Research · Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD

2021 Jeep RenegadeRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 68 owner complaints for the 2021 Jeep Renegade. Most complaints involve electrical system (27) and engine (9). The EPA rates it 24–27 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 4 stars overall.

Combined MPG
24–27mpg
EPA · 5 versions
NHTSA overall
4of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
2campaigns
Latest Dec 2024
Owner complaints
68
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$2,300est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

2 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Exterior lighting: back up lights

Free remedy

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Jeep Renegade vehicles. The incorrect bumper reverse light assembly may have been installed. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Exterior lightingReported Dec 10, 2024NHTSA 24V918000

Air bags: frontal

Free remedy

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2017-2024 Alfa Romeo Giulia, 2018-2025 Alfa Romeo Stelvio, 2019-2023 Fiat 500X, Jeep Renegade, and 2024 Fiat 500E vehicles. A seat belt buckle switch sensor may be improperly connected, preventing the front seat air bag from deploying as intended.

Air bagsReported Jul 3, 2024NHTSA 24V510000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 11, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

68 complaints filed with NHTSA · Feb 2021 – Oct 2026
  1. Electrical system27
  2. Engine9
  3. Forward collision avoidance9
  4. Air bags7
  5. Power train6
  6. Steering4
  7. Lane departure4
  8. Service brakes3
  9. Seat belts3

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Renegade model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2015512
2016431
2017567
2018444
201980
202064
202168
202228
202321
Crashes reported
3
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
2
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 11, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Electrical system

27 reports1 fire
“The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Renegade. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds or while shifted into reverse, the center display failed to display an image. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the U-Connect system needed to be replaced. The vehicle was also taken to another local dealer, Southfork Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram (17725 South Fwy Manvel, TX 77578) for a second opinion. The failure mileage was approximately 10,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 26, 2026Electrical systemODI 11773734

Engine

9 reports
“I was driving down the road and the car turns off. Everything turns off, no lights, no nothing and it won't crank again. And then I had to call a wrecker truck and the oil was on top of the motor and back of the tailpipe. I couldn't even get it out of the road. I am so thankful my granddaughter was not in there And I'm glad I wasn't on the interstate cuz if I was that would have been bad”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 18, 2026EngineODI 11751304

Forward collision avoidance

9 reports
“The component that failed, or I think is failing is the forward collision warning thing on my car. If the component actually went off, I could have cause a multiple car crash depended on who was behind me while I was driving. It has been reproduced by multiple drivers based on my research. The vehicle component has been inspected by police, lemon law firms and manufacturers and confirmed that it is an issue. No warning lamps or messages appeared, it came up multiple times randomly while I was driving, and has almost triggered every time. When I first opened the car it was fine, but I'd say about a year ago it showed up.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 23, 2026Forward collision avoidanceODI 11739734
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 11, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

5 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Engines
1.3L 4-cyl turbo · 2.4L 4-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 9-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive · All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 11, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Renegade 2WD
Auto 9-spd, 4 cyl, 1.3 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
243227$2,300329
Renegade 4WD
Auto 9-spd, 4 cyl, 1.3 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
232926$2,400307
Renegade 2WD
Auto 9-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
223025$2,500357
Renegade 4WD
Auto 9-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · All-Wheel Drive
212924$2,600371
Renegade Trailhawk 4WD
Auto 9-spd, 4 cyl, 1.3 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
222724$2,600372
  • Renegade 2WD
    Auto 9-spd, 4 cyl, 1.3 L, Turbo
    24 city · 32 hwy · $2,300/yr
    27
    mpg comb.
  • Renegade 4WD
    Auto 9-spd, 4 cyl, 1.3 L, Turbo
    23 city · 29 hwy · $2,400/yr
    26
    mpg comb.
  • Renegade 2WD
    Auto 9-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    22 city · 30 hwy · $2,500/yr
    25
    mpg comb.
  • Renegade 4WD
    Auto 9-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    21 city · 29 hwy · $2,600/yr
    24
    mpg comb.
  • Renegade Trailhawk 4WD
    Auto 9-spd, 4 cyl, 1.3 L, Turbo
    22 city · 27 hwy · $2,600/yr
    24
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 11, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
Overall rating
4/ 5
4 of 5
Jeep Renegade SUV AWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
4 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
3 of 5
Rollover risk
22.8%
Overall
4 / 5
Jeep Renegade SUV FWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
4 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
17.9%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 11, 2026Vehicle 15502Vehicle 15475
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2021 Renegade questions

How many recalls does the 2021 Jeep Renegade have?

2 safety recalls as of Nov 11, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2021 Jeep Renegade problems?

Owners filed 68 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (27), engine (9), forward collision avoidance (9). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2021 Jeep Renegade get?

The EPA rates the 2021 Jeep Renegade at 24–27 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (5 versions rated).

How safe is the 2021 Jeep Renegade?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2021 Jeep Renegade 4 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 11, 2026