← New search

2020 Jeep Gladiator

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Gladiator years

Owner complaints for the 2020 Jeep Gladiator are substantially higher than the model-year median of 23.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
Compare all Gladiator years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

212 reports with mileage · 271 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 183 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Steering. Review the 181 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 54 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

11 crash reports7 fire reports5 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

183 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Aug 8, 2023
Electrical SystemEngineExterior Lighting

My entire Electrical system failed, the engine wouldnt start , the warning flashers would not work, the vehicle wouldnt go into neutral to be pushed. So I was blocking an intersection for about 2 hrs waiting on a tow truck to tow it to the nearest dealership. The dealership was unable to reproduce the problem just wants to repla…

Read full complaint

My entire Electrical system failed, the engine wouldnt start , the warning flashers would not work, the vehicle wouldnt go into neutral to be pushed. So I was blocking an intersection for about 2 hrs waiting on a tow truck to tow it to the nearest dealership. The dealership was unable to reproduce the problem just wants to replace the end result of a 150 amp fuse block blown at $400 for a $50 part. I attached what was actually going on with the vehicle in PDF format I researched on Gladiator forum and Jeep Garage forums and found this is a problem for many jeep models with the dual battery system but nobody had an answer as to why it happens other than something shorted out.

NHTSA ODI #11537144

Mileage unknown · Aug 6, 2023
Electrical System

I have had my vehicle in for the same problem at least 6 times, since August of 2022. The battery keeps dying. This is a know problem with this model. If it is not started for more than one day it will not start. The dealerships have replaced the batteries, main and auxiliary, multiple times, they have replaced the cable and …

Read full complaint

I have had my vehicle in for the same problem at least 6 times, since August of 2022. The battery keeps dying. This is a know problem with this model. If it is not started for more than one day it will not start. The dealerships have replaced the batteries, main and auxiliary, multiple times, they have replaced the cable and wires, connectors and alternator. It still happens and no aftermarket parts have been installed related to the electrical system. I am missing two of the receipts to upload at the moment.

NHTSA ODI #11536717

Mileage unknown · May 23, 2023
Electrical SystemSteeringUnknown Or Other

4/21. Check Engine Light Shifter locked in place. Lost Power Steering. Started out as CHECK ENGINE Light then added ABS light. I Cleared it. Week later, Friday, 4/21. Check Engine Light 4/22 - Saturday AM, Drive to Goodwill and landfill While in 18 truck line at landfill, I put in PARK, Trans locked itself in PARK. Radio a…

Read full complaint

4/21. Check Engine Light Shifter locked in place. Lost Power Steering. Started out as CHECK ENGINE Light then added ABS light. I Cleared it. Week later, Friday, 4/21. Check Engine Light 4/22 - Saturday AM, Drive to Goodwill and landfill While in 18 truck line at landfill, I put in PARK, Trans locked itself in PARK. Radio and Speedo Blipped. Then Orange Check Engine light, Orange ABS light, two Orange Traction Control lights. Orange Service 4WD light. Service Shifter Message, RED Brake light n dash. There was another ABS Message, but I failed to get it. Turned off engine, I restarted and was able to get in gear, NO POWEER STEERING. Got through line. Drove home with all check lights and no power steering. Engine and Trans Temps were good, oil pressure was good, Battery showing 14.1 while driving. At home, scanned for codes. In this order U0121 U1110 U1120 U11BC U12AB P057C (Brake Pedal Sensor Circuit Low) U11BF U0001 High Speed Can Communication Bus P0000

NHTSA ODI #11523399

Mileage unknown · May 23, 2023
Electrical SystemSteeringUnknown Or Other

Lost Power Steering, 5/22/2023. 4 Orange Check lights came on. 1)Tried to start the car remotely, with secondary key. No start. 2)Tried again standing next to it. No start. 3)Got in and pushed brake and started car. All the same check lights came on that did 4/19. Engine, ABS and 4WD. Maybe another Shifter warning. …

Read full complaint

Lost Power Steering, 5/22/2023. 4 Orange Check lights came on. 1)Tried to start the car remotely, with secondary key. No start. 2)Tried again standing next to it. No start. 3)Got in and pushed brake and started car. All the same check lights came on that did 4/19. Engine, ABS and 4WD. Maybe another Shifter warning. 4)Pulled out of driveway with ½ the error lights on. Lost power steering 100 yards in the neighborhood. 5)U Turn with no PS, back to house, let it sit all day till 3PM while waiting for towing. Did not scan, Did not disconnect battery. 3PM, Came home from work, started the car with remote. Only 1 check engine light and now power steering is back. Delivered to Jeep Dealer, Hetrick Jeep Dodge, Elton, MD. by tow truck.

