Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
1590–25K
2125–50K
1750–75K
1075–100K
4100–150K
1150K+
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
What owners actually said
483 reports
4,800 miles · Aug 9, 2020
Power Train
I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT 70 MPH AND NOTICED MY REAR LOCKER LIGHT ON MY DASH AND SWITCH. THIS SHOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE, I DO NOT HAVE A TAZER AND "FAT FINGERING" THE SWITCH IN 2H WOULD ONLY CAUSE A MESSAGE SAYING YOU MUST BE IN 4L. ANYWAY, I INSTINCTIVELY HIT THE ALL OFF BUTTON AND THE LIGHT STARTED TO FLASH. I HEADED FOR T…
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I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT 70 MPH AND NOTICED MY REAR LOCKER LIGHT ON MY DASH AND SWITCH. THIS SHOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE, I DO NOT HAVE A TAZER AND "FAT FINGERING" THE SWITCH IN 2H WOULD ONLY CAUSE A MESSAGE SAYING YOU MUST BE IN 4L. ANYWAY, I INSTINCTIVELY HIT THE ALL OFF BUTTON AND THE LIGHT STARTED TO FLASH. I HEADED FOR THE NEAREST OFF RAMP. WHEN I SLOWED DOWN, THE LIGHT WENT OFF. I ATTEMPTED TO TURN ON THE LOCKER, AND RECEIVED A MESSAGE ABOUT NEEDING TO BE IN 4L SEEMS LIKE A POTENTIAL SAFETY ISSUE IF ONE OR BOTH OF THE LOCKERS ENGAGE ON THEIR OWN WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS.
NHTSA ODI #11344202
180 miles · Aug 2, 2020
Steering
BOUGHT A BEAUTIFUL HYDRO BLUE GLADIATOR ON 7/31/20, TOOK IT ON A SHORT TEST DRIVE AT LOWER SPEEDS AND FELT NORMAL TO DRIVE. 8/1/20 I NOTICED AT FREEWAY SPEEDS THAT STEERING REQUIRED CONSTANT CORRECTION AND LITERALLY LOOKED LIKE I WAS DRIVING DRUNK. THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE BEHAVIOR FOR ANY VEHICLE AND IT SEEMS AS MANY OTHER PEOPLE…
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BOUGHT A BEAUTIFUL HYDRO BLUE GLADIATOR ON 7/31/20, TOOK IT ON A SHORT TEST DRIVE AT LOWER SPEEDS AND FELT NORMAL TO DRIVE. 8/1/20 I NOTICED AT FREEWAY SPEEDS THAT STEERING REQUIRED CONSTANT CORRECTION AND LITERALLY LOOKED LIKE I WAS DRIVING DRUNK. THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE BEHAVIOR FOR ANY VEHICLE AND IT SEEMS AS MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAVE THIS SAME ISSUE. I'M WRITING THIS FOR DOCUMENTATION PURPOSES. VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAS 180 MILES.
NHTSA ODI #11342844
19 miles · Jul 29, 2020
Steering
LEASED BRAND NEW GLADIATOR. NOTICED AT SPEEDS ABOVE ~40MPH, VEHICLE WANDERS. THE STEERING FEELS VERY LOOSE, RESULTING IN NEEDING TO ACTIVELY STEER THE VEHICLE JUST TO KEEP IT GOING STRAIGHT (NOT AN ISSUE WITH ALIGNMENT). WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLES PASSES ME, IT PULLS ME TOWARDS THEIR LANE (LIKE WHEN A SEMI PASSES). TOOK IT IN TO DEA…
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LEASED BRAND NEW GLADIATOR. NOTICED AT SPEEDS ABOVE ~40MPH, VEHICLE WANDERS. THE STEERING FEELS VERY LOOSE, RESULTING IN NEEDING TO ACTIVELY STEER THE VEHICLE JUST TO KEEP IT GOING STRAIGHT (NOT AN ISSUE WITH ALIGNMENT). WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLES PASSES ME, IT PULLS ME TOWARDS THEIR LANE (LIKE WHEN A SEMI PASSES). TOOK IT IN TO DEALER 3 TIMES WITHIN A MONTH OF OWNING IT, WHO SAID IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE LIKE THIS DUE TO THE NEW ELECTRICAL STEERING. THIS PROBLEM IS ALL OVER THE INTERNET AND NEEDS TO BE FIXED. IT IS NOT SAFE.
NHTSA ODI #11342146
300 miles · Jul 29, 2020
Steering
STEERING LOOSE. SEVERAL DEGREES OF 'PLAY' IN STEERING WHEEL. VEHICLE WANDERS ON THE ROADWAY. CONDITION INCREASES AT HIGHWAY SPEED. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP, WAS CONFIRMED EVERYTHING WAS WITHIN SPEC, AND CONDITION STILL PERSISTS.
