2018+ (BU facelift) · 1.3L GSE Firefly turbo petrol (150 hp / 180 hp)
Compact American-styled crossover popular with urban buyers seeking distinctive styling. The 1.3 GSE Firefly replaced the troublesome 1.4 Fire Turbo in 2018 and is mechanically improved, but the Renegade still suffers from significant reliability issues. The notorious 9-speed ZF automatic transmission remains deeply problematic with jerky shifts, hesitation, and premature failure. Electrical gremlins cause battery drain and Uconnect freezes. Premature brake wear affects rear calipers, and water leaks plague door seals and sunroof drains. Parts availability is reasonable but labor costs are high. Avoid early production years (2015-2018) entirely.
Mechatronic unit faults, valve body splitting, jerky shifts, hesitation, complete failure · more· less
The 9-speed automatic transmission is the Renegade's Achilles heel. Common failures include mechatronic unit faults, valve body problems, clutch pack wear, and complete transmission failure. Symptoms include slow shifting, hard shifts, hesitation, shuddering, jerking, clunking, and sudden loss of power. Problems typically appear between 40,000-80,000 km. Transmission shifts particularly poorly when cold. Dealer replacement costs €8,000 at dealership. Manual gearbox versions are significantly more reliable, but harder to find. A class-action lawsuit extended powertrain warranty to 6 years for 2015 models. If buying automatic, budget for eventual transmission work.
Battery drain / parasitic draw€200 - €800
ABS module, BCM, UConnect, and faulty wiring cause persistent battery drain · more· less
The 2015-2019 Renegade is notorious for phantom battery drains. Multiple components can cause the issue: ABS module (most common), BCM (Body Control Module), UConnect system, and faulty wiring. Symptoms include dead battery after 2-3 days of sitting, UConnect screen showing battery at 40% when gauge reads empty, and 10% battery drop over just a few days. Some owners have replaced ABS module, BCM, and radio but issues persist. Solutions include updating UConnect software (helps reduce drain within days), upgrading to AGM battery, and diagnosing parasitic draw. Some sources suggest battery replacement every 3 years due to sensitive electronics. Testing showed BCM and radio draining at 1.35 amps. This is a persistent, expensive-to-diagnose problem affecting many Renegades.
Rear brakes wear faster than fronts, rotors groove severely, 2020 caliper cracking recall · more· less
The Renegade suffers from unusual brake problems. Rear brake pads wear faster than fronts - at 17,000 miles front pads had 8mm left while rears had only 2mm. At 40,000 km, fronts still had 12mm while rears needed replacement. Front rotors develop deep grooves at only 24,000-28,000 km despite pads looking new, requiring rotor replacement. Brake rotors rust very easily and quickly, causing rough surface and accelerated pad wear. Symptoms include soft/unresponsive brakes, clicking/squeaking noises, and premature wear. 2020 models had recall VE8 for fractured right rear brake calipers due to casting defects. Complete brake service (pads + rotors front and rear) can exceed €1,200 at dealer. Independent shops charge €400-800 for brake work. This issue affects multiple model years (2015-2024).
Water leaks (sunroof drains, door seals)€300 - €1,000
Clogged sunroof drains, kinked tubes, worn door seals cause passenger floor flooding · more· less
Water intrusion is a common complaint affecting passenger-side floorboards. Primary causes include clogged or kinked sunroof drain tubes that cannot handle water volume, sunroof ECU settings causing sunroof to close incorrectly (too low by up to 6mm), and worn/torn door weather stripping. Sunroof drains get kinked or clogged and overflow into cabin. Door seals develop hidden tears or lose compression. Symptoms include wet carpets after rain, musty odors, and visible water pooling. Solutions include clearing drain tubes (€100-200 labor), adjusting sunroof alignment, and replacing door seals (€300-600 for all four doors). Persistent leaks can cause electrical issues and interior damage. Check for dampness during test drive and after car wash.
Uconnect system freezing / glitching€150 - €1,500
Touchscreen fades to black, system reboots randomly, display connectors fail · more· less
Uconnect freezing is widespread, particularly in 2018 models. Systems freeze into black screen 4-5 times daily for some owners. Symptoms include touchscreen fading/freezing, complete display blackouts, hanging during startup (showing only Jeep+BeatsAudio logo), screen locking up while playing music, and random reboots. Causes include loose display connectors, failing display units, and voltage drops from battery issues. Dealers typically try software updates first (€150-250). If unsuccessful, they replace the entire Uconnect unit (€1,200-1,500). Software updates help but don't always permanently solve the issue. Many dealers struggle to replicate the problem, making warranty repairs difficult. The 2018 facelift brought updated processors, but freezing issues persist. Critical functions like backup camera can be affected, creating safety concerns.
Actuator sticks from gentle driving, carbon buildup causes EPC light and limp mode · more· less
The 1.3 turbo experiences actuator sticking if driven too gently or only for short trips, allowing carbon buildup. Symptoms include EPC warning light, limp mode, random power loss, and severe turbo lag (3-4 second delay on throttle response when pulling into traffic). Insufficient oil flow from low oil, clogged lines, or neglected maintenance causes turbo failure with rattling, loss of power, or blue smoke. Jeep won't sell actuator separately. Actuator-only repair at specialist costs €500-600. Full turbo replacement runs €900-2,500 depending on dealer vs independent. Using premium fuel and regular spirited driving helps prevent carbon buildup. The 1.3 GSE is improved over problematic 1.4 Fire Turbo but still requires proper maintenance and driving style to avoid issues.
