Jeep Renegade BU — Problems & Common Faults
Weaknesses, engine ratings and buying advice
The Jeep Renegade BU is the smallest member of the Jeep family and, since 2015, the entry point into the brand. Built on the Fiat 500X platform in Italy, it combines boxy retro styling with compact dimensions and a healthy dose of character. In the small compact SUV segment it is a likeable thing — the square bodywork and the Jeep-typical details set it apart from the crowd. As an affordable second car or city SUV with light off-road ambitions the Renegade has a genuine place, provided you can live with the familiar FCA weak spots.
In engine terms, only the 2.4-litre Tigershark with 133 kW is on the table here — and it happens to be the most problematic engine in the whole range. This MultiAir four-cylinder is a confirmed oil-burner: the piston rings fail to seal properly, oil consumption can reach up to a litre, and in the US this led to a multi-million-dollar class action. At too low an oil level the engine shuts itself down while driving — not a theoretical issue but a real hazard. Add to that a failure-prone MultiAir solenoid valve. Anyone buying a Renegade with this engine has to check the oil level almost religiously and should clarify oil consumption carefully before the purchase.
The ZF nine-speed automatic is, by common experience, even more reluctant in the Renegade than in the Compass — the jerking and hesitation are especially pronounced here. Anyone who values smooth driving should test this thoroughly on the drive. On top of that come further typical annoyances: the engine can shut off while driving, the brakes squeal sometimes straight from the factory, the underbody protection is inadequate — irritating on an SUV with off-road pretensions — plus sporadic check-engine messages with no clear cause and wiring harness problems.
When buying used, extra caution is therefore in order. A complete service history with documented oil changes is a must, and oil level and consumption on the Tigershark are the most important checks. On the test drive, watch the gearbox closely in city traffic, inspect the underbody for rust and damage, and have the fault memory read out. The Renegade is a charming, distinctive car with honest small-SUV character — but demanding to run technically, and with the Tigershark engine a candidate for expensive surprises. Anyone who buys one should know what they are getting into.
Engine Overview
The Jeep Renegade BU is available with 2 engine variants — from 180 to 240 hp.
2.4-liter Tigershark with MultiAir valve train. Modern on paper, in practice an oil consumption scandal: piston rings don't seal properly, up to 1 quart per 1,000 miles disappears. $8M class action settlement. Primarily 2014-2018. Oil warning comes too late — engine can stall without notice.
- !! Piston Ring Defect: Severe Oil Consumption ($8M Settlement) from 50,000 km
Piston rings fail to seal — up to 1 qt per 1,000 mi. $8M class action confirmed design defect. Primarily 2014-2018.
Symptoms: Oil drops rapidly, no warning until critically low, engine stalls - !! Engine Stall from Low Oil Level from 40,000 km
Due to piston ring defect, oil drops unnoticed. Engine stalls without warning.
Symptoms: Engine suddenly dies, no prior warning - !! MultiAir Solenoid Failure from 80,000 km
Electronically-controlled valve train develops solenoid failures, causing power loss and rough idle.
Symptoms: Check engine P106B, power loss, rough idle
The 1.3-litre turbo petrol with timing chain works here alongside a rear-axle electric motor and a roughly 11 kWh battery. Mechanically the little four-cylinder is solid and the chain is considered durable. The weak points sit almost entirely in the high-voltage domain: the charging electronics and the traction battery fail more often than the combustion engine itself, sometimes early and with long waits for parts. A faulty electronic steering lock can immobilise the car completely. The six-speed automatic shifts harshly and revs high when the engine is cold and the battery empty — that is calibration, not mechanical damage, and settles once warm. Owners who charge consistently and keep an eye on the 12-volt battery during long idle periods get along well.
- !! High-voltage battery failure (documented early) from 23,000 km
The high-voltage traction battery can fail prematurely and disable the electric drive, often accompanied by a cascade of warnings (hybrid system, all-wheel drive, assistance). One case is documented at around 23,000 km after two years. Replaced under warranty, but part lead times of up to eight months.
Symptoms: Several warning lights at once (hybrid system, 4WD, distance warning), EV mode unavailable, plug-in charging fails, in extreme cases the vehicle is stranded. - !! Charging failure (onboard charger / battery management)
The vehicle no longer accepts AC charge; the display shows 'Service Charging System'. Causes range from software/module faults (onboard charger, battery management) through connector and wiring-harness issues at the charge port to a latent battery defect. Reset or module replacement at the dealer only.
Symptoms: Charge indicator turns from blue to red, app reports 'charge fault', 'service charging system' warning, vehicle will not charge despite being plugged in, sometimes a clicking noise from the engine bay. - !! Electronic steering lock immobilises the vehicle
The electronic steering lock (ESL module) jams and locks the steering, gear selector and parking brake at once — the car can neither start nor move and must be towed. The trigger is a small internal component that is only supplied as a complete module.
Symptoms: 'Service vehicle security system' message, steering wheel locked solid, no start possible, gear selector and parking brake unresponsive.
+ 1 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses
2.4-liter Tigershark with MultiAir valve train. Modern on paper, in practice an oil consumption scandal: piston rings don't seal properly, up to 1 quart per 1,000 miles disappears. $8M class action settlement. Primarily 2014-2018. Oil warning comes too late — engine can stall without notice.
- !! Piston Ring Defect: Severe Oil Consumption ($8M Settlement) from 50,000 km
Piston rings fail to seal — up to 1 qt per 1,000 mi. $8M class action confirmed design defect. Primarily 2014-2018.
Symptoms: Oil drops rapidly, no warning until critically low, engine stalls - !! Engine Stall from Low Oil Level from 40,000 km
Due to piston ring defect, oil drops unnoticed. Engine stalls without warning.
Symptoms: Engine suddenly dies, no prior warning - !! MultiAir Solenoid Failure from 80,000 km
Electronically-controlled valve train develops solenoid failures, causing power loss and rough idle.
Symptoms: Check engine P106B, power loss, rough idle
Vehicle Weaknesses
| Weakness | Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| ZF 9-Speed Shudder (Worse Than Compass) Same ZF 9HP48 but worse in early Renegades. 2015-2018 most affected. Symptoms: Jerking, shudder at 20 mph, occasional neutral drop from 30,000 km | High |
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Known Problems and Issues +
A total of 14 weaknesses have been documented for the Jeep Renegade BU (2015–2023) — 7 engine-related and 7 vehicle-related. One problem engine: ED6 (2.4L Tigershark). Typical issues affect Gearbox, Electronics, Brakes, Rust.
Renegade (ED6, 2015–2023) — Stay Away!: Piston Ring Defect: Severe Oil Consumption ($8M Settlement), Engine Stall from Low Oil Level, MultiAir Solenoid Failure. Power: 180 PS.
Renegade (GSE-T4-4xe, 2020–2023) — Be Careful: High-voltage battery failure (documented early), Charging failure (onboard charger / battery management), Electronic steering lock immobilises the vehicle. Power: 240 PS.
What to watch out for with the Jeep Renegade? See the detailed listing of all engine and vehicle weaknesses in the sections above.
Frequently Asked Questions
What problems and weaknesses does the Jeep Renegade BU have? +
What should I look for when buying a used Jeep Renegade BU? +
Which engine is recommended? +
Which Jeep Renegade BU engine is the most fun? +
Is the Jeep Renegade BU worth buying used? +
What horsepower variants are available for the Jeep Renegade BU? +
Last updated: February 2026 · All information without guarantee