How Reliable Is a Jeep Wrangler Rubicon After 50,000 miles? Long-Term 2018 Wrangler Review

How reliable is a Jeep Wrangler Rubicon after 50,000 miles? Today, Edmunds’ Carlos Lago reviews the highs and lows of our long-term 2018 Wrangler test vehicle.

#Jeep #Wrangler #Edmunds

[Blake]

So many reviews seem to emphasize that a Wrangler is not a good daily driver, yet I see bajillions of them being “daily driven”, and their owners appear to love them. When I was researching my first Wrangler purchase, I read so many negative reviews about the road and highway driving experience that I expected to be appalled at my first test drive, but I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed the Wrangler’s on-road feel: maybe I’d been given such low expectations that they could go nowhere but up. I’ve been driving about 18, 000 miles per year in my 2013 Rubicon for the past 7 years, and it still makes me smile every day. When I replace it, I plan to get another Rubicon.

[johngarrett]

My 2010 wrangler I bought new and have put all 215, 000 miles on it to date and all I’ve done is maintain it. It’s been one hell of a vehicle for me.

[mattmcdonough]

I have 201, 376 miles on my 2008 JKU . It has been super reliable. It’s been lifted and on 35’s it’s whole life 🇺🇸

[bummeroni]

Carlos is looking more and more like Ben Affleck as he gets older

[mauroboros]

I keep hearing Jeeps suck from people that never owned a Jeep and people that do are like, they're good. I drove a wrangler for 10 days while road tripping through Southern California and I absolutely loved it. I wanna get one eventually

[imaldon]

Thank you Carlos Lago for an excellent review. 😊👍
I still remember your great reviews when working for Motor Trend.
Take care.

[autonewstv]

Finally, a detailed and well done long term review! Excellent work, Carlos!

[Jbarb]

I have a 2018 JLUR and couldn’t be happier with it. No complaints, no issues, and the kids love the light trail/off roading we do occasionally.

[LivingLifewithSerenity]

I have a 2018 Jeep Wrangler Sahara! Thanks for this video!

[Gabriel-ndfo]

Just rented one of these for a few days. I was thoroughly impressed with how it drives. This is my first time driving a "modern" 4x4 with a solid front axle and compared with my older 4x4s that I own (84' Toyota 4WD w/ solid front axle and 89' Toyota 4Runner w/ IFS) this thing steers and rides amazingly due to the coil springs vs older trucks w/ leafs. Also interior quality was really upscale even compared to newer vehicles. I really wish Toyota would put the straight axle back in the new 4Runners as I really don't think you would be sacrificing too much based on these new Jeeps.

[scrmblr]

Your mention of the aux switches and the settings in the uconnect system is something I was not aware of. Nice!

[Avedis-G]

I’ve got 38, 000 on my 18 JLUR and I couldn’t be happier. Yes some recalls and small glitches here and there but I absolutely love this vehicle.

[douglaswilliams]

I bought my 2009 Wrangler new. It's now 2020 and it has 120, 000 + miles on it. The only thing that has broken on it was an "egr valve" (something to do with exhaust recirculation). The skid plates are pretty rusted and I'll need to replace them soon. Still going strong.

[tjj]

I just rented a JL and it drove like a caddy. It was awesome and so smooth and comfortable.

[ganthc]

Carlos Lago was one of my favorite reviewers with Motor Trend. Great review here on Edmunds!

[RLF]

Just passed 60k on my 2017 JK and not a single problem. I think the points made here are fair in that it doesn't ride or steer like a car, but "two hands at all times on the highway" is an exaggeration. It rides and steers exactly like what it is - a body on frame solid axle truck with a suspension that can be taken apart and put back together in a day with hand tools. The issues that I feel on the highway are mostly caused by the mud terrain tires that came on the Rubicon and Willys, but that was a trade off I was willing to make. If you are going to off road it even just sometimes, and perhaps even moreso, if you are going to take take the top and doors off with any regularity, these are a one of a kind experience and every trade off is more than worth it. 👍👍

[smeglin]

great write-up! just bought my 2016 JKU sport- lots of off-road goodies on it. I was researching the steering to see if the small amount of play in the wheel was normal- and it is. I love driving this thing (6 sp manual) i look forward to driving it every day! and my hand gets tired from all the other wrangler waves! love it!

[rondail]

Good honest review from Carlos! He gave points I didn't hear on other channels.
It's a Jeep, love it or leave it. It's what other off-roaders are compared to.

[captainm]

Great review of the Rubicon. I have owned many Jeeps and the reliability has not been an issue. While not a Wrangler, we just traded a 14 Grand Cherokee for a 22. The 14 was flawless.

Don't forget the resale equation when owning a Wrangler. I have a friend who just traded his Wrangler Unlimited Sport. It was four years old with average miles, and he got $3500 less than what he paid for it new. Hard to beat their resale.

[yrhpsvt]

My 2019 JL hasn’t had any issues with 19, 000km here in Australia.One minor recall.
Third Jeep in my career, no issues of any consequence.