Reliable Auto DB

2021 Jeep Gladiator reliability

Is it reliable?

Owners have filed 290 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Jeep Gladiator over 6 years — 57 per year. That is more complaints per year than most Gladiator years here — over the median of the other years, which is 18. NHTSA has 8 recalls on file, including Pump, Instrument cluster, and Control module, software.

2020 Jeep Gladiator
Photo by MercurySable99, resized from the original. Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 4.0
Complaints

290

Per year

57

Recalls

8

Years on the road

6

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Steering (94 of 290), then Powertrain (70) and Engine (53). Those filings include 7 that report a crash, 3 that report a fire, and 6 that report an injury.

Next to 2020 and 2022

The 2020 Gladiator has 483 complaints, 72 per year, and the 2022 has 120 complaints, 21 per year. The 2021 has fewer complaints per year than the 2020. The 2021 has more complaints per year than the 2022.

The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2021 Jeep Gladiator. How we count. Data as of .

Recalls (8)

Recall steering, hydraulic power assist, pump 2026-06-04 · NHTSA campaign 26V363000
Summary Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021-2025 Jeep Wrangler, Wrangler 4XE, and Jeep Gladiator vehicles. The electric hydraulic power steering pump wiring may overheat and cause a vehicle fire, even when the vehicle is parked with the ignition in the "Off" position.
Remedy Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures, until their vehicle is repaired. Dealers will inspect and replace the wiring and electric hydraulic power steering pump, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed July 9, 2026. Owners may contact FCA US LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US LLC's number for this recall is 21D. The Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov on June 11, 2026.
Recall electrical system, instrument cluster 2024-09-05 · NHTSA campaign 24V652000
Summary Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2020-2024 Jeep Gladiator and 2018-2024 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. The instrument panel cluster may experience an internal short circuit and fail. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 101, "Controls and Displays."
Remedy Dealers will replace the instrument panel cluster, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed between October 3, 2024, and January 23, 2025. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recall is 30B.
Recall powertrain, manual transmission, control module, software 2024-08-01 · NHTSA campaign 24V572000
Summary Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021 Jeep Wrangler and Jeep Gladiator vehicles that were previously remedied under NHTSA recall number 23V-116. The software for the powertrain control module may cause an engine stall, which can result in a loss of drive power.
Remedy Dealers will update the powertrain control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 15, 2024. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US LLC's number for this recall is 92B. Vehicles previously repaired under recall 23V-116 will need to have the new remedy completed.
Recall diesel fuel system, delivery, fuel pump 2023-04-13 · NHTSA campaign 23V263000
Summary Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Jeep Wrangler, Gladiator, and 2022-2023 Ram 1500 vehicles equipped with a 3.0L diesel engine. The high pressure fuel pump (HPFP) may fail.
Remedy Dealers will replace the HPFP and replace additional fuel system components, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 17, 2023. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 01A.
Recall powertrain, clutch 2023-02-23 · NHTSA campaign 23V116000
Summary Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2018-2023 Jeep Wrangler, and 2020-2023 Jeep Gladiator vehicles equipped with manual transmissions. The clutch pressure plate may overheat and fracture.
Remedy Dealers will replace the clutch assembly and update the software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed from November 16, 2023 through July 25, 2024. Owners may contact (FCA US, LLC) customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US LLC's number for this recall is 19A. This recall expands and replaces previous recall 21V-028. Vehicles previously repaired under recall 21V-028 will need to have the new remedy completed.
Recall Fuel pump 2022-10-13 · NHTSA campaign 22V767000
Summary Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Jeep Wrangler, Ram 1500, and 2021-2022 Jeep Gladiator vehicles equipped with 3.0L diesel engines. The high pressure fuel pump (HPFP) may fail, causing an engine stall.
Remedy Dealers will replace the HPFP and inspect and replace additional fuel system components, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 17, 2023. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is Z96.
Recall back-over prevention, display 2022-08-25 · NHTSA campaign 22V638000
Summary Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Jeep Wrangler, RAM 1500 and 2021 Jeep Gladiator vehicles. A radio software error may prevent the rearview image from displaying. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Remedy Dealers will update the radio software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 6, 2022. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA, LLC's number for this recall is Z86.
Recall powertrain, clutch 2021-01-28 · NHTSA campaign 21V028000
Summary Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Jeep Wrangler and 2020-2021 Jeep Gladiator vehicles equipped with manual transmissions. The clutch pressure plate may overheat and fracture.
Remedy FCA US LLC will notify owners, and dealers will add software to reduce engine torque capability when clutch assembly temperatures rise to a level that may damage the inner pressure plate, free of charge." FCA has ordered a stop sale for the affected vehicles as of February 25, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 4, 2021.

Complaints by component (290 total)

Steering
94
Powertrain
70
Engine
53
Electrical system
45
Suspension
41
Fuel and propulsion system
20
Service brakes
16
Speed control
14
Exterior lighting
13
Visibility and wipers
11
Fuel system, gasoline
10
Wheels
8
Air bags
6
Forward collision avoidance
6
Diesel fuel system
3
Seat belts
3
Back-over prevention
2
Lane departure
2
Structure
2
Engine and engine cooling
1
Parking brake
1
Seats
1
Tires
1
Visibility
1
Show 16 more Show less
Crash-flagged

7

Fire-flagged

3

Injury reports

6

Death reports

0

Complaints filed per year

12020432021722022542023392024392025422026
Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings
  • "My Transmission is skipping on 3rd gear ratio code and reverse is getting stuck with only 70,000 2021 and i was the only owner."
    Powertrain · filed 2026-09-09
  • "Component Affected: Power Train / Automatic Transmission (850RE 8-Speed)Description of Safety Hazard:While driving my 2022 Jeep Gladiator (53,940 miles), the transmission experienced a severe internal component failure,…"
    Powertrain · filed 2026-08-24
  • "The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Gladiator. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH on uneven road surfaces, the vehicle experienced violent shaking in the front end and the steering wheel. The contact…"
    Suspension · filed 2026-08-14
  • "Truck failed to find gear shuddered lost speed in traffic while going up a hill. Limp mode was initiated. This is a known manufacturers defect with a tsb applied against the known issue. Issue is widespread when…"
    Speed control, Unknown or other, Fuel and propulsion system · filed 2026-08-11
  • "Front brake caliper(s) was seizing up causing smoking and a burning smell. Vehicle was also pulling to the right when braking. Brake fluid or something like it coated the front drivers side wheel. Took vehicle back to…"
    Service brakes · filed 2026-07-29

NHTSA crash ratings

Version Overall Front Side Rollover
2021 Jeep Gladiator DIESEL PU/CC 4WD Not rated Not rated Not rated 3 stars
2021 Jeep Gladiator PU/CC 4WD Not rated 4 stars Not rated 3 stars

Stars are how this vehicle did in NHTSA crash tests. They are a safety result, separate from the complaint record. Not rated means that test was not run for this version.

Fuel economy

Trim Engine Transmission Drive City Hwy Combined Annual fuel cost
Gladiator four-wheel drive 3.6L, 6-cyl Automatic 8-speed Four-wheel drive 17 22 19 MPG $3400
Gladiator four-wheel drive 3.6L, 6-cyl Manual 6-speed Four-wheel drive 16 23 19 MPG $3400
Gladiator EcoDiesel four-wheel drive 3L, 6-cyl Automatic 8-speed Four-wheel drive 22 28 24 MPG $3950
Gladiator Rubicon EcoDiesel four-wheel drive 3L, 6-cyl Automatic 8-speed Four-wheel drive 21 27 24 MPG $3950

Specs and fitment

JT generation, 2020–present
Body styles Pickup
Oil 0W-20 (3.6L Pentastar); 5W-30 (3.0L EcoDiesel where equipped) , 6 qt capacity
Tire size 245/75R17 to 255/70R18 (trim dependent)
Towing capacity 7,650 lbs

Known issues for this generation

NHTSA campaign 21V028000. Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Jeep Wrangler and 2020-2021 Jeep Gladiator vehicles equipped with manual transmissions. The clutch pressure plate may overheat and fracture. Overheated clutch components may increase the risk of a fire. Additionally, damage to other nearby components can result in debris falling onto the road or a loss of drive, increasing the risk of a crash. FCA US LLC will notify owners, and dealers will add software to reduce engine torque capability when clutch assembly temperatures rise to a level that may damage the inner pressure plate, free of charge." FCA has ordered a stop sale for the affected vehicles as of February 25, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 4, 2021.

Compare

Previous year 2020 Jeep Gladiator Next year 2022 Jeep Gladiator See every Jeep Gladiator model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2021 Jeep Gladiator reliable?

Owners have filed 290 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Jeep Gladiator over 6 years — 57 per year. That is more complaints per year than most Gladiator years here — over the median of the other years, which is 18. NHTSA has 8 recalls on file, including Pump, Instrument cluster, and Control module, software.

What are common problems with a 2021 Jeep Gladiator?

The complaints owners file most often name Steering (94 of 290), then Powertrain (70) and Engine (53). Those filings include 7 that report a crash, 3 that report a fire, and 6 that report an injury.

Is the 2021 Jeep Gladiator more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2020 Gladiator has 483 complaints, 72 per year, and the 2022 has 120 complaints, 21 per year. The 2021 has fewer complaints per year than the 2020. The 2021 has more complaints per year than the 2022.

Has the 2021 Jeep Gladiator been recalled?

The 2021 Jeep Gladiator has 8 recalls on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2021 Jeep Gladiator?

Owners have filed 290 complaints about the 2021 Jeep Gladiator with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2021 Jeep Gladiator get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2021 Jeep Gladiator is 21.5 MPG. See the fuel economy table on this page for city and highway figures by engine and transmission.

What oil does a Gladiator take?

Viscosity and capacity depend on engine and model year; use the generation specs here and confirm in the owner’s manual.

When did the Jeep Gladiator return for the US market?

The JT-generation Gladiator begins with the 2020 model year on this site.

What tire sizes does a Jeep Gladiator use?

Common US fits run about 245/75R17 to 255/70R18 depending on trim.