10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 5
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
2,949 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2021 Jeep Wrangler:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

Get free help with your lemon!
close ad

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #26

Aug 192022

Wrangler

  • miles
I was driving home from a trip to the store. I stopped at a red light and all of the sudden I got a message that traction control failed, service charging system, and power train failure occurred. I had no power to move the car and the brakes barely worked. It told me to put it in park and restart the Jeep. I was able to roll downhill to the median out of traffic and put it in park and restart it. It seemed to work normally until I went another mile or so and it happened again. This time I was in motion and had a very difficult time stopping in the middle of traffic to put the Jeep in park and restart. This is a VERY serious problem and I-??m very lucky it didn-??t happen on the interstate. I am a member of two Jeep 4xe groups on Facebook and this is a reoccurring issue that is extremely dangerous.

- Greer, SC, USA

problem #25

Jul 142022

Wrangler

  • miles
While driving on the freeway at about 70mph, my vehicle shut off completely and I had to pull over to the shoulder. While pulled over I was unable to restart the vehicle for about 45 minutes. Vehicle dash displayed -??Service Transmission, E-Drive Unavailable, Charge system fault.-??

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #24

Jun 222022

Wrangler

  • miles
The clutch plate overheated, fragmented and destroyed my transmission on 6/22/2022 as I was driving on the Pennsylvania Turnpike at around mile marker 61, at a speed of 65 miles/hour. When I got on the turnpike in Monroeville Pa, I could smell a burning smell, but I figured that I was passing through an area where someone was burning something outdoors. Around mile marker 60-61 I started having difficulty keeping the RPM's up and my speed up to the speed limit. shortly after I heard a banging/clunking noise and I got off the highway. My Jeep was towed to Monroeville Jeep. Monroeville Jeep called the next day 6/23/2022 and said that the clutch plate overheated, fragmented and destroyed the transmission and it is not covered under warranty since the transmission did not fail. I had previously taken my Jeep in to Diehl Automotive on 7/19/2021 for recall #Y07/NHTSA 21V-028 to have the recall done. What happened to my Jeep on 6/22/2022 is exactly what the recall said would happen if I did not have the recall work done. In the weeks prior to 6/22/2022 I did notice the RPM's acting erratically but not being a mechanic I had no clue what was going on. other than that, there was no warning signs. There is now at least 30 other Jeep owners who had the recall done, some had both recalls done and the recalls failed to prevent the clutch plate from overheating, fragmenting and destroying the transmission

- Pittsburghf, PA, USA

problem #23

Jun 042022

Wrangler

  • 15,000 miles
The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated that while at a stop light and attempting to accelerate, the vehicle would not drive forward and the gear shifter lights began blinking. Suddenly the vehicle would lurch forward and backward crashing into both the vehicles in the front and rear and a third parked vehicle before finally the driver was able to shift into park and turn the vehicle off. During the incident, the Stability Control, ABS, and Traction Control warning lights had illuminated. The vehicle was later driven to the police station but the warning lights were still illuminated. During the incident, no injuries were reported and a police report was taken. The manufacturer was contacted and later retrieved the vehicle for evaluation. No further information was available. The local dealer was also notified of the incident. The failure mileage was 15,000.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #22

Jun 222022

Wrangler

  • 31,000 miles
The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the vehicle started shaking abnormally. The contact stopped the vehicle and waited before proceeding. The contact then drove over a bump in the road and the vehicle started shaking again. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 31,000.

- Black Hawk, CO, USA

problem #21

Jan 282022

Wrangler

  • miles
Subject: 2021 Wrangler Unlimited (3.6L) Automatic with manufacturing defects. I am writing this email to complain about my 2021 Wrangler Unlimited (3.6L) Automatic that I Purchased on 28 November 2021 from Trading Enterprises company LLC Al-Futtaim group(sales Office Dubai UAE-DFC). Unfortunately, The Jeep-??s problem started on day one drive-by suspecting strange noises coming from the Engine-??s side. I requested an appointment at Trading Enterprises Dubai, and the Service Advisor told me the sound is normal (it's a new car, and the noise will go after some time). In January 2022 I went on a mountain camping trip with my small family in Fujairah city and suddenly the car-??s power was cut completely on a steep mountain(Have shared the videos with the TE team showing the front wheels are not spinning). The car was about to roll over and I was embarrassed, frightened, and worried about my family-??s safety. I managed to get my family safe out of the car and, with the help of friends, I took the car to a safer place. On 29/1/2022 (TE Walk Around Inspection) after the test drives, the TE team requested to keep the car for proper checking and after a few days, the Service Advisor informed me that it was a problem with the 4W system, especially considering that 4L was not engaged due to a wiring problem and they had to rectify the issue, I swallow it with pain. The car is sluggish when accelerating in the first gear and misfires when I depress the gas pedal, I was on a construction site where they have a ramp and suddenly a big truck shows up and so I needed acceleration from the car but it doesn-??t respond. The gas pedal was to the maximum and it still doesn-??t work, it was a huge close call as I nearly crashed into a truck. On 13/4/2022 I experienced the same issue on the sand and the highway with extra problems and decided to visit the TE as I can't take this anymore, TE team requested to keep the car to check the issues. 8 weeks now and the car is still with the dealer

- Dubai, CO, USA

problem #20

Apr 112022

Wrangler

  • 31,000 miles
The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated while driving 80 MPH, the clutch fractured, causing the vehicle to lose motive power. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The dealer related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V028000 (Power Train) associated with the VIN and informed the contact that the clutch needed to be replaced. The dealer declined to perform the recall repair. The contact stated that he had not received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V028000 (Power Train). The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that it was at the dealer's discretion to honor the recall repair and provided no further assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 31,000.

- Baton Rouge, LA, USA

problem #19

Mar 042022

Wrangler

  • miles
I bought a brand new Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 4xe in July 2021. Starting in December of 2021 and continuing to this day I will periodically get an error message that says "Service Hybrid Electrical System" and the car will either not start or shut off while it is in motion. I have contacted Jeep Cares and have been elevated to their customer retention group to continue to try to solve this issue. The dealer has been great at trying to fix the issue but they have admitted that they don't know what it is or how to fix it and are relying on the national Jeep engineers to help try to fix it. Talking with the mechanics at the dealer they keep saying the national Jeep engineers are just guessing at this point on what the issue is and they don't know what the issue is either. I am far from the only one that is having this issue. If you search any Jeep forum you will find countless other owners with the same issue, https://www.4xeforums.com/search/37154/?q=service+hybrid+electrical+system The underlying issue with the Jeep 4xe's is a huge public safety issue. This is due to the fact that the Jeep 4xe will randomly turn off while driving, such as driving down a highway going 60mph.

- Medford, MA, USA

problem #18

Jul 302021

Wrangler

  • miles
Dash warning -??service axle locker system-??. I have never used my axle lockers once, nor been off road with my Jeep & the differential tried to lock itself. This is dangerous. If differential locks could cause fatalities. Yes, have taken my Jeep to the dealership 3 times, it is currently under investigation, have had the rear diff replaced once, the reason: Diff oil slowly works its way inside the sensor over time and since diff oil has metallic flakes in it from the bearings/gears it will cause the circuit board in the locker sensor to short out. Once that happens the only fix is a new axle. You cannot buy the sensor separately. Not isolated situation. Many Wrangler owners from 2018 to 2021 posting this up. According to jl Wrangler forum, fca does not have a fix yet. This should not be happening on a $65K vehicle in first 90 days! several owners on 3rd and 4th axle replacements. There are 30 pages of complaints on this. Decided to report this as it appears from the forum fca does not have a fix this is appearing on several Jeep Wrangler rubicon's,

- Denison, TX, USA

problem #17

Dec 292021

Wrangler

  • miles
While driving a vehicle swerved into my lane, to avoid hitting them I tapped my brakes, upon tapping my breaks the Jeep lost propulsion and it felt as though my brakes lost power as well. I had to coast into a parking lot where I didn-??t even make it to a spot and had to be towed to the dealer. The Jeep would no longer start and gave a -??service charging system-?? message. Upon inspection the dealer stated that Chrysler immediately shipped a power inverter module (pim) upon my Jeep being entered into the system. Since my issue, I have seen 3 other 4XE Jeeps pulled over and broken down in precarious positions. This is what prompted me to file this report, as I believe this may be an issue related to other 4XE Jeeps and if this is the case, it is only a matter of time before an accident that causes loss of life because of how severe and sudden the issue is. Thanks for looking out for our well being and everything y-??all do at the NHTSA.

- Cedar Park, TX, USA

problem #16

Dec 142021

Wrangler

  • miles
Vehicle lost power while driving at highway speed, rapidly decelerating from 70 MPH to <20 MPH. Ignition was turned off after pulling off the highway. When vehicle restarted, alarms cleared and system temporarily operated normally. Problem returned shortly thereafter, but this time did so while accelerating across a street. This condition could have jeopardized safety of self or others by eliminating ability to maneuver/stranding vehicle in roadway. This incident was reported to dealership, who then inspected/investigated. Source is thought to be a faulty fuel pressure sensor. Warning lamps that accompanied this condition were: Check Engine, Sway Bar Link disconnected, and check 4-wheel drive. The check engine light appeared and reset approximately 60 miles prior, and no other symptoms were noted.

