2021 Jeep Wrangler: hesitation when accelerating

Filed Oct 23, 2026 · Acceleration, Engine · TX · crash

While towing a utility trailer on the highway, the vehicle suddenly lost acceleration and could not maintain normal power while the driver was attempting to pass a semi-truck. During the incident, the semi-truck contacted the trailer and shredded one of the trailer tires. Three occupants were inside the vehicle. No injuries occurred, but the incident created a serious risk of a fatal collision. The vehicle has repeatedly displayed “Service Electronic Stability Control” and other warning lights, together with loss of power and transmission hesitation/slipping. The same concern has been reported to the dealership during approximately three service visits. The dealership previously replaced the air filter and attributed the warning lights to it, but the condition returned. Dated videos show the warning condition before and after that repair. The vehicle is currently back at the dealership for the recurring safety concern.

Filed Sep 26, 2026 · Acceleration, Electrical · CO

Since the 68C recall, my 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe has not behaved normally and has become increasingly unpredictable. Even with a mostly or nearly full battery, it frequently will not operate in pure electric mode at lower speeds, particularly on even slight inclines. The gas engine can suddenly start when I am expecting electric operation, sometimes accompanied by hesitation, lurching, or an abrupt change in power delivery. I have genuine safety concerns with the vehicle because I cannot reliably predict how it will respond to accelerator input. There have been instances of reduced or delayed power followed by sudden engagement, which is especially concerning when pulling into traffic, crossing an intersection, merging, or maneuvering on a hill. These problems began following the 68C recall, and the vehicle's current behavior does not feel normal, consistent, or safe.

Filed Sep 22, 2026 · Fuel system · PA

Since recall 68C was completed in February, the performance of the vehicle in Electric mode has degraded significantly. Prior to 68C, the gas engine was nearly impossible to engage in electric mode which was a good thing and clearly intended for extreme circumstances where unusually rapid acceleration was required. Also prior to 68C the electric acceleration was dependable and predictable both around town and at highway speeds. I live atop a 1.5 mile hill and could travel bottom to top without the engine engaging. Since 68C, I have consistently observed multiple changes in performance in electric mode: 1) the engine will engage much sooner and more frequently upon acceleration in any conditions. Wherever it happens, this is an unpredictable behavior that puts instant load on a cold, unlubricated engine. 2) At and approaching highway speeds in electric mode, the vehicle will begin to lose acceleration, hesitate and the gas engine will engage - again putting load on a cold, unlubricated engine. This can happen after several miles or after just a few miles. When the engine engages, it does not engage smoothly - the engine will rev high then drop down, then rev high then disengage - all inconsistently and all unexpectedly. While this is happening, the vehicle's acceleration or ability to maintain speed is inconsistent and constant manipulation of the throttle is necessary to ensure I'm not losing too much speed relative to the traffic around me. I don't know what changes were made as part of the 68C recall remedy but it has dramatically changed how electric mode is managed, has significantly decreased vehicle performance in electric mode and puts my and my passengers' safety at risk when I'm driving. The problem has not been reproduced by a dealer and I've confirmed that the latest software is installed. The component has not been inspected. The issues described above only presented after the 68C recall work was performed and occur without warning.

Filed Sep 20, 2026 · Fuel system · PA

2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe Sahara, VIN [XXX]. 1. The exact malfunctioning component is UNKNOWN; I suspect the hybrid propulsion system. The vehicle is available for inspection. After recall 68C was completed, accelerator response, electric-power availability, and combined gasoline/electric performance changed substantially. The Jeep hesitates when I press the accelerator, the gasoline engine starts at unexpected times, and full electric-mode operation becomes restricted. Combined acceleration is noticeably weaker than before the recall. My complaint concerns restricted propulsion power, not reduced driving range. Horsepower loss has not been independently measured. Whether battery overheating or thermal-protection controls cause these restrictions is UNKNOWN. 2. I regularly pull out into traffic expecting the acceleration the vehicle previously provided, but the Jeep hesitates or fails to gain speed quickly enough. The approaching driver behind me then has to slow down. This recurring delayed response and reduced acceleration make safe gaps harder to judge and create a risk of a rear-end collision. 3. No dealer or independent service center has reproduced or confirmed these post-recall problems. 4. Recall 68C was completed, but these subsequent drivability problems have not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives, or others. 5. I first noticed these symptoms on XXX, at 62,000 miles, after recall 68C. They became more pronounced during summer 2026 as warmer weather set in. No warning lamps or messages accompanied these problems. I suspect a connection to the recall work based on the timing, but the exact cause is UNKNOWN. I request that the federal safety agency investigate whether the 68C remedy causes or leaves unresolved restricted propulsion power and delayed accelerator response. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Sep 18, 2026 · Fuel system · AZ

Following the completion of the 68C recall, My Jeep does not have the responsiveness and speed that it did before. Even with lots of battery left, the engine will kick on resulting in a loss of power and then difficulty getting it back up to speed. There’s also hesitations when going to make a turn or accelerating through an intersection after slowing down. This vehicle is not like it was before that recall work was done. I view this is a huge safety factor if I’m not able to maintain my vehicle speed or accelerate when I need to.

Filed Jun 26, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · VA

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.

Filed Jun 26, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · FL

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.

Filed Apr 26, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · VA

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.

Filed Feb 16, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · AL

The jeep was taken to the dealership under a software battery recall and the software was updated. One week later while driving at approximately 55mph, there was a sudden jerk in the propulsion system. the car shifted abruptly from electric to gas motor and the electric mode was unavailable. The vehicle jerked and hesitated at every acceleration and deceleration causing unsafe operating conditions . The check engine light was on I returned it to the dealer immediately and was told that the high voltage hybrid battery was bad. I'm pretty convinced from my and other experiences that the software up date was not a remedy to previous incidents reported to you. It was a software patch that determined if the battery was bad.

Filed Jul 26, 2024 · Engine, Fuel system · 70,000 miles · MS

The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed and attempting to accelerate, the vehicle briefly hesitated and lost motive power. The vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed failures with the O2 sensor, knock sensor and diesel particulate system. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 70,000.

Filed Aug 17, 2023 · Electrical, Fuel system · GA

March of 2023. Vehicle started hesitating and skipping. P0001 was logged. Dealership found terminals to connector to fuel pressure regulator were not crimped properly and loose. Repair was made. Aug 2023. Symptom have resurfaced this time logging code and shutting off while accelerating through an intersection. Logged code again P0001 Fuel Volume Regulator Control Circuit/Open.

Filed Dec 18, 2021 · Electrical · MI

As I was driving my vehicle, the dashboard displayed 2 warning signs that stated “service shifter” and “service shifter stop safely shut off engine to engage park”. This put my safety at risk because the vehicle hesitated even when attempting to pull over and shift the vehicle into park. While driving, the vehicle’s transmission had jerking movements that made it difficult to complete this task. The problem has not be confirmed by the auto maker. The vehicle has not been inspected. There were no warning lamps or messages to my Uconnect app about the status of the vehicle prior to the incident. Symptoms include delays in accelerating and the vehicle struggling to switch between gears. These problems first appeared approximately 1 month ago.