A decade later, the 2011 Jeep Wrangler has a list of complaints as high as the Rubicon Trail. Eleven recalls–six for airbags alone–add to the durability and reliability woes for the classic Jeep.
Key Points
- The 2011 Jeep Wrangler has over 430 complaints registered with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, including over 120 for airbags alone due to the Takata airbag disaster.
- Among the 11 recalls affecting the Wrangler, six cover airbags, including three over faulty clocksprings.
- Engine fires, Totally Integrated Power Module defects, spilling gas among the other serious issues affecting the 2011 Wrangler.
- Despite the numerous complaints, 2011 Wrangler doesn’t hold a candle to the 2012 Wrangler and the 750 complaints made about it to the NHTSA.
2011 Jeep Wrangler, Victim of Takata Airbag Disaster
The majority of the complaints made about the 2011 Jeep Wrangler to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration focus on the airbags, numbering 120 thus far. Additionally, six of the 11 recalls also cover the airbags.
The most recent recall, issued January 15, 2019, covers Wranglers built between 2010 and 2016, warning of a possible explosion of the inflator upon deployment of the driver frontal airbag. Affected units received a free replacement of the inflator beginning February 4, 2019. The affected Wranglers are among the over-1.4 million Stellantis models covered by the recall.
Three of the six airbag recalls focus on the inflators on both driver and passenger frontal units, the result of a long, ongoing nightmare resulting from the Takata airbag recall, according to the NHTSA’s investigation opened September 17, 2021.
As the agency itself says, “tens of millions of vehicles with Takata airbags are under recall,” due to the chemicals in the inflators being exposed long-term to high heat and humidity. The potential result is a catastrophic explosion, leading to injury and loss of life.
Beware of Faulty Clocksprings Linked to Airbags, Too
The final three recalls linked to the 2011 Wrangler’s airbag woes have nothing to do with Takata, but with the clocksprings. Affecting right-hand drive models (used for rural mail delivery and utility services), the clockspring issues include faulty electrical circuits in the wiring assembly.
Affected vehicles received clockspring replacements. The NHTSA opened three investigations into the problem, including one opened in 2019 that remains open as of this writing.
However, owners of left-hand drive 2011 Wranglers have noticed similar issues with their vehicle’s airbag clocksprings. Notable symptoms include airbag lights illuminating randomly, and the headlights shining on and off when turning the steering wheel.
Despite the complaints logged thus far, Stellantis has not issued a recall to repair affected models as of this writing.
Refueling a 2011 Jeep Wrangler May Mean Spilt Gasoline, Potential for Fire
No matter which transmission is equipped with the 2011 Wrangler – six-speed manual or four-speed automatic – the 3.8L V6 manages to consume the same amount of fuel: 15 mpg in-town, 19 mpg on the highway, 17 mpg combined, per the U.S. Department of Energy. Thus, it’s definitely a must that every last drop of fuel from the pump makes into the Wrangler’s 18.6- to 22.5-gallon tank.
Unfortunately, the 85 complaints made about the 2011 Wrangler’s fuel system include several about a dangerous quirk during the refueling process. Specifically, the fueling nozzle will click off at “full” or just before, causing gas to spill from the mouth of the fuel neck down the side of the Jeep before reaching the ground. The potential is there for a possible fire should fuel pass over a hot spot on the vehicle, or come in contact with a spark from static electricity.
Electrical Gremlins Haunt 2011 Jeep Wrangler
The third biggest complaint over the 2011 Jeep Wrangler covers the electrical system. As of this writing, 71 complaints were filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, covering the aforementioned clocksprings, as well as the wiring harness randomly catching fire, etc.
The agency had one investigation opened from September 2014 to July 2015, looking into the Totally Integrated Power Module on a number of Stellantis trucks, SUVs, and vans. The TIPM issues include the fuel pump relay, airbag non-deployment, unintended acceleration, and engine stalls.
And Yet, 2011 Jeep Wrangler More Reliable than Updated 2012 Model
The 2011 Jeep Wrangler’s issues are many. However, the following year saw a massive increase in complaints, with nearly 750 filed thus far. Like before, airbags and the electricals are among the top issues. Thus, in a darkly comedic twist, the 2011 Wrangler is somehow more reliable than the following year. However, the gremlins haunting one of the most iconic vehicles around – dating back to the 2011 model year itself – may prove too much for some consumers to bear.
Photos: Jeep
