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2016 Jeep Renegade

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Renegade years

Owner complaints for the 2016 Jeep Renegade are substantially higher than the model-year median of 79.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

306 reports with mileage · 123 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine. Review the 172 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 119 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 73 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

9 crash reports10 fire reports7 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

119 reports
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27,100 miles · Aug 28, 2017
Electrical SystemPower TrainVehicle Speed Control

WHILE DRIVING MY 2016 JEEP RENEGADE TRAILHAWK ON A CITY STREET IT BEGAN ACCELERATING RAPIDLY ON ITS OWN. I BEGAN ENGAGING THE BRAKES TO TRY TO SLOW THE VEHICLE INITIALLY AND THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO THE POINT OF REDLINE. I ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL BUT THE COMMAND CENTER KEPT OVERRIDING MY INPUT; I WAS FINALLY ABLE …

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WHILE DRIVING MY 2016 JEEP RENEGADE TRAILHAWK ON A CITY STREET IT BEGAN ACCELERATING RAPIDLY ON ITS OWN. I BEGAN ENGAGING THE BRAKES TO TRY TO SLOW THE VEHICLE INITIALLY AND THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO THE POINT OF REDLINE. I ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL BUT THE COMMAND CENTER KEPT OVERRIDING MY INPUT; I WAS FINALLY ABLE TO JAM THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL BY SLAMMING THE PALM OF MY HAND INTO THE SHIFTER DRIVING FORCING THE NEUTRAL SHIFT. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF TO THE SHOULD OF THE ROAD WHERE THE CAR CONTINUED RUNNING AT REDLINE FOR SEVERAL MINUTES WHILE I ATTEMPTED TO STOMP ON THE ACCELERATOR HOPING TO GET THE VEHICLE TO DISENGAGE. DUE TO THE ELECTRONIC CONTROLS YOU CANNOT TURN THE CAR OFF WHILE IN NEUTRAL AND THE ENGINE RUNNING AT SUCH HIGH RPMS. AFTER ROUGHLY 10 ATTEMPTS AT STOMPING ON THE ACCELERATOR HOPING TO GET THE VEHICLE TO RESPOND IT DROPPED TO A STANDARD IDLE. ONLY BEING A SHORT DISTANCE FROM MY NEIGHBORHOOD AT THE TIME OF INCIDENT I LIMPED THE CAR BACK HOME. DURING THAT TIME THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT BEGAN FLASHING, THE BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON, THE TEMP SENSOR SPIKED TO MAX TEMP, THE OIL PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND THE A/C BEGAN TO BLOW HOT AND THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. UPON SAFELY PULLING IN MY DRIVEWAY IT SMELLED OF A HOT BURNING RUBBER/OIL SMELL AND THERE WAS SOME TYPE OF FLUID LEAKING FROM THE CAR THAT APPEARED TO BE THE SYNTHETIC OIL.

NHTSA ODI #11020054

10,000 miles · Aug 14, 2017
Electrical System

SOFTWARE ISSUE IN THAT INSTRUMENT WARNING LIGHTS COME ON AT AT TIME. POSSIBLY GIVING YOU FALSE WARNING OF WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH VEHICLE. HAPPENS WHEN SWITCH IS TURNED ON AND STAYS ON FOR LONG TIME. IT HAPPENED FIVE TIMES OVER PAST YEAR; DEALERSHIP SAW IT HAPPEN ONCE BUT DID NOTHING TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. ALSO CAME WHEN VEHIC…

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SOFTWARE ISSUE IN THAT INSTRUMENT WARNING LIGHTS COME ON AT AT TIME. POSSIBLY GIVING YOU FALSE WARNING OF WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH VEHICLE. HAPPENS WHEN SWITCH IS TURNED ON AND STAYS ON FOR LONG TIME. IT HAPPENED FIVE TIMES OVER PAST YEAR; DEALERSHIP SAW IT HAPPEN ONCE BUT DID NOTHING TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. ALSO CAME WHEN VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. SOUNDS SAME AS 2017 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM RECALL 17V4485000.

