Four problems related to starter have been reported for the 2012 Jeep Wrangler. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
I just left work and had traveled less than a mile when my engine shut off. I was only traveling 20mph and coasted into the first open driveway I could find. I opened the hood to a lot of smoke and a small fire from my wiring harness. My 2012 Jeep Wrangler sport is completely stock and always maintained through my local Jeep dealership. The official word from Jeep was that my starter shorted out which caused my wiring harness to overheat and catch fire.
2012 Jeep Wrangler sport 3. 6l vehicle does not start at random. Vehicle has stalled at highway speeds. All electrical will turn on but Jeep will not crank over or make any attempt to start. Wipers turn on, on their own. Battery, and starter have both been checked. Evidence leads to faulty tipm sensor but because the Chrysler dealership can not duplicate the error after 5 tries they said they can not replace the tipm. Dealership states they can not just throw parts at it to fix the issue even with hundreds to thousands of other Chrysler products having the same issue.
Total integrated power module (tipm) failure caused the starter motor to burn out and fried the tipm.
After commute of 35 - 40 minutes from work I pulled into my garage and closed the door down for the night as usual and went inside . I did smell a slight burning smell but thought it was related to outside fridge that failed. After being inside a few minutes we heard a noise coming from the garage. I went to check it out and found the starter on the Jeep was spinning on its own. My wife noticed smoke and then flames under Jeep. I managed to get Jeep out of garage and fire put out and disconnected the battery. The fire was basically contained to the area around the starter and related wiring/hoses. The Jeep dealer picked up the Jeep and has it now. I contacted Jeep factory customer representative rep with the specifics of the incident and was told my file would be turned over to the "special investigations" department. I can't imagine what the outcome of this incident would be had we not heard the noise coming from the garage or if my commute had been an additional 20 -30 minutes longer.