NHTSA // CRASH-TESTED
2021 Jeep Wrangler
Federal crash-test performance, recalls, and complaints, scored into one NHTSA Safety Index.
The Jeep Wrangler is an iconic body-on-frame SUV that sits at the heart of the off-road segment, aimed squarely at adventure-focused buyers who prioritize trail capability and open-air freedom over everyday refinement. Spanning model years 2019 through 2023, the Wrangler carries a devoted following, but shoppers considering one owe it to themselves to look hard at what the federal safety data actually says before signing anything.
Despite a strong crash-test showing, the 2021 Jeep Wrangler carries a park-outside or stop-driving recall, so read the recall section first. It has 15 recalls on record, reflected in the score.
- shoppers who want the full federal safety picture in one place
Reviewers generally celebrate the Wrangler's unmatched off-road capability, its open-air versatility, and the strong sense of identity it delivers. Most acknowledge, however, that on-road ride quality and everyday practicality trail the broader SUV segment. The tradeoffs inherent to its purpose-built design are widely noted as real and meaningful for buyers who prioritize daily commuting comfort or conventional safety benchmarks.
NCAP // CRASH TESTCrash-test breakdown
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 // RECALLSRecall record
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 affected parts, 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 Identification Numbers (VINs) involved
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 // COMPLAINTSOwner complaints
880 owner complaints on file. These are unverified allegations reported to NHTSA.