NHTSA ODI #11014993

10,000 miles · Aug 2, 2017
Electrical SystemPower TrainUnknown Or Other

ELECTRICAL. SERVICE 4X4 REOCCURING. DEALER CAN'T FIGURE OUT. 4X4 NOT WORKING WHEN LIGHT IS ON. WHOLE DASH BOARD LIT UP TODAY AND PROMPTED 4X4 SERVICE THEN JUST WENT TO SERVICE 4X4( AS IN PICTURE BELOW)RANDOMLY TURNS ON AND OFF WITH SEEMINGLY NO RHYME OR REASON. WAS IN DEALER 8 DAYS LAST WEEK. GOT BACK COUPLE DAYS AGO, GOING INT…

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ELECTRICAL. SERVICE 4X4 REOCCURING. DEALER CAN'T FIGURE OUT. 4X4 NOT WORKING WHEN LIGHT IS ON. WHOLE DASH BOARD LIT UP TODAY AND PROMPTED 4X4 SERVICE THEN JUST WENT TO SERVICE 4X4( AS IN PICTURE BELOW)RANDOMLY TURNS ON AND OFF WITH SEEMINGLY NO RHYME OR REASON. WAS IN DEALER 8 DAYS LAST WEEK. GOT BACK COUPLE DAYS AGO, GOING INTO DEALER NEXT WEEK TO SEE IF THEY CAN FIGURE OUT, AGAIN. PROB LOSE JEEP FOR COUPLE MORE DAYS. JEEP SEES MORE OF DEALER THAN MY OWN GARAGE. THEY HAVE GIVEN RENTAL EACH TIME WHICH I APPLAUD SINCE IS UNDER WARRANTY AND LESS THAN 1 YR OLD BUT I HAVE A DOG AND OBLIGATIONS SO MAKES VERY INCONVENIENT.

NHTSA ODI #11012231

13,000 miles · Jul 17, 2017
Electrical SystemEngineVehicle Speed Control

2016 JEEP RENEGADE TRAILHAWK LOSS OF POWER ACCELERATING FROM A STOPPED POSITION, TURNING/MERGING INTO TRAFFIC FORM A SLOWED/STOPPED POSITION, VEHICLE STOPPING UP HILL. 13,200 MILES THE 'CHECK ENGINE' LIGHT ON, ENGINE POWERED DOWN TWICE WHEN PULLING OUT FROM A STOP & TURNING LEFT W/ SLIGHT INCLINE, ONCE GOING STRAIGHT ACROSS A 2-…

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2016 JEEP RENEGADE TRAILHAWK LOSS OF POWER ACCELERATING FROM A STOPPED POSITION, TURNING/MERGING INTO TRAFFIC FORM A SLOWED/STOPPED POSITION, VEHICLE STOPPING UP HILL. 13,200 MILES THE 'CHECK ENGINE' LIGHT ON, ENGINE POWERED DOWN TWICE WHEN PULLING OUT FROM A STOP & TURNING LEFT W/ SLIGHT INCLINE, ONCE GOING STRAIGHT ACROSS A 2-LANE HWY, & ENGINE POWERING DOWN WHEN MERGING. DEALERSHIP SAID DUE TO AN UPDATE NEEDED. TWO WKS AFTER THE UPDATE, ENGINE POWERS DOWN MAKING A RIGHT TURN FORM A STOP SIGN. DEALERSHIP COULDN'T REPLICATE & TOLD TO DRIVE CAREFUL. A FEW WKS LATER, I WAS STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN. I MADE A LEFT-HAND TURN W/ AN INCLINE. AS I STARTED ACCELERATING, THE RENEGADE SUDDENLY LOST SPEED & CEASED TO MOVE AS I WAS PRESSING THE GAS PETAL. THOSE FEW SECONDS OF PULLING OUT W/ ONCOMING TRAFFIC COULD QUICKLY LEAD TO A WRECK WHEN YOU LOSE POWER IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. I FELT A GREAT DEAL OF PANIC, DISTRUST OF MY RENEGADE. I FEARED FOR MY SAFETY. I TAKE THE RENEGADE BACK TO THE SHOP NO REAL RESOLVE. I WAS DRIVING UP A STEEP HILL AT WHICH TIME MY RENEGADE COMPLETELY STOPPED AS I WAS NEARING THE TOP OF THE HILL. AS YOU CAN IMAGINE, THIS WAS TERRIFYING TO SAY THE LEAST! WHEN THE RENEGADE STOPPED, I WAS FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO NOT HAVE ANYONE FOLLOWING BEHIND ME. HOWEVER, DUE TO THE ANGLE & STEEPNESS OF THE HILL, I WAS PANICKED THE RENEGADE WOULD ROLL DOWN. I NEVER PUT MY FOOT ON THE BREAK & CONTINUED TO PUMP THE GAS. AFTER ABOUT 5 PUMPS ON THE GAS, THE RENEGADE BEGAN TO SLOWLY ACCELERATE. I WAS GOING AT A RATE OF SPEED OF AROUND 30MPH, 1/4 OF TANK OF GAS, & DRIVING FOR ABOUT 10 MINS BEFORE INCIDENT. CHRYSLER ISN'T TAKING THIS ISSUE SERIOUSLY. I HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT W/ THEM ON A CORP. LEVEL AS WELL. THE RENEGADE HAS HAD 3 MORE INCIDENTS OF LOSING POWER WHEN ACCELERATING IN A TURN FROM A STOP. I FEAR FOR MY LIFE & AM STUCK W/ AN UNTRUSTWORTHY NEW VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI #11005852

500 miles · Jun 19, 2017
Electrical SystemEngine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 JEEP RENEGADE. WHILE DRIVING 2 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. HUNTINGTON BEACH CHRYSLER JEEP OF HUNTINGTON BEACH, CALIFORNIA WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE ON TWO OCCASIONS AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN TO BE SERVICED. THE SECOND TIME THE FAILURE OCCURRED, THE DEALER STATED…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 JEEP RENEGADE. WHILE DRIVING 2 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. HUNTINGTON BEACH CHRYSLER JEEP OF HUNTINGTON BEACH, CALIFORNIA WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE ON TWO OCCASIONS AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN TO BE SERVICED. THE SECOND TIME THE FAILURE OCCURRED, THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO A SOFTWARE GLITCH AT 500 MILES. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AGAIN FOR THE FAILURE THAT RECURRED AT 1,300 MILES, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN IN FOR SERVICE. THE CONTACT DID NOT NOTIFY ANYONE THE FIRST TIME THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT IT WAS NOT THEIR RESPONSIBILITY AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 500.

NHTSA ODI #10999996

645 miles · Apr 20, 2017
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 JEEP RENEGADE. WHILE DRIVING DIFFERENT SPEEDS, THE TRACTION CONTROL, EMERGENCY BRAKE AND AIR BAG WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE. THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WAS RECONFIGURED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACT…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 JEEP RENEGADE. WHILE DRIVING DIFFERENT SPEEDS, THE TRACTION CONTROL, EMERGENCY BRAKE AND AIR BAG WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE. THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WAS RECONFIGURED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES AND DEMANDED TO SEE THE REPAIR RECORDS. THE CONTACT SENT THE RECORDS TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURES WERE NOT REMEDIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 645. UPDATED 06/02/17*LJ UPDATED 10/18/2017*JS

NHTSA ODI #10979663

340 miles · Feb 13, 2017
Electrical SystemPower Train

THE VEHICLE WITH ONLY 340 MILES ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WENT COMPLETELY HAYWIRE WITH ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS AND DISPLAYS GOING OFF AND THE TRANSMISSION DISENGAGING, RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY INTERSECTION. VERY DANGEROUS. HAD TO TURN OFF, MOVE GEAR SHIFT BACK AND FORTH, THEN START CAR AND GET TRANSMISSION TO MOVE OFF THE ROAD. W…

