2021 Jeep Gladiator: What to check before buying
Owners have filed 261 complaints with NHTSA about this car, most about the steering, transmission, and electrical. The 9 checks below target those problems, in the order you would do them at the car.
2021- Owner complaints
- 261
- Recalls
- 7
- Crashes reported
- 7
- 7 injuries
Your inspection sheet
Tick items off on your phone at the car, or print it. Ticks stay on this device.
0/9 checked
2021 Jeep Gladiator: inspection sheet
Paperwork and questions
Before you go, or before you touch the car0/3
Cold start, engine bay, and underside
Ask the seller not to warm the car up first0/1
Test drive
At least 20 minutes, with some highway0/5
These checks are specific to this model year. For tires, body panels, fluids, and the other basics every used car needs, use the general inspection guide.
Which Gladiator is it?
EPA figures for each version of the 2021 Jeep Gladiator. Use them to confirm you are looking at the version that was advertised, and as a yardstick on the test drive.
| Version | Drive | EPA rating |
|---|---|---|
| 3.6L 6-cylGas | 4WD | 19 mpg |
| 3.0L 6-cylDiesel | 4WD | 24 mpg |
- The 2021 Jeep Gladiator was sold in two versions. Confirm which one this is from the window sticker, the engine cover, or the VIN report before you compare prices.
- Reset the trip computer at the start of the drive. A Gladiator that averages well under the EPA 19 mpg combined on a mixed route may have an engine or tire problem.
Check the odometer against these mileages
Owners report these failures starting around the mileages below. A car inside one of these ranges deserves a closer look at that part, or records showing it was already fixed.
Right rear axle seal leak
200–9,500 miles
Death wobble at highway speed
8,000–29,000 miles
Warning lights and electrical glitches
9,000–18,000 miles
Third brake light failure
18,000–30,000 miles
Gas engine camshaft misfires
66,024–98,000 miles
Why these checks: what owners reported
NHTSA complaints for the 2021 Jeep Gladiator, grouped by the part owners named. Open a row to read what goes wrong.
Steering872 crashes
Violent front-end shaking, which owners call "death wobble," dominates this category. It usually starts at highway speed after a bump or expansion joint. The steering wheel jerks side to side and stops only when the truck slows sharply, sometimes below 40 mph. Many trucks are stock and nearly new, often between 8,000 and 27,000 miles. Dealers often replace the steering damper, but the shaking frequently returns. Two reports involve crashes, including one truck that ran off an off-ramp into a ditch. Electrical glitches that briefly cut power steering also appear, and one report describes an engine fire.
Transmission54No crashes
Gear oil leaking from the right rear axle seal is the most common complaint. It coats the brake, caliper and inside of the wheel, so owners worry about reduced rear braking. Leaks show up very early, from 200 miles to a few thousand, and some dealers replace the whole axle assembly. Manual transmissions draw a separate pattern: second gear pops out more and more often, and one truck needed repeated transmission replacements by 26,000 miles. Scattered reports also cover a head gasket failure just past 60,000 miles and an automatic transmission failure that stranded a family.
Electrical241 crash
Stalling and no-start problems tied to the two-battery stop/start system lead this category. The auxiliary battery fails without warning, and the engine shuts off at a light and will not restart. Some trucks go through several sets of batteries or have a drain no one can find. Other reports describe dash warning lights flashing at once, wipers running on their own, the instrument cluster going black, and key fobs that stop working. The third brake light also fails, and one owner was quoted $330 to replace it. One crash with 2 injuries followed a reported surge forward while braking.
Suspension151 crash
Most complaints here also describe death wobble. The front end shakes violently at 65 to 75 mph after a bump or dip, often around 28,000 to 36,000 miles. Dealers replace steering dampers, tie rod ends and drag links, and the shaking often comes back. EcoDiesel owners report the front end bottoming out on ordinary bumps and potholes, and they say the trucks use suspension sized for the lighter gas engine. One crash involves a diesel truck whose rear wheels lifted under hard braking. A shock absorber leak and a shock that let the truck bottom out at 1,100 miles also appear.
Engine14No crashes
EcoDiesel trucks overheat their engine oil when towing, climbing grades or running in hot weather. The engine then cuts power and holds speed to roughly 35 to 50 mph with little warning, which can leave the truck crawling in traffic. Gas engines draw a different pattern: camshaft and rocker arm failures cause misfires, ticking from the passenger side and limp mode, reported at higher mileage such as 98,000, with long waits for parts. One report describes white smoke followed by a fire that totaled the truck. Erratic stop/start behavior and surging idle round out the list.
Fuel system12No crashes
Most of these complaints are about a recall repair that dealers could not complete because parts were unavailable. Many owners waiting on the part had no failure. When failures do happen, the high-pressure fuel pump quits. The truck loses power or stalls at speed, sometimes with no warning light, and may not restart. These reports cluster around 40,000 to 46,000 miles. Separately, one diesel owner got a DEF tank warning with a countdown to a no-start condition at 165 miles, and the tank and sensor were on backorder.
Exterior lights11No crashes
The LED third brake light in the tailgate burns out, and nothing on the dash tells the driver. The whole unit has to be replaced, not a bulb, and owners report failures at low mileage such as 18,000. Several owners also say snow packs into the recessed LED headlights and blocks the beam, so they have to stop every mile or two in a storm to clear them. Less common reports include melted wiring at both headlamp assemblies, headlights that dazzle oncoming drivers, and a rear turn signal that stops working.
