2021 Jeep Wrangler Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 149about this part
- Share
- 16%of 957 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 15,000miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 149 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2021 Jeep Wrangler, 16% of the 957 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 15,000 miles. 5 of these say a crash was involved and 5 a fire, according to the filers. 3 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“2021 rubicon 88 days old 2097 miles. 3/27/2021. Purchased 1/3/2021. Dash warning intermittent service axle locker system. I have never used my axle lockers once. Came on after riding up a very short dirt hill in 4l after shifting back to 4h then my dash began flashing intermittently service axle locker system on and off. Had to drive it home this way with the alert flashing on ans off. Got into driveway and differential tried to lock itself in my driveway while backing and filling into garage. This is dangerous. …”
NHTSA complaint #11405967, filed 2021-04, 2,097 miles“' immediately after purchase of my 2 door 2021 Jeep Wrangler jl (anniversary) the rear video camera stopped working at start up, and continued to be an ongoing issue, despite software reinstalls. ' two and a half months after purchase and with just 2000 miles on it, while driving in the rain I noticed that approximately 10 seconds after I put on the windshield wipers, the dashboard light would dim significantly, which made it difficult and distracting to see the speed at which I was driving, or the cruise control. …”
NHTSA complaint #11406742, filed 2021-04, 2,000 miles“While towing the manual transmission Jeep Wrangler rubicon (transfer case in neutral and transmission in 1st gear) 4 wheels down there was an explosion under the Jeep with a ball of fire. The vehicle was incapacitated. There was not any smoke, noise or indications of an issue before and up to the explosion. This happened on a straight smooth 4 lane road at 40 MPH.”
NHTSA complaint #11405482, filed 2021-03, 5,600 miles“Only 500 miles on vehicle, went off-roading for the first time and within a short time after climbing a steep hill, smoke came from under vehicle and clutch went to floor and stayed. Turned Jeep off, pumped clutch which seemed fine but smoke continued for a minute. Went under vehicle after smoke stopped and saw burnt fibers coming out from transmission case. Restarted vehicle and no movement. Towed Jeep out to home. Jeep roadside took it to dealership. Apparently the clutch switch plate overheated, flashed, and completely burned away! …”
NHTSA complaint #11396161, filed 2021-02, 526 miles“Transmission refuses to shift. Or will loose power and Have to pull off or just stop on the highway to shut vehicle off and restart to fix the problem. I was on i85 and had to pull off twice and the shoulder is a dangerous area to be on that highway. Also torque converter ticks and I’ve noticed a lot of the 2.0 4 cylinders having the same issues.”
NHTSA complaint #11659037, filed 2025-05Related recalls
- 24V572000Aug 1, 2024Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021 Jeep Wrangler and Jeep Gladiator vehicles that were previously remedied under NHTSA recall number 23V-116…Covers: Jeep Wrangler 2021, Gladiator 2021
- 23V116000Feb 23, 2023Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2018-2023 Jeep Wrangler, and 2020-2023 Jeep Gladiator vehicles equipped with manual transmissions. The clutch…Covers: Jeep Wrangler 2018–2023, Gladiator 2020–2023
- 21V028000Jan 28, 2021Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Jeep Wrangler and 2020-2021 Jeep Gladiator vehicles equipped with manual transmissions. The clutch…Covers: Jeep Wrangler 2018–2021, Gladiator 2020–2021
Related service bulletins
- 11038329Sep 30, 2026The Customer May Complain About a Popping Noise, Grinding Noise, or an Intermittent No Reverse or Forward Transmission Engagement. The Tech May Find Damaged and/or Worn…
- 11032847May 15, 2026Transmission Auxiliary Oil Pump Failure Customers must experience a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illumination and the vehicle must exhibit/set the following Diagnostic…
- 11030138Mar 9, 2026The vehicle will exhibit a service transmission/check engine warning indicator for the following transmission models: 845RE, 8HP45, 850RE, 8HP50, 8HP70, 8HP75, 8HP75-PHEV…
- 11029770Feb 25, 2026Service transmission/check engine warning indicator for the 850RE, 8HP50, 8HP70, 8HP75, 8HP75-PHEV transmissions that have fault codes P07E4, P1DB2, P0716, P1B14, P0733, P1D90…
- 11029673Feb 17, 2026Flash: Powertrain Control Module (PCM) Updates Customers must experience a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illumination and the vehicle must SYMPTOM: exhibit/set one or more of…
- 11024604Oct 13, 2025When servicing/replacing 68415437A$ Transmission, take care to not damage the PIM to P2 harness. Also, when reinstalling the harness, route the harness properly and secure it at…
- 11020855Jul 14, 2025To inform dealers about the 850RE valve body PN: R8348504A connector: the original 16-pin connector included six pins that were not used in this application. To simplify the…
- 11020636Jul 4, 2025850RE D Clutch Repair Customers must experience a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illumination and the vehicle must have at least 11,265 km (7,000 mi.) and exhibit/set one or…
- 11018453May 12, 2025"Transmission Fluid Please note fluid color/condition/odor is NOT an indicator of transmission health and should not be used as the reason for unit replacement. Visible…
- 11018452May 12, 2025Transmission "Transmission For transmission concerns related to DTCs P0733-00, P1DA8-00, and/or P1D92-00, a repair is available, and transmission replacement is NOT required…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 8% |
| 2025 | 13 | 18% |
| 2024 | 179 | 24% |
| 2023 | 51 | 14% |
| 2022 | 68 | 17% |
| 2021 | 149 | 16% |
| 2020 | 47 | 8% |
| 2019 | 80 | 11% |
| 2018 | 177 | 10% |
| 2017 | 50 | 16% |
| 2016 | 74 | 16% |
| 2015 | 51 | 11% |
| 2014 | 88 | 13% |
| 2013 | 230 | 35% |
| 2012 | 282 | 34% |
| 2011 | 40 | 8% |
| 2010 | 68 | 10% |
| 2009 | 34 | 9% |
| 2008 | 67 | 8% |
| 2007 | 46 | 8% |
| 2006 | 57 | 8% |
| 2005 | 41 | 6% |
| 2004 | 26 | 14% |
| 2003 | 22 | 22% |
| 2002 | 14 | 13% |
| 2001 | 23 | 14% |
| 2000 | 70 | 28% |
| 1999 | 20 | 9% |
| 1998 | 33 | 12% |
| 1997 | 53 | 13% |
| 1995 | 32 | 16% |
| 1994 | 19 | 13% |
| 1993 | 13 | 12% |
| 1992 | 11 | 14% |
| 1991 | 8 | 11% |
| 1990 | 5 | 6% |
| 1989 | 7 | 11% |
| 1988 | 2 | 4% |
| 1987 | 2 | 5% |
Other parts of the 2021 Jeep Wrangler
308 complaintsSteering
255 complaintsEngine
222 complaintsSuspension
181 complaintsFuel system
142 complaintsOther or unknown
134 complaintsVehicle speed control
48 complaintsBrakes
27 complaintsWheels
23 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
20 complaintsBody and structure
18 complaintsForward collision avoidance
16 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2021 Jeep Wrangler
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 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