2021 Jeep Wrangler Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
87/100
#3 most-complained of 16 Wrangler years
The 2021 Jeep Wrangler ranks 3rd worst of 16 model years, with a Complaint Index of 87 and 934 NHTSA complaints, 15 recalls, and 27 fires reported. Electrical System issues are the top problem area at 33% of complaints, giving it an overall Avoid verdict versus other Wrangler years.
- Complaints
- 934
- Recalls
- 15
- Crashes / fires
- 20 / 27
- Injuries / deaths
- 14 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 20.5
- 19.5 city / 24 hwy
Top 2021 Jeep Wrangler problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System305 (33%)
- Steering250 (27%)
- Engine243 (26%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires190 (20%)
- Transmission & Powertrain143 (15%)
- Fuel System135 (14%)
- Other133 (14%)
- Brakes26 (3%)
- Structure & Body23 (2%)
- Visibility & Wipers19 (2%)
What owners report
- Owners report engine and engine-bay fires starting from fuel line or gas leak areas, sometimes engulfing the vehicle within minutes of a short drive.
- Owners describe electrical system smoke and fire events, in one case leading to a full front-end burn requiring fire department response.
- Some drivers report the transmission or clutch failing during off-road use, with burnt fibers found coming from the transmission case.
- Airbags reportedly failed to deploy in multiple frontal and guardrail collisions, sometimes alongside seatbelt lock failures.
- Owners report sudden unintended acceleration or lurching forward and backward while shifting, leading to collisions with other parked vehicles.
- A towed manual-transmission Wrangler reportedly exploded underneath with a fireball while being towed at 40 mph with no prior warning.
2021 Jeep Wrangler recalls
15 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 26V363000Jun 4, 2026Steering1,076,999 vehiclesPark Outside
Steering:hydraulic power assist:pump
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: A vehicle fire increases the risk of injury.
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.
- NHTSA 25V741000Oct 30, 2025Electrical System320,068 vehiclesPark Outside
Electrical system:propulsion system:traction battery
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2020-2025 Jeep Wrangler 4Xe and 2022-2026 Grand Cherokee 4Xe vehicles. The high voltage battery may fail internally and lead to a vehicle fire while parked or driving.
Risk: A vehicle fire can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures and not to charge their vehicles until the remedy is completed. Dealers will update the high voltage battery software, and replace the high voltage battery, as necessary, free of charge. Some owner notification letters were mailed beginning December 17, 2025. The remaining owner notification letters will be mailed at a later date. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is 68C. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning November 6, 2025. Vehicles that were previously recalled for the same issue under NHTSA Recalls 24V720 and 23V787 will need to have the new remedy performed.
- NHTSA 24V676000Sep 12, 2024Collision Avoidance & Cameras46 vehicles
Back over prevention: sensing system: camera
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2018-2024 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. The wiring harness for the rearview camera and the center brake light may short circuit, which can disable the rearview camera image and center brake light. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 111, "Rear Visibility" and 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Risk: A rearview camera image that does not display decreases the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash. Additionally, a center brake light that fails to illuminate can fail to indicate to other drivers that the vehicle is slowing down, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers replaced the harness for the center brake light and rearview camera and/or the spare tire carrier/harness assembly, as necessary, free of charge. All vehicles were repaired by January 15, 2024. Owner notification letters were mailed September 26, 2024. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 77B.
2021 Jeep Wrangler fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 19.5 MPG
- Highway
- 24 MPG
- Combined
- 20.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,250
- 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 Wrangler years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2021 Jeep Wrangler reliable?
- Compared to other Wrangler model years, the 2021 ranks 3rd worst out of 16 years tracked, with a Complaint Index of 87 and 934 NHTSA complaints, so it carries an Avoid verdict relative to other years.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2021 Jeep Wrangler?
- The top problem area is the Electrical System, accounting for 33% of complaints (305 complaints), with a median failure mileage of 23,682.5 miles and 12 reported fires.
- Does the 2021 Jeep Wrangler have fire risks?
- NHTSA data lists 27 fires for the 2021 Wrangler, with fires reported across Electrical System, Engine, Fuel System, Transmission & Powertrain, Steering, and Suspension complaints.
- How many recalls does the 2021 Jeep Wrangler have?
- NHTSA lists 15 recalls for the 2021 Jeep Wrangler, covering areas including steering, electrical system, fuel system, HVAC, and transmission/powertrain.
- How does the 2021 Wrangler compare to other years?
- The 2021 Wrangler's Complaint Index of 87 is close to the worst year, 2018, at 93, but well above the best years like 2017 and 2025, which scored 7 and 0.