- Elk Grove, CA, USA

problem #15

Jul 272021

Wrangler

  • miles
I was driving down the highway when the engine on my Wrangler 4xe suddenly shut off forcing me to cut off traffic to get to the shoulder. Numerous error messages were displaying but I did not have time to see them all. Final message I could see was "Charging System Error". After turning the Jeep off then back one the problem cleared. I suspect this was caused by the Adaptive Cruise Control system. It had started to brake hard for a car not actually in my lane. At the same moment people were pulling in behind me to move over for a police car on the shoulder. The Adaptive Cruise Control started what was a hard brake check on this traffic, so I overrode it by pressing on the accelerator, at which point it died. At the dealer they determined from the codes that the transmission control unit had shut off the engine control unit. Otherwise nothing could be determined as being wrong with the vehicle. Seeing all the other complaints of similar incidents involving Wranglers I think there is bad software code in the vehicle's control systems.

- Lake Worth, FL, USA

problem #14

Sep 102021

Wrangler

  • miles
After 5 months and 5000 miles of use, the vehicle died hard while driving on the highway with "charging system error" and had to dangerously navigate to the shoulder. The vehicle was so broken not even the power locks would work. The dealer replaced the Power Distribution Unit (fuse box), but the part was the same, so they suspect it was an assembly issue. If you look at online forums, _dozens_ of people are having the same problem with this vehicle. What is even more concerning is that almost every person had a different fix - and many are having this as a repeat problem, with multiple people invoking the lemon law and having Jeep buy the vehicle back. This is very dangerous and broad issue. A recall is needed to protect the public. https://www.4xeforums.com/forums/2021-jeep-wrangler-4xe-general-discussion-forum.8/ https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/4xe-shut-down-on-highway-with-charge-error-think-i-know-what-causes-it-now.76544

- Thornton, CO, USA

problem #13

Oct 062021

Wrangler

  • 9,700 miles
The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated that while driving at 55 - 60 mph, the RPM gauge went high but the temperature gauge was normal. A burning odor was detected, metal grinding noises were heard, and the vehicle inadvertently lurched forward. The contact pulled over and saw that there was smoke coming from under the hood. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and remained at the dealer, not diagnosed nor repaired. The contact had the vehicle serviced at the dealer in March 2021, for NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V028000 (Power Train). However, the failure recurred related to the recall. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 9,700.

- Roanoke, VA, USA

problem #12

Sep 162021

Wrangler

  • miles
On 9/16/21, my vehicle dangerously lost power, following a very loud sound and a violent shudder. Power for braking and steering was lost. The vehicle had no response to the accelerator pedal. I attempted to coast to the shoulder of the road, when the vehicle slammed into park on its own while still traveling at roughly 15mph. The wheels locked and the vehicle came to a violent stop by itself, likely not activating the brake lights. The cooling fans came on at full speed, climate control cancelled itself, and the vehicle locked in park. While using the built in emergency button, the vehicle telematics shut down and dropped the dispatcher. I completed the emergency service call using my phone. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, initial reports are that it is not drivable, the main hybrid battery pack fuses are blown. The prior night, the vehicle failed to charge using the Jeep EVSE cable.

- Tucson, AZ, USA

problem #11

Jul 282021

Wrangler

  • miles
While driving the Jeep on the freeway, it shut off out of nowhere and came to a very quick halt. It nearly caused a major accident on the freeway. A few moments after the Jeep encountered this issue and shut off, I received a message on mu UConnect app saying that there was a Charging Fault Error. The incident has been reported multiple times online in Jeep forums for the new 2021 Jeep 4xe. Many people have reported that the Jeep shut off while driving at high speeds on the freeway, and the vehicle comes to a sudden and dangerous stop. This is what happened to me.

- Seattle, WA, USA

problem #10

Jul 312021

Wrangler

  • miles
This vehicle is a plug-in hybrid Jeep Wrangler. On July 31, 2021 while returning home from vacation and driving at highway speeds (65mph +/-), the powertrain of the vehicle completely failed. The screen flashed that there was an electrical system malfunction and to pull over. The vehicle was very difficult to control as I had to travel across three lanes of high-speed traffic to get to an exit ramp. Fortunately, we made it safely to the exit ramp, where the vehicle completely shut down. This was the second time this happened. While driving to vacation on July 22, 2021, a similar incident occurred. The first incident, however, was not a complete failure. The vehicle's screen flashed that there was an electrical problem, but the vehicle did not completely stall. After pulling over, the vehicle restarted. At that time, I scheduled an appointment with the Jeep dealership to investigate the issue. That appointment was scheduled for August 1, 2021 (the day after the catastrophic failure).

- Peachtree Corners, GA, USA

problem #9

Jul 042021

Wrangler

  • miles
The actual malfunctioning issue is UNKNOWN. However, my best explanation is as follows: While driving my new 2021 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon (which only has 1400 miles), on the highway at roughly 70 miles per hour and going up a hill, the vehicle felt as if it were trying to up-shift a gear but then immediately down-shift a gear. This up-shift and down-shift feeling continued in quick repetition over and over in a violent shaking manner that thrust the entire vehicle forwards and backwards as long as I continued the acceleration up the hill. Letting off the accelerator seemed to end the violent shaking. I pulled over on to the side of the highway to stop, and turned off the Jeep since the check engine light came on. I waited about five minutes and started up the Jeep again. The check engine light was still on, though. Any acceleration at any speed now causes the Jeep to violently thrust forwards and backwards like I experienced on the highway. I tried to get Jeep Roadside to tow the Jeep to a dealership, but learned how worthless this Jeep Roadside program truly was. Several days after this incident, and I still do not have my Jeep at a dealership for repairs, nor do I have a rental. Jeep Roadside refuses to tow my Jeep to a dealership that has a rental, and I cannot afford to pay the towing fee's to get to a dealership with a rental. The nearest dealerships tell me they are six to eight weeks out on loaner vehicles. I'm too worried to try and driving my Jeep the distance to reach a dealership with a rental, cause it is way too unsafe to operate this Jeep with the violent shaking. I'm curious if anyone else is having this same issue, or knows more.

- Bartlesville, OK, USA

problem #8

Jun 122021

Wrangler

  • miles
My jeep wrangler has axle lockers. They are only supposed to be able to be engaged when the vehicle transfer case is set to 4wd low (4L). Since buying this jeep brand new, the vehicle information intermittently shows the axle lockers being engaged in 2wd high (2H). I have brought it to the dealer twice for this problem. First they reset the computer. The second time they replaced the 4wd module. The incorrect status is redisplayed again. I have only had this jeep for 2 months, it has less than 3000 miles on it. The dealer doesn't seem to know what the problem is. I have talked with Jeep corporate who also says they can find no reports of this issue. However the internet jeep forums are full of people reporting this problem, supposedly it is related to failed axle locker sensors on the Rubicon wranglers. It is common enough an aftermarket company sells a wiring harness that bypasses the sensor. Because the sensor is not available separately, eventually this requires the entire axle be replaced. Some people have had their axles replaced 3-4 times. There really should be a recall. More than a few posters have also stated their axles have locked by themselves in 2H. This could cause a crash as axle lockers are not designed for use on pavement or at high speeds. Here are some links to the the forums: https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/%E2%80%9Cservice-axle-locker-system%E2%80%9D-light-on.13241/ https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/what-happens-when-the-axle-lock-sensor-fails.67068/ https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/random-service-axle-locker-system.35153/ https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/jl-rubicon-owners-keep-your-locker-sensors-from-failing-how-to-pot-your-sensors.56892/ Here is a link to the wiring harness sold because it is such a common problem https://www.zautomotive.com/product/z_lkr_oem/ The attached photo shows the car in 2H, the lock symbol over the axle, driving 70mph

- Davidsonville, MD, USA

problem #7

Jun 022021

Wrangler 4-cyl

  • miles
This is about the new Jeep Rubicon 4XE Hybrid Wrangler. We were traveling slowly on a dirt road in our new Jeep. Suddenly it began to slow down and it stopped. It would not move any further. The shifter was frozen in Park. Lights and warnings were illuminated on the dash that were not on before this happened. We were in a wilderness and had no cell reception whatsoever. It would not start, drive or otherwise move. Eventually someone came by and took us into a small town where we called the dealer for assistance. They told us to call Jeep Roadside Assistance. We came close to having to spend the night out there in 40 degree weather with no ability to walk out 14 miles in total darkness. The Jeep was towed to the dealer where it remains 7 days later. It has 183 miles on it. Purchased it on May 29 and it broke down on June 2. The failure seemed to be electrical and across the board. It is the 4XE Hybrid, and the internet is littered with stories just like ours of this Jeep failing and stranding people or stopping on freeways or in intersections. We don't think it was ready for market when they introduced it for sale.Had this happened on a freeway it could have been disasterous for us and others around us.

- Flagstaff, AZ, USA

Read the next 6 complaints »