NHTSA ODI #11523396

Mileage unknown · Feb 10, 2023
Electrical SystemSteeringVisibility/wiper

While I was driving on the freeway, suddenly all of my warning lights came on and my windshield wipers and the power steering went out. It was very difficult to pull over with the power steering out and stop. This is the second time this has occurred in 6 months. The first time this happened I had it towed to the dealer, they f…

Read full complaint

While I was driving on the freeway, suddenly all of my warning lights came on and my windshield wipers and the power steering went out. It was very difficult to pull over with the power steering out and stop. This is the second time this has occurred in 6 months. The first time this happened I had it towed to the dealer, they found nothing wrong but when I went to pick it up it happened again before I left the dealer. The service manager kept it and they ran more codes and thought they resolved the problem, but the same thing happened again when I went to pick it up. Finally, they gave me a loaner vehicle and after a month the Gladiator was finally fixed. The dealer said it was a defective wiring harness. Now the same problem is back. This is a serious safety issue due to the power steering going put and locking up the steering wheel. I have read many, many complaints from other Jeep Gladiator owners of the same issue.

NHTSA ODI #11506707

Mileage unknown · Jan 12, 2023
Electrical SystemEngineFuel/propulsion System

While driving on a main road, in a rural area, the "Electronic Stability Control Maintenance" alert was enabled. It was a cold January morning and approximately 35 degrees at 9am. My tire pressure alerts were also activated and I presumed that the Stability Control alert was due to a potential flat tire, not just a cold morning…

Read full complaint

While driving on a main road, in a rural area, the "Electronic Stability Control Maintenance" alert was enabled. It was a cold January morning and approximately 35 degrees at 9am. My tire pressure alerts were also activated and I presumed that the Stability Control alert was due to a potential flat tire, not just a cold morning pressure imbalance, which happens frequently when there are drastic swings in temperature. Less than a minute later, the "Electronic Throttle Control Maintenance Required" alert flashed and I lost the ability to accelerate. I was in an area that was going uphill and no shoulder. Due to my momentum, I was able to get halfway up the hill and pull over into a residential driveway. I shut the car off, waited a minute and turned it back on. I attempted to pull back onto the road and noticed that a) I could still not accelerate and b) There was a large oil truck barreling up the hill and I would be a potential hazard and accident if I pulled in front of it. I then began to notice that smoke was billowing from under the hood. I turned back into the residential driveway and immediately shut off the vehicle and called for roadside assistance. The vehicle was taken by flatbed to the nearest dealership to be diagnosed. They ended up determining that there was moisture in the oil and claimed that it was common in this model year. They flushed the systems and gave me an oil change, which was was due for anyhow. The dealership kept the vehicle overnight and said they wanted to assess how it would perform in cold temperatures before returning my vehicle. I am very concerned that this is happening so soon. It is the first new vehicle I have ever purchased for myself and I do not take it off-road and live 10 miles from work, travelling on rural roads and recreational highway travel three-four times a year.

NHTSA ODI #11501403

Mileage unknown · Jan 10, 2023
Electrical SystemEngine

The ESS/Auto Start/Stop system is unavailable rendering the remote start for cold weather unavailable. This issue also effects the reliability of the battery and electrical supply as a whole potentially leading to unexpected engine stoppages and stranding due to a no start scenario. The issue is widespread and well documented a…

Read full complaint

The ESS/Auto Start/Stop system is unavailable rendering the remote start for cold weather unavailable. This issue also effects the reliability of the battery and electrical supply as a whole potentially leading to unexpected engine stoppages and stranding due to a no start scenario. The issue is widespread and well documented among 2018-Current Jeep Rangler models as well as 2020-Current Jeep Gladiator models. Causes are reported by dealers ranging from premature failure of the start/stop auxiliary battery to TPM/distribution box failures. My vehicle has experienced this issue twice with the first occurrence shortly after purchase. With many of the effected vehicles reaching the end of their warranty period, the number of vehicles circulating on highways will increase creating a safety hazard. Further, the failure of this system may create an EPA compliance issue as the ESS/Auto Start/Stop system is required equipment to meet EPA fuel economy standards for the fleet.

