The 2021 Wrangler JL is a capable off-roader with solid powertrains, but early production saw teething issues with the 2.0L turbo engine, transmission cooling, and some electrical gremlins. The 3.6L V6 is the most reliable choice; the diesel and turbo have higher repair stakes.
Symptoms: Excessive oil consumption (1 qt per 1,000 mi or worse), Metallic knocking from engine bay, especially cold start, Check engine light with misfire or low oil pressure codes, White or blue smoke from exhaust
Fix: Complete engine rebuild or long-block replacement. Involves removing turbo, all accessories, dropping subframe. 18-25 hours labor depending on shop proficiency. Some warranty extensions exist, but out-of-pocket costs are brutal.
Estimated cost: $8,000-14,000
Transmission Oil Cooler Leaks (8-Speed Automatic)
Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 40,000-90,000 mi
Symptoms: Transmission fluid pooling under vehicle, often pink/red, Transmission running hot, harsh shifts when fluid is low, Coolant in transmission pan or vice versa if internal leak
Fix: Replace external cooler lines or internal radiator-mounted cooler. External lines are 2-3 hours; internal cooler requires radiator removal and fluid flushes for both systems, 5-7 hours total.
Estimated cost: $600-1,800
Manual Transmission Clutch Shudder and Premature Wear
Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 20,000-60,000 mi
Symptoms: Vibration or shudder during clutch engagement, especially in 1st/reverse, Difficulty getting into gear, grinding, Clutch slipping under load or on hills
Fix: Clutch kit replacement, resurface or replace flywheel. Transmission must come out. 8-10 hours labor. Some dealers updated clutch disc material under warranty; aftermarket kits often last longer.
Estimated cost: $1,800-2,800
3.0L EcoDiesel Fuel Pump and Emissions System Failures
Occasional · high severity
Typical onset: 50,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: Long crank or no-start, fuel pressure codes, DEF system faults, derate warnings, limp mode, Check engine light with NOx sensor or EGR codes, Loss of power, reduced speed to 55 mph max
Fix: High-pressure fuel pump replacement is 6-8 hours; DEF/emissions repairs (heater, pump, SCR catalyst) range 4-12 hours. Diesel parts are expensive and failures often cascade.
Estimated cost: $2,500-6,500
Traction Battery and Electrical System Faults (Start-Stop System)
Common · low severity
Symptoms: Start-stop system disabled, dash warning message, Parasitic battery drain, dead battery after sitting 3-5 days, Intermittent electrical glitches (gauges, infotainment resets)
Fix: Auxiliary battery replacement (under passenger seat) is 1-2 hours. Software updates often resolve phantom drains. Some units need main ECM or body control module reflash, 1 hour diag + 0.5 hour flash.
Estimated cost: $400-900
Instrument Cluster Failures and Gauge Malfunctions
Occasional · low severity
Symptoms: Gauges flickering, intermittent blank screen, Speedometer or tach freezing or reading zero, Warning lights stuck on or flashing randomly
Fix: Cluster replacement or software update. Dash removal required for cluster swap, 2-3 hours. Recalls covered some units; out-of-pocket means used or remanufactured cluster plus programming.
Estimated cost: $800-1,500
Owner tips
Check 2.0L turbo oil level every 500-1,000 miles religiously; consumption is an early warning sign of internal damage.
Service transmission fluid and filter at 60,000 mi even if manual says lifetime—especially if you tow or off-road.
If buying used, pull a CarFax and check for open recalls; the clutch, fuel pump, and instrument cluster recalls should be completed.
Avoid diesels unless you drive highway miles daily; short trips kill emissions systems and fuel pumps.
Aftermarket transmission cooler is cheap insurance if you tow or live in hot climates—OEM cooler is marginal.
Buy a 3.6L V6 manual or automatic with service records and completed recalls; avoid early 2.0L turbos and diesels unless heavily discounted and you budget for repairs.
AI-assisted summary drawn from NHTSA recall data, our labor-times database, and platform knowledge. Not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on a specific vehicle.
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Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2020-2025 Jeep Wrangler 4Xe and 2022-2026 Grand Cherokee 4Xe vehicles. The high voltage battery may fail internally and lead to a vehicle fire while parked or driving.
Consequence: A vehicle fire can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures and not to charge their vehicles until the remedy is completed. Dealers will update the high voltage battery software, and replace the high voltage battery, as necessary, free of charge. Some owner notification letters were mailed beginning December 17, 2025. The remaining owner notification letters will be mailed at a later date. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is 68C. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning November 6, 2025. Vehicles that were previously recalled for the same issue under NHTSA Recalls 24V720 and 23V787 will need to have the new remedy performed.
