YearToAvoid

2021 Jeep Renegade Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Good

Complaint Index

25/100

#7 most-complained of 9 Renegade years

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

The 2021 Jeep Renegade has 67 NHTSA complaints, a complaint index of 25, and ranks 7th worst of 9 model years, earning a "Good" verdict relative to other Renegade years. Electrical System issues dominate at 40% of complaints, with 2 recalls filed.

Complaints
67
Recalls
2
Crashes / fires
3 / 1
Injuries / deaths
2 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
4 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
25
22 city / 29 hwy

Top 2021 Jeep Renegade problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Electrical System27 (40%)
  2. Other20 (30%)
  3. Engine12 (18%)
  4. Collision Avoidance & Cameras11 (16%)
  5. Airbags7 (10%)
  6. Transmission & Powertrain6 (9%)
  7. Lane Departure4 (6%)
  8. Steering4 (6%)
  9. Brakes3 (4%)
  10. Seat Belts3 (4%)

What owners report

  • Dashboard displays multiple false warning messages at once, including engine failure and impact alerts, while the radio goes inoperable.
  • Lane keep assist reportedly took over steering during a highway curve, causing the vehicle to fishtail and crash.
  • Airbags failed to deploy in rear-end and side-impact collisions despite visible vehicle damage.
  • Forward collision detection triggered automatic braking with no vehicle or obstacle ahead, jerking the driver forward.
  • Speedometer flickers or shuts off intermittently while cruise control is engaged, sometimes alongside radio volume and station changes on their own.
  • Dashboard warning lights blink randomly and the transmission drops into what feels like neutral, forcing the driver to pull over.
2021 Jeep Renegade complaints: complaints filed per month8Feb 2021Mar 2022Dec 2022Dec 2023Dec 2024Jun 2025Feb 2026
105 complaints filed with NHTSA from Feb 2021 to Sep 2026; peak Jul 2025 (8).

2021 Jeep Renegade recalls

2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 24V918000Dec 10, 2024Structure & Body2,135 vehicles

    Structure:body:bumpers

    Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Jeep Renegade vehicles. The incorrect bumper reverse light assembly may have been installed. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

    Risk: The incorrect reverse lights may have reduced visibility, and not alert pedestrians and other drivers that the vehicle is backing up, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the bumper reverse light assembly, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 30, 2025. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recall is D7B.

  2. NHTSA 24V510000Jul 3, 2024Seat Belts337,128 vehicles

    Seat belts:front

    Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2017-2024 Alfa Romeo Giulia, 2018-2025 Alfa Romeo Stelvio, 2019-2023 Fiat 500X, Jeep Renegade, and 2024 Fiat 500E vehicles. A seat belt buckle switch sensor may be improperly connected, preventing the front seat air bag from deploying as intended.

    Risk: A front seat air bag that does not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury in a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will repair the connection, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning August 27, 2024. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 82B.

2021 Jeep Renegade fuel economy and fuel cost

City
22 MPG
Highway
29 MPG
Combined
25 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$2,600
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2021 compared with other Renegade years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100201520162017201820192020202120222023
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2019Good3879425
2020Caution5062325
2021Good2567225
2022Best1326226
2023Best020225

All Jeep Renegade years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2021 Jeep Renegade reliable?
NHTSA lists 67 complaints for the 2021 Renegade with a complaint index of 25, ranking 7th worst out of 9 model years covered. That gives it a "Good" verdict relative to other Renegade years.
What is the top problem area for the 2021 Jeep Renegade?
Electrical System complaints lead with 27 reports, 40% of all complaints, including one fire, and a median failure mileage of 935 miles.
Does the 2021 Jeep Renegade have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 2 recalls: one for an incorrect bumper reverse light assembly and one for a seat belt buckle switch sensor connection issue. Neither is a do-not-drive recall.
How does the 2021 Renegade compare to other years?
With a complaint index of 25, the 2021 model ranks better than 2015-2018 (indexes 63-100, all Avoid or Caution) but worse than 2022 and 2023, which score 13 and 0 and rank Best.
What mileage do 2021 Renegade problems typically show up at?
Across all reported issues, the median mileage at failure was 11,575 miles, though Electrical System complaints had a lower median of 935 miles.

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.