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2016 Jeep Wrangler

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2016 models.

Jeep Wrangler
Pictured: 2018 Jeep Wrangler Sahara Unlimited Multijet 2.1 Front. Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Body styles
2dr SUV 4WD Rubicon, 2dr SUV 4WD Sahara, 2dr SUV 4WD Sport/Willys Wheeler, Unlimited 4dr SUV 4WD Rubicon
Engines
3.6L 6-cyl
Drivetrain
4-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
MPG (best)
18 combined · 17 city / 21 hwy
Length
152.8–173.2 in
Curb weight
3,785–4,341 lb
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
5 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

Nothing stands out against similar models in the data.

Watch out for

  • Below-average fuel economyBest version gets 18 MPG combined, 22% below the 2016 small SUV average of 23 MPG.
  • Higher rollover riskNHTSA estimates a 27.9% chance of rollover in a single-vehicle crash.
  • "Do not drive" recallCheck that the recall repair was done before buying or driving.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2016 Jeep Wrangler is a small SUV offered with a 3.6L 6-cyl engine and 4-wheel drive.

It measures about 153 inches long and 74 inches wide on a 95-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,129 lb (2dr SUV 4WD Rubicon).

EPA rates its most efficient version at 18 MPG combined (17 city / 21 highway), 22% worse than the 2016 small SUV average of 23 MPG, for an estimated $3,700 a year in fuel.

NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.

It has 5 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 462 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the service brakes.

What changed for 2016

No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2015 Wrangler — a carry-over year in the data.

Compared with 2015; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2015 Wrangler →

Trims, performance & features

Engine–3.6L 6-cyl
DriveAWD/4WD

Trims

SportSaharaRubicon

Built in: Toledo, Ohio

NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 5 2016 Wrangler configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
2dr SUV 4WD Rubicon152.8 in73.6 in72.4 in95.3 in62.6 / 62.6 in4,129 lb50/50
2dr SUV 4WD Sahara152.8 in73.6 in72.4 in95.3 in62.6 / 62.6 in3,975 lb50/50
2dr SUV 4WD Sport/Willys Wheeler152.8 in73.6 in72.4 in95.3 in62.6 / 62.6 in3,785 lb50/50
Unlimited 4dr SUV 4WD Rubicon173.2 in74 in70.9 in116.1 in61.4 / 61.8 in4,341 lb50/50
Unlimited 4dr SUV 4WD Sahara173.2 in74 in70.9 in116.1 in61.4 / 61.8 in4,295 lb50/50
Unlimited 4dr SUV 4WD Sport/Willys Wheeler173.2 in74 in70.9 in116.1 in61.4 / 61.8 in4,101 lb50/50

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Wrangler 4WD3.6L 6-cylAutomatic 5-spd4-Wheel Drive17 / 21 / 18-22%$3,700481
Wrangler 4WD3.6L 6-cylManual 6-spd4-Wheel Drive17 / 21 / 18-22%$3,700481
Wrangler Unlimited 4WD3.6L 6-cylAutomatic 5-spd4-Wheel Drive16 / 20 / 18-22%$3,700504
Wrangler Unlimited 4WD3.6L 6-cylManual 6-spd4-Wheel Drive16 / 21 / 18-22%$3,700502
4/10EPA fuel economy score (best version)
4/10EPA greenhouse gas score
Spend $6,500Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
23 MPG2016 Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2016 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

VersionOverallFrontalDriver / passengerSideSide poleRolloverRollover risk
2016 Jeep Wrangler 4DR 4WDNot ratedNot rated–★ / –★Not ratedNot rated★★★★★27.9%
2016 Jeep Wrangler 2DR 4WDNot ratedNot rated–★ / –★Not ratedNot rated★★★★★27.9%
StandardElectronic stability control
Not availableForward collision warning
Not availableLane departure warning

Similar 2016 small SUVs

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2016 Jeep Wrangler (this car)18 MPGNot rated5
2016 Subaru Crosstrek31 MPG★★★★★1
2016 BYD e6187 miNot rated0

Recalls (5)

Safety advisory: 1 recall for this model year carries a "Do Not Drive" or "Park Outside" warning. Check your VIN now.
Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Clockspring/Spiral Cassette · Mar 14, 2024

NHTSA campaign 24V196000 · 1,831 vehicles

Problem
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) (Stellantis) is recalling certain right hand drive 2016 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. Debris contamination may cause the clockspring to fail, preventing the driver's air bag from deploying in a crash.
Risk
An air bag that does not deploy in a crash can increase the risk of injury.
Fix
Dealers will replace the clockspring, steering wheel back cover, and steering column shrouds, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 4, 2024. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 27B.
Seat Belts › Front › Anchorage · Sep 26, 2019

NHTSA campaign 19V680000 · 11,463 vehicles

Problem
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2011-2018 Jeep Wrangler right hand drive vehicles. The driver's seat belt buckle mounting strap may fracture and separate from the seat frame.
Risk
A separated or severed seat belt buckle strap will result in an inoperable seat belt, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Fix
FCA US will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's seat belt buckle, free of charge. Interim notices informing owners of the safety risk were mailed November 19, 2019. Owners will received a second letter and the recall began March 26, 2020. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recall is VA6.
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module · Jan 15, 2019 Do not drive

NHTSA campaign 19V018000 · 1,413,222 vehicles

Problem
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2010 Dodge Ram 3500, Ram 4500/5500, 2010-2011 Dodge Dakota, 2010-2014 Dodge Challenger, 2010-2015 Dodge Challenger, Chrysler 300, and 2010-2016 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.
Risk
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could explode with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix
Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 4, 2019. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is V01.
Air Bags › Frontal › Sensor/Control Module-Inactive · Oct 13, 2016

NHTSA campaign 16V734000 · 182,743 vehicles

Problem
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Jeep Wrangler vehicles manufactured June 16, 2015, to August 14, 2016. In certain crash conditions, the front impact sensor wiring may be pulled until it detaches before a signal can be received by the Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC).
Risk
If the ORC module does not receive a signal from the front impact sensor, both frontal air bags and the seat belt pretensioners will not deploy in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will reroute the front impact sensor wiring and relocate the impact sensor branch, free of charge. The recall began on November 10, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S76.
Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module · May 11, 2016

NHTSA campaign 16V288000 · 7,196 vehicles

Problem
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2011-2016 Right Hand Drive Jeep Wrangler vehicles manufactured February 16, 2010, to May 2, 2016. The clockspring assembly may become contaminated with dust and cause the air bag circuit to fail.
Risk
Failure of the air bag circuit may prevent the driver's frontal air bag from deploying in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the clockspring, wheel back cover, and column shroud, free of charge. The recall began on August 11, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S40.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2016 Jeep Wrangler is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

462Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
28Involved a crash
15Involved a fire
38Injuries reported
40,000 miTypical mileage at failure
Service Brakes120
Engine88
Air Bags76
Power Train74
Electrical System55
Unknown Or Other54
Vehicle Speed Control35
Steering27
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
24/11: 324/12: 125/01: 225/02: 825/03: 925/04: 925/05: 325/06: 625/07: 625/08: 525/09: 325/10: 425/11: 425/12: 626/01: 326/02: 826/03: 726/04: 826/05: 326/06: 126/07: 726/08: 526/09: 126/10: 224/1125/0225/0525/0825/1126/0226/0526/08max 9

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2016 Jeep Wrangler buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 5 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Safety-critical recall. At least one recall carries a "Do Not Drive" or "Park Outside" warning. Do not buy until the VIN shows it was repaired.
  3. Service Brakes — 120 owner reports. Brake firmly from speed; check for pulling, pulsing pedal or ABS warning light.
  4. Engine — 88 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
  5. Air Bags — 76 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
  6. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 40,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  7. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2016 Jeep Wrangler. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other Wrangler years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2027 Wrangler21–Not rated00
2026 Wrangler21181.9 inNot rated312
2025 Wrangler21181.9 inNot rated682
2024 Wrangler21181.9 inNot rated14966
2023 Wrangler25181.9 inNot rated16377
2022 Wrangler25181.9 inNot rated16412
2021 Wrangler25181.9 inNot rated17962
2020 Wrangler25160.2 inNot rated13618
2019 Wrangler24160.2 inNot rated9746
2018 Wrangler24152.8 inNot rated141,827
2017 Wrangler18152.8 inNot rated5312
2015 Wrangler18152.8 inNot rated3478

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Jeep. How we calculate this →