NHTSA // CRASH-TESTED
2021 Jeep Gladiator Safety Ratings
The 2021 Jeep Gladiator scores 57 out of 100 on the NHTSA Safety Index (Weak), 8 recalls, and 277 owner complaints on file.
Updated Oct 1, 2026 from NHTSA data · Reviewed by Ivanna Verstliar
For the 2021 model year, the Jeep Gladiator presents a Safety Index score of 57 out of 100, a five-point reduction from its 2020 predecessor's 62 out of 100. This places the vehicle in our Weak safety band. This decline is largely attributable to an increase in its defect record. Prospective buyers should consider the incomplete crash test data and the ongoing recall campaigns.
The 2021 Jeep Gladiator received a NHTSA Safety Index of 57 out of 100 and a 3-out-of-5-star NHTSA rollover rating, based on federal NHTSA data.
MotorCaliber Safety Desk // NHTSA data, verified Oct 1, 2026
Among the 94 Sedans from 2021 that NHTSA has crash-tested, the 2021 Jeep Gladiator ranks 93 for overall NHTSA Safety Index.
- shoppers who want the full federal safety picture in one place
| NHTSA Safety Index | 57 / 100 (Weak) |
|---|---|
| Frontal / Side / Rollover | 4 / 3 stars |
| Rollover risk | 26.7% |
| Recalls on file | 8 (includes park-outside) |
| Owner complaints | 277 (unverified allegations) |
| Class rank | 93 of 94 Sedans tested for 2021 |
| Data verified | Oct 1, 2026 |
ANALYSISHow safe is the 2021 Jeep Gladiator?
The 2021 Jeep Gladiator demonstrates a decline in safety performance from the prior model year. Its NHTSA Safety Index score of 57/100 places it in the Weak band, a drop from 62/100 for the 2020 model. A primary factor in this reduced standing is the defect record sub-score of 3 out of 20 points, driven by 8 recall campaigns. Among these is a critical park-outside recall concerning the power steering pump, an issue spanning the 2021 model year. Crash protection, while bolstered by a 4-star frontal impact rating, scored 49.8 out of 70. This sub-score is incomplete, however, as NHTSA did not publish an overall rating or a side-impact rating for this vehicle. The rollover assessment is a clear area of concern, with 3 out of 5 stars and a 27-percent risk of rollover. Avoidance technology received 4.5 out of 10 points; lane departure warning is unavailable for this model year, and forward collision warning is an optional feature rather than standard. Compounding these issues are 277 consumer complaints, with a notable concentration in the Steering category. The 2021 Gladiator's combination of a lower Safety Index, an active recall of serious concern, and numerous owner complaints indicates a model year requiring careful consideration.
NCAP // CRASH TESTHow did the 2021 Jeep Gladiator perform in crash tests?
The 2021 Jeep Gladiator did not receive an overall safety rating from NHTSA, nor were its side impact safety evaluations completed. Its strongest individual result came in the frontal crash test, where it earned a 4-out-of-5-star rating. The Gladiator's rollover rating stands at 3 out of 5 stars, with a 27-percent rollover risk based on its dynamic tip test result of No Tip.
Source: NHTSA NCAP, VehicleId 15470
Index breakdown
NCAP // CRASH IMAGESCrash-test images
Crash-test images are US federal government works (NHTSA / NCAP), public domain.
NHTSA // RECALLSDoes the 2021 Jeep Gladiator have any recalls?
The 2021 Jeep Gladiator carries 8 NHTSA recall campaigns. One is a park-outside or do-not-drive campaign tied to the electric hydraulic power steering pump. Additional campaigns cover the instrument panel cluster, manual transmission control module software, a 3.0L diesel fuel pump, and the clutch assembly on manual-transmission vehicles. Owners should verify remedy status by VIN.
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP26V363000
Risk: A vehicle fire increases the risk of injury.
Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures, until their vehicle is repaired. Dealers will inspect and replace the wiring and electric hydraulic power steering pump, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed July 9, 2026. Owners may contact FCA US LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US LLC's number for this recall is 21D. The Vehicle
Reported 2026-06-04
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL24V652000
Risk: An instrument panel that fails to display critical safety information, such as the speedometer or warning lights, can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the instrument panel cluster, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed between October 3, 2024, and January 23, 2025. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recall is 30B.
Reported 2024-09-05
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE24V572000
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.
Reported 2024-08-01
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP23V263000
Risk: Fuel pump failure can result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the HPFP and replace additional fuel system components, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 17, 2023. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 01A.
Reported 2023-04-13
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY23V116000
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
Reported 2023-02-23
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP22V767000
Risk: An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the HPFP and inspect and replace additional fuel system components, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 17, 2023. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is Z96.
Reported 2022-10-13
BACK OVER PREVENTION:DISPLAY FUNCTION22V638000
Risk: A rearview camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the radio software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 6, 2022. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA, LLC's number for this recall is Z86.
Reported 2022-08-25
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY21V028000
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.
Reported 2021-01-28
NHTSA // COMPLAINTSWhat do owners report about the 2021 Jeep Gladiator?
Owners have filed 277 unverified complaints with NHTSA for the 2021 Gladiator, with alleged reports of 7 crashes, 3 fires, and 7 injuries. The most frequently alleged problem areas are Steering with 91 reports, Power Train with 66, Engine with 53, Electrical System with 44, and Suspension with 39. These are unverified consumer allegations, not established facts.
277 owner complaints on file. These are unverified allegations reported to NHTSA.
USED BUYERWhat should used buyers know about the 2021 Jeep Gladiator?
Verifying recall completion is paramount for any prospective owner of a 2021 Gladiator. At least one open campaign for this model carries a park-outside or do-not-drive designation, underscoring the necessity of checking each vehicle's VIN against NHTSA's recall lookup tool prior to purchase.
- The 2021 Gladiator's Safety Index of 57/100 represents a five-point decline from the 2020 model year's 62/100, a year-over-year drop driven primarily by the defect record sub-score of only 3 out of 20 points.
- One of the 8 recall campaigns for this model year is a park-outside or do-not-drive designation tied to the electric hydraulic power steering pump, a critical safety concern that must be resolved before the vehicle is driven.
- NHTSA did not assign an overall star rating or a side-impact star rating to the 2021 Gladiator; the only completed crash-test results are a 4-star frontal score and a 3-star rollover score with a 27-percent rollover risk.
- Steering is the top complaint category with 91 unverified NHTSA reports, which aligns directly with the active power steering pump recall campaign affecting 2021 Gladiator vehicles.
RANKINGSWhere the 2021 Jeep Gladiator places
The 2021 Jeep Gladiator qualifies for these MotorCaliber safety rankings:
FAQ2021 Jeep Gladiator safety questions
Was the 2021 Jeep Gladiator crash-tested by NHTSA?
Yes. NHTSA crash-tested the 2021 Jeep Gladiator, and it earns a NHTSA Safety Index of 57 out of 100, placing it in the Weak band. The index combines federal crash-test stars, standard crash-avoidance tech, and the recall record.
What are the 2021 Jeep Gladiator crash-test star ratings?
In NHTSA testing the 2021 Jeep Gladiator earned 4 out of 5 stars for frontal and 3 out of 5 stars for rollover. Its measured rollover risk is 26.7%. Categories NHTSA did not test show as not rated.
How many recalls does the 2021 Jeep Gladiator have?
According to NHTSA recall data, 8 vehicle recalls are on file for the 2021 Jeep Gladiator, including a park-outside or do-not-drive campaign, which is the most serious class of recall. Confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov to see which apply to your car.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 2021 Jeep Gladiator?
According to NHTSA's complaint database, 277 owner complaints are on file for the 2021 Jeep Gladiator. These are unverified allegations submitted by owners, not confirmed defects, and include reports involving a crash or a fire.
Cross-check this record against independent expert reviews and the live NHTSA database before you buy.
Other Gladiator years
Rivals in Sedan (2021)
| Vehicle | NHTSA Safety Index | Overall stars | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Audi RS 5 Sportback | 100/100 | not rated | 0 |
| 2021 Audi S5 Sportback | 100/100 | not rated | 0 |
| 2021 Nissan Maxima | 100/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2021 Audi A4 Allroad | 99/100 | not rated | 1 |
| 2021 Cadillac CT5-V | 97/100 | not rated | 0 |
| 2021 Infiniti Q50 | 97/100 | not rated | 3 |
- DATA Pulled directly from NHTSA: New Car Assessment Program crash tests (VehicleId 15470), the recallsByVehicle and complaintsByVehicle records for the Jeep Gladiator 2021.
- SCORE The NHTSA Safety Index (0-100) weights crash protection, standard crash-avoidance tech, and the defect record. Full formula on the methodology page. It ranks 93 of 94 in the Sedan class for 2021.
- EDITED Written by the MotorCaliber Safety Desk and reviewed for accuracy and plain-language clarity by Ivanna Verstliar, Editor, against the source figures on this page.
- VERIFIED Data last synced Oct 1, 2026. Recalls change; confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. See our corrections policy and disclosure.