The Lemon Index2021 Jeep Wrangler.
The 2021 Jeep Wrangler is one of the worst years by owner complaints: 663 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 336, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about electrical, it has 15 recalls, and it gets 14 to 25 mpg combined. The best Jeep Wrangler year is 2015.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 957 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Jeep Wrangler year. 2021 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 6K to 37K miles on the car (124 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- electrical complaints mostly came at 9K–51K miles
- steering complaints mostly came at 4K–26K miles
- engine complaints mostly came at 11K–35K miles
Recalls 15
- steering 2026
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.
- electrical 2025
The high voltage battery may fail internally and lead to a vehicle fire while parked or driving.
- back over prevention 2024
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.
Show all 15 recalls
- electrical 2024
The instrument panel cluster may experience an internal short circuit and fail.
- transmission & drivetrain 2024
The software for the powertrain control module may cause an engine stall, which can result in a loss of drive power.
- visibility 2024
A hybrid control processor (HCP) software error may cause the defrosting and defogging system to be inoperative.
- electrical 2023
The high voltage battery may fail internally and lead to a vehicle fire while parked or driving.
- fuel system, diesel 2023
The high pressure fuel pump (HPFP) may fail.
- body structure 2023
A stud on the frame assembly may puncture the fuel tank in a crash, which can result in a fuel leak.
- transmission & drivetrain 2023
The clutch pressure plate may overheat and fracture.
- engine 2022
A loss of communication may cause an engine shutdown.
- seat belts 2022
The front seat belt retractors may have an improperly welded micro gas generator, which can result in seat belt pretensioner failure.
- fuel system, gasoline 2022
The high pressure fuel pump (HPFP) may fail, causing an engine stall.
- back over prevention 2022
A radio software error may prevent the rearview image from displaying.
- transmission & drivetrain 2021
The clutch pressure plate may overheat and fracture.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Jeep told dealers about
Jeep sent dealers 1039 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- CEL (Check Engine Lamp) On, Intermittent Hard Starting, Rough Idle
- Oil Leak Between The Engine Oil Cooler/Filter Housing, And The Engine Block
- Check engine lamp
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- OpenLoss of motive power2024
- OpenHigh pressure fuel pump failure2023
- ClosedUnderhood fires2024–2026
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jeep Wrangler SUV 4WD | not rated | ★★★★☆ | not rated | ★★★☆☆ |
| Jeep Wrangler Unlimited SUV 4WD | not rated | ★★★★☆ | not rated | ★★★☆☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2800–5700 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.0L 4-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl, 3.6L 6-cyl, 6.4L 8-cyl.
In owners' words
My wrangler 4xe stalled during driving twice even after the 2022 software update was done. I was unable to regain any power to the vehicle and had to have it towed to a dodge dealership for repairs.
2021 Jeep Wrangler owner · NHTSA complaint 11600782
More owner reports
When vehicle exceeds over 50 Mph, care and steering wheel shakes uncontrollably
NHTSA complaint 11514060
When driving vehicle Iâm having to over correct steering I canât look away for .5 seconds to look in mirrors because car wanders side to side trying to stay in my lane is a nightmare itâs not safe at all
NHTSA complaint 11438309
Quick answers
Is the 2021 Jeep Wrangler reliable?
No, it is one of the worst by government complaints. It drew 3.4× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 336; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Jeep Wrangler year by this measure is 2015.
What are the most common 2021 Jeep Wrangler problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (30%), steering (29%) and engine (24%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2021 Jeep Wrangler have?
15 safety recalls (latest: steering). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2021 Jeep Wrangler get?
14 to 25 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2021 Jeep Wrangler problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 6,400 and 37,200 miles. The middle report was at 20,000 miles, from 124 complaints.
Does the 2021 Jeep Wrangler have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 16% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2021 Jeep Wrangler cost in fuel a year?
About $2800 to $5700 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2021 Jeep Wrangler have?
2.0L 4-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl, 3.6L 6-cyl, 6.4L 8-cyl.
What Jeep Wrangler year is better than the 2021?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2015, 2017 and 2011.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works