Jeep›Wrangler›2012›2.8L/jeep/wrangler/2012/2-8l/

JK platform

2012 Jeep Wrangler — 2.8L

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2012 Wrangler 2.8L.

Body SUVEngine 2.8LTransmission Automatic 5-spd

The 2012 Jeep Wrangler is a JK-platform SUV powered by a 2.8L engine paired with a five-speed automatic transmission, and routine oil service calls for 6 quarts of 5W-30 API oil with the filter. EPA fuel economy is rated at 17 city/21 highway/18 combined mpg, which is the sort of efficiency figure a researcher should expect for this powertrain and body style. In the reliability record, the 2012 model has drawn 828 owner complaints, with steering and powertrain as the most reported complaint areas, and it carries 10 recalls. Within the broader 1990–2023 Wrangler complaint history, that places it well below the 2018 peak of 1,793 complaints and far above the 1996 low of 5, making it a middle-of-the-road year rather than an especially problematic or notably clean one.

Model year2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity6 qt w/ filterOEM · verified

Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified

Lug nut torque95 ft-lbsOEM · verified

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 68079744AD. 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 sizeLT255-75R17OEM · verified

Wheel / rim7.5 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	68079744AD
Engine air filter	68257791AB
Spark plug	SP149125AF
Battery	BBH6F001AA
Front wiper blades	68002390AA alt 68002393AA
Thermostat	05184894AA alt 05184651AI
Cabin air filter	68535613AA

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

Transmission

Automatic 5-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	152.8 in
Overall width	73.6 in
Overall height	72.4 in
Wheelbase	95.3 in
Curb weight	4131 lb
Track (front / rear)	62.6 / 62.6 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	50/50

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined	17 / 21 / 18 mpg
Drivetrain	4-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuel	Regular Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 6 qt w/ filter of 5W-30 API engine oil, 80W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 95 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-3-4-5-6.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission Fluid	ATF+4
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity	5.3
Brake Fluid	DOT 3
Differential Gear Oil	80W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity	2 Pints,
Differential Gear Oil	80W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity	3.8 Pints
Engine Coolant	HOAT · MS9769

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs	7 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts	70 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	6 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	17 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs	9 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts	95 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub	100 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order

1-2-3-4-5-6

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	1.38 lbs
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	46
Oil Capacity	5.00 oz
Standard BCI Group Number	48
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	600 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test	18 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	18-21 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	195 °F
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)	56-60 psi
Engine Compression	100 Minimum psi
Engine Oil Pressure	5
Intake Valve Lash	Hydraulic in
Exhaust Valve Lash	Hydraulic in

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket	26 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	77 ft-lbs / 100 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness	0.040 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness	0.040 in
Rotor Max Parallel Variation	0.00035 in
Rotor Runout Limit	0.0008 in
Rotor Minimum Machining	1.049 in / 0.409 in
Rotor Discard at or Under	1.048 in / 0.408 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

15 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90

15 ft. lbs

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

30 ft. lbs., step 2: 105

30 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 8,000 mi.

Every 8,000 mi	Door Hinge (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
At 16,000 mi	Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
Every 16,000 mi	Brake Linings (inspect) · Suspension System (inspect)
Every 24,000 mi	CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
At 32,000 mi	Transfer Case Assembly (inspect fluid level)
Every 32,000 mi	Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Parking Brake System (adjust)
At 48,000 mi	Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
Every 64,000 mi	Transfer Case Assembly (inspect fluid level)
Every 96,000 mi	PCV Valve (inspect)

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 required	DRBIII scan tool (dealer / locksmith)
Why	Transmitter 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 needed	After Sentry Key Immobilizer Module (SKIM) replacement
Tool required	DRBIII scan tool
Also required	The 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.

From 1990 to 2023 the Jeep Wrangler’s federal record shows a general rise in complaints and recalls beginning in the mid‑2000s, with complaints climbing from a few hundred in the early 2000s to over a thousand by 2007‑2008, then fluctuating before peaking at 1,793 complaints in 2018 and declining afterward. In 2012 the vehicle logged 828 complaints, 10 recalls, 6 investigations and 244 technical service bulletins, which is higher than the 482 complaints and 158 TSBs recorded in 2011 and also above the 647 complaints and 236 TSBs in 2013, placing 2012 on an upward trajectory within the generation’s trend. Compared with the surrounding years, 2012’s complaint count exceeds both 2011 and 2013, while its recall level is similar to those years and its investigation count matches them. The elevated TSB count in 2012 suggests a relatively higher volume of service advisories than in the immediate prior and subsequent model years. Consequently, for a buyer seeking a used Wrangler, the 2012 model presents a less favorable complaint and service‑bulletin profile than the adjacent 2011 and 2013 years, indicating it may be a weaker choice within this generation.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

244

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

828

Owner complaints

22 involved a crash · 19 a fire

NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars

Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’90 ’91 ’92 ’93 ’94 ’95 ’96 ’97 ’98 ’99 ’00 ’01 ’02 ’03 ’04 ’05 ’06 ’07 ’08 ’09 ’10 ’11’12’13 ’14 ’15 ’16 ’17 ’18 ’19 ’20 ’21 ’22 ’23

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 828 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Steering,Power Train149

Engine97

Air Bags93

Power Train81

Electrical System49

Unknown Or Other32

Fuel/Propulsion System27

Service Brakes20

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 10 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 244 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
107418	2025-09-18	Service Brakes	SWITCH - CLUTCH STARTER INTERLOCK & MASTER CYLINDER ASSEMBLY - CLUTCH
9100645	2025-08-15	Unknown Or Other	Verify Reman part number availability. Order the "R" part number for all orders…
9100653	2025-08-15	Unknown Or Other	Verify Reman part number availability. Order the "R" part number for all orders…
103954	2025-04-02	Unknown Or Other	ACTUATOR - A/C AND HEATER
104087	2025-04-02	Unknown Or Other	ACTUATOR - A/C AND HEATER

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

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Wrangler. OEM

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.

Group 48 battery Vehicles taking 6 qt w/ filter JK-platform vehicles Engine oil filter 68079744AD Engine air filter 68257791AB Spark plug SP149125AF Battery BBH6F001AA

Reference guides

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

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2012 Wrangler 2.8L take?

6 qt w/ filter of 5W-30 API MEETING CHRYSLER SPECIFICATION MS-6395, per the factory manual.

Does the 2012 Wrangler have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 10 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the 2.8L get?

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