Jeep Renegade Years To Avoid & Years To Buy: Detailed Guide

jeep renegade years to avoid

Jeep Renegade owners have reported multiple issues on online forums, from excessive oil use to transmission difficulties. Though its subcompact SUV may have its drawbacks, Jeep’s Renegade still delivers impressive traction and articulation for off-roading enthusiasts.

However, in today’s article, I’ll mention some of the Jeep Renegade years to avoid safely if you’re planning to buy a secondhand vehicle from this company. We’ll also discuss some issues that are reported about these models and what years to buy of this brand.

Jeep Renegade Years To Avoid

Some of the Jeep Renegade years are reported with more issues as compared to the other models. However, the Jeep Renegade years to avoid are:

  1. 2015 Jeep Renegade
  2. 2016 Jeep Renegade
  3. 2017 Jeep Renegade
  4. 2018 Jeep Renegade

2015 Jeep Renegade

The Jeep Renegade is an attractive subcompact SUV, boasting an eye-catching appearance and strong off-roading abilities. However, its appealing appearance may conceal serious flaws that render this model less desirable to certain buyers.

Some Renegade models are known to suffer from engine and transmission issues that require expensive repairs, including stalling out or using too much oil. If you’re shopping for used Renegades, be mindful to avoid model years that have had issues. So the 2015 model year is on the top of the list of Jeep Renegade Years to Avoid.

There are fortunately some model years of the Renegade that do not exhibit these issues and are more reliable, which may save money on repairs while providing more peace of mind while driving. Furthermore, reliable years typically have less reported mechanical problems which means less time dealing with maintenance costs and repair bills; avoid these models to save both money and avoid mechanical problems in your Renegade.

2016 Jeep Renegade

The Jeep Renegade is a compact SUV. It is smaller than the Cherokee but larger than the Wrangler and offers off-roading capabilities, as well as having an eye-catching design and various features. Unfortunately, some issues arise that hinder driver enjoyment behind the wheel.

If you’re considering purchasing a used Renegade, make sure the model year hasn’t been affected by issues and read consumer reviews to gain insight into its performance.

Some Jeep Renegade models have experienced electrical issues. This may include dashboard lights that won’t turn on or malfunctioning engine sensors that need attention from a professional mechanic if left untreated, as these problems could potentially cause severe damage and lead to fires.

2017 Jeep Renegade

Jeep Renegades are ideal vehicles for drivers seeking an off-road compact SUV with unique styling and off-road capabilities, yet are reliable used cars on the market. Unfortunately, in its worst years the Jeep Renegade can suffer from issues including faulty check engine lights, premium audio systems that sound subpar and excessive oil consumption early on in its lifespan.

This Jeep model is known for combining aspects from both the Cherokee and Wrangler for a unique appearance with either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive options, and an innovative infotainment system supporting Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Although boasting many impressive features, some Renegade models may have unreliability issues that impact buyer decisions in 2015-2018 model years and could ultimately dissuade potential customers from choosing it; these issue-ridden vehicles can usually be identified easily.

2018 Jeep Renegade

2018 model of the jeep renegade from jeep renegade years to avoid

The Renegade stands out with its stylish exterior and customizable features to set it apart in any crowd. Inside is spacious with ample head and leg room in both front seats. Although its cargo area may be smaller than some rivals’ models, folding down its rear seat increases it two-fold.

Jeep Renegades are well known as rugged off-road vehicles, yet mechanical issues often plague these older models as well. Some owners have reported engine stalling, high repair costs and excessive oil consumption as being problems associated with aging of these models.

Some owners reported their premium audio system did not perform as expected, while many also experienced issues with their traction control dash light turning on randomly. Although Jeep issued technical service bulletins to address these problems, many were unsuccessful in fixing them completely. Due to such problems it is recommended to opt for 2015-2023 models as these have stronger reliability ratings.

Jeep Renegade Years To Buy

The Jeep Renegade is an enjoyable small SUV capable of taking on rugged trails with ease, yet isn’t always reliable. To avoid such issues, it may be wise to purchase later-model used Renegades from 2022 or 2023 model years; these have better overall reliability scores compared to earlier-year vehicles and are likely to last long enough for their investment value to justify itself.

There are numerous factors that contribute to a vehicle’s durability, with car manufacturers known for producing more reliable models lasting much longer. Cars developed and constructed slowly tend to have greater reliability – something particularly relevant when considering mini-SUVs such as the Renegade.

Jeep’s Renegade subcompact SUV stands out as one of the more desirable choices in its subcompact SUV class, thanks to its excellent off-roading prowess. If you opt for its Trailhawk trim, its low range gearbox, skid plates and surface specific drive modes allow for confident navigation through rough terrain. On the downside, however, its smaller dimensions, higher price tag, lower fuel economy ratings and lower resale values than rival models decrease its attractiveness significantly.

Those searching for used Renegades should avoid purchasing models from 2015, 2016, or 2017 due to their numerous reliability issues. Their 2.4-liter engines were often prone to stalling, prompting Chrysler to recall them all. Furthermore, these models had serious quality issues such as an inferior premium audio system and excessive oil consumption early in ownership cycles.

The 2018 model year also had its share of challenges, from stalling issues to clutch failure caused by a voltage regulator with an early failure rate.

2019-2020 Models

2019 and 2020 models were free from these issues, giving buyers greater peace of mind when selecting late-model Renegades used. These vehicles boast superior quality, reliability ratings and repairs requirements than earlier models, making them an excellent option for anyone wanting a capable mini-SUV that can tackle challenging trails with ease. Alternatively, Subaru Crosstrek or Honda CR-V models may offer greater standard ground clearance and manual transmission, making them more attractive choices for off-roaders.

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BMW X5 Years To Avoid & Years To Buy: Comprehensive Guide
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Common Jeep Renegade Problems

Jeep Renegade owners frequently report problems with its performance and reliability, particularly related to transmission, electrical system, or engine performance.

Some issues, like excessive oil consumption, may be easily rectified while others such as excessive noise pollution require immediate attention.

Transmission Troubles

Jeep Renegades are meant for adventure, but those whose vehicles stall or shut off can quickly lose interest. Many Jeep Renegade owners have reported engine and transmission problems causing their Jeep Renegade vehicles to stall or shut off on the road, resulting in multiple reports of their engine stalling or shutting off while on the road.

Renegade owners have also reported transmission problems with the vehicle. Many reported hard shifts, delayed shifting, jerking and unresponsiveness. These complaints were particularly noticeable during 2015 but have continued into subsequent model years.

Renegade owners have also reported problems with squealing brakes and vibrations at high speeds, which may indicate premature wear or uneven rotor wear, respectively. Vibrations could also be due to various sources; one owner reported their vehicle shaking even with cruise control engaged.

Electrical System Malfunctions

Jeep vehicles have long been recognized for providing “fun on four wheels,” yet driving an intermittently stalling or shutting-down Jeep can be extremely disconcerting. Your electrical system is essential, so any issues should be promptly addressed by a qualified mechanic to prevent significant damage and possible electrical fire hazards.

Renegade owners have reported problems with their infotainment systems, sunroofs becoming stuck, and unresponsive touch screens. If a simple restart doesn’t resolve these issues, performing a system reset could be necessary in order to erase any user data; however it should always be performed under professional advice as any attempt at self-diagnosis or repair can potentially void warranties and require replacement by professional technicians. In extreme cases powertrain control modules must also be replaced.

Excessive Oil Consumption

Your vehicle’s engine oil serves many essential purposes, from lubrication and heat management to picking up dust and debris and transporting it directly to its filter for disposal. Unfortunately, many Jeep Renegade owners report their vehicles are consuming or losing engine oil at an unusually fast rate.

Jeep’s SUV-inspired Renegade is an enjoyable driving experience on urban streets, featuring responsive steering and minimal body roll when turning corners. However, its tight rear seats may become uncomfortable after extended drives due to insufficient cargo space behind them.

The Renegade’s 2.4L engine is notorious for excessive oil consumption, making diagnosis challenging. Although some oil consumption may be normal, it is essential that proper maintenance be conducted regularly and inspections performed when necessary to detect leaks or internal problems that might require costly repair bills and premature engine failure.

Poor Interior Quality

The Jeep Renegade is advertised as an adventure-ready vehicle. But if its engine unexpectedly shuts off while you’re driving or consumes an excessive amount of oil, that doesn’t make for an enjoyable journey.

Owners also report issues with their SUV’s brakes, power steering system and suspension. Brake wear occurs earlier than anticipated while its power steering can sometimes feel unresponsive; drivers report vibrations when reaching highway speeds.

While the Jeep Renegade is an incredible piece of engineering, it does come with some drawbacks that should be considered when purchasing one. If your expectations of your SUV haven’t been met, perhaps it’s time to switch brands altogether.

This guide can help identify potential issues and understand your rights as a consumer as soon as you suspect your Renegade could be considered a lemon law claim – take quick action quickly in order to protect your rights as a buyer!

Martin Lee is an ASE-certified mechanic and contributing author at SincereMechanic. He uses his expertise to create captivating articles that align with our content strategy. Using his deep automobile knowledge, he does in-depth research, puts expertise into articles, and makes them very informative. That information ensures our readers receive many valuable insights about the Vehicles.

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