2021 Jeep Gladiator Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 13about this part
- Share
- 4%of 292 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 22,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 13 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2021 Jeep Gladiator, 4% of the 292 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 22,000 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“During show fall the snow gathers in the head lamp dishes causing them to fill and block out the light. This causes me to pull over and clear the head lamps so I can see about every mile or two. This is a known problem due to not having heat to melt the snow from the head light. Jeep knows this since there are companies out there selling heated head lamps. I was almost hit last week during the big snow fall we had in Western Washing ton Dec 2022. also in the mountains in CA. Where I lived. in 2021 in Tehachapi CA. …”
NHTSA complaint #11498909, filed 2022-12“I bought a new 2021 Jeep Gladiator at Larry H Dealer in Albuquerque NM , after a month and haft more or less I took the car for second time to the Dealer the car was there for 80 days because mirrors, blind spot asist not working , door conector dint click correctly , etc, Dealer told me after 80 days I have to pick up the car unfinish until part will arrive saying the car was safe to drive but battery could drain , never mentioning what could be the reason , a few days after I notice the wiper turning on randomly , the hight beams no working properly and the car having issues with the start. …”
NHTSA complaint #11441851, filed 2021-11“The third brake light on the Gladiator is a known issue. When it goes out, there is no warning on the dash or error code. The entire light has to be replaced (LED) vs just a bulb. This is a hazard as the third brake light can go out and no one will know until the vehicle is in an accident. Wasn't the third brake light mandatory equipment since 1985?”
NHTSA complaint #11633864, filed 2025-01“The center high mounted tail light (CHMTL) has failed. It makes it a little harder to see the vehicle is braking. The fuses are fine. It is a very common failure on Jeep Gladiators. Many times people don't know it has failed. There are no warning lamps or indicators to tell you it has failed.”
NHTSA complaint #11717367, filed 2026-02“Vehicle only has 18000 mile, and is garaged. The third brake light has failed. In reviewing this on line, it appears to be a common problem. No reason for just a simple device to fail prematurely due a lack of durability testing that is available. This is a safety issue in a world of bad drivers out there.”
NHTSA complaint #11618080, filed 2024-10Related service bulletins
- 10251863Jan 23, 2024Front and Rear Axle Sensor Kit **Customers may experience a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illumination. Upon further investigation the technician may find that the following…
- 10251854Jan 17, 2024Headlamp Condensation Clearing Procedure Some customers may report that on occasion, vehicle exterior head lamp assemblies are fogged with a light layer of condensation on the…
Exterior lighting: other model years
Other parts of the 2021 Jeep Gladiator
94 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
71 complaintsEngine
53 complaintsElectrical system
46 complaintsSuspension
41 complaintsFuel system
33 complaintsOther or unknown
28 complaintsBrakes
17 complaintsVehicle speed control
14 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 29, 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