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA · 24V676000
2024-09-12
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2018-2024 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. The wiring harness for the rearview camera and the center brake light may short circuit, which can disable the rearview camera image and center brake light. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 111, "Rear Visibility" and 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Consequence: A rearview camera image that does not display decreases the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash. Additionally, a center brake light that fails to illuminate can fail to indicate to other drivers that the vehicle is slowing down, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers replaced the harness for the center brake light and rearview camera and/or the spare tire carrier/harness assembly, as necessary, free of charge. All vehicles were repaired by January 15, 2024. Owner notification letters were mailed September 26, 2024. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 77B.
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2020-2024 Jeep Gladiator and 2018-2024 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. The instrument panel cluster may experience an internal short circuit and fail. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 101, "Controls and Displays."
Consequence: An instrument panel that fails to display critical safety information, such as the speedometer or warning lights, can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the instrument panel cluster, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed between October 3, 2024, and January 23, 2025. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recall is 30B.
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE · 24V572000
2024-08-01
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021 Jeep Wrangler and Jeep Gladiator vehicles that were previously remedied under NHTSA recall number 23V-116. The software for the powertrain control module may cause an engine stall, which can result in a loss of drive power.
Consequence: A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the powertrain control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 15, 2024. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US LLC's number for this recall is 92B. Vehicles previously repaired under recall 23V-116 will need to have the new remedy completed.
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM · 24V111000
2024-02-15
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Jeep Wrangler and 2022-2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles. A hybrid control processor (HCP) software error may cause the defrosting and defogging system to be inoperative. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 103, "Windshield Defrosting and Defogging Systems."
Consequence: An inoperative windshield defrosting and defogging system may decrease the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the HCP software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 29, 2024. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is 04B.
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Jeep Wrangler Plug-In Hybrid Electric (PHEV) vehicles. The high voltage battery may fail internally and lead to a vehicle fire while parked or driving.
Consequence: A vehicle fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to recharge their vehicles, and to park outside and away from structures, until they are repaired. Dealers will update the high voltage battery pack software and replace the battery pack assembly if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 7, 2024. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 89A. This recall is superseded by NHTSA Recall 24V-720.
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Jeep Wrangler, Gladiator, and 2022-2023 Ram 1500 vehicles equipped with a 3.0L diesel engine. The high pressure fuel pump (HPFP) may fail.
Consequence: Fuel pump failure can result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the HPFP and replace additional fuel system components, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 17, 2023. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 01A.
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS · 23V191000
2023-03-23
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. A stud on the frame assembly may puncture the fuel tank in a crash, which can result in a fuel leak.
Consequence: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, remove the frame stud and apply paint, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 6, 2023. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 28A.
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY · 23V116000
2023-02-23
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2018-2023 Jeep Wrangler, and 2020-2023 Jeep Gladiator vehicles equipped with manual transmissions. The clutch pressure plate may overheat and fracture.
Consequence: Overheated clutch components may increase the risk of a fire. Additionally, damage to other nearby components can result in debris falling onto the road or a loss of drive, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the clutch assembly and update the software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed from November 16, 2023 through July 25, 2024. Owners may contact (FCA US, LLC) customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US LLC's number for this recall is 19A. This recall expands and replaces previous recall 21V-028. Vehicles previously repaired under recall 21V-028 will need to have the new remedy completed.
ENGINE · 22V865000
2022-11-23
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.
SEAT BELTS:PRETENSIONER · 22V766000
2022-10-13
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2022 Ram 1500, Jeep Gladiator, and 2021 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. The front seat belt retractors may have an improperly welded micro gas generator, which can result in seat belt pretensioner failure.
Consequence: A seat belt with pretensioner failure may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the front seat belt retractors. free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 8, 2022. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is Z95.
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.
BACK OVER PREVENTION:DISPLAY FUNCTION · 22V638000
2022-08-25
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Jeep Wrangler, RAM 1500 and 2021 Jeep Gladiator vehicles. A radio software error may prevent the rearview image from displaying. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Consequence: A rearview camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the radio software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 6, 2022. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA, LLC's number for this recall is Z86.
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY · 21V028000
2021-01-28
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Jeep Wrangler and 2020-2021 Jeep Gladiator vehicles equipped with manual transmissions. The clutch pressure plate may overheat and fracture.
Consequence: Overheated clutch components may increase the risk of a fire. Additionally, damage to other nearby components can result in debris falling onto the road or a loss of drive, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: FCA US LLC will notify owners, and dealers will add software to reduce engine torque capability when clutch assembly temperatures rise to a level that may damage the inner pressure plate, free of charge." FCA has ordered a stop sale for the affected vehicles as of February 25, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 4, 2021.
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