CSR

Jeep · NHTSA safety record

2021 Jeep Gladiator

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

288

Complaints

7

Crashes

3

Fires

7

Injuries

0

Deaths

Owners of the 2021 Jeep Gladiator have filed 288 safety complaints with NHTSA between November 2020 and August 2026. The most complained-about system is the steering, named in 94 of them (33%). The typical failure was reported at 18,625 miles, the median across the 46 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

NHTSA has issued 8 recalls covering this vehicle. A further 2 defect investigations are open and unresolved.

Recalls (8)

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP

26V363000 · June 4, 2026

Park outside until repaired

The defect
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.
The risk
A vehicle fire increases the risk of injury.
The 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.

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) · up to 1,076,999 vehicles across all model years covered

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

24V652000 · September 5, 2024

The defect
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."
The 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.
The 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.

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) · up to 32,863 vehicles across all model years covered

POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE

24V572000 · August 1, 2024

The defect
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.
The risk
A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
The 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.

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) · up to 94 vehicles across all model years covered

FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

23V263000 · April 13, 2023

The defect
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.
The risk
Fuel pump failure can result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
The 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.

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) · up to 45,832 vehicles across all model years covered

POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY

23V116000 · February 23, 2023

The defect
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.
The 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.
The 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.

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) · up to 69,201 vehicles across all model years covered

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

22V767000 · October 13, 2022

The defect
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.
The risk
An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
The 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.

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) · up to 60,413 vehicles across all model years covered

BACK OVER PREVENTION:DISPLAY FUNCTION

22V638000 · August 25, 2022

The defect
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."
The risk
A rearview camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
The 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.

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) · up to 7,895 vehicles across all model years covered

POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY

21V028000 · January 28, 2021

The defect
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.
The 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.
The 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.

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) · up to 42,887 vehicles across all model years covered

Defect investigations (2)

An investigation means NHTSA has decided a pattern is worth examining. A preliminary evaluation is often closed with no action; an engineering analysis is the stage that usually precedes a recall.

Underhood fires

PE24024

Still open preliminary evaluation · opened September 6, 2024

the steering

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received 9 Vehicle Owner's Questionnaire (VOQ) reports, 1 Death and Injury report, and multiple field reports alleging incidents of engine compartment fires in model year (MY) 2021-2023 Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator vehicles. The majority of the reports describe a fire occurring while the ignition in the vehicle was in an ‘OFF’ state with a suspected origin at the passenger front side of the engine compartment. An ignition ‘OFF’ vehicle fire can result in an increased risk of occupant injury, injury to persons outside the vehicle, and property damage, with little to no warning. ODI has contacted the vehicle manufacturer, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA), and learned of several thermal events originating at the power steering pump electrical connector in recent model year Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator vehicles. The location of the pump connector is located at the passenger front side of the engine compartment, coinciding with the majority of fire reports known to ODI. ODI is opening this Preliminary Evaluation (PE) to assess the cause, scope, and frequency of the alleged defect. To review the ODI reports cited in the Opening Resume ODI Report Identification Numbers document, go to NHTSA.gov.

