MODEL
Jeep Wrangler Unlimited
NHTSA safety across every Jeep Wrangler Unlimited model year we cover.
Across the 5 model years of the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited we cover (2019 to 2023), the strongest crash-test showing is the 2022 at 68 on the NHTSA Safety Index, and the lowest is the 2023 at 54. 14 recalls have been issued across those years.
The Jeep Wrangler Unlimited is a four-door body-on-frame SUV that occupies a unique space in the American market: a purpose-built off-road machine with genuine trail credentials, sold to adventure-seekers, overlanders, and open-air enthusiasts who prioritize capability over conventional refinement. It competes on its own terms more than against traditional family SUVs, but shoppers still need a clear-eyed look at its safety record before signing.
The Jeep Wrangler Unlimited carries a safety profile that demands serious attention from any buyer. Across the 2019-2023 model years we cover, the best NHTSA Safety Index this vehicle achieved was 68 out of 100, recorded in 2020, and the rating bands we observed fall into Below Average and Weak territory. That is a meaningful gap from the stronger scores posted by mainstream crossover SUVs in the same price range. Crash-test results tell a similar story: the best frontal rating across covered years reached 4 out of 5 stars, which is acceptable, but the rollover score peaked at just 3 out of 5 stars, a figure that reflects the Wrangler's tall, narrow body-on-frame architecture and high center of gravity. Side crash results were not rated in the best year we tracked, leaving a notable gap in the picture. The recall count across these five model years stands at 14, which is elevated, and three of those campaigns were serious enough to carry park-outside or do-not-drive advisories. Owner complaints total 2,882 across the covered span, with 68 alleged crashes, 61 alleged fires, and 41 alleged injuries reported. These are unverified allegations, but the fire complaint volume in particular warrants attention. The honest bottom line: the Wrangler Unlimited is an iconic machine, but its safety scorecard is consistently weak by modern SUV standards. Buyers should weigh that tradeoff deliberately.
WHAT REVIEWERS SAYReviewers generally celebrate the Wrangler Unlimited for its unmatched off-road capability, open-air driving experience, and strong enthusiast identity, while consistently noting that on-road ride quality, interior refinement, and highway composure trail mainstream SUV competitors. The vehicle's safety and crash-test performance is rarely a highlight in professional assessments.
- The best NHTSA Safety Index score this vehicle earned across 2019-2023 was 68 out of 100, placing it in Below Average to Weak bands, which is notably lower than most mainstream SUVs shoppers may be cross-shopping.
- The rollover star rating peaked at 3 out of 5 across covered model years, reflecting the vehicle's tall, narrow body-on-frame structure and elevated center of gravity, a real-world concern on highways and during emergency maneuvers.
- Fourteen recalls were issued across the 2019-2023 span, and three of those campaigns were severe enough to warrant park-outside or do-not-drive guidance, meaning owners should stay current on recall status through NHTSA's VIN lookup tool.
- Owner complaints include 61 alleged fire incidents across the covered years. These are unverified allegations, but shoppers should review any open fire-related recalls for their specific model year and VIN before purchasing or driving.
Most-recalled year on record: 2023 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited with 14 recalls.