IllustrationTHE DEAD ZONE IN THE STEERING WHEEL IS FAR GREATER THAN WHAT JEEP CLAIMS IT IS. THE STEERING WANDERS OR PULLS. THE DEALERSHIPS REFUSE TO DO ANYTHING BECAUSE 'ITS A JEEP THING'. NO ITS NOT. ITS A DEATH WISH THING. THE PROBLEM IS EITHER IN THE STEERING BOX OR THE TRAC BAR. BUT JEEP WONT FIX IT BECAUSE IT WOULD BE TOO EXPENSIVE.
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
Compare all Gladiator years →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
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 reportsAT HI-WAY SPEEDS VEHICLE PULLS OR SWAYS. WHEN YOU MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL TO CORRECT. IT'S EASY TO OVER CORRECT AS THE STEERING WHEEL SEEMS TO HAVE A DEAD SPOT.
VEHICLE WANDERS DURING NORMAL DRIVING ON HIGHWAYS, REQUIRING FREQUENT CORRECTION TO MAKE IT TRACK STRAIGHT. THERE IS ALSO EXCESSIVE PLAY (DEADSPOT) IN THE STEERING, WHICH REQUIRES APPROXIMATELY AN INCH OF STEERING WHEEL MOVEMENT BEFORE ANY MOVEMENT OR FEEDBACK IN PHYSICAL STEERING IS FELT. VEHICLE ALSO HAS A TENDENCY TO DRIFT/PU…
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VEHICLE WANDERS DURING NORMAL DRIVING ON HIGHWAYS, REQUIRING FREQUENT CORRECTION TO MAKE IT TRACK STRAIGHT. THERE IS ALSO EXCESSIVE PLAY (DEADSPOT) IN THE STEERING, WHICH REQUIRES APPROXIMATELY AN INCH OF STEERING WHEEL MOVEMENT BEFORE ANY MOVEMENT OR FEEDBACK IN PHYSICAL STEERING IS FELT. VEHICLE ALSO HAS A TENDENCY TO DRIFT/PULL TO THE RIGHT, REQUIRING CONSTANT (BUT SLIGHT) STEER TO THE LEFT. HAVE SCHEDULED DIAGNOSIS WITH THE DEALERSHIP.
ON THE HIGHWAY STEERING IS HORRENDOUS. SO MUCH WANDERING AND PULLING TO THE RIGHT. THE STEERING FEELS LIKE IT HAS EXCESS PLAY IN GENERAL. I FEEL UNSAFE DRIVING IN MY BRAND NEW JEEP GLADIATOR.
STARTING AT JUST OVER 100 MILES MY VEHICLE STARTED DISPLAYING A ELECTRONIC START/STOP SYSTEMS ERRORS AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ONE. THE CEL WAS CAUSED BY ENGINE MISFIRES AND SHOW CODE P0300. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT FCA WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND IT WAS WELL KNOW, BUT NO FIX IS AVAILABLE. …
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STARTING AT JUST OVER 100 MILES MY VEHICLE STARTED DISPLAYING A ELECTRONIC START/STOP SYSTEMS ERRORS AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ONE. THE CEL WAS CAUSED BY ENGINE MISFIRES AND SHOW CODE P0300. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT FCA WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND IT WAS WELL KNOW, BUT NO FIX IS AVAILABLE. THE MISFIRES CAUSE ENGINE STUMBLE AND INABILITY TO ACCELERATE AS EXPECTED WHEN PULLING OUT OR CROSSING ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THE NHTSA MAY WANT TO INVESTIGATE AS FCA DOES NOT HAVE AN ANSWER. THIS MAY BE A DEFECT IN MANUFACTURING OR SOFTWARE AND SEEMS TO BE LEADING TO OUTRIGHT ENGINE FAILURES FOR MODELS WITH MORE MILES. PHOTO ATTACHED SHOWING THE DASHBOARD WARNINGS THAT CONTINUE TO OCCUR.
STEERING IS LOOSE WHEN DRIVING AND VEHICLE 'WANDERS' WHAT I FEEL IS MORE THAN A MODERN DAY VEHICLE SHOULD. CAN CERTAINLY BE DANGEROUS IF NOT PAYING CLOSE ATTENTION. SOME DAYS ARE WORSE THAN OTHERS. STRANGE IN COMPARISON TO ANY OTHER VEHICLE I'VE OWNED.
IT IS VERY HARD TO KEEP THE JEEP GOING STRAIT DOWN THE ROAD AT SPEEDS OVER 30 MPH. VERY UNSAFE. I HAVE EVEN BEEN PULLED OVER BY POLICE.
