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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
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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

Steering complaints

181 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jun 11, 2021
Steering

My Jeep Gladiator at high speeds drifts constantly from side to side. I just completed a 14 hour trip mostly at highway speeds and I was in fear of my life as the jeep CONSTANTLY drifted in my lane and into other lanes the entire trip. It is clear that the steering mechanism and how the car handles is very SUB PAR and will cause…

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My Jeep Gladiator at high speeds drifts constantly from side to side. I just completed a 14 hour trip mostly at highway speeds and I was in fear of my life as the jeep CONSTANTLY drifted in my lane and into other lanes the entire trip. It is clear that the steering mechanism and how the car handles is very SUB PAR and will cause accidents. I am very concerned about going back on the road with this car and will NOT use this on long trips. I am completely exhausted from making adjustments with the wheel to keep me from running into other cars and trucks. I need to know what can be done to FIX this problem?

NHTSA ODI #11420637

Mileage unknown · Jun 2, 2021
Steering

At any speed above 10 miles per hour, the steering feels really loose. Very dangerous at highway speeds where I am constantly having to correct my wandering vehicle in order to keep it in a lane. I only have 4500 miles on the truck and it has been like this since I purchased it. For an almost 60k vehicle, it handles like an 60’s…

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At any speed above 10 miles per hour, the steering feels really loose. Very dangerous at highway speeds where I am constantly having to correct my wandering vehicle in order to keep it in a lane. I only have 4500 miles on the truck and it has been like this since I purchased it. For an almost 60k vehicle, it handles like an 60’s model Ford with manual steering. The dead zone in the steering wheel is ridiculous for a vehicle from the 21st century. This vehicle will cause a crash if you are not careful with the over-correction.

NHTSA ODI #11419437

Mileage unknown · May 2, 2021
Electrical SystemService BrakesSteering

IN MOTION; CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, SWAY AT DISCONNECT, SHIFTER, SPEED CONTROL, NO BUS, SERVICE AIRBAG, COOLING FAN BEGAN RACING, SHIFTED OUT OF DRIVE TO NEUTRAL , FUEL GAUGE MALFUNCTION READING EMPTY, RED LIGHT OVER TEMP GAUGE WENT ON , ERRATIC STEERING AND BRAKING ; VERY UNNERVING, WENT IN TO BE FIXED AND AFTER 2 1/2 WEEKS I RECEIV…

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IN MOTION; CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, SWAY AT DISCONNECT, SHIFTER, SPEED CONTROL, NO BUS, SERVICE AIRBAG, COOLING FAN BEGAN RACING, SHIFTED OUT OF DRIVE TO NEUTRAL , FUEL GAUGE MALFUNCTION READING EMPTY, RED LIGHT OVER TEMP GAUGE WENT ON , ERRATIC STEERING AND BRAKING ; VERY UNNERVING, WENT IN TO BE FIXED AND AFTER 2 1/2 WEEKS I RECEIVED IT BACK LAST TUESDAY APRIL 27TH, AND YESTERDAY MAY 1ST CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME BACK ON , THIS TIME WINDSHIELD WIPERS TURNED ON AND CAN'T TURN OFF , ABS LIGHT ON AGAIN.

NHTSA ODI #11414785

Mileage unknown · Apr 14, 2021
Steering

JEEP WONDERS TO THE LEFT OR TO THE RIGHT HAVING TO COORRECT THE STEERING WHEEL ALL THE TIME

NHTSA ODI #11408145

Mileage unknown · Apr 7, 2021
Steering

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THE VEHICLE STEERING CONSTANTLY WANDERS LEFT TO RIGHT. STEERING RESPONSE IS VERY SLOW AND IS VERY DANGEROUS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AS VEHICLE PULLS TO LEFT OR RIGHT CAUSING DANGEROUS OVER CORRECTION BECAUSE OF UNRESPONSIVE STEERING. THE PROBLEM OCCURS IN ALL WEATHER CONDITIONS AND HAD HAD THE PROBLEM SINCE …