NHTSA ODI #11501012

Mileage unknown · Dec 6, 2022
Electrical SystemEngineExterior Lighting

I recently purchased this vehicle used, while driving the lights go off and the vehicle shuts off while moving. Not displaying any warning indicators at the time. Luckily vehicle is a manual, so I have been able to coast to a stop safely. Situation could be very dangerous. Once off the vehicle will go dead and won't restart. …

Read full complaint

I recently purchased this vehicle used, while driving the lights go off and the vehicle shuts off while moving. Not displaying any warning indicators at the time. Luckily vehicle is a manual, so I have been able to coast to a stop safely. Situation could be very dangerous. Once off the vehicle will go dead and won't restart. After a few moments vehicle will restart until the problem occurs again without warning. Jeep/chrysler has obvious issues with this vehicle and has not done any recalls. Even though they have documented occurrences with similar vehicles.

NHTSA ODI #11496191

Mileage unknown · Oct 17, 2022
Electrical SystemEngine

Jeep turns off/power off/ dies when driving any speed. I was driving in freeway 60+mph and it just died. I took to dealer on january 2022 and took 2 weeks to figure out a electrical  wiring  hardness was bad. It was good until now October 2022. It died again like the first time. Only way to power it up is getting a battery jump.…

Read full complaint

Jeep turns off/power off/ dies when driving any speed. I was driving in freeway 60+mph and it just died. I took to dealer on january 2022 and took 2 weeks to figure out a electrical  wiring  hardness was bad. It was good until now October 2022. It died again like the first time. Only way to power it up is getting a battery jump. This is same issue as the first time. It was not cheap and I seen online that alot of other gladiators are having same issue.im about to take it again to dealer this week

NHTSA ODI #11489583

Mileage unknown · Sep 8, 2022
Electrical SystemEngineSteering

I have been having problems with my steering 17 thousand miles after I bought this 56k dollar jeep. sometimes the steering wheel locks to the left or to the right when pulling out of parking lots.than it also pulls to the left in the high way. My motor mounts also are not good any more because they make noise and my motor rocks …

Read full complaint

I have been having problems with my steering 17 thousand miles after I bought this 56k dollar jeep. sometimes the steering wheel locks to the left or to the right when pulling out of parking lots.than it also pulls to the left in the high way. My motor mounts also are not good any more because they make noise and my motor rocks back and forth.The shock absorbers all 4 also need replacement. This jeep is steering and handling is very unstable and I don’t feel safe driving it. My starter needs replacement for the 3rd time. my gas consumption is 10 miles to the gallon!!!!my day running lights don’t turn on and this issue with lights and electrical problems been with this jeep since 7k miles after I bought! If you leave this jeep on you can take the keys with you it some one can just drive off no keys necessary. my speakers are sounding scratchy for a long time and no repairs to this yet. 35k miles driven, my jeep has been at the dealership for several times getting all kinds of repairs.

NHTSA ODI #11483416

Official recalls

7

24V652000 · Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/panel

Sep 5, 2024

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2020-2024 Jeep Gladiator and 2018-2024 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. The instrument panel cluster may experience an internal short circuit and fail. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 101, "Controls and Displays."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

23V116000 · Power Train:clutch Assembly

Feb 23, 2023

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2018-2023 Jeep Wrangler, and 2020-2023 Jeep Gladiator vehicles equipped with manual transmissions. The clutch pressure plate may overheat and fracture.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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 have the new remedy completed.

