Head-to-head reliability
JEEP Cherokee vs JEEP Gladiator
How the JEEP Cherokee and JEEP Gladiator compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
JEEP Cherokee vs JEEP Gladiator: The Cherokee has 7,397 complaints over 10 years (740/year) and 59 recalls, while the Gladiator has 992 complaints over 7 years (142/year) and 34 recalls. The Gladiator's issues often involve steering and electrical failures, while the Cherokee's span power train and engine. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the JEEP Cherokee or JEEP Gladiator more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
JEEP Cherokee
The Jeep Cherokee is a compact SUV that has been on the road for many years, but owner complaints suggest it can be a handful to live with. Over a 10-year span, NHTSA logged 7,397 complaints—about 740 per year—with the power train, engine, and electrical system drawing the most attention. Many owners describe sudden jolts, unexpected braking, and electrical gremlins that can leave them feeling uneasy behind the wheel. If you're considering one, be prepared to research specific model years and have a trusted mechanic inspect it thoroughly.
JEEP Gladiator
The Jeep Gladiator is a midsize pickup truck that shares its roots with the Wrangler, and it has a much shorter complaint history—992 over 7 years, or roughly 142 per year. Steering and electrical issues dominate the reports, with some owners citing power steering pump failures and even fire risks. While the overall complaint count is lower, the nature of the problems can be serious, including sudden loss of steering assist and electrical system shutdowns. It's a truck that demands careful attention to recalls and pre-purchase inspections.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | JEEP Cherokee | JEEP Gladiator |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 7,397 | 992 Better |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 59 | 34 Better |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 180 | 25 Better |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 739.7 | 141.7 Better |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 153 | 22 Better |
Source: NHTSA owner complaints & recall records.
What actually goes wrong
The problems owners report
The most-complained-about systems on each vehicle — what fails, and what owners say in their own words.
JEEP Cherokee
- 01POWER TRAIN3,688
- 02ENGINE1,629
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1,563
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,408
- 05SERVICE BRAKES465
Owners report harsh jolts during acceleration, as if hit from behind, and instances where the vehicle rolls backward after stopping. These transmission or drivetrain issues can make everyday driving unpredictable and may lead to costly repairs.
Complaints include a sudden drop in fuel economy (from 27-29 mpg to 22-24 mpg) and excessive soot from the tailpipe, suggesting fuel system or combustion problems. Such symptoms often point to issues that worsen over time and can affect emissions and performance.
Drivers describe the vehicle suddenly stopping while driving, with alarms and error messages flashing. Another common report is a dead battery after just a few days of being parked, sometimes requiring an OEM replacement even after an aftermarket battery fails to fix it.
Some owners complain that the brake and gas pedals are so close together that their foot scrapes the brake when switching, causing unintended braking or acceleration. This design flaw can be a safety concern in stop-and-go traffic.
“on May 3 at approx. 4:00 pm I was sitting at a stop light and when it turned green I started to accelerate the jolt was so hard that I thought the car behind me had hit me.When I went to go again it started rolling backwards and I applied the brakes.I could n…”
“On [XXX], we were traveling from Seattle to Portland on [XXX] in my 2022 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk with the cruise control set at around 75 mph. Suddenly the emergency collision braking system applied and all of the lights on my vehicle lit up. While the brakin…”
JEEP Gladiator
- 01STEERING329
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM289
- 03POWER TRAIN157
- 04ENGINE130
- 05SUSPENSION106
Owners report power steering pump electrical wiring harness issues that can cause high electrical resistance and even fire risk, as noted in a recall. Another complaint describes a total loss of communication across control modules, leading to a sudden loss of steering assist.
Complaints include software glitches where the vehicle's WiFi stays on after the car is turned off, draining the battery. There are also reports of instrument cluster malfunctions and other electrical faults that can leave drivers stranded.
Some owners experience erratic acceleration, with the truck surging or chugging at light throttle. Others report complete transfer case and output shaft failures at low mileage, requiring major drivetrain repairs.
A few owners describe engine fires under the hood, resulting in total loss. Another report notes the steering wheel becoming firm, check engine and battery lights illuminating, and the temperature gauge rising—symptoms of a serious engine or cooling system failure.
“-The power steering pump electrical wiring harness/connector. The vehicle is subject to active Mopar safety Recall 21D (NHTSA Campaign 26v-363) for an un remedied vehicle fire risk caused by high electrical resistance. Yes, the vehicle and affected component…”
“The vehicle suffered a catastrophic, systemic high-speed CAN C data bus loop collapse (Diagnostic Trouble Code U0002-00 "Bus Off"), resulting in an immediate, total loss of communication across almost all primary factory control modules—including the Body Con…”
Official recalls
Safety recalls on record
Federal recall campaigns — the defect, the risk, and the fix. Confirm any open recall was completed before you buy.
JEEP Cherokee — 59 recalls
The defect: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2023 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. The power transfer unit (PTU) may fail.