High pressure fuel pump failure

EA23001

Still open engineering analysis · opened March 17, 2023 · led to recall 24V957

the diesel fuel system

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE21-021 on October 14, 2021, to investigate incidents alleging a stall/loss of motive power as a result of high-pressure fuel pump failures in certain model year (MY) 2019-2020 Ram 2500, 3500, 4500, and 5500 heavy duty trucks equipped with 6.7L Cummins turbodiesel engines. During the investigation, ODI sought to determine if the related defect allegation was limited in scope to the recalled population. After review of information request response materials from both FCA and BMW, NHTSA determined that sufficient information to identify a comprehensive recall population could not be produced by FCA and BMW.During the investigation FCA filed recalls 22V406, 22E048, 22V767, and 22E087 which include vehicles not identified in the initial subject population by ODI. ODI also received recall 21V586, involving loss of motive power due to failed CP4 fuel pumps on certain BMW manufactured vehicles. An information request letter response received from BMW indicated that failed pumps on their vehicles were caused by an interaction between pump internal components and US market diesel fuel, leading to increased slip and eventual particle-generating wear surface. Additional work will be done to identify whether a similar root cause is associated with the FCA recalled population and if similar wear dynamics occur on pumps supplied to vehicle manufacturers other than those included in the recalled population.ODI has upgraded this investigation to an EA in order to 1) determine engineering specifications of internal pump components that are correlated with pump failure leading to loss of motive power or other safety related hazards, 2) identify vehicle populations equipped with alleged defective pump variants, 3) assess if vehicles equipped with alleged defective pump variants result in an unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety and 4) gather and review any other relevant information related to high pressure fuel pump failure associated with the subject populations of recalls 21V586, 21V880, 21E094, 22V406, 22E048, 22V767, and 22E087.Review of the above information will allow NHTSA to confirm root cause and recall remedy viability, and identify and evaluate vehicle populations equipped with pump components that may pose an unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety.The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed at: http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID using the following complaint identification numbers: 11257550, 11351441, 11361603, 11361616, 11365300, 11365426, 11365858, 11366401, 11372337, 11373793, 11374797, 11376793, 11377871, 11378173, 11384377, 11386063, 11387018, 11399710, 11402550, 11415339, 11418868, 11418870, 11427075, 11434276, 11436807, 11437226, 11437249, 11437273, 11437292, 11437294, 11437394, 11437399, 11437403, 11437405, 11437423, 11437528, 11437565, 11437579, 11437580, 11437590, 11437679, 11437744, 11437781, 11437842, 11437993, 11438006, 11438008, 11438121, 11438138, 11438155, 11438392, 11438629, 11439359, 11439879, 11440397, 11443030, 11446542, 11448163, 11453556, 11458918, 11460558, 11469337

What owners report

Complaints naming each system. One complaint can name several, so these add up to more than 288.

STEERING 94 33%
POWER TRAIN 68 24%
ENGINE 53 18%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 45 16%
SUSPENSION 41 14%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 28 10%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 20 7%
SERVICE BRAKES 16 6%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 14 5%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 13 5%
VISIBILITY/WIPER 11 4%
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 10 3%

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2022 at 72.

2020 2022 2026
2020 to 2026, the last of them a part year

In owners' own words

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

2 injured · crash · towed

On February 25, 2023, while slowing down as I approached an intersection controlled by a red signal light and applied my brakes which was slowing me down. My foot never moved off the brake pedal as I slowed down. Suddenly, the Jeep Gladiator "accelerated/surged" forward and stated gaining speed. Although I was applying constant pressure on the brake pedal, the vehicle never slowed down or stopped because after traveling 200-300 feet and striking two signal light poles and a communications box, the vehicle came to a stop. This was the third incidence of Sudden Unintended Acceleration (SUA). Tshe vehicle is available for inspection and under the supervision of Safeco Insurance. In this case,

NHTSA complaint 11514031, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE

1 injured · fire · towed · 20,000 miles

The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Gladiator. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH, there was an alarming amount of white smoke emanating from the engine compartment and permeating the interior of the vehicle, prompting the contact to pull over to the shoulder of the roadway and evacuate the vehicle. Moments later, the entire front of the vehicle was completely engulfed in flames. Local Emergency Services arrived on the scene and were able to extinguish the fire. During the failure several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the residence and deemed a total loss by the Insurance provider. A fire report was filed and preliminary findings on the potential

NHTSA complaint 11677537, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SUSPENSION

1 injured · crash · towed

Under heavy breaking the rear wheels of my vehicle lifted off of the pavement. This loss of traction and shift in weight resulted in a head on collision with a vehicle in the opposite lane of traffic. After the accident I discover that the suspension for my vehicle was incorrect to the level that FCA released a TSB regarding the issue. The suspension that was equipped with the vehicle was designed for the gasoline motor and the weight associated with that motor. My vehicle has the diesel motor (approximately 600lbs heavier) along with factory equipped steel bumpers adding additional weight. This factory design failure created a vehicle that could not perform as designed and as I found out

