First generation (JT)
2021 Jeep Gladiator
The most reported problem on the 2021 Jeep Gladiator is death wobble, with 48 complaints, usually around 19,000 miles.
- 291owner complaints
- 8recalls
- 7involved a crash
- 21,000median miles at failure
Newest report Sep 28, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
What is your Gladiator doing?
Each one opens a sheet built from the owner reports of that problem on the 2021 model year.
Is the 2021 Jeep Gladiator reliable?
The 2021 Jeep Gladiator has 291 owner complaints on file with NHTSA, close to the median of 259 for 2021 pickups on this site. Of the 6 Gladiator model years since 2020, it has the 2nd most complaints. Complaint counts rise with sales as well as faults, so read what owners report below before deciding.
At a glance
- Next to the 2020 and 2022
- Complaints ease off across these three model years. Counted per year on the road, the 2020 draws 69, the 2021 48 and the 2022 24.
- Top problem
- Two problems run close. Death wobble has 48 complaints and suspension has 41, out of 291 in all. A quarter of the 18 owners who gave a mileage for death wobble saw it by about 10,000 miles, and half by about 19,000.
- Crash, fire and injury reports
- 11 of the 291 complaints (4%) report a crash, a fire or an injury, a little under the 6% typical of vehicles on this site. Counted separately (one report can carry more than one), 7 reports mention a crash, 3 mention a fire and 7 people were hurt. The most crash reports, 3 of 7, fall under suspension.
- Recalls behind the top problems
- Death wobble has a recall on the same system (26V-363). Suspension and stalling have none. A recall on the same system doesn't always cover the failure owners describe, so compare its summary with the complaints.
- When owners filed
- Filings peaked in 2022 at 72 (full calendar years only). In 2025 there were 39. So far in 2026, 43 more have come in.
When each problem shows up
Each bar covers the middle half of the mileages owners reported for that problem. A quarter saw it earlier, a quarter later. The tick is the median. Most reported: steering wheel shakes or the "death wobble", 48 complaints.
middle half of reports, median tick. The heavier grey bars have 75 or more reports.
Behind you
Around your mileage
Ahead of you
How this compares
291 complaints is 1.5 times the median 2021 model on this site and about the median for a 2021 pickup. Among the 3 Gladiator model years here it ranks 2nd for complaints. Counts follow sales volume as much as reliability, so a truck that sells 700,000 a year draws more reports than a sedan that sells 200,000.
Service bulletins for the 2021 Jeep Gladiator
Jeep filed 699 bulletins and other notices with NHTSA that list the 2021 Jeep Gladiator. 37 of them deal with a problem owners have reported on this car. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
Steering wheel shakes or the "death wobble" 1 bulletin · 48 complaints
Drag Link Long Socket FOR STEERING SHIMMY DIAGNOSIS, PLEASE REFERENCE S1819000004 Rev. Q AND 19 - Steering / Diagnosis and Testing (IN SERVICE LIBRARY).
Suspension noise, struts or alignment 3 bulletins · 41 complaints
Shock And Strut Diagnosis And Replacement Guidelines Leaking, noisy, or weak shocks or struts.
Click Noise From Front End While Driving And Or Turning.
1 more on this problem
Noise From Front Axle Area Over Bumps
Driveshaft, axle or transfer case problems 4 bulletins · 22 complaints
Axle Assembly Do not replace the Axle for Axle Locker Sensor failure. The parts kit (SENSOR KIT, Axle: 68544629A$) must be used to repair the Axle Locker Sensor on JL/JT equipped with the M210 and M220 Tru-Lok axles (DSE).
Noise From The Front Axle Area Over Bumps
2 more on this problem
Axle Assembly A parts kit (SENSOR KIT, Axle: 68544629A$) is available to repair the Axle Locker Sensor on JL/JT equipped with the M210 and M220 Tru-Lok axles (DSE). This parts kit must be used when only the Axle Locker Sensor fails.
Noise From Front Axle Area Over Bumps
Power steering cuts out or goes heavy 5 bulletins · 18 complaints
Loss Of Power Steering Assist. U0131 Lost Communication With Electro Hydraulic Power Steering Control Module (EHPS).
U0131-00-LOST COMMUNICATION WITH POWER STEERING CONTROL MODULE ?A?. Service Electric Power Steering Message On Cluster.
3 more on this problem
ELECTRIC HYDRAULIC POWER STEERING PUMP Prior to replacing this component for damage at the pump electrical connection, please contact FCA redacted content. If no response in 15 minutes, proceed with repair.
CAN C Bus Intermittently Loses Communication. Power Steering Becomes Stiff
U0131 Lost Communication With Power Steering Control Module A DTC Active. EPS Light On.
Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 1 bulletin · 16 complaints
ESC Light Illuminated. DTC C1252-92 VACUUM PUMP CONTROL CIRCUIT And Or P258B ELECTRONIC VACUUM PUMP PERFORMANCE
Battery dies or the car will not start 18 bulletins · 14 complaints
Start Stop Charging Warning Lamp Illuminated On, Intelligent Battery Sensor (IBS) State of Charge (SOC) Inaccurate, Battery Charging Message, Presence of IBS related Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs), or Battery Warning Lamp On
Before replacing bluetooth speaker for not charging or battery is dead, please refer to SOL #S248A000019 - Jeep Bluetooth Speaker Does Not Charge
16 more on this problem
Battery Drain Suspected or "Identified" From USB or Media Hub
Radio Remained On After Ignition Is Switched Off, Dead Battery From Excessive Radio Current Draw
No Start, Stop Start Inoperative, Battery or Check Engine Light (CEL) Illuminated
No Start, Start Stop Inoperative, Cluster Message Service Start Stop System
No Start, ABS Module Has No Communication, Stop/Start Inoperative
No Start, After Flash And Or PCM Replace, DTC P0513 Invalid Skim Key Setting
Check Engine Light Is On, No Start. DTC?s P00FD, P0562, P26F3
Battery Drain Concern, Dual USB Port Normal Operational Draw, Extended Illumination Or Extended Operation After Key Off
No Start, Cannot Complete Module Replace, Proxi Or Module Proxi Configuration
Radio Enhancements This bulletin involves updating the radio software level to 2036.06. Customers may experience the following: Ghost Touch, features, modes and App?s changing without drivers input. Product plan UUID is not correct in Carplay®.
Plus 6 older ones not listed here.
Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard 2 bulletins · 11 complaints
Flash: Transmission Control Module (TCM) Updates This bulletin involves reprogramming the TCM with the latest available software. The customer may describe one or more of the following:During a 2 - 3 transmission upshift, the engine is hitting rev limit.
Gear Ratio DTC?s, Transmission Shift Concerns, Does Not Shift At Times, Shudders
Windshield cracks or distorts 3 bulletins · 10 complaints
Replacement Exterior Mirror Glass Connector Does Not Match For Blind Spot.
Defogger Is Not Working. Terminal Detached From The Glass.
1 more on this problem
Whistle Wind Noise From Windshield Area.
Complaints filed by year
72 complaints came in 2022. Owners file in waves when a problem gets press or an investigation, so a spike measures attention as much as failures.
NHTSA investigations
Underhood fires. Closed sep 24, 2026, led to recall 26V-363.
NHTSA summary
High pressure fuel pump failure. Open, led to recall 24V-957.
NHTSA summary
Recalls that include the 2021 Jeep Gladiator
Whether your car is included depends on its VIN. Check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
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 and remedy
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) 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 and remedy
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) 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 and remedy
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) 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 and remedy
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) 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 and remedy
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) 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 and remedy
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) 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 and remedy
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) 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 and remedy
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.
All 8 recalls on the 2021 Jeep Gladiator, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
Guide NHTSA has an open investigation on this car. What the investigation stages mean
Questions
What is the most common problem on the 2021 Jeep Gladiator?
Death wobble, with 48 of the 291 complaints. Owners who gave a mileage for it put the median at about 19,000 miles.
At what mileage do 2021 Jeep Gladiator problems start?
Of the 79 complaints that give a mileage, a quarter came by about 9,000 miles and half by about 21,000.
Is the 2021 Jeep Gladiator better or worse than the 2020 and 2022?
Counted per year on the road, the 2021 has fewer complaints than the 2020 and more complaints than the 2022: 48 a year against 69 and 24.
How many 2021 Jeep Gladiator complaints involve a crash, fire or injury?
11 of them (4%). The typical vehicle on this site is at 6%.
Is there a recall for death wobble on the 2021 Jeep Gladiator?
Yes, NHTSA lists a recall on the same system: 26V-363. Its summary says which failure it covers, and that isn't always the one owners describe.