Jeep Renegade Problems & Reliability

By Max Anthony •  Updated: 04/22/21 •  8 min read

Jeep Renegade is a small, sporty SUV. The vehicle has four-wheel drive and can seat five people. It’s available in three different trim levels: Sport, Latitude, and Limited.

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The Jeep Renegade is a stylish option for those who love the outdoors. However, there are many Jeep Renegade problems to consider and there is one model year in particular that you need to avoid at all costs when it comes to reliability.

Most Common Jeep Renegade Problems

Jeep Renegade Problems
Jeep Renegade 1.6 MultiJet 2WD Longitude | wikimedia

The top three problems with the Jeep Renegade are related to the automatic 9-speed automatic transmission of up to 11,000 miles, removal of brakes over a distance of 3,000 miles, and testing of 21K engine light.

Problems With 2015 Jeep Renegade

The Jeep Renegade’s engine, drivetrain, and electrical system are the worst of all cars with NHTSA complaints. The 2015 model year for a Jeep Renegade had by far the most user complaints on its list to be considered “worst” in terms of areas that users were having problems with; these included issues such as those within an interior accessory or transmission problem.

 The vast majority (or highest percentage) of people who filed National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaint forms during this period found their issue was specifically about the engines/drivetrains’ performance – which is not surprising considering Jeeps are known for being offroad vehicles!

The engine of your car is integral to its operation, and there are a few ways that it can go wrong. It may be necessary for you to have the electrical accessories checked for them to work properly with the engine as well. 

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Jeep Renegade Problems
Jeep Renegade 2.4 Longitude 4×4 2018 | Flickr

Some common problems people experience include having their cars not turn over or cutting out when driving on hills due to an intermittent power problem which prevents drivers from being able to use their brakes enough to stop themselves without help!

Also, The 9-speed automatic transmission is a nightmare for drivers who use it. The issue that has caused the most problems with this type of vehicle was hesitation during shifts between gears on a random basis, but people also experienced other issues like lacking reverse power and slipping out of gear.

Also, Drivers cited many issues with internal accessories. The main concern is the malfunctioning of the locks, the keys stuck in the fuel, and the dash lights switch without warning.

Some drivers also report problems involving a worn-out driver’s seat, cutting off the radio for no reason, or while driving on long distances – all of which are common issues.

2016 Jeep Renegade Issues

Suspension Problems

The Jeep Renegade that was recalled for its dangerous rear suspension issue had a risk of an accident if the axled moved. Daystar Products International Inc issues a recall on their aftermarket control arms included in their 2015-2016 1.5 inch spacer kit for Jeeps, including the 2016 Jeep Renegade jeep models with this specific problem.

If you own a vehicle with these control arms, there is an increased chance it may have defective welds that could cause the axle to shift. Needless to say, this poses significant safety risks and should be inspected by your mechanic immediately.

Electrical Problems

The car’s electrical system can cause great concern for drivers, as many users have had problems with it.

The main concern applies to a non-rotating engine and multiple electrical failures. These problems can be fixed at a typical cost of $ 220 per incident or 16,550 miles on average.

Jeep Renegade problems
2015 Jeep Renegade Repair cost | Repairpal

The infotainment system in your Renegade may be down for the count. Some drivers have been met with a blank screen, no sound from their radio or phone calls coming through; other times it will randomly go black and stop playing audio altogether.

2016 Jeep Renegade Engine Problems

The 2016 Jeep Renegade had a history of engine problems. Drivers reported their engines would abruptly lose power before stalling in traffic or displaying check-engine lights. 

 The Renegades were also prone to overheating, with many experiencing this issue within the first 50k miles driven.

Drivers are reporting that their acceleration is inconsistent. Some drivers say they have almost been hit by another car because of this issue.

2017 Jeep Renegade Issues

The 2017 Jeep Renegade has been a troublemaker. The car stalls and dies while driving, which proves to be an inconvenience for many drivers.

Jeep Renegade problems
2017 Jeep Renegade | wikimedia

Besides, the engine is knocking loudly – it sounds like you’re hitting rocks or something when you drive over rough terrain in your normal course of operation on the highway.