The risk: A failed PTU may result in a loss of drive power or vehicle rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
The fix: Dealers will update the Drivetrain Control Drivetrain Control Module, PTU, and Electronic Park Brake software, and replace the PTU, as necessary, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters explaining the safety risk were mailed Jun…
The defect: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2022 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. The turn signal self-canceling feature may not function properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equ…
The risk: Turn signals that do not function properly may fail to indicate the driver's intention to change vehicle direction, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the steering column control module as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 8, 2024. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recal…
The defect: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2026 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. The brake system control module may fail to operate properly, which can cause a loss of anti-lock brakes (ABS) and electronic stability control (ESC).
The risk: A loss of anti-lock brakes or electronic stability control increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will update the brake system control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 28, 2026. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recall is 29D. Vehicle Id…
The defect: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2023 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. The power transfer unit (PTU) may fail.
The risk: A failed PTU may result in a loss of drive power or vehicle rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
The fix: Dealers will update the Drivetrain Control Drivetrain Control Module, PTU, and Electronic Park Brake software, and replace the PTU, as necessary, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters explaining the safety risk were mailed Jun…
JEEP Gladiator — 34 recalls
The defect: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021-2025 Jeep Wrangler, Wrangler 4XE, and Jeep Gladiator vehicles. The electric hydraulic power steering pump wiring may overheat and cause a vehicle fire, even when the vehicle is parked with the ignition in the "Off" position.
The risk: A vehicle fire increases the risk of injury.
The fix: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures, until their vehicle is repaired. Dealers will inspect and replace the wiring and electric hydraulic power steering pump, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters…
The defect: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021-2025 Jeep Wrangler, Wrangler 4XE, and Jeep Gladiator vehicles. The electric hydraulic power steering pump wiring may overheat and cause a vehicle fire, even when the vehicle is parked with the ignition in the "Off" position.
The risk: A vehicle fire increases the risk of injury.
The fix: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures, until their vehicle is repaired. Dealers will inspect and replace the wiring and electric hydraulic power steering pump, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters…
The defect: 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…
The risk: An instrument panel that fails to display critical safety information, such as the speedometer or warning lights, can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: 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 recal…
The defect: 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.
The risk: 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.
The fix: 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…
Buyer analysis
JEEP Cherokee or JEEP Gladiator: which should you buy?
The Jeep Gladiator has far fewer complaints per year (about 142) compared to the Cherokee (about 740), suggesting it may be less troublesome overall. However, the Gladiator's issues often involve critical systems like steering and electrical, which can be dangerous. The Cherokee's higher volume of complaints spans many areas, indicating a broader range of potential problems.
Key differences
- The Cherokee has about 5 times more complaints per year than the Gladiator, but the Gladiator's complaints often involve safety-critical steering and electrical failures.
- Cherokee owners frequently report power train jolts and engine soot, while Gladiator owners report steering pump fires and total communication loss.
- The Gladiator has fewer crash-related complaints (25 vs. 180) and injuries (22 vs. 153), but both have zero deaths reported.
- Recalls for the Cherokee include power train and lighting, while the Gladiator has recalls for steering pump, clutch, and fuel pump.
- During a test drive, pay attention to any harsh jolts or hesitation when accelerating from a stop—this could indicate power train issues.
- Check the battery health and ask if it has been replaced; frequent dead batteries after short parking periods are a common complaint.
- Listen for any whining or stiffness in the steering, and ask if the power steering pump recall has been addressed—unremedied recalls can pose a fire risk.
- Test the electrical system thoroughly: check if WiFi or other accessories stay on after shutting off the engine, which can drain the battery.
Before you buy
- Verify that all open recalls for the specific vehicle have been performed, especially the power steering pump recall on the Gladiator and power train recalls on the Cherokee.
- Obtain a vehicle history report and look for repeated repairs in the power train, engine, or electrical systems.
- Have a certified mechanic inspect the transmission and drivetrain for the Cherokee, and the steering and electrical systems for the Gladiator.
- During a test drive, simulate stop-and-go traffic and highway driving to feel for jolts, surging, or steering anomalies.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records, particularly for battery replacements, software updates, and any recall work.
Year by year
Which model years to avoid
Complaints per model year for both vehicles — lower is better. The spikes are the years to scrutinize.
| Year | JEEP Cherokee | JEEP Gladiator |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 5 | 3 |
| 2023 | 3 | 56 |
| 2022 | 51 | 120 |
| 2021 | 166 | 292 |
| 2020 | 309 | 483 |
Check the actual car
Comparing models is smart. Checking the VIN is essential.
Brand averages tell you the trend. A VIN check tells you what's wrong with the specific JEEP Cherokee or JEEP Gladiator in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- JEEP Cherokee vs JEEP Gladiator
- JEEP Cherokee total complaints
- 7,397
- JEEP Gladiator total complaints
- 992
- JEEP Cherokee total recalls
- 59
- JEEP Gladiator total recalls
- 34
- JEEP Cherokee avg complaints/year
- 739.7
- JEEP Gladiator avg complaints/year
- 141.7
- More reliable overall
- JEEP Gladiator
- JEEP Cherokee top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN
- JEEP Gladiator top complaint area
- STEERING