2012 manual 2 door COD here and it was built on 02/01/12.... I have 8500 miles on the clock and no problems .......sorry to those who do!

 

I agree with BLEV.
I have a '12 bought in Sept. 2011, built in August 2011.
20,000 miles and no transmission issues.

If you have concerns, make a deal for a '13 as doubtless adjustments have been made along the way.
Given the retained value of Wranglers, I don't think you could go wrong, even if it means some out of pocket expense.

In this case, I think you just got unlucky.

 

51000 miles bought mine in September 2011. My manual makes all sorts of noises when shifting and rattles a little but when push clutch in goes away and doesn't happen as much when it's warm out. Haven't had any slipping issues with the clutch still grips normal just shutters with noise when shifting from 1st to 2nd. It's done all this from day one. Dealer said it was normal shutter back at 7 thousand miles.

 

Sounds like a good deal to me...sorry i have a 2013 jkr and I wanted the manual but wife couldn't drive it lol

 

Sounds like the best reason to get a manual trans

 

Haha yeah for sure but sometimes it's just easier to say yes mam and live with it than to start and argument. I means he was the one that bought it for me

 

'12 here bought in August of '11. At about 30k miles I noticed a grind in 4th not when going through the gate/synchros but when the stick stops on the way back. I have started to notice an occasional hint of a grind going into 3rd now too. I don't get either if I match the engine speed pretty close to where it should be in the new gear. The problem is the electronic throttle does not close quickly enough to bring engine speed down in a timely manner. Actually I suspect the engine is cutting fueling when you lift from the throttle and never shutting the throttle to get better fuel economy. It makes it pretty tough for me to shift fast. I pretty much have to drive it like a diesel truck. My '01 TJ had a much better engine/tranny combination although it only got 16 mpg vs about 20 with the heavier '12.

I am probably going to trade my manual for an auto when I can find one I like in flame red. I really think the autos are going to wind up being more reliable than the manuals in the '12s and newer as we get over 100k miles.