2021 Jeep Wrangler steering problems
252 of the 947 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the 2021 Jeep Wrangler name the steering (NHTSA’s “Steering” heading — the steering column, rack, pump and power assist). Filed under the same heading: 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 steering
Source: NHTSA complaint database0 of the 252 reports a crash · 2 a fire · 1 injury. Self-reported, unverified.
Filed per year: 2020: 4 · 2021: 28 · 2022: 29 · 2023: 89 · 2024: 44 · 2025: 29 · 2026: 29
Half of the 23 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the steering problem between 9,000 and 26,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
947 complaints in all about the 2021 Jeep Wrangler, 29 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 “Steering” means the same area of the vehicle, not one fault.
Across model years: Jeep Wrangler steering problems, every year on file →
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the steering. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
Purchased 1/3/2021. Steering wander, pulls to right, and 2' dead zone in steering wheel. Dead zone has no tire resistance in the steering wheel. Always a need to keep a tension on the wheel to prevent going to the right.
Brand new and from the start the steering wanders and there is a lot of play in the steering. It's a nonstop battle to keep the vehicle going in a straight line and it gets more dangerous with the speed increases.
I purchased this 2021 Jeep Wrangler unlimited on september 9, 2020. It is a totally stock vehicle with no modifications of any sort. It has not been driven off road at all, and only on city streets, highways, and interstates, no accidents.
Brand new vehicle wanders at highway speeds as well as low speeds. Requires constant "arms/hands" pressure to keep vehicle tracking straight. Vehicles pulls to the right despite having undergone 3 alignments now at 3k miles. 2021 Wrangler has the upgraded steering box and while no dead spots on the wheel, the right pull is annoying.
When driving slow or fast the car wanders and there is 'play' in the steering wheel. Difficult to stay straight and in one lane without constantly adjusting
What is on file about the steering
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecall filed under this heading
- Jun 4, 2026 · 1,076,999 vehicles
- Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021-2025 Jeep Wrangler, Wrangler 4XE, and Jeep Gladiator vehicles. The electric hydraulic power steering pump wiring may overheat and cause a vehicle fire, even when the vehicle is parked with the ignition in the "Off" position.
NHTSA investigation
- PE24024 Underhood firesopened Sep 6, 2024 · closed Sep 24, 2026
- On September 6, 2024, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE24024 to investigate allegations of engine compartment fires in model year 2021-2023 Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator vehicles. Most reports described fires starting on the front passenger side of the engine compartment while the vehicle was turned off, with several originating specifically at the electrohyd…
Other systems with a record on the 2021 Jeep Wrangler
Source: the same files- electrical problems 310 complaints
- engine problems 222 complaints
- transmission and drivetrain problems 143 complaints
- fuel system problems 137 complaints
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsAre steering problems common on the 2021 Jeep Wrangler?
They are documented: NHTSA holds 252 owner complaints naming the steering on this model year (27% of everything owners filed about it), and 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 steering on the 2021 Jeep Wrangler?
Yes — one campaign is filed under this heading: 26V363000. A recall is matched by VIN; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do steering problems show up on the 2021 Jeep Wrangler?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 20,000 miles; half of them between 9,000 and 26,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Steering" heading cover?
The steering column, rack, pump and power assist. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.