YearToAvoid

2021 Jeep Gladiator Electrical System Problems

NHTSA lists 56 Electrical System complaints for the 2021 Jeep Gladiator, 19% of all complaints for the year, with a median failure mileage of 26,000. A related recall (24V652000) covers instrument panel cluster short circuits.

Electrical System complaints
56
19% of 290
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
2
Median mileage
26,000 mi
Related recalls
1

Typical electrical symptoms owners report

  • Owners report sudden loss of motive power and stalling at highway speed, sometimes traced to a loose battery terminal.
  • Instrument cluster flashes a 'Service Shifter' warning along with a check engine light, erratic speed and RPM readings, and windshield wipers activating on their own.
  • Several owners describe unintended engine auto-start events triggered by opening the driver's door, pressing the brake pedal, or adjusting the climate controls, which they say conflicts with the owner's manual.
  • Some owners report intermittent electrical failures with multiple warning lights, paired with temporary loss of power steering that required shutting the vehicle off and restarting it.
  • Others report the vehicle failing to start with the push button, accompanied by unidentified warning lights, requiring several attempts before it starts.
  • One owner reported a fire that destroyed the vehicle and the house it was parked next to, with smoke inhalation injuries.

When 2021 Jeep Gladiator electrical complaints were filed

First complaint Mar 22, 2021, latest Jul 1, 2026.

2021 Jeep Gladiator electrical system complaints: complaints filed per month10Mar 2021Feb 2022Mar 2023Apr 2024Oct 2024Mar 2025Oct 2025Mar 2026
56 complaints filed with NHTSA from Mar 2021 to Jul 2026; peak Jan 2022 (10).

Electrical System recalls for the 2021 Jeep Gladiator

  1. NHTSA 24V652000Sep 5, 2024Electrical System32,863 vehicles

    Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel

    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: An instrument panel that fails to display critical safety information, such as the speedometer or warning lights, can increase the risk of a crash.

    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.

Electrical System complaints by Gladiator model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 2020187 (39%)
  2. 202156 (19%)
  3. 202237 (31%)
  4. 202316 (29%)
  5. 20248 (35%)
  6. 20255 (33%)

Frequently asked questions

How many electrical complaints does the 2021 Jeep Gladiator have?
NHTSA lists 56 Electrical System complaints for the 2021 Jeep Gladiator, which is 19% of the 290 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for the 2021 Jeep Gladiator's electrical system?
Yes. Recall 24V652000, reported September 5, 2024, covers an instrument panel cluster that may experience an internal short circuit and fail. Dealers replace the cluster free of charge.
At what mileage do 2021 Gladiator electrical problems usually appear?
The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for Electrical System complaints on the 2021 Gladiator is 26,000 miles.
Are the electrical problems dangerous?
NHTSA data for this component and year includes 1 crash, 1 fire, and 2 injuries among the reported complaints.
Is the 2021 Gladiator worse than other years for electrical issues?
The 2021 Gladiator's electrical share is 19% of its complaints, lower than the 2020 model's 39% but roughly in line with 2022's 31% and 2024's 35%.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.