2021 Jeep Wrangler Engine Problems

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

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

Drove 20 miles to Walmart, drove fine no lights no issues, parked went in came out to someone putting out the fire.

NHTSA ID

11750464

Incident

Jul 14, 2026

My 2021 Jeep Wrangler 3.0L EcoDiesel experienced a failure of the engine oil cooler that allowed engine oil and engine coolant to cross contaminate. The oil cooler on this engine sits between the oil and coolant passages, so an internal failure of that component mixes the two systems. The failure first occurred in September 2025 while the vehicle was in use, and coolant intrusion into the oil system has recurred in 2026. This condition is a safety concern because it can cause engine overheating and sudden loss of engine performance or engine failure while driving. On one occasion the vehicle overheated within approximately one mile of leaving a service facility. Low oil pressure was also observed (as low as 9 psi), which risks engine damage and loss of power in traffic. The manufacturer (FCA US LLC / Stellantis) initial XXX November 7, 2025 the arbitrator ruled in my favor, finding the oil cooling system failure "was more likely a result of a Manufacturer defect" and that my modifications "did not cause the oil cooling system failure," and ordered the manufacturer to repair it. FCA's own [XXX] owner dashboard showed the Powertrain Limited Warranty active (expiration 10/07/2026 or 100,000 miles) as recently as May 18, 2026; yet by XXX a Stellantis dealership reported the vehicle under a complete vehicle restriction and refused to diagnose it, leaving a known engine defect unrepaired. I am reporting this so the potential safety defect in the EcoDiesel oil cooler and the resulting engine overheating and failure risk are on record, and because the manufacturer has not repaired a defect that an arbitrator determined to be a manufacturing defect. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11747870

Incident

Sep 6, 2025

I went to start my Wrangler 4XE today and had a "Service Charging System" error. The gas part of the Jeep was running, so I proceeded to drive it. I noticed when I came to a stop, the car would not accelerate, then when it did it was violent and bucking. At a stop light it sounded like it was going to stall so I turned it off and then it would not turn back on at all. I finally got it to turn back on and drove it a little further, at one point I went to accelerate and had the pedal all the way to the floor and it would not advance. I brought it to Auto Zone and had a new 12V battery put in, but it did not fix the issue. After a quick search, it seems like this is a common problem with Jeep 4XE High Voltage Battery systems. Jeep has recalled the battery at least 3 times now and I've taken it for the first two recalls already. It was extremely distressing to try to accelerate and it not move, and could have seriously been a safety issue if I continued to drive the car. I was in another state, Jeep has no 24/7 service to call other than roadside assistance, so I had it towed to Brubaker Jeep in Lancaster PA, but I live in Virginia and had to rent a car to get home.

NHTSA ID

11747065

Incident

Jun 28, 2026

I took my car to the dealership to complete the 04b recall. When I got my car back from this recall: 1. The car says driving in electric mode but it uses gas. 2. The car while driving on the highway will hesitate for a split second.. very dangerous. 3. When going on a small hill(example: bridge on turnpike over griffon road) will all of a sudden hesitates and will not get any more power. 4. Multiple times when getting off the turnpike the car slowed to 20mph and would not go any faster for about 15 seconds.. all this while in electric mode.. even more dangerous... I took the jeep back to the dealership, they have had the car for 6 weeks and acknowledge the problems..but Stellantis keeps saying this is normal.. not normal, did not happen before the recall.

NHTSA ID

11746682

Incident

May 17, 2026

Since the 68C recall from Jeep, my vehicle has not been functioning properly. The 68C recall was issued because the high-voltage battery cells have a defect that causes them to short-circuit and catch fire. To avoid replacing hundreds of thousands of expensive batteries all at once, Jeep implemented a "fix" via a software flash. The new software "fix" heavily restricts how much power can be drawn from the high-voltage battery to keep it from getting warm. If you push the pedal enough to draw more than roughly 40–50% power—or if the battery temperature hits a strictly lowered threshold—the software abruptly chokes the electric motor and fires up the ICE engine to compensate. Because the electric motor just lost its punch, the computer frantically fires up the gasoline engine to make up the difference. Because there is an inherent delay while the gas engine starts up and matches the transmission speed, it engages with a sudden, frustrating lurch or surge. This is just one of the many problems i have found since jeeps "fix" has been implemented. Basically Jeep elected to reduce the capacity of the battery to avoid costly replacement of the real issue with the battery. This has resulted in a driving safety concern with the surging and hesitation. Also now I can no longer drive exclusively in the electric mode; electric mode is basically non-existent.

NHTSA ID

11746609

Incident

Jan 1, 2026

1. The vehicle caught fire during normal operation. It is a 2021 Jeep Wrangler (VIN [XXX]) subject to FCA US Recall 21D / NHTSA Campaign 26V363000, which identifies the electric hydraulic power steering (EHPS) pump and its wiring as a fire source that can overheat and ignite. The exact failed component has not yet been confirmed by diagnostic, but the fire is consistent with the defect described in that recall. The vehicle is intact and available for inspection — it was towed to Waxahatchie Jeep, an authorized Stellantis dealer in Waxahachie, TX, on June 19, 2026 and remains in their custody under repair order [XXX]. 2. The vehicle caught fire while being driven on the highway between Waxahachie and Ennis, Texas, with two occupants returning from a Boy Scout trip, my husband, the driver, and our [XXX] son. The driver was forced to take evasive action, steering off the roadway into a service station to get the occupants clear and stop the fire from spreading further. This created a serious risk of burns, of a collision during the evasive maneuver, and of harm to the occupants and other motorists. 3. Has the problem been reproduced…? No. No diagnostic has been performed. The vehicle has been in the authorized dealer’s custody since June 19, 2026 ([XXX]), but the manufacturer has not completed an inspection or diagnostic. The underlying defect is the subject of an active recall (21D / 26V363000) affecting more than one million 2021–2025 Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator vehicles, for which the manufacturer has stated no remedy is yet available. 4. The vehicle was towed by AAA to Waxahatchie Jeep on June 19, 2026 and has remained there since. It has not yet been formally inspected or diagnosed by the manufacturer. 5. There were no warning lamps or messages prior to the fire. The first indication of a problem was smoke from the engine area at which point the driver immediately pulled off the road and saw a plume of smoke coming from the exhaust. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.

NHTSA ID

11746110

Incident

Jun 19, 2026

When accelerating the vehicle will not go or it will start to move then essentially stop, seconds later it starts moving. There is a delay and it’s extremely dangerous when there is oncoming traffic and/or the drivers behind you don’t realize what is happening. My jeep is a 4xe and this does happen frequently since the last “fix” for the recalls

NHTSA ID

11743025

Incident

Jun 1, 2026

The primary component involved is the high-voltage charging system, specifically the charging port and connector interface. The vehicle previously experienced a confirmed failure involving a scorched charging port and a melted pin, which required replacement. The same symptoms have since returned, including heat at the charging interface and a burning odor. The vehicle is currently located at an authorized dealership and is available for inspection upon request. This condition presents a safety risk due to the potential for electrical overheating and possible fire hazard. In addition, the vehicle has experienced repeated loss of power while driving, which creates a risk in traffic conditions and could impact driver control and safety. The issue has been previously confirmed by the dealership, which replaced the charging port due to thermal damage. However, upon recurrence of similar symptoms, the dealership has refused to diagnose or service the vehicle, preventing further confirmation at this time. The vehicle has been inspected by an authorized dealership on multiple occasions for related issues, including the prior charging system failure. The manufacturer has not directly inspected the vehicle but has been contacted for assistance. Prior to the charging system failure, symptoms included heat at the charging connector and a burning odor. The vehicle has also exhibited electrical system irregularities and repeated loss of power while driving beginning after recall-related service in or around August 2024.

NHTSA ID

11736118

Incident

Apr 4, 2026

Vehicle has gone through the 68C update and the car sometimes hesitates in stop and go traffic. Also the vehicle hesitates on acceleration almost causing an accidents more times than I can count.

NHTSA ID

11733907

Incident

Feb 20, 2026

Driving on the highway smoke came from under the hood in the right hand side forcing my family out on the highway keep ingulfed in flames and burnt to a crisp

NHTSA ID

11732608

Incident

Apr 19, 2026

The engine is overheating at idle speed and there's a phamtom coolant leak. We just bought this in January and are already having major issues. Seems to be a problem with the plastic coolant reservoir being near a very hot engine.

NHTSA ID

11731035

Incident

Apr 4, 2026

"The vehicle exhibits a recurring Loss of Motive Power (LMP) during low-speed maneuvers (intersections) and highway speeds (50+ mph). The failure is preceded by erratic instrument cluster behavior (gauge spikes) and results in a total loss of propulsion without prior warning. This defect persists despite the completion of Recall ZB7 and Recall 68C. The dealership has duplicated the failure but refuses further repair, stating the vehicle is 'out of scope' for current remedies, placing the driver at high risk of a collision." Screenshots include: "Written admission from Jeep dealership confirming duplicated loss of motive power and acceleration struggle following a software update. Dealer admits software is 'more sensitive' than previous versions but has no physical way to resolve the safety defect." The manufacturer-authorized repair facility stating they want to release an unsafe vehicle back to me without a remedy. "There is nothing for any of us to do with your vehicle here at Chapman" and tells you to contact Chrysler. The Video Screenshots that show the gauge spikes (RPM/Oil needles jumping and dropping to zero).

NHTSA ID

11729026

Incident

Mar 27, 2026

A recall repair was completed in 2023 related to an overheating warning. Recently, the same issue has returned. The engine cooling fan runs at a very high speed for several minutes and then shuts off, even when the vehicle is cold or operating under normal conditions. An overheating warning message appeared briefly while driving, but the temperature gauge remained within the normal range. This suggests the engine may not actually be overheating and that the issue may be related to a faulty sensor, electrical system, or control module. The problem has not yet been fully diagnosed by a dealer due to diagnostic costs, but the symptoms are consistent with the original issue that led to the recall repair. This condition could pose a safety risk because the driver may receive inaccurate overheating warnings or may not be alerted if a real overheating condition occurs. The issue is intermittent and has occurred both while driving and when the vehicle is stationary. Attempts were made to contact the manufacturer to report this as a repeat issue after a recall repair, but no resolution was provided and a formal case was not successfully established.

NHTSA ID

11727281

Incident

Mar 26, 2026

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? -After the 68C recall update for the HV battery failures, the vehicle has not been able to consistently maintain or provide power due to the limitation of the battery introduced as part of the recall. This is most noticeable driving in Electric Mode below 60% charge. The throttle behavior is inconsistent and unpredictable due to the recent updated How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? -I was merging onto a controlled access highway and unable to accelerate after pulling into the travel lane from the merging lane due to the limitations of the battery power. The engine did not respond in time to provide power to the vehicle. The occurrence of the loss of power is unpredictable. Some times the electric battery and motor can provide the necessary power, and in others it does not respond to the throttle demand at the same state of charge with no indication of the issue. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? -It has not yet Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? -It has not Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? -No warning lamps were provided

NHTSA ID

11727232

Incident

Mar 26, 2026

My 2021 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon (3.6L eTorque, automatic transmission) has had recurring drivetrain instability since about 2,000 miles while under factory warranty. It intermittently has high RPM flare during acceleration, delayed shifting, shuddering under load, and abrupt engagement. At low speeds (about 10–5 mph), it harshly downshifts, grabs suddenly, RPMs jump up and down, and it can feel like it will stall; it has stalled intermittently. Braking feels inconsistent, and at times it feels like the vehicle resists braking or surges before slowing. The forward collision warning/automatic emergency braking has activated with no obstacle present, and the power steering assist has been lost intermittently. There is also an engine tick and a high-pitched whining noise from the engine/drivetrain area. In January 2026, the transmission catastrophically failed and required replacement of the transmission, torque converter, cooler, and control module. The vehicle was out of service for over 24 days. After installation of a new Mopar remanufactured transmission and torque converter, the same symptoms returned. AAMCO has now found that the new torque converter failed, with metal shavings throughout the transmission, in the fluid, and at the bottom of the pan. I was advised that the vehicle should be sent to a Jeep dealership because no codes are currently present. I was also advised that the dealership may replace only the torque converter rather than the entire transmission, despite recurring failure and metal contamination. This presents a safety concern due to loss of acceleration, unpredictable torque engagement, stalling, unintended braking activation, power steering loss, engine/drivetrain noise, and repeated drivetrain failure. I have all the records if requested, file is too large to send in the upload area.

NHTSA ID

11724303

Incident

Dec 31, 1969

My vehicle is experiencing EV system failures, stalling, and system shutdown warnings that make the vehicle unsafe to operate. These symptoms began after a recall repair that was performed by the dealership. The dealership initially stated the recall was repaired, but the same symptoms have continued and have now worsened. The vehicle will display EV system warnings and will stall or shut down systems while driving. The air conditioning and other systems also shut down as the vehicle attempts to protect the electrical system. I have brought the vehicle back to the dealership multiple times regarding this issue. Despite the vehicle showing the same symptoms associated with the recall, I am now being told I may have to pay for additional teardown work unrelated to the EV system. This vehicle has become unsafe to drive, and I have requested assistance and escalation from dealership management but have not received a resolution. I am filing this complaint due to the safety risk posed by the vehicle stalling and shutting down systems while in operation.

NHTSA ID

11723946

Incident

Feb 23, 2026

Glendale Dodge (CA) is actively using Federal Fire Risk Recall 68C to fraudulently conceal a separate, critical High-Voltage hardware failure on my 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe. Upon intake, my vehicle’s internal VIP diagnostic scan showed an active P0E15 code (Electric Coolant Heater Failure). Per Stellantis Technical Service Bulletins, this code indicates a severe failure requiring a physical hardware replacement to ensure the high-voltage system operates safely. To avoid performing this costly warranty repair, the dealership deliberately falsified the diagnosis on Final Invoice #31349. Under Line C (Customer States Check Engine Light is On), the dealership officially recorded the cause and correction as: 'DUE TO RECALL MODULE UPDATES AND BAD BATTERY.' This is an affirmatively false written diagnosis. A dead 12V battery and a recall software update do not cause, nor do they resolve, a P0E15 High-Voltage Electric Coolant Heater failure. The dealership lied on the legal invoice to scrub the hardware defect from the record. They then applied the 68C software patch as a smokescreen, falsified the 'Date Out' to 12/26/2025 to prematurely close the federal recall ticket, and attempted to return a vehicle that remains mechanically compromised and unsafe. This is intentional warranty fraud masking a high-voltage system failure. Stellantis and its authorized repair facility are refusing to properly remedy the vehicle. The vehicle is currently held at the dealership pending an active fraud investigation by the California Bureau of Automotive Repair (Case #6596-WS4PV6).

NHTSA ID

11723871

Incident

Dec 26, 2025

I own a 2021 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 392 with the 6.4L engine (VIN: [XXX] ). The vehicle has a dangerous condition where the engine stalls unexpectedly when the fuel level is approximately 1/4 tank or lower and the vehicle is traveling downhill. When the vehicle is positioned on a decline or downhill slope, the engine suddenly shuts off without warning. This appears to be fuel starvation on decline when the fuel level is below approximately 1/4 tank, resulting in engine stall and loss of power steering and braking assist after stall. This has occurred multiple times and creates a significant risk of crash due to the sudden loss of engine power and reduced steering and braking assistance while the vehicle is in motion. The issue is particularly concerning when descending hills or driving on angled terrain. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealership (Carvana Jeep San Diego) where technicians determined the likely cause is a defective fuel pump module associated with the Wrangler Rubicon 392 6.4L fuel pump module. However, the dealership informed me the replacement fuel pump module is currently on national backorder from the manufacturer (Stellantis/Jeep). They stated there is no confirmed availability date and that many vehicles may be waiting for the same component. My vehicle has been awaiting repair for approximately four months due to the unavailable fuel pump module. Because the vehicle can stall unexpectedly while traveling downhill, this defect presents an ongoing safety hazard and potential risk of crash. This complaint is being submitted so the issue can be evaluated as a potential safety defect involving fuel delivery failure, fuel pump module malfunction, and engine stall under low fuel conditions in the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 392. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11723705

Incident

Dec 15, 2025

My 2021 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon (3.6L eTorque, automatic transmission) has experienced recurring drivetrain instability beginning at approximately 2,000 miles while under factory warranty. The vehicle intermittently exhibits a high-RPM flare during acceleration, where the engine speed increases without a commensurate increase in vehicle acceleration. The transmission then abruptly engages, causing sudden jerking. At low speeds (approximately 10–5 mph), the vehicle shudders and harshly downshifts, creating a sudden grabbing sensation. Engine RPMs fluctuate during deceleration as if the transmission cannot smoothly match engine speed. Braking feels inconsistent, and at times it feels as though the vehicle is accelerating or resisting braking input before abruptly slowing. The vehicle has felt as though it would stall at low speeds and has stalled intermittently. Additionally, the forward collision warning / automatic emergency braking system has activated without an obstacle present. There have also been intermittent instances of loss of power steering assist. The engine has developed a ticking noise and a high-pitched ringing/whining sound from the engine area during operation. In January 2026, the transmission catastrophically failed and required replacement of the transmission, torque converter, cooler, and control module. The vehicle was out of service for over 24 days. Following installation of a Mopar remanufactured transmission and torque converter, the same symptoms have recurred, including RPM flare, delayed shifting, shuddering, harsh downshifts, unstable deceleration, and abnormal engine noises. These conditions present a safety concern due to loss of expected acceleration, unpredictable torque engagement, unintended braking activation, intermittent power steering loss, stalling behavior, and drivetrain instability. The vehicle is currently under further diagnostic evaluation. I have multiple documents, but the file is too large to upload

NHTSA ID

11721573

Incident

Jan 31, 2026

There has been an electrical issue with this car since it was purchased in May 2021. The start stop system has always said service it and each time the dealership has said the temperature in the car has to be prime. It still doesn’t work. The key fobs continue to disconnect even with new batteries. The screen at times delays and needs an upgrade. The battery or both batteries even in the summer dies if the car isn’t driven for more than 3 days. We spend more time jumping the vehicle than driving it. It’s a 2021 and only has 35000 miles on it. Why pay for a vehicle that spends more time in the shop than in the driveway?

NHTSA ID

11713446

Incident

May 5, 2022

My engine light came on shortly after my first warranty oil change August 23,2025 at the Tonkin Hillsboro dealership. During my 2nd warranty oil change January 9,2026 at Tonkin Hillsboro dealership I let them know my engine light came on after their last service and they wanted to charge me the diagnosis fee. After continued discussion learned they already checked the code indicator and mentioned possible gas cap seal and it was not fixed. Today I received an Updated Carfax of my recent service and saw a recall for my vehicle dated on October 30, 2025 re: Urgent Fire Risk When Parked. NHTSA Recall Number 25V741000 Manufacturer Recall Number68C NHTSA Recall Number25V-741 Recall StatusRecall Incomplete This safety was not checked, fixed or completed within the consumer regulatory requirement of recalls while my vehicle was in service and in their observation. If the recall notice is dated October 30, 2025, there should be no reason for an oversight in providing clear communication and corrective action immediately while the vehicle was in service on January 9,2025 and communication/information before I picked up the vehicle and drove it off the lot. This is a certified vehicle that so far has not given me any confidence of proper dealership quality and car for vehicle safety and consumer co concern.

NHTSA ID

11710540

Incident

Jan 9, 2026

Vehicle started and put in reverse. after backing up approximately 15 ft, vehicle put into driver and once accelerator was pressed, vehicle stalled. Tried to restart, engines turned over but stalled again after 1 second. Waited 10 seconds and tried to restart again, stalled again 1 second after turnover. Turned vehicle completely off, opened door, waited 30 seconds, tried starting again and system attempted to stat for 5-10 seconds (push to start ignition so I had no control over how long it tried this), but engine would not turn over. Vehicle also could not be shifted out of park (turned vehicle off and tried to put in “On” position without ever depressing the brake). Vehicle now stuck in driveway and unable to be moved. Acting like an issue with the fuel pump, which is a recall that was announced for some vehicles of this make and model, but NHTSA check shows no open recalls on vehicle. No warning lights or check engine lights came on.

NHTSA ID

11708288

Incident

Jan 2, 2026

Multiple failed recalls to stop vehicle High Voltage battery fires. I've already had the battery pack replaced once and now another recall of a software flash (68c) to test the battery cells separators for damage. So again the issue is still there and this is just another band-aid to catch it before it catches fire. This has been a ongoing issue for over a year and the issue is still not properly corrected. Multiple months of no charging, no parking in garage or near other vehicles/structures just to have another band-aid of a software flash, to stop the fire before it starts doesn't make me feel safe enough to put my family in this vehicle or to still want to charge or park anywhere near other vehicles or structures. This is the same process that "fixed" this issue the last time that obviously isn't a fix at all. The new battery they installed in 07/22/25 is just more of the same junk batteries without a proper fix.

NHTSA ID

11705318

Incident

Dec 16, 2025