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Jeep Renegade VIN Number Check

A free NHTSA vPIC decode tells you which Jeep Renegade you are looking at. Then check its model year against 13 NHTSA recall campaigns and what owners have reported.

VIN prefixZAC

Free decode plus the NHTSA recalls for its model year. 17 characters, no I, O or Q.

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Jeep Renegade

About the Jeep Renegade

Jeep sold the Renegade in the US for model years 2015–2023. Across those years NHTSA lists 13 vehicle recall campaigns and 2,202 owner complaints. The 2017 has the most complaints of any model year (565). EPA rates it at 24–27 mpg combined. A free VIN decode gives you NHTSA vPIC’s record for the car (model year, engine, plant) and the NHTSA recalls for its model year. It won’t show theft, flood or lemon-law history.

US model years2015–2023
EPA classSmall Sport Utility Vehicle
NHTSA recall campaigns13
Owner complaints2,202 at NHTSA
Jeep Renegade photographed at a US vehicle auction
Auction lot photo, for illustration
Generations

Jeep Renegade at a glance

One generation in the data, 2015–2023: 13 NHTSA recall campaigns and 2,202 owner complaints.

1 / 1
Gen 1
2015–2023Small Sport Utility Vehicle
Jeep Renegade (2015–2023)

Photo: M 93, CC BY-SA 3.0 de, via Wikimedia Commons

201520202023
2015–2023

Jeep Renegade

EPA classSmall Sport Utility Vehicle
EPA combined mpg24–27
NHTSA recalls13

Engines (EPA)

  • 1.4 L 4-cyl (turbo) · 2015–2018
  • 2.4 L 4-cyl · 2015–2021
  • 1.3 L 4-cyl (turbo) · 2019–2023

Drive & transmission (EPA)

  • AWD/4WD, FWD
  • manual (2015–2018), automatic (2015–2023)

Known issues to check

Engine and cooling (851)Electrical system (619)Powertrain (transmission, driveline) (424)

Mentions in 2,202 NHTSA complaints.

Sample VIN pattern · Gen 1ZACCJABB?JP······NHTSA vPIC decodes it as a 2018 Jeep Renegade Latitude (North for Canada), built in Melfi, Italy
Check a Renegade VIN

Sources: EPA · NHTSA · vPIC

NHTSA campaign data

Which Renegade model years each recall covers

NHTSA data

NHTSA has 13 campaigns on file for Renegade model years 2015–2023, and the 2019 shows up in more of them than any other year (4), ahead of the 2015 (3). Move the line to your model year to see which apply.

2019
Air bag inflator, fire risk or do-not-drive/park-outside advisorySafety recallCanada only
Pick a row
What to ask

Source: NHTSA recall database, vehicle campaigns only; row text is NHTSA’s summary. A listed year does not mean every car is covered, so check the VIN.

Canada rows: Transport Canada recalls database. Transport Canada recalls that match an NHTSA campaign are folded into that row by VinNumber.net; rows with the Canadian flag have no NHTSA match. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada · Transport Canada.

Owner reports · NHTSA complaints

What Jeep Renegade owners report

Owner summaries + NHTSA data

Between them, the 2017 and 2015 hold 1,076 of the 2,202 complaints, or 49%. Tap any bar or generation.

2,202NHTSA complaints, 2015–2023
79mention a crash
34mention a fire
62injuries reported
Owner complaints by model yearGen 1: 2,202 complaints · most for the 2017 (565)

Top complaint areas · Gen 1

Mentions in 2,202 complaints, 2015–2023.

Engine and cooling851
Electrical system619
Powertrain (transmission, driveline)424
Fuel system291
Brakes111
Speed control / acceleration109
Crashes 79Fires 34Injuries 62

2015–2023

NHTSA data summary

The 2017 is the outlier. On its own it has 565 of the ’s 2,202 complaints (26%), more than any other Renegade model year, and owners across the generation name engine and cooling most often (851 mentions), then electrical system (619).

What Renegade owners report across recent generations

Owner summary

2015–2023 (1st generation)

The first model years draw most of the complaints. CarComplaints says the 2015 has a very large volume of complaints for a new model, mostly electrical and interior issues plus squealing brakes and rough shifting from the 9 speed automatic, and NHTSA owners of the 2015 describe harsh shifts and stalling. On the 2017, stalling leads NHTSA complaints, and CarComplaints lists stalling, engine knocking and excessive oil consumption. Recalls cover cracked oil pump housings on some 2017 models with the 2.4L engine that can make the engine stall, and 9 speed transmission wiring on some 2015 models that may shift to neutral. [1] [2] [3] [4]

What to check before buying

  • Run the VIN through the NHTSA recall lookup, including the oil pump and fuel pump recalls on 2017–2018 models and the transmission wiring recall on 2015 models.
  • Ask for oil consumption and transmission software records.
  • On the drive, feel for rough or delayed shifts, watch for stalling or warning lights, listen for engine knocking and check the oil level.
Sources (4) and method
Sources:
  1. NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, 2015 Jeep Renegade
  2. CarComplaints.com, 2015 Jeep Renegade problems
  3. NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, 2017 Jeep Renegade
  4. CarComplaints.com, 2017 Jeep Renegade problems

Counts: NHTSA complaints file, records to October 1, 2026, one count per complaint; areas are NHTSA component groups.

Owner summary updated September 25, 2026.

Owner opinions · Reddit

What Jeep Renegade owners say on Reddit

Summarized from public threads

Jeep Renegade owners on Reddit are split. Many report 100,000 to 200,000 miles with routine care, one coworker's 2015 is said to be past 305,000 highway miles, and owners praise how well the body resists rust. Others list oil burning on the 2.4, slipping or harsh nine-speed shifts, motor mounts, weak batteries, head unit glitches and broken MySky roofs, and one 2016 owner gave up at 137,048 miles after a blown head gasket. Several also find it sluggish on hills.

Pros

  • Many owners pass 100,000 miles and some go well beyond 200,000
  • Body holds up well against rust even on salted winter roads
  • Fun, compact and capable in snow

Cons

  • Oil consumption on the 2.4 plus some head gasket and coolant leaks
  • Rough or slipping nine-speed automatic and worn motor mounts
  • Electrical gremlins, short battery life, glitchy screens and MySky roof failures
  • Slow acceleration, especially uphill

Opinions of individual owners, summarized in our own words. Not verified data; check recalls and complaints above.

Owner complaints · by model year

Renegade complaint breakdown by model year

NHTSA data

Every Renegade version is counted together. Tap a year to see its top systems.

2,202complaints, 2015–2023
79mention a crash
34mention a fire
62injuries reported
Most complaints: 2017 (565), 2015 (511), 2018 (442)
511’15565’17442’18’20

2017 · 565 complaints

Crashes 23 · fires 5 · injuries 16

Engine268
Electrical system149
Fuel/propulsion system119
Unknown or other99
Power train95

Systems as NHTSA names them; a complaint can list several. Source: NHTSA complaints data, records to October 1, 2026.

EPA fuel economy & emissions

Renegade CO₂, smog rating and yearly fuel cost

EPA data

EPA lists 37 Renegade versions for model years 2015–2023. The lowest tailpipe CO₂ is 307 g/mi (2021). Pick a model year and powertrain to see each version.

Gen 12015–2023

24–27 mpg · CO₂ 307–372 g/mi

2022
27combined MPG
329CO₂ grams per mile (tailpipe)
$2,500EPA yearly fuel cost
6/10Smog rating
1 = worst · 10 = cleanest
6/10Greenhouse gas rating
California LEV-III ULEV50 · Federal Tier 3 Bin 50Emission standard
Cleanest gas version of 2022: 2WD · Auto 9-spd, 4 cyl, 1.3 L, Turbo — 27 MPG · 329 g/mi
Best (lowest) CO₂ by model year
250300350400450201520202015 · Gas: 3342016 · Gas: 3342017 · Gas: 3362018 · Gas: 3362019 · Gas: 3282020 · Gas: 3282021 · Gas: 3072022 · Gas: 3292023 · Gas: 347
Gas

Annual fuel cost is EPA’s estimate at its current fuel-price assumptions (15,000 miles a year, 55% city driving), so older years are priced at today’s fuel prices. Smog rating and emission standard can differ by sales area (federal vs. California); both are shown. Source: fueleconomy.gov.

Compare rivals

Renegade vs Ford Escape vs Honda CR-V

NHTSA + EPA data

Take 2015–2023. NHTSA lists 13 recall campaigns for the Renegade, against 54 for the Ford Escape and 27 for the Honda CR-V. Pick a range to compare.

Jeep Renegade

Model years 2015–2023

NHTSA recall campaigns
13
NHTSA owner complaints
2,202
EPA combined mpg
24–27
Engines (EPA)
4-cyl 1.3, 1.4, 2.4 L
Also listed
turbo
Drive (EPA)
AWD/4WD, FWD
NHTSA crash rating
4★ overall (2023)

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

  1. Engine and cooling 851
  2. Electrical system 619
  3. Powertrain (transmission, driveline) 424

Ford Escape

Model years 2015–2023

NHTSA recall campaigns
54
NHTSA owner complaints
10,220
EPA combined mpg
23–41
Engines (EPA)
3-cyl 1.5 L · 4-cyl 1.5–2.5 L
Also listed
turbo, hybrid, plug-in hybrid
Drive (EPA)
AWD/4WD, FWD
NHTSA crash rating
5★ overall (2023)

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

  1. Engine and cooling 4,940
  2. Powertrain (transmission, driveline) 1,811
  3. Structure and body 1,097

Honda CR-V

Model years 2015–2023

NHTSA recall campaigns
27
NHTSA owner complaints
7,925
EPA combined mpg
27–40
Engines (EPA)
4-cyl 1.5, 2.0, 2.4 L
Also listed
turbo, hybrid
Drive (EPA)
AWD/4WD, FWD
NHTSA crash rating
5★ overall (2023)

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

  1. Engine and cooling 1,699
  2. Forward collision avoidance 1,549
  3. Fuel system 1,443

NHTSA recalls (vehicle campaigns for all powertrain versions; equipment and tire campaigns left out), complaints (not sales-adjusted) and 5-Star overall ratings for the latest year rated for all three; EPA mpg, engines and drive. Rivals: same EPA class, picked by VinNumber.net.

Jeep Renegade VIN number location

Where to find the VIN on a Renegade

Tap a spot. Every location should show the same 17 characters.

Black Jeep Renegade (first generation) SUV, front three-quarter view, with the VIN locations marked

Photo: Hans Haase, CC BY-SA 3.0, cropped

Illustration: VinNumber.net

Photo: Cutlass, CC0; edited and VIN pins added by VinNumber.net

Locate the Renegade's VIN on the plate at the base of the driver's side windshield. The door jamb sticker and a B-pillar label on the driver's side complete the standard locations. Renegade is produced in Italy, which the VIN confirms through its WMI prefix.

  1. Windshield plateRead it through the glass at the base of the driver's side windshield.
    Source: 49 CFR 565.13(f) (NHTSA): VIN inside the passenger compartment, readable through the glazing next to the left windshield pillar
  2. Door jamb labelOpen the driver's door: the certification label on the B-pillar lists the VIN.
    Source: 49 CFR 567.4 (NHTSA): certification label with VIN at the driver door hinge pillar, latch post or door edge
The title, registration and insurance card show the VIN as well. All locations should match.
FAQ

Common Jeep Renegade VIN questions

Which Jeep Renegade model years have the most owner complaints?

The 2017 leads with 565, ahead of the 2015 (511) and 2018 (442). Those first two alone make up 49% of the 2,202 Renegade complaints filed with NHTSA, not adjusted for sales.

How many recalls has the Jeep Renegade had?

NHTSA’s recall records show 13 vehicle campaigns for model years 2015–2023, leaving out equipment and tire campaigns.

What fuel economy does the Jeep Renegade get?

It varies. EPA rates the 2015–2023 Renegade at 24–27 mpg combined, depending on engine and drive (fueleconomy.gov).

How does the Jeep Renegade compare with the Ford Escape and Honda CR-V on recalls?

For 2015–2023 models the Renegade has 13 NHTSA recall campaigns. The Ford Escape has 54, the Honda CR-V 27. Complaints run 2,202, 10,220 and 7,925 in that order, with no sales adjustment.

What crash rating does the Jeep Renegade have?

NHTSA’s 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2023 Renegade 4 stars overall. One version, AWD, is rated.

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