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KLUNK
KLUNK

2021 Jeep Gladiator

The Verdict

45 Proceed with Caution

The 2021 Jeep Gladiator has 279 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are body (107 complaints) and engine (65 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 45/100, it earns a "Proceed with Caution" rating. If you're shopping for a Jeep Gladiator, consider the 2025 model year which has 94% fewer complaints.

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The 2025 has 94% fewer complaints

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45

Klunk Score: Proceed with Caution

About average for complaint volume. Research the specific issues before buying.

How is this calculated?

The Klunk Score ranks this vehicle year against all others in our database based on total owner complaints filed with NHTSA. 100 = fewest complaints (top tier), 0 = most complained-about. Scores above 60 are better than average; below 40 means more problems than most.

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Under the Hood

Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.

YearBodyBrakesElectricalEngineTransmission
2020210141555148
20211076426559
2022385252816
202318411157
202472531
202541531

By Category

Body
107
Engine
65
Transmission
59
Electrical
42
Brakes
6

By Severity

1
127
2
141
3
1
4
10

Worst Problems

Complaints

Transmission 2

Engine oil light came on. Inspected at Tom Obrien Jeep for low oil pressure. Technician found that one of the oil sprayers was not bolted onto block, screw was there and tight, sprayer was in oil pan. It was incorrectly assembled. Jeep would not warranty due to lack of oil change receipts which is irrelevant.

11d ago
Engine 1

7/5/2026. Driving home on the highway the Jeep went into limp mode and shut down. The Fault flashed on the screen for about 15 seconds (Throttle Body Falut) Problem is there is no warning when it happens. It just shuts down. This creates a "REALLY SERIOUS HAZZARD" This time it did register a fault on the computer and we were able to pull it off the reader. The Fault reads as follows: POOAF In looking it up on this is a manufacuring problem that can be caused by a little dirt, Can be caused by hot weather. THIS IS NOT SAFE! MY I REPEAT, THIS IS NOT SAFE! This should be recalled and Fixed as I am sure this shutting down on the Hiways and Interstates have killed people that were not able to deal with a situation. Please force a recall befor lives are lost!

12d ago
Electrical 1

The dealership says it cannot be repaired until 2027 due to parts not being available for the fire recall on this jeep. I cannot ensure my safety or others with this issue.

17d ago
Body 2

The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Gladiator. The contact received notification of NTHSA Campaign Number: 26V363000 (STEERING); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

23d ago
Body 2

The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Gladiator. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V363000 (Steering); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

23d ago
Electrical 1

own a 2021 Jeep Gladiator Overland, VIN [XXX]. My vehicle is affected by a safety recall involving the power steering wiring and potential fire risk. I have been advised that parts may not be available until September. I am concerned about the safety of my vehicle and would like Jeep to document my concerns, provide a timeline for repair, and explain what assistance is available while I wait for the recall remedy.” INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

29d ago
Electrical 4

I purchased this vehicle on May 25th. On june 4th it was parked out side my front porch and my house along with the jeep burned completely down. the fire was first witnessed on the front porch right where the jeep was parked. I was out of town working and had a friend there dog sitting for me. She and the dogs got out safely althoug she was sent to the hospital for smoke inhalation and was released later that evening. The arson investigation is still on going. as of monday June 8th, Both the arson investigator and home insurnace investigator could not determine the origin of the fire. When the recall went public on june 11th i informed them of the recall and have not gotten much back from either of them. The scene has yet to be re-visted. I drove the truck maybe a total of 150 miles. The steering felt strange at times but i only had the vehicle for 5 days before i left for work. There is no solution from jeep. I would really like for a specialest to inspect the vehicle to determine if it did in fact set my house on fire.

1mo ago
Electrical 2

Potential fire even when vehicle is off.

1mo ago
Body 2

The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Gladiator. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V363000 (Steering); however, the parts required for the recall repair were unavailable. The dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the parts were not available. The contact stated the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

1mo ago
Transmission 1

Engine light came on, vehicle went into limp mode. Transmission would not shift any higher than 3rd gear and kept slipping while on interstate! Was almost hit by several 18 wheelers! Jeep dealership said our vin is not part of the service bulletin but they did get the P0733 code! Make it make sense! I guess we’re supposed to get run over by 18 wheelers before they’ll fix it!

1mo ago
Engine 2

Every time I fill up my gas tank, the fuel doesn’t shut off in time from the pump and gas comes backward up the filler neck, onto the side of my jeep.

1mo ago
Transmission 2

There was a recall for the clutch. I took it to the dealer (Autonation Jeep in Santa Clarita, CA). Ever since then, there is an intermittent, non-reproducible grinding and clicking (sound and feeling through the pedal) in the clutch (like a loose piece/nut is bouncing around and clanking and grinding against the clutch). The clutch pedal is also more spongy, catching only about halfway down, and sometimes feeling like at full depression it is not entirely engaged. I have taken it back to the dealer twice, and both times they will not work on it because they cannot hear or reproduce the feel/sound. The sponginess of the clutch is subjective, they say, and their opinion is that it feels fine.

1mo ago
Transmission 2

I recently experienced significant transmission issues, specifically hard engage in reverse (cold), and failure to shift higher than 3rd gear. The rear axle is leaking and the front axle is shaking. My jeep has the P0733 code for the D-clutch failure confirmed at a Jeep dealership, along with the steering damper Campaign XF1 and the Dana M220 axle (TSB 03-001-23) and should be included in these TSB’s/CSN’s/Campaigns! It is currently sitting at the Jeep Dealership in Covington, La unable to be driven needing $9790 worth of repairs from all of these and I’ve barely had it a year! I am so disappointed in Jeep

1mo ago
Transmission 1

Last year I received a message, letter and perhaps an email related to my jeep and recall for the clutch plate assembly. The recall was performed twice because first was incorrect. Transmission had to be replaced a few weeks later. Since then, I've had numerous visits to dealership, and had several incidents this week traveling across country to clear "Service Transmission messages: on the display, and two incidents where the jeep went into "limp mode" at high speeds. Four more stops have not fixed the problem. Now I am at a place who has found that the transmission was not installed properly, the software wasn't properly flashed and things were left hanging (connectors and cables) without being properly secured. The transmission was replaced under warranty, which has run out, but these messages have been appearing since the original recall. Now, I am going to have to pay a large fee (over 3000 dollars) to get Jeep back. Plus paying 100 to another dealership in Kansas to have them look at the jeep without a remedy. (See:Jeep Recall 19A / NHTSA Campaign 23V116, NHTSA Recall 24V-572, NHTSA Recall 21V-028 / Jeep Recall Y01 ) - my Jeep is listed as "0 recalls" but the dealership has not reported any work on my vehicle to CarFax. The repair shop is working with me to collect evidence (Photos, documentation, and data about the Jeep's issues. ALL of this began immediately after the first recall last year, and these problems have not been remedied, and the Jeep has become dangerous when on the highway. (Limp mode multiple times: 17 Feb2026, 13 May 26, 13 May 26 all at highway speeds). This should have been covered under warranty, and I should not be subjected to "No repair" because a dealership "Doesn't see a problem" - the computer doesn't keep any codes for these incidents, thus they will not dig into the problem, and now warranty has expired so they can charge whatever they wish.

1mo ago
Electrical 2

Complete failure and shut down of all systems while driving through an intersection. Result found by dealer: Frayed wiring harness on right side of engine rubbing near exhaust parts. Known problem in several models of Jeep due to TBS issued to dealers. Jeep failed in intersection in [XXX] and was able to coast to curb. Started later and was able to drive it back to Prescott, AZ with fingers crossed, took to York Jeep dealer for repairs. They have the repair file. Was 6 mos out of warranty but only about 12k miles ref: Case Number: XXX Release Date: 1/16/2021 Symptom/Vehicle Issue: Check Engine Light On, Service Shifter Message, No Crank No Start. Transmission Wiring Harness Chaffed Or Pinched Near Exhaust DPF Discussion: Initial complaint is that the Check Engine Light is illuminated, Service Shifter Message is displayed, and/or a crank no start condition exists. Upon scanning the vehicle for DTC’s you may find one or more of the following: P2453, P2454, P0335, P0336, P242B, P242C, U0074, U11C3. Diagnosis: Inspect the wiring harness near connector XY230A leading down to the transmission. The harness routing may allow the wiring to make contact with the sharp edge of the DPF gasket flange. It has also been found that the wiring harness could be routed close to the exhaust causing chaffing. Both of these situations could result in damage to the harness and a potential open or short. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

2mo ago
Electrical 1

Rear view camera works only when vehicle is cold, usually only in the morning. I cant use this safety feature whenever I drive the car the rest of the day . I have been in situations driving the truck in off road conditions were the camera is a must to see where I am going, and have been in very dangerous situations getting too close to rocks or deep drops due to lack of rear visibility. And mirrors don't help in some of these situations, because the danger has been completely in the center of the rear of the truck, and out of mirror reach.

2mo ago
Electrical 1

On 12-13-23 I hit an 8 point buck going 55mph head on between the 2 headlights doing 15k in damage.. airbags did not deploy. On 4-11-26 I was hit by a drunk driver head on. I was going 33mph, he was going much faster in a Polaris rzr hit me on the driver side tearing off my tire, and whole suspension completely, sending me into an embankment... and still no airbags deployed.

3mo ago
Engine 1

Bought this vehicle with 27,000 miles on it. While driving on the interstate with heavy traffic. (Doing Highway speeds) All the sudden the power plant shuts down. It happend at 27,500 miles and happened again at 37,000 miles. It has done it to me four times now. Twice with heavy semi trucks bearing down on me and my family. This was a very UNSAFE situation. The Fault on the screen comes up momentarily and states "Capture Throttle Body Fault." and all power is lost to the throttle. SERIOUS SAFTETY ISSUE. as loosing power on the interstate at 75 miles an hour. I believe JEEP the company should fix this issue as I know for a fact I am not the only individual experincing this problem! Please feel free to reach out to me if you need further information. There was not a crash,fire or injury due to the ability to get off the road and into the apron of the interstate. In a higher traffic location this could be catistrophic. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE talk this issue seriously as I am convinced this has caused others to wreak. Thanks and have a great day

4mo ago
Electrical 1

The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Gladiator. The contact stated that the instrument panel was blank at startup. Due to the failure, the speedometer, fuel gauge, mileage, and other features were not visible. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V652000 (Electrical System); which was associated with the failure. A dealer was notified of the failure, and the contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 49,000.

4mo ago
Body 1

Description of the Safety Issue I am submitting this complaint to report a serious seat belt safety incident involving entrapment and inability to self‑release, which required emergency intervention. While parked, my daughter as a passenger in my Jeep Gladiator, became tangled in the seat belt in such a way that she was physically unable to release herself or exit the vehicle. Despite multiple attempts, the seat belt could not be disengaged, and the situation escalated to the point where I had to cut the seat belt to free her. This was not caused by a crash, sudden stop, or misuse. The seat belt’s configuration, retraction behavior, or release mechanism appeared to contribute to the entrapment and prevented normal occupant egress. Why This Is a Safety Concern Seat belts are intended to protect occupants and allow safe release when needed. In this incident, the seat belt instead: -Entrapped a child occupant -Prevented self‑release -Created a situation where cutting the belt was the only way to avoid further harm Had this occurred during an emergency (fire, water submersion, post‑collision scenario), the inability to quickly exit the vehicle could have resulted in serious injury or worse. Outcome of the Incident -No collision occurred. -No vehicle warning lights or alerts were present. -The seat belt was rendered unusable only because it had to be cut as an emergency safety measure. -The incident caused significant distress and created an immediate safety hazard. Request for Review I am requesting that NHTSA: -Review this incident as a potential seat belt design or functional defect -Consider whether similar incidents may be occurring but underreported -Evaluate whether this issue warrants further investigation, service bulletin, or recall activity Seat belts should never place occupants—especially children—into situations where escape is difficult or impossible.

4mo ago

279 total

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