NHTSA // CRASH-TESTED
2021 Jeep Wrangler Safety Ratings
The 2021 Jeep Wrangler scores 54 out of 100 on the NHTSA Safety Index (Weak), 15 recalls, and 880 owner complaints on file.
Updated Oct 1, 2026 from NHTSA data · Reviewed by Ivanna Verstliar
The 2021 Jeep Wrangler earns a NHTSA Safety Index of 54/100, placing it in the Weak band. That score held flat versus the 2020 model, signaling no meaningful safety improvement. The 15 recalls, including park-outside campaigns, and a 3-star rollover rating make this a vehicle that demands careful scrutiny.
The 2021 Jeep Wrangler received a NHTSA Safety Index of 54/100 and a 3-star NHTSA rollover rating, sourced from federal NHTSA crash-test and recall data.
MotorCaliber Safety Desk // NHTSA data, verified Oct 1, 2026
Among the 118 SUVs from 2021 that NHTSA has crash-tested, the 2021 Jeep Wrangler ranks 117 for overall NHTSA Safety Index.
- shoppers who want the full federal safety picture in one place
| NHTSA Safety Index | 54 / 100 (Weak) |
|---|---|
| Frontal / Side / Rollover | 4 / 3 stars |
| Rollover risk | 27.9% |
| Recalls on file | 15 (includes park-outside) |
| Owner complaints | 880 (unverified allegations) |
| Class rank | 117 of 118 SUVs tested for 2021 |
| Data verified | Oct 1, 2026 |
ANALYSISHow safe is the 2021 Jeep Wrangler?
A persistent and measurable structural vulnerability defines the 2021 Jeep Wrangler's safety profile: its 3-star rollover rating, accompanied by a 28 percent rollover risk, reflects a concern inherent to this body-on-frame SUV configuration. This model year achieves a Safety Index of 54/100, which is unchanged from the 2020 model, indicating a lack of progress in its safety performance. The index breakdown shows that crash protection contributed 49.8 out of a possible 70 points. However, avoidance technology earned only 4.5 out of 10 points. This low score is due to the absence of a lane departure warning system and the classification of forward collision warning as an optional, rather than standard, feature. The defect record component registered 0 out of 20 points. This score is directly attributable to the 15 recall campaigns issued for the 2021 Wrangler. Three of these recalls carry park-outside or do-not-drive severity designations. Specifically, the park-outside steering pump recall and the high-voltage battery recall affecting 4XE trims are the most operationally disruptive findings for this model year. As a five-year-old vehicle now in the used market, the 2021 Jeep Wrangler presents a safety profile characterized by a static "Weak" band index score, a zero defect-record sub-score, and ongoing park-outside campaigns. Used-market shoppers must consider these factors carefully.
NCAP // CRASH TESTHow did the 2021 Jeep Wrangler perform in crash tests?
Frontal protection is a strength for the 2021 Jeep Wrangler, earning 4 out of 5 stars from NHTSA. However, its rollover resistance scored a concerning 3 out of 5 stars, with a 28-percent rollover risk. The dynamic tip test did return a No Tip result. Overall and side ratings are not available for this vehicle.
Source: NHTSA NCAP, VehicleId 15476
Index breakdown
NCAP // CRASH IMAGESCrash-test images
Crash-test images are US federal government works (NHTSA / NCAP), public domain.
NHTSA // RECALLSDoes the 2021 Jeep Wrangler have any recalls?
Yes. The 2021 Jeep Wrangler carries 15 recall campaigns. Two are park-outside orders: one covering the electric hydraulic power steering pump and one covering the high-voltage traction battery on 4XE variants. Additional campaigns address the rearview camera wiring harness, the instrument panel cluster, and a manual transmission control module software remedy that itself required a follow-up recall.
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:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY25V741000
Risk: A vehicle fire can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures and not to charge their vehicles until the remedy is completed. Dealers will update the high voltage battery software, and replace the high voltage battery, as necessary, free of charge. Some owner notification letters were mailed beginning December 17, 2025. The remaining owner notification letters will be mailed at a later date. Owners
Reported 2025-10-30
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA24V676000
Risk: A rearview camera image that does not display decreases the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash. Additionally, a center brake light that fails to illuminate can fail to indicate to other drivers that the vehicle is slowing down, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers replaced the harness for the center brake light and rearview camera and/or the spare tire carrier/harness assembly, as necessary, free of charge. All vehicles were repaired by January 15, 2024. Owner notification letters were mailed September 26, 2024. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 77B.
Reported 2024-09-12
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
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM24V111000
Risk: An inoperative windshield defrosting and defogging system may decrease the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the HCP software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 29, 2024. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is 04B.
Reported 2024-02-15
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY23V787000
Risk: A vehicle fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to recharge their vehicles, and to park outside and away from structures, until they are repaired. Dealers will update the high voltage battery pack software and replace the battery pack assembly if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 7, 2024. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this
Reported 2023-11-22
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
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS23V191000
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, remove the frame stud and apply paint, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 6, 2023. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 28A.
Reported 2023-03-23
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
ENGINE22V865000
Risk: An engine shutdown can cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: There is more than one involved component and calibration software. Updating the calibration software in the Transmission Control Module, Hybrid Control Processor and Auxiliary Hybrid Control Processor that changes fail safe from shut down to limp home. Dealers will update the transmission control module software, Hybrid Control Processor and Auxiliary Hybrid Control Processor, free of charge. Own
Reported 2022-11-23
SEAT BELTS:PRETENSIONER22V766000
Risk: A seat belt with pretensioner failure may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the front seat belt retractors. free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 8, 2022. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is Z95.
Reported 2022-10-13
NHTSA // COMPLAINTSWhat do owners report about the 2021 Jeep Wrangler?
Owners have filed 880 unverified complaints with NHTSA. Alleged problem areas include the Electrical System (291 reports), Steering (241), Engine (209), Suspension (177), and Power Train (135). These are unverified consumer allegations, not confirmed defects, but the volume and the steering concentration are notable alongside active recall activity.
880 owner complaints on file. These are unverified allegations reported to NHTSA.
USED BUYERWhat should used buyers know about the 2021 Jeep Wrangler?
Three recall campaigns for the 2021 Jeep Wrangler have been flagged with park-outside severity. Shoppers considering a used model should verify the VIN with NHTSA's recall lookup, as remedy completion on a pre-owned vehicle is not guaranteed. It is imperative to confirm which campaigns remain open and which have been remedied prior to purchase.
- The 2021 model year carries 15 NHTSA recall campaigns, including a park-outside order for the electric hydraulic power steering pump and a separate park-outside order for the high-voltage traction battery on 4XE variants.
- The defect-record sub-score for this specific year is 0 out of 20, the lowest possible component score, driven directly by the volume and severity of recall activity attached to 2021 production.
- A manual transmission control module software recall issued for the 2021 Wrangler was itself a follow-up to a prior remedy that proved inadequate, meaning some 2021 vehicles may have passed through one incomplete fix before a second campaign was issued.
- Forward collision warning is only optional on the 2021 Wrangler and lane departure warning is not available, limiting the avoidance technology sub-score to 4.5 out of 10 and leaving safety-tech gaps that cannot be addressed after purchase.
RANKINGSWhere the 2021 Jeep Wrangler places
The 2021 Jeep Wrangler qualifies for these MotorCaliber safety rankings:
FAQ2021 Jeep Wrangler safety questions
Was the 2021 Jeep Wrangler crash-tested by NHTSA?
Yes. NHTSA crash-tested the 2021 Jeep Wrangler, and it earns a NHTSA Safety Index of 54 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 Wrangler crash-test star ratings?
In NHTSA testing the 2021 Jeep Wrangler earned 4 out of 5 stars for frontal and 3 out of 5 stars for rollover. Its measured rollover risk is 27.9%. Categories NHTSA did not test show as not rated.
How many recalls does the 2021 Jeep Wrangler have?
According to NHTSA recall data, 15 vehicle recalls are on file for the 2021 Jeep Wrangler, 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 Wrangler?
According to NHTSA's complaint database, 880 owner complaints are on file for the 2021 Jeep Wrangler. 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 Wrangler years
Rivals in SUV (2021)
| Vehicle | NHTSA Safety Index | Overall stars | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Tesla Model X 5-Seat | 98/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2021 Tesla Model X 6-Seat | 98/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2021 Tesla Model X 7-Seat | 98/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2021 Nissan Murano | 96/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2021 Audi Q5 Sportback | 95/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2021 Mazda CX-3 | 95/100 | 5 of 5 | 1 |
- DATA Pulled directly from NHTSA: New Car Assessment Program crash tests (VehicleId 15476), the recallsByVehicle and complaintsByVehicle records for the Jeep Wrangler 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 117 of 118 in the SUV 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.