In this guide, I’ll analyze all Jeep Renegade model years, highlighting the best years for the Jeep Renegade to buy and the worst Jeep Renegade years to avoid.
Through exhaustive research and analysis, encompassing many sources like NHTSA, Consumer Reports, and user reviews, I’ve determined the most and least reliable years for the Jeep Renegade.
In this detailed overview, you’ll learn about the Jeep Renegade’s common transmission problems, precise breakdowns of the best and worst Jeep Renegade years, and critical insights into its standout features.
Let’s dive right in.
Table of ContentsShow
Jeep Renegade Generations
The Jeep Renegade, with its rugged appeal and compact SUV convenience, debuted with its first generation back in 2014 as a 2015 model.
Initially, it made a mark with its commendable off-road prowess, particularly in the Trailhawk variant, and an array of powertrain options, including a 1.4L FIRE turbocharged four-cylinder engine and a 2.4L Tigershark engine.
Here is the table marking Jeep Renegade’s first generation, spanning from 2015 to the present:
| Generation | Years |
|---|---|
| 1st generation (BU/520) | 2015-Present |
Especially for prospective buyers, understanding the transitions, upgrades, and shifts in design, technology, and performance across different generations offers a nuanced perspective, often the deciding factor when making a purchase decision.
Jeep Renegade Best, Neutral, and Worst Years
For our in-depth analysis and categorizations of the best and worst years for the Jeep Renegade, we consider an array of factors including, but not limited to:
- Owner-reported reliability (surveys)
- Annual maintenance costs
- Safety ratings
- Consumer Reports reliability scores
- Consumer Reports owner satisfaction scores
- NHTSA recalls, investigations, and complaints
- Edmunds owner ratings
- JD Power owner ratings
- Kelley’s Blue Book (KBB) owner ratings
- VehicleHistory owner ratings
- Cars.com owner ratings
Next, an inclusive graph will vividly illustrate the combined ratings from the sources above.
The subsequent table categorizes each Jeep Renegade model year as best, neutral, or worst, Jeep Renegade years.
| Best Years | Neutral Years | Worst Years |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 | N/A | 2015 2016 2017 2018 |
Neutral Years, in our categorization, might embody a blend of positives and negatives that collectively place the specific model year in between the best and worst Renegade years.
Some factors, such as NHTSA recalls, negatively affect the ranking. A greater quantity of complaints, recalls, or other negatively connected data diminishes the vehicle’s reliability and subsequent ranking.
Now, let’s dive into Jeep Renegade’s best, neutral, and worst years.
Best & Worst Years for Jeep Renegade 1st Generation (2015-Present)
The Jeep Renegade’s 1st Generation, introduced in 2015, brought a fresh compact SUV option to the Jeep lineup, standing out with its characteristic rugged aesthetic and compact size.
The facelifted years – 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023 are undeniably the best years for the 1st-generation Jeep Renegade. Pre-facelift models – 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018 are the Jeep Renegade years you should avoid.
The Best Years: 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023
Considering high owner ratings and satisfaction scores in platforms like Edmunds, VehicleHistory, J.D. Power, and Cars.com, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023 are Jeep Renegade’s best and most reliable years.
Introducing new power train options and enhancements to the existing ones provided drivers with more reliable and efficient choices.
The 2019 Jeep Renegade featured a 1.3-liter four-cylinder turbocharged engine with a nine-speed automatic transmission.
This new powertrain offered smoother performance and elevated fuel efficiency, with an EPA-estimated rating of 24 mpg in city drives and 32 mpg on the highway.
In terms of technological advancements, these years witnessed the introduction of a more user-friendly infotainment system.
The Uconnect system, with available 7- and 8.4-inch touchscreens, offered features like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and general navigation, enhancing the user interface and connectivity.
Safety also received a generous nod, with more advanced driver-assistance features available.
The inclusion of adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and front parking sensors in these years reflects a conscientious effort towards elevating the safety profile of the vehicle.
Nevertheless, it’s pivotal to note that even among the best, specific years like 2019 weren’t devoid of recalls and issues, such as problems with the rearview display and Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC).
The Worst Years: 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018
Which are the Jeep Renegade years to avoid? 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018 are undoubtedly the most problematic Jeep Renegade years to avoid.
The 2015 Jeep Renegade, despite its novel entry, saw prevalent issues in its electrical system, transmission, and engine, which were illuminated through owner complaints concerning battery draining, sporadic shifting to neutral, excessive oil consumption, and coolant fan malfunctions.
In addition, the 9-speed transmission became a point of contention due to its unintended and abrupt shifting to neutral, prompting Chrysler to institute a recall in 2016 to address the transmission sensor clusters’ insufficiency.
The narrative of engine and transmission issues continued into the 2016 and 2017 Jeep Renegade models.
Engine stalling, a particularly egregious issue, became a hallmark complaint at higher altitudes in the 2017 and 2018 Jeep Renegade models.
This issue was so pronounced that Chrysler was compelled to issue a recall concerning models with 2.4l engines, pinpointing a malfunction in the fuel pump that could lead to a loss of fuel pressure and, consequently, engine stalling.
Moreover, the 2018 Jeep Renegade did not escape unscathed from its distinct problems. A notable recall addressed the Voltage Regulator failures, further intertwining the Renegade with engine stalling predicaments.
See NHTSA 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 Jeep Renegade recalls and complaints.
Jeep Renegade Average Resale Values
See the graph below, which shows the Jeep Renegade’s average resale values.
Conclusion
After going deep into the journey of the Jeep Renegade, it’s pretty clear that post-2018 model years are the best years for the Jeep Renegade, offering a blend of reliability and refined features worth considering.
Given the detailed breakdown of the Jeep Renegade’s performance across various years, which model year captured your attention as a potentially worthy investment?
Share your thoughts below!
