2021 Jeep RENEGADE problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
66 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
11,575 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2021 model year. Data snapshot: . 8 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 26 of 66 complaints (39.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 8 | 12.1% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 6 | 9.1% |
| Steering behavior | 5 | 7.6% |
| Transmission and shifting | 4 | 6.1% |
| Engine operation | 4 | 6.1% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 1.5% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 26 |
| Unknown Or Other | 20 |
| Engine | 9 |
| Air Bags | 7 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings | 7 |
| Power Train | 6 |
| Steering | 4 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking | 3 |
Electrical System: 26; Unknown Or Other: 20; Engine: 9; Air Bags: 7; Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings: 7; Power Train: 6; Steering: 4; Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking: 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 5 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 5; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (5). 58 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 |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 7 |
| 2022 | 10 |
| 2023 | 7 |
| 2024 | 10 |
| 2025 | 20 |
| 2026 | 12 |
2021: 7; 2022: 10; 2023: 7; 2024: 10; 2025: 20; 2026: 12
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 8 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 6 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 5 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 11420198 · 2021-06-08 (June 8, 2021)
The vehicle in front of me was at least one car length ahead of me as I was driving around 15 mph when the forward collision detection activated my automatic brakes and jerked me forward in the seat, almost causing whiplash. There was no reason for the detector to go off.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11420198 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11431350 · 2021-09-01 (September 1, 2021)
September 1, 2021 Re: [XXX] I purchased this vehicle on or about August 17, 2021 Upon delivery but after completion of paperwork, the transport agent conveyed that the vehicle had 'quick steer". He tried to explain that the car just steers or drives on its own. Very bad weather, I didn't risk driving it. I had the opportunity to drive it and the steering wheel becomes self operating, the brakes respond and during driving the vehicle literally stops responding to manual driving. Both the steering wheel and brakes are automatically generated. In …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11431350 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11459112 · 2022-03-31 (March 31, 2022)
The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Renegade. The contact stated while driving at 65 MPH, several messages were displayed. The contact stated that " Warning. Imminent Engine Failure", " Warning. Side and Front Impacts", " Warning. Low Fuel" and other unknown warning messages were displayed. Additionally, the radio became inoperable. The contact continued to drive the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the wiring system had melted due to exposure to the exhaust gases. The dealer informed the contact that the exhau…
Owner-reported narrative. 1,650 miles reported. Look up ODI 11459112 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11558276 · 2023-12-04 (December 4, 2023)
We experienced an electrical failure while driving the Jeep Renegade. We had no power or brakes and multiple warning lights were flashing on the dashboard. Fortunately, we were able to pull into a business parking lot and stopped by running into a snow berm. We could not stop the engine and tried many times to turn the engine off during the 3 hours we waited for a tow truck. We were finally able to turn off the engine and drove it to the local Ford dealership with the tow truck following us. We went to the dealer the following morning and the…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11558276 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11468752 · 2022-06-11 (June 11, 2022)
We were driving down the road and all of a sudden the key symbol appears on the dashboard with a wif bars on top of it On the dashboard said see settings on how to turn vehicle off. We were able to pull into a service center and the only whey we could shut the vehicle off was by pushing the setting button on the steering wheel
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11468752 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11423280 · 2021-07-02 (July 2, 2021)
1. Checked my oil level at 2,000 miles and it was down by 1/2 quart. I added oil and took to dealer and they checked this out and told me these high compression engine will use oil. No warning signs. 2. Transmission from 1st to 2nd makes noise. Dealer told me this trans is a adaptive trans and if no one else drives this vehicle it will get better. In mornings it is still clunking but after it warms up it gets better. Feel like I'm driving a time bomb.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11423280 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11464711 · 2022-05-15 (May 15, 2022)
Picked up Jeep in Kansas City. Got on highway and transmission (trans) would not shift into high gears. Called dealership and was told to contact local dealer. Got back to Texas (560 mi.) and contacted 4 dealers in the DFW area. All said there were issues with 9 sp. trans. One said put 2500 mi. on and see if it is a computer break in issue. Took to local dealer with 3300 mi and they did a Star Case. Subsequently, I also went with Manager and confirmed issue. Was contacted by Ralph at Jeep (CASE #82736087). Was told car was submitted …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11464711 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11428390 · 2021-08-09 (August 9, 2021)
My car stalled in traffic causing an risk for accidents.I couldn't steer the vehicle.There were numerous things going off in the car that prevented the mobility of the vehicle.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11428390 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11508636 · 2023-02-22 (February 22, 2023)
When vehicle is in Auto Drive it stalls. When foot is taken of the brake pedal, vehicle does not automatically start. All lights and accessories are on and work but vehicle will not start. It takes several attempts to start vehicle. This happens when stopped at a light, a stop sign, sitting in traffic and most recently backing up. Dealer service center unable to find problem. This started after driving the vehicle for 11 months. Most recently it stalled four times in 24 hours.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11508636 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11710254 · 2026-01-11 (January 11, 2026)
The automatic engine stop/start feature failed and engine would not stop running. Had to remove fuse to the electric fuel pump, after about 1 minute engine shutdown. My concern is what if while driving and system fails and engine does shut down , that is a dangerous situation. I know I am reporting that engine would not shut down but if a failure occurs and engine shuts down. System should be anylized. For possible failures.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11710254 at NHTSA ↗