Avoid: 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015 (lowest Year Scores on complaints per year on the road, crash reports and recalls)
Best: 2023
9 model years of NHTSA owner complaints and recalls · How we grade
Across 9 model years, the Jeep Renegade has 2,201 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 24 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are engine and electrical system. 2017 drew the most complaints (564), 2023 the fewest (20).
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for Jeep Renegade vehicles (US, public record). Typical used asking price $12,749–$17,195.
Complaint volume by model year. Raw NHTSA totals, not adjusted for sales volume or time on the road, so older and higher-selling years accumulate more. Every year links to its full breakdown.
Highest: 2017 (564 complaints). Lowest: 2023 (20).
Mixed to negative sentiment overall, heavily dependent on model year and powertrain.
Very frequent complaints encompassing engines (2.4L oil consumption, piston ring failures), transmissions (9-speed automatic failures, jerky shifting, "reprogramming" required), and electrical systems (module failures, battery issues).
Sluggish acceleration, excessive engine noise when stressed, turbo lag (1.3L/1.4L), lack of passing power. The 2.4L is specifically criticized.
Jerky shifts, hesitation, reliability concerns, high failure rates, particularly in early model years.
Random warning lights, infotainment failures (especially older UConnect), battery drain issues, faulty modules (e.g., Powertrain Control Module).
Mechanism prone to breaking, very expensive to repair, commonly cited as a design flaw.
Owner insights cover all generations of the Renegade. Individual model years are broken down above.
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