2021 Jeep Gladiator problems
The 2021 Jeep Gladiator has 456 complaints on file with NHTSA. The largest share (21%) concerns steering. After that come drivetrain & axles (15%) and engine (12%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 456 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Steering 21% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 15 and 3
- Injuries and deaths
- 16 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 20,000 miles 55 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 27 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 15 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 10 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 0 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 2 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 1 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 0 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 0 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 0 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 0 |
| 200k+ miles | 0 |
What the data shows
Among the 55 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 20,000 miles. For steering specifically, the median reported mileage is about 2,000 miles (10 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 15 complaints mention a crash; 3 complaints mention a fire; 16 injuries reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2021 ranks 2nd most-complained-about out of 6 model years of the Jeep Gladiator with enough data (456 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 8 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Gladiator. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH, there was an alarming amount of white smoke emanating from the engine compartment and permeating the interior of the vehicle, prompting the contact to pull over to the shoulder of the roadway and evacuate the vehicle. Moments later, the entire front of the vehicle was completely engulfed in flames. Local Emergency Services arrived on the scene and were able to extinguish the fire.
On February 25, 2023, while slowing down as I approached an intersection controlled by a red signal light and applied my brakes which was slowing me down. My foot never moved off the brake pedal as I slowed down. Suddenly, the Jeep Gladiator "accelerated/surged" forward and stated gaining speed. Although I was applying constant pressure on the brake pedal, the vehicle never slowed down or stopped because after traveling 200-300 feet and striking two signal light poles and a communications box, the vehicle came to…
Tl* the contact owns a 2021 jeep gladiator. The contact stated while driving 67 MPH, the vehicle loss motive power and stalled. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact adjusted the battery terminal for the vehicle to restart and operate as designed. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer miracle chrysler dodge jeep ram (1290 nashville pike, gallatin, tn 37066) who inspected the vehicle but was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired.
The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Gladiator. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH on concrete pavement, after transitioning from the concrete pavement to asphalt, the front end of the vehicle bottomed out inadvertently. The contact veered to the side of the road. The contact was able to continue to drive the vehicle at a lower speed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who tests drove the vehicle and diagnosed that the front shock absorber needed to be replaced.