Acceleration and cruise control7No crashes
The throttle surges or sticks without driver input. On manual trucks, idle jumps by hundreds or thousands of RPM after the driver lifts off the gas or shifts. More serious reports describe the engine racing while the brakes fail to slow the truck for 30 to 45 seconds, in city traffic and at highway speed. One owner says adaptive cruise control, when cancelled but not switched off, made the truck lunge forward on brake release. Another describes ABS and stability warnings that knock out cruise control and let the brake pedal sink.
In owners' own words
Excerpts from complaints Gladiator owners filed with NHTSA, as written. Listen for the same symptoms on your test drive.
12-30-2022 When driving truck on interstate going over a bridge the bump caused a death wobble and wouldn't stop until brake pushed. Did this twice in about 2 miles while driving 65 miles an hour. Took it to the shop and was told replacing front end parts after they experienced it also. Shop called said Chrysler said to turn steering wheel to left and right 25 times, then they test drove it again and said it quit. We picked it up and still doing it.
Filed with NHTSA, January 2023
My vehicles rear locker went out on me while driving on the road and completely destroyed itself. I have video evidence on how that looks at the shop where it cost me over 3k to get a new one because I could t drive it or I had to get a whole new rear differential. My steering is already been going loose at 70k miless
Filed with NHTSA, January 2026
Transmission failure 850RE. 86000 miles. Known problem with this transmission. Left wife and children stranded in a very dangerous location on highway. Could not move vehicle off roadway.
Filed with NHTSA, June 2024
Right Rear axle seal is leaking fluid after only 3,500 miles and 3 months of ownership. This axle fluid is leaking onto the brake rotor and the wheel.
Filed with NHTSA, August 2021
The vehicle turned off while sitting at a red light; luckily it started back up. I did receive the service stat stop warning light. Took the vehicle into the dealership, and both the main battery and auxiliary battery are bad. Last November, both batteries were just replaced. My vehicle was purchased new in June 2021, and this will be the fourth set of batteries it has had.
Filed with NHTSA, October 2025
2021 Jeep Gladiator High Altitude with 29000 miles and in stock configuration. Experienced the "Death Wobble" after hitting slight depression in roadway at 65mph. Jeep front end would not stop vibrating until at complete Stop. This appears to be a design flaw. Reporting the occurance to the dealer for resolution.
Filed with NHTSA, October 2023
Extreme wobble in front suspension and steering wheel when driving at freeway speeds. Also conventionally known as the "Death Wobble". Occurred on 3/8/23 - repair of steering stabilizer by dealer did not remedy the issue Returned to dealer on 3/13/23 - replaced inner and outer tie rod ends and drag link Recurred on 12/7/23 -again replaced tie rod ends for excessive play in ball and socket joints.
Filed with NHTSA, December 2023
How the 2021 compares with other Gladiator years
Complaints for this year next to the average for the other model years, area by area.
The 2021 ranks second for owner complaints among 6 Gladiator years, about 2.1 times the average of the others. Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, so compare like with like.
- Steering8744
- Transmission5413
- Electrical2437
- Suspension154
- Engine145
- Fuel system123
Recalls to confirm (7)
Recall repairs are free at any Jeep dealer, but the seller may never have had them done. Check each campaign number against the VIN.
24V652000ElectricalSep 2024
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.
Fix: 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.
24V572000TransmissionAug 2024
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021 Jeep Wrangler and Jeep Gladiator vehicles that were previously remedied under NHTSA recall number 23V-116. The software for the powertrain control module may cause an engine stall, which can result in a loss of drive power.
Risk: A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will update the powertrain control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 15, 2024. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US LLC's number for this recall is 92B. Vehicles previously repaired under recall 23V-116 will need to have the new remedy completed.
23V263000Fuel systemApr 2023
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Jeep Wrangler, Gladiator, and 2022-2023 Ram 1500 vehicles equipped with a 3.0L diesel engine. The high pressure fuel pump (HPFP) may fail.
Risk: Fuel pump failure can result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the HPFP and replace additional fuel system components, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 17, 2023. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 01A.
23V116000TransmissionFeb 2023
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2018-2023 Jeep Wrangler, and 2020-2023 Jeep Gladiator vehicles equipped with manual transmissions. The clutch pressure plate may overheat and fracture.
Risk: Overheated clutch components may increase the risk of a fire. Additionally, damage to other nearby components can result in debris falling onto the road or a loss of drive, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the clutch assembly and update the software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed from November 16, 2023 through July 25, 2024. Owners may contact (FCA US, LLC) customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US LLC's number for this recall is 19A. This recall expands and replaces previous recall 21V-028. Vehicles previously repaired under recall 21V-028 will need to have the new remedy completed.
22V767000Fuel systemOct 2022
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Jeep Wrangler, Ram 1500, and 2021-2022 Jeep Gladiator vehicles equipped with 3.0L diesel engines. The high pressure fuel pump (HPFP) may fail, causing an engine stall.
Risk: An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the HPFP and inspect and replace additional fuel system components, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 17, 2023. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is Z96.
22V638000Backup cameraAug 2022
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Jeep Wrangler, RAM 1500 and 2021 Jeep Gladiator vehicles. A radio software error may prevent the rearview image from displaying. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility.".
Risk: A rearview camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will update the radio software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 6, 2022. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA, LLC's number for this recall is Z86.
21V028000TransmissionJan 2021
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Jeep Wrangler and 2020-2021 Jeep Gladiator vehicles equipped with manual transmissions. The clutch pressure plate may overheat and fracture.
Risk: Overheated clutch components may increase the risk of a fire. Additionally, damage to other nearby components can result in debris falling onto the road or a loss of drive, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: FCA US LLC will notify owners, and dealers will add software to reduce engine torque capability when clutch assembly temperatures rise to a level that may damage the inner pressure plate, free of charge." FCA has ordered a stop sale for the affected vehicles as of February 25, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 4, 2021.
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