This page covers 9 recalls, 266 owner complaints and EPA fuel economy for the 2021 Jeep Gladiator.
19 mpg combined
12.4 L/100km
Standard Pickup Trucks 4WD
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 2 tested variants for this model year.
Steering and powertrain complaints dominate the 2021 Jeep Gladiator owner complaint picture. On the steering side, owners frequently describe wandering, pulling, or loss of steering feel, with some reporting the steering requires constant correction to keep the vehicle tracking straight. Powertrain complaints center on unexpected shutdowns at highway speeds, where the engine and all vehicle systems cut out without warning while the truck is moving, a pattern several owners describe happening more than once on the same vehicle. Engine complaints include stalling and rough running, sometimes linked to wiring harness issues near the exhaust. A recurring electrical complaint involves the instrument cluster going blank at startup, leaving the speedometer, fuel gauge, and other readouts dark. The rear backup camera intermittently failing after the vehicle warms up also shows up across multiple reports.
266
Total Complaints
7
Crash-Related
2
Fire-Related
6
With Injuries
By System
The 2021 Jeep Gladiator has 9 recalls, the most serious being a fire risk from the electric hydraulic power steering pump wiring, which can overheat and ignite even with the vehicle parked and the ignition off.
Two distinct steering pump issues overlap here: the pump wiring can overheat on its own, and a loose pump connector can melt and trigger the same outcome. On manual transmission models, the clutch pressure plate can overheat and fracture, also raising the risk of fire. Diesel-equipped trucks face a separate concern: the high-pressure fuel pump can fail and stall the engine, and prior repair attempts under an earlier recall did not fully resolve a related powertrain control software problem that can also cut drive power without warning. Both issues raise the risk of a crash. On the visibility side, a radio software error can prevent the rearview camera from displaying an image when reversing. The instrument panel cluster can also suffer an internal short and go dark, taking the speedometer and warning lights with it.
At a glance
What can fail
The connection to the electric hydraulic power steering pump may loosen, causing the connection to overheat and melt.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the connection and repair or replace affected parts as needed.
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Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The electric hydraulic power steering pump wiring may overheat and cause a vehicle fire, even when parked with the ignition off.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and replace affected wiring and parts as needed, at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The instrument panel cluster may develop an internal short circuit and stop working, causing the display to fail.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the instrument panel cluster at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The powertrain control module software can cause the engine to stall unexpectedly, resulting in loss of drive power.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the powertrain control module software at no charge. Previously repaired vehicles under recall 23V-116 also need this update.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The high pressure fuel pump may fail in certain 2021-2023 Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator, and 2022-2023 Ram 1500 vehicles with 3.0L diesel engines.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the high pressure fuel pump and any other necessary fuel system components at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The clutch pressure plate can overheat and crack, potentially affecting manual transmission operation.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the clutch assembly and update the transmission software at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The high pressure fuel pump may fail, causing the engine to stall without warning.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the high pressure fuel pump and inspect and replace other fuel system parts as needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A radio software error may prevent the rearview camera image from displaying on the infotainment screen, affecting rear visibility.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the radio software at no cost to restore rearview image display.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The clutch pressure plate may overheat and crack in certain 2018-2021 Jeep Wranglers and 2020-2021 Jeep Gladiators with manual transmissions.
What the fix does
Dealers will install software that reduces engine torque when clutch temperatures rise to prevent damage to the pressure plate.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
