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2013 Jeep Wrangler

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2013 models.

Jeep Wrangler
Pictured: 2018 Jeep Wrangler Sahara Unlimited Multijet 2.1 Front. Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Body styles
2dr SUV 4WD Rubicon, 2dr SUV 4WD Sahara, 2dr SUV 4WD Sport/Sport S, Unlimited 4dr SUV 4WD Rubicon
Engines
3.6L 6-cyl
Drivetrain
4-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
MPG (best)
18 combined · 17 city / 21 hwy
Length
152.8–173.2 in
Curb weight
3,878–4,522 lb
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
6 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

Nothing stands out against similar models in the data.

Watch out for

  • Below-average fuel economyBest version gets 18 MPG combined, 16% below the 2013 small SUV average of 21.4 MPG.
  • Many owner complaints418 complaints filed with NHTSA versus about 26 for similar models — most often about the engine.
  • "Do not drive" recallCheck that the recall repair was done before buying or driving.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 3 similar 2013 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2013 Jeep Wrangler is a small SUV offered with a 3.6L 6-cyl engine and 4-wheel drive.

It measures about 153 inches long and 74 inches wide on a 95-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,132 lb (2dr SUV 4WD Rubicon).

EPA rates its most efficient version at 18 MPG combined (17 city / 21 highway), 16% worse than the 2013 small SUV average of 21.4 MPG, for an estimated $3,700 a year in fuel.

NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.

It has 6 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 418 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the engine.

What changed for 2013

No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2012 Wrangler — a carry-over year in the data.

Compared with 2012; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2012 Wrangler →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
2dr SUV 4WD Rubicon152.8 in73.6 in72.4 in95.3 in62.6 / 62.6 in4,132 lb50/50
2dr SUV 4WD Sahara152.8 in73.6 in72.4 in95.3 in62.6 / 62.6 in4,054 lb50/50
2dr SUV 4WD Sport/Sport S152.8 in73.6 in72.4 in95.3 in62.6 / 62.6 in3,878 lb50/50
Unlimited 4dr SUV 4WD Rubicon173.2 in74 in70.9 in116.1 in61.4 / 61.8 in4,522 lb50/50
Unlimited 4dr SUV 4WD Sahara173.2 in74 in70.9 in116.1 in61.4 / 61.8 in4,396 lb50/50
Unlimited 4dr SUV 4WD Sport S173.2 in74 in70.9 in116.1 in61.4 / 61.8 in4,277 lb50/50

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

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Wrangler 4WD3.6L 6-cylAutomatic 5-spd4-Wheel Drive17 / 21 / 18-16%$3,700481
Wrangler Unlimited 4WD3.6L 6-cylAutomatic 5-spd4-Wheel Drive16 / 20 / 18-16%$3,700504
Wrangler 4WD3.6L 6-cylManual 6-spd4-Wheel Drive17 / 21 / 18-16%$3,700481
Wrangler Unlimited 4WD3.6L 6-cylManual 6-spd4-Wheel Drive16 / 21 / 18-16%$3,700502
4/10EPA fuel economy score (best version)
4/10EPA greenhouse gas score
Spend $6,500Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
21.4 MPG2013 Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2013 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2013 Jeep Wrangler.

Similar 2013 small SUVs

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2013 Jeep Wrangler (this car)18 MPGNot rated6
2013 Subaru Crosstrek28 MPGNot rated1
2013 Chevrolet Captiva23 MPGNot rated0
2013 BYD e6127 miNot rated0

Recalls (6)

Safety advisory: 2 recalls for this model year carry a "Do Not Drive" or "Park Outside" warning. Check your VIN now.
Seat Belts › Front › Anchorage · Sep 26, 2019

NHTSA campaign 19V680000 · 11,463 vehicles

Problem
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2011-2018 Jeep Wrangler right hand drive vehicles. The driver's seat belt buckle mounting strap may fracture and separate from the seat frame.
Risk
A separated or severed seat belt buckle strap will result in an inoperable seat belt, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Fix
FCA US will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's seat belt buckle, free of charge. Interim notices informing owners of the safety risk were mailed November 19, 2019. Owners will received a second letter and the recall began March 26, 2020. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recall is VA6.
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module · Jan 15, 2019 Do not drive

NHTSA campaign 19V018000 · 1,413,222 vehicles

Problem
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2010 Dodge Ram 3500, Ram 4500/5500, 2010-2011 Dodge Dakota, 2010-2014 Dodge Challenger, 2010-2015 Dodge Challenger, Chrysler 300, and 2010-2016 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.
Risk
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could explode with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially 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 4, 2019. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is V01.
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 › Driver Side › Inflator Module · May 11, 2016

NHTSA campaign 16V288000 · 7,196 vehicles

Problem
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2011-2016 Right Hand Drive Jeep Wrangler vehicles manufactured February 16, 2010, to May 2, 2016. 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 August 11, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S40.
Visibility › Rearview Mirrors/Devices › Exterior · Oct 8, 2014

NHTSA campaign 14V631000 · 313,772 vehicles

Problem
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Jeep Wrangler vehicles manufactured February 16, 2010, to July 19, 2013. Corrosion in the exterior heated power mirror electrical connector may result in an electrical short.
Risk
An electrical short increases the risk of a fire.
Fix
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will move the exterior mirror power feed to a separate connector, free of charge. Chrysler issued an interim notification to owners on December 8, 2014. The recall began on March 3, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is P61.
Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Cooling Unit And Lines · Jun 4, 2013

NHTSA campaign 13V234000 · 180,131 vehicles

Problem
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Jeep Wrangler vehicles equipped with a 3.6L engine and an automatic transmission and manufactured January 23, 2011, through February 23, 2013. The power steering line may contact and wear a hole in the transmission oil cooler line resulting in a loss of transmission fluid.
Risk
A loss of transmission fluid may result in a loss of transmission function which may increase the risk of a crash.
Fix
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the power steering return tube assembly, free of charge. The recall began on September 23, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N28.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2013 Jeep Wrangler is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

418Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
8Involved a crash
12Involved a fire
5Injuries reported
60,000 miTypical mileage at failure
Engine121
Electrical System91
Unknown Or Other68
Air Bags64
Service Brakes57
Power Train47
Steering33
Fuel/Propulsion System27
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
24/06: 224/07: 124/11: 124/12: 125/01: 225/02: 225/03: 225/04: 225/05: 325/07: 125/08: 225/09: 125/10: 225/11: 126/01: 126/02: 626/03: 326/04: 426/05: 426/06: 226/07: 226/08: 126/09: 526/10: 224/0624/1225/0325/0725/1026/0226/0526/08max 6

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2013 Jeep Wrangler buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 6 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. 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.
  3. Engine — 121 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
  4. Electrical System — 91 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
  5. Air Bags — 64 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
  6. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 60,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  7. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2013 Jeep Wrangler. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other Wrangler years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2027 Wrangler21–Not rated00
2026 Wrangler21181.9 inNot rated312
2025 Wrangler21181.9 inNot rated682
2024 Wrangler21181.9 inNot rated14965
2023 Wrangler25181.9 inNot rated16376
2022 Wrangler25181.9 inNot rated16412
2021 Wrangler25181.9 inNot rated17962
2020 Wrangler25160.2 inNot rated13617
2019 Wrangler24160.2 inNot rated9746
2018 Wrangler24152.8 inNot rated141,827
2017 Wrangler18152.8 inNot rated5311
2016 Wrangler18152.8 inNot rated5462

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