NHTSA ODI #11342037
2,600 miles · Jul 28, 2020
Visibility/wiper
THE WINDSHIELD SPONTANEOUSLY CRACKED WHILE DRIVING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY . THERE WAS NO IMPACT OR TRAUMA . THE TRUCK IS BRAND NEW , 2 MOS OLD WITH 2,600 MILES ON IT . IT HAS NEVER BEEN DRIVEN OFF ROAD AND THE WINDSHIELD WAS NEVER IMPACTED BY ANY OBJECTS. I WAS DRIVING ~ 1 MILE PER HOUR , TURNING TO GO OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY .
NHTSA ODI #11341794
1,400 miles · Jul 21, 2020
Suspension
A MONTH AFTER PURCHASING MY 2020 JEEP GLADIATOR OVERLAND I NOTICED HOW BOUNCY IT FELT ON THE ROAD AND WHEN TURNING RIGHT I FELT A GRINDING SOUND. THE JEEP HAS SPENT ALL ITS TIME COMMUTING TO AND FROM WORK ON THE HIGHWAY. I TOOK OFF THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE AND I NOTICED THAT THE SHOCK BRACKET THAT IS WELDED TO THE AXLE WAS COMPLET…
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A MONTH AFTER PURCHASING MY 2020 JEEP GLADIATOR OVERLAND I NOTICED HOW BOUNCY IT FELT ON THE ROAD AND WHEN TURNING RIGHT I FELT A GRINDING SOUND. THE JEEP HAS SPENT ALL ITS TIME COMMUTING TO AND FROM WORK ON THE HIGHWAY. I TOOK OFF THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE AND I NOTICED THAT THE SHOCK BRACKET THAT IS WELDED TO THE AXLE WAS COMPLETELY BROKEN OFF AND MAKING CONTACT WITH MY TIRE. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION I NOTICED IT WAS ONLY A LITTLE SPOT WELD THAT HELD THAT WHOLE THING TOGETHER. THE BROKEN SHOCK MOUNT WAS DANGLING AND TEARING THE INSIDE OF MY TIRE. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE EXPLANATION I RECEIVED FROM THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT WAS THAT THE ROBOT MISSED A LOT OF WELDS ON THE FRONT AXLE. IT HAS NOW BEEN A MONTH NOW AND MY JEEP IS STILL SITTING AND AWAITING PARTS. NOT MUCH SUPPORT FROM JEEP, JUST MAKING PAYMENTS ON A CAR I CAN'T DRIVE.
NHTSA ODI #11340721
3,000 miles · Jul 20, 2020
Steering
PICKED UP A NEW SPORT S GLADIATOR JUST BEFORE XMAS 2019. DURING INITIAL TEST DRIVES, I WAS EXPECTING SOME DEGREE OF SLOP IN THE STEERING, BUT DURING SUCH A LIMITED TIME, IT WAS NOT EVIDENT EXACTLY HOW BAD IT IS. BETWEEN 35-55 MPH, THIS VEHICLE IS ALMOST UNDRIVEABLE. THE SWAY FROM SIDE TO SIDE (NEEDING CONSTANT CORRECTION) IS …
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PICKED UP A NEW SPORT S GLADIATOR JUST BEFORE XMAS 2019. DURING INITIAL TEST DRIVES, I WAS EXPECTING SOME DEGREE OF SLOP IN THE STEERING, BUT DURING SUCH A LIMITED TIME, IT WAS NOT EVIDENT EXACTLY HOW BAD IT IS. BETWEEN 35-55 MPH, THIS VEHICLE IS ALMOST UNDRIVEABLE. THE SWAY FROM SIDE TO SIDE (NEEDING CONSTANT CORRECTION) IS BEYOND BELIEF. AT HIGHER SPEEDS, IT GETS LESS UNCONTROLLABLE, BUT I USUALLY DRIVE IT LOCALLY, AND IT'S TRULY TERRIFYING. ON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, IT APPEARS THIS IS A COMMON FEATURE ON ALMOST EVERY GLADIATOR, TO THE POINT THAT A COMPANY HAS DEVELOPED AND SELLS A $250 PART TO REDUCE THIS DEATH-SWAY. THE ISSUE IS THE STEERING BOX BEING BOLTED TO THE FRAME (WHICH FLEXES UNDER NORMAL USE) ALONG WITH A SUB-PAR ANTI-SWAY DAMPENER AND FACTORY-CALLIBRATED STEERING BOX, WHICH HS WAY TO MUCH PLAY (BUT CAN BE ADJUSTED). IN MY OPINION, THIS ISSUE IS GROUNDS FOR A RECALL IMMEDIATELY BEFORE PEOPLE GET KILLED. IT'S THAT DANGEROUS THAT I REFUSE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE OVER ANY DISTANCES OTHER THAN TO MY LOCAL STORE. IT IS NOW BACK AT THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY HAVE STATED THEY CANNOT MAKE ANY ADJUSTMENTS TO REMEDY THE SITUATION OR ADD THE SYNERGY ADAPTER WHICH RESOLVES THE ISSUE BECAUSE FIAT-CHRYSLER HAVE NOT ADMITTED THERE IS A PROBLEM AND THE NHTSA HASN'T FORCED THEM TO RESOLVE THIS. MY HOPE IS THAT SOMEONE DOESNT GET KILLED BEFORE THIS GETS RESOLVED - BUT WE ALL KNOW HOW THAT'S GOING TO GO....