ON MY 2020 JEEP GLADIATOR RUBICON ESS AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AT 249 MILES. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CODE WAS P0300 MULTIPLE CYLINDER MISFIRE. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER MONROE DODGE AND THEY REPLACED THE BATTERY FOR ESS AND DID A RECOMMENDED PCM FLASH FOR THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. I PULLED OUT OF THE DEALERSHIP AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT…
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ON MY 2020 JEEP GLADIATOR RUBICON ESS AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AT 249 MILES. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CODE WAS P0300 MULTIPLE CYLINDER MISFIRE. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER MONROE DODGE AND THEY REPLACED THE BATTERY FOR ESS AND DID A RECOMMENDED PCM FLASH FOR THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. I PULLED OUT OF THE DEALERSHIP AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS IMMEDIATELY BACK ON FOLLOWED BY ESS LIGHT. DEALER IMMEDIATELY HOOKED UP THE SCANNER AND THEY SAID THE P0300 MULTIPLE CYLINDER MISFIRE IS BACK ON. DEALER IS SAYING THEY HAVE TO TEAR INTO THE ENGINE. THIS SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLES THAT NHTSA SHOULD INVESTIGATE FOR MANUFACTURING DEFECT. SEEMS TO BE ONLY WITH THE ENGINES MADE IN SALTILLO SOUTH ENGINE PLANT IN MEXICO.
VEHICLE WANDERS DURING NORMAL DRIVING ON HIGHWAYS, REQUIRING FREQUENT CORRECTION TO MAKE IT TRACK STRAIGHT. THERE IS ALSO EXCESSIVE PLAY (DEADSPOT) IN THE STEERING, WHICH REQUIRES APPROXIMATELY AN INCH OF STEERING WHEEL MOVEMENT BEFORE ANY MOVEMENT OR FEEDBACK IN PHYSICAL STEERING IS FELT. VEHICLE ALSO HAS A TENDENCY TO DRIFT/PU…
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VEHICLE WANDERS DURING NORMAL DRIVING ON HIGHWAYS, REQUIRING FREQUENT CORRECTION TO MAKE IT TRACK STRAIGHT. THERE IS ALSO EXCESSIVE PLAY (DEADSPOT) IN THE STEERING, WHICH REQUIRES APPROXIMATELY AN INCH OF STEERING WHEEL MOVEMENT BEFORE ANY MOVEMENT OR FEEDBACK IN PHYSICAL STEERING IS FELT. VEHICLE ALSO HAS A TENDENCY TO DRIFT/PULL TO THE RIGHT, REQUIRING CONSTANT (BUT SLIGHT) STEER TO THE LEFT. VEHICLE, AT THE TIME OF THIS REPORT, HAS 1456 MILES. IT IS WITH THE DEALER TO DIAGNOSE. I HAVE REFERENCED FCA'S TSB 08-074-20 TO THE SERVICE ADVISOR. VEHICLE HAS FACTORY SUSPENSION, TIRES/WHEELS, AND STEERING COMPONENTS.
2020 JEEP GLADIATOR AT 1760 MILES NUMEROUS AUTO START STOP FAILURES WITH CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND P300 CODE (ENGINE MISFIRE). TOOK TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD BAD GAS AND THEY RESET THE CODE. AT 1900 MILES AFTER NUMEROUS AUTO STOP START FAILURES CHECK ENGINE LIGHT BACK ON WITH NOTICEABLE MISFIRES ON COLD START. DEALER CHANGED COIL…
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2020 JEEP GLADIATOR AT 1760 MILES NUMEROUS AUTO START STOP FAILURES WITH CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND P300 CODE (ENGINE MISFIRE). TOOK TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD BAD GAS AND THEY RESET THE CODE. AT 1900 MILES AFTER NUMEROUS AUTO STOP START FAILURES CHECK ENGINE LIGHT BACK ON WITH NOTICEABLE MISFIRES ON COLD START. DEALER CHANGED COILS AND PLUGS. AT 2300 MILES CHECK ENGINE LIGHT BACK ON WITH NOTICEABLE MISFIRES. DEALER CHANGED EGR VALVE AND DID A SOFTWARE UPDATE. AT 2850 MILES CHECK ENGINE LIGHT BACK ON. DEALER DID ANOTHER SOFTWARE UPDATE. 2 DAYS AND 50 MILES LATER CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON WITH NOTICEABLE MISFIRES. CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER FOR 10 DAYS LATER WITH NO FIX IN SIGHT. MANY GLADIATORS HAVE THIS MISFIRE PROBLEM.
Official recalls
724V652000 · 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
1PE25014 · 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