2016 Jeep Wrangler: Blown head gaskets
Common wear/failure (not a recall)
Symptoms
Owners of the 2016 Wrangler report: blown head gaskets. CarComplaints.com lists 3 owner complaints, average mileage 54,450 miles.
NHTSA has 94 owner complaints for the 2016 Wrangler in this area. Examples:
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11771092 (filed 10/14/2026): “The contact owns a 2016 jeep wrangler. the contact stated that the factory oil filler adapter housing was made of plastic, which heated up, warped, and cracked over time. this structural failure caused engine oil to drip and spray across the entire underside o…”
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11748098 (filed 07/03/2026): “My 2016 jeep wrangler will buck and jerk when on the highway. i’ll be going a steady speed, not changing speed. i feel the car slow down and stomp on the gas but it goes all the way to the floor and nothing happens. when i try to go into the break down lane, t…”
Likely causes
Sources do not establish a single root cause; diagnosis is needed. Owner-reported fixes are listed below.
Fix, in plain English
Most common owner-reported solutions on CarComplaints.com: replace head gaskets (2 reports). Check for open recalls and extended warranty coverage with a dealer before paying out of pocket.
DIY difficulty: Pro
Internal engine work (lifters, oil consumption, fuel dilution diagnosis) requires engine teardown or dealer software/tests. (Our assessment.)
Cost
CarComplaints.com owners report a typical repair cost of about $3,500 (owner-reported average, not a quote).
Typical parts (search links, no affiliate codes)
AutoZone · O'Reilly · Advance · RockAuto
Sources
Estimated repair cost: head gasket replacement
Average shop cost
$1,135
Range $500–$1,945 (labor)
5.0–14.0 h × $100–$139/h estimated shop labor rate
Parts not included.
Average mobile mechanic cost
$1,705
Range $750–$2,920 (labor)
Shop labor × 1.5 (mobile convenience premium)
Parts not included.
Estimates only, not a quote. Actual prices vary by vehicle, shop and location. See the estimate for your city → · About this repair and its cost
Same repair on other models: 2010 Subaru Forester: Blown head gaskets · 2010 Subaru Outback: Head gasket failure · 2010 Toyota Tacoma: Leaking head gasket · 2014 Kia Sportage: Failed head gasket-exhaust gas in coolant
Page last updated .