The Lemon Index

All cars · Jeep Gladiator · 2021

2021 Jeep Gladiator. Advanced data.

The raw numbers: engines, recall campaign numbers, failure mileage and manufacturer communications.

Lemon Index218100 = average car
Complaints209NHTSA, first 3 years
Sold89,712U.S. model year
Per 100K sold233complaints
Year rank#2 of 3#1 = fewest complaints

Engines and drivetrains 3

EngineTransmissionDriveCity / hwy / combinedFuelFuel cost/yr
3.0L 6-cyl turbo dieselAuto 8-spd4WD22 / 28 / 24Diesel$3,950
3.6L 6-cylAuto 8-spd4WD17 / 22 / 19Regular$3,300
3.6L 6-cylManual 6-spd4WD16 / 23 / 19Regular$3,300

EPA test versions for this model year. Fuel cost is the EPA's current estimate, not the price in that year.

Failure mileage by system

Half of owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 2,500 and 40,000 miles. Median 20,000, from 47 complaints with a mileage.

SystemMedianMiddle halfComplaints
Steering2,0000–19,00010
Transmission & drivetrain31,0002,500–57,00011
Engine21,00014,000–46,0007
Suspension28,00014,600–37,0005

Mileage owners typed into their NHTSA complaint, all complaints for this model year. People report some problems late, so read it as a range.

Complaints by system

SystemShare of complaints
Steering32%
Transmission & drivetrain25%
Engine22%
Suspension17%
Electrical13%

One complaint can name more than one system, so shares can add to more than 100%.

Severity, all complaints

TotalCrashesFiresInjuriesDeathsTows
29273609

As reported by owners to NHTSA. Not verified.

Recall campaigns 8

  • 26V363000 Jun 2026 Steering / Hydraulic Power Assist / Pump

    Defect. 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

  • 24V652000 Sep 2024 Electrical System / Instrument Cluster/Panel

    Defect. 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.

    Remedy. 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.

  • 24V572000 Aug 2024 Power Train / Manual Transmission / Control Module / Software

    Defect. 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.

    Remedy. 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.

  • 23V263000 Apr 2023 Fuel System, Diesel / Delivery / Fuel Pump

    Defect. 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.

    Remedy. 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.

  • 23V116000 Feb 2023 Power Train / Clutch Assembly

    Defect. 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.

    Remedy. 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 ne

  • 22V767000 Oct 2022 Fuel System, Gasoline / Delivery / Fuel Pump

    Defect. 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.

    Remedy. 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.

  • 22V638000 Aug 2022 Back Over Prevention / Display Function

    Defect. 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.

    Remedy. 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.

  • 21V028000 Jan 2021 Power Train / Clutch Assembly

    Defect. 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.

    Remedy. 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.

NHTSA investigations

StatusSubjectOpenedClosed
OpenHigh pressure fuel pump failure2023–
ClosedUnderhood fires20242026

Manufacturer communications 700

Jeep filed 700 service communications for this car with NHTSA.

  • Oil Leak Between The Engine Oil Cooler/Filter Housing, And The Engine Block
  • Click Pop Creak Noise While Turning Steering Wheel
  • Check Engine Light On, Service Shifter Message, No Crank No Start

Crash ratings by version

VersionOverallFrontSideRollover
Jeep Gladiator PU/CC 4WDnot rated★★★★☆not rated★★★☆☆
Jeep Gladiator DIESEL PU/CC 4WDnot ratednot ratednot rated★★★☆☆

Safety equipment

Electronic stabilityForward collision warningLane departure warning
StandardOptionalNo

Nearby model years

YearLemon IndexComplaintsSoldTop system
2020235259117,579Steering
202121820989,712Steering
2022989577,855Electrical
2023745755,188Electrical
2024572342,123Electrical

Sources: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications; EPA fuel economy data; YouTube video titles. Complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.

Updated

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