Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2021 Jeep Wrangler owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed on the highway for 45 minutes, there was an abnormal odor of chimney fire, which continued while at the stop sign. The front passenger occupant noticed there was smoke from underneath the hood. While pulling over, the steering wheel locked up, and the occupants exited the vehicle. The engine warning light was illuminated. The damper had previously been replaced, but the vehicle was well-maintained. There were no reported injuries, air bag deployment, or crash. The fire department was able to extinguish the fire. The police were called to the scene, but there was no police report. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 52,000. …
The contact owned a 2021 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost automotive power. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was started, however, the vehicle failed to start as intended. The contact drifted the vehicle to the shoulder of the road. The contact stated the rear of the vehicle was filled with smoke. The contact exited the vehicle. The contact stated that within five minutes, the fire was coming from the hood compartment. The vehicle was towed to the local tow yard. The vehicle was condemned as a total loss. The contact referenced an unknown recall repair, which had a similar failure description, however, the contact's VIN was not associated with the unknown recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 28,000.
The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Wrangler. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V767000 (Fuel System, Gasoline, Engine) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated while driving approximately 25 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that the power steering and braking functionality were inoperable. The contact stated that the vehicle had stalled at an intersection. The contact attempted several times to restart the vehicle however, the vehicle failed to restart. The contact had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the high-pressure fuel pump had failed and needed to be replaced. The mechanic informed the contact that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V767000 (Fuel System, Gasoline, Engine) and referred the contact to a dealer. …
On [redacted], I was in Fort Lauderdale, FL for vacation with my 2 friends. I was driving for about 20-30 minutes on the road, got on the highway and noticed a rubber smell. I got off the highway. I still noticed the smell did not go away. So I opened the windows & turned off the AC. Then I saw white smoke coming from the vents and smoke coming from the right side of the hood, in front of the passenger side. I proceeded to pull over and parked the car. We exit the car & saw smoke/flames coming from the right passenger side & underneath the car. I called 911. There were no warnings or indications on my dashboard that something was wrong. I got my car serviced a month prior to this fire at a certified Jeep dealership. My car was deemed a total loss by my insurance. This was completely a safety hazard to myself, two friends and the public. …
The contract owns a 2021 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated that the vehicle was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V787000 (Electrical System), where the high voltage battery pack software and other updates were updated. The contact stated that after receiving the repair the vehicle started to run rough while driving at various speeds. The contact stated that the charging indicator was fluctuating, the RPM was fluctuating, and the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle also ran rough while attempting to accelerate. The power would fail, and the vehicle would restart while driving at various speeds. The vehicle had been taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the battery had failed. The dealer performed more software updates; however, the failure persisted. The dealer stated that the battery pack assembly needed to be replaced. …
The contact leased a 2021 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated that the instrument panel lights were flickering. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where unknown software updates were performed; however, the failure persisted. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The check engine warning light and the service warning light were illuminated. The contact was able to pull to the side of the road. The contact was able to restart the vehicle after approximately 30 minutes. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where an unknown software update was performed; however, the failure recurred several times. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where the battery was replaced; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Action Number: RQ24012 (Electrical System, Engine). …
The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated while reversing approximately 5 MPH down the driveway, the contact slowed and stopped to place the vehicle into drive and the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that the drive (D) light was flashing. The contact stated that she placed the vehicle in park (P), and several attempts were needed to restart the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent but had occurred several times. On one occasion, the vehicle stalled while making a turn at an intersection. The contact stated that when the vehicle stalled, the vehicle was in "Electric Mode". The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer. The vehicle had not been diagnosed nor repaired. The contact stated that NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V865000 (Engine) repair was performed in 2022 and related the failure to the recall. …
I pulled my Jeep into my driveway. I put the car in park with my foot on the brake. When I went to turn the car off, I heard a loud sound coming from the car. the car jerked forward, my foot still on the brake, and then it took off into the side of my house and garage. I tried to stop the car with the brakes and it wouldn't stop. After it hit the house, I looked down and the car was still in park. I had to restart the car as it shut off after hitting the house, I put the car in reverse and backed it up. When I put it back in drive the car wouldn't move. Only reverse worked. After an hour the car started working in drive. I had the car towed to the dealership. They told me that there were no error codes and that the care is fine. I now have zero confidence in this car. This is my fourth Jeep Wrangler and I never experienced anything like this. …
The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated while driving 60-70 MPH, the vehicle began to shudder significantly. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that as he temporarily released the accelerator pedal, the failure decreased. The contact was able to continue driving. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred several times while driving. The contact received recall notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V865000 (Engine) and the vehicle was taken to the dealer for recall repair; however, the failure increased significantly after the recall repair. The contact stated that the vehicle would shudder violently while driving. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 13,000.
The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the engine fan would suddenly turn on and the engine temperature gauge would rise with the message that the engine had overheated. The contact stated that during the failure the vehicle would suddenly decelerate to protect the engine. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who indicated that the engine tubing was faulty. The vehicle was repaired but the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer who diagnosed that the water pump was faulty. The water pump was replaced but the failure continued. The contact stated that the rear driver's side and passenger's side window motors were faulty, and the window would not properly open and close. The manufacturer was not yet notified of the failures. The failure mileage was 20,000.
Related recalls
Engine
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Jeep Wrangler 4xe vehicles equipped with 2.0L Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle engines. A loss of communication may cause an engine shutdown.
Remedy: There is more than one involved component and calibration software. Updating the calibration software in the Transmission Control Module, Hybrid Control Processor and Auxiliary Hybrid Control Processor that changes fail…
Engine
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Jeep Wrangler, Ram 1500, and 2021-2022 Jeep Gladiator vehicles equipped with 3.0L diesel engines. The high pressure fuel pump (HPFP) may fail, causing an engine stall.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the HPFP and inspect and replace additional fuel system components, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 17, 2023.
Engine complaints in other Wrangler years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2021 Jeep Wrangler?
NHTSA has 223 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2021 Jeep Wrangler, 23% of the model year's 953 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2021 Jeep Wrangler engine problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 22V-865 (engine, Nov 23, 2022); NHTSA recall 22V-767 (engine, Oct 13, 2022). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2021 Jeep Wrangler engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 28,000 miles, and 46% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 11 fires and 0 injuries to engine & cooling problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.