JeepWrangler20163.6L/jeep/wrangler/2016/3-6l/
JK platform

2016 Jeep Wrangler — 3.6L

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2016 Wrangler 3.6L.

Body SUVEngine 3.6LTransmission Automatic 5-spd

The 2016 Jeep Wrangler 3.6L is a JK-platform SUV powered by a 3.6L engine, paired with a five-speed automatic transmission and carrying an EPA estimate of 17/21/18 mpg. Against the model’s 1990–2023 complaint record, this year generated 453 owner complaints—far below the 2018 high of 1,793 yet far above the 1996 low of five—with service brakes flagged as the top complaint area and five recalls on file. That positioning below the series’ complaint ceiling means the 2016 model sidesteps the most heavily reported years, even if its volume still sits well above the model’s quietest recorded period.

Model year20192018201720162015201420132012

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

EPA fuel economy17/21/18 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 48 · 600 CCA battery, OE oil filter 68191349AC. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 48 · 600 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP225/75R16OEM · verified
Wheel / rim7.0 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter68191349AC
Engine air filter68257791AB
Spark plugSP149125AF
BatteryBBH6F001AA alt BBH7A001AA
Front wiper blades68002390AA
Thermostat05184894AA alt 05184651AI
Cabin air filter68535613AA

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 5-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length152.8 in
Overall width73.6 in
Overall height72.4 in
Wheelbase95.3 in
Curb weight4129 lb
Track (front / rear)62.6 / 62.6 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)50/50

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined17 / 21 / 18 mpg
Drivetrain4-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent published road-test results.

7.5–8.4 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 7.50 sec — 2016 75th Anniversary Edition 2-door
285 hpHorsepower (as tested)
260 lb-ftTorque (as tested)
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
201675th Anniversary Edition 2-door 3.6L V67.50 sec15.90 sec285 hp4x4
2016Unlimited Rubicon Hard Rock 4-door 3.6L V68.20 sec16.30 sec285 hp4x4
2016Unlimited 75th Anniversary Edition 4-door 3.6L V68.40 sec16.60 sec285 hp4x4
2014Willys Trail Rated 2-door 3.6L V66.60 sec15.30 sec285 hp4x4
2014Unlimited Willys Wheeler Edition 4-door 3.6L V67.80 sec16.10 sec285 hp4x4
2014Unlimited Rubicon X 4-door 3.6L V68.60 sec16.60 sec285 hp4x4
2018Sport 2-door 3.6L V66.10 sec14.90 sec285 hp4x4
2018Unlimited Sahara 4-door 3.6L V66.80 sec15.20 sec270 hp4x4

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque the oil drain plug to 20.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-3-4-5-6.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF+4
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity5.3
Brake FluidDOT 3
Clutch FluidDOT 3 · SAE J1703
Engine CoolantMS-12106
Engine Coolant Capacity10.5
Manual Transmission FluidMOPAR part number 04874464
Manual Transmission Fluid Capacity3.0-3.2

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs7 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts70 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts17
Intake Manifold to Engine BoltsUpper: 7.4 ft-lbs; Lower: 8.8 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts17.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug20.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs9 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Steering Track (Rod End) Bolts63.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel HubInstall a new nut and torque to 100.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-2-3-4-5-6
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance0.60-0.90 ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance6000-9000 ohms

Battery & A/C

Standard BCI Group Number48
Standard BCI Cranking Performance600 cca

Service checks

Engine Compressionpsi 100 min / max variation 25% psi

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueFront: 26; Rear: 26 /
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 100; Rear: 77 /; Front: 100; Rear: 77
ABS Sensor TorqueFront: 1.0; Rear: 1.0 /
Minimum Pad Thickness0.040 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.040 in
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness after RefinishFront: 1.049; Rear: .409
Variation from Parallelism Thickness Variation.00035
Maximum Rotor Runout.0008

