2021 Jeep Wrangler

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received 9 Vehicle Owner's Questionnaire (VOQ) reports, 1 Death and Injury report, and multiple field reports alleging incidents of engine compartment fires in model year (MY) 2021-2023 Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator vehicles. The majority of the reports describe a fire occurring while the ignition in the vehicle was in an ‘OFF’ state with a suspected origin at the passenger front side of the engine compartment. An ignition ‘OFF’ vehicle fire can result in an increased risk of occupant injury, injury to persons outside the vehicle, and property damage, with little to no warning. ODI has contacted the vehicle manufacturer, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA), and learned of several thermal events originating at the power steering pump electrical connector in recent model year Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator vehicles. The location of the pump connector is located at the passenger front side of the engine compartment, coinciding with the majority of fire reports known to ODI. ODI is opening this Preliminary Evaluation (PE) to assess the cause, scope, and frequency of the alleged defect. To review the ODI reports cited in the Opening Resume ODI Report Identification Numbers document, go to NHTSA.gov.

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 and failures in vehicles not included within the scope of 22V-865. An analysis comparing complaints received before the issuance of recall 22V-865 and complaints outside the scope of the recall has been conducted. The results show the current complaint rate is higher in the out of scope vehicles than it was for vehicles that were later covered by the recall. ODI is opening this Recall Query (RQ) to assess the severity of the alleged defect in vehicles not included in recall 22V-865.ODI will also assess the scope and remedy effectiveness of the recall. To review the ODI reports cited in the Opening Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE21-021 on October 14, 2021, to investigate incidents alleging a stall/loss of motive power as a result of high-pressure fuel pump failures in certain model year (MY) 2019-2020 Ram 2500, 3500, 4500, and 5500 heavy duty trucks equipped with 6.7L Cummins turbodiesel engines. During the investigation, ODI sought to determine if the related defect allegation was limited in scope to the recalled population. After review of information request response materials from both FCA and BMW, NHTSA determined that sufficient information to identify a comprehensive recall population could not be produced by FCA and BMW.During the investigation FCA filed recalls 22V406, 22E048, 22V767, and 22E087 which include vehicles not identified in the initial subject population by ODI. ODI also received recall 21V586, involving loss of motive power due to failed CP4 fuel pumps on certain BMW manufactured vehicles. An information request letter response received from BMW indicated that failed pumps on their vehicles were caused by an interaction between pump internal components and US market diesel fuel, leading to increased slip and eventual particle-generating wear surface. Additional work will be done to identify whether a similar root cause is associated with the FCA recalled population and if similar wear dynamics occur on pumps supplied to vehicle manufacturers other than those included in the recalled population.ODI has upgraded this investigation to an EA in order to 1) determine engineering specifications of internal pump components that are correlated with pump failure leading to loss of motive power or other safety related hazards, 2) identify vehicle populations equipped with alleged defective pump variants, 3) assess if vehicles equipped with alleged defective pump variants result in an unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety and 4) gather and review any other relevant information related to high pressure fuel pump failure associated with the subject populations of recalls 21V586, 21V880, 21E094, 22V406, 22E048, 22V767, and 22E087.Review of the above information will allow NHTSA to confirm root cause and recall remedy viability, and identify and evaluate vehicle populations equipped with pump components that may pose an unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety.The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed at: http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID using the following complaint identification numbers: 11257550, 11351441, 11361603, 11361616, 11365300, 11365426, 11365858, 11366401, 11372337, 11373793, 11374797, 11376793, 11377871, 11378173, 11384377, 11386063, 11387018, 11399710, 11402550, 11415339, 11418868, 11418870, 11427075, 11434276, 11436807, 11437226, 11437249, 11437273, 11437292, 11437294, 11437394, 11437399, 11437403, 11437405, 11437423, 11437528, 11437565, 11437579, 11437580, 11437590, 11437679, 11437744, 11437781, 11437842, 11437993, 11438006, 11438008, 11438121, 11438138, 11438155, 11438392, 11438629, 11439359, 11439879, 11440397, 11443030, 11446542, 11448163, 11453556, 11458918, 11460558, 11469337

Our Jeep has a death wobble that has almost caused me to have three wrecks where it is taking me out of my lane of travel and put me in Lanes where other people are had to get to the side of the road and try to get it to stop wobbling it. Every time I hit a pothole or a bump it throws me into a death wobble. I'm worried that this might cause me to get into an accident or cause me to die this happens every time I drive it. I cannot go above 40 mph without causing a death wobble so now I have no use of my Jeep. It just sits

NHTSA ID

11756070

Incident

Apr 10, 2026

The harmonic balancer on the motor failed and flew off the motor causing catastrophic damage to the radiator. The failure resulted in immediate disabling of the vehicle, which could have happened at high speeds or on a highway with limited access. The part that flew off the motor was also a large piece of solid metal that luckily landed in the bumper cavity, but if it would have left the engine compartment, would most certainly be a fatal projectile. Once taking it to the dealership, they told me that this is a known problem with the Hemi 392 motor. Research shows this has been an issue since 2003 with this motor. The motor is found in several different Stellantis vehicles. There were no warning signs of the failure prior to it occurring.

NHTSA ID

11754997

Incident

Jul 24, 2026

I am writing to express my concern regarding the handling of the urgent safety recall affecting my Jeep Wrangler. This recall has been classified as an urgent fire and safety risk, yet no remedy is currently available. The recall notice stated that owners would receive notification regarding the remedy by July 9. As of today, August 4, I have not received any follow-up communication, and the NHTSA website continues to list the recall as unresolved with no available repair. I find it deeply concerning that a recall deemed urgent due to the potential risk of fire has remained without a remedy for approximately two months. Owners are expected to continue operating vehicles that have been identified as posing a serious safety hazard while having no meaningful way to mitigate that risk. This places consumers in an unreasonable position, especially those who rely on their vehicles for work and daily transportation. I respectfully request that NHTSA review whether the manufacturer is complying with its obligations under federal motor vehicle safety recall requirements. Given the severity of the identified risk, I also ask that NHTSA determine whether additional oversight or enforcement is warranted to ensure affected owners receive a timely remedy. Additionally, I ask NHTSA to consider whether the manufacturer should provide interim accommodations, such as loaner vehicles or rental reimbursement, while a permanent remedy remains unavailable. I respectfully request that this matter be escalated and that I receive an explanation for the continued delay, an estimated timeline for when a remedy will be available, and guidance for owners who are left with no practical way to address this known safety hazard. Thank you for your time and attention. I look forward to your response.

NHTSA ID

11754734

Incident

Aug 4, 2026

2021 jeep wrangler 4xe unlimited rubicon. Death wobble steering stabilizer has been replaced. 4 Alignments in a week . Was told that it was my tires nope not the case . I can’t not drive my jeep at all . Now the transfer case is leaking the track bar that I told the mechanics it needed to be replaced . The mechanic at John jones told me not to bring it back because I was not a mechanic to find someone else .ive had it sense oct2025 and put not even a thousand miles on it . Lemon laws do exist jeep needs to make it write. I’ve almost went into on coming traffic 3 times in the last week . The 4xe needs recalled before someone gets killed or kills someone ..

NHTSA ID

11754096

Incident

Jul 27, 2026

The contact owned a 2021 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated that while driving on the highway at 45 MPH, the instrument panel cluster went out and the vehicle experienced a slight loss of automotive power, and the front headlights failed, the contact was then involved in a head on collision, where the front passenger side was impacted. The vehicle came to a stop upon impact. The air bags were deployed. The vehicle was towed to a junk yard. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The contact was seated in the passenger seat while her husband was seated in the driver seat. No individuals outside of the vehicle were reported to be injured. The contact stated that her husband had sustained injuries to his knees, neck, and back, the contact has sustained injuries to their neck and shards of glass in her face. Medical treatment was needed for the injuries. The impact of the crash was the front passenger side. The local dealer was not contacted, and the vehicle was not diagnosed. The manufacture was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 60,000

NHTSA ID

11753740

Incident

May 24, 2026

Mileage

60,000 mi

Follow-up to complaint 11749455, same vehicle (2021 Jeep Wrangler EcoDiesel, approx. 98,300 miles). Following recall 01A (high-pressure fuel pump replacement), a diesel fuel leak was discovered at a fuel supply component by the servicing dealership. That fuel injector supply line was replaced on 07/23/2026, which I paid for under protest. Within approximately one mile of leaving the dealership, the vehicle began leaking diesel fuel heavily and was returned the same day. The dealership then identified injector O-rings as the source and replaced them; after that repair, fuel injector #1 is now leaking. This is the third distinct fuel-system leak repair on this vehicle following recall-related service, and none has resolved the condition. The vehicle was released to me in a leaking, unsafe condition after a paid repair that did not fix the leak. The failed components have been confirmed and worked on by the dealership and are available for inspection. Concern: repeated diesel fuel leaks in the engine compartment present a fire and roadway hazard, and recall-related fuel system repairs have not reliably resolved the problem.

NHTSA ID

11752702

Incident

Jul 23, 2026

The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the temperature gauge rose significantly, indicating that the engine was overheating. The coolant temperature warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer to be diagnosed, and the contact was informed that there were metal shavings inside the engine cylinders, and that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage 131,000.

NHTSA ID

11752654

Incident

May 1, 2026

Mileage

131,000 mi

The contact owned a 2021 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact stated that there was an abnormal odor inside the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact parked the vehicle and while inspecting the vehicle, the contact saw smoke coming from underneath the vehicle. The contact became aware of fire underneath the vehicle. The Fire Department arrived on the scene and extinguished the fire. The vehicle was towed to a local tow yard. The vehicle was deemed a total loss. There were no injuries sustained. The contact later received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V363000 (Steering). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 22,890.

NHTSA ID

11752615

Incident

May 20, 2026

Mileage

22,890 mi

EMISSION RECALL – NORTH AMERICA Check Engine/Malfunction Indicator Lamp 16C The instrument panel cluster on about 32,587 of the above vehicles may have an inoperable check engine/malfunction indicator lamp (CEL/MIL). (JT) vehicles: CEL/MIL and cargo lamp indicator function are swapped. (JL) vehicles: CEL/MIL will not turn on. The CEL/MIL in and of itself will not affect emissions. However, if there was an emission issue that would require illumination of the CEL/MIL, the customer would not be alerted. The vehicle would be non-compliant to the OBD II regulation.

CORE – HEATER

CORE – HEATER

THROTTLE BODY – NONE

THROTTLE BODY – NONE

MOTOR - BLOWER WITH WHEEL