When you want a compact SUV that still offers rugged capability but in a more manageable size, the Jeep Renegade is the one to consider. You’ll get all of the classic Jeep styling cues in a hip design, not to mention the impressive off-road performance that the Jeep brand is well-known for.
Right about now, you’re wondering “what are the most common problems with the Jeep Renegade?”
Common problems that have been documented in formal complaints by Jeep Renegade owners include:
- Heavy oil consumption
- Excessive exhaust emissions
- Intermittent vehicle shut-offs
- Transmission shift quality problems
- Electrical problems
The following piece sheds some light on problems with Jeep Renegade, along with any potential fixes that were performed or offered. With this information, you’ll be better informed about your next vehicle purchase.
An Overview of the Jeep Renegade
Introduced in early 2014 for the 2015 model year, the Jeep Renegade’s appearance killed two birds with one stone. Not only did it replace the aging Jeep Patriot, but it also served as a smaller alternative to the Jeep Compass.
The Jeep Renegade makes the most of its boxy, upright body with a decent amount of room and cargo space for a vehicle its size. Engine choices included a 1.4L turbocharged 4-cylinder engine and a larger 2.4L naturally aspirated 4-cylinder engine, also known as the “Tigershark” motor.
Five trim levels were made available at launch. The top-tier Limited trim added the most luxury features, including removable or power-retractable dual sunroof panels and leather seating.
The Trailhawk trim added various off-road equipment, including underbody skid plates, off-road suspension and the Jeep Active Drive Low 4×4 system.
Top 5 Problems with Jeep Renegade
Any vehicle can have unexpected problems, but the Jeep Renegade was more prone than most, especially as time went on. Here’s a quick look at a few common issues you might run into while owning one.
Heavy Oil Consumption
Source: Jeep Problems
The Jeep Renegade’s 2.4L Tigershark 4-cylinder engine is well-known for a design flaw that causes it to consume an excessive amount of engine oil. Specifically, defective piston rings allow oil to seep past the rings and burn off during the combustion process.
The 2.4L engine, which holds 5.5 quarts of oil, could consume up to a quart of oil every 1,000 miles as a result. To make matters worse, the engine could stall if the oil level falls below 3.5 quarts. Oil levels can fall without the low oil indicator light appearing.
There’s yet to be a fix from the manufacturer for this issue, but upset consumers have already filed a class action lawsuit seeking damages and restitution.
Excessive Exhaust Emissions
Source: Jeep Problems
Many regions of the U.S. regularly conduct emissions testing on legally registered vehicles. In some instances, the 2.4L Tigershark 4-cylinder engine can also produce vehicle emissions that are in excess of allowable levels.
Excessive emissions could cause your vehicle to fail its next emissions test, resulting in extra time and money spent on repairs. No fixes were available for this issue as of September 2020.
Intermittent Vehicle Shut-Offs
NHTSA Complaint ID: 11351052
A recent complaint from a 2015 Jeep Renegade owner notes that his or her vehicle constantly shuts off without warning. The owner had this happen three times before driving the vehicle to a repair shop for service. However, the service advisor found nothing wrong with the vehicle.
Four months after the service visit, however, the vehicle shut off on its own yet again. Approximately eight hours passed before the vehicle was jumped and taken in for service. Again, technicians could not find a cause for the sudden shut-off.
The complaint does not state whether any further diagnosis or repairs were attempted.
Transmission Shift Quality Problems
Source: Jeep Problems
Another pain point of the Jeep Renegade is the ZF 9-speed automatic transmission — one of the first ever used for a consumer vehicle. Unfortunately, being first with cutting-edge technology also came with its own set of issues.
Many owners have reported exceptionally harsh shifts through the first three gears, as well as delayed transmission engagement when attempting to accelerate from a complete stop. Others noted the transmission remains in 2nd gear for too long and very harsh shifts from 2nd to 3rd gear.
The 9-speed transmission was also plagued with improperly installed sensors that could cause the vehicle to suddenly shift into neutral.
A class action lawsuit was also filed and eventually settled over various ZF 9-speed transmission defects. You can find more settlement details here.
Electrical Problems
NHTSA Complaint ID: 11315895
In a complaint filed in March of 2020, a 2015 Jeep Renegade owner reported a complete loss of electrical power, which subsequently caused the vehicle to stall. The owner notes that the problem occurs frequently, but it’s not caused by moisture, extreme temperatures or bumps and excessive vibration.
The owner had the battery tested and replaced. The vehicle was also taken to the dealer, where the owner was told the vehicle needed a software update. Despite this, the vehicle still loses electrical power randomly.
The owner was also informed that his or her vehicle was not covered under a recall for similar issues affecting newer Jeep Renegade models.