2021 Jeep Wrangler transmission & drivetrain problems

Related recalls

• Recall 24V572000Aug 1, 202494 vehicles
  POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE

  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.

  Risk: A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.

  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 23V116000Feb 23, 202369,201 vehicles
  POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY

  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.

  Risk: 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.

  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 21V028000Jan 28, 202142,887 vehicles
  POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY

  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.

  Risk: 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.

  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.

What owners say

1. Filed Oct 6, 2026NCTransmission & Drivetrain

   In electric mode vehicle loses battery power (at 25% power draw)and several seconds later starts the gas engine to compensate. It does this at least once within every full charge (about 28 miles)-usually when the remaining charge is between10-20%, but on occasion it happens at around 50% and at least once when the battery showed 80%. When it happens at lower charge, it continues until the charge is 0 and it switches to hybrid mode. When the remaining charge is higher it will…

   NHTSA complaint #11769330 · source
2. Filed Oct 2, 2026WAFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionTransmission & Drivetrain

   After application of the most recent battery recall/Software update, 68C, the vehicle operates differently than it previously did. In fact, it now nearly stalls while climbing a hill to my home when the battery charge indicated is less than about 35%. Vehicle speed drops from 25 to nearly 5mph, independent of accelerator pedal position, before the engine starts abruptly. Not only am I creating a traffic hazard for those behind me, but the cold gas engine engages at full…

   NHTSA complaint #11768452 · source
3. Filed Sep 24, 2026MATransmission & Drivetrain

   The vehicle is not performing as it did when first purchased. Through a series of recalls related to the main drive battery, the vehicle now lacks power when in electric mode pulling out on highways, passing on highways, or even driving at speeds over 40mph or so. I went to pull out on the highway this morning, for example, in electric mode, and there was a good 1-2 second sluggish acceleration before the gas engine kicked on and revved up without any kind of warm up. I…

   NHTSA complaint #11766647 · source
4. Filed Sep 23, 2026TXFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionAcceleration & Cruise ControlTransmission & Drivetrain

   My vehicle is currently in the shop getting the High voltage battery replaced for the second time due to a code showing battery voltage variation as well as getting the latest 21D recall completed. The Jeep currently has about 90,000 miles and has received all other recalls. The jeep no longer functions or performs like it did when I took ownership in February of 2022. It routinely loses power when trying to accelerate onto Highways or into traffic lanes or up hills. You can…

   NHTSA complaint #11766301 · source
5. Filed Sep 21, 2026CATransmission & Drivetrain

   Since the last 2 updates / recalls , my transmission has become very clunky. From a stop or in slow traffic, the transmission pops in gear and it is very hard. It seems to be getting worse as time goes by. The gears when shifting thru the gears is fine, no issues there

   NHTSA complaint #11765938 · source
6. Filed Aug 19, 2026COElectrical SystemEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

   When using electric mode, repeatedly and consistently, when I try to accelerate (for example to get onto a highway) despite having the acceleration fully depressed, the car does not accelerate. After some time, the gas powered engine will rev, the RPM will shoot up and then the car will start to accelerate. If I slow down the electric engine will take back over, but then if I try to accelerate again the same thing will occur. I have videos of the dashboard confirming…

   NHTSA complaint #11758009 · source
7. Filed Aug 17, 2026NHOther / UnknownTransmission & Drivetrain

   Acceleration lag: either bucking or temporary loss of motive power when attempting to pull into traffic has almost caused us to be hit several times. We had the problem almost immediately after purchase, but the lag was short and the Jeep would leap forward and back tires would squeal which caused the back tires to wear quickly compared to front. The bucking and loss of power while accelerating became dangerous after I took to the dealership in Feb 2026 when they also did…

   NHTSA complaint #11757424 · source
8. Filed Jul 31, 2026INSuspensionTransmission & DrivetrainWheels & Tires

   2021 jeep wrangler 4xe unlimited rubicon. Death wobble steering stabilizer has been replaced. 4 Alignments in a week . Was told that it was my tires nope not the case . I can’t not drive my jeep at all . Now the transfer case is leaking the track bar that I told the mechanics it needed to be replaced . The mechanic at John jones told me not to bring it back because I was not a mechanic to find someone else .ive had it sense oct2025 and put not even a thousand miles on it .…

   NHTSA complaint #11754096 · source
9. Filed Jul 14, 2026MNElectrical SystemAcceleration & Cruise ControlTransmission & Drivetrain

   While driving from [XXX] to [XXX], the vehicle experienced two sudden loss-of-propulsion events at highway speed. During the first incident in downtown [XXX], cruise control disengaged, the transmission abruptly downshifted, and the accelerator became largely unresponsive. The vehicle rapidly lost speed in traffic, and another vehicle nearly rear-ended me because I could not maintain speed or accelerate. The engine remained running, but the vehicle appeared to enter…

   NHTSA complaint #11750187 · source
10. Filed Jun 29, 2026NYElectrical SystemTransmission & Drivetrain

    While driving, regardless of whether at neighborhood or highway speeds, my Jeep Wrangler 4xe suddenly loses drive power without warning. Electric propulsion drops in stages — to about 50%, then 25% — then the dash displays "Electric Mode Temporarily Unavailable" and the vehicle forces itself into hybrid mode. When this happens, I press the accelerator and get little or no response for several seconds before the gas engine engages. This is a serious safety hazard when merging…

    NHTSA complaint #11747105 · source
11. Filed Jun 24, 2026TXElectrical SystemEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

    1. The vehicle caught fire during normal operation. It is a 2021 Jeep Wrangler (VIN [XXX]) subject to FCA US Recall 21D / NHTSA Campaign 26V363000, which identifies the electric hydraulic power steering (EHPS) pump and its wiring as a fire source that can overheat and ignite. The exact failed component has not yet been confirmed by diagnostic, but the fire is consistent with the defect described in that recall. The vehicle is intact and available for inspection — it was…

    NHTSA complaint #11746110 · source
12. Filed Jun 8, 2026WVSteeringTransmission & Drivetrain

    Jeep death wobble, terribly! Starting when going over 55mph, now happens often and anytime the road has a bump, uneven, or hole.

    NHTSA complaint #11742715 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology