldn't turn off leading to a complete drain of the battery. Thankfully, the vehicle was parked and this didn't happen while we were driving it (it could have been very dangerous if it did). …”

NHTSA complaint #10861536, filed 2016-04, 37,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Electrical system: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2026325%
20253953%
202442156%
202319853%
202217342%
202130832%
202018330%
201915120%
201826815%
20174514%
20165712%
20158117%
20148212%
201310316%
201214818%
20118317%
20108613%
2009359%
200817820%
20078215%
2006264%
2005203%
2004126%
200399%
200276%
20013722%
2000239%
19995325%
19985822%
1997143%
1995136%
199443%
199366%
199268%
199179%
199045%
1989711%
198848%
1987411%

Other parts of the 2012 Jeep Wrangler

Transmission and drivetrain
282 complaints
Steering
204 complaints
Engine
172 complaints
Air bags
128 complaints
Other or unknown
54 complaints
Brakes
52 complaints
Fuel system
45 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
41 complaints
Electronic stability control
30 complaints
Body and structure
30 complaints
Vehicle speed control
26 complaints
Exterior lighting
21 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2012 Jeep Wrangler

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology