10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
41,639 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2011 Jeep Wrangler brakes problems

brakes problem

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2011 Jeep Wrangler Owner Comments

problem #15

Jun 292023

Wrangler

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The clutch. I was driving down the freeway and the clutch went out. Yes, Champion Jeep Dodge confirm the clutch system went out. Yes, I was told they do not cover the clutch. There was no one he signed symptoms or problems. I did take it back to AutoNation on 2 other occasion complaining about the brakes and the emergency. I have had this vehicle less than 7 months and had nothing but problems. I paid Auto Nation $6,500 for this Lemon vehicle & purchase the extend warranty plus, because I was told if anything breaks down with this vehicle, I would be covered bumper to bumper on this vehicle within the 2-year time period, under this extended warranty plus. Todd told me It would cover everything under the warranty and specifically the clutch, transmission, motor & electronics. My brother asked Todd several times precisely about the clutch and was told yes with the extended warranty plus, it covers everything major on this vehicle. With the Extended Warranties Plus, You ARE COVERED BUMPER to BUMPER, this is the most comprehensive coverage. NOW, I am asking you to put me in another vehicle until you get this figured out. I am requesting Auto Nation to get me in another vehicle, because I believe this is a LEMON vehicle and I am tired of all the problems with this truck. If you can assure me that Y'all is going to handle this ongoing problem with my Jeep. This Jeep was at Delta World Tire June 13 -?" 19 and then I transferred to Champion Chrysler Dodge Jeep on the 19th of June waiting for approval. Auto Nation extended warranty denied claim on vehicle (Denial Reason for the Case [XXX]). Delta World tire was the Preferred shop but was behind in workload and short on mechanics. So, I had to tow it to Champion Jeep Dodge. So please let me know how much longer it is going to take to decide what you all going to do about the LEMON vehicle you sold me and when to come over to Mobile and pick up another vehicle. I Anticipate and answer immediately! I have a letter I wrote INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF

- Gulfport, MS, USA

problem #14

Sep 032023

Wrangler

  • miles
There is a well known design flaw with the Jeep Wrangler JK parking brake. The parking brake handle is comprised of two springs, a clutch spring and a clock-spring, which keep tension on the parking brake lines. When this spring system fails, which it commonly does, the parking brake handle can be pulled all the way to the top without engaging the parking brake and holding the vehicle. The clutch spring has a extended tail which is supposed to be retained behind a small piece of upright stamped metal, the stop, in order to maintain tension on the spring, which enables proper operation of the parking brake lever. However, the piece of stamped metal is so small and inefficient, that the clutch spring tail flips past the stop, and the spring loses all tension, and in turn, the parking brake doesn't work. There are numerous YouTube videos of this well-known design flaw, with various questionable home remedies. Jeep needs to create a safe fix for this issue to ensure a properly working parking brake, which is especially essential for manual shift vehicles such as mine. The photo attached shows the temporary home fix I created with a washer to get the clutch spring tail to remain in the proper position behind the stop.

- Fairhope, AL, USA

problem #13

May 292023

Wrangler

  • 151,000 miles
The contact owned a 2011 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55- 65 mph when the vehicle in front suddenly applied its brakes. The contact attempted to apply the brake pedal however they were unable to stop fast enough and rear-ended the vehicle in front. The air bags failed to deploy. The vehicle was damaged and considered a total loss. The vehicle was towed and totaled. The contact had back and leg injuries that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 151,000.

- Merrill, WI, USA

problem #12

Feb 242021

Wrangler

  • 22,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Purchased 2011 sahara manual 2dr in 3/2016. On 2/24/2021 noticed smoke and burning smell coming from left front side as I was returning home from a doctor visit on local 4 lane 35 mph highway. Stopped at local Jeep dealer, ross Jeep, 2 blocks away and fire was visible from left front wheel. Was told fire due to brake "seized" causing fire to rotor/brake. 22,000 miles currently on Jeep. Have serviced regularly as recommended and garaged with no "off road" driving. Mechanic/dealer suggested new brakes and rotors on front of Jeep. Why with only 22,000 miles would I have a problem with brakes and what would cause this problem ? from reading other complaints I feel lucky to not have had a total loss of Jeep and my life due to fire. I had Jeep completely checked out prior to purchase along with checking for recalls and no issues surfaced.

- Banner Elk, NC, USA

problem #11

Mar 082020

Wrangler 6-cyl

  • 140,000 miles
Driving down road vehicle started to flame from right front passenger side near front. Pulled over. Got out in time at which time vehicle went up in flames. Called 911 and fire department came put out fire left fire reignited and they came back to put out. Called insurance, filed case with Chrysler got no response. Vehicle was not modified or used for off road this was a vehicle used for regular commute to work. The vehicle was traveling a speed of approx 35 mph on a city street. Raymond street. Believe it was an issue with fuel system in relation to engine. Salvage yard phone 317-787-3202 vehicle id for salvage 27404152 Chrysler case #[xxx] geico claim #[xxx] wayne township fire dept indpls, in about 8:45 pm responded to this ('parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).')

- Greenwood, IN, USA

problem #10

Jun 192019

Wrangler

  • 30,000 miles
2011jeep Wrangler sahara left rear brake has frozen while applied and caused excessive heat and parts damaged on 3 separate ocassions. Entire brake assembly was repaired and replaced with new components after each failure but continues to be a problem. Vehicle is in motion at any speed on any surface to happen. Tire damage and brake loss is a possibility if driven with this issue.

- Bennington, VT, USA

problem #9

Mar 012019

Wrangler

  • 50,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2011 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated that after parking on a slight incline and turning the engine off, the vehicle erroneously rolled forward and crashed into a tree. During the incident the emergency brake was engaged and the gear shifter was in first gear. No injuries were reported. No police report was taken. The cause of the failure was not determined. The local dealer (1200 E. carroll St, tullahoma, tn) was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact indicated that the failure had occurred on multiple occasions. The failure mileage was 50,000.

- Tullahoma, TN, USA

problem #8

May 172018

Wrangler

  • miles
My emergency brake keeps popping loose when engaged. I had the dealership tighten it when I bought it however it never felt like it was tight. Recently I've had more work done to the Jeep and I asked them to look at it. The response was that it can not be tightened, it has to be replaced. He said this is a very common problem on Wrangler. The replacement parts are warrantied for 2 years. As far as the date for which it happened I would have to say it's been an ongoing problem ever since we've owned it.

- Bloomfield, KY, USA

problem #7

Nov 062017

Wrangler

  • 80,300 miles
I have a 2011 Jeep Wrangler unlimited rubicon, I bought it new and it has not been off road except in a field or two and the only mud it has seen is from the road. It has not been lifted nor does it have over sized tires. I have had my electronic stability control light come on a few times in the 6 years I have had the vehicle, but it has always went right back off. It and the ABS came on a few weeks ago and will not go off, because it thinks my vehicle is sliding or spinning, the right front brakes will grab and it cuts the power to the engine. Today I was pulling out onto a main road and the brakes were acting like the ABS(that warning light is also on) was pulsing, I could feel it in the pedal. As I hit the gas to pull onto a very busy highway, the ESC light started flashing and cut the power to my engine and I could not go. As I was in a merge lane I was able to quickly cut to the right and get back off the road before I was hit by another vehicle. This is not the first time this has happened since this problem has been going on. I have had the Jeep to the dealership and they ordered the wiring harness (broken wire they said) to fix it 2 weeks ago and they haven't contacted me that it is in yet. But I was told that because the wiring is ran through the frame they have to pull the body off to replace it. Yes it is going to cost a lot to fix, but I will also have to arrange to take it to the dealership(which is about an hour away) and until I am able to do that, I still have to drive it. I contacted Jeep and talked to someone with their customer service about the concerns I have with being able to pull into traffic and the brakes holding me back and asking if there was a recall for this problem, but they said no and wasn't really concerned about it. And also, the warning lights come and go, flash and it won't go, as it did today when I tried to merge into traffic.

- Rockford, TN, USA

problem #6

Dec 202015

Wrangler

  • miles
Brake pedal issue. Brakes are new, but pedal is soft. Creates a stopping issue as it is difficult to determine and time the stopping distance without increasing braking pressure. Happens at all speeds, but most noticeable at low speeds below 30mph.

- Pittsburg, CA, USA

problem #5

Aug 282016

Wrangler

  • 60,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

ABS brakes engage while driving at highway speeds without touching brakes. This causes the ABS light to turn on and all four wheels go through the anti-lock stutter pattern and can dramatically affect steering control when it is unexpected, pulling the vehicle hard in either direction. This happened to me 4 times yesterday while making a 250 mi road trip on the way back home. The dashboard light illuminates briefly each time as the ABS system engages for roughly 2-3 seconds and then releases. Each time this happened road speeds were between 45-65mph.

- Anchorage, AK, USA

problem #4

Jan 112012

Wrangler

  • 4,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Jeep Wrangler. While driving 40 mph and depressing the brake pedal with force, the vehicle failed to slow down and the brake light illuminated. The failure recurred twice. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the brake pedal sensor failed. The failure recurred. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 4,000.

- Po Box 9011, PR, USA

problem #3

Sep 072015

Wrangler

  • 25,138 miles
I went for brakes prior to 30,000. Vehicle had 25,000 miles and the rotor could not be cut... it rotted through. I had to replace 1 rotor all others were fine. Could have possibly affected many other vehicles.

- Howell, NJ, USA

problem #2

Jan 052015

Wrangler

  • 46,151 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Jeep Wrangler. While driving approximately 70 mph, the rear of the vehicle vibrated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the rear axle seal was leaking and the bearing, brake pads, emergency and parking brake shoes, and the wheel seal needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 46,151.

- Whitehall, MI, USA

problem #1

Mar 022013

Wrangler 6-cyl

  • 16,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated that while allowing the engine to run with the emergency brake engaged, the vehicle rolled away into a neighbor's yard. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed that the emergency brake was defective and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but did not offer any assistance since the vehicle was no longer under warranty. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 16,000 and the current mileage was 16,400.

- Cheektowga, NY, USA

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