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WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THE VEHICLE STEERING CONSTANTLY WANDERS LEFT TO RIGHT. STEERING RESPONSE IS VERY SLOW AND IS VERY DANGEROUS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AS VEHICLE PULLS TO LEFT OR RIGHT CAUSING DANGEROUS OVER CORRECTION BECAUSE OF UNRESPONSIVE STEERING. THE PROBLEM OCCURS IN ALL WEATHER CONDITIONS AND HAD HAD THE PROBLEM SINCE IT WAS NEW. VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAS 5300 MILES ON IT. THE CHRYSLER DEALER HAS NO INTEREST IN TAKING CARE OF THE PROBLEM EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE AWARE OF THE SERVICE BULLETIN ISSUED BY CHRYSLER THAT CONFIRMS THE PROBLEM. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED.

NHTSA ODI #11406955

27,000 miles · Mar 10, 2021
Steering

I RECENTLY PURCHASED THE JEEP GLADIATOR AND THE STEERING SEEMS EXTREMELY LOOSE AS IF I DON'T HAVE CONTROL OVER 50 MPH. I HAVE TO CONSTANTLY MAKE CORRECTIONS WHEN DIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AS IT REQUIRES INTENSE FOCUS NOT TO VEER INTO OTHER LANES. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO A JEEP DEALERSHIP TO ADDRESS THE LOOSENESS AND THEY EXPLAINED THAT…

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I RECENTLY PURCHASED THE JEEP GLADIATOR AND THE STEERING SEEMS EXTREMELY LOOSE AS IF I DON'T HAVE CONTROL OVER 50 MPH. I HAVE TO CONSTANTLY MAKE CORRECTIONS WHEN DIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AS IT REQUIRES INTENSE FOCUS NOT TO VEER INTO OTHER LANES. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO A JEEP DEALERSHIP TO ADDRESS THE LOOSENESS AND THEY EXPLAINED THAT THE STEERING BOX NEEDS TO BE REPLACED, IN WHICH THEY DID. NEEDLESS TO SAY; BECAUSE, I AM POSTING THIS COMPLAINT, THE STEERING STILL FEELS TOO LOOSE, MAKING ME REGRET PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE. THE STEERING PROBLEM NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED IMMEDIATELY, IT IS TOO DANGEROUS.

NHTSA ODI #11400100

1 miles · Feb 12, 2021
Steering

CURRENTLY ON MY 6TH BAD/DANGEROUS STEERING GEAR BOX. 4 BAD ALUMINUM & 2 BAD 'UPGRADED' STEEL BOXES. IT'S ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED BECAUSE OF THE GIANT DEAD-ZONE OR FREE-PLAY IN THESE BOXES. I THOUGHT THE PROBLEM WOULD BE FIXED WHEN THEY SWITCHED TO STEEL CONSTRUCTION, BUT I WAS SADLY MISTAKEN. THE PROBLEM R…

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CURRENTLY ON MY 6TH BAD/DANGEROUS STEERING GEAR BOX. 4 BAD ALUMINUM & 2 BAD 'UPGRADED' STEEL BOXES. IT'S ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED BECAUSE OF THE GIANT DEAD-ZONE OR FREE-PLAY IN THESE BOXES. I THOUGHT THE PROBLEM WOULD BE FIXED WHEN THEY SWITCHED TO STEEL CONSTRUCTION, BUT I WAS SADLY MISTAKEN. THE PROBLEM REMAINS THAT THERE IS ZERO QUALITY CONTROL AT THE MANUFACTURING PLANT FOR THESE GEAR BOXES, AND IT'S FCA'S UNETHICAL PRACTICES THAT ARE TO BLAME. IMO. THEY COULD STEP UP TSB 08-074-20 TO A RECALL, BUT THE ROOT OF THE PROBLEM STILL REMAINS. THESE UNETHICAL SCUM BAGS DO NOT CARE ONCE THEY HAVE OUR MONEY. CAN I CALL FOR A REAL FEDERAL INVESTIGATION INTO THE FCA ON THIS PLATFORM? WHEN YOUR KIDS RADIO FLYER WAGON HAS TIGHTER STEERING THAN YOUR BRAND NEW $50K JEEP, THERE'S A PROBLEM. ALL THE PLAY IS INSIDE THE STEERING BOX. I SENT ONE OF THESE BAD BOXES TO A SPECIALTY SHOP, AND HERE ARE THEIR FINDINGS........... THE BALL SIZING IN THE WORM GEAR NEEDS TO BE UPSIZED/RE-MACHINED TO GET THE PROPER FITMENT FOR NO FREEPLAY. THE PRELOAD ON THE VALVING WAS INCORRECT, THE VALVE WAS MISBALANCED, BEARING PRELOAD INCORRECT, THE ADJUSTMENT CAP FOR THE VALVING WAS NOT PROPERLY STAKED CAUSING IT TO TEAR UP THE THREADS, AND 'WE DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW THE ENGINEERS THOUGHT THAT A STEERING GEAR, BUILT LIKE THAT WOULD BE OK'.

NHTSA ODI #11396014

1,000 miles · Feb 8, 2021
Steering

FRONT WHEELS START VIOLENTLY WOBBLING AT HIGHER SPEEDS ON THE FREEWAY MAKING STEERING AND HANDLING THE VEHICLE ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE. THE ONLY WAY TO STOP IT IS TO PULL OVER AND STOP THE VEHICLE MOTION. IT IS A SERIOUS AND DANGEROUS PROBLEM. THIS HAS HAPPENED OCCASIONALLY AND UNPREDICTABLY SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NEW. DODGE SAYS T…

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FRONT WHEELS START VIOLENTLY WOBBLING AT HIGHER SPEEDS ON THE FREEWAY MAKING STEERING AND HANDLING THE VEHICLE ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE. THE ONLY WAY TO STOP IT IS TO PULL OVER AND STOP THE VEHICLE MOTION. IT IS A SERIOUS AND DANGEROUS PROBLEM. THIS HAS HAPPENED OCCASIONALLY AND UNPREDICTABLY SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NEW. DODGE SAYS THEY HAVE NO FIX READY.

NHTSA ODI #11395179

Mileage unknown · Jan 27, 2021
Electrical SystemSteering

STEERING WANDERS LEFT TO RIGHT START STOP BATTERY WON'T CHARGE REAR DEFROSTER 1/3 WORKS

NHTSA ODI #11390365

Mileage unknown · Jan 20, 2021
Steering

I'VE OWNED MY GLADIATOR 6 MONTHS. I HAVE PUT JUST OVER 6,000 MILES ON IT, AND SINCE THE FIRST WEEK, IT HAS DRIVEN LIKE COMPLETE GARBAGE. IT WANDERS ALL OVER THE ROAD, AND CONSTANTLY NEEDS OVER STEER CORRECTION TO KEEP THE VEHICLE GOING STRAIGHT. AFTER DOING SOME LIGHT INVENSTIGATION, JEEP KNOWS THAT THIS IS A WIDE SPREAD ISSUE. …

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I'VE OWNED MY GLADIATOR 6 MONTHS. I HAVE PUT JUST OVER 6,000 MILES ON IT, AND SINCE THE FIRST WEEK, IT HAS DRIVEN LIKE COMPLETE GARBAGE. IT WANDERS ALL OVER THE ROAD, AND CONSTANTLY NEEDS OVER STEER CORRECTION TO KEEP THE VEHICLE GOING STRAIGHT. AFTER DOING SOME LIGHT INVENSTIGATION, JEEP KNOWS THAT THIS IS A WIDE SPREAD ISSUE. THEY ISSUED A TSB REPAIR FOR THIS PROBLEM, AND I HAVE HAD IT COMPLETED. ONCE COMPLETED, THERE WAS NO NOTICEBLE DIFFERENCE. IF ANYTHING IT WAS WORSE. DRIVER FATIGUE IS EXPERIENCED WITH EVERY RIDE IN THE VEHICLE. IT HAS STEERING DEAD SPOTS AT 10 AND 2 ON THE STEERING WHEEL. THE STEERING WHEEL IS LIMP AND UNRESPONSIVE.

NHTSA ODI #11389039

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