Suspension wear / steering vibration€400 - €1,200
Tire balance issues, loose components, worn bushings cause vibrations at highway speeds · more· less
Steering wheel vibration is common, particularly at 40-80 mph. Primary causes include unbalanced wheels (wheel weights falling off), low tire pressure, improper alignment, worn suspension bushings, bad ball joints, and loose tie rods. Symptoms include vibrations from front end or through steering wheel, clunking/rattling noises over bumps or while turning, and violent shaking at high speeds. Road force balancing often reveals rear wheel/tire balance issues. Solutions include professional wheel balancing (€80-120), alignment (€100-150), and replacing worn suspension components (€400-1,200 depending on parts). The issue becomes more pronounced as the vehicle ages. Some owners report persistent vibration even after multiple balancing attempts. Addressing quickly is important for safety and tire longevity.
The 1.3 GSE uses a timing chain (not belt), designed to last engine lifetime. However, tensioner and guide wear can occur. The tensioner has a release valve that weakens over time, allowing oil pressure to bleed off overnight. This causes distinctive rattle for 1-30 seconds on cold start. Typically occurs between 80,000-120,000 km if it happens. Listen for rattling lasting more than a few seconds - indicates chain, guides, tensioner, and sprockets need replacing (€900-1,200). The 1.3 is improved over the problematic 1.4 Fire Turbo. Proper oil changes with correct viscosity help prevent premature wear. Ignoring persistent rattle can lead to chain skip and catastrophic valve/piston contact. No scheduled timing belt replacement needed since it uses chain.
Headlight electrical failures€200 - €800
Both low beams fail simultaneously, false warning messages, auto headlight malfunction · more· less
Headlight electrical issues affect multiple model years. Common problems include both low beam headlights failing at exact same time while high beams still work (indicates wiring or BCM issue, not bulbs), all exterior lighting shutting off while driving then restoring, false dash warnings stating multiple left side lights are out when all are working (particularly in winter), "service auto headlights" warning, and fog light housings burning out or randomly cycling on/off. Causes include blown fuses, wiring connection problems near headlamp assembly, BCM faults, and failing headlight control modules. Solutions range from fuse replacement (€50-100) to BCM reprogramming (€200-400) to complete headlight assembly replacement (€400-800 per side). Some issues are intermittent and difficult for dealers to diagnose. Safety concern for nighttime driving.
Below-average reliability with expensive transmission risk
The Jeep Renegade has consistently poor reliability ratings from J.D. Power and Consumer Reports. The 9-speed automatic transmission is particularly problematic and expensive to repair. While the 1.3 GSE engine is an improvement over the troublesome 1.4 Fire Turbo, the Renegade still suffers from widespread electrical issues, premature brake wear, and water leaks. Manual transmission versions are more reliable but harder to find. Budget for higher-than-average maintenance costs and potential major repairs.
Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
General checks
Service history
Complete Jeep dealer or specialist records essential. Verify transmission fluid changes at proper intervals for automatic models.
Cold start
Must start engine completely cold. Listen for timing chain rattle in first 30 seconds.
Body condition
Check for rust, accident damage, paint mismatch. Aluminum body panels can show corrosion.
Test drive
Minimum 30 minutes including highway speeds. Test automatic transmission through full temperature range.
Specific for this vehicle
9-speed automatic transmission operation (critical)
Drive for 20+ minutes. Feel for jerky shifts, hesitation, clunking, shuddering, or delayed response. Test cold and hot. This is the most important check - transmission failure is catastrophically expensive.
Check battery health and parasitic drain
Verify battery holds charge. Ask when last replaced. Test if battery drains after sitting 2-3 days. Check UConnect screen for battery percentage display.
Inspect rear brake pads and rotors
Rear brakes wear faster than fronts on Renegade. Check for uneven wear, grooved rotors, rust buildup. Ask about brake service history.
Water leak inspection
Check passenger floor carpets for dampness. Smell for musty odors. Test sunroof operation. Inspect door seal condition. Ask seller to run through car wash before test drive.
Uconnect system test
Test all Uconnect functions. Watch for screen freezing, black screen, random reboots. Test backup camera. Check for software update history.
Turbo response and EPC light
Accelerate hard from standstill. Note any 3-4 second turbo lag. Watch for EPC warning light. Listen for unusual turbo sounds or rattling.
Steering wheel vibration test
Drive at highway speeds (100-130 km/h). Feel for vibrations through steering wheel. Note any clunking over bumps.
20V-191: Rearview camera software error (2019-2020)Verify completed
VE8: Right rear brake caliper fracture (2020 only)Verify completed
V73: ORC calibration - Upland trim (2019)Verify completed
V42: ORC module software (2019)Verify completed
31-002-22: Aluminum body panel corrosion (2019+)TSB - check status
Multiple TSBs: EPS module, PCM, wheel sensors, BCM227 total TSBs
Contact Jeep dealer with VIN to verify all recalls completed. The Renegade has 227 documented Technical Service Bulletins, indicating widespread quality issues. Check for software updates to Uconnect, BCM, and transmission control module.
Warranty Status
Factory warranty (3 years / unlimited km)Expired on 2018-2021 models
Powertrain warranty (5 years / 100,000 km)Check remaining coverage
Roadside assistance (5 years / 100,000 km)Included with powertrain
The 5-year/100,000 km powertrain warranty covers engine, transmission, and drivetrain. This is crucial given transmission issues. Extended warranty (Mopar Maximum Care) available for qualifying vehicles - recommended due to reliability concerns. Verify remaining coverage with dealer using VIN. Note: 2015 models received extended 6-year powertrain warranty from class-action lawsuit over 9-speed transmission.
This report is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Estimates may be inaccurate. Always have a qualified specialist inspect the vehicle before purchase. We accept no liability for decisions made based on this information.