JEEP Gladiator Reliability by YearBest & worst years, problems & recalls — NHTSA data
Comparing used JEEP Gladiator options? We analyzed 7 model years (2020–2026) using real NHTSA complaint and recall data so you can spot stronger years, avoid riskier ones, and know what to inspect before buying.
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Model-year trends show patterns — they can't tell you whether this car was crashed, flooded, or rolled back. A VIN check can.
- Accident & damage history
- Odometer rollback records
- Open recalls & title brands
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the JEEP Gladiator has 992 owner complaints and 34 safety recalls across model years 2020–2026. The most reported issue area is STEERING. 2020 drew the most complaints; 2025 drew the fewest.
- Make
- JEEP
- Model
- Gladiator
- Model years analyzed
- 2020–2026 (7 years)
- Total NHTSA complaints
- 992
- Safety recall campaigns
- 34
- Crash-related complaints
- 25
- Fire-related complaints
- 30
- Worst model year (by complaints)
- 2020 (483 complaints)
- Best model year (fewest complaints)
- 2025 (15 complaints)
- Top reported issue area
- STEERING
- Reliability signal
- Poor
By model year
JEEP Gladiator: which years to avoid & which to buy
Based on total NHTSA owner complaints per model year. Higher complaint counts indicate a riskier year to buy used — lower counts suggest a cleaner reliability record.
These years have the most owner complaints. Inspect carefully and always run a VIN check.
These years have the fewest owner complaints on record — lower risk starting points.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA NCAP crash test ratings
New Car Assessment ProgramNCAP crash tests measure how well a vehicle protects occupants in controlled frontal crash, side crash, and rollover scenarios. Stars are awarded per category (5 = safest). These laboratory results are independent of owner complaints and are performed by NHTSA engineers on new production vehicles.
Source: nhtsa.gov/ratings
What the complaint data suggests
PoorThe JEEP GLADIATOR has 992 NHTSA complaints and 34 recalls on record. 25 complaints involve crash-related incidents. This data reflects owner-reported issues submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
- 992 total complaints filed with NHTSA
- 34 federal recall campaigns
- 25 crash-related complaints on record
- Review NHTSA complaint history for the most-reported components
- Check recall completion status at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Verify service records for frequently complained components
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with elevated complaint rates.
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with fewer reported issues.
- Run a VIN check on the specific vehicle you are considering
- Verify all open recalls are completed at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Request service records for the most-reported complaint components
- Have a certified mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase
Problems by model year (best vs. worst)
Source: NHTSA public complaints database. Updated: Oct 2026
Safety recalls
NHTSA safety recalls
34 recalls foundSafety recalls are mandatory repair campaigns ordered by NHTSA when a vehicle defect poses an unreasonable risk to safety. Manufacturers are required to fix recalled vehicles free of charge. Always verify open recalls before buying a used car.
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER CLOCKSPRING/SPIRAL CASSETTE
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:INTERNAL:PARK PAWL
SEAT BELTS:PRETENSIONER
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
WHEELS
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
Source: NHTSA Recalls Database. Data covers model years 2020–2026. Always run a VIN-specific check below for the most up-to-date open recall status.
Common problems
What goes wrong most often
The vehicle systems owners complain about most, ranked from all 992 NHTSA complaints — these are the areas to inspect first on a used car.
Owner complaints
NHTSA complaint reports
992 totalThese are consumer-submitted safety complaints filed directly with NHTSA. Each complaint describes a real owner's experience. Complaints flagged as crash-related or fire-related are highlighted.
-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 are available for inspection upon request. -Due to the electrical fire risk, the manufacturer has issued an urgent federal directive stating the vehicle must be parked outside and away from structures until it is repaired. Because the manufacturer has not finalized or distributed a permanent replacement remedy, I am forced to store a known fire hazard near public spaces, putting my property and the safety of others at risk. Furthermore, a sudden loss of power steering assist while driving poses an immediate crash hazard. -Yes. The vehicle was brought to an authorized Mopar dealership for inspection on August 7, 2026. However, the dealership marked the repair order as "PARTIAL-COMPLETE" because physical remedy parts do not yet exist. Despite this lack of a physical fix, the manufacturer updated the administrative database to show "0 open recalls" in an attempt to prematurely close my customer retention file. -No active warning lamps or drivability symptoms have appeared yet. The "failure" in this instance is the manufacturer’s structural failure to provide the legally required, permanent safety remedy within a reasonable timeframe. The safety hazard and park-outside restrictions have been active and ongoing since the recall notice was formally issued.
