2020 Jeep Gladiator

The start-stop system reports unavailable, then within a few miles of driving, the check engine light will come on, followed by problems with the transmission shifting gears, sometime causing the vehicle to stay in first or second gear while accelerating and creating a dangerous driving situation. Power cycling the vehicle sometimes helps. Diagnostic trouble codes show low voltage in one or more O2 sensors, "too lean" warnings and cylinders randomly misfiring. Engine runs very rough at idle with the strong smell of gas in the exhaust. Dash information shows battery voltage around 12.3 at start up increasing to low 13 while idling. This occured around 40,000 miles and dealer replaced the aux battery and reset system. It occurred again around 60,000 miles (20 months later) and owner replaced both auxiliary battery (testing showed bad) and main battery. System functioned normally after resetting codes. It occurred again about 8 months later at 72,000 miles. The F42 fuse was pulled, cleared codes and reset computer by removing battery power for 1 hour. System returned to normal.

This complaint is a follow-up to NHTSA complaint number 11729095. Since submitting the original complaint, the issue has continued and is now occurring while the vehicle is in motion. The vehicle is experiencing intermittent electrical and communication failures affecting multiple systems. The issue began approximately three weeks ago after completing a normal drive and has persisted since that time, occurring randomly and without warning. Both the main battery and auxiliary battery have been replaced; however, the condition remains unresolved. Current symptoms include: •Multiple warning messages and warning lights activating simultaneously while driving (including “Service Antilock Brake System” and “Service Shifter”) •Loss of communication between multiple control modules •Fault codes that temporarily clear but return •Instrument cluster instability and erratic system behavior Power steering assist becomes intermittent during these events, making steering significantly more difficult, particularly when navigating curves or operating in heavy traffic. This creates a serious safety hazard due to reduced vehicle control. Diagnostic trouble codes associated with this condition include multiple communication-related faults (U-codes), indicating loss of communication between critical control modules. The condition may temporarily improve when the auxiliary battery system is bypassed and the battery sensor is disconnected, but the failures consistently return. The issue is ongoing, intermittent, and reproducible. No accidents have occurred to date; however, the condition presents a clear and increasing safety risk. Photographic evidence of warning indicators and system faults occurring during vehicle operation is available. Root cause remains UNKNOWN but is suspected to involve the auxiliary battery system, battery management system, wiring, or vehicle communication network.

The contact owns a 2020 Jeep Gladiator. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost motive power, lost braking power, and lost power steering functionality. The contact stated that the failure had occurred while driving at high speeds, which caused the contact to be frightened. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact was able to pull to the side of the road. The vehicle was taken to the dealer several times to be diagnosed, but the cause of the failure had not been determined. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired and remained with the dealer. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000. The VIN was unavailable.

I am filing a safety complaint regarding repeated and unresolved transmission issues with my Jeep. The vehicle has undergone two full transmission replacements after a $10,000 repair, yet critical symptoms persist, including transmission overheating (up to 240°F) and a loud whining noise while accelerating. These problems continue despite no warning lights or diagnostic codes, creating a false sense of safety. On August 4, 2025, the vehicle reached 240°F and produced loud mechanical noise while driving. This mirrors the same symptoms from before the original transmission repair and represents a clear safety hazard. These issues put me at risk of sudden transmission failure, loss of power, or loss of control while driving. The dealer has confirmed the overheating and replaced the transmission twice, but the problem remains. A brake hookup was also installed incorrectly, causing additional safety concerns that were only corrected after my insistence. Despite multiple service visits, Jeep refuses to: Provide a loaner vehicle Escalate to a corporate-level inspection Offer a buyback or reimbursement Jeep offered only an extended warranty with a deductible, which I declined as inappropriate given the unresolved repair. I have also submitted a formal legal demand to Jeep, which remains unanswered. The lack of diagnostic codes paired with dangerous symptoms and unresolved failures is deeply concerning. This issue should be investigated for a potential defect in the transmission system or software diagnostics. I request that NHTSA investigate this matter and that Stellantis/Jeep be held accountable for unsafe practices and poor post-repair support.

I took my vehicle to a local dealer to have to recall completed. They told me that they would not complete the safety recall due to vehicle modifications. Dealer stated that they had completed the recall on a previous vehicle and due to the same modifications the new software rendered the vehicle unusable. When the first 19a recall came out and there was no manufacturer remedy, I purchased a new clutch and had an authorized Jeep dealer (dealer I purchased the vehicle from) to install.

Transmission failed to go into reverse. 2020 Gladiator Rubicon with 57k miles.Transmission had been pausing and then shifting into reverse with a clunk sound. Have taken to a Jeep service shop and they did not find any error codes and were not sure of the cause. Problem started getting worse in the past couple of days to where when try to put in reverse, it will not do anything. the "R" light flashes. Have to shift into drive and then back to reverse to get it to go into revers. However, this has stopped working to where to at times cannot get the transmission to go into revers. the transmission also shifts hard on the upshift from 3-4th gear at certain RPMs/speeds. when has issue of not being able to get into reverse yesterday, had to push the vehicle back while in nuetral in order to get it to where i could then put it in drive.In drive on the main road, it would not shift out of first gear, so had to park it and get a ride home. several hours later was able to get the vehicle home. it appears from looking online that a lot of people have had this exact same issue with the 8 speed auto transmission. the only solution it to replace the transmission which costs upwards of $6k. As many issues there are with this transmission, Jeep should have a recall to fix this issue instead of customers having to shell out thousands of $s. Needless to say, i will never buy another jeep product. JEEP=Junk Each and Every Piece!

On May 17th 2025, I brought my vehicle to the Jeep Chrysler Dodge of Paramus (315 Rte 4 West, Paramus, NJ 07652) for the recall repair. Today, on May 20, 2025, I received my vehicle back after refusing an additional $580 charge for a hydraulic clutch master cylinder replacement, which the dealership claimed was unrelated to the recall. I declined this service due to the financial burden and my belief that the repair should be covered under the recall, but this leaves my vehicle in a potentially unsafe condition. As a Material Planning Specialist in Paramus, NJ, I rely on my Gladiator for daily commuting, and operating it with a damaged component poses significant risks. The repair delay, while only three days and not yet qualifying for New Jersey’s Lemon Law, has resulted in my vehicle being returned without addressing a critical safety issue. During the repair, the dealership informed me that the hydraulic clutch master cylinder is damaged and requires replacement at an additional cost of $580, claiming it is unrelated to the recall. However, when I spoke with the service manager on May 20th, they admitted they have no evidence that the master cylinder damage is not due to the recalled clutch pressure plate. Given the recall’s documented risk of the pressure plate fracturing and causing collateral damage to nearby components (e.g., transmission case), I believe the master cylinder failure is likely a direct result of the defective clutch system. The recall repair should cover such related damages, yet the dealership refuses to include this repair under the recall’s scope without providing a clear explanation or diagnostic evidence.

While driving in rush hour traffic, stop and go driving, a service shifter message started to intermittently appear, then the forward collision warning message started to frequently chime in and off, then I lost power steering, check engine light illuminated, other messages auto start stop service, service sway bar disconnect, transmission was stuck in 3rd gear then after a stop it would not shift out of 1st even switching to manual shift mode, was able to pull over to side of road. Turned off the vehicle, used my code reader to clear the codes, started the vehicle back on and everything was clear and vehicle drove as normal. Sure glad it didn’t happen at speed! I have read of other people having the same issue so I wanted it to add my concern as well.