Is the 2021 Jeep Gladiator a bad year?
292 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Gladiator years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2021 Jeep Gladiator are in line with other Gladiator years.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2021 Gladiator owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 80,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| SteeringSTANDS OUT | 95 (33%) | 0k–4k miles · mostly behind | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 71 (24%) | 4k–41k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Engine | 53 (18%) | 1k–24k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Electrical system | 46 (16%) | 32k–69k miles · mostly behind | — |
| SuspensionSTANDS OUT | 41 (14%) | 1k–35k miles · mostly behind | Ball joint replacement (one joint) $200–$500 · Control arm replacement (one arm) $200–$900 |
| Fuel system | 32 (11%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Brakes | 16 (5%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Speed control | 14 (5%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Exterior lighting | 13 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 12 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Wheels | 8 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Air bags | 6 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Collision avoidance | 6 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 80,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 292 complaints: 7 mention a crash · 3 mention a fire · 6 report an injury · 9 say the car was towed.
47 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Nov 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
Recalls for the 2021 Jeep Gladiator: 8
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. A vehicle fire increases the risk of injury.
The instrument panel cluster may experience an internal short circuit and fail. 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 software for the powertrain control module may cause an engine stall, which can result in a loss of drive power. A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
The high pressure fuel pump (HPFP) may fail. Fuel pump failure can result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
The clutch pressure plate may overheat and fracture. 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 high pressure fuel pump (HPFP) may fail, causing an engine stall. An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
A radio software error may prevent the rearview image from displaying. A rearview camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
The clutch pressure plate may overheat and fracture. 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.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Jeep: 380
Repair instructions Jeep sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2021 Jeep Gladiator. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
The Customer May Complain About a Popping Noise, Grinding Noise, or an Intermittent No Reverse or Forward Transmission Engagement
Check Engine Light (CEL) Illuminated with Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) P0106 Manifold Absolute Pressure Sensor Performance Setting In The Powertrain Control…
Powertrain Control Module (PCM) Updates Customers must experience a Malfunction Indicator Lamp…
Service transmission/check engine warning indicator for the 850RE, 8HP50, 8HP70, 8HP75, 8HP75-PHEV transmissions that have fault codes P07E4, P1DB2, P0716…
NHTSA defect investigations: 2
Underhood fires
High pressure fuel pump failure
Neighbouring years
2020 Gladiator: 485 complaints, keep it · 2022 Gladiator: 121 complaints, keep it.
Every Jeep Gladiator year
2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024 · 2025 · 2026 · All Gladiator years side by side
Other Jeep models: Jeep Cherokee · Jeep Commander · Jeep Compass · Jeep Grand Cherokee · Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe · Jeep Grand Cherokee L · Jeep Grand Wagoneer · Jeep Laredo · Jeep Liberty · Jeep Patriot · Jeep Renegade · Jeep Wagoneer · Jeep Wrangler · Jeep Wrangler 4xe · Jeep Wrangler Sahara. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2021 Jeep Gladiator a bad year?
292 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Gladiator years. At 80,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Jeep Gladiator?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: steering (95), transmission and drivetrain (71), engine (53), electrical system (46), suspension (41).
How many recalls does the 2021 Jeep Gladiator have?
8 recall campaigns list this model year: Steering (NHTSA 26V-363), Electrical system (NHTSA 24V-652), Transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA 24V-572), Fuel system (NHTSA 23V-263) and more. A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.