2021 Jeep Wrangler transmission and drivetrain problems
143 of the 947 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the 2021 Jeep Wrangler name the transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA’s “Power Train” heading — the transmission, transfer case, driveshafts, axles and differentials — NHTSA files them under one heading). Filed under the same heading: 153 manufacturer bulletins, 3 recalls. 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 transmission and drivetrain
Source: NHTSA complaint database4 of the 143 reports a crash · 5 a fire · 1 injury. Self-reported, unverified.
Filed per year: 2021: 16 · 2022: 15 · 2023: 35 · 2024: 38 · 2025: 21 · 2026: 18
Half of the 17 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the transmission and drivetrain problem between 5,000 and 30,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
947 complaints in all about the 2021 Jeep Wrangler, 18 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 “Power Train” means the same area of the vehicle, not one fault.
Across model years: Jeep Wrangler transmission and drivetrain problems, every year on file →
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the transmission and drivetrain. 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. The contact stated that while driving at 55 - 60 mph, the RPM gauge went high but the temperature gauge was normal. A burning odor was detected, metal grinding noises were heard, and the vehicle inadvertently lurched forward.
On 9/16/21, my vehicle dangerously lost power, following a very loud sound and a violent shudder. Power for braking and steering was lost. The vehicle had no response to the accelerator pedal. I attempted to coast to the shoulder of the road, when the vehicle slammed into park on its own while still traveling at roughly 15mph.
While driving the Jeep on the freeway, it shut off out of nowhere and came to a very quick halt. It nearly caused a major accident on the freeway. A few moments after the Jeep encountered this issue and shut off, I received a message on mu UConnect app saying that there was a Charging Fault Error.
This vehicle is a plug-in hybrid Jeep Wrangler. On July 31, 2021 while returning home from vacation and driving at highway speeds (65mph +/-), the powertrain of the vehicle completely failed. The screen flashed that there was an electrical system malfunction and to pull over.
The actual malfunctioning issue is UNKNOWN. However, my best explanation is as follows: While driving my new 2021 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon (which only has 1400 miles), on the highway at roughly 70 miles per hour and going up a hill, the vehicle felt as if it were trying to up-shift a gear but then immediately down-shift a gear.
What is on file about the transmission and drivetrain
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecalls filed under this heading
- 24V572000 HighAug 1, 2024 · 94 vehicles
- 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.
- 23V116000 CriticalFeb 23, 2023 · 69,201 vehicles
- 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.
- 21V028000 CriticalJan 28, 2021 · 42,887 vehicles
- 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.
153 manufacturer bulletins filed under this heading
The 0 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
U145D P208B P20E8 P08A6 P203E P02EE P0513 P0716
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
- engine problems 222 complaints
- fuel system problems 137 complaints
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsAre transmission and drivetrain problems common on the 2021 Jeep Wrangler?
They are documented: NHTSA holds 143 owner complaints naming the transmission and drivetrain on this model year (15% of everything owners filed about it), and 153 manufacturer bulletins, 3 recalls 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 transmission and drivetrain on the 2021 Jeep Wrangler?
Yes — 3 campaigns are filed under this heading: 24V572000, 23V116000, 21V028000. A recall is matched by VIN; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do transmission and drivetrain problems show up on the 2021 Jeep Wrangler?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 15,000 miles; half of them between 5,000 and 30,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Power Train" heading cover?
The transmission, transfer case, driveshafts, axles and differentials — NHTSA files them under one heading. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.