2021 Jeep Wrangler · symptom sheet

Engine overheats or leaks coolant

30owner reports
56,700median miles
0involved a crash

Newest report Aug 20, 2026 · checked Sep 19, 2026

217 of the 911 complaints on this car are about the engine. 30 of those describe overheating.

Tick what matches of 30 reports

the temperature gauge climbed into the red

coolant is disappearing or on the ground

white smoke from the tailpipe

the heater stopped blowing hot

the dealer found a head gasket or cracked block

What got replaced

Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the coolant hose or reservoir (7 reports) and the water pump (5 reports).

Recalls and investigations

One recall on the engine covers the 2021 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.

22V-865Nov 23, 2022

Engine

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Jeep Wrangler 4xe vehicles equipped with 2.0L Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle engines. A loss of communication may cause an engine shutdown.

Risk and remedy

Risk: An engine shutdown can cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: There is more than one involved component and calibration software. Updating the calibration software in the Transmission Control Module, Hybrid Control Processor and Auxiliary Hybrid Control Processor that changes fail safe from shut down to limp home. Dealers will update the transmission control module software, Hybrid Control Processor and Auxiliary Hybrid Control Processor, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 22, 2022. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall ZB7.

NHTSA investigations into the engine on the Wrangler

PE12-009opened Mar 28, 2012

Engine And Engine Cooling · model years 2010

Skid plate debris fires. Closed aug 7, 2012, led to recall 12V-216.

NHTSA summary

In a letter dated May 15, 2012, the Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) submitted a Defect Information Report to NHTSA identifying a safety defect regarding fires originating between the transmission skid plate and the exhaust catalyst in approximately 65,246 model year (MY) 2010 Jeep Wrangler 4x4 vehicles with automatic transmissions (NHTSA Recall 12V-216).According to Chrysler, changes to the exhaust system for MY 2010 resulted in reduced clearances between the exhaust catalyst and the skid plate.If debris collects in the area of the skid plate and is not removed, there is an increased potential for underbody debris fires.ODI's analysis of skid plate area fires in the MY 2010 Wrangler vehicles with automatic transmissions found that the rate increased significantly from approximately 1.7 fires per 100,000 vehicle years in the MY 2007 through 2009 vehicles with the prior exhaust design to approximately 14.8 fires per 100,000 vehicle years in MY 2010 vehicles, a nearly 800 percent increase.In analysis of both Vehicle Owner Questionnaire (VOQ) data submitted to the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) and Chrysler's consumer complaint data submitted to ODI, 35 unique reports were identified by Chrysler alleging fire in subject vehicles with origins near the engine compartment or in the underbody area directly beneath and to the rear of the engine compartment.Chrysler's assessments of the 35 reports of fire were categorized by likely causes.Eleven of the fires were determined to be

None of these investigations covers the 2021 model year.

When it happens

The middle half of failures fell between 31,300 and 100,000 miles, from the 8 reports that gave a mileage.

422

223

524

1025

926

What owners wrote

“The engine is overheating at idle speed and there's a phamtom coolant leak. We just bought this in January and are already having major issues. Seems to be a problem with the plastic coolant reservoir being near a very hot engine.”
Filed Apr 14, 2026

“Bolts came loose on thermostat housing caused all the fluid to leak out when looked up seems to be a common problem on these jeeps”
Filed Nov 23, 2025

“A coolant fitting came loose from the engine block, spewing coolant and steam from the engine bay and partially obstructing vision through windshield. After researching online I see this is a very common issue on 2018-2022 Jeep Wranglers.”
Filed Jun 2, 2022

“Cylinder head failure caused engine to leak engine oil. Ultimately FCA was able to repair the defective upon replacing a cylinder and head gasket multiple times. The true cause of the leak was never determined as the replaced head did not appear defective. This is being reported to NHTSA due to numerous defects and safety concerns that have arisen with this vehicle.”
Filed May 2, 2022

Should you keep driving it?

This page can't tell you that. 0 of 30 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.