2021 Jeep GLADIATOR problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
289 owner complaints analyzed
8 distinct recall campaigns
18,625 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2021 model year. Data snapshot: . 46 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Steering is the most frequently named component, appearing in 91 of 289 complaints (31.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 88 | 30.4% |
| Braking behavior | 61 | 21.1% |
| Transmission and shifting | 33 | 11.4% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 23 | 8.0% |
| Engine operation | 11 | 3.8% |
| Fuel system concerns | 11 | 3.8% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Steering | 91 |
| Power Train | 65 |
| Engine | 53 |
| Electrical System | 45 |
| Suspension | 40 |
| Unknown Or Other | 28 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 20 |
| Service Brakes | 16 |
Steering: 91; Power Train: 65; Engine: 53; Electrical System: 45; Suspension: 40; Unknown Or Other: 28; Fuel/Propulsion System: 20; Service Brakes: 16
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 25 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 16 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 25; 25,000 to 49,999: 16; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (25). 243 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 43 |
| 2022 | 72 |
| 2023 | 54 |
| 2024 | 39 |
| 2025 | 39 |
| 2026 | 41 |
2020: 1; 2021: 43; 2022: 72; 2023: 54; 2024: 39; 2025: 39; 2026: 41
Pattern summary
Steering leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 88 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 61 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 33 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11395940 · 2021-02-12 (February 12, 2021)
STEERING IS LOOSE AND IS DIFFICULT TO STAY IN LANE WHEN DRIVING. THE PROBLEM AMPLIFIES WITH SPEED AND REQUIRES CONSTANT DANGEROUS OVER CORRECTION ESPECIALLY IN ADVERSE CONDITIONS LIKE SNOW OR ICE.
Owner-reported narrative. 1,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11395940 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11405091 · 2021-03-26 (March 26, 2021)
THE VEHICLE AT HIGHER SPEEDS IS HARD TO CONTROL AND KEEP STRAIGHT. THE STEERING SEEMS TO BE LOOSE AND HAVE TOO MUCH PLAY. THIS MAKES IT HARD TO STAY IN THE LANE WITHOUT CONSTANTLY MOVING THE STEERING BY WHEEL LEFT AND RIGHT AS IF YOU WERE PLAYING A VIDEO GAME.
Owner-reported narrative. 50 miles reported. Look up ODI 11405091 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11374392 · 2020-11-12 (November 12, 2020)
VEHICLE HAS IRREGULAR DOWNSHIFTS IN LOWER GEARS. WHILE BRAKING THE DOWNSHIFTS CAN BE HEARD AS WELL AS FELT. THE SOUNDS AND SHAKE FROM DOWNSHIFTS VARY IN LOUDNESS AND STRENGTH. OCCASIONALLY WHILE BRAKING AND THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION IS DOWNSHIFTING, THE VEHICLE WILL SURGE FORWARD. THE SURGE THAT CAN BE FELT CAN VARY AND SEEM LIKE THE VEHICLE IS BEING HIT FROM THE REAR BY ANOTHER VEHICLE OR SOMETIMES IT MAY FEEL LIKE A SLIGHT PUSH FROM BEHIND. WHILE DRIVING AND BRAKING AT LOW SPEEDS LIKE IN A PARKING LOT THE SURGE FROM DOWNSHIFTS ARE A DEF…
Owner-reported narrative. 10 miles reported. Look up ODI 11374392 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11419131 · 2021-05-31 (May 31, 2021)
I have a 2021 Jeep Gladiator Sport S 3.6L with an automatic transmission. I have been the only owner of the vehicle and bought it new in February 2021. The vehicle currently has just over 9700 miles. The only modification done to the vehicle are new wheels and tires. Today while out for a drive the Jeep suddenly experienced a malfunction. All lights and indicators on the dash began to flash various lights, alarms and warnings. The check engine light, ABS light, and airbag lights came on, along with the ECM warning, steering and traction control…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11419131 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11404357 · 2021-03-22 (March 22, 2021)
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 MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAI…
Owner-reported narrative. 1,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 11404357 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11441851 · 2021-11-28 (November 28, 2021)
I bought a new 2021 Jeep Gladiator at Larry H Dealer in Albuquerque NM , after a month and haft more or less I took the car for second time to the Dealer the car was there for 80 days because mirrors, blind spot asist not working , door conector dint click correctly , etc, Dealer told me after 80 days I have to pick up the car unfinish until part will arrive saying the car was safe to drive but battery could drain , never mentioning what could be the reason , a few days after I notice the wiper turning on randomly , the hight beams no…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11441851 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11527104 · 2023-06-14 (June 14, 2023)
Fuel pump is on safety recall with no fix in over a year
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11527104 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11528470 · 2023-06-23 (June 23, 2023)
This vehicle is equipped with remote start as a factory option. I was checking things under the hood, with the keyfob in my pocket. The start button must have inadvertently been pressed. To my surprise, while I was poking around under the hood, the engine started. Luckily, I heard the fuel pump and other electronics power up and got clear of everything, but I was quite surprised to have the engine start while the hood was open. I thought there was supposed to be an interlock that would prevent this. I could have been seriously injured if …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11528470 at NHTSA ↗