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THE VEHICLE WITH ONLY 340 MILES ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WENT COMPLETELY HAYWIRE WITH ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS AND DISPLAYS GOING OFF AND THE TRANSMISSION DISENGAGING, RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY INTERSECTION. VERY DANGEROUS. HAD TO TURN OFF, MOVE GEAR SHIFT BACK AND FORTH, THEN START CAR AND GET TRANSMISSION TO MOVE OFF THE ROAD. WARNING LIGHTS TAKE TURNS GOING OFF AND USUALLY FOLLOWING THE AIRBAG WARNING THE TRANSMISSION DISENGAGES. DANGEROUS!

NHTSA ODI #10954131

7,000 miles · Feb 6, 2017
Electrical SystemVehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 JEEP RENEGADE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED AND LOST POWER INTERMITTENTLY AFTER THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING INDICATOR ALSO ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED APPROXIMATELY TWELVE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED AS HA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 JEEP RENEGADE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED AND LOST POWER INTERMITTENTLY AFTER THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING INDICATOR ALSO ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED APPROXIMATELY TWELVE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED AS HAVING AN ENGINEERING SOFTWARE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 7,000.

NHTSA ODI #10949827

200 miles · Jan 16, 2017
Electrical SystemService BrakesSteering

DRIVING ON RAINY DAY. GOING ANYWHERE FROM 30 TO 55 MPH. ALL IDIOT LIGHTS CAME ON THE DASH. SAID SERVICE EVERYTHING LOST POWER STEERING LOST POWER BRAKES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10945582

70 miles · Jan 11, 2017
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

AT LESS THAN 100 MILES ON 2016 JEEP RENEGADE TRAILHAWK APPEARED TO HAVE HAD AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE WHERE WHEN STARTED ALERTS ARE DISPLAYED IN THE MESSAGE CENTER FOR FOR VARIOUS LIGHTS (BRAKE LIGHT FAILURE, HEADLIGHT FAILURE, TURN SIGNAL FAILURE, ETC.) THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL BEGAN BLINKING SLOWLY AS IF IT WAS HESITATING, THE RIGHT TU…

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AT LESS THAN 100 MILES ON 2016 JEEP RENEGADE TRAILHAWK APPEARED TO HAVE HAD AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE WHERE WHEN STARTED ALERTS ARE DISPLAYED IN THE MESSAGE CENTER FOR FOR VARIOUS LIGHTS (BRAKE LIGHT FAILURE, HEADLIGHT FAILURE, TURN SIGNAL FAILURE, ETC.) THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL BEGAN BLINKING SLOWLY AS IF IT WAS HESITATING, THE RIGHT TURN SIGNAL BLINKED EXTREMELY FAST, BUT THE HEADLIGHTS AND BRAKE LIGHTS APPEARED TO BE WORKING. THIS STARTED HAPPENING ON DAY 2 OF OWNERSHIP, AS I WAS NAVIGATING THROUGH A PARKING LOT AFTER STARTING THE CAR. I DROVE IT A SHORT DISTANCE TO ANOTHER PARKING LOT, TURNED OFF THE CAR, AND WAITED A COUPLE MINUTES BEFORE RESTARTING THE CAR. THE PROBLEM CONTINUED.

NHTSA ODI #10944478

Official recalls

1

16V545000 · Trailer Hitches

Jul 20, 2016

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Jeep Renegade vehicles manufactured August 25, 2014, to June 25, 2016, equipped with a factory-installed optional trailer hitch package. The trailer hitch assembly may have been attached with only a single fastener per side, not three per side as required.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Without the proper amount of fasteners, the trailer hitch assembly may separate from the vehicle, and any towed vehicle may no longer be properly connected, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will install two additional fasteners per side, free of charge. The recall began on October 13, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S62.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.