2021 Jeep Renegade Electrical Problems

Mileage when the problem started

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2021 Jeep Renegade owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Renegade. The contact stated while driving at 65 MPH, several messages were displayed. The contact stated that " Warning. Imminent Engine Failure", " Warning. Side and Front Impacts", " Warning. Low Fuel" and other unknown warning messages were displayed. Additionally, the radio became inoperable. The contact continued to drive the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the wiring system had melted due to exposure to the exhaust gases. The dealer informed the contact that the exhaust pipe was malformed as it was routed incorrectly in a straight outward direction instead of being curved. The dealer advised the contact that it was a manufacturer defect. The vehicle was repaired; however, upon taking the vehicle to her residence, the contact noticed that the rear bumpers had melted. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer. …

The UConnect screen has not worked properly on the vehicle since September 2023. Initially the screen would be black or have lines through it when the temperature outside the vehicle was above 80 degrees and during daytime hours. Now the screen is black at all times. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. The screen is the only way to control numerous functions including the radio, climate control, backup camera, speaker settings throughout the vehicle, and basic vehicle settings such as time, etc. The problem has been reproduced and confirmed by the dealer as well as numerous other individuals who own the same vehicle make and model. Jeep states that the issue is not covered under the warranty, although the inability to use the features listed above poses a safety issue while operating the vehicle. …

The infotainment/radio system in this 2021 Jeep Renegade has been malfunctioning for nearly two years. The dealership repeatedly states that no replacement parts are available and no repair can currently be performed. The system intermittently fails, freezes, reboots, or goes blank. When this occurs, the rear backup camera becomes unavailable or nonfunctional, creating a significant safety concern while reversing. The failure also makes it impossible to use the vehicle's navigation system and disrupts the vehicle's communication features, including hands-free cellular/Bluetooth functions. This ongoing unresolved recall affects safe operation of the vehicle, driver visibility while backing up, and the usability and value of the vehicle. …

We experienced an electrical failure while driving the Jeep Renegade. We had no power or brakes and multiple warning lights were flashing on the dashboard. Fortunately, we were able to pull into a business parking lot and stopped by running into a snow berm. We could not stop the engine and tried many times to turn the engine off during the 3 hours we waited for a tow truck. We were finally able to turn off the engine and drove it to the local Ford dealership with the tow truck following us. We went to the dealer the following morning and the customer service rep started the engine and experienced the same problem. He was unable to stop the engine. He said it could take up to a month for repairs since they only have one Jeep mechanic. I drove it the previous day on a 120 mile trip and traveled on I-75. It could have been deadly if the car failed on that busy Interstate.

When traveling with the cruise control on, on the expressway, the speeddometer started to flicker on and off then totally went off. It lasted a couple of seconds and when it came back on my speed was at 55 mph. I was traveling at 75 when it started. This happens alot. Also the radio will sometimes blast its volume, change stations on its own or won't shut off. Last week my rear window went down and wouldn't go back up. These things happen occasionally but after shutting off the car and waiting it seems to clear for awhile. I took it into the dealer and was told there was nothing they could do, they had to wait for a fix for the software from Chrysler. I spoke with people from Chrysler and they told me the same thing. I leased this car in March and it is now August. How long do I have to wait for a fix? I am getting scared driving this car.

September 1, 2021 Re: [redacted] I purchased this vehicle on or about August 17, 2021 Upon delivery but after completion of paperwork, the transport agent conveyed that the vehicle had 'quick steer". He tried to explain that the car just steers or drives on its own. Very bad weather, I didn't risk driving it. I had the opportunity to drive it and the steering wheel becomes self operating, the brakes respond and during driving the vehicle literally stops responding to manual driving. Both the steering wheel and brakes are automatically generated. In upper left corner of dash a directional turns red to green. There is no indication of why or how. It's dangerous and can lead to death by car accident. I presented the dealership with concerns, too

The digital display control screen fades in and out randomly and without warning and at times it just goes black to just reappear as random as it dissipates. It started doing this in February 2025 a couple times a week and as time has went on the incidences have increased to daily. (as of writing this, 4/3/25) Numerous times, the screen fades out during backing up while I'm using the back-up camera. Almost every setting is within this display system so virtually everything is useless including hands free navigation, resetting the clock, and heated seats and wheel. I had the heated seats and wheel on automatic with all starts. I realized if I didn't turn the automatic off while the screen was on, I might be driving around in July with heated seats and steering wheel and no way to shut it off.

Service Passive Entry error code. The vehicle will not turn off without manually going into the settings area and even then sometimes does not always work. Sometimes I Have to keep playing around with the menu to get it to shut off. Once turned off, sometimes it will crank back up and sometimes it will not. It has 22,000 miles and is under factory warranty I bought an extended warranty but neither the Jeep Manufacturer nor the Warranty company will offer me a solution. I was advised there is a "bulletin" and that will sometimes turn into a recall but as of now, there is no recall for the issue. I've had to reach out to the Jeep Manufacturer several times, attaching some information regarding my attempts.

Driving my jeep to work and a bunch of warning lights come on - air bag, power steering, camera, front collision detection, abs system, parking brake, etc. I also lose power steering. Mechanic cannot find cause and all modules appear to be working - codes clear and return after about 30 miles of driving. Car isn't safe to drive and has been in the shop for 11 weeks with no answers. It is about to come back to sit in my driveway - and I will have to continue to make payments on a car that isn't drivable and may never be again. Since electrical issues seem to be prevalent with the vehicle - there should be a recall to protect driver safety.

I submitted a report about this vehicle on December 4, 2023 (11558276) because the mechanic thought the computer chip failed on this vehicle that had less than 25,000 miles. After waiting 6 weeks for a new chip, the mechanic test drove the car and experienced the same problem. He took the front bumper off and discovered a wire that had the covering worn off. Once this was repaired, it seems to run OK. However, my concern is what caused this wire to become exposed? Is there a defect in the design or sloppy manufacturing? I want to make sure that someone outside of Jeep is aware of this problem.

Electrical complaints in other Renegade years