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
115 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9015 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
122.0 ft. lbs. Step 2: 33.0 ft. lbs. Step 3: 75 degrees CAUTION: Do not use a torque wrench for this step. Step 4: 50 degrees CAUTION: Do not use a torque wrench for this step. Step 5: Loosen bolts in reverse sequence Step 6: 22.0 ft. lbs. Step 7: 33.0 ft. lbs. Step 8: 70 degrees CAUTION: Do not use a torque wrench for this step. Step 9: 70 degrees CAUTION: Do not use a torque wrench for this step. Bolts should be checked for stretching using a straight edge. Ay bolts that show stretching should be replaced.22 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 10,000 mi; spark plugs every 100,000 mi; coolant every 10,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 10,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 10,000 miBattery (inspect) · Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (lubricate) · Brake System (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level) · Engine Coolant System Hoses (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill)
Every 20,000 miBrake Linings (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Parking Brake System (inspect) · Suspension System (inspect)
At 30,000 miTransfer Case Assembly (inspect fluid level)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace)
Every 60,000 miTransfer Case Assembly (inspect fluid level)
Every 100,000 miPCV Valve (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace)
At 120,000 miTransmission Fluid & Filter (replace)
At 150,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Owner how-tos

Condensed service procedures for routine maintenance. Procedures that require dealer diagnostic equipment are identified and summarized only.

Common procedures

Key fob — remote (RKE) programming programming new fob buttons Dealer tool OEM · verified
Tool requiredDRBIII scan tool (dealer / locksmith)
WhyTransmitter codes are written into the receiver in the passenger door module
Anti-theft (SKIS) — module initialization after immobilizer module replacement Dealer tool OEM · verified
When neededAfter Sentry Key Immobilizer Module (SKIM) replacement
Tool requiredDRBIII scan tool
Also requiredThe vehicle's four-digit PIN code

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2016 Jeep Wrangler registers 453 complaints, 5 recalls, 3 investigations, and 195 TSBs, placing it near the calmer tail end of the JK generation's federal record. Compared to the immediately preceding 2015 (456 complaints, 3 recalls) and the generation's complaint peak in 2012 (828 complaints, 244 TSBs), 2016 shows a meaningful moderation, and the 2017 follow-up drops further to 304 complaints and 142 TSBs — suggesting the model was in a relative trough of activity. The 2018 spike to 1,793 complaints and 14 recalls almost certainly reflects the JK-to-JL transition and associated reporting anomalies rather than a sudden mechanical failure, reinforcing that 2016 sits in a stable late-cycle window rather than a worsening one. The 28 crash-related and 15 fire-related complaints are non-trivial, with the top complaint categories led by Service Brakes (67), Air Bags (51), Engine (48), and Power Train (42), though the data does not specify the underlying causes for any of these categories. Taken together, the 2016 model year appears to be a defensible used-buy, offering the refined late-JK experience without the elevated complaint load of the early run or the noisy 2018 transition. A pre-purchase inspection focusing on brake and drivetrain function remains advisable given the leading complaint categories.

5
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
195
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
3
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
453
Owner complaints
28 involved a crash · 15 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 453 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Service Brakes67
Air Bags51
Engine48
Power Train42
Unknown Or Other28
Power Train,Engine12
Structure12
Service Brakes, Hydraulic11

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 5 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

19V018000Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator ModuleReported 15/01/2019

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2010 Dodge Ram 3500, Ram 4500/5500, 2010-2011 Dodge Dakota, 2010-2014 Dodge Challenger, 2010-2015 Dodge Challenger, Chrysler 300, and 2010-2016 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. Upon… Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator…

19V680000Seat Belts:Front:AnchorageReported 26/09/2019

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2011-2018 Jeep Wrangler right hand drive vehicles. The driver's seat belt buckle mounting strap may fracture and separate from the seat frame. Remedy: FCA US will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's seat belt buckle, free of charge. Interim notices informing owners of the safety risk were mailed November 19…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 195 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
S1408000384 REV.J2026-03-04Electrical SystemStart Stop Charging Warning Lamp Illuminated On, Intelligent Battery Sensor (IBS) State…
S1408000384 REV.I2026-02-14Electrical SystemStart Stop Charging Warning Lamp Illuminated On, Intelligent Battery Sensor (IBS) State…
91007362025-12-10Electrical SystemVerify "Z" part number availability. Order a "Z" part number for all Exchange Orders…
1074182025-09-18Service BrakesSWITCH - CLUTCH STARTER INTERLOCK & MASTER CYLINDER ASSEMBLY - CLUTCH
91006452025-08-15Unknown Or OtherVerify Reman part number availability. Order the "R" part number for all orders…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

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VIN
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Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

Does the 2016 Wrangler have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the 3.6L get?

EPA figures are 17 city / 21 highway / 18 combined mpg.