This happened on a 2024 Jeep Gladiator. When parking I went to set the parking brake and as I pulled the handle I heard a pop and felt the handle release all pressure. With the handle up there was no braking effect. Dealer repaired by hooking the right wheel cable back onto the bracket located under the center console, and then adjusting.
Caught fire while driving
The contact owns a 2024 Jeep Gladiator. Upon research, the contact discovered that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V363000 (Steering); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact had not yet received the notification of the recall but was concerned about the fire risk associated with the recall. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure.
Factory installed Corning Gorilla Glass became marred and scratched from windshield wiper during rain fall. Glass also developed a crack in the right lower corner of the glass from unknown source (not a stone or road hazard). I requested the repair be covered under the original factory warranty and the repair was rejected. Per the dealership the glass is covered for 24/24 if NOT factory installed. It's covered for 12/12 if it IS factory installed. My windshield is factory installed and out of the 12/12 but still would have been covered under the 24/24 warranty otherwise. I see a lot of complaints about the Corning Gorilla windshields failing.
Electrical Fire Recall / NOT FIXED / Dealers and Jeep refuse to repair as there is no repair for it. Afraid to park this at home/work. Currently no signs other than steering feeling heavier over time.
Read 14 more owner reports
I was driving my 2024 Jeep Gladiator Willys Texas Edition on the FM 3180 and I 10 when the vehicle experienced a complete electrical failure without warning. The instrument panel began flashing, the vehicle lost power and became completely inoperative while I was traveling. I was able to get the vehicle off the roadway, but it would not restart. At first it would start and flash, windshield wipers were on, even though control was off. It would go about 10 feet and die again for several minutes. I eventually got it off the road and into a parking lot where it beeped and clicked, but would not turn on. The vehicle had no electrical power. A roadside jump box had no effect. The tow operator had to manually override the transmission to place the vehicle in neutral so it could be loaded onto the tow truck. The vehicle was towed to the dealership and remains inoperable. This vehicle previously received a software repair/recall/update in 2025. I do not yet know whether this failure is related to that recall. This was a serious safety event because the vehicle completely shut down while traveling on a high traffic area. I believe this defect could create a significant risk of a crash if it occurs at a high rate of speed. I had no control of the vehicle at times.
My 2024 Jeep Gladiator is subject to Recall 21D (NHTSA 26V-363). The recall warns of a fire risk while parked due to overheating of an electrical connection. Owners have been instructed to park away from structures and other vehicles, but there is currently no remedy available. I am concerned about the safety risk and the lack of an available repair.
Called dealership about recall they told me they can not fix the problem. I can not park my car near a structure. So where am I parking my car. I asked if my car driving weird can be from this recall they told could be possible but they have no resolution for it.
My 2024 Jeep Gladiator Mojave has an ongoing brake issue that persists despite inspections by multiple dealerships. When starting the vehicle in the morning, the brake pedal is unusually hard and sits lower than expected, requiring excessive force before the engine will engage. Once the engine is running, pedal pressure returns to normal. For comparison, I also regularly drive a 2020 Jeep Gladiator and a 2023 Jeep Wrangler, neither of which exhibit this condition. Additionally, after driving for approximately one hour or longer, the vehicle experiences significant brake fade. Increased pedal pressure is required to slow or stop the vehicle, particularly during downhill driving. I routinely drive long distances between Seattle and Tucson and consider this a serious safety concern. In an attempt to address the issue, I spent several hundred dollars upgrading the braking system with ceramic brake pads and drilled rotors. While overall braking performance improved somewhat, the hard brake pedal during startup and brake fade issues remain constant and unresolved. I have worked extensively with two Jeep dealerships regarding this matter: Larry H. Miller Chrysler Jeep Tucson and West Hills Chrysler Jeep Dodge RAM. I also contacted a Jeep customer service representative, who advised that if dealership technicians could not identify a problem, then no issue existed. An independent mechanic suggested the symptoms may indicate a vacuum leak affecting the brake booster system, which could explain the excessive pedal force required during startup. However, to the best of my knowledge, neither dealership has performed a thorough investigation of the brake booster or vacuum system.
Premature clutch failure around 20,000 miles. It happened the first time the 4WD was engaged. Vehicle is in limp mode and cannot drive. There were no warnings prior to the issue. Previous year models have had NHTSA recalls issued for clutch failures.