NHTSA ODI #11340478
380 miles · Jul 15, 2020
EngineSteering
JEEP WANDERS ALL OVER THE ROAD WITH VERY LITTLE STEERING PLAY IN THE WHEEL. IT DOES NOT MATTER IF YOU ARE GOING 40 OR 80MPH, IT WANDERS. MY WIFE DROVE IT THE OTHER DAY AND SAID SHE FELT LIKE EVERYONE WOULD THINK SHE WAS DRUNK. I TOOK THIS INTO THE DEALER TO HAVE IT CHECKED AND THEY SAID IT WAS WITHING MANUFACTURERS SPEC. ALL STE…
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JEEP WANDERS ALL OVER THE ROAD WITH VERY LITTLE STEERING PLAY IN THE WHEEL. IT DOES NOT MATTER IF YOU ARE GOING 40 OR 80MPH, IT WANDERS. MY WIFE DROVE IT THE OTHER DAY AND SAID SHE FELT LIKE EVERYONE WOULD THINK SHE WAS DRUNK. I TOOK THIS INTO THE DEALER TO HAVE IT CHECKED AND THEY SAID IT WAS WITHING MANUFACTURERS SPEC. ALL STEERING AND SUSPENSION COMPONENTS WERE TIGHT ACCORDING TO THEIR DIAGNOSIS. THEY DID NOT SEE AN ISSUE AND THIS WANDERING WAS NORMAL. IT IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO KEEP IT ON THE ROAD WITH GUSTY WINDS AT 60MPH. WE ALSO HAVE EXPERIENCED AN AC RELATED ISSUE WHERE THE AC WILL BE BLOWING COLD, THEN START TO SMELL A WARM MUSTY SMELL AND HEAT WILL BILLOW OUT FROM UNDER THE DASH ON BOTH DRIVERS AND PASSENGER FEET. OPENING UP THE GLOVEBOX SEEMS TO ALLOW THE HEAT TO POUR OUT AND THEN THE JEEP WILL RETURN TO NORMAL COMFORT COOLING. DOES NOT MATTER IF THE VEHICLE IS ON AC, AUTO AC OR RECICULATION. VERY NOTICEABLE WHEN DRIVING LONG TRIPS FOR SEVERAL HOURS. SPEED DOES NOT MATTER, BUT APPEARS TO HAPPEN MORE WHEN DRIVEN FOR SEVERAL HOURS.
NHTSA ODI #11339632
50 miles · Jul 12, 2020
Steering
VEHICLE WANDERS IN LANE FROM RIGHT TO LEFT. HARD TO MAINTAIN A STRAIGHT LINE. IF THE WIND IS BLOWING OR GUSTY, THE VEHICLE WILL DART FROM ONE SIDE OF LANE TO THE OTHER. DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. I THINK THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE STEERING BOX. YOU CAN MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL FROM ABOUT 10:00 TO 1:00 AND THE STEERING TIRES W…
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VEHICLE WANDERS IN LANE FROM RIGHT TO LEFT. HARD TO MAINTAIN A STRAIGHT LINE. IF THE WIND IS BLOWING OR GUSTY, THE VEHICLE WILL DART FROM ONE SIDE OF LANE TO THE OTHER. DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. I THINK THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE STEERING BOX. YOU CAN MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL FROM ABOUT 10:00 TO 1:00 AND THE STEERING TIRES WILL NOT MOVE.
NHTSA ODI #11338956
25 miles · Jul 12, 2020
Steering
I HAVE HAD JEEPS SINCE 1974 AND I AM A CHRYSLER RETIREE AND THIS NEW GLADIATOR IS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO HOLD STRAIGHT ON THE ROAD..THE STEERING IS SO LOOSE IT WANDER SIDE TO SIDE..ON A NARROW 4 LANE IT IS WHITE KNUCKLE DRIVING..IT SCARES ME TO GO FAR IN IT..
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
2020 Jeep Gladiator Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year