NHTSA complaint 11490911, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

1 injured · crash · towed · 17,250 miles

The contact owned a 2021 Jeep Gladiator. The contact stated that while the vehicle was stopped at a corner, another vehicle was speeding and crashed into the front driver's side quarter panel. The impact pushed the vehicle forward, causing the front driver's wheel to swipe a telephone pole before landing on a residential lawn. The other vehicle then crashed into a telephone pole. The front driver's side air bag deployed, but there was a hole in the side air bag and the driver's air bag failed to fully deploy. Additionally, a burning odor was detected after the air bags deployed. The police and fire departments arrived on the scene, and a police report was filed. The contact was transported

NHTSA complaint 11641183, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SUSPENSION

38,000 miles

The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Gladiator. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH on uneven road surfaces, the vehicle experienced violent shaking in the front end and the steering wheel. The contact stated that the vibration reoccurred while depressing the brake pedal and ceased after the vehicle had decelerated. The failure was associated with the death wobble. A diagnostic test was performed at a dealer, and an estimate for the repair was provided; however, the vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 38,000.

NHTSA complaint 11757024. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Truck failed to find gear shuddered lost speed in traffic while going up a hill. Limp mode was initiated. This is a known manufacturers defect with a tsb applied against the known issue. Issue is widespread when researched but not made known by the manufacturer of the truck. Dealership refusing repair under goodwill due to truck being out of mileage by 5000miles. Symptoms started prior to exiting warranty but due to no communication by dealership or manufacturer unit was not brought in for repair prior. Repeat this is a known defect that is being ignored by manufacturer.

NHTSA complaint 11756306. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SERVICE BRAKES
Front brake caliper(s) was seizing up causing smoking and a burning smell. Vehicle was also pulling to the right when braking. Brake fluid or something like it coated the front drivers side wheel. Took vehicle back to dealership where vehicle was purchased new. Vehicle is still under warranty/extended warranties. The dealer did inspect and found front calipers to be seizing up causing excessive wear on brake pads and rotors. They did replace both front calipers but not the brake hoses. They also replaced and charged me for new brake pads and rotors. Not even a week later, I called the dealer to report the same problem, the brakes were again seizing up and there was a smoking/burning smell.

NHTSA complaint 11753476, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SUSPENSION
I am experiencing the "Jeep Death Wobble" which occurs intermittently after hitting any road imperfections i.e. uneven road surface connections, potholes, or rumble strips, causing a violent and sudden shaking of the steering wheel at highway speeds. I feel like the wheels are going to fall off it shakes so bad!!! I either have to slow down to under 45 mph or less, or come to a complete stop in order for it to stop wobbling. This does not happen on smooth road surfaces. I have a stock 2021 Jeep Gladiator which I bought brand new the end of 2020. Whenever this happens, I need to get off the road if there are people behind me as I need to slow my speed and or exit the roadway. This puts me at

NHTSA complaint 11753502, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

STEERING
The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Gladiator. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V363000 (Steering). The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the vehicle was inspected, and the contact was informed that the vehicle had passed the inspection. The contact was advised to continue to park the vehicle away from the residence. The contact was confused. The contact asked the dealer why the vehicle was still considered a fire risk. No explanation was provided. The manufacturer was not contacted. The contact had not experienced a failure.

NHTSA complaint 11752079. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

STEERING
The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Gladiator. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V363000 (Steering); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was contacted and informed the contact that the vehicle could be taken to the dealer to be inspected; however, the vehicle would remain with the dealer until parts became available. The dealer informed the contact that parts for the recall repair were expected in September 2026. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

NHTSA complaint 11751758. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Jeep Gladiator

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2025 15 1
2024 22 2
2023 55 6
2022 115 8
2020 479 7

Other 2021 Jeep models

Every Jeep on this site — 104 vehicles, 303 recall campaigns and 7 open investigation s.

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. What each state asks for , read from the statutes.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

Compiled and maintained by
Independent developer and analyst