I. Dash lights go on and off intermittently 2. If you bump the gear shift lightly it comes out of gear.
I have a 2024 jeep gladiator and when I’m on the highway doing anything over 55mph it gets a horrible death wobble and the entire vehicle rattles. It’s hard to maintain control. The first time it happened I almost wrecked my truck. The entire vehicle vibrates violently so you lose control of the steering wheel. You have to come to an immediate stop wherever you are and pray you don’t get rear ended. The steering wheel shakes and everything. It’s terrifying and going to get people killed. It literally almost caused me to wreck
The contact owns a 2024 Jeep Gladiator. The contact stated that while attempting to shift the vehicle into first gear, the vehicle unexpectedly accelerated up to approximately 25 MPH without the accelerator pedal being depressed. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was opened. The approximate failure mileage was 11,000.
Occasionally, the head unit of my vehicle becomes inoperable. I am unable to change radio stations, view climate control information, and the back-up camera is inoperable (which is a safety concern) while the head unit is in this state. When completely shutting down the ignition of the vehicle and allowing it to sit for roughly 30 minutes the head unit will operate as intended and all functionality is restored. This issue has occurred about 4 times on my Jeep Gladiator.
I parked at a business and went inside and within 5-10 minutes of being in the business my Gladiator caught fire on the front passenger side under the hood. I was ghosted by Jeep Wave and my only course of action was to go through State Farm. Jeep and State Farm both had fire investigators on the same day look at the gladiator and I have never heard what caused the fire.
The unconnect infotainment system issues a warning that pops up on the screen, making the maps and all other applications inaccessible including the safety sos system. This is a safety issue because the warning repeatedly shows up on the screen and you have to look away from the road to clear the error. If you don’t clear the error then you are not able to access all of the cars controls on the infotainment system. I took this to the dealer to have them fix it. 3 miles later, the warning message popped up again. It is now in the dealership for the 2nd time. There is an issue with the antenna. I did read that the 2024 model is a new antenna, so it appears to me that this may need a mass recall as this is extremely unsafe. This has been an issue since 3,000 miles and I currently have 13,000 and it continues to be a recurring problem.
Date of Incident: [XXX] Time: [XXX] Location: Mount Pleasant, South Carolina Vehicle: 2024 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon X Mileage at Time of Incident: Approximately 11,000 miles System Involved: Adaptive Cruise Control / Braking System Speed at Time of Incident: 45 MPH in a 45 MPH zone Road & Weather Conditions: Dry, clear weather, good road conditions Description of Incident: While driving at approximately 45 MPH with the adaptive cruise control engaged, the traffic light ahead turned yellow. As I have done many times before in similar conditions, I applied the brakes firmly to slow and stop for the light. However, the vehicle did not slow down as normally expected. As the light turned red and cross traffic began entering the intersection, I pressed the brakes as hard as possible. The vehicle began to slow, and the tires felt like they were “hopping,” but the vehicle never came to a complete stop. Because I was now in the middle of the intersection with a red light and vehicles entering from other directions, I released the brake to avoid a collision. At that point, the vehicle lurched forward, and I realized the cruise control system was still engaged and was actively propelling the vehicle forward. A short time later, the cruise control system finally disengaged on its own. This malfunction nearly caused a serious accident. Under normal operation, pressing the brake pedal firmly at any speed should immediately disengage adaptive cruise control, but this did not occur. Dealer Response: Immediately after the incident, the vehicle was taken to the Mount Pleasant Jeep dealership, SC. The dealership’s technician connected a diagnostic code reader and stated there were no fault codes. They also checked for Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) and stated none existed for this issue. The technician told me there was nothing further they could do. The dealership did not perform a road test, did not escalate the issue to the manufacturer. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
While driving, vehicle completely shuts off. No electrical, No brakes, No steering. Almost ran off curvy road. Vehicle stays in drive with no electronics. Major safety issue. Have appointment with dealer next week. However this could have been serious. After sitting I was able to push the start button and it finally came back on. Then 100 feet down the road it stalled and blacked out again. This time I disconnected the battery, reconnected it and got it one mile to my home. Something is seriously dangerous. I tried to drive it today and it occurred a third time. Dealer wants me to drive it in but not sure how to handle this.
The vehicle is still new and has not been taken offroad other than a few boring unpaved roads. It has never hit any significant pothole. The tires still have the original OEM tire pressure, I have never removed or added air to them. At the time of the incident the tire pressure was 39psi and the temperature outside was about 80F. I was driving on the highway at about 75mph with cruise control. I started feeling a strange slight lateral instability then we heard a strong noise and we thought we had a helicopter on top of us or maybe that something else was loose in the car. As I was stopping in the shoulder it became clear that it was a tire problem as we saw pieces of tire flying off. Thankfully we were able to stop safely. Then it became clear what happened: the tire external sidewall just exploded with absolutely no reason. There was no pothole, no sudden braking or cornering. It just decided to explode. The car behaved very well given the gravity of the situation, but I lost trust in the Bridgestone Dueler H/T 245/75R17 tires that came with it. I'm no tire expert, but the broken tire sidewall construction seems very flimsy to me. This tire has no steel on the sidewall and it looks like the polyester threads is not appropriate and may even be missing in some areas. I took a large number of photos to what is left of the tire.
Showing 20 of 992 total NHTSA complaints. Source: NHTSA Complaints Database
Check the exact car
Before you buy, check the exact JEEP Gladiator
These pages show model-year patterns across 7 years. Enter a VIN to verify the exact vehicle's accident history, title brands, odometer records, and open recall status before purchase.
The basics
How to read this data
Complaints, recalls, investigations — here’s what each number actually tells you about a used JEEP Gladiator, in plain English.
What is an NHTSA Complaint?
An NHTSA safety complaint is a report filed directly by a vehicle owner or driver describing a safety-related issue. Anyone can submit a complaint at NHTSA.gov. The number of complaints is a signal of how common a problem is — but complaints per model-year matter more than raw totals, since popular vehicles naturally receive more reports. The JEEP Gladiator has 992 complaints on record across 7 model years.
What is a Safety Recall?
A safety recall is a mandatory campaign issued by NHTSA when a vehicle component poses an unreasonable risk to safety or does not comply with federal motor vehicle safety standards. Unlike complaints (which are owner-reported), recalls are formally investigated and confirmed by regulators. Manufacturers must fix recalled vehicles free of charge. The JEEP Gladiator has 34 recall campaigns in the NHTSA database.
What Are Crash Complaints?
Crash complaints are NHTSA filings where the owner indicates a crash occurred as part of the incident. 25 of the JEEP Gladiator's 992 complaints involved a crash. This metric is particularly important because it indicates how often defects resulted in actual collisions — a key safety signal beyond general reliability.
How Is the Reliability Verdict Calculated?
The reliability verdict (Poor) is generated by analyzing the vehicle's total complaints, recall history, crash complaint ratio, fire complaint ratio, and top component failures relative to class averages. This verdict gives buyers a quick interpretation before they review year-level details and VIN-level history. It should be treated as one decision input, not a substitute for a VIN-specific report.
Why Do Newer Years Have Fewer Complaints?
Newer model years appear to have fewer complaints because there has been less time for owners to file them. Complaints accumulate over years of ownership. A 2020 model year vehicle will typically show fewer complaints than a 2015 model year even if it is less reliable — simply because fewer owners have had time to report issues. Focus on complaints per year of market presence when comparing across model years.
Fleet Data vs. Individual VIN
Everything on this page reflects aggregated data across all JEEP Gladiator vehicles on the road — not any specific car. Two JEEP Gladiator vehicles of the same year can have very different histories: one may have been in three accidents and have an open recall; another may be clean. A VIN check gives you the individual car's history: accidents, title brands, odometer records, service history, and real-time recall status.
What Are NHTSA Investigations?
When NHTSA receives a pattern of related safety complaints, it opens a formal investigation. A Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is the first stage — NHTSA determines if a safety defect may exist. If evidence is strong, it escalates to an Engineering Analysis (EA), which can result in a mandatory recall. The JEEP Gladiator has 0 investigations on record (0 active). Investigations listed above may have already led to the recalls shown on this page.
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By state
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Title-branding rules, flood-damage exposure, and salvage laws vary by state. Run a free VIN check or explore state-specific vehicle history guidance before buying a used JEEP Gladiator.
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JEEP Gladiator reliability — frequently asked questions
Is the JEEP Gladiator reliable?
Poor. The JEEP Gladiator has 992 NHTSA owner complaints and 34 recall campaigns across model years. A commonly reported issue area is STEERING. Use year-level data as a pattern guide, then verify the exact car with a VIN check before purchase.
Which JEEP Gladiator years to avoid?
Years with the most NHTSA complaints: 2020 (483 complaints), 2021 (292 complaints), 2022 (120 complaints). Use these years as a shortlist for deeper inspection, and always run a VIN check on the exact vehicle before purchase.
What are the most common JEEP Gladiator problems?
Top reported issues: STEERING (329 complaints); ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (289 complaints); POWER TRAIN (157 complaints).
Does the JEEP Gladiator have recalls?
Yes — 34 NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the JEEP Gladiator. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.