Regular maintenance is so important for your Jeep. However, sometimes these types of failures are unavoidable.  

Selfie with my new oil filter housing

Known Assembly Issues

Jeep Wrangler Oil Filter Housing Adapter Leak

Symptoms, Causes, Fixes & What I Learned the Hard Way

Quick Answer: Why Is My Jeep Wrangler Leaking Oil?

A Jeep Wrangler oil leak near the top or rear of the engine is often caused by a cracked oil filter housing adapter—a common failure on 3.2L and 3.6L Pentastar engines. The factory plastic housing becomes brittle from heat and cold cycles, leading to oil (and sometimes coolant) leaks.

Underneath my Jeep with oil leaking

How I Discovered the Oil Filter Housing Leak

I first noticed oil spots on my driveway and garage floor. After crawling under my Jeep, my heart sank oil was clearly leaking.

I shared photos with a trusted Jeep friend who immediately recognized the issue:

“That looks like the oil filter housing adapter.”

A local mechanic here in Minnesota confirmed it. Unfortunately, this is not a rare issue.

Underneath my Jeep with oil leaking

Why the Pentastar Oil Filter Housing Fails

According to my mechanic and supported by years of owner reports the problem comes down to design and material choice.

Common Causes:

• The factory housing is plastic
• It’s over-torqued during oil changes
• Repeated heat cycles weaken the plastic
• Cold temperatures accelerate cracking

Once it fails, oil leaks down the engine valley and can look much worse than it initially is.

Oil Leak

Parts Availability (A Real Problem)

This is where things got frustrating.

I called three major auto parts stores, all of which told me:
• The OEM Mopar plastic housing is discontinued
• It had been unavailable for over a year
• The Dorman aluminum upgrade was also backordered

If you suspect this issue:
👉 Start sourcing parts immediately

What I Ended Up Using:

• Standard aftermarket plastic oil filter housing: ~$260
• Intake manifold gasket set: ~$52

This wasn’t my first choice but availability made the decision for me.

A Known Design Issue (With No Recall)

The Pentastar oil filter housing and cooler assembly is a widely documented failure point.

Known problems include:

• Warping from heat
• Brittleness over time
• Cracking that causes oil and coolant leaks
• Risk of engine damage if ignored

Despite the high number of complaints, Chrysler has never issued a recall, and has quietly discontinued the original part.

Inside the Jeep engine

Why This Matters for Jeep Owners

Regular maintenance is critical but some failures aren’t preventable.

This is one of those:
• Even properly maintained engines fail here
• Oil leaks can escalate quickly
• Early detection saves money and stress

If you see oil pooling near the bellhousing or running down the engine block—check the oil filter housing first.

Jeep Momma Takeaway

This repair was frustrating, expensive, and stressful—but it reinforced why:
• Knowing common failure points matters
• Community knowledge is powerful
• Preventive awareness beats roadside surprises

If you own a Pentastar Jeep Wrangler, this is a repair you should know about—even if you haven’t had the issue yet.

Related Reading

👉 Jeep Wrangler Maintenance Guide.

FAQs 

What are the symptoms of a Jeep oil filter housing leak?

Oil pooling under the engine, burning oil smell, oil on the transmission housing, or visible leaks near the top rear of the engine.

Can I drive with a leaking oil filter housing?

Short distances, maybe—but it’s risky. Oil loss and contamination can lead to serious engine damage if ignored.

Is the aluminum oil filter housing worth it?

Yes. Aluminum housings eliminate the plastic failure point and are considered the long-term fix when available.