Jeep vehicles are SUVs, but they do not have the best reputation in terms of safety. Many people see the rugged nature of models like the jeep wrangler and ask, ‘are jeeps safe?’
So are jeep vehicles safe? Yes, otherwise, the manufacturers would have gone out of business! Jeep vehicles are often on the negative receiving end of highway safety concern because of the rugged design.
People are especially concerned about the new Jeep wrangler.
The vehicle information below will cover answers to common questions about crash tests, blind spot monitoring, safety ratings, and general highway safety. But first, learn about the safety features of jeep vehicles.
Jeep Safety Features
Newer jeep models have some impressive safety features to help people quit asking the question are Jeeps safe. It is thanks to improved safety technologies that jeep manufacturers include in every model together with standard equipment.
The jeep safety systems improve crash avoidance. The highlights include:
Blind Spot Monitoring and Rear Cross Path Detection
The blind spot monitoring feature (BSM) will let you know when a vehicle enters your blind zone. The rear cross path detection feature (RCPD)will alert you of approaching vehicles as you reverse.
These jeep safety systems rely on radar-based sensors that detect other vehicles crossing behind you or approaching your blind spot. The 2021 and 2022 jeep wrangler both have these safety features.
Forward Collision Warning (with active braking)
This system is designed to enhance crash prevention from the front.
The safety feature kicks into action when you approach a vehicle straight ahead, too quickly giving good front crash avoidance.
The forward collision warning will warn you when it detects potential impact from the front. And when you do not respond in time, the brakes automatically engage.
Adaptive Cruise Control (with Stop and Go)
This is a new feature available in the 2021 and 2022 Jeep lineup. It helps the driver maintain a pre-set distance between your vehicle and the one in front of it.
The cruise control feature can do this by monitoring the road conditions. It will automatically adjust your speed to maintain the distance.
Automatic High-Beam Headlamps
The automatic high-beam headlamps are a ‘smart lighting’ feature that will enhance safety on dark roads. They automatically illuminate the path and quickly turn off when they detect oncoming traffic. The smart lighting gives your car a bright view while making you courteous to other motorists.
Parksense® Rear Park Assist System
This system alerts you to obstructions and cars behind your jeep when you park. It uses sensors to detect any obstacles too close to your vehicle as you park. This technology seemingly improves parallel parking for many drivers.
Parkview® Rear Back-Up Camera
In relation to the Parksense® Rear Park Assist System is the Rear Back Up Camera. It displays the area behind your vehicle on the Uconnect® touchscreen. The Parkview® Rear Back-Up Camera display even shows dynamic gridlines of the area to reduce the chances of bumping into something.
SOS Call and Assist Buttons
This button connects you to a Public Safety Answering point to request emergency assistance. The buttons are often on the rearview mirror of new jeeps, and you can easily reach them even in emergencies.
LaneSense® Lane Departure Warning (with Lane Keep Assist)
And finally, this system notifies you if you drift from your lane without signaling. It is the perfect safety feature to combat distracted driving. And even if you fail to respond, the system can course-correct your vehicle by re-centering.
Jeep also have standard safety equipment such as airbags and antilock brakes which you can read about on the official website.
Jeep Safety Ratings Are Jeeps Safe
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has subjected the 2021 jeep wrangler to a series of tests. NHTSA assigns them one to five stars based on the results.
These are impact tests where the administration conducts front crash tests by driving the vehicle straight into a flat wall. The administration provided four ratings.
- Four stars Driver’s Rating
- 4 stars Passenger’s Rating
- Four stars Overall Front Rating
- Three stars Overall Rollover Rating
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) grade vehicles: poor, marginal, acceptable, good. Front crash prevention receives grades basic, advanced, or superior.
IIHS gave the 2021 Jeep Wrangler a ‘Good’ rating on most crashworthiness tests. However, since the vehicle tipped onto its passenger side during the small overlap front and driver-side crashworthiness tests, the overall score of the 2021 wrangler went down to marginal.
IIHS has conducted safety tests for various Jeep models in the past. Some of the jeeps the IIHS have graded include:
2017 Jeep Wrangler
Side Impact: Marginal
Moderate Overlap Front: Good
2018 Jeep Renegade
Crash Avoidance & Mitigation: Advanced (with optional equipment listed)
Side Impact: Good
Moderate Overlap Front: Good
2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee
Crash Avoidance & Mitigation: Superior (with optional equipment)
Side Impact: Good
Moderate Overlap Front: Good
2019 Jeep Compass
Crash Avoidance & Mitigation: Superior (with optional equipment)
Side Impact: Good
Moderate Overlap Front: Good
2019 Jeep Cherokee
Crash Avoidance & Mitigation: Superior (with optional equipment)
Moderate Overlap Front: Good
Side Impact: Good
What makes the Jeep Wrangler potentially unsafe?
The jeep wrangler does not have the best safety rating. However, it is also one of the best vehicles for off-road purposes. The wrangler has big tires, a tall ride height, and removable doors. The vehicle build improves the off-road experience but also contribute to the poor safety ratings.
If you are a wrangler owner, you know it is easy to modify the vehicle. Many owners go for lift kits, improved off-road shocks, and stronger axles. Unfortunately, these improvements increase the vehicle’s center of gravity, making them roll over easily.
Getting bigger tires without strengthening the suspension system causes the jeep death wobble. However, despite the misleading name, the jeep death wobble is not serious and has never caused any deaths.
The removable doors and roof enhance the off-road experience. However, they also make side impact protection less than dependable. Additionally, it affects rollover impact.
In short, the features that make the jeep wrangler ‘unsafe’ also make it popular. It is an interesting self-contradictory situation, but jeep owners do not seem to mind.
Do Jeeps Flip Easily? Are Jeeps Safe
Jeeps are SUVs and, therefore, prone to roll or tip over due to their high center of gravity. Moreover, Jeeps are light with a short wheelbase. And if you have made any lift modifications, it contributes to instability. These factors make jeeps more prone to flipping and why people often ask “Are Jeeps Safe?”.
How Safe Is the 2022 jeep Wrangler?
Studies show that Jeep wranglers are prone to flipping on their sides. This is because they have a higher center of gravity than other SUV cars.
Jeep wranglers also have a narrow base that makes the vehicle weaker because there isn’t enough traction or low-sitting weight to support the vehicle during an accident.
The wrangler’s design features a sidewall that is long and narrow. This length makes it an easy target, but the narrowness does not handle the collision well. The result is tipping over on impact.
The two-door model is more likely to flip than the four-door model because of its weight. 2D wranglers are lighter than 4Ds.
Another factor contributing to tipping is the limited visibility due to the boxed design. However, the improved safety features in the new jeep wranglers rectified this problem.
With this in mind, you may be wondering ‘are jeep wranglers safe?’These factors do not make the jeep wrangler unsafe. Many jeep owners drive their cars for lifetimes without issues of flipping over. The secret is vehicle protection through careful driving and intelligent modifications.
When you get lifts, bigger tires, and other modifications, ensure that you modify related systems to create balance in your jeep. Balance distributes the center of gravity and suspension. Also if you are taking your Jeep off road consider adding some upgraded Jeep grab handles to the interior of your vehicle so that passengers can hold on tight!
Vehicle protection should be your priority. You can also attend jeep brand events to mingle with other owners and receive tips on enhancing safety.
