2021 Jeep Wrangler engine problems
222 of the 947 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the 2021 Jeep Wrangler name the engine (NHTSA’s “Engine” heading — the engine and its cooling system). Filed under the same heading: 210 manufacturer bulletins, 1 recall, 1 NHTSA investigation. Every figure below is a document in a federal file, linked; none is a failure rate, and none is a verdict on any one car.
What owners filed about the engine
Source: NHTSA complaint database3 of the 222 reports a crash · 11 a fire · 0 injuries. Self-reported, unverified.
Filed per year: 2020: 1 · 2021: 35 · 2022: 32 · 2023: 45 · 2024: 46 · 2025: 35 · 2026: 28
Half of the 29 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the engine problem between 12,000 and 36,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
947 complaints in all about the 2021 Jeep Wrangler, 28 filed in 2026. The whole picture, every system →
Counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many of these were sold; nothing here is a rate. NHTSA groups complaints coarsely, so “Engine” means the same area of the vehicle, not one fault.
Across model years: Jeep Wrangler engine problems, every year on file →
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the engine. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4XE. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The accelerator pedal was depressed, but the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended, hesitated and jerked. The vehicle was taken to the dealer however, the failure could not be duplicated.
The engine caught on fire after a short drive. The fire burned the entire top of the rear of the engine and completely through the wiring harness before I could extinguish it with a fire extinguisher and water. The fire appears to have started at the top rear of the engine where the fuel line enters the intake.
While driving on 131 northbound just before the Saginaw croton exit my Jeep lost power I was in the left lane had to merge across to the right to exit and all the lights were on noting charging system needs service I got off highway onto ramp and coasted to side of ramp and realized it was not even on anymore.
The car flashed a red icon and displayed a message saying power was lost and telling us to pull over safely and put the car on park. We were in the middle lane on the New Jersey Turnpike and people were driving around us at 80mph, and the car would not accelerate.
Engine began leaking diesel fuel and smoking from the fuel hitting hot components. Possible fire could have occurred. So much diesel that it coated the trailer I was towing
What is on file about the engine
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecall filed under this heading
- 22V865000 HighNov 23, 2022 · 62,909 vehicles
- 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.
NHTSA investigation
- RQ24012 Loss of Motive Poweropened Jul 5, 2024 · open
- The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has identified 68 Vehicle Owner Questionnaire (VOQ) reports for model years (MY) 2021 through 2024 Jeep Wrangler 4xe vehicles alleging a loss of motive power. Recall 22V-865 was issued by the manufacturer to address an engine shutdown condition in certain MY 2021-2023 Wrangler 4xe vehicles. The complaints noted here contain both post recall remedy failures…
210 manufacturer bulletins filed under this heading
- 9100363 Rev 3 Service bulletinAug 26, 2026
- Turbocharger Kit Please note that many turbo components are serviceable separately and full turbo replacement may not be required. If the turbo is being inspected for: Noise/Rattle: Inspect heat shield fasteners for looseness and check the wastegate actuator/linkage for binding. The actuator kit is serviced separately. Oil Leak: Inspect the turbo oil feed O-ring area for leaks. O-ring is serviced
- 113271 Service bulletinJul 7, 2026
- CORE – HEATER
The 2 newest are listed; every one is on the model year’s page. Quote the document number at a service desk — it is a diagnosis the maker has already written down.
Trouble codes named on this system
P0300 P0128 P0133 P0403 P1CEA P0137 P0171 P0330
Codes a bulletin or an owner’s complaint about the 2021 Jeep Wrangler names on this model year; a code with a record of its own links it.
Other systems with a record on the 2021 Jeep Wrangler
Source: the same files- electrical problems 310 complaints
- steering problems 252 complaints
- transmission and drivetrain problems 143 complaints
- fuel system problems 137 complaints
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsAre engine problems common on the 2021 Jeep Wrangler?
They are documented: NHTSA holds 222 owner complaints naming the engine on this model year (23% of everything owners filed about it), and 210 manufacturer bulletins, 1 recall, 1 NHTSA investigation are filed under the same heading. Whether it is a problem on one particular car is a diagnosis, not a count, and a count says nothing about how many were sold.
Is there a recall for the engine on the 2021 Jeep Wrangler?
Yes — one campaign is filed under this heading: 22V865000. A recall is matched by VIN; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do engine problems show up on the 2021 Jeep Wrangler?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 26,200 miles; half of them between 12,000 and 36,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Engine" heading cover?
The engine and its cooling system. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.