2012 Jeep Wrangler Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 7about this part
- Share
- 1%of 836 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 1,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2012 Jeep Wrangler, 1% of the 836 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 1,000 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Check engine. Light came on .took it to dealer. Dealer said the computer was reading # 2 cylinder mis- fire. The dealer said that my on board computer didn't take a forced upload of new software from chrysler, so they did it in shop. They said that would fix it. On may 13th while sitting in line at the bank, the check engine light came back on, drove to dealers second location. At that location I was told that the motor needed major work the #2 cylinder, rocker arm, and cylinder head need to be replaced.”
NHTSA complaint #10513184, filed 2013-05, 17,500 miles“My 2012 Wrangler with only 200 miles start to overheating when use more power to run uphill a road. I go to the dealer to verify and said to me that its normal. I said to theme that change me this Wrangler because was new and not change it with another. Also now at 987 miles the engine make a noise like a lifters. My question is , when the Wrangler won more miles the problems are more? I read on internet that some people have the same problems. Chrysler need to verify all pentastar engines.”
NHTSA complaint #10447462, filed 2012-02, 380 miles“Purchased a 2012 Jeep Wrangler sport on 3/3/12 at roughly 2pm cst. At about 4pm cst, I parked the Jeep in my apartment's parking garage. I decided at about 6pm cst to go get some dinner, and to cruise around as well in the new vehicle. I observed smoke coming from the parking garage, and when I got into the garage, I observed my new Jeep on fire. The entire front end of the vehicle was engulfed in flames. Both front tires exploded as a result of the fire, and the entire front end was completely damaged. The interior is destroyed; basically totaled out. …”
NHTSA complaint #10452972, filed 2012-03, 17 miles“The contact owns a 2012 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated that while driving at 20 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where a scan was completed, and diagnostic trouble codes for the Emissions, engine misfire, timing chain, and crank position sensor failures were displayed. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 71,756.”
NHTSA complaint #11728445, filed 2026-04, 71,756 miles“The contact owns a 2012 Jeep Wrangler 4x4. The contact stated that she could smell fumes entering the vehicle from the ventilation. The fumes caused the driver and any other passenger that entered the vehicle to become nauseous and endure headaches. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where they advised that the failure was a normal characteristic for the particular model vehicle. In addition, the contact stated that the removable hard top would flex when driving at approximately 30 MPH or higher. …”
NHTSA complaint #10482075, filed 2012-10, 77 milesRelated recalls
- 13V234000Jun 4, 2013Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Jeep Wrangler vehicles equipped with a 3.6L engine and an automatic transmission and…Covers: Jeep Wrangler 2012–2013
Related service bulletins
- 10236933Apr 15, 2023wiTECH Small Leak Verification Test (SLVT) - P0456-EVAP SYSTEM SMALL LEAK
- 10247906Feb 22, 2023ADAPTER, Engine Oil Filter (Pentastar V6) For all 2014MY replace the Oil Filter Adapter (OFA). For any other MY review and follow instructions from the latest STAR Online…
- 10234379Feb 22, 2023ADAPTER, Engine Oil Filter (Pentastar V6) For all 2014MY replace the Oil Filter Adapter (OFA). For any other MY review and follow instructions from the latest STAR Online…
- 10234378Feb 14, 2023ADAPTER, Engine Oil Filter (Pentastar V6) For all 2014MY replace the Oil Filter Adapter (OFA). For any other MY (with mileage above 30,000) review and follow instructions from…
- 10227983Apr 2, 2022If a Mopar oil filter is not available, use a filter that meets or exceeds USCAR36 specification and is compatible with semi and full synthetic oils.
- 10230180Jul 6, 2021Issue involves overheating, running hot, coolant leaks and related symptoms after a Mopar replacement engine has been installed in the vehicle.
- 10221594Jul 6, 2021Issue involves overheating, running hot, coolant leaks and related symptoms after a Mopar replacement engine has been installed in the vehicle.
- 10190589Mar 31, 2021ADAPTER, Engine Oil Filter (Pentastar V6) All vehicles equipped with a 3.2L or 3.6L except for model year 2014 vehicles with leak concern: 1) Ensure the Oil Filter Adapter (OFA)…
- 10139989Mar 15, 2017Oil Pump Assembly If error code P06DD present on any Pentastar V6 application, please inspect oil pump for relief valve failure. See photo attached. If valve is found out of…
- 10121927Jan 26, 2016NAG1 (5A580) Valve Body As per Warranty Bulletin D-13-22, please use R2108213A$ valve body for all Warranty (W), Mopar (M) and Mopar Vehicle Protection (F) claims.~ Assembly also…
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 1% |
| 2023 | 2 | 1% |
| 2022 | 2 | 0% |
| 2021 | 4 | 0% |
| 2020 | 6 | 1% |
| 2019 | 5 | 1% |
| 2018 | 4 | 0% |
| 2017 | 1 | 0% |
| 2016 | 6 | 1% |
| 2015 | 4 | 1% |
| 2014 | 9 | 1% |
| 2013 | 4 | 1% |
| 2012 | 7 | 1% |
| 2011 | 6 | 1% |
| 2010 | 15 | 2% |
| 2009 | 5 | 1% |
| 2008 | 11 | 1% |
| 2007 | 28 | 5% |
| 2006 | 20 | 3% |
| 2005 | 22 | 3% |
| 2004 | 9 | 5% |
| 2003 | 6 | 6% |
| 2002 | 4 | 4% |
| 2001 | 21 | 12% |
| 2000 | 15 | 6% |
| 1999 | 50 | 23% |
| 1998 | 53 | 20% |
| 1997 | 109 | 27% |
| 1995 | 32 | 16% |
| 1994 | 25 | 17% |
| 1993 | 18 | 17% |
| 1992 | 7 | 9% |
| 1991 | 12 | 16% |
| 1990 | 7 | 9% |
| 1989 | 10 | 16% |
| 1988 | 7 | 14% |
| 1987 | 5 | 13% |
Other parts of the 2012 Jeep Wrangler
282 complaintsSteering
204 complaintsEngine
172 complaintsElectrical system
148 complaintsAir bags
128 complaintsOther or unknown
54 complaintsBrakes
52 complaintsFuel system
45 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
41 complaintsElectronic stability control
30 complaintsBody and structure
30 complaintsVehicle speed control
26 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2012 Jeep Wrangler
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 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