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2021 Jeep Gladiator: stuck in gear or won't shift

9 of the 294 complaints about the 2021 Jeep Gladiator describe stuck in gear or won't shift.

owner complaints
9
of this car's complaints
3%
recalls
3
Is there a fix? There are 3 recalls and 64 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below

Stuck in gear or won't shift by model year

  • 2025
    1
  • 2024
    1
  • 2023
    3
  • 2022
    3
  • 2021
    9
  • 2020
    6

What owners say

Filed Aug 11, 2026 · Acceleration, Fuel system · GA

Truck failed to find gear shuddered lost speed in traffic while going up a hill. Limp mode was initiated. This is a known manufacturers defect with a tsb applied against the known issue. Issue is widespread when researched but not made known by the manufacturer of the truck. Dealership refusing repair under goodwill due to truck being out of mileage by 5000miles. Symptoms started prior to exiting warranty but due to no communication by dealership or manufacturer unit was not brought in for repair prior. Repeat this is a known defect that is being ignored by manufacturer.

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 6, 2026 · Fuel system · ID

7/5/2026. Driving home on the highway the Jeep went into limp mode and shut down. The Fault flashed on the screen for about 15 seconds (Throttle Body Falut) Problem is there is no warning when it happens. It just shuts down. This creates a "REALLY SERIOUS HAZZARD" This time it did register a fault on the computer and we were able to pull it off the reader. The Fault reads as follows: POOAF In looking it up on this is a manufacuring problem that can be caused by a little dirt, Can be caused by hot weather. THIS IS NOT SAFE! MY I REPEAT, THIS IS NOT SAFE! This should be recalled and Fixed as I am sure this shutting down on the Hiways and Interstates have killed people that were not able to deal with a situation. Please force a recall befor lives are lost!

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 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.

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 May 19, 2025 · Engine · CO

Failed Right intake camshaft and roller rocker arm. Failure causes misfires and limp mode to be activated when trying to pass and accelerate and in my case was while going up a hill and unable to complete a safe pass of another truck. Known issue by Jeep and Stellantis as they have redesigned a kit for this specific part and upgraded software to increase pressure to the oiling system, but they have failed to replace parts and are 12000 orders behind on parts at ths current moment truck has been undriveable for greater than 45 days. Flashing check engine light and warning lights in place

Filed May 31, 2022 · Engine · TX

3.0 EcoDiesel in the Jeep Gladiator has cooling issues. Thousands of users affected and discussing on forums and on Facebook groups but the manufacturer is unwilling to fix. Core of the issue is that the engine was altered in the Gladiator and Wrangler over previous installations in the Ram and Grand Cherokee by removing oil coolers and a larger oil pan, which has resulted in high oil temps. At 265 degrees (which is accomplished easily during the summer with a trailer UNDER the tow rating), the engine starts derating and limp mode. The aftermarket community has tested everything ... removing hoods, fenders different cooling solutions, etc and nothing is working at the moment other than aftermarket solutions to cool the oil (which are negligible at best at the moment due to the space constraints imposed by the engine being quite large in the engine bay not not substantial room for a larger oil pan and external cooler). Chrysler should have put more work in to the design, or not sold the EcoDiesel in the vehicle.

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.

Service bulletins that may apply

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

Questions about the 2021 Jeep Gladiator won't shift

Is stuck in gear or won't shift a common problem on the 2021 Jeep Gladiator?

9 of 294 owner complaints about the 2021 Jeep Gladiator (3%) mention stuck in gear or won't shift. The model year with the most reports is 2021.

Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2021 Jeep Gladiator?

There are 3 recalls and 64 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.

Other symptoms on the 2021 Jeep Gladiator

Loss of power 12Power steering loss 12Check engine light 11Start-stop 11Fuel pump 9Stalling 8Pulling 8Adaptive cruise 6Fire or smoke 6Overheating 6Seat belt 6Slipping 6Wipers 6Won't start 6Headlights 5Shudder 5Sudden acceleration 5Windshield crack 5

All model years of the Jeep Gladiator

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