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Electrical systemPart report

2021 Jeep Gladiator Electrical system Problems

Complaints
46about this part
Share
16%of 292 total for the year
Median mileage
26,525miles
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 46 complaints about the electrical system of the 2021 Jeep Gladiator, 16% of the 292 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 26,525 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“The heating steering wheel had an electrical short in the heating element where it began to melt the rubber of the steering wheel and start smoking. This became very hot where it could burn my hand. I was forced to pull over immediately to diagnose the problem before anything else could burn. The smoking stopped when I tuned off the heated steering wheel.”

NHTSA complaint #11708632, filed 2026-01

“The vehicle turned off while sitting at a red light; luckily it started back up. I did receive the service stat stop warning light. Took the vehicle into the dealership, and both the main battery and auxiliary battery are bad. Last November, both batteries were just replaced. My vehicle was purchased new in June 2021, and this will be the fourth set of batteries it has had.”

NHTSA complaint #11693650, filed 2025-10

“While driving multiple warnings appears on the dash including bus communication, airbag, transmission communication, and abs. The vehicles engine began to randomly change rpm. The transmission began to shift speratically and was unable to maintain speed. The vehicle would not allow me to turn on hazard lights to warn surrounding motorists. Similar warnings appeared on the dash once before and the vehicle would not start and left me stranded. …”

NHTSA complaint #11552467, filed 2023-10

“While driving yesterday vehicle lost power steering and almost cause a crash. Upon talking to multiple shops and online researching we all came to a conclusion it was the can bus board (controller area network) shops stated this is a very know problem with jeeps. I feel as this is a safety factor for this. Now I am at the point in fixing it and trading in the vehicle due to my family and trying to be safe. Codes are saying lost of communication with can bus basically all the computers are not talking to each other.”

NHTSA complaint #11709988, filed 2026-01

“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.”

NHTSA complaint #11747747, filed 2026-07

Related recalls

Related service bulletins

Electrical system: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2025427%
2024835%
20231526%
20223227%
20214616%
202018338%

Other parts of the 2021 Jeep Gladiator

Steering
94 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
71 complaintsEngine
53 complaintsSuspension
41 complaintsFuel system
33 complaintsOther or unknown
28 complaintsBrakes
17 complaintsVehicle speed control
14 complaintsExterior lighting
13 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
12 complaintsWheels
8 complaintsAir bags
6 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2021 Jeep Gladiator

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology