2021 Jeep Gladiator: sudden loss of power

Filed Feb 13, 2026 · Electrical, Steering · OR

Two of the same faults occurred within the same month of each other. The first: while driving home from work on the highway, while heavily raining, without warning every alarm light possible engaged, windshield wipers went full speed, vehicle would not shift, and my steering locked up (not to be confused with lost power steering). After about a mile I was able to encourage the Jeep off the side of the highway. While waiting for my tow, with the E Brake set and in Park, the Jeep kept trying to crawl forward on its own. I was unable to turn the vehicle off as it would not respond, in addition to an alarm warning saying not to turn off the Jeep. The second occurrence was in the parking garage at work; I pulled through the parking stall, put the Jeep in reverse to back up and the same fault took place. No steering, wipers on full speed, every alarm on the dash was engaged. Thankfully I was not a highway speed. I was able to turn off the Jeep this time after about 5 minutes of attempting to.

Filed Feb 5, 2026 · Steering · CA · fire

My name is [XXX] , and I am writing to formally submit a complaint regarding the loss of my vehicle due to engine fire. The vehicle was a 2021 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon, VIN [XXX] , with approximately 26,666 miles at the time of loss. I purchased the vehicle on May 13, 2021. The fire occurred on July 10, 2025. I was driving on the freeway, and my vehicle lost power and dashboard warning lights illuminated. When I pulled over, the engine was on fire. The fire department came and doused the flames but my entire engine was destroyed. After the fire, I retained legal counsel and initiated an independent investigation through Fire Cause Analysis in Berkeley, California. Their findings identified the origin of the fire as being linked to the power steering pump electrical connector. I later discovered that the federal safety agency has an open investigation identified as PE24024 concerning Jeep Gladiator engine fires which notes that the fires reported to the federal safety agency for this vehicle originated at the power steering pump electrical connector - coinciding with the finding of Fire Cause Analysis. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Jan 9, 2026 · Electrical, Steering · TX

While driving yesterday vehicle lost power steering and almost cause a crash. Upon talking to multiple shops and online researching we all came to a conclusion it was the can bus board (controller area network) shops stated this is a very know problem with jeeps. I feel as this is a safety factor for this. Now I am at the point in fixing it and trading in the vehicle due to my family and trying to be safe. Codes are saying lost of communication with can bus basically all the computers are not talking to each other.

Filed Aug 29, 2024 · Brakes, Driver assistance · AK

This vehicle has a repeating electronic problem involving the warning lights and function of abs, traction control, four-wheel drive system, forward collision warning, and both adaptive and normal cruise control. When the steering wheel is turned slightly right, like when navigating a highway curve, those warnings illuminate and the vehicle disables cruise control. It also has a lack of power due to what seems to be the traction control system activating. Also, the brake system has a shutter in the pedal and has reduced effectiveness for a few moments until the ABS and traction control systems stop function. I have taken the vehicle into a dealer, Larry H Miller CDJR in West Bountiful, Utah when it started to show this problem as I was leaving Portland. They replaced the front left ABS wheel speed sensor. This did not rectify the problem. I then took it to Gene's Chrysler in Fairbanks, Alaska upon my return home. That shop failed to warranty the repair, and charged additional diagnosis fees on top of correcting the Z96 high pressure fuel pump recall. They advised replacing the clock spring in the steering wheel that provides electrical connection to the buttons and is integrated in all of those safety systems. Prior Jeep models have had a consistent problem with the clock spring failing and a recall was issued due to affecting airbag deployment from the steering wheel. I am concerned that this clock spring related issue may lead to reduced braking effectiveness, loss of power at speed to react to traffic, and failure to deploy the airbag in an accident. The dealerships will not warranty this repair.

Filed Jul 16, 2024 · Brakes, Steering · TX

My 2021 Jeep Gladiator received the 19A Clutch Recall in late June 2024. The recall was issued due to clutch pressure plates disintegrating, blowing a hole in the transmission housing, and causing vehicle fires. Upon return, my vehicle was unable to drive smoothly. After further investigation, I determined that if the clutch and throttle were operated concurrently, the engine would shut off. The engine would shut off anywhere between 1 MPH and highway speed causing issues with operating hydraulically assisted systems (power brakes and power steering). In practice, this led to the engine shutting off between most gear shifts causing a jerky driving condition due to the engine needing to clutch start itself. I did not test how well the steering or brakes worked while the engine was shut off due to safety concerns. While pulling into my driveway, I momentarily lost control of the vehicle when the engine died while traveling at low speed and with the steering wheel turned. I lost power steering and was unable to correct the direction in travel before driving onto my lawn. I returned the vehicle to the dealership and replicated the issue for them. They confirmed the issue was present. The issue was determined to be a faulty ECU flash causing the issue. A revised flash was made available to dealerships 7/12/24 and installed in my vehicle 7/15/24. Component that Failed: Faulty ECU flash Safety: The vehicle's engine would shut off while moving Reproduced by Dealership: Yes Inspected by Manufacturer: No Warning lights or messages: No Additional Info: I have been in contact with other owners with the same issue. This faulty ECU flash seems to only have had this effect on 2021 models. The following is personal input. I hope the irony is not lost on you all that a safety recall fix caused an arguably more pronounced and repeatable safety problem. Additionally, I notified Jeep Cares that this could kill or injure someone and they told me to send Chrysler a letter.

Filed May 7, 2024 · Fuel system · IL

Mopar recall Z96 posted October, 13th 2022 for high pressure fuel pump. My local dealership stated parts for replacement of the high pressure fuel pump did not become available until November of 2023. They inspected my vehicle November 21st, 2023 and determined the high pressure fuel pump was to be replaced under mopar recall Z96. Dealership ordered parts at that time. On to March 4th, 2024. I reach out to local dealerships service and parts departments. Not all parts had been received and there was no understanding of when the rest of the necessary parts would arrive. May 7th, 2024. It is now nearly 1 year and 7 months since this recall was released and nearing 6 months since my local dealership stated they ordered parts to replace the fuel pump. My local dealership continues to have no understanding or intention of securing the remaining parts necessary to complete this recall. This amount of time is unreasonable for a part that if it fails will cause loss of engine power and may cause a fatal crash.

Filed Jan 26, 2023 · Transmission · WA

Transmission exploded while driving the highway creating a large hole on the side and sending shrapnel out which damaged further components. Transmission fluid was dumped all over the highway and vehicle lost power. It is available and I have photos and a video of when the failure accured. There are mutliple others who have had the same issue onFacebook group called Jeep Clutch Recal, related to a clutch recall that came out just before my Jeep was manufcatured. The failure occured with no other warnings available to me, Jeep told me that there was a fault code but would not give me a printout of the code or when it appeared saying the information was propriatery. Youtube video of failure https://youtu.be/1FBB33TWLPQ

Filed Nov 5, 2022 · Transmission · CO

As I was driving my vehicle was losing power intermittently to the drive train. It was like the clutch was being engaged partially although I was not shifting gears. As I made a left turn I was nearly in a collision as power was not transferred to the drive train as it normally would have been. another 10 miles later my vehicle lost all power to the drive train although the engine was still running. I coasted to the side of the road and turned the vehicle off. I could smell something burning although no flames were evident. I waited a few minutes and restarted the vehicle. I tried shifting gears but the transmission would not engage. I left the vehicle at the side of the road and called the dealership where I purchased the vehicle as well as notifying Jeep Cares (I don’t think so). The vehicle was in the shop for 4 weeks as the clutch had to be replaced as well as some transmission cables which I understand were damaged from the heat generated by the clutch and pressure plate failure. I now understand there was a recall related to a faulty clutch pressure plate system and I am told the fix, a software modification that reduces power to the drive train when excessive heat is detected, was done prior to my purchasing the vehicle new in April 2021. The repairs done to my vehicle were done as a good will gesture according to the dealer but I have no confidence that the same thing will not happen again. Losing power in an intersection or on a major highway is a safety concern that I now have. In addition I have read of these Jeep vehicles with manual transmissions and faulty clutch / pressure plate systems actually catching fire. In my conversations with representatives from Jeep and AutoNation where I purchased the vehicle no one is willing to admit there is an ongoing problem and safety issue. This is why I am notifying the federal safety agency.

