AI Damage2021 Jeep Gladiator: common problems
Owners of the 2021 Jeep Gladiator filed 292 complaints with NHTSA, most often about steering and powertrain. The maker issued 700 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 292
- involving a crash
- 7
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 700
What fails most often
- 1 Steering 32% of all complaints
- 2 Powertrain 24% of all complaints
- 3 Engine 18% of all complaints
- 4 Electrical system 16% of all complaints
- 5 Suspension 14% of all complaints
- 6 Fuel/propulsion system 7% of all complaints
- 7 Service brakes 5% of all complaints
- 8 Vehicle speed control 5% of all complaints
- Steering: 94 complaints (32% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 27.
- Powertrain: 71 complaints (24% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 83.
- Engine: 53 complaints (18% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 39.
- Electrical system: 46 complaints (16% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 212.
- Suspension: 41 complaints (14% of all), 3 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 19.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 3.6 L · petrol · 6 cylnamed in 2 complaints
- 3 L · diesel · turbo · 6 cylnamed in 10 complaints
- automatic, 8-speed
- manual, 6-speednamed in 9 complaints
Drive: 4WD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 292 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steering | 94 | 2 | 27 |
| Powertrain | 71 | 0 | 83 |
| Engine | 53 | 1 | 39 |
| Electrical system | 46 | 1 | 212 |
| Suspension | 41 | 3 | 19 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 20 | 0 | 7 |
| Service brakes | 16 | 2 | 16 |
| Vehicle speed control | 14 | 1 | 12 |
| Exterior lighting | 13 | 0 | 34 |
| Fuel system | 13 | 0 | 32 |
| Visibility | 12 | 0 | 39 |
| Wheels | 8 | 0 | 6 |
| Air bags | 6 | 1 | 7 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 6 | 1 | 3 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
The police and fire departments arrived on the scene, and a police report was filed. The contact was transported to the hospital by ambulance. The contact had surgery on her left arm from wrist to elbow, which required four titanium plates.
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.
2) violent, out of control steering wheel vibrations at highway speeds nearly causing severe collisions. Reoccurring incidents. I’m ready to file a lawsuit.
The contact stated that two years ago the vehicle was taken to a dealer to be repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V116000 (Power Train); to prevent the clutch from overheating. However, the failure started after the vehicle was repaired under the recall repair.
When the transmission fails to engage the gear, the vehicle experiences a sudden, uncommanded loss of motive power while in traffic. This leaves the vehicle coasting without acceleration, exposing myself and my passengers to an extremely high risk of being rear-ended by oncoming traffic.This issue is a known…
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.
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.
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.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 215 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (top 10% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Gladiator has 110 complaints (9 years in the data). This year has 292, above average.
What to check before buying
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- The Customer May Complain About a Popping Noise, Grinding Noise, or an Intermittent No Reverse or Forward…
The Customer May Complain About a Popping Noise, Grinding Noise, or an Intermittent No Reverse or Forward Transmission Engagement. The Tech May Find Damaged and/or Worn Transmission Output Shaft Splines (850RE…
- SOCKET - DRAG LINK INNER
- Passive Entry O/S Dr Handle Prior to replacing an inoperative passive entry door handle, perform Star…
- ID-25-11 Rev
C Aluminum Filiform Corrosion Warranty Policy and Vehicle Digital Imaging (VDI) Pre-Approval Process - ALL Vehicles
- D-25-15 Rev
C Aluminum Filiform Corrosion Warranty Policy and Vehicle Digital Imaging (VDI) Pre-Approval Process - ALL Vehicles
- EMISSION RECALL – NORTH AMERICA Check Engine/Malfunction Indicator Lamp 16C The instrument panel cluster…
EMISSION RECALL – NORTH AMERICA Check Engine/Malfunction Indicator Lamp 16C The instrument panel cluster on about 32,587 of the above vehicles may have an inoperable check engine/malfunction indicator lamp (CEL/MIL)…
- CORE – HEATER
- MOTOR - BLOWER WITH WHEEL
- Check Engine Light (CEL) Illuminated with Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) P0106 Manifold Absolute Pressure…
Check Engine Light (CEL) Illuminated with Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) P0106 Manifold Absolute Pressure Sensor Performance Setting In The Powertrain Control Module (PCM)
- HEATER - ELECTRIC COOLANT
- BOLT - HEX FLANGE HEAD
- Prior to replacing an inoperative passive entry door handle, perform Star Online S2623000040
NHTSA lists 700 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Jeep Gladiator?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: steering, powertrain, engine. Total complaints: 292. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (15%), vibration (10%), loss of power / limp mode (7%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2021 Jeep Gladiator?
NHTSA lists 700 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2021 Jeep Gladiator from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2021 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.