2021-2023 Jeep Wrangler Clutch Assembly Recall (23V116)
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) · 69,201 vehicles · Reported February 23, 2023
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling 69,201 2021-2023 Jeep Gladiator; 2021-2023 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. The clutch pressure plate may overheat and fracture. Overheated clutch components may increase the risk of a fire. Additionally, damage to other nearby components can result in debris falling onto the road or a loss of drive, increasing the risk of a crash. Dealers will make the repair free of charge.
Recall 23V116 at a glance
| NHTSA campaign number | 23V116000 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer recall number | 19A |
| Date reported to NHTSA | February 23, 2023 |
| Manufacturer | Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) |
| Vehicles | 2021-2023 Jeep Gladiator; 2021-2023 Jeep Wrangler |
| Units affected | 69,201 |
| Component | Power Train > Clutch Assembly |
| Safety risk | Overheated clutch components may increase the risk of a fire. Additionally, damage to other nearby components can result in debris falling onto the road or a loss of drive, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| Fix | Available at dealers |
What is wrong with the 2021-2023 Jeep Wrangler in recall 23V116?
The clutch pressure plate may overheat and fracture.
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2018-2023 Jeep Wrangler, and 2020-2023 Jeep Gladiator vehicles equipped with manual transmissions. The clutch pressure plate may overheat and fracture.
Is it safe to drive a 2021-2023 Wrangler with recall 23V116?
NHTSA has not told owners to stop driving, but the risk is real: Overheated clutch components may increase the risk of a fire. Additionally, damage to other nearby components can result in debris falling onto the road or a loss of drive, increasing the risk of a crash.
NHTSA describes the risk this way: Overheated clutch components may increase the risk of a fire. Additionally, damage to other nearby components can result in debris falling onto the road or a loss of drive, increasing the risk of a crash.
NHTSA has not issued a do-not-drive or park-outside warning for this recall. Still, get the repair done as soon as it is available, and stop driving if you notice symptoms related to the clutch assembly.
Which vehicles are included in recall 23V116?
Recall 23V116 covers 69,201 vehicles: 2021-2023 Jeep Gladiator; 2021-2023 Jeep Wrangler.
NHTSA lists 69,201 vehicles in this campaign. Not every vehicle of these models and years is included, so check your VIN.
| Model years | Make | Model |
|---|---|---|
| 2021-2023 | Jeep | Gladiator |
| 2021-2023 | Jeep | Wrangler |
What is the fix for the Wrangler clutch assembly recall?
Yes. Dealers will replace the clutch assembly and update the software, free of charge.
Dealers will replace the clutch assembly and update the software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed from November 16, 2023 through July 25, 2024. Owners may contact (FCA US, LLC) customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US LLC's number for this recall is 19A. This recall expands and replaces previous recall 21V-028. Vehicles previously repaired under recall 21V-028 will need to have the new remedy completed.
When was recall 23V116 announced?
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) reported recall 23V116 to NHTSA on February 23, 2023.
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| February 23, 2023 | Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) filed the defect report with NHTSA; NHTSA assigned campaign 23V116000. |
| November 16, 2023 | Owner notification letters mailed (per NHTSA). |
This recall was filed 43 months ago. If your Wrangler was built in that window, the VIN check below is the way to confirm it is included.
How do I check if my Wrangler is part of recall 23V116?
Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If recall 23V116 is open on your Wrangler, it will be listed there.
The fastest check is NHTSA’s VIN lookup. Type in the 17 characters from your registration or insurance card. Because only some 2021-2023 Wrangler vehicles are included, the VIN check is the only reliable way to know. A brand-new recall may take several days to show up.
What should Wrangler owners do about recall 23V116?
Check your VIN, schedule the free recall repair, and keep a repair order for every dealer visit.
- Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm recall 23V116000 applies to your Wrangler.
- Call a Jeep dealer and schedule the recall repair. Ask how long the repair takes and whether parts are in stock.
- Get a repair order for every visit, even if the dealer only inspects the vehicle. Read it before you leave and make sure your complaint is written the way you described it.
- Write down when symptoms involving the clutch assembly happen: date, mileage, speed, weather and what you felt or heard. Photos and short videos help.
- Count the days the vehicle is at the dealer. Days out of service add up toward California's 30-day presumption.
- If the problem comes back after the repair, return to the dealer and contact a lemon law attorney.
What are Wrangler owners reporting to NHTSA?
Owners have filed 2,169 complaints with NHTSA about these vehicles since 2020, 349 of them about the transmission.
Since recall 23V116 was reported on February 23, 2023, owners have filed 272 complaints with NHTSA about the transmission on these vehicles. 36 of them (13%) describe the same problem happening more than once or coming back after a repair attempt.
How we counted: we matched NHTSA owner complaints for the model years in this recall that list the transmission and were received on or after February 23, 2023, then flagged narratives that describe a repeat failure or a problem returning after a dealer repair, recall service or software update. Data from NHTSA, accessed October 1, 2026. Complaints are unverified owner reports and may involve a related transmission issue rather than this exact defect; automated text matching can miss or misread some reports.
NHTSA’s public complaint database lists 2,169 owner complaints filed since 2020 for the vehicles in this recall, and 349 of them involve the transmission. Complaints are reports from owners and have not been verified by NHTSA, but a high count for the same component is a sign the problem is widespread.
- 2021 Jeep Wrangler: 940 complaints in total, 141 about the transmission
- 2022 Jeep Wrangler: 397 complaints in total, 62 about the transmission
- 2023 Jeep Wrangler: 365 complaints in total, 50 about the transmission
- 2021 Jeep Gladiator: 291 complaints in total, 67 about the transmission
- 2022 Jeep Gladiator: 120 complaints in total, 21 about the transmission
- 2023 Jeep Gladiator: 56 complaints in total, 8 about the transmission
Here is what some owners told NHTSA, in their own words (excerpts, unverified):
Jeep and Dealers are failing to complete safety Recall NHTSA Recall Number24V-720. My vehicle was dropped off at the dealership ( Repair orders attached ) on Dec 11 for the recall . Jeep has launched the recall process which is a software update and a specific drive cycle.
2023 Jeep Wrangler owner, TX, NHTSA complaint 11635308, filed January 10, 2025
jeep caught on fire while it was parked in the driveway there as a ecall on the battery as it s a 4xe i had an appointment with the jeep dealer on the 16th of december and they cancelled it few days before the scheduled appointment they said they didnt have any loaners as it…
2023 Jeep Wrangler owner, MA, NHTSA complaint 11635646, filed January 13, 2025
Recall 19a Jeep released a vehicle with a defective clutch assembly that required full replacement. Unfortunately, they "applied a software fix to a hardware problem". This still hasn’t solved things and is still very concerning. This fix is completely unacceptable. I have a 2023 Jeep with only 16k miles.
2023 Jeep Wrangler owner, WI, NHTSA complaint 11635941, filed January 14, 2025
Can recall 23V116 make my Wrangler a lemon in California?
Not by itself. A recall repair that fails, or repeat dealer visits for the same defect, can support a California lemon law claim.
Recall 23V116000 does not automatically make your Wrangler a lemon. California's Song-Beverly Act asks two questions: does a warranty defect substantially impair the vehicle's use, value or safety, and did the manufacturer fail to fix it in a reasonable number of tries (Civ. Code 1793.2(d))?
Transmission problems tend to come back. Harsh shifts, slipping, delayed engagement and sudden loss of drive power often return after a dealer reflashes software or replaces a part, and each return trip to the dealer is another repair attempt on the record.
This campaign follows an earlier recall for the same issue. A second recall can mean the first remedy failed, and repeated repair attempts on the same defect are the core of most lemon law claims.
Earlier campaigns on these vehicles involving the same component: 21V028000.
Civil Code 1793.22(b) sets out a presumption that applies in the first 18 months or 18,000 miles: two or more repair attempts for a defect likely to cause death or serious bodily injury, four or more attempts for the same defect, or more than 30 total days out of service for repairs. Written notice to the manufacturer is required in some cases. Owners outside that window can still have a claim.
An owner who prevails in a lemon law case can recover reasonable attorney fees and costs from the manufacturer (Civ. Code 1794(d)). You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
In our cases, a recall repair visit counts as a repair attempt, and it's strongest when the owner complained about the problem before the recall came out. A recall shows the defect is real and that enough owners reported it for the manufacturer to issue a fix.
A typical pattern: an owner reports the transmission slipping, and the dealer can't verify it. Six months later, NHTSA issues a recall for the same problem. Because the recall confirms the defect, the mileage offset goes back to that first visit.
The biggest mistake I see is waiting too long. The mileage offset starts at your first repair visit for the problem, so the sooner you take it in, the better. If the problem comes and goes, take it in when it happens. You can't go back to that date later.
If you get a recall notice, call a lemon law attorney right away. You may have taken the car in for the same problem before and forgotten, or there may be other recalls related to it.
Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320), Founder and Managing Attorney. Quotes lightly edited for clarity. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Has your Wrangler been back to the dealer for this problem?
Call 877-536-6620Other Jeep Wrangler recalls
Frequently asked questions about recall 23V116
Did the recall 23V116 fix work?
Since recall 23V116 was reported on February 23, 2023, owners have filed 272 complaints with NHTSA about the transmission on these vehicles. 36 of them (13%) describe the same problem happening more than once or coming back after a repair attempt. If your vehicle still has the problem after the recall repair, go back to the dealer, get a repair order, and talk to a lemon law attorney.
Is the 23V116000 recall repair free?
Yes. Safety recall repairs are done free of charge at authorized dealers.
How do I know if my Wrangler is part of recall 23V116000?
Enter your 17-character VIN in NHTSA's recall lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or call a dealer. The VIN is on your registration, insurance card and the lower corner of the windshield.
Will a transmission software update fix the problem for good?
Sometimes. Many owners report that shifting problems return after an update. If yours does, go back to the dealer and make sure the visit is written up.
Does a recall mean my car is a lemon?
Not on its own. A lemon law claim depends on whether a covered defect keeps coming back or keeps the vehicle out of service. A recall repair that fails, or repeat visits for the same problem, can support a claim.
Does the recall fixing my car mean I have no case?
Not necessarily. Even if the recall repair fixed it, you may still have a case, and a car that's a year or more old can still qualify.
Do used cars qualify for California lemon law?
We take certified pre-owned, demo and dealer vehicles. Since the California Supreme Court's Rodriguez decision in 2024, ordinary used cars generally do not qualify.
How long does a recall lemon law case take?
Recall-related cases typically resolve in one to three months from your first call. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
What does a lemon law attorney cost?
You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
Sources
- NHTSA recall record 23V116000 (recall report and owner letters are posted there)
- NHTSA complaints and recalls data, accessed October 1, 2026
- California Civil Code 1793.2 and 1793.22
Attorney advertising. America’s Lemon Lawyer is a trade name of Wynn Law Group, APC. Responsible attorney: Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320). This page is general information, not legal advice. America’s Lemon Lawyer is not affiliated with NHTSA or Jeep. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.