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2021 Jeep Gladiator Diesel
Common Problems

Ranked from 109 federal NHTSA complaints. Every problem links to the complaint IDs behind it.

1
Safety
6
High severity
6
Medium
1
Low
1 problem on this vehicle involve a crash, fire, or injury risk. If you are experiencing one, stop driving and have it inspected.

14 Common Problems

Ordered by how often owners reported each one to NHTSA. The bar shows how common a problem is relative to the most-reported on this vehicle. Expand any problem to see the federal complaint IDs.

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  1. 1

    Auto Start/Stop System Malfunctions

    28complaints
    Safety riskElectrical

    The vehicle auto-stops or auto-starts under conditions not listed in the owner’s manual, posing a safety hazard.

  2. 2

    Steering Wheel Wobble at High Speeds

    20complaints
    High severitySteering

    The steering wheel shakes violently at high speeds, especially when hitting bumps, causing loss of control.

  3. 3

    Fuel System Issues Leading to Engine Malfunction

    17complaints
    High severityFuel system

    The fuel system has issues leading to engine misfires, stalling, and random changes in RPM, affecting vehicle performance and reliability.

  4. 4

    Death Wobble at Highway Speeds

    16complaints
    High severitySteering

    The vehicle experiences violent shaking and loss of control at highway speeds, particularly when encountering minor bumps.

  5. 5

    Right Rear Axle Seal Leaks

    11complaints
    Medium severityTransmission

    The right rear axle seal leaks fluid, potentially contaminating the brake system and causing loss of control.

    $200–$2,500est. drivetrain diagnosis + repair · 18 hrs labor
    Get local quotes
  6. 6

    Transmission Issues Leading to Loss of Power

    10complaints
    High severityTransmission

    Transmission issues cause the vehicle to lose power and make abnormal sounds, potentially leading to a complete loss of control.

    $200–$2,500est. drivetrain diagnosis + repair · 18 hrs labor
    Get local quotes
  7. 7

    Electrical System Glitches

    9complaints
    Medium severityElectrical

    The vehicle’s electrical system experiences intermittent failures, including dashboard lights and infotainment system malfunctions.

  8. 8

    Steering Wander and Play

    6complaints
    High severitySteering

    The steering wheel has excessive play and requires constant correction to maintain lane position, posing a safety hazard.

  9. 9

    Third Brake Light Failure

    6complaints
    Medium severityOther

    The third brake light fails without warning, posing a safety risk in low-light conditions.

    $150–$1,000est. brake system diagnosis + repair · 14 hrs labor
    Get local quotes
  10. 10

    Clutch Issues Leading to Intermittent Clutch Noise and Pedal Feel

    4complaints
    Medium severityTransmission

    The clutch produces intermittent grinding and clicking noises and feels spongy, indicating a potential failure.

    $200–$2,500est. drivetrain diagnosis + repair · 18 hrs labor
    Get local quotes
  11. 11

    High Pressure Fuel Pump Failure

    4complaints
    Medium severityFuel system

    The high pressure fuel pump malfunctions, leading to engine performance issues and potential stall.

    $500–$1,100est. fuel pump replacement · 25 hrs labor
    Get local quotes
  12. 12

    Clutch Malfunction

    3complaints
    High severitySteering

    The clutch fails to engage properly, causing the engine to stall and the vehicle to become unresponsive.

    $200–$2,500est. drivetrain diagnosis + repair · 18 hrs labor
    Get local quotes
  13. 13

    Engine Stall at Idle Due to Stop-Start System Failure

    2complaints
    Low severityEngine

    The stop-start system intermittently fails, causing the engine to stall at idle.

    $150–$900est. stop-start system diagnosis · 14 hrs labor
    Get local quotes
  14. 14

    Vehicle Acceleration Issues

    2complaints
    Medium severityOther

    The vehicle suddenly accelerates uncontrollably, even when the brakes are applied, posing a significant safety risk.

Data source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) owner complaints and recalls. Problems are clustered and ranked from the complaint record; occurrence counts reflect corroborating complaints, not total incidence. Vehicle image is illustrative. Repair-cost figures are typical U.S. independent-shop ranges (parts + labor) for the class of repair shown — actual quotes vary by region, engine, and diagnosis; always confirm with a local shop.