Recall 12V216 affects 65,246 2010 Jeep Wrangler vehicles for a skid plate that traps debris near the catalytic converter. Free repair at franchised Jeep dealers.
Jeep is recalling 65,246 2010 Wrangler vehicles with automatic transmissions because the transmission skid plate can collect debris near the catalytic converter. That debris can ignite without warning and cause a vehicle fire, and the Jeep dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
On the 2010 Jeep Wrangler with an automatic transmission, the transmission skid plate is a metal shield under the vehicle. It helps protect the automatic transmission and nearby drivetrain parts from road impacts, rocks, and trail debris.
In this recall, the skid plate sits close to the catalytic converter, an exhaust part that gets very hot while the engine runs. Debris can collect on the skid plate instead of falling away from the underside of the Wrangler. When that material stays trapped near the hot converter, it creates an underbody heat and fire concern.
There is no warning sign before failure. An owner is not expected to hear, feel, or see a clear early symptom from the transmission skid plate before debris collects in the wrong place.
Who's affected?
| 2010 Jeep Wrangler | automatic transmission |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 65,246 |
Not every 2010 Jeep Wrangler is on the list. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific SUV is included.
What's the safety risk?
Debris trapped by the skid plate can ignite without warning and result in a vehicle fire. Because there is no warning sign before ignition, schedule the recall repair when the dealer remedy is available and avoid driving through heavy debris. Repair will be free at any franchised Jeep dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2010 Jeep Wrangler is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Jeep dealer to ask whether the free skid-bar replacement is open for your VIN.
- Reference recall number 12V216 when you call, and bring the Jeep owner notice if you have it.
- Schedule the skid-bar replacement that keeps debris from collecting near the catalytic converter.
- Clear visible debris from the transmission skid plate area before driving, and avoid parking over dry grass or leaves until the repair is complete.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, once the repair is available, a Jeep technician replaces the transmission skid plate with a skid bar. The repair is free of charge. This work addresses the plate near the catalytic converter, where debris can collect and create the condition covered by NHTSA campaign 12V216. Because the remedy status is not listed, this section does not treat the final dealer repair as ready to schedule now. Parts and labor are covered once the repair opens.
Timeline
| May 16, 2012 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| July 16, 2012 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 12V216?
Recall 12V216 covers 65,246 2010 Jeep Wrangler vehicles with automatic transmissions. The transmission skid plate sits near the catalytic converter and can collect debris. If debris ignites, it can start a vehicle fire without warning. Jeep dealers replace the skid plate with a skid bar for free.
What should I do if my 2010 Jeep Wrangler is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Wrangler is included in recall 12V216. If it is, contact a franchised Jeep dealer to schedule the skid plate replacement. Reference recall number 12V216 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost. For recall 12V216, a franchised Jeep dealer will replace the transmission skid plate with a skid bar free of charge.
What is the safety risk in recall 12V216?
The safety risk is a vehicle fire without warning. In recall 12V216, debris can collect on the transmission skid plate near the catalytic converter. If that debris ignites, it can result in a fire. The free dealer repair removes the skid plate and installs a skid bar.
What if I bought my 2010 Jeep Wrangler used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall eligibility follows the VIN, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific 2010 Jeep Wrangler is included, then call a franchised Jeep dealer and reference recall number 12V216.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/12V216000 |
|---|---|
| Jeep customer service | 1-800-853-1403 |
| NHTSA recall # | 12V216 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 12V216000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Defect / Noncompliance Notice (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 2, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →