Counts are normalized by time on the road, not by sales volume: a popular model generates more reports than a rare one, and complaints are not verified individually. How we count
Complaints filed between 2020-11-12 and 2026-08-24. Median delay from incident to filing: 14 days.
Analysis
The previous model year (2020) drew 72.1 complaints per year, more than this one. The following model year (2022) drew 24.6 per year, fewer than this one. In its first two years on the road the 2021 model collected 116 complaints, 90% higher than the average vehicle of the same model year.
The most common problem area is Steering (26.0% of complaints), followed by Transmission / powertrain (21.8%) and Engine (18.7%). Steering complaints are 4.0 times as common here as across all tracked vehicles. Within Steering reports, owners most often mention “wobble”, “steering”, “death”, “bump” and “speeds”. 10 reports (3.5%) describe a crash or fire; owners mention 7 injuries and 0 deaths.
Half of the reported incidents happened within 26 months of the model year's start; the busiest period was the first year (26% of incidents). In the last 12 months 47 new complaints were filed, versus 46 in the 12 months before — a steady pace.
NHTSA lists 8 safety recalls for this model year, 1 with a do-not-drive or park-outside warning. 62% of the complaints fall in component areas that a recall addresses. 2 NHTSA defect investigations cover this model year; the most recent is “Underhood fires” (opened 2024-09-06, still open).
Safety recalls (8)
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP Campaign 26V363000 · 2026-06-04
⚠ Park-outside / do-not-drive warning
Summary: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021-2025 Jeep Wrangler, Wrangler 4XE, and Jeep Gladiator vehicles. The electric hydraulic power steering pump wiring may overheat and cause a vehicle fire, even when the vehicle is parked with the ignition in the "Off" position.
Risk: A vehicle fire increases the risk of injury.
Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures, until their vehicle is repaired. Dealers will inspect and replace the wiring and electric hydraulic power steering pump, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed July 9, 2026. Owners may contact FCA US LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US LLC's number for this recall is 21D. The Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov on June 11, 2026.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL Campaign 24V652000 · 2024-09-05
Summary: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2020-2024 Jeep Gladiator and 2018-2024 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. The instrument panel cluster may experience an internal short circuit and fail. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 101, "Controls and Displays."
Risk: An instrument panel that fails to display critical safety information, such as the speedometer or warning lights, can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the instrument panel cluster, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed between October 3, 2024, and January 23, 2025. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recall is 30B.
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE Campaign 24V572000 · 2024-08-01
Summary: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021 Jeep Wrangler and Jeep Gladiator vehicles that were previously remedied under NHTSA recall number 23V-116. The software for the powertrain control module may cause an engine stall, which can result in a loss of drive power.
Risk: A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the powertrain control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 15, 2024. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US LLC's number for this recall is 92B. Vehicles previously repaired under recall 23V-116 will need to have the new remedy completed.
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP Campaign 23V263000 · 2023-04-13
Summary: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Jeep Wrangler, Gladiator, and 2022-2023 Ram 1500 vehicles equipped with a 3.0L diesel engine. The high pressure fuel pump (HPFP) may fail.
Risk: Fuel pump failure can result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the HPFP and replace additional fuel system components, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 17, 2023. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 01A.
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY Campaign 23V116000 · 2023-02-23
Summary: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2018-2023 Jeep Wrangler, and 2020-2023 Jeep Gladiator vehicles equipped with manual transmissions. The clutch pressure plate may overheat and fracture.
Risk: Overheated clutch components may increase the risk of a fire. Additionally, damage to other nearby components can result in debris falling onto the road or a loss of drive, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the clutch assembly and update the software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed from November 16, 2023 through July 25, 2024. Owners may contact (FCA US, LLC) customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US LLC's number for this recall is 19A. This recall expands and replaces previous recall 21V-028. Vehicles previously repaired under recall 21V-028 will need to have the new remedy completed.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP Campaign 22V767000 · 2022-10-13
Summary: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Jeep Wrangler, Ram 1500, and 2021-2022 Jeep Gladiator vehicles equipped with 3.0L diesel engines. The high pressure fuel pump (HPFP) may fail, causing an engine stall.
Risk: An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the HPFP and inspect and replace additional fuel system components, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 17, 2023. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is Z96.
BACK OVER PREVENTION:DISPLAY FUNCTION Campaign 22V638000 · 2022-08-25
Summary: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Jeep Wrangler, RAM 1500 and 2021 Jeep Gladiator vehicles. A radio software error may prevent the rearview image from displaying. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Risk: A rearview camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the radio software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 6, 2022. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA, LLC's number for this recall is Z86.
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY Campaign 21V028000 · 2021-01-28
Summary: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Jeep Wrangler and 2020-2021 Jeep Gladiator vehicles equipped with manual transmissions. The clutch pressure plate may overheat and fracture.
Risk: Overheated clutch components may increase the risk of a fire. Additionally, damage to other nearby components can result in debris falling onto the road or a loss of drive, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: FCA US LLC will notify owners, and dealers will add software to reduce engine torque capability when clutch assembly temperatures rise to a level that may damage the inner pressure plate, free of charge." FCA has ordered a stop sale for the affected vehicles as of February 25, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 4, 2021.
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Frequently asked questions
How many complaints were filed for the 2021 Jeep Gladiator?
289 complaints were filed with NHTSA for the 2021 Jeep Gladiator, or about 50.9 per year on the road.
What is the most common problem reported for the 2021 Jeep Gladiator?
The most common category is Steering, accounting for 26.0% of complaints.
Does the 2021 Jeep Gladiator have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 8 safety recall(s) for this model year. 2 NHTSA defect investigations cover this model year; the most recent is “Underhood fires” (opened 2024-09-06, still open).
Is the 2021 Jeep Gladiator still generating complaints?
In the last 12 months 47 new complaints were filed, versus 46 in the 12 months before — a steady pace.
How does the 2021 Jeep Gladiator compare with similar vehicles?
NHTSA has received 289 owner complaints about the 2021 Jeep Gladiator, or 50.9 per year on the road — a typical number of complaints for a vehicle of its age (complaint index 1.21, where 1.00 is the average of all tracked vehicles). Among the 85 model-year 2021 vehicles we track, it ranks #62 for fewest complaints per year. Against other Jeep models its rate is 30% lower; against other Midsize pickups it is 146% higher.