 It’s difficult enough that some owners have said they’ve experienced their cars shutting off while they were in motion with no warning signals whatsoever from either inside or outside of the vehicle.

Problems With 2018 Jeep Renegade

Users of the 2018 Jeep Renegade have expressed concern about the engine, power system, and transmission. Most of the electricity complaints focus on oil overuse and many say that there is a lot of use and a bad fuel economy.

While other issues such as blocking or slowing down have also been the cause of the alarm, these concerns are less common than those related to mechanical problems in terms of user feedback.

Jeep Renegade Reliability Scores

According to Consumer Reports, the Jeep Renegade is a terrible car and has caused engine problems for three out of four years they have reported on it.

The 2019 model was not statistically accurate enough to be evaluated yet, but there were already issues with cooling systems that included complete rebuilds and repairs such as cylinder head overhauls or radiator leaks.

2019 Jeep Renegade 1.6 Multijet | wikimedia

 However, this doesn’t compare well against other models which are ranked higher in terms of reliability than the Renegade due to their better scores; only one Cadillac XT4 scored lower at 9%.

The 2020 Jeep Renegade has a fair ranking in different sections, coming out at #$11. With its highest rank being held by the 2017 model year which earned it an impressive position of 11th place with its best score showing up when ranked against other Subcompacts.

 The 2020 model is also not without faults as this generation’s poor rankings show that even though there are some improvements made to previous generations, they still have weaknesses and shortcomings too!

This year of the Jeep Renegade is a great SUV. it has an excellent ride, off-roading capability, and performance to go with an easy infotainment system that anyone can use easily! 

Barriers are poorly calculated reliability statistics, a small list of common features, a low fuel economy, and lazy acceleration.

The 2020 Jeep Renegade has been scored with a 6.8 out of 10 by Car US News, their critics’ rating coming in at 7.2 as well as the performance and interior respectively earning an 8 on average which is pretty good for this car’s class but not quite what you expect from it considering its price range when compared to other cars like Ford or Honda models that are available right now.

2020 Jeep Renegade Ratings | US Car News

 The safety gets an impressive 8.5 though so there’s no need to worry about ending up dead while driving around town! It should also be noted that JD Power gave the reliability score just 2 stars meaning only minimal repairs will likely occur during your time owning one of these if ever needed.

Does Jeep Renegade Have A Lot Of Problems?

Unfortunately yes. The Jeep Renegade has a lot of problems, but it is still worth the buy. The Renegade’s transmission is faulty and often needs to be replaced.

 There are also issues with the air conditioning system, which can cause overheating in hot weather conditions. Other complaints include poor fuel economy and an uncomfortable ride.

How Many Miles Can a Jeep Renegade Last?

Jeep Renegade problems
2016 Jeep Renegade Limited Multijet 4X4 | wikimedia

When it comes to their line of vehicles, Jeep has always been known for durability and longevity. The Renegade is no exception as the average driving distance per owner seems well over 100K miles in most cases with some models averaging around 75-100k. 

Owners are reporting an impressive level of mileage on these cars while they still maintain a good performance rating even at higher rates like 60 MPH or more which makes this vehicle perfect for long trips where comfort isn’t sacrificed.

The mileage varies greatly by year, but even within the same year, there is a lot of variation. The average for used Renegades ranges from 35-50,000 miles with newer models sitting at lower numbers and older ones on the higher end. However, some are available in 2019 or 2018 that have less than 15 thousand miles.

Is Jeep Renegade Reliable?

The 2017 Jeep Renegade is the most reliable car in its line according to Consumer Reports, making it a solid choice for those looking for an SUV.

This vehicle may not be as popular with families who need more space or people on tight budgets due to some of its mechanical and electrical issues but if you can look past these flaws, this might just be your next ride.

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Max Anthony

Max is a gizmo-savvy guy, who has a tendency to get pulled into the nitty gritty details of technology and cars. He attended UT Austin, where he studied Information Science. He’s married and has three kids, one dog and a GMC truck and a Porsche 911. With a large family, he still finds time to share tips and tricks on cars, trucks and more.