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2009 Jeep Wrangler

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2009 models.

Class: Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD
Body styles: 2dr SUV 4WD X/Sahara/Rubicon, Unlimited X/Sahara/Rubicon 4dr SUV 4
Engines: 3.8L 6-cyl
Drivetrain: Rear-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel: Regular Gasoline
MPG (best): 17 combined · 15 city / 20 hwy
Length: 152.8–173.2 in
Curb weight: 4,087–4,268 lb
NHTSA rating: Not rated
Recalls: 6 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

AWD / 4WD available

Watch out for

Below-average fuel economyBest version gets 17 MPG combined, 13% below the 2009 SUV - average of 19.5 MPG.
Many owner complaints286 complaints filed with NHTSA versus about 0 for similar models — most often about the air bags.
"Do not drive" recallCheck that the recall repair was done before buying or driving.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 5 similar 2009 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2009 Jeep Wrangler is a SUV - offered with a 3.8L 6-cyl engine and rear-wheel drive and 4-wheel or all-wheel drive.

It measures about 153 inches long and 74 inches wide on a 95-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,087 lb (2dr SUV 4WD X/Sahara/Rubicon).

EPA rates its most efficient version at 17 MPG combined (15 city / 20 highway), 13% worse than the 2009 SUV - average of 19.5 MPG, for an estimated $3,950 a year in fuel.

It has 6 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 286 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the air bags.

What changed for 2009

New body dimensions: 3.1 in shorter — most likely a redesign or new generation

Compared with 2008; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2008 Wrangler →

Dimensions & weight

Body	Length	Width	Height	Wheelbase	Track F / R	Curb weight	Weight F/R
2dr SUV 4WD X/Sahara/Rubicon	152.8 in	73.6 in	72.4 in	95.3 in	62.6 / 62.6 in	4,087 lb	50/50
Unlimited X/Sahara/Rubicon 4dr SUV 4	173.2 in	74 in	70.9 in	116.1 in	61.4 / 61.8 in	4,268 lb	50/50

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

Version	Engine	Transmission	Drive	City / Hwy / Comb	vs. class	Fuel / yr	CO₂ g/mi
Wrangler 2WD	3.8L 6-cyl	Automatic 4-spd	Rear-Wheel Drive	15 / 20 / 17	-13%	$3,950	523
Wrangler 4WD	3.8L 6-cyl	Automatic 4-spd	4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive	15 / 19 / 17	-4%	$3,950	523
Wrangler 4WD	3.8L 6-cyl	Manual 6-spd	4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive	15 / 19 / 16	-10%	$4,200	555

Spend $7,750Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car

19.5 MPG2009 Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2009 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2009 Jeep Wrangler under the current (2011+) test program.

Similar 2009 SUV -s

Model	Best MPG / range	NHTSA overall	Recalls
2009 Jeep Wrangler (this car)	17 MPG	Not rated	6
2009 Toyota Land Cruiser	15 MPG	Not rated	6
2009 Subaru Legacy/Outback	22 MPG	Not rated	0
2009 Mercury Mariner	32 MPG	Not rated	1
2009 Mercury Mountaineer	17 MPG	Not rated	0
2009 Isuzu Ascender	16 MPG	Not rated	0

Recalls (6)

Safety advisory: 2 recalls for this model year carry a "Do Not Drive" or "Park Outside" warning. Check your VIN now.

Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module · Jan 9, 2018 Do not drive

NHTSA campaign 18V021000 · 328,177 vehicles

Problem: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Jeep Wrangler, Chrysler 300, Dodge Challenger and Dodge Charger vehicles, and 2009-2011 Dodge Dakota vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, Chrysler is recalling certain 2009-2010 RAM 4500 Cab Chassis, RAM 5500 Cab Chassis, RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Wrangler, Chrysler 300, Dodge Dakota, Dodge Challenger, and Dodge Charger vehicles ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." Chrysler is also recalling certain 2009 RAM 3500, RAM 2500, RAM 4500 Cab Chassis, RAM 5500 Cab Chassis, Dodge Durango, Chrysler Aspen, RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Wrangler, Chrysler 300, Dodge Dakota, Dodge Challenger, and Dodge Charger vehicles ever registered in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these passenger air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 28, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U03.

Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module · May 24, 2016 Do not drive

NHTSA campaign 16V352000 · 4,648,270 vehicles

Problem: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) expanded the affected population to include 73,712 2005-2009 RAM 2500 trucks produced at the St. Louis North Assembly Plant. With this change, Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2004-2008 RAM 1500, 2005-2009 RAM 2500, 2006-2009 RAM 3500, 2007-2010 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008-2010 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2009 Dodge Durango, 2007-2009 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2012 Jeep Wrangler, 2008-2012 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2012 Chrysler 300, 2006-2012 Dodge Charger, 2005-2011 Dodge Dakota, and 2006-2009 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in AL, CA, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, SC, TX, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Chrysler is also recalling 2004-2008 RAM 1500, 2005-2009 RAM 2500, 2006-2009 RAM 3500, 2007-2009 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008-2009 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2009 Dodge Durango, 2007-2009 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2009 Jeep Wrangler, 2008-2009 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2009 Chrysler 300, 2006-2009 Dodge Charger, 2005-2009 Dodge Dakota and 2006-2009 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in AZ, AR, DE, Washington D.C., IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MO, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NC, OH, OK, PA, TN, VA, and WV, or "Zone B." Lastly, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Chrysler is recalling certain 2005-2008 RAM 2500, 2006-2008 RAM 3500, 2007-2008 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2008 Dodge Durango, 2007-2008 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2008 Jeep Wrangler, 2008 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2008 Chrysler 300, 2006-2008 Dodge Charger, 2005-2008 Dodge Dakota, and 2006-2008 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or registered, in AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MT, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI, and WY.
Risk: These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. These inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify the Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and RAM owners. Mitsubishi owners will be notified by their company. Dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on March 27, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S43. Note: This recall supersedes recall 14V-7700.

Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module · May 11, 2016

NHTSA campaign 16V290000 · 388,532 vehicles

Problem: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2007-2010 Jeep Wrangler JK vehicles manufactured March 2, 2006, to August 13, 2010. The clockspring assembly may become contaminated with dust and cause the air bag circuit to fail.
Risk: Failure of the air bag circuit may prevent the driver's frontal air bag from deploying in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the clockspring, wheel back cover, and column shroud, free of charge. The recall began on December 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S33.

Air Bags · May 7, 2013

NHTSA campaign 13V176000 · 5,440 vehicles

Problem: Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 Jeep Wrangler right-hand drive vehicles manufactured February 1, 2007, through October 10, 2011. The affected vehicles have airbag clockspring assemblies that could experience broken airbag circuits.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating airbag deployment, a broken electrical circuit in the airbag clockspring wiring assembly can lead to non-deployment of the driver-side frontal airbag and will not be able to properly protect the driver, increasing the risk of injuries.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the clockspring and add a steering wheel dust shield, free of charge. The recall began on June 10, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. This recall supercedes NHTSA recall 11V-528. Chrysler's recall campaign number is M31.

Air Bags › Frontal · Nov 2, 2011

NHTSA campaign 11V528000 · 5,437 vehicles

Problem: CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008-2012 RIGHT HAND DRIVE (RHD) JEEP WRANGLER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 1, 2007, THROUGH OCTOBER 10, 2011. SOME VEHICLES MAY BE EQUIPPED WITH DRIVER'S AIRBAG CLOCKSPRING ASSEMBLIES THAT COULD EXPERIENCE A COMPROMISED AIRBAG CIRCUIT RESULTING IN AN AIRBAG LAMP ILLUMINATION, WHICH INDICATES THAT THE AIRBAG MAY NOT DEPLOY.
Risk: A BROKEN ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT IN THE AIRBAG CLOCKSPRING WIRING ASSEMBLY CAN LEAD TO NON-DEPLOYMENT OF THE DRIVER FRONTAL AIRBAG AND WILL NOT BE ABLE TO PROPERLY PROTECT THE DRIVER IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURIES.
Fix: CHRYSLER WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REMEDY THE VEHICLES AS NECESSARY FREE OF CHARGE. CHRYSLER WILL MAIL TO OWNERS AN INTERIM NOTIFICATION DURING MARCH 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Jun 3, 2010

NHTSA campaign 10V236000 · 287,653 vehicles

Problem: CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007 THROUGH 2010 JEEP WRANGLER LEFT AND RIGHT HAND DRIVE PASSENGER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 15, 2006 THROUGH APRIL 22, 2010. THERE MAY BE CONTACT BETWEEN THE RIGHT AND LEFT FRONT INNER FENDER LINERS AND THE RIGHT FRONT AND LEFT REAR BRAKE TUBES WHICH COULD CAUSE WEAR OF THE TUBES CAUSING A BRAKE FLUID LEAK.
Risk: A BRAKE FLUID LEAK CAN CAUSE PARTIAL LOSS OF SERVICE BRAKES AT THE AFFECTED WHEEL INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: CHRYSLER WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-853-1403.

Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2009 Jeep Wrangler is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

286Complaints to NHTSA since 2015

9Involved a crash

10Involved a fire

8Injuries reported

79,600 miTypical mileage at failure

Air Bags98

Fuel/Propulsion System58

Suspension37

Electrical System37

Steering32

Unknown Or Other23

Power Train19

Engine13

Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2009 Jeep Wrangler buyer's checklist

Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 6 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
Safety-critical recall. At least one recall carries a "Do Not Drive" or "Park Outside" warning. Do not buy until the VIN shows it was repaired.
Air Bags — 98 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
Fuel/Propulsion System — 58 owner reports. Smell for fuel around the car and in the cabin, check that it starts easily when warm, and look at the oil dipstick for a fuel smell or rising level.
Suspension — 37 owner reports. Drive over bumps and listen for clunks; look for uneven tire wear.
Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 79,600 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2009 Jeep Wrangler. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other Wrangler years

Compare all years →

Year	MPG (best)	Length	Overall	Recalls	Complaints
2027 Wrangler	21	–	Not rated	0	0
2026 Wrangler	21	181.9 in	Not rated	3	12
2025 Wrangler	21	181.9 in	Not rated	6	82
2024 Wrangler	21	181.9 in	Not rated	14	965
2023 Wrangler	25	181.9 in	Not rated	16	376
2022 Wrangler	25	181.9 in	Not rated	16	412
2021 Wrangler	25	181.9 in	Not rated	17	962
2020 Wrangler	25	160.2 in	Not rated	13	617
2019 Wrangler	24	160.2 in	Not rated	9	746
2018 Wrangler	24	152.8 in	Not rated	14	1,827
2017 Wrangler	18	152.8 in	Not rated	5	311
2016 Wrangler	18	152.8 in	Not rated	5	462

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Jeep. How we calculate this →