VehicleVerdict

2021 Jeep Wrangler engine problems

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler has 212 engine complaints filed with NHTSA — 14% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.

212

Engine complaints

14%

Share of year

3

Crash-involved

2

Related recalls

Engine complaints by year

Wrangler engine complaints by model year378 complaints1987: 9 complaints1988: 8 complaints1989: 13 complaints1990: 11 complaints1991: 14 complaints1992: 8 complaints1993: 19 complaints1994: 29 complaints1995: 39 complaints1997: 122 complaints1998: 58 complaints1999: 53 complaints2000: 28 complaints2001: 26 complaints2002: 8 complaints2003: 7 complaints2004: 13 complaints2005: 40 complaints2006: 29 complaints2007: 62 complaints2008: 48 complaints2009: 23 complaints2010: 52 complaints2011: 42 complaints2012: 178 complaints2013: 144 complaints2014: 330 complaints2015: 128 complaints2016: 92 complaints2017: 62 complaints2018: 100 complaints2019: 46 complaints2020: 53 complaints2021: 212 complaints2022: 86 complaints2023: 96 complaints2024: 378 complaints2025: 22 complaints2026: 1 complaints
Wrangler engine complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

22V865000EngineNovember 23, 2022 · 62,909 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

An engine shutdown can cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.

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 safe from shut down to limp home. Dealers will update the transmission control module software, Hybrid Control Processor and Auxiliary Hybrid Control Processor, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 22, 2022. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall ZB7.

22V767000EngineOctober 13, 2022 · 60,413 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.

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. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is Z96.

What owners report

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · March 7, 2021 · fire

Common questions

How many engine complaints does the 2021 Jeep Wrangler have?

NHTSA has 212 complaints about the 2021 Jeep Wrangler engine — 14% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2021 Jeep Wrangler engine?

Yes — 2 NHTSA recall campaigns for this model year are tied to the engine: 22V767000, 22V865000.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.