21V028000 · Power Train:clutch Assembly

Jan 28, 2021

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Jeep Wrangler and 2020-2021 Jeep Gladiator vehicles equipped with manual transmissions. The clutch pressure plate may overheat and fracture.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

20V580000 · Seat Belts; Seat Belts:front:retractor

Sep 24, 2020

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019 Jeep Wrangler and Ram 2500, 2019-2020 Ram 1500 and 2020 Jeep Gladiator vehicles. In the event of a crash, a front seat belt retractor may not properly slow the occupant's forward movement after locking.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: In the event of a crash, if the front seat belts fail to lock, there is an increased risk of injury.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front seat belt retractors, free of charge. The recall began November 12, 2020. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is W67.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Seat Belts:front:retractor

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019 Jeep Wrangler and Ram 2500, 2019-2020 Ram 1500 and 2020 Jeep Gladiator vehicles. In the event of a crash, a front seat belt retractor may not properly slow the occupant's forward movement after locking.

Consequence: In the event of a crash, if the front seat belts fail to lock, there is an increased risk of injury.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front seat belt retractors, free of charge. The recall began November 12, 2020. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is W67.

Seat Belts

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019 Jeep Wrangler and Ram 2500, 2019-2020 Ram 1500 and 2020 Jeep Gladiator vehicles. In the event of a crash, a front seat belt retractor may not properly slow the occupant's forward movement after locking.

Consequence: In the event of a crash, if the front seat belts fail to lock, there is an increased risk of injury.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front seat belt retractors, free of charge. The recall began November 12, 2020. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is W67.

20V191000 · Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera

Sep 10, 2020

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2020 Jeep Gladiator and Jeep Cherokee, 2019-2020 Ram 1500 Pickup, Ram 2500 Pickup, Ram 3500 Pickup, Chrysler Pacifica, Dodge Durango, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Jeep Wrangler, and Jeep Renegade and 2019 Dodge Challenger vehicles equipped with 8.4" or 12" radio displays. A software error can cause the rearview camera image to remain displayed after the vehicle has been shifted out of reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rearview Mirrors."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: The lingering rearview image can distract the driver, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Chrysler has notified owners, and dealers will update the radio display software, free of charge. Optionally, owners can choose to remotely update their software via an Over-The-Air (OTA) update available as of May 1, 2020. The recall began April 27, 2020. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is W30-W37.

20V124000 · Power Train:clutch Assembly

Mar 3, 2020

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Jeep Wrangler and 2020 Gladiator vehicles equipped with manual transmissions. The clutch pressure plate may overheat and fracture.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: The 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: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will reroute a wire harness and inspect the clutch system, and replace components as needed. The recall began April 30, 2020. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is W12.

19V636000 · Power Train:driveline:driveshaft

Aug 29, 2019

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2020 Jeep Gladiator vehicles. The rear driveshafts may have been incorrectly assembled without grease in the monoblock joint.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A joint without grease may overheat and seize, possibly causing the driveshaft to fracture, resulting in a sudden loss of drive power. If the driveshaft completely separates from the vehicle it may become a road hazard. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: FCA US will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driveshaft, free of charge. The recall began October 10, 2019. Owners may contact FCA US customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US number for this recall is V95.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

PE25014 · Instrument Panel Cluster (ipc) Failure

Opened Oct 23, 2025 · No close date supplied

Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/panel

The Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) is opening a Preliminary Evaluation on 2020 Model Year Jeep Gladiators and Wranglers involving a malfunctioning Instrument Panel Clusters (IPC) resulting in the loss of important vehicle metrics and other status information.  ODI has received 89 Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQs) alleging a complete or partial loss of the IPC display while driving.  The subject vehicles' IPC display includes the speedometer, fuel gauge, engine temperature, turn signal indicators, warning light, and other gauges that are normally illuminated while the vehicle is in operation.  Loss of the fuel gauge while driving may lead to an inability to determine the fuel level and result in a loss of motive power, and the loss of other safety-related information may impede a driver’s ability to take action to prevent a safety risk.  Furthermore, an IPC that is suddenly not visible to the driver may divert the driver’s attention from the driving task, potentially causing a vehicle crash. ODI is opening this Preliminary Evaluation to evaluate the scope, severity and frequency of the alleged IPC malfunctions and to assess potential safety-related consequences. To review the ODI reports cited in the Opening Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov