2021 Jeep Wrangler · symptom sheet
Brakes grind, pulse or wear early
- 27owner reports
- 28,000median miles
- 6involved a crash
Newest report Sep 28, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
27 of the 940 complaints on this car describe brake wear.
Tick what matches of 27 reports
Brake wear on other Wrangler years
Report counts are for each model year on its own, so a newer car has had less time to collect them. Model years with too few reports of it for a sheet: 2020, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026.
What this problem usually is
Brake reports cover a wide spread of symptoms. Grinding or squealing is common, and so is a pulsing pedal or a shake through the car when stopping. Others describe pads and rotors worn out long before they expected, a brake warning light, or a pedal that goes soft or sinks toward the floor. The most serious ones say the car didn't stop in time.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the ABS module (9 reports).
Recalls and investigations
No recall on the brakes covers the 2021 model year as of Oct 2, 2026.
NHTSA investigations into the brakes on the Wrangler
Parking brake resulting in rollaway. Closed mar 25, 2002, led to recall 02V-041.
Parking brake. Closed jan 11, 2001.
Brake roter disc/hud separation. Closed mar 28, 2000, led to recall 00V-136.
None of these investigations covers the 2021 model year.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 15,980 and 30,000 miles, from the 8 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 3 service bulletins or notices for the 2021 Jeep Wrangler that deal with this problem. 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.
ESC Light Illuminated. DTC C1252-92 VACUUM PUMP CONTROL CIRCUIT And Or P258B ELECTRONIC VACUUM PUMP PERFORMANCE
Antilock Brake System (ABS) Module Will Not Initialize After Recent Service Replacement.
VALVE, HIGH PRESSURE EGR If you are replacing the high pressure EGR valve (68490212A$) due to DTC P0407 or P0408 please refer to all published service information regarding proper diagnosis before proceeding. These DTCs are for the low pressure EGR system.
What owners wrote
“The forward collision/emergency brake engages when it is not needed, necessary or appropriate, and even when the brake pedel is already being pressed. I have adjusted the sensitivity of the emergency braking and forward collision system and I still have this issue.”
Filed Jun 13, 2026
“While pulling into parking lot jeep suddenly accelerated deployed brakes it would not stop. Hit pillar in front of store. Did considerable damage to build and vehicle.”
Filed Oct 5, 2025
“Vehicle went in for repair of no power boost to brakes. Dealership replaced brake booster, no change. Dealership replaced vacuum pump, fixed issue. After 64 miles vacuum pump failed, no power brakes. Dealership replaced vacuum pump 2nd time said part was faulty from parts supplier. Problem was resolved. Around 100 miles later vacuum pump has failed for a 3rd time. Awaiting resolution.”
Filed Sep 14, 2025
“Today this morning I parked, put the gear in park and all of a sudden the car ravaged up and jumped forward, causing me to go through a fence and stopped. I had my foot on the break the whole time.”
Filed Apr 20, 2023
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 6 of 27 reports involved a crash. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.
File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Taking it to a shop? How to describe this problem so it gets found
Other problems on this car
- Steering wheel shakes or the "death wobble" 182 reports
- Suspension noise, struts or alignment 180 reports
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 149 reports
- Battery dies or the car will not start 115 reports
- Hybrid or EV system warning, loss of power 87 reports
- Check engine light or misfire 64 reports
- Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 52 reports
- Multiple warning lights come on at once 34 reports
- Engine overheats or leaks coolant 30 reports
- Power steering cuts out or goes heavy 27 reports
- Wheel bearing, tires or wheels 27 reports
- Vehicle fire 25 reports