Is the 2021 Jeep Wrangler a bad year?
960 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 227, 8.4× a quiet Wrangler year.
Keep it, but watch the engine
Half of the engine complaints for this year were filed at 14k–36k miles, where you are now. Few of them say the car was towed: 7 of 227 filed since 2016.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2021 Wrangler 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 27,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical systemSTANDS OUT | 310 (32%) | 13k–48k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| EngineSTANDS OUT | 227 (24%) | 14k–36k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Fuel systemSTANDS OUT | 143 (15%) | 31k–60k miles · ahead | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 149 (16%) | 2k–30k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| SteeringSTANDS OUT | 255 (27%) | 4k–26k miles · mostly behind | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| SuspensionSTANDS OUT | 181 (19%) | 5k–24k miles · mostly behind | Ball joint replacement (one joint) $200–$500 · Control arm replacement (one arm) $200–$900 |
| Speed controlSTANDS OUT | 48 (5%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Brakes | 27 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Wheels | 23 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 20 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Body structure | 17 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Collision avoidance | 16 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Air bags | 10 (1%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Exterior lighting | 6 (1%) | 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 27,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 960 complaints: 21 mention a crash · 28 mention a fire · 10 report an injury · 35 say the car was towed.
187 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.
In owners' own words
While towing the manual transmission Jeep Wrangler rubicon (Transfer case in neutral and transmission in 1st gear) 4 wheels down there was an explosion under the Jeep with a ball of fire.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 27,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2021 Jeep Wrangler: 15
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 high voltage battery may fail internally and lead to a vehicle fire while parked or driving. A vehicle fire can increase the risk of injury.
The wiring harness for the rearview camera and the center brake light may short circuit, which can disable the rearview camera image and center brake light. A rearview camera image that does not display decreases the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
A hybrid control processor (HCP) software error may cause the defrosting and defogging system to be inoperative. An inoperative windshield defrosting and defogging system may decrease the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
The high voltage battery may fail internally and lead to a vehicle fire while parked or driving. A vehicle fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
The high pressure fuel pump (HPFP) may fail. Fuel pump failure can result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
A stud on the frame assembly may puncture the fuel tank in a crash, which can result in a fuel leak. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
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 loss of communication may cause an engine shutdown. An engine shutdown can cause a loss of drive power, 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.
The front seat belt retractors may have an improperly welded micro gas generator, which can result in seat belt pretensioner failure. A seat belt with pretensioner failure may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
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: 556
Repair instructions Jeep sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2021 Jeep Wrangler. 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…
Transmission Auxiliary Oil Pump Failure Customers must experience a Malfunction Indicator Lamp…
Powertrain Control Module (PCM) Updates Customers must experience a Malfunction Indicator Lamp…
NHTSA defect investigations: 3
Underhood fires
Loss of Motive Power
High pressure fuel pump failure
Neighbouring years
2020 Wrangler: 619 complaints, keep it · 2022 Wrangler: 413 complaints, keep it, but watch the engine.
Every Jeep Wrangler year
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Questions
Is the 2021 Jeep Wrangler a bad year?
960 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 227, 8.4× a quiet Wrangler year. At 27,000 miles the tool says: Keep it, but watch the engine. Half of the engine complaints for this year were filed at 14k–36k miles, where you are now. Few of them say the car was towed: 7 of 227 filed since 2016.
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Jeep Wrangler?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: electrical system (310), engine (227), fuel system (143), transmission and drivetrain (149), steering (255). Half of the engine complaints were filed between 14k–36k miles.
How many recalls does the 2021 Jeep Wrangler have?
15 recall campaigns list this model year: Steering (NHTSA 26V-363), Electrical system (NHTSA 25V-741), Exterior lighting (NHTSA 24V-676), Electrical system (NHTSA 24V-652) 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.