Skip to content
EnginePart report

2021 Jeep Gladiator Engine Problems

Complaints
53about this part
Share
18%of 292 total for the year
Median mileage
21,000miles
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 53 complaints about the engine of the 2021 Jeep Gladiator, 18% of the 292 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 21,000 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.

“On 3 different occasions the acceleration got stuck and increased speed. I pressed the brake over and over and the Jeep would NOT reduce speed or slow down for what ranged between 30 - 45 seconds. Had there been a vehicle directly in front of me I would have slammed into the vehicle. If I had been trying to stop at an intersection I would not have been able to stop. I had my child in the car two out of the three times this has occurred. …”

NHTSA complaint #11486600, filed 2022-09

“Hi - So my 2021 Jeep gladiator has 2 batteries. The battery that controls the auto start-stop system failed (while driving). I was at a light on a busy road and the auto stop/start kicked in at a light but because of the failed second battery with no warning, my Jeep died would not start backup and I was unable to even get it into neutral. So I was forced to sit in heavy traffic until the wrecker came. My complaint it why no warning and why did it go into auto stop mode when the battery was in a failed situation.”

NHTSA complaint #11664396, filed 2025-06

“While towing a trailer the vehicle suddenly reduces power to less than half and multiple check engine lights appear. This seems to happen only when outside temperatures are above 80f. I went from going 65mph to 45mph within 1/4 mile which caused sudden traffic issues behind me. I have had the vehicle to the dealer multiple times and they do not find anything even though there are multiple engine lights. I have had it happen a over 8 times in 1 year. I also have a co-worker that has had the same issue.”

NHTSA complaint #11466776, filed 2022-05

“After stopping for fuel in Quartzite, Arizona I began to merge onto HWY 10. As I accelerated the vehicle limited my speed to 45 MPH. This is on a 70 MPH section with heavy truck traffic. I was able to pull onto the shoulder and limp to the next exit without incident. I then drove around backroads for 10 minutes, starting and stopping the vehicle and accelerating to 55 MPH. After this period of time the vehicle operated normally. This happened with no warning at all, temperatures were all within normal ranges. …”

NHTSA complaint #11466782, filed 2022-05

“My vehicle has about 17,000 miles. Both key fobs are failing to connect with the vehicle. The batteries have been checked by the dealership to determine the fobs are in working order. Without having the fob work, I am unable to unlock my doors or start the engine. Thankfully, learnng my fobs were not connecting occured while in my garage at my home. However, if this occured while away from home, or at night, I would have been stranded with no access to drive the vehicle. My Gladiator will have to be towed to the dealership now to get this resolved.”

NHTSA complaint #11613962, filed 2024-09

Related recalls

Related service bulletins

Engine: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202517%
2024313%
2023712%
20222017%
20215318%
2020459%

Other parts of the 2021 Jeep Gladiator

Steering
94 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
71 complaints
Electrical system
46 complaints
Suspension
41 complaints
Fuel system
33 complaints
Other or unknown
28 complaints
Brakes
17 complaints
Vehicle speed control
14 complaints
Exterior lighting
13 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
12 complaints
Wheels
8 complaints
Air 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