Filed Feb 21, 2022 · Electrical, Steering · AR

1. Major electrical system intermittent failures, each incident progressively longer lasting and various malfunction warning lights/messages displayed in dash. 2. Loss of power steering while driving on three separate occasions within a 40 day period. First incident was loss of steering for only a few seconds. Second incident vehicle had to beame shut off and on multiple times before the computer reset and the vehicle drove fine. Third incident was catstrophic loss of electrical the system while driving, vehicle was pulled into middle turn lane where the engine died and would not start. Vehicle unable to start, shift, display hazard warning indicators etc. Vehicle displayed many errors and stated due to safety it would not be allowed to start without servicing. 3. Jeep has been at dealer three times. First incident, electrical malfunctioning was blamed on power step installation. Second incident was blamed on loose ground wire in engine bay. Third incident has yet to be determined by dealer. Vehicle is still at dealer, and there were approximately 73 computer DTC's pulled by the technicians that I was informed of. 4. Many various warning lamps and messages appeared on dash. Everything from shifter, engine, power steering, 4WD, no bus error, TPMS, electronic stability control, anti lock brakes, airbag system etc. These errors flickered on and off randomly before moving to next error displayed.

Filed Jan 20, 2022 · Steering · 2,900 miles · MI

The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Gladiator. The contact stated while driving 75 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently lost power steering assist. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact continued to drive the vehicle with manual steering functionality. The contact stated that one and a half miles later the vehicle regained power steering functionality. The contact pulled to the nearest parking lot and notified the dealer of the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the steering pump needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 2,900.

Filed Oct 23, 2021 · Electrical, Steering · WI

This is the second occurrence I’ve had with this vehicle. While driving on a rural two lane highway, traveling approximately 60 miles per hour, my instrument cluster began to flash a “Service Shifter” warning. This warning was simultaneously joined by a check engine light, random readings of speed, rpm fluctuations, activation of the un-commanded activation windshield wipers, and intermittent loss of power steering. Video of this incident is available from when it occurred in May 2021 at 9000 miles, and again in October 2021 at roughly 18000 miles. It is unknown what system or components are causing this error. The first occurrence was cleared by reseating of fuses, however this second occurrence cannot be resolved so far. The vehicle has been in the shop for 12 days so far with no end in sight. The repair problem has been elevated to FCA by the dealership. My primary safety concern with this incident is the sudden loss of power steering. Should this had occurred to a less experienced driver, roads in poor condition due to weather, or higher speeds, this incident certainly could result in a loss of vehicle control.

Filed May 31, 2021 · Steering · WI

I have a 2021 Jeep Gladiator Sport S 3.6L with an automatic transmission. I have been the only owner of the vehicle and bought it new in February 2021. The vehicle currently has just over 9700 miles. The only modification done to the vehicle are new wheels and tires. Today while out for a drive the Jeep suddenly experienced a malfunction. All lights and indicators on the dash began to flash various lights, alarms and warnings. The check engine light, ABS light, and airbag lights came on, along with the ECM warning, steering and traction control lights. The fuel level showed zero, then full, the warning screen flashed messages including: Speed Control, Messaging Unavailable, Service Required- No Bus, then switching to Service Electronic Stability Control, and a BRAKE warning appeared. Next, and most alarming, the vehicle showed the error AUTO PARK DISABLED which resulted in a loss of power steering control. The vehicle would not shift correctly and the engine switched on and off with the transmission indicator flashing all gears and the windshield wipers starting on their own, finally rotating to "Service Shifter" before starting the cycle over. Because I was on a back country road I was able to make a safe controlled stop. Had this occurred on a busy highway there could very easily have been an accident from loss of control. I do have video of the screen flashes and wipers activating.