2021 Jeep Gladiator
Common Problems
Ranked from 101 federal NHTSA complaints and 5 recalls. Every problem links to the complaint IDs behind it.
17 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.
- 1
Auto Start/Stop System Malfunction
17complaintsSafety riskElectricalThe vehicle auto-stops or starts under conditions not listed in the owner’s manual, posing a serious safety hazard.
Related recall: 24V652000
- 2
Death Wobble at Highway Speeds
17complaintsHigh severitySteeringThe vehicle experiences violent shaking and loss of control at highway speeds, particularly when encountering minor bumps.
Related recall: 26V363000
- 3
Clutch Overheating
15complaintsHigh severityTransmissionThe clutch overheats during routine maneuvers, producing a distinct pungent odor and smoke, potentially leading to transmission damage.
$150–$1,200est. cooling-system diagnosis + repair · 1–6 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 24V572000
- 4
Steering Wheel Wobble at High Speeds
15complaintsHigh severitySteeringThe steering wheel shakes violently at high speeds, especially when hitting bumps, causing loss of control.
Related recall: 26V363000
- 5
Steering Malfunction (Death Wobble)
12complaintsHigh severitySteeringThe vehicle experiences violent shaking and loss of control at highway speeds, particularly when encountering minor bumps, often requiring multiple repairs.
Related recall: 26V363000
- 6
Axle Seal Leaks Causing Brake Contamination
10complaintsHigh severityTransmissionRight rear axle seal leaks, contaminating the brake system with gear oil, posing a potential safety hazard.
$200–$2,500est. drivetrain diagnosis + repair · 1–8 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 24V572000
- 7
Recall Issues (NHTSA Campaign 22V767)
10complaintsHigh severityFuel systemIssues with the fuel system leading to engine misfires, stalling, and random RPM changes, requiring a recall repair that has not been completed.
Related recalls: 22V767000, 23V263000
- 8
Transmission Issues (Recall 26A)
9complaintsHigh severityTransmissionTransmission issues leading to slipping gears and random shifting, requiring a recall repair that has not been completed.
$200–$2,500est. drivetrain diagnosis + repair · 1–8 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 24V572000
- 9
Suspension Issues (Death Wobble)
8complaintsHigh severitySuspensionThe vehicle experiences violent shaking and loss of control at highway speeds, particularly when encountering minor bumps, often requiring multiple repairs.
$150–$1,200est. suspension diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotes - 10
Steering Play and Wandering
6complaintsHigh severitySteeringThe steering has excessive play and wandering, requiring constant correction to maintain lane position.
Related recall: 26V363000
- 11
Engine Stall at Idle Due to Stop-Start System Failure
4complaintsSafety riskEngineThe stop-start system intermittently fails, causing the engine to stall at idle.
$150–$900est. stop-start system diagnosis · 1–4 hrs laborGet local quotes - 12
Third Brake Light Failure
4complaintsMedium severityOtherThe third brake light fails without warning, posing a safety risk in low-light conditions.
$150–$1,000est. brake system diagnosis + repair · 1–4 hrs laborGet local quotes - 13
Engine Stalling and Random Throttle Surges
3complaintsHigh severityEngineThe engine randomly stalls and the throttle surges unpredictably, creating a serious safety hazard.
$150–$1,200est. stalling / shutdown diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotes - 14
Steering Wheel Loose and Drifting
3complaintsMedium severitySteeringThe steering wheel is loose and the vehicle drifts, making it difficult to maintain lane position, especially at higher speeds.
Related recall: 26V363000
- 15
Power Steering Failure
2complaintsMedium severitySteeringThe power steering system fails suddenly, requiring manual steering.
$200–$1,500est. power-steering / eps repair · 1–6 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 26V363000
- 16
Severe Fire Risk Due to Electrical System Issues
2complaintsSafety riskElectricalElectrical system failures have caused fires in the vehicle, posing a severe safety risk.
Related recall: 24V652000
- 17
Unreliable Stop/Start System
2complaintsLow severityElectricalThe stop/start system malfunctions, causing the vehicle to fail to start or not function properly.
$150–$900est. stop-start system diagnosis · 1–4 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 24V652000
Other years & sources
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.