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2021 Jeep Gladiator transmission problems

72 complaints (24% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 31,000.

owner complaints
72
of this car's complaints
24%
typical mileage
31,000
crashes
0
recalls
3

Which part fails

  • Clutch assembly
    1
  • Axle assembly: axle shaft: seal
    1
  • Automatic transmission: internal: clutches/bands
    1
  • Automatic transmission
    1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Jeep Gladiator transmission problems in other years

202020212022202320242025

Specific symptoms reported on the 2021 Jeep Gladiator transmission

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Won't shift 9Slipping 6Shudder 5

Related recalls

Power train: manual transmission: control module: softwareReported August 1, 2024 · 94 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021 Jeep Wrangler and Jeep Gladiator vehicles that were previously remedied under the federal safety agency 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.
Risk
A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will update the powertrain control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 15, 2024. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1‑800‑853‑1403. FCA US LLC's number for this recall is 92B. Vehicles previously repaired under recall 23V‑116 will need to have the new remedy completed.

Recall number 24V572000 · Recall details

Power train: clutch assemblyReported February 23, 2023 · 69,201 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
Overheated clutch components may increase the risk of a fire. Additionally, damage to other nearby components can result in debris falling onto the road or a loss of drive, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the clutch assembly and update the software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed from November 16, 2023 through July 25, 2024. Owners may contact (FCA US, LLC) customer service at 1‑800‑853‑1403. FCA US LLC's number for this recall is 19A. This recall expands and replaces previous recall 21V‑028. Vehicles previously repaired under recall 21V‑028 will need to have the new remedy completed.

Recall number 23V116000 · Recall details

Power train: clutch assemblyReported January 28, 2021 · 42,887 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
Overheated clutch components may increase the risk of a fire. Additionally, damage to other nearby components can result in debris falling onto the road or a loss of drive, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
FCA US LLC will notify owners, and dealers will add software to reduce engine torque capability when clutch assembly temperatures rise to a level that may damage the inner pressure plate, free of charge." FCA has ordered a stop sale for the affected vehicles as of February 25, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 4, 2021.

Recall number 21V028000 · Recall details

What 2021 Jeep Gladiator owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Nov 6, 2026 · Transmission · TX

Hard shift between 3rd and 4th gear during initial startup of vehicle. Transmission oil changed and shift is more pronounced.

Filed Sep 28, 2026 · Transmission · 26,000 miles · NY

The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Gladiator. The contact stated that two years ago the vehicle was taken to a dealer to be repaired under the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V116000 (Power Train); to prevent the clutch from overheating. However, the failure started after the vehicle was repaired under the recall repair. The contact stated that while driving, there was smoke coming from under the hood. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and the vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer to be diagnosed; however, the dealer was unable to perform the inspection or confirm the failure due to the age and mileage on the vehicle. The contact stated that the software update included a transmission kill switch to be activated whenever the clutch overheated, but the kill switch failed to operate as intended. The message that the clutch was overheating was displayed on the instrument panel during the failure. There was a burning odor and smoke during the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 26,000.

Filed Sep 9, 2026 · Transmission · MA

My Transmission is skipping on 3rd gear ratio code and reverse is getting stuck with only 70,000 2021 and i was the only owner.

Filed Aug 24, 2026 · Transmission · CO

Component Affected: Power Train / Automatic Transmission (850RE 8-Speed)Description of Safety Hazard:While driving my 2022 Jeep Gladiator (53,940 miles), the transmission experienced a severe internal component failure, specifically throwing error code P0733-00 (Gear 3 Shift Incorrect Ratio). This causes the transmission to violently slip, shift harshly, or completely fail to engage 3rd gear while accelerating.This creates an immediate and severe safety hazard on public roads. When the transmission fails to engage the gear, the vehicle experiences a sudden, uncommanded loss of motive power while in traffic. This leaves the vehicle coasting without acceleration, exposing myself and my passengers to an extremely high risk of being rear-ended by oncoming traffic.This issue is a known manufacturing defect involving the internal transmission "D" Clutch assembly, as documented in manufacturer Technical Service Bulletin TSB 21-009-25. The dealership refused to properly pull the historical codes or address the issue, leaving a dangerous, defect-plagued vehicle on the road. Stellantis / Jeep needs to issue a mandatory safety recall for this 850RE transmission D-clutch defect before this sudden loss of acceleration causes a fatal accident

Filed Jul 15, 2026 · Transmission · AR

2021 Jeep Gladiator Sport S equipped with 6 speed manual transmission purchased from Landers Jeep in Little Rock Ar. Vehicle required the A-19 clutch recall. Recall was completed and I took ownership 6/17/2025. I returned the vehicle within the first week of ownership due to the "service transmission" light periodically coming on. Dealership reset the clutch counter and attempted to give me advice on how to drive a vehicle I was more than capable driving before purchasing. After 13 months and 13k miles I have now gotten a "clutch hot fully release clutch pedal and reduce clutch use" warning twice while traveling down the interstate at 65mph. When this light comes on the vehicle enters "limp mode" and dramatically loses power, not to mention the original recall warnings of fire and fragments. Now clutch is slipping and vehicle power is reduced. Today at a scheduled service appointment to readdress this issue, I was informed by the service manager at Landers that they only fix recalls once and will not readdress the issue.

Filed Jul 7, 2026 · Transmission · IN

Engine oil light came on. Inspected at Tom Obrien Jeep for low oil pressure. Technician found that one of the oil sprayers was not bolted onto block, screw was there and tight, sprayer was in oil pan. It was incorrectly assembled. Jeep would not warranty due to lack of oil change receipts which is irrelevant.

Filed Jun 11, 2026 · Transmission · LA

Engine light came on, vehicle went into limp mode. Transmission would not shift any higher than 3rd gear and kept slipping while on interstate! Was almost hit by several 18 wheelers! Jeep dealership said our vin is not part of the service bulletin but they did get the P0733 code! Make it make sense! I guess we’re supposed to get run over by 18 wheelers before they’ll fix it!

Filed May 30, 2026 · Transmission · CA

There was a recall for the clutch. I took it to the dealer (Autonation Jeep in Santa Clarita, CA). Ever since then, there is an intermittent, non-reproducible grinding and clicking (sound and feeling through the pedal) in the clutch (like a loose piece/nut is bouncing around and clanking and grinding against the clutch). The clutch pedal is also more spongy, catching only about halfway down, and sometimes feeling like at full depression it is not entirely engaged. I have taken it back to the dealer twice, and both times they will not work on it because they cannot hear or reproduce the feel/sound. The sponginess of the clutch is subjective, they say, and their opinion is that it feels fine.

Filed May 25, 2026 · Transmission · LA

I recently experienced significant transmission issues, specifically hard engage in reverse (cold), and failure to shift higher than 3rd gear. The rear axle is leaking and the front axle is shaking. My jeep has the P0733 code for the D-clutch failure confirmed at a Jeep dealership, along with the steering damper Campaign XF1 and the Dana M220 axle (TSB 03-001-23) and should be included in these TSB’s/CSN’s/Campaigns! It is currently sitting at the Jeep Dealership in Covington, La unable to be driven needing $9790 worth of repairs from all of these and I’ve barely had it a year! I am so disappointed in Jeep

Filed May 20, 2026 · Transmission · NC

Last year I received a message, letter and perhaps an email related to my jeep and recall for the clutch plate assembly. The recall was performed twice because first was incorrect. Transmission had to be replaced a few weeks later. Since then, I've had numerous visits to dealership, and had several incidents this week traveling across country to clear "Service Transmission messages: on the display, and two incidents where the jeep went into "limp mode" at high speeds. Four more stops have not fixed the problem. Now I am at a place who has found that the transmission was not installed properly, the software wasn't properly flashed and things were left hanging (connectors and cables) without being properly secured. The transmission was replaced under warranty, which has run out, but these messages have been appearing since the original recall. Now, I am going to have to pay a large fee (over 3000 dollars) to get Jeep back. Plus paying 100 to another dealership in Kansas to have them look at the jeep without a remedy. (See:Jeep Recall 19A / the federal safety agency Campaign 23V116, the federal safety agency Recall 24V‑572, the federal safety agency Recall 21V‑028 / Jeep Recall Y01 ) - my Jeep is listed as "0 recalls" but the dealership has not reported any work on my vehicle to CarFax. The repair shop is working with me to collect evidence (Photos, documentation, and data about the Jeep's issues. ALL of this began immediately after the first recall last year, and these problems have not been remedied, and the Jeep has become dangerous when on the highway. (Limp mode multiple times: 17 Feb2026, 13 May 26, 13 May 26 all at highway speeds). This should have been covered under warranty, and I should not be subjected to "No repair" because a dealership "Doesn't see a problem" - the computer doesn't keep any codes for these incidents, thus they will not dig into the problem, and now warranty has expired so they can charge whatever they wish.

Questions about the 2021 Jeep Gladiator transmission

Does the 2021 Jeep Gladiator have transmission problems?

Owners have filed 72 complaints about the transmission of the 2021 Jeep Gladiator, 24% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 2021 Jeep Gladiator transmission problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 31,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2021 Jeep Gladiator transmission?

Yes, 3 recalls: 24V572000, 23V116000, 21V028000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the Jeep Gladiator have bad transmission?

The Jeep Gladiator model years with the most transmission complaints are 2021 (72 complaints), 2020 (55 complaints) and 2022 (21 complaints).

Other 2021 Jeep Gladiator problems

Steering 95Engine 54Electrical 46Suspension 41Fuel system 33Brakes 17Acceleration 14Lights 13Visibility 12Driver assistance 9Wheels 8Airbags 6Seat belts 3